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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

What do I do? Separate for good?

25 replies

Mumfirst2 · 27/01/2023 10:17

I just dont know what to do for the best. Together 16 years married 6 2 kids.
It's been a struggle I'd say for the last 4 years but I've put up with it. There's been so much but to cut long story short. He's turned lazy & disrespectful. Going out on benders taking dr*s. Even though I've warned him time and time again. I don't like it I know its the norm now to do a bit of sniff but I don't like it anything could happen its not worth it plus he's a mess when he gets home. Started going out without even saying anything like I'd be in bed with our 1 year old come downstairs he's disappeared phone him hes at the pub. Thinks that's OK but when I want to go out (maybe once a month) I have to pluck up the courage to ask him because he always moans. Last time he said if I go out he will lock the doors. He's closed down 2 business because he couldn't handle managing it, got us into debt because he was too lazy to set up a new direct debit to pay the bills. Constant debt letters for his tax, for materials he hasn't paid for and parking tickets because he can't be bothered to just pay for parking so it ends up being 300 quid. Last year alone it must have cost maybe 3000 on parking fines. He even got one in my car so it's in my name i was followed to school run and threatened to be towed with a baby in the back seat. Luckily I managed to talk the guy out of towing me. He couldn't be bothered to submit invoices to pay his lads and himself so he was going behind my back borrowing thousands off my mum (she told me) and then wouldn't pay her back for 5 months! Causing a strain on mine and her relationship. The last straw was he said im gonna go pub for a bit (on his own) he isolated all of his friends because he just "can't be a*d" that's all I ever hear. Anyway he went out at 6pm said only going for couple he came home at 7am next morning wouldn't tell me where he was or answer his phone. Came back off his Rