I'm pretty confused about what is the best thing to do next and I'd like the sanity of strangers to help give my head a wobble.
DH started to withdraw from family life 17 months ago, it was very gradual and I guess I didn't see how bad it was until this Christmas.
Our boys are 7.5 and 5.5. DH is constantly irritated by the children and me.
To the extent the 7 year old says he's just mean or try to be extra quiet, (no bothering him in the morning).
There's no family time together, he actively avoids us. Hours at the gym, hours on his phone or doing some work project that is not needed (and doesn't warrant extra pay/time off/ recognition.) Basically avoiding us for hours.
He doesn't eat with us but will come in mid-meal and have toast leaving the boys to ask why isn't dad eating with us.
DH teaches in a primary school and has refused to look after the boys outside of term time. Just blank refused. He's doing things I'd expect someone to be doing who has no family commitments. London concerts, hours at the gym, hours on his phone. The bloody phone.
I'm the breadwinner and there's no bloody respite.
Work, children, housework, school admin.
Every time I bring something up, he says he wants to leave, says I'm a nightmare and don't make ANYONE happy. He shouts, raises his voice, slams doors, slams plates around, and of course, we all shut up.
He can go days without speaking to me at all.
I've tried to get him help for several months now. He has refused therapy and the GP. I've tried to get him to go to the GP for something else . His parents say they don't want to get involved. They tell me that I need therapy, I must have upset him.
His friends don't see the behaviour. He is super charming, affable, smooth with everyone else very nice. Helps the neighbours . And yet participates in absolutely nothing at home. No chores, no admin, nothing school related.
The boys and me see a very different side to everyone else.
He's ignored me now since Saturday because I pulled him up on shouting at the kids at bedtime. I'm still being cheerful with our boys but I'm ignoring his sulking for now.
Do I give him a deadline for seeing the GP or therapy? Every time I go out with the boys, I see parents working as a team to manage their kids and I get angry, with myself for not being able to change this shitshow that my kids are seeing.
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
Relationships
Ignorance is no longer bliss
WhereAreYouKeir · 11/01/2023 21:29
LittleLillie · 11/01/2023 21:31
Just leave. Seriously, this is damaging your children.
He does not respect you, he doesn’t give a shit about your feelings and I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s someone else in the background.
You and your children deserve so much better.
josephjohnson · 11/01/2023 21:39
Oh OP I'm so sorry, this sounds awful.
You do just need to leave. Do you have somewhere you can go? Friends or family? Get yourself and your boys away from that disgrace of a man. You deserve so much more
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WhereAreYouKeir · 11/01/2023 21:42
I keep thinking divorce and then I tell myself but what if it could get better. Even if he is depressed and needs medical help, he could still behave like a rotten partner to me.
on his phone, doomscrolling, Ukraine, Twitter,
He will say openly that I don't have a clue what is going on in terms of current affairs. I don't have time! He went to the gym at 530 today. The boys stayed up to see him when he got back and he ignored them saying they were doing his head in. FFS.
WhereAreYouKeir · 11/01/2023 21:42
I keep thinking divorce and then I tell myself but what if it could get better. Even if he is depressed and needs medical help, he could still behave like a rotten partner to me.
on his phone, doomscrolling, Ukraine, Twitter,
He will say openly that I don't have a clue what is going on in terms of current affairs. I don't have time! He went to the gym at 530 today. The boys stayed up to see him when he got back and he ignored them saying they were doing his head in. FFS.
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