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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

Everyone envies my "perfect" life..

46 replies

rainbowsprinkler · 25/11/2022 20:48

I'm married with 2 children, we also have 2 adult children at home from my husbands previous marriage. We look successful. I have a good job, we have a decent shared income, not well off but we aren't scrimping. Nice house, car etc. but I'm utterly miserable most the time.. whenever I speak to people in real life I just get told how good I have it and how lucky I am.

But my life isn't easy, my husband isn't all he seems. He's moody and difficult to live with.. life and soul to everyone else, but drains me. When things are ok we do get on well but mostly because I keep the peace and get on with it despite the strain, it's built resentment in me.

Life is shit right now, DH got a puppy, against my wishes.. his argument was he knew I wanted one and missed our dog who died a year ago just after our second child was born. I'd love a dog but knew I didn't have capacity to take on the care of a dog with 2 under 2! Husband and his adult son said they'd be responsible for the dog. Now we have this dog and I can't take to it, he's grown huge, isn't trained over excited and boisterous. Yesterday I sat down with DH and the adult children and said I can't do this. Someone sorts out training the dog or he needs to be rehomed. It was all turned on me being selfish and expecting everyone else to care for the dog.

I do everything, DH will help but he has to be directed, he cannot do anything off his own back. I do the entire mental and physical load. He 'helps with the kids' while I'm doing everything else and I should appreciate this.

Talking about the dog turned into a huge row where he shouted, swore and called me names infront of the kids. I walked off.

He had to have today off to look after the kids. I get home and he's moody. He said he's been home doing everything all day and I've done nothing. I said I've been to work, when you go to work you don't do anything at home because you've been at work but I still have to come home and cook, clean, prep for the next day. He just doesn't see the difference.

Today he made my toddlers cry because he shouted and told me to fuck off and it scared them. This isn't a one off. I'd asked if our son had taken his medication, he's been on this medication for a long time, but apparently DH didn't know he needed it, I said how can you not know he needs his medication why should I have to tell you that, and he responded with the shouting and swearing at me.

I know I need to leave. I know it's not ok and I know it won't get better. But until the renovations are finished I'm stuck. And a part of me worries about leaving because then I'm not around when the kids are in his care.

No point to this really, think I just need some validation as I'm doubting if this is my fault. I know he's gaslighting, I can see this for what it is. But he still makes me doubt myself.

OP posts:
Teamsaction · 25/11/2022 20:56

This sounds really hard. His behaviour is not acceptable. Children should not have to witness him treating you this way and thinking it's a normal way to behave. I would also be worried about a big, boisterous dog and 2under 2. I think you definitely should start planning to leave asap, this is no way to live. Do you have friends/family you could talk to in real life?

rainbowsprinkler · 25/11/2022 21:37

Thanks @Teamsaction. I have spoke to friends/family but they can't imagine this side to him. My mum knows he can be moody, makes excuses for that because he's a man and works hard to provide for us, which annoys me as we are almost equal financially, he earns slightly more but not significantly so. Everyone just tells me how wonderful he is and how lucky I am.

OP posts:
Honeyandlemonnn · 25/11/2022 21:48

Felt very sad reading this as i can relate. I ended up getting my own place as a result and sort have been back and forth due to this. But im still here

Teamsaction · 25/11/2022 21:53

That is very difficult if they make excuses for him. It sounds to me like he is being emotionally abusive and you shouldn't have to put up with it. Sorry I don't have any good practical advice but he is gaslighting and you shouldn't doubt yourself.

Babochan88 · 25/11/2022 22:19

Sending love op

would you consider couples counselling?

UWhatNow · 25/11/2022 22:28

“…I said how can you not know he needs his medication why should I have to tell you that, and he responded with the shouting and swearing at me.”

Yeah he’s one of those men who don’t like being called out for being lazy selfish pricks. So he shouts and kicks off to ‘train’ you not to dare challenging him. I just couldn’t live with an arsehole like that.

Irishfarmer · 25/11/2022 22:34

It all sounds like a lot! YANBU at all. Can you talk to him and try make him understand what you need from him?

CandyLeBonBon · 25/11/2022 22:38

Babochan88 · 25/11/2022 22:19

Sending love op

would you consider couples counselling?

