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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

He went to sleep

112 replies

SeveruslyFrazzled · 08/12/2022 13:34

Ive name changed but been here for a good 9 years.

I just want a reality check to see how other people would feel. My husband and I have been struggling for a few years. I feel he puts his needs first, then the kids and then mine. He would dispute this. We nearly split up in March this year but he promised he would help more around the house and with finances. He went self employed. It tanked and we now have no savings and more debt. He’s done this in fits and starts but can’t seem to keep it up I.e the helping.

Ive been really quite unwell with some random virus. Couldn’t stop coughing. Couldn’t breathe well. Not Covid.

I had to go to the out of hours doctors twice but this is what happened the last time.

id been cooking a joint if meat despite being ill in the slow cooker for most of the day whilst I looked after the kids. He came home said I looked awful and told me to go to bed and that he would take over.

He then (he’s actually a very good cook) butchered the joint, served watery tasteless potatoes and it was just all shit. I was quite upset as moneys been tight and it was a treat and because I know he can do better. And because he’s the one who told me to go to bed! He later admitted he hadn’t wanted to cook so hadn’t given it his full attention.

So we argued about his lack of care but managed to resolve it.

Called 111 as I couldn’t breath and if anything the steroids and inhaler wasn’t working. They wanted to send an ambulance. I declined this because I wasn’t at deaths door just needed better medication.

I managed to get an out of hours GP appointment at 1.45am. We have young children so he stayed with them and I drove down to the doctors and managed to get in. It did involve me walking down a quiet street, in the cold and dark and no one except my husband knew I had gone. He said he would stay up and wait but might fall asleep on the sofa.

Doctor wasn’t listening to me. Kept putting me down when I said the nebuliser was making my chest feel tighter not better. He prescribed more steroids and antibiotics and urged me to be checked for asthma.

I got home at 3.30am. My husband had locked up the house. Tuned all the lights off except the patio. Put the dog to bed with the radio and took himself to bed because he was cold. He fell asleep and didn’t know I was home. I’ve been sleeping on the sofa as can’t lay flat.

How would you have felt? I know I wouldn’t have been able to have done that. I’d have been worried and waiting.

He was the only one who knew I was out. I could have had an accident… anything could have happened and no one would have known.

He says he didn’t mean to fall asleep… but I just can’t get over the fact he turned everything off and locked up like he intended to go to bed.

I’ve said our marriage is now over because I feel there is no care. No base line level of care.

im now worried I am making a mountain out of a mole hill And doubting myself. I don’t think this is working for either of us. But the kids :( that’s the only reason I’ve stayed and because I’m scared to be alone but mostly the kids.

sorry it’s so long.

OP posts:
Tuilpmouse · 11/12/2022 10:05

@WaddleAway

Fair enough. I realise I did write without reading all the OP's updates. That said, the issue here isn't with him not finishing off a meal well or falling asleep, they're the really rather minor straws that have broken the camel's back it seems.

billy1966 · 11/12/2022 13:58

Tuilpmouse · 11/12/2022 08:42

He ruined a piece of meat deliberately because he didn't want to finish the minding of a meal already made? A complete waster.

Ffs @billy1966 , that's one hell of a stretch based on what the OP wrote.

My reading of this is that the stresses and strains of life with young kids have taken their toll on the OP and her marriage to the point that she wants to end it.

OP, it sounds like you have quite a low tolerance compared to most (not necessarily a bad thing, as I think people can be far too tolerant!)

I'm thinking most men, good men at that, would probably not have measured up favourably in your marriage.... the ones that would have waited up would likely have fallen foul of something else, anything really....

"I'd been cooking a joint if meat despite being ill in the slow cooker for most of the day whilst I looked after the kids. He came home said I looked awful and told me to go to bed and that he would take over.

He then (he’s actually a very good cook) butchered the joint, served watery tasteless potatoes and it was just all shit. I was quite upset as moneys been tight and it was a treat and because I know he can do better. And because he’s the one who told me to go to bed! He later admitted he hadn’t wanted to cook so hadn’t given it his full attention."

This is what the OP wrote and what I responded too.

He's a waster to ruin a meal because he hadn’t wanted to cook.

No stretch at all.

Some of us have standards and know that a good father and husband doesn't spoil a meal when his wife is unwell out of petulance 🙄

Nanny0gg · 11/12/2022 14:04

CornishGem1975 · 08/12/2022 13:52

Got to be honest, I don't think I would have sat up and waited for my DH! I'd have done the same, turned everything off and gone to bed. Doesn't mean I don't care about him, he'd wake me up when he got in if he wanted to.

