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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Feeling Smothered

99 replies

keepitsimple49 · 09/05/2021 20:01

Genuinely feeling exhausted by my OH. I really don't want to put his feelings down so I was looking for some opinions first.
I don't even know where to begin, he literally cannot do anything on his own without help. From house maintenance and household chores and the kids everything has to be done with me and him. Otherwise it won't get done. Once I start he will help or if he starts he asks for help. Doesn't want to go out without me to the shops or taking kids out I'm always asked to go, if I don't 'I've ruined the day' and no one goes out. If I'm in shower he wants to come in if I'm on loo he will stand at the door talking to me. Cutting his hair and facial hair he wants help. Asks me to 'scrub his back' in the shower. Even when I'm at work, upstairs, or he's on the toilet constant messages about things. Even when he bloody masterbates he wants some sort of interaction. Doesn't like gaming with his friends anymore he wants me to start playing. I feel smothered and exhausted. I've told him to settle down and I need space im not disappearing in the moments I'm gone but he makes me feel bad then I'm back to feeling uncomfortable again I want my peace back!

OP posts:
keepitsimple49 · 10/05/2021 00:11

I'm just a bit confused how one minute my life is just irritated by him to realising its more than that. But yes I get the post above. I will just have to look at my options not that there seems to be many but all I can do is try

OP posts:
youvegottenminuteslynn · 10/05/2021 00:15

You poor thing Thanks

I would seek legal advice from a family solicitor because googling will give you so many inconsistent and opposing answers that it will overwhelm you I think. It's a minefield this stuff.

youvegottenminuteslynn · 10/05/2021 00:17

It's the boiling frog analogy I think.

Suddenly enough is enough and reality hits.

safe365.com/blog/en/the-boiling-frog-syndrome-and-the-silent-deterioration/

19Bears · 10/05/2021 00:18

Please get legal advice asap. I'd write more but I can hear my dh coming up to bed. I don't want him to, for many reasons. I can't believe it about the flippen masturbating. Does he want you to commentate?@!! Good luck. I know how it feels to want to escape x

Nitpickpicnic · 10/05/2021 00:48

At the moment OP, it no doubt all feels very ‘black and white’ or all black and overwhelming. That’s very normal as the wool gets dragged off our eyes. It’s to be expected. What seems to happen next is that we stop just holding and swirling the thoughts in our own heads, we start talking to others. Friends, family and experts (legal advice, etc). We start googling, ordering books, finding podcasts. Slowly a few potential paths forward form, and we evaluate and prioritise them.

It’s too early in the process to hope for clear paths yet. It’s a very scary time, but it doesn’t last long. There’s something about these epiphanies that closes emotional doors behind us- well, for most of us. Whether you end up taking a separation path or not, you’ll likely never go back to seeing him as ‘just annoying’. You’ll see 100 examples a day of how his behaviour affects yours, and how those comments/traits equal control as much as (or more than) ‘neediness’. That the only ‘care’ that counts for him is what he can get, not give. One day you’ll watch him do it with your eldest child, and the horror will properly descend on you.

What we can’t bare to do for ourselves, we often are motivated to do for our kids. So do your research, get him into therapy (since he’ll go with you more easily than most), and let the process happen. Let yourself off the hook for ‘solving it all today’. Do that everyday.

It can take time for your head, heart and gut to catch up with each other on this stuff. Of course it would, right?

Tossblanket · 10/05/2021 03:14

He sounds fucking mental.

So far from what a normal relationship looks like.

Tossblanket · 10/05/2021 03:27

That was based on your original post, now I've read more it's even worse.

Be careful with this one, your description of his behaviour is worrying.

BlueVelvetStars · 10/05/2021 04:51

Reading his behaviours is making my skin crawl OP.

Controlling coercive prick.

Rangoon · 10/05/2021 05:11

You need to see a solicitor quietly for advice on both custody and property. Be sure to see somebody who practises in family law. Do not tell your OH about this under any circumstances.

They might suggest upping the nursery time for the youngest. (Tell your partner it's so you can spend more time together - like going out to lunch together.) Personally, I would make sure that if there were any doctors' appointments (are they a thing any more in the UK?) I'd be taking them myself. Similarly with dentists. I would be attending all parent teacher things on my own or any school related activity. You might be advised to wait it out till the youngest is in school and then he has no reason to be sitting at home six days out of the seven while you go to work. Email your children's teachers with some bland query so you can show what an involved parent you are.

Do not send him any photographs and/or retrieve any you might have sent. It is true that it is illegal to share them but that's little consolation when they somehow end up on the web.

Who owns the house? I note you're not married. It is all very well him going for custody but you need somewhere for them to live. If it's joint, could you buy him out? I presume with your income you would be able to secure suitable accommodation even if the house were sold. He might be less able to do so working one day a week. Anyway, would he go for custody because then he'd be responsible for doing things - on his own?

How did the sahd thing arise? Were you on board with the decision?

There is a difference between agreeing to this as a joint decision or him just unilaterally deciding.

Try to take no notice of his sulks. If he's ignoring you, it's all to the good. I'd be turning off my phone a lot. Or diverting it somewhere.

Quincie · 10/05/2021 05:24

I was wondering if he feels put upon and bored as a sahd and is punishing you for the situation he's chosen.
Can he work more, you use a child minder, phrase it as giving him a more fulfilling life . Get him out of the main carer role.

MrsTerryPratchett · 10/05/2021 05:43

'OH' so are you married? Who owns the home?

You really need some legal advice and soon.

RandomMess · 10/05/2021 07:33

What was the plan for when the youngest is older/goes to school was it for him to return to work?

I would start saying that the current situation doesn't work and youngest would be better off in nursery and he needs to get back to work.

Perhaps your job is looking insecure?

Absolutely see a solicitor and yes 50:50 is the starting point which is better than the current situation.

Whether you are married or not makes a huge difference to the finances.

keepitsimple49 · 10/05/2021 10:04

We are not married and the house is in my name it's rented not owned. My issue would be raising the money for a deposit and rent upfront if I was to consider moving out. I can't say we've spoke about him uping his days at work I can't say there is a solid thing in place one youngest is in school FT

OP posts:
MarshmallowAra · 10/05/2021 10:21

There is no way this man is entirely sane, he sounds mentally ill. He's incapable of having a remotely normal relationship with someone. I doubt any amount of counselling would change him, even in the long term.

Something has gone badly wrong in his development (nature of nurture or both, I don't know).

You need legal advice asap to try to work this so he doesn't end up resident parent. He sounds like a lazy for too, what little he works while your children are actually in school and nursery. He lives off you, he'll doubly not want to let you go. Maybe that's part of why he's so claws into you, stranglehold etc.

Thank goodness you're not married or owning a property; you won't have to give him any equity etc.

MarshmallowAra · 10/05/2021 10:25

*a lazy fkr

MarshmallowAra · 10/05/2021 10:27

Women's aid or rights of women might be best place for advice.

This is abusive, coercive etc.

candycane222 · 10/05/2021 10:35

I just wanted to say how much I feel for you, and to add that if you do think you need to separate (and it does sound like you do), you probably need to be as stealthy as you can. If he senses you pulling away he might get even worse Sad.

keepitsimple49 · 10/05/2021 10:38

I already feel like shit for this but after thinking I do think oldest has anxiety around OH. He stutters a lot or takes a while to explain things my OHs response is 'tell me when you've released the book' or interrupts him making irritating noises to get him to hurry up speaking. DS doesn't do this when it's just me and him talking he is very fluent no stutter

OP posts:
RandomMess · 10/05/2021 10:43

If the rented place is only in your name then ultimately you can force him to leave and you stay there.

There is nothing to stop you sorting out full time nursery provision for the youngest and breakfast club for the youngest and telling him he needs to get a full time job nor telling him to leave.

Realistically how can he leave with both the DC? You can say no it's 50:50 and you will accept nothing else.

Just start making plans and finding out what is what.

I would ensure that child benefit for at least one child is in your name as that is your gateway for UC financial assistance with rent and childcare etc.

Umberellatheweatha · 10/05/2021 10:55

@keepitsimple49

I already feel like shit for this but after thinking I do think oldest has anxiety around OH. He stutters a lot or takes a while to explain things my OHs response is 'tell me when you've released the book' or interrupts him making irritating noises to get him to hurry up speaking. DS doesn't do this when it's just me and him talking he is very fluent no stutter
Fs. He is a horrible git. He has already damaged your childs self esteem considerably.

A lot of ppl come onto mumsnet with an original issue that is small in comparison to everything else that is going on and as the thread progresses the op lists more and more things that they are starting to see. Your thread is a perfect example of this.

It's good the flat is in your name so there should be no drama getting him off the lease. I'd give him his matching orders. Not that getting him to go will be easy of course. But you'd just have to stick to your guns.

Definately see a solicitor, and keep reading up on how to spot abuse. Keep learning. Might also be wise to put any important documents such as children's passports somewhere safe like a parents house. And confide in people you trust. Not someone who will tell you this shit is normal though. Often ppl close to the situation dont want to judge others and so may end up trying to excuse his behaviour. That's not the healthy approach you need right now. But if you have someone that will just listen and understand then dont be slow to ask for support.

candycane222 · 10/05/2021 14:18

Wow he's actually quite nasty isn't he. Please be careful OP, he may not give up all that control and domination willingly

Ollinisca · 11/05/2021 02:29

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Aprilwasverywet · 12/05/2021 11:03

Start taking some small steps to ending things op.. Is child benefit in your name? Into your bank account? Make sure you do Dr /dentist appointments. Start becoming the primary carer.. Do you have a joint account? Who goes and gets dc clothes etc? Make all these things you are doing...

Alcemeg · 13/05/2021 16:35

@keepitsimple49

I already feel like shit for this but after thinking I do think oldest has anxiety around OH. He stutters a lot or takes a while to explain things my OHs response is 'tell me when you've released the book' or interrupts him making irritating noises to get him to hurry up speaking. DS doesn't do this when it's just me and him talking he is very fluent no stutter
This is just horrible.

Please leave him as soon as you can find a safe way to do so, OP!

Flowers
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