Couples counselling will not make this better.

CandyLeBonBon · 25/11/2022 22:42

Op. Sadly you will not make him see what he doesn't feel necessary to see.

I've been where you are. No amount of reasoning works because they know you'll always adjust to cope.

Prepare an exit plan now because I guarantee you'll get to a point you can't cope with it any more and if you don't have a plan you'll feel utterly powerless.

In the meantime, draw up a list. Put together a shared calendar with reminders. Yes it's extra work but if he has no excuse to say 'but I didn't know' or 'I didn't know I was supposed to check the calendar' etc you have closed off those avenues of weaponised incompetence. Draw on every reserve you have. Make a plan. Get out. It doesn't get better.

oakleaffy · 25/11/2022 22:50

@rainbowsprinkler Poor you.
I have seen so many badly trained {Untrained} dogs around in the past couple of years especially.
Dogs need a lot of work and training for them to be good, unobtrusive , decent family members.

This means choosing a breed or type that you 'click' with and suits your way of life, and giving it enough exercise to keep it happy.

Sounds like your husband has bought a large and ''working'' type breed? ..not something easy to live with.

I'd be seriously annoyed if someone brought a dog like this to my house, and wouldn't want to live with one that was remotely boisterous.

Assume your husband and adult children neither train nor exercise the dog.. Par for the course.
The dog goes unless they exercise and train it.

rainbowsprinkler · 25/11/2022 22:53

I don't see how couples counselling can help, he cannot see the issues. He just doesn't get the strain of mental load, he doesn't understand it because he's never had to do it. He thinks by me directing him to do stuff, that's helping but it isn't.
It's silly things that infuriate me. He'll go to feed the dog and there's no food and he'll ask why there isn't any food and why I haven't bothered to buy any. It's the making sure everything is in place to run smoothly that he doesn't see. Obviously buying dog food isn't a stressful activity. He sees things in isolation. But it isn't just dog food, it's absolutely everything and not being able to make a mistake because none of the 3 other adults in the house will resolve an issue like having no dog food.

It's predictable but every-time I try and raise my issues it's flipped back onto me. I don't fulfil his needs. if I gave him more sex, he'd be happier and helpful. But he absolutely cannot see that if absolutely everything wasn't down to me to organise then I'd have abit left to meet his needs at the end of the day. I don't stop from 6am to 9pm and then I'm up 3/4 times a night with one of the kids.

I genuinely don't think he's purposely this way, he just has absolutely no idea and cannot comprehend it. But he won't try, he just flies of the handle and turns into the victim.

OP posts:
Manekinek0 · 25/11/2022 22:57

You're not stuck, you just need a plan. Have you got the funds to get some legal advise? If I were in your position I would start getting my life in order and making sure I could get out asap.

CandyLeBonBon · 25/11/2022 22:58

rainbowsprinkler · 25/11/2022 22:53

I don't see how couples counselling can help, he cannot see the issues. He just doesn't get the strain of mental load, he doesn't understand it because he's never had to do it. He thinks by me directing him to do stuff, that's helping but it isn't.
It's silly things that infuriate me. He'll go to feed the dog and there's no food and he'll ask why there isn't any food and why I haven't bothered to buy any. It's the making sure everything is in place to run smoothly that he doesn't see. Obviously buying dog food isn't a stressful activity. He sees things in isolation. But it isn't just dog food, it's absolutely everything and not being able to make a mistake because none of the 3 other adults in the house will resolve an issue like having no dog food.

It's predictable but every-time I try and raise my issues it's flipped back onto me. I don't fulfil his needs. if I gave him more sex, he'd be happier and helpful. But he absolutely cannot see that if absolutely everything wasn't down to me to organise then I'd have abit left to meet his needs at the end of the day. I don't stop from 6am to 9pm and then I'm up 3/4 times a night with one of the kids.

I genuinely don't think he's purposely this way, he just has absolutely no idea and cannot comprehend it. But he won't try, he just flies of the handle and turns into the victim.

Sadly OP, he does know what he's doing. Not consciously maybe, but he's developed a way of not dealing with anything by becoming incompetent. Knowing you'll pick up the slack. How long have you been together? How old were you when you got together? Was he ever independent?

