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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

Husband left me and my teenage children on New Year. I have no idea what to do now. (Content warning: concerns sexual abuse and domestic violence)

345 replies

FrolickingFannyBoots · 06/01/2022 05:39

Hello all lovely ladies on mumset, I really really need some help in a crisis situation please. I have no one to turn to at the moment and am totally alone.

The day before New Year, my husband of almost 20 years walked out on us and went to his parent's house. He has been having an emotional and possible sexual affair for some time I believe and I was suspicious for two years. Typical middle aged man, younger woman scenario. I am 50 and she is early 30's. She has been after him for more than a a year now and has moved moved down to London from Glasgow to be near him. He helped her move here and is now involved
much more closely.

He has become cruel, unkind and heartless toward me, speaking with a different voice, sending me authoritative emails about when he is returning to collect his things and stating that he is not going to divorce yet. The house is in his name and he says he will not sell. I simply do not recognise him and my kids are absolutely devastated.

Last month, we were buying gifts for parents and friends together in a antique shop. He bought a Molton Brown Christmas bauble saying it was for his mum. I thought it was odd as he has never been interested in toiletries. Later that week, I found that and the same set of hand creams he had bought me in a bag with pants, new ladies black t shirts and socks by his desk - I knew it was a bag packed to go to this woman. She is Polish and works in IT. They met at a mutual friend's wedding in the Czech Republic in 2019.

Before he left last week, I tried to reason with him to save our marriage. I consented to sex ( it's been many months ) but he then basically rammed my legs open, shoved himself inside me, had an orgasm. He came out, turned over and went to sleep. He hurt me. he has never done that before, but because i initially consented to help keep him at home , I cannot claim rape .The next day he said he had angry sex, that he had used me and taken advantage of me. I wish I had recorded this!

He has now kept on and on texting me with accusations of my emotional abuse abuse in arguments; throwing lots and lots of text messages etc at me from the past. He has recorded all out arguments and sent them to me as evidence. But they actually show even in 2018 that I was asking him about our relationship and how unhappy I was. He never replied to the issues I raised properly. I admit I have behaved badly in arguments and shouted but never threatened him in any way.

Last year, he hit me with a bottle after a row which was thrown across the room and caused me extensive bruising all across on my arm, a large hematoma and significant pain. I did not press charges. He says that I am the abusive partner due to my verbal bullying. I do have photos.

He now states he is leaving me but not my children. He tells me he does not love me, never has and wishes he never married me. He is demanding to return to the house after leaving last week to see my 3 teenage kids aged 14,16 and 17. They do not want to see him.

He says he will come back, see them, collect his things and go back home to his mum and dad for good. He is insisting on a trial separation and will not divorce me until he is ready. That he will keep
me in in our family home ( an area I really don't like or want to stay in) until my youngest is 18. He is dominating every conversation and interaction we have now. He refuses to respond via text most days and calls me instead when convenient for him. He has suggested that the come home at weekends only and stay at his mums during the week. \he says he will not come home again to stay as I am forcing him into a relationship again where he will be abused by me verbally and I'm a bully. He says alternatively I could leave. Yet just last week he was out with me going for a long walk and a take out coffee.

I have nor slept or eaten at all well since he left. In November, 2019 I just started a new job full time in education after a 17 year break as a stay at home mum. About 2 weeks into this, he started telling me I was awful, how wanted to leave and goaded me every day stating he no longer wanted the relationship and that he was leaving. I ran off on the day he told me day last month and went to my local woods to walk, think and had a drink to calm myself down after he stated he was leaving. He said if I did that again he was leaving.

I believe he has been planning this exit for a long time with this woman. He says he is as his parent's house. I have begged him to come home but he says I am controlling and manipulating him.

I do not know what to do. Should I file for divorce? He is saying that he will work at his parents and come up weekends to see the kids and help with the house but has left me. I do not think that this is helpful as he will be with this woman while I am alone. He is very evasive about the relationship and tells me nothing about it. He has been very secretive for months and months. I was so suspicious- I tried every thing to get evidence.

He wants to wait for the no fault divorce but I do not. He has been so so awful to me and rude every day since I started work. I have a large abdominal hernia and separated abdominal muscles. I need
significant surgery plus have diagnosed mental health conditions and am in in NHS therapy. I am quite weak. He is younger, no health problems. l I live in a small town with no support. I cannot drive and he has taken the car. I have nothing now. I am on compassionate leave from my work as I am trying to help support my children and am too distressed to work in school with the stress. he says I should just go to work as get on as normal.

If anyone could provide me with some advice I would be very grateful. I am at a total loss. I can barely write and it's been a few days now. This man has blind sided me, although I was very suspicious,. He has abandoned me and the children taking no responsibility.

He is just blaming and accusing me saying its all my fault. He will not return and says if he comes back he comes to see the kids and then will go back to his parents. I have no family to help or friends, I am alone here. I had no notion that he would leave like this, he has clearly been encouraged and prompted by this woman to leave me and built up to it He says he wants divorce later but no decision has been made. My two elder kids are in their final year of exams- my son Year 11, daughter Yr 13. This is so so stressful for them but they don't see the long term consequences. He says he will never be reconciled to me ever again.

I have £600 in my account and that's it. Should I apply for a divorce? What should I do ? I can't have him here just waling back in and dominating me. He has said that if he stays, he will have sex with her and then come back regularly after 3 days. He then asks me if I am in love with him and talks about our cats. He is expecting me to just carry on as normal while he leaves me with no support or help with my physical problems. The house is in need of real repair and renovation, it's in quite a state and he's just left me with it here in a poor condition,. I cannot run it alone with no notice. I have stated all this to him in texts but he ignores me.

Sorry this is long. I am desperate. I have no money, no car, friends of support, My job is minimum wage due to my physical problem of my hernia stopping me working in my old career as a teacher. My DH has literally upped and gone and turned into this awful awful man who now thinks I'm scum. He is so rude to me now and just exopect me to continue as normal without him. He told me he said in his mind- "just one more row over something small and that's it" Yet he is now making me go over and over all out rows from 4-5 years ago. I gave up my career, my health and life to move to Kent from London to facilitate his life. What should I do? Should I cut contact? I am just devastated by this.

Thank you for any advice. I really appreciate it.

OP posts:
AgathaX · 13/01/2022 22:37

I think you're forgetting that the husband is abusive. Typical sort of comments made by an abuser to keep the abused person in line.

FrolickingFannyBoots · 13/01/2022 22:46

I have no idea why he said about social services. I’ve no connection or ever been linked to anylocal authority involvement and my eldest child is 18 in 2 weeks.

My children are all perfectly fine and gone to school as normal. I’ve never heard him say it before and it makes no sense to me. I’ve brought them up as the full time parent so it’s just empty comments.

He’s off playing in his band having fun tonight ( he texted my daughter this) while I have cooked, washed, fed the pets, helped out with homework and filled in a 6th form application. Also booked them an eye test each. I’m hardly the neglectful parent here Angry

OP posts:
FrolickingFannyBoots · 13/01/2022 22:52

Sorry, I’m just upset. My dh is younger than me and never really wanted to take responsibility. He’s left the house projects he promised to do half finished, never does any real cleaning, takes no notice of me, gets into huge debt without telling me and set the house on fire 6 months ago by putting burning oil into the sink filled with water. He’s a mummy’s golden boy and can’t even cook a simple meal. I wish to God I’d met a mature man. I became pregnant, so he stayed with me. He’s not matured much and thinks everyone should do things his way, for him. He’s just entitled.I did help as much as I could but even now he is just same.

OP posts:
FrolickingFannyBoots · 13/01/2022 22:56

He was good to stay with me and I appreciate him doing that but since then he’s relied on me and just turned me into his mum in many ways.

OP posts:
inthejunglegeorgeandbungle · 13/01/2022 22:58

Totally agree with the red flags @RatOnArt. No doubt this is a horrible situation for the OP and I hope she sorts it out, but there are too many inconsistencies in her story which are infuriating.

Saying she gave up her teaching career for the kids and husband, but then saying actually she can't work as a teacher due to health reasons that have been going on for a long time.

Wanting the husband gone (understandably) but really annoyed he left to go to his mums leaving her with the kids and to do things in the house/cook!? I thought that was what she was doing anyway, and surely someone if that situation would be pleased he has gone. I am having marriage problems and am so pleased if my husband goes away.

And yes if he is threatening SS and videoing the arguments- why is he doing that?

I think just enagage the lawyer you have and get the divorce. All the police stuff is making everything unnecessarily complicated.

user1486131602 · 13/01/2022 23:18

All of the above advice is good, with one exception...contact women’s aid first. They will help you navigate your way thru this, help with the police report, take you to the station if necessary. They can help with free legal advice. Housing, benefits etc. Check out the women’s rights website. The ages of your children will decide a few things for you. Check out child benefit, working tax credits, universal credit and go the the child maintenance agency, tell them that it’s an abusive divorce, that means YOU pay no fees to collect money for your kids.
Change your bank account into your name only. Change ALL passwords, remove him from family sharing accounts, this stops him keeping tabs on you and accessing accounts etc. The women’s aid number can be found by Googling the one in your area.
I wish you nothing but peace and happiness.
And the first thing you do, is a little dance...he’s gone!!

pompomsgalore · 14/01/2022 05:18

@inthejunglegeorgeandbungle

Totally agree with the red flags *@RatOnArt*. No doubt this is a horrible situation for the OP and I hope she sorts it out, but there are too many inconsistencies in her story which are infuriating.

Saying she gave up her teaching career for the kids and husband, but then saying actually she can't work as a teacher due to health reasons that have been going on for a long time.

Wanting the husband gone (understandably) but really annoyed he left to go to his mums leaving her with the kids and to do things in the house/cook!? I thought that was what she was doing anyway, and surely someone if that situation would be pleased he has gone. I am having marriage problems and am so pleased if my husband goes away.

And yes if he is threatening SS and videoing the arguments- why is he doing that?

I think just enagage the lawyer you have and get the divorce. All the police stuff is making everything unnecessarily complicated.

I imagine OP is using this thread not only for advice but to offload and brain dump all the mixed feelings and emotions she has: upset, shock, anger, bitterness, regret, fear, confusion.

Your post isn't very helpful and will now take up her energy to reply to you to clarify things when really she just needs to concentrate on breaking down the whole problem and compartmentalise her issues to move forward.

JonesJollyJohnnies · 14/01/2022 06:46

OP has already contacted Womens Aid she says so earlier on the thread. What did they say?

myusernamewastakenbyme · 14/01/2022 06:56

Why are people trying to get him charged with rape??? Op said in the opening post that she consented.

RatOnArt · 14/01/2022 07:40

*I imagine OP is using this thread not only for advice but to offload and brain dump all the mixed feelings and emotions she has: upset, shock, anger, bitterness, regret, fear, confusion.

Your post isn't very helpful and will now take up her energy to reply to you to clarify things when really she just needs to concentrate on breaking down the whole problem and compartmentalise her issues to move forward*

It’s also not helpful for posters to be responding from an emotional perspective when the OP needs practical advice. People on here sometimes enjoy drama for the sake of drama, forgetting that the OP is a real person. The OP is already stressed out. She of course will want to rant but she needs solid advice and to give that, people need to be able to fully understand the OP’s situation. Hence they may need to seek clarity

Emotional responses, which appear to be projection on the part of some posters, aren’t helping and may cause the OP more fear.

inthejunglegeorgeandbungle · 14/01/2022 07:55

@FrolickingFannyBoots

I have no idea why he said about social services. I’ve no connection or ever been linked to anylocal authority involvement and my eldest child is 18 in 2 weeks.

My children are all perfectly fine and gone to school as normal. I’ve never heard him say it before and it makes no sense to me. I’ve brought them up as the full time parent so it’s just empty comments.

He’s off playing in his band having fun tonight ( he texted my daughter this) while I have cooked, washed, fed the pets, helped out with homework and filled in a 6th form application. Also booked them an eye test each. I’m hardly the neglectful parent here Angry

while I have cooked, washed, fed the pets, helped out with homework and filled in a 6th form application. Also booked them an eye test each. I’m hardly the neglectful parent here

You're a full time mum, given you're not working at the moment, all what you've listed is what full time mums do?! And also what you'd have to be doing when you divorce him and are working.

Do you not have any hobbies? You could do your childcare stuff in the day/early evening and then do your hobbies. Yes it's annoying that he has gone out to play with his band but am assuming he's been at work all day and you're not allowing him into the house so what's he going to do?

StopStartStop · 14/01/2022 08:00

OP, some posters need ignoring.

RatOnArt · 14/01/2022 08:21

OP what’s stopping you going out of an evening?

Your kids should be responsible for their own homework. They can help more around the house and can cook simple meals like pizzas, beans on toast, jacket pots that’s three meals already! You are taking on too much. Get the kids to do more.

What about a meal plan? We have the same few meals on rotation here. Get the kids on board to suggest things. Do you have a slow cooker?

You have the entire day to yourself at the moment when they’re at school as you’re off work, you need to do things that get you ahead of the game so you can have a relaxing evening.

Longer term, Learning to drive would be a good starting point. Would your DH support that? You can also do driving lessons of an evening.

ClawedButler · 14/01/2022 09:23

Ignoring the thread derailment, it sounds like there are little sparks of anger and strength beginning to appear in what you say - this is GOOD. Hold on to that.

The French have a saying that roughly translates as "He farts higher than his arse" - meaning that everything that comes out of someone's mouth is just guff. This is what your STBXH is doing. He opens his mouth and there's just wind and noise. He's hoping that if it's windy and noisy enough you will just meekly back down and let him walk all over you.

He simply cannot fathom that the world is not his for commanding. Well, tough titties you puerile wankbadger, your mum might dance to your tune but your wife and kids do not have to. No-one has to. Fart away, you prince among men, no-one gives a shiny shit what you say.

RatOnArt · 14/01/2022 09:35

⬆️
Peak Mumsnet.

So , offering practical advice and asking questions is “derailment” but being emotional and rabbiting on about someone farting is the way forward…

Alwayscheerful · 14/01/2022 10:33

Some great advice here.
Just one additional thought, you mention there is insufficient equity to house both parties.
Perhaps ExDH wants to wait and sell when the children reach to secure his 50% when your dc are no longer considered t b " children.
Press for a financial settlement now, to secure a bigger share while your DC need housing you might secure 70/30 In Your favour, do not wait.

ClawedButler · 18/01/2022 09:01

@FrolickingFannyBoots, how are you coping at the moment?

ArabellaScott · 18/01/2022 09:39

Another one checking in. Hope you're okay, OP.

StellaGibson118 · 18/01/2022 10:17

@itchscratcherz

*He is a deeply disturbed and twisted individual. Remember this, OP*

This is someone’s life not bloody EastEnders. Stop this melodrama.

There is a lot of “he said she said” going on…most of it is irrelevant.

OP would do well to avoid any self-designated psychoanalysis experts and focus on practicalities and the kids.

Do go on then Biscuit
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