Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

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:
Harrysmummy246 · 07/01/2022 14:21

It is up to them if they see him or not. What do they want to do? Get him blocked on your DC's phones as well as your own.

ClawedButler · 07/01/2022 14:31

It's fine that he's communicating directly with the kids - as long as they feel empowered to be able to say yes or no to seeing him based on their own wishes, not feeling coerced or emotionally blackmailed into it. If they don't want to communicate with him at all, simply inform him of that and encourage your kids to block him - at least for the time being.

He seems to think he's king of the planet and can decide who does what, when and where, how everyone should feel, and how things are going to pan out in the near and more distant future. But guess what? He's got a horrible shock coming when it turns out that his kids and wife are not his possessions,or his chattel or his support humans. Steep learning curve coming your way, Mr Twattyboots. I'd almost feel sorry for him if he wasn't a complete oxygen thief.

Suzanne999 · 07/01/2022 14:34

Your children have the right to choose if they see him. If any of them choose not to, I wouldn’t respond to him.
If ge turns up at your house keep the doors locked tell him politely the children don’t want to see him, he should go away. He can email you a list of stuff he wants or you pack clothes for him and leave them outside.
If he becomes abusive, ( shouting, yelling, kicking the door) call the police. Do not engage with him.

ClawedButler · 07/01/2022 14:34

I have switched everything over to email now and told him he can’t come up and take them out without notifying me. Obviously they are much older but still, I’m assuming he has to speak to me first and arrange a convenient time for them to meet?

Your children get to decide if and when they see him.
You can facilitate the exchange of that information, but as your kids are teens I suspect they would value being able to make the decision for themselves knowing that you will support them in whatever they decide.

ClawedButler · 07/01/2022 14:36

Do you think he realises what a fucking cliche he's become?

Another cross shouty twat who thinks he's the son of God.

FrolickingFannyBoots · 07/01/2022 15:07

Hi there ladies,

Yes thank you for this information, I have been unsure about legality with seeing the kids. I’ll talk to them again.

I think he believes he’s coming here no matter what I say or do. I’ll take the great advice here and hold on to that

Oh yes he’s the son of God!

You’ve all been so amazing x

OP posts:
ScribblingPixie · 07/01/2022 15:44

You sound a bit chirpier already, OP. It sounds obvious but could you sell some stuff you no longer need on your local Facebook Buy, Sell, Swap group for some ready cash? Ebay too of course, but that's not so immediate.

FrolickingFannyBoots · 07/01/2022 16:01

Yes I have some bags and purses and clothes I can sell. Thanks scribble pixie, it’s a good idea. I am trying to keep calm although I’m still drinking a bit more than I should. My kids are all fine. I have been given another few weeks off by my doctor and prescribed sertraline as I suffer from anxiety. Not taken it before and I know I can’t drink on it

OP posts:
AgathaX · 07/01/2022 16:13

If they don't want to see him, then of course they shouldn't have too. If that's the case, and if he's insisting, then it might be wise to discuss this with your local police domestic abuse team and ask their advice. He can't take them against their will at their ages obviously, but standing on the doorstep causing a scene is no help to anyone, so maybe best if the police are forewarned?

pompomsgalore · 07/01/2022 18:24

Remember when you begin the process of applying for benefits the money starts for you. You can apply online.

www.understandinguniversalcredit.gov.uk/new-to-universal-credit/is-it-for-me/?gclid=CjwKCAiA5t-OBhByEiwAhR-hm2ZcMhDqzMhVKps4aRbWoQk7ezNjkuPZEzSBTdDJ8RjDntLAoUewOxoChFgQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

pompomsgalore · 07/01/2022 18:25

Don't be proud or embarrassed to claim either.

FrolickingFannyBoots · 07/01/2022 18:27

Thank you I will keep this in mind. I know two of my children do not want to see him at the moment, but possibly my son. I will sit down with them and sort it out. I will contact the DV abuse team if they don’t want to. He is basically insisting on coming here which is quite destructive to the peace we have created over the past days. What a nightmare. God knows I never thought this would happen.

OP posts:
FrolickingFannyBoots · 07/01/2022 18:28

I will apply! Thank you for the link x

OP posts:
Dragongirl10 · 07/01/2022 18:42

Everything you write is all about him, what he says, what he does, what he thinks - you need to change that narrative.

This ^
I see from your posts you are making good headway op,

Stop listening to anything he says he is not God, or the boss of you...

I second getting a good solicitor fast,.oh and find your rage op, and harness it to get a good settlement for you and your dcs....

pompomsgalore · 07/01/2022 18:51

www.gov.uk/check-legal-aid

Legal aid checker above. Maybe someone on MN can advise you if they've used legal aid for divorce?

ScribblingPixie · 07/01/2022 18:59

Good news that you won't be able to drink, OP. Keep a clear head!

grandmashotdoodlebugs · 07/01/2022 19:38

@BobCatBob

Good advice above. get support:- Citizens advice Woman’s aid Solicitor - potentially legal aid Universal credit CMS

Email communication with him only. No phone calls or face to face.

Also gather any and all financial papers together, passports, birth certificates etc. you need them in a safe place away from him so that he can’t use them to control you and as much evidence of his and your own finances as possible. From the sound of it he will try any tactic to control you and will also lie about his own financial situation. You will be entitled to a share of the house and all other assets including his pension. Don’t speak to him about it, there is no need.

In separation and divorce the physical domestic abuse you have suffered is sufficient grounds to begin immediately and will should mean you can skip mediation.There is no need to go into any other details about who said what when and especially no need to rake over any of it with him. It takes some time to go through anyway so your children can do their exams in the meantime.

You might like to ask about a restraining order because of the abuse so at least he does not have access to the house and it will allow you to build a safe space for your dc.

If your children don’t want to see him at the moment protect their wishes. Courts will take their wishes into account so discuss access with solicitor. Try not to talk to your children about the details or use them as support - this will be hard for them and they will be in shock too.

Use this forum to off load, it can be very helpful.

Divorce takes

Hi

This post is very good.
Take down some bullet points from this.

You're so overwhelmed. I remember this stage. And you're lost, terrified about money and the future (not particularly for yourself but the children)

I've had a terrible run and not here to tell my story but I can pick out the bits you must focus on.

And I'm in Kent. Send me a PM and although I'm so busy, I'll try to help.

Do these things as a must.

Child maintenance - put in a claim immediately. Have you got his NI number? Not strictly necessary but useful. Open 9-3 (Covid) they are a SHIT government service but open the claim. Immediately. Is he employed or self employed? Doesn't matter but employed is simpler.

Benefits.
Open a claim. You are a single mum with no/low income. Do this. And yes you are now a single mum.

Make a new email account. Send him this via email with the instruction that this is the only way you will communicate with him and the only acceptable topic is divorce or children. Then stick to this rule 100%. Ignore absolutely everything else (this is important for a non molestation)

No phone calls. No text. Just that one new email.

Report the rape.
Report the bottle throwing with photos. To the police. It's important

Children.
Let them decide and support their decisions.
No contact - fine.
I assume they all have a mobile? If they wish to speak to him - they may. Equally you will support them should they wish to block him on their phones.

That is the only conversation you have with them. Not your emotions, not the divorce. Their ages are on your side. Let them decide but don't load on them.

FrolickingFannyBoots · 07/01/2022 20:36

Thanks everyone and I’ve read everything and will set everything in motion. I’m scared to report the bottle throwing. We did argue a lot but I’m frightened to report it as I have evidence and he will lose his job possibly. My arm was black from top to my elbow but it was just a huge bruise. Should I do this? It’s my children’s father so I’m very reluctant

OP posts:
AudTheDeepAndCrispAndEven · 07/01/2022 20:42

OP, it's you or him now. He lost any right to your loyalty a long long time ago. I can see you further down the line kicking yourself that you did not report it. Is there a way of having it on file for the moment but no action being taken? I'm sure more knowledgeable posters will be able to advise on this, but worth asking the police. Perhaps on online 111 service?

Wreath21 · 07/01/2022 23:06

Remember you do not have to obey this man. You do not need his permission to file for divorce. You do not need to let him into your home, particularly if he is behaving aggressively. Your children cannot be forced to see him.
He's just a nasty little prick who has no authority over you.

ilovebrie8 · 08/01/2022 09:11

Hope you are ok OPFlowers. So much good advice here. Do not engage with him and when you have to do it over email...pull right back and don’t discuss anything other than your children/divorce. He’s beyond despicable. Stay off the booze too you need a clear head ...

StellaGibson118 · 08/01/2022 09:24

@FrolickingFannyBoots

Thanks everyone and I’ve read everything and will set everything in motion. I’m scared to report the bottle throwing. We did argue a lot but I’m frightened to report it as I have evidence and he will lose his job possibly. My arm was black from top to my elbow but it was just a huge bruise. Should I do this? It’s my children’s father so I’m very reluctant
Yes. I would call the local police number and ask them if you can just file without them contacting him if that's what you want at this point. However, as he's your children's father I would be wanting to do it properly because you will need to deal with him in the future. It will help you going forward with anything you need such as a non-molestation order and occupation order.

If you have any other evidence of his abuse it'd be good to collect it all and present it with the bruising photos.

By the way, arguing a lot does not justify him injuring you.

FrolickingFannyBoots · 08/01/2022 10:07

That’s sound advice thank you Stella. We consider today and tomorrow what finally to do about my complaints of abuse.

He has told me there is no hope of any reconciliation but wants to co parent with him living at his mums and coming up here weekends to see the children.

