Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

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

DH just blindsided me - I think it’s over….

402 replies

46andstartingover · 01/12/2022 01:31

46 and been married for 10 years. He’s 63 so there is an age gap but it’s never been an issue. No kids. He’s been married twice before and has kids from previous marriage.

in general we never argue. He is a control freak with ocd levels of cleanliness. I’m the opposite but we’ve always muddled along.

Four years ago we had a major fall out. He was feeling ignored because I knit as a hobby. He didn’t like the fact that if we were watching tv I was knitting. We had a major bust up and a lot of things came out in the wash but we worked on it and we’re ok.

Earlier this year we had another major bust up because if gone away for the weekend with my best mate and came home pissed. He’d said he didn’t mind if I got a bit pissed but he flipped when I got home. A lot of other stuff came out in the wash. Despite nearly splitting up then we were ok after it. I cut down my drinking which had been an issue and tried to do more around the house.

one issue is he’s retired. And I work permanently from home. I don’t see why I should have to do general housework when he’s sitting watching tv all day or generally pottering around.

one thing that has always been a hit mismatched was our sex drives. He’s always been ip
for it more than me, and he’s into more kinky stuff than me. Nothing out there just anal, and nipple
clamps. I’m up for that if im
slightly tipsy but not otherwise. The cutting down the alcohol reduces the amount of kink we did.

A couple of weeks ago I made a joke about getting me drunk if he wanted his wicked way with me. He took that to mean I didn’t want to have sex with him unless I was drunk. Totally got the wrong end of the stick and we sorted it.

tonight, we came to bed and we were ok. He said to me “there’s goes my chance for a blow job” when the adverts finished on what we were watching. I said jokingly “there’s be another one” but in the mean time I ended up in the bathroom changing my San pro again as I’m bleeding like a stick pig and feel shot. I got back into bed and lay down on my side which faces away from him.

I did. Think he was half joking since he knew I was feeling shit. End result he felt rejected. Told me he never wants to touch me again, to cancel our weekend away for our anniversary next month and suggested a divorce because he hates me right now.

im tired being the bad guy and the one always walking on egg shells in case we end ip
rowing over something stupid.

he’s now in the spare room.

I do t want to split up but he keeps saying you only want things on your terms…… well yes because that’s know sex works - both have to be up for it.

The only issue I have is that I have to
Ask if I can knit or have a drink. That’s not normal is it? Having to get permission to knit in my own home.

I’ve realized I’m 46, I have two friends in the world and I’m about to lose one of them. Only child so no family apart from an elderly mother.

How the hell do I start again!

OP posts:
emptythelitterbox · 01/12/2022 06:31

He sounds horrible.

There are literally 1000 other men you can have a laugh with and watch tv who don't behave like this bell end.

It's VERY telling that none of his children have anything to do with him.
He sounds like an abusive creeper.

SammySawdust · 01/12/2022 06:32

He sounds utterly revolting. You're 46 and you earn good money. Many women in coercive relationships would love to have those assets. Make the most of them.

Hooverphobe · 01/12/2022 06:33

Omg you're younger than me (and I’m not done yet!) and you earn well.

imagine the mountains of wool you could buy with a 6-figure salary! 😁

tbh the only way I could contemplate staying with a “miserable and disgusting old man” is if he were likely to drop dead before the new year leaving me a fortune.

none of his behaviour is ok - but you have the financial means to leave and have a lovely life without him - and he truly sounds vile.

Ladybug14 · 01/12/2022 06:37

This thread has got to be a wind up!

However, if on the off chance it's for real, then OP.....find some self respect and get rid of this appalling, vile, disgusting man

ReneBumsWombats · 01/12/2022 06:41

46andstartingover · 01/12/2022 03:58

I posted at the time she. We had world war three over my knitting.

it was a different account.

I remember it.

Why are you blindsided when he's long been a nasty twat?

That post where you start by saying he's your best friend and makes you laugh, and then go into all the nasty shit he does....that's heartbreaking.

And you're a high earner, no kids? Go and claim your life!

Vinvertebrate · 01/12/2022 06:41

Good lord, this man is a communist parade of red flags.

Run!

pinkfondu · 01/12/2022 06:42

I think you need to seriously consider leaving now. He is controlling. Having to walk on egg shells all the time is exhausting. Just because he isn't violent doesn't mean he isn't an abusive husband. Leave now before you feel too guilty and find it too hard due to illness or infirmity.

I promise you won't regret it x

Callingallskeletons · 01/12/2022 06:42

Jesus OP the more updates you post the worse it gets!

He sounds awful tbh but your whole relationship sounds toxic - you drink too much, he’s verbally abusive, constantly belittling and emotionally abusive about your looks/weight, tries to manipulate you in to sexual acts your not interested in, acts like a spoilt child if you engage in any kind of activity without him - frankly I don’t know how or why you’ve stuck with this for so long

You deserve to be happy and honestly life is too short for this shit, I’d call his bluff and agree to the divorce (and run for the hills counting your lucky stars)

tunthebloodyalarmoff · 01/12/2022 06:44

Omg he sounds a pain in the arse. You have one life. You are only 46. No kids no reason to put up with this Split. Take Whats yours and start afresh. If you find the courage you won't look back

sjxoxo · 01/12/2022 06:44

There sounds like quite a few issues tbh. I think he sounds controlling and immature…
maybe jealous.. I think you could be happy without him. Best of luck to you xxx

Callingallskeletons · 01/12/2022 06:44

It’s not hard to see why you may drink too much too btw, I’d try and block out an abusive husband too

