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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

I don't want him to come home

17 replies

Toomanyweeks · 29/10/2022 09:24

Been mostly unhappy in my relationship of 10 years for for the last 4. We live mostly as housemates and haven't tried to reignite our relationship much since April after he refused to ever return to relationship counselling as she said that whilst I needed to step back a little from trying to make the relationship work, he needed to step forward. I stepped back and he carried on as normal and it all just faded away. We have slept in separate rooms mostly for 4 years, there has been very little sex or intimacy. I'm in my mid-thirties.

If we didn't have two young children together, I'd have walked 4 years ago.

I was planning our separation and then last week, we suddenly found our passion again, we had sex a couple of times and he was more attentive. He then went away on holiday for a week with friends. Despite the two days of passion, I know that we're very likely past the point of reconciliation and I know that he can't maintain any effort longer than a few days before he's living a more insular existence again and I'm feeling like a glorified maid and nanny.

Even with two young children at home, it's just calmer without him here, without his black cloud around me. Practically, everything is harder as he's a hands on Dad, but emotionally, I just feel better. I enjoyed our two days of passion, but deep down, I know that's all it was. I'm not around his OCD about the washing machine and dishwasher either, it just feels nicer. I'm a bit lonely and missing adult company, you know, someone to tell things to about work, the kids, but other than that, it's ok.

I don't think I want him to come home after his holiday. He has siblings, parents and friends he can stay with whilst the house is sold and then we can split equity (in joint names) and go our separate ways. He can come to the house to see the children in the evenings, they can go and stay with him if he goes to his parents house as they have space, until the house is sold. I have no family around and very few friends due to me moving to his hometown, I work from home mostly and my friends aren't local so it's not easy for me to leave.

I don't think he'll agree to any of it.
He's quite possessive and will hang on for dear life to me and the house, like many of his hoarded belongings which occupy the garage. I really am just a "belonging" to him or a resource. I haven't felt myself in years. I feel glimmers of my old self coming through now that he's not around.

I don't know why I'm posting other than to express what I'm thinking and feeling. When do I tell him though? I don't want to spoil his holiday. Leave it until the last day?

OP posts:
Isaidnoalready · 29/10/2022 09:27

Unfortunately you can't remove him from your joint home he hasn't done anything wrong

summergone · 29/10/2022 09:28

You sound so unhappy, I think you're right those 2 days were just one offs. Yes definitely leave it to the last day do plan on calling or texting him ? Or just wait until he is back as he will have to come back to get stuff anyway if he is moving out

Ekátn · 29/10/2022 09:32

You are obviously unhappy. But if I was him I wouldn’t leave my home that I jointly own because the other person wanted to split.

I would stay until the house was sold. you may have go down a legal route to force the sale. But as you are so unhappy, it will be better than you being together and miserable.

KangarooKenny · 29/10/2022 09:38

Did you have sex just before he went away ? If so I wonder if it was in some way to stop you going elsewhere 🤔

KangarooKenny · 29/10/2022 09:39

Have you discussed separating and how it would work ?

Toomanyweeks · 29/10/2022 09:50

I've discussed separation with him countless times. I tried to get valuers in to put the house on the market but he told me to wait until he'd finished off some DIY. He's been busy hobbying at weekends for the last couple of months so none of it is done. Money is so tight that we can't afford to get someone else in to complete the work either.

I know I could force the sale but I've been holding off doing that to keep things civil around the children. It's a fine balancing act between keeping things as stable as possible for them but destabilising the situation enough to bring about a separation. Feel I can't win.

OP posts:
KangarooKenny · 29/10/2022 09:52

Dont let him dictate to you, get the house valued as it is, and apply for divorce on line. He can’t contest it, he’s had long enough.

Toomanyweeks · 29/10/2022 09:54

We're not married @KangarooKenny so it's just the house and a physical separation that needs to happen.

OP posts:
Toomanyweeks · 29/10/2022 09:55

The problem with getting the house valued as it is is that we lose out financially and I'm going to need all the deposit I can get.

OP posts:
KangarooKenny · 29/10/2022 09:56

Ah ok, get a solicitor to start to force the sale.
If you can’t afford to get the work done you sell it as it is.

Luckydip1 · 29/10/2022 09:56

You don't need his agreement to separate, if you are unhappy just do it. The first thing to do is speak to a family lawyer and ask their advice, I know you are not married but they will be able to help you.

WitchDancer · 29/10/2022 10:02

Can you learn how to do the odd jobs that need doing and do them yourself?

magaluf1999 · 29/10/2022 10:06

Having an unhappy mother, or actually unhappy parents as he seems unhappy too is destabilising for children.

My children are much much happier and secure with two divorced and calm happy content parents then i have been growing up with parents who stayed together in a loveless tense marriage. They now are retired and have no companionship at all. They should have dealt with it years ago and found happiness. As a result ive lived my whole life thinking it was my job to be perfect and make them happy because they didnt get that from each other. If they had moved on it might have released me from that obligation and changed my life.

Sicario · 29/10/2022 10:10

You can't achieve what you want without facing up to a few uncomfortable truths. It sounds like the big one is that you're not going to be able to sell your house for top price because it's unfinished.

This is not the end of the world. Yes - you won't get as much money as you hope for, but the upside is that you get to move on with your life.

Your future and the happiness of you and your kids is THE number one priority.

Untangling a 10 year relationship is going to be stressful and messy. But it's totally do-able.

Never mind trying to fix the house. Get it on the market and get it sold. Lots of buyers prefer something they can do up to their own taste. Get 3 estate agents in asap and pick one.

In the meantime, start rationalising your stuff. Clear out anything that you and your kids don't need any more. If you wouldn't take it with you when you move, get rid of it now.

His stuff is not your responsibility.

Start making plans, taking it one step at a time, and keep your eyes on the prize: a better future for you and your kids.

Ekátn · 29/10/2022 10:31

Toomanyweeks · 29/10/2022 09:55

The problem with getting the house valued as it is is that we lose out financially and I'm going to need all the deposit I can get.

Separating isn’t easy. And it always requires understanding you will lose out somewhere.

That doesn’t mean it’s not worth it, or you can’t get back into a better position again.

But you won’t be able to separate without being impacted. You either need to save up and get the work done, hope he does it or accept the sale price will be lower

Toomanyweeks · 29/10/2022 14:44

I think a silly part of me is hoping for this "smooth separation" where everyone copes ok with it. I know it's not realistic though deep down.

I'm going to message him during his last few hours of his holiday later on and let him know what I'm thinking then lay out all the options with a timescale. This is happening by this date, whether the work is finished or not. Obviously he has the right to refuse to leave the house, but I'll push the sale sooner if he does that.

OP posts:
Luckydip1 · 29/10/2022 15:14

Speak to a lawyer before you do anything. If he doesn't want to leave you need to know what your options are.

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