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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

Full of doubt about what to do

12 replies

CherMel22 · 12/08/2022 16:56

Feeling lost and full of doubt. Me (F44) And DH (M40) have been married for just over 7 years and have 2 DC (7 and 4) - in all honesty throughout our relationship there have been problems ranging from lack of communication, me being told I am a horrible person, him not liking my elder DC (now 21 and 20) him lying to me etc.

We have now reached a point where we are coexisting in the same house but rarely do anything together, he would rather go and visit him mum/brother numerous times a week that do anything with me and he leaves everything to do with the children to me in the evenings (he won't even try to get them to bed anymore as he claims they do his head in or just want me anyway) so I get no time to do anything for me or even the freedom to go out and do anything.

Today whilst sulking in bed he started to send me numerous messages on messenger moaning about how awful I am, how I am cold and distant and accused me of never wanting sex and this has continued throught the day whilst I am at work. It's not that I don't want intimacy, I just want more than that too… I value feeling loved and people spending time with me and actively seeking to know about my day/how I am etc. I can't bring myself to get intimate with someone who doesn't actually like me (he has told me this several times but always denies it even though it's been witnessed) and only wants to be near me/nice to me when he wants sex.

I have tried and tried to talk to him but he just won't listen, always turns everything around on me… I am cold, I am jealous, I am a terrible person.. he's even got me thinking I am until all my colleagues, friends and family tell me I am not. It's getting harder and harder to believe them though and I am just doubting everything I do and say when I am at home - I become a totally different person.. lack confidence, quiet, anything to keep the peace.. whilst outside of the house I am confident, funny and progressing really well with job :) my DH tells me I am depressed and I put on a front to everyone but him but I truly don't . At home I can't even joke around with my 21 year old as my DH doesn't get my sense of humour.. I am frequently told I hate everyone and everything and I am miserable but away from him I am not any of those things.

I am sad about they way everything has turned out, I never went into this marriage wanting it to fail, if we do go our separate ways it won't be easy with the little ones and working full time but as all my friends say I am very strong and I will be absolutely fine :)

I guess I just dread the fall out and having to work out what will happen with regards to our children. He once told me I was a horrible mother and he would take them and the house from me (nice hey?) But I am not a horrible mother, I do everything for our children and I am the one they will always come to if they need help, as re hurt or want a cuddle etc.

He has depression too, he tried to commit suicide just before the new year after he was acting so terribly to our then 6 year old the neighbours had to force their way and threatend to call the police. After this he sent a message to our GP who immediately put him on a low dose of anti depressants, since then he's chopped and changed types of meds, constantly missed doses then doubled his dose for a week (all without seeing a GP) then stopped the meds completely. I will wake up in the early hours sometimes to find him trying to remove my underwear or to find he's actually put his penis in my underwear and is rubbing up against me.. I tell him to stop and he gets all shitty with me!

This morning our children actually slept in later for the first time ever so I was enjoying finally getting some sleep as I had a bad night.. only for him to start trying to remove my underwear quite forcefully. I reminded him my period started yesterday and he started ranting away demanding a hand job - I ignored him and tried to get back to sleep but couldn't as I was on edge.

All he has done recently is go out and not really been nice to me at all. He's smoking loads (after lying for years that he wasn't and being caught out numerous times by me) - its not great that he smokes but it's his choice, but I don't like being lied to. He's also smoking weed and I've been told I just have to accept it as it's who he is. Everything about him, his opinions, how he treats and speaks to people, his addictive personality, lack of hygiene and laziness I am told I just have to accept. But he can't accept that I am in pain and not physically able to be intimate, can't accept that I deserve to be able to do something by myself or with friends.

I have suggested therapy in the past or talking to an independent 3rd party but all I get told is that I am the problem so need to sort myself out as there is nothing wrong with him.

Am I a terrible person, is it all me? I know I am not perfect and freely admit this I am just trying to do what's best for my children (and everyone) else but I am so wary of making a massive mistake :(

If you got to the end of this thank you, it probably makes no sense but I have to get this out of my head and I cannot burden my DC 21 and 20 with this, I should be setting them a good example not exposing them to all this crap :( I ignored so many things when I met DH that with hindsight I shouldn't have but we have 2 wonderful DC so I will never regret the relationship in that sense

OP posts:
PonyPatter44 · 12/08/2022 17:10

Why are you with him? He is horrible, you dont like him (which is not surprising given his hygiene and his weed habit)...why are you still there? Does he actually bring anything positive to your life?

Mabelface · 12/08/2022 17:16

There's nothing wrong with you, but plenty wrong with him. He's a lying, abusive piece of shit who thinks he owns you.

