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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

Would this be a deal breaker for you?

109 replies

ElfinsMum · 17/04/2022 15:01

We moved abroad several years ago. Me and the kids are settled but DH really struggled with homesickness after the move and was diagnosed with anxiety and depression. He has been on antidepressants and had regular psychology ever since and, although it has been up and down, I believed that the trend was slow improvement. He has found hobbies here, has made new friends, has a job he likes better.

The homesickness has done a huge amount of damage to our marriage. We have been together a long time, much longer than the last few years abroad, but this has definitely been our biggest unresolved conflict to date.

The other night we were having A Talk about other much more minor relationship crap, just the usual. As is quite common, he short circuited straight to "Well, everything would be so much better if we just went home." Then, he shocked me with: "Of course I'll never be happy, I've ruined the rest of my life."

Look, he's been a misery to live with for a lot of the time since we got here. I just continue to assume that he will settle in the end. But sometimes, in different circumstances, people on here say "When someone tells you who they are, listen". Would you see his comment as a red flag?

OP posts:
NewandNotImproved · 17/04/2022 15:04

A red flag to what? You already know he’s depressed, so what’s the red flag for?

ChameFangeNail · 17/04/2022 15:07

I think what you mean by red flags is: this issue isn't going to go away or get better is it?

It doesn't sound like it.

So what are you going to do?

Aprilx · 17/04/2022 15:09

No it isn’t a red flag. It is something that has always been on the surface by the sound of it.

I am glad my husband listened to me when I was unhappy overseas and didn’t think some drugs and therapy was the remedy!

pictish · 17/04/2022 15:11

It’s not a ‘red flag’ as such. It’s him expressing his feelings about living abroad. I know you hope he’ll settle but maybe he never will?

Having said that, now I think about it, if he’s going to use that as an excuse for not pulling his weight, he can do one.

YayitisfinallySpring · 17/04/2022 15:12

He needs to go home, even for a few weeks. He's clearly very unhappy with living abroad. He may realise that his home country is just not the one he left or wants to live in. I don't know how old the DCs are, but they need a happy dad. My DSS emigrated to Australia well over 20 years ago. It's taken him years to settle and I've had so many tearful calls begging me for his fare home (I've done this twice). He didn't really enjoy being back in the UK and went back. Luckily he's now married a wonderful woman and has decided that his life will now be in Australia. Homesickness shouldn't be underestimated.

ElfinsMum · 17/04/2022 15:12

Yeah, sorry, you get what I'm trying to say @ChameFangeNail

OP posts:
Trulyweird1 · 17/04/2022 15:15

I don’t think he is going to settle and decide he likes it; was he fully on board with the move? Or were you the driver?

Could he be struggling as you and dc are more settled and he doesn’t understand why?

Ultimately, you have to decide whether you want to stay with him, or in your new home. No judgement, both are fine decisions, just be really honest with yourself as to what you want.

Aquamarine1029 · 17/04/2022 15:20

He sounds absolutely exhausting. How much longer will you put up with this?

DaysLikeThis1 · 17/04/2022 15:20

Agree with pp's and not sure what you think the 'red flag' is here. It seems to me that he has tried to work really hard on improving his mental health but he's struggling. Is this news to you, do you listen?

ElfinsMum · 17/04/2022 15:21

@Aprilx Was your whole family happy to return home because you were unhappy? In our family, two of us are happy here and don't want to leave, two can't remember living in the UK so don't really get a vote, and DH would like to leave tomorrow (most days).

OP posts:
HeDidWhattt · 17/04/2022 15:22

It sounds to me like your the red flag.
His not happy and his telling you this, your answer is to ignore it and pretend things are getting better or accuse him of being a destructive red flag!!!

ChameFangeNail · 17/04/2022 15:23

Well your options are limited.

You stay, he goes home.

You all go home.

Things stay as they are (and you will likely split up).

I think what definitely isn't an option is he suddenly comes round and wants to stay.

Are you a few hours away from home or the other side of the world? Would you want to go home?

How much effort and compromise are you willing to make to help him? It's okay if your answer is 'none, tbh'. But that should give you an indication of where you go next.

Bunnybingesoneggs · 17/04/2022 15:24

Or is he just blaming the location when going home won't actually solve anything?

Bunnybingesoneggs · 17/04/2022 15:26

My exh had depression.. He blamed our ddog (Confused).. Ddog was jointly owned and wanted. And well behaved. Dh just focused the 'blame'for his depression her way. Easier than actually dealing with it.

Bunnybingesoneggs · 17/04/2022 15:27

We actually moved areas and got 2 dkittens. His decision.. When he was annoyed and pd off (often) he blamed me getting the 2 dkittens as me taking the piss and going against his wishes. I absolutely didn't. Dig deeper for reasons op. Ime.
6 weeks after getting the dkittens I threw him out.
And filed for divorce..

ElfinsMum · 17/04/2022 15:37

@Bunnybingesoneggs You have hit on my biggest fear. What if I agree to go home, make myself miserable by leaving, drag our miserable, mutinous kids back with us, and he doesn't get better??

OP posts:
KittenKong · 17/04/2022 15:41

Has lockdown been a factor too (it’s made a lot of people feel really unhappy). Are you close enough to the U.K. for trips - is there family here too?

If he’s depressed then possibly he is looking to ‘do something’ to fix his life and this is what has hit on.

NowNowDermot · 17/04/2022 15:42

I think any move abroad needs a get-out clause if anyone in the family really hates it (after giving it fair chance) tbh, it's a huge change and not everyone takes to it. Unless there are compelling reasons why you can't go home I'm not sure I could watch my DH be utterly miserable and refuse to even consider going back, however happy other members of the family (including me) were in the new place. Ultimately it comes down to whether you/DC would be equally as miserable if you moved back home, if not then I think it's fair to at least consider it, if so then I don't see how this is solveable without splitting up.

Fedupbuyer · 17/04/2022 15:44

Let him go home but you stay with the dc’s and be happy.

ElfinsMum · 17/04/2022 15:47

@Fedupbuyer But then he would basically have to give up his children to go home. I couldn't do that to him.

OP posts:
CarryonCovid · 17/04/2022 15:50

Where are you OP ? Spain is v. different to Australia.

Aquamarine1029 · 17/04/2022 15:50

But then he would basically have to give up his children to go home. I couldn't do that to him.

You wouldn't be doing anything to him. Don't take responsibility for his issues. He doesn't seem too concerned that he's making your life a misery.

Parsley1234 · 17/04/2022 15:50

@ElfinsMum where are you ? Europe or further sounds very hard

ElfinsMum · 17/04/2022 15:51

Yeah @CarryonCovid it's Aus

OP posts:
Bunnybingesoneggs · 17/04/2022 15:51

Bigger picture he needs to look after himself to be a decent df... Send him home. Tell dc it is a work /extended family /trip away. ..