Get out now OP, don’t be saddled with this any longer

tunthebloodyalarmoff · 01/12/2022 06:46

46andstartingover · 01/12/2022 01:59

He makes me laugh, he’s my best friend and we’re on the same wavelength about so many things.

yes, he does expect me to pay attention to him
and not knit. His sister thinks he’s a freak as well.

i have put on a lot of weight (he’s obese as well) and he tells me all the time. I’m the size of a house, wants me to get gastric surgery, calls me fat - but then in the next breath wants me to wear slut clothing and nighties and walk around with a bit plug or conversing egg inside me because it’s a turn on for him.

he wonders why I do t like dressing up around him because ge makes me feel crap

I don’t think more than one or two days go by without him threatening to leave because apparently im a dirty bitch or because “im slipping into my old ways” when I dare to knit or play wordless whilst watching tv without asking permission.

but I do love him. I know why he is like he is and I can’t imagine life without him. He makes me feel loved and cared for and makes me laugh.

im not perfect either - no one is

Ok after reading that you e made yourself look ridiculous. You love a man that's a vile pig and calls you fat. Get some self respect

GreenManalishi · 01/12/2022 06:46

You don't want to start again?

I'd say that starting again would be the single biggest favour you could do for yourself to turn your life around.

If you stay with this man, he will spend the rest of his life eroding you until there's nothing left, and you'll only get peace when he is dead in the ground.

Get some help. Real life help. I don't know where you are in the world but there will be support for you, it is out there. You're isolated which makes you vulnerable and easier to abuse. Make contact with someone, be honest with them and ask for help in making a plan to save yourself by getting away from him.

You don't have to do this on your own.

SunThroughTheCloudsAt6am · 01/12/2022 06:48

My ex found me knitting strangely annoying too. And wasn't there another poster who's husband unravelled month's worth of knitting because of some perceived slight? Why are they so against knitting?

I had a blanket I was crocheting when I ended it with my ex. It kept me calm while we had our negotiations, keeping my hands busy, giving me somewhere else to look so I didn't cry at the coldness on his face. I had to give it away of course once it was finished, pity, because it was beautiful.

Anyway. OP. What are you getting from this - you're the same age as me, I couldn't look at 20 more years of living like this, especially since you earn all the money anyway, and can be completely independent. I think you should consider calling it a day. If you work remotely, why not pick a pretty town anywhere else and move there for 6 months or so to clear your head and get a fresh start.

Crazypaving22 · 01/12/2022 06:48

Life is just too short.

He sounds like an absolute dirty creep.

ChaToilLeam · 01/12/2022 06:49

You make good money, you don’t have to be tied to this miserable abusive man one moment longer. Take the opportunity and leave. Join a knitting group, make new friends and enjoy the rest of your life. You still have plenty of years ahead of you, do you want to spent them being abused and belittled and pawed by this creep? It’s telling that he has so many children and none of them speak to him.

jamdonut · 01/12/2022 06:51

Sounds just like my ex husband.

GreenManalishi · 01/12/2022 06:52

@tunthebloodyalarmoff

Calling OP ridiculous isn't going to assist her with self respect.

If your self esteem has been dismantled systematically by at least one abuser over many years it's not as simple as flicking a switch.

"Snap out of it" shows zero awareness of OPs situation.

Icepinkeskimo · 01/12/2022 06:52

Of course he is your best friend, because he has effectively prevented you from meeting any new friends.
its all about him, isn’t it? Never a second thought for you and over time you’ve lost yourself along the way.
You need to open your eyes to realising there is a world out there waiting for you. A world without asking for permission to do your hobbies, go out with friends and make your own choices in life.
If you don’t feel strong enough, to do something about your situation, then get some counselling to help you get some prospective on how your life really is.
Do you think he ever considers you or respects you? It sounds like you are the one making all the effort and he’s just sitting there giving out his orders, demanding all your attention, and eating away at your self esteem.
Reading your post has made me really sad, you have so many lovely attributes and you can’t even see it.

Doingmybest12 · 01/12/2022 06:53

This is not ok on so many levels for your own MH get rid of him.

Suzi888 · 01/12/2022 06:53

“But whether you stay with him another 5 days or another 15 years, just remember- it's never too late for you to be independent and happy without him.

I promise.”

Well, no he will have died.

He will get worse, you will likely be his carer. You appear to love him and have intention to split. I would be tempted to call his bluff and say, “come on then, let’s split up, as I am not giving up sewing or my my wine and you can shove your butt plug”. Let’s face it, he would be far, far worse off than you in EVERY respect. He has literally zip going for him.

Suzi888 · 01/12/2022 06:54

Sorry meant no intention to split.
You either call his bluff or do as he says to keep the peace. Or bloody divorce - I’d be outta there!

converseandjeans · 01/12/2022 06:57

I don’t think more than one or two days go by without him threatening to leave because apparently im a dirty bitch or because “im slipping into my old ways” when I dare to knit or play wordless whilst watching tv without asking permission

I think you posted before about him as asking permission to knit is ridiculous.

He sounds horrible & if you're earning enough to finance yourself I can't see the need to continue to see him. He's controlling you.

liarliarshortsonfire · 01/12/2022 07:00

Abusers aren't horrid all the the op. If they were no one would stay with them. He's nice and your best friend at times, to keep you hooked, so you'll excuse his shitty behaviour, because you will constantly strive to be the person he wants you to be. He's abusive

RudsyFarmer · 01/12/2022 07:01

He sounds revolting OP.