SparklyMistleToes · 25/11/2022 23:09

Oh OP, I can so sadly relate to your situation minus the dog and the extra adult children.

I am not in the financial position to leave my husband, and am so jealous of others who are. On the surface he looks perfect to everyone else but is such an asshole at home always flipping things back onto me and making himself the victim. If you can leave then do. You and your children will be so much happier.

pictish · 25/11/2022 23:16

How are you supposed to be sexually attracted to a man who shouts at you, swears at you and calls you names as well as leaves you with the drudgery he reckons he’s too important to do?
He’s got this all wrong. In order to be a man who enjoys an active sex life with his wife, he has to be the type of man his wife actively wants to have sex with. None of the above is even slightly alluring. It’s repulsive.

Nanny0gg · 25/11/2022 23:25

Babochan88 · 25/11/2022 22:19

Sending love op

would you consider couples counselling?

What on earth for?

Do you think men like that change for counsellors?

Nanny0gg · 25/11/2022 23:26

I'd have a bit left to meet his needs at the end of the day.

Do you think that's what it's about? Do you think that's your job too? Where do you fit in?

pictish · 25/11/2022 23:26

Seriously, the amount of lazy, aggressive, abusive men who whine that they don’t get enough sex is astounding. To carry on like that and then expect to get your cock sucked is absurd.
They’re not entitled to it. Their partners don’t owe them sex…it’s not like they’re being denied their human rights here. You don’t want to have more sex with him because he’s horrible. That’s normal!

“if I gave him more sex, he'd be happier and helpful.”

What shit. He wouldn’t you know. He’d still throw his weight around like the bully he is…and you’d hate the sex.

CandyLeBonBon · 25/11/2022 23:26

@SparklyMistleToes there are always options. It's just sometimes hard to see the wood for the trees when you feel trapped Flowers

dustofneptune · 25/11/2022 23:27

OP, I hope you can make a plan to leave and follow it. On whatever timeline works for you in reality. I had a long-term partner like this and left. It was misery being in it. I can relate so much to what you're saying, right down to the getting a dog thing, as my ex also got a dog against my wishes, and this just added to the problems.

One thing I will say is that I noticed you asked about whether this could be your fault. This is something I went over and over in my head, when I was in a similar situation. The truth is? I think there is always something that is going to be your fault. You're human. You're not going to be perfect. So forget the idea that it could all be fixed if you only bent over more / kept quiet / spoke up / did something differently. Whatever your faults may be, it doesn't change the fact that from what you've written, you're in an emotionally abusive, miserable situation that you would be so much better off out of. You could have 1,000 faults and it doesn't mean you should stay, or that you could solve the problems.

Livinghappy · 25/11/2022 23:29

Op, how long has been been like this?

How is his relationship with his Ex? I ask as generally how he treated her post separation is how he will behave towards you. I know it's painful to think of separating from your children however it is generally better as at least they will see one "normal" household.

I had very similar with Ex. He was brilliant at facade management so no one could believe how abusive he was. He was a covert narcissist and until I left I didn't know what I was dealing with.

If you decide to stay a useful coping strategy is JADE, don't justify, argue, defend or explain.

Allthegoodnamesarechosen · 25/11/2022 23:33

What do the adult children contribute to the household? Because you seem to live in a household with four adults and two children( and the bloody dog) and only one adult is managing the housework and the organisation.

This is not an equitable situation.

ArabellaScott · 25/11/2022 23:36

Nanny0gg · 25/11/2022 23:25

What on earth for?

Do you think men like that change for counsellors?

Well, sometimes they do. They learn better ways to manipulate and gaslight.

www.thehotline.org/resources/should-i-go-to-couples-therapy-with-my-abusive-partner/

unsync · 25/11/2022 23:36

Plan your escape and leave. He knows exactly what he is doing.

ArabellaScott · 25/11/2022 23:41

OP, I'm so sorry to hear you're in this position. It sounds like it would be hard enough, let alone with 2 under 2 - and a puppy!

But you do seem to have a clear view of the situation, and know what you want to do. That in itself is a pretty good place to start. Maybe worth speaking to a lawyer about the children, access, etc.

www.womensaid.org.uk/information-support/

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