Imagine this. You come home from work to a peaceful house where everyone is free to have a laugh or express themselves.

You can go to bed and stretch out, knowing that you're not going to get sexually assaulted and have a deep and peaceful sleep.

You can have this. It's yours for the taking. You just have to start taking the first tiny steps to put it in place.

greatblueheron · 12/08/2022 18:02

Ewwww....

He sounds vile.

I'd ask him to leave. Tell him you'll help him pack.

TheWeeDonkey · 12/08/2022 18:08

The first red flag was seven years ago when he took a dislike to your teenage children who need a stable, secure environment at that age.

For your own sake you need to separate and seek therapy to help you understand why you felt the need to have a relationship with this loser

category12 · 12/08/2022 18:42

You need a divorce.

TangoWhiskyAlphaTango · 12/08/2022 19:33

Christ op read that back and ask yourself what you'd tell your daughter if she was in that relationship. I've been on MN for 19 years and have never said LTB but

LTB

LastWordsOfALiar · 12/08/2022 19:41

him not liking my elder DC

WTF OP, why has it taken him calling you names and trying to have non-consensual sex with you for you to think about the state of the relationship?

Your older children are adults but why in the hell are you starting a family with someone who doesn't like your existing children?!

I think you would benefit from individual therapy for you to work out why you ever let the relationship get as serious as it has. You need better expectations and boundaries. Your primary job is to protect your children, including your elder ones.

And you're still with him even though the neighbours had to intervene in his behaviour towards a 6 year old child?!

He isn't going to change and you are a mother, therefore you need to leave him if not for your sake, for the kids sake. They deserve better.

What he chooses to do after you ending things is HIS responsibility.

CherMel22 · 12/08/2022 19:56

I know I have messed up, when I met him I was in an really bad place. I was married for 13 years to my ex and I found out he cheated nearly all the time we were married :( he even ended up having an affair with a mother at our children's school and got her pregnant. I was so bloody low, witch such a shitty opinion of my self worth and so scared about the future I faced as at the time my eldest DC's father was not even interested in seeing them as as moved half way up the country to 'start fresh' leaving me broken and to bring up 2 heartbroken DC. If I could go back and give my head a wobble believe me I would, I've lost so much including contact with my family because of my idiotic decision to be with someone who lied through his teeth from the day we met. But I wouldn't be without my younger DC so I can't regret everything. I know what has to happen, believe me I do. I was at work earlier when I posted so didn't include everything but he knows it's over. I've told him very clearly that I am done with this, my children deserve better and I need to be a better mother and a much better role model than I have been. So far this year he ruined mother's day for me, he ruined Easter and I will not have anything else ruined. Our daughter just had her birthday and he didn't buy a single gift, he didn't even use the money his father sent him for a picnic when they visited as he spent it on the food for her family party the day before then claimed he was broke so I had to buy the picnic food (he has money for tobacco though and expensive trainers!) So far this month as I was lucky enough to get a one off payment from.work due to the cost of living crisis I've replaced everything that was broken/needed in the house, bought all daughter's birthday gifts, bought our sons gifts for next month and bought all their school uniform. My MIL asked what I bought myself and DH laughed and said a toilet seat. All I've actually bought myself is some underwear on sale as all mine was falling apart. I am making sure everyone has what they need and putting myself last whilst DH puts himself first and probably bitches about me to his family. I am done with it. This time I am not broken, I am pissed off, I am strong and I am done with all this shit. Tough times ahead but even if I end up having to chuck all his stuff out of the window it's over

OP posts:
Hparker21 · 12/08/2022 22:17

Well done you. You’ve taken the first-and hardest-step. Think of one small thing you will do when you’re shot of him-it might be peacefully drinking a hot chocolate in the bath-and hang onto that to focus on when things get difficult.
I think you’ll be surprised at how people will rally round you when they learn your circumstances. stay strong, sending you a big hug. You and your DCs deserve so much better than this weak, slovenly, cruel manchild!

Terrariatime · 12/08/2022 22:26

Ffs this guy is trash. I hope you mean it when you say you're done because this man is a POS. You'll be better off alone by 100%

ThinkingaboutLangClegosaurus · 12/08/2022 23:20

OP, you don't need this unpleasant man. You work hard and bring up your DC -- what does he add to your lives except aggression and misery? Please do yourself and all the DC and get him permanently out of your lives.

vaingina · 12/08/2022 23:49

Get rid double quick. Is it your flat/ house or his? Do you put up with this because you think it is ‘normal’? It isn’t anyway normal. It is abuse. Either you leave, or you find a way to make him leave. I wouldn’t have a man like this around my children.
it is rape if he has ever put his penis inside you without your knowledge and consent- consider reporting him.

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