You'd have locked up?

I think he sounds thoughtless and uncaring. If it's the straw that broke the camel's back then I don't blame you OP

Nanny0gg · 11/12/2022 14:05

SeveruslyFrazzled · 08/12/2022 14:16

Maybe my expectations are unrealistic then. Perhaps it’s me that’s over giving and he is normal. I’ll have to think about this.

The lack of care is a running theme. For example with anything he decides he has no interest in or doesn’t want to do… even if it needs to be done, it’ll be done badly or with little care.

Perhaps we just have a mismatch of standards.

There is. He doesn't have any

SeveruslyFrazzled · 11/12/2022 18:27

Thank you @Nanny0gg and @billy1966 again. It’s definitely the straw. It’s all sorted now. We’ve separated. Both agreed. House is about to be sold (we were already moving) but got the offer today and we are going to remain friends. Funny how everything’s literally come together within a few days. It’s like the Universe is agreeing with the split!

OP posts:
Alcemeg · 11/12/2022 19:06

It's amazing that you've agreed to stay friends. How very civilised! Congratulations OP, really pleased for you.

ListeningButNotHearing · 11/12/2022 21:21

@SeveruslyFrazzled
He sounds like a very difficult selfish and uncaring man. What he did to you was awful.

I think you’ve definitely done the right thing.

I don’t doubt that he would have kept dragging you down and down emotionally.

Well done for keeping your standards and identity.

billy1966 · 13/12/2022 09:02

Delighted to read your decision is made.

How are you feeling today?

SeveruslyFrazzled · 13/12/2022 15:08

Better @billy1966 but instead of my chest it’s now all in my face. Hopefully it will be completely gone soon.

I keep swinging between excitement in regard to us splitting and terror of being alone but I assume that’s normal.

Are you feeling better?

OP posts:
billy1966 · 13/12/2022 18:07

Delighted to read you are improving.

I'm very well, thank you.

I have experienced chest infections in the past so know how miserable you can feel.

Of course you feel nervous of the future, but we are here for you and hopefully co parenting will work well.

Keep posting if it suits you.
Mind yourself.

Redebs · 21/12/2022 04:38

I think you're rather stressed OP and it's affecting your judgement. It does sound as though your husband is distancing himself a bit emotionally at the moment because he probably feels that in your eyes everything he does is wrong. He is backing off due to your heightened state.
I don't understand how you managed to make 111 think that you were unwell enough to need an ambulance, yet were able to drive yourself. And when you saw a doctor, he gave a prescription for steroids - something that could easily have waited until normal GP hours. It sounds like you were quite worked up, rather than having a medical emergency.
In the circumstances, it was completely normal for your husband to go to bed. Presumably you have your own keys?
Your statement about having different standards is really you saying that you aren't willing to see it from another perspective. You are sticking to your opinions regardless.
I haven't read the whole thread and there may be other issues in the relationship that suggest otherwise, but I do think you would benefit from some therapy together or on your own, before your husband decides he's had enough of the drama.

SeveruslyFrazzled · 21/12/2022 12:57

Yes it might sound dramatic @Redebs but it was the straw that broke the camels back.

I was actually very poorly. I’ve never been so poorly or had trouble breathing like that. It was pretty scary actually. Now I am better I see that I should have just let the ambulance come, but I am so used to putting myself last that I couldn’t see the wood for the trees.

I actually received an email a few days ago from NHS England telling me that if I catch Covid I am entitled to treatment because of an underlying issue. Pretty shocked. I have terrible hypertension but I didn’t realise how much of an issue that is with Covid! Double checked the email wasn’t spam or a con and it’s not. Go figure. Ordered tests.

My husband doesn’t need to decide he’s had enough of my drama. I’m not actually a dramatic person but I respect it sounds like I am with this situation. I’ve decided I’ve had enough. We’ve separated. This way we can remain friends for the kids.

No point in couples therapy. We tried it and nothing changed. I am going to have my own counselling (which I’ve had before) when funds allow. I want to understand why I’ve allowed myself to get to this point. I asked him to leave four years ago but he always promised things would change… and they did temporarily! Never stuck.

I’ve been reading “this is how your marriage ends” and that’s basically how my marriage did end!

Im looking forward to 2023 and waiting patiently for the house sale to go through.

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