I have not agreed to that as it means he will be exploring this new relationship from there and spending money on his new girlfriend rather than putting it towards his children. He clearly wants to keep me here alone and with no car, no support and isolated in this quiet little town while he swans off to London and develops a new life.

I only started work again two months ago. Although I’m a teacher, I am working as a TA due to needing major surgery for a hernia which is complicated by severe muscle separation. I should have had the operation years ago but almost died having my son and suffered so much birth trauma I could not face more surgery.

Although I was offered NHS surgery some years ago, they have withheld it now and refused me even though I am classified as “ surgical disfigured” on my records by my previous surgeon. I am in the middle of a huge formal complaint now to get my surgery. I am 50 now.

My husband agreed that if full time work with the pain I was in was too much for me, I could go part time or look for other work. Now he has left, I’m now forced to continue full time even if I’m in constant pain and exhausted plus I have to do all the chores alone now with no help at all from him and no family car.

He has now left and I know if working full time is something I can cope with considering my physical condition. I have Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, a connective tissue disorder that makes my body weaker too. Plus my age does not help now with menopause.

So I’m totally shafted by him now. If I can’t get the NHS operation I can only do it privately if I divorce and use some of the 60k I’ll get out of the equity. It’s a risky operation too and no guarantee I’ll get any better.

He’s totally blindsided me and left me being forced to work full time when I’m unwell. I can see myself ending up in real poverty in the future.

With my circumstances being so precarious should I divorce now or just agree to the trial separation ? I feel it’s a rouse anyway as he wants to “ have sex with other women” and is wanting to be with this other woman and never return home. A trial separation seems pointless really and if I don’t divorce now as the kids are all 18 in 3 years, I’ll get less of the house. He is a high earner and I’ve supported him since 2004 in his career when our first child was born.

I will have to sell the house and this will cause awful chaos for the kids but this 1960’s shabby not chic house is so unsuitable for me ok my own, it’s requires constant maintenance as he never bothered to do up the house with me like he promised and I have no car.

I’ve lost everything I ever worked for really. My home and husband, my stable family life. I’m just so devastated and wonder what I’ve done to deserve this.

OP posts:
caringcarer · 08/01/2022 10:27

So sorry he is such a bastard. He has clearly had legal advise and knows full well he must pay you maintenance for each child. My advise is stop being his victim and take control. If you do price him for abusive behaviour you will get a better settlement now whilst you are Caring for 3 children. As it stands it makes no difference who's name is on mortgage deeds. You are married and you will get half as minimum but if you act quickly whilst you still have 3 children at home you may well be awarded more than half. Photocopy all Pension documents yours and his. You will get minimum of half joint pensions. If he has far more pension than you it might be able to trade for you to get more share of house in return for giving up some of his pension. Anything on a credit card in either your or his name will be seen as joint debt and repaid from equity on house before everything is divvied up. If you need to find money for solicitors put it on your credit card. If you have a joint account you can still draw money out of that. Do NOT let him threaten you. Do NOT reply to any text or emails. Do everything through solicitor. In your case the quicker you act the more you might get. If you don't have own personal bank account open one for child benefit and your salary to go into so he cannot get it. Is your mortgage paid or do you still have to find mortgage payments? Go back to work. You cannot afford to lose your job.

sweetbellyhigh · 08/01/2022 10:30

You have not lost everything you have worked for.

You still have your beautiful children. You still have a home and you will continue to have a home, possibly a better one than you are in currently.

Yes your relationship is over but that doesn't mean it was a total loss. Again, you have the children and possibly some good years in there.

Here's the thing. Life is not the storybook. Marriages break down, people get sick, lose jobs etc. and that's ok. We still have a certain quality of life and the most important thing is to have choice and freedom.

I know you don't see it this way because you're still in the throes of trauma over the marriage breakdown, but you are actually gaining so much more than you are losing.

Without this awful man abusing you and knocking your confidence at e with then, you will be able to strengthen, to grow.

From what you have described here it sounds as though the marriage has been in a bad place for a long time. One day you will be glad it is over and that you are still relatively young.

Right now you are overwhelmed and have a number of practical issues to deal with. The contact with ex, the separation agreement, your income, what to do about the house.

Make a list.

Well-being - if you're not well enough to work, then don't.

Income - get advice on all help available and apply for it

Legal issues - you need to follow legal advice wrt sorting out the house and dissolving the marriage.

You wrote a lot about what He Says. Frankly it's irrelevant. Listen to professional advice not your awful ex. Follow that advice.

One day at a time. Believe the worst will pass just as it has for the many women who have walked this road before you.

And focus on the positives, he has left the house, you have (what sounds like) a supportive employer and doctor.

Let people help you.

You can do this. You can't do it all at once but guaranteed if you keep putting one foot in front of the other and tick off practical steps, you will get to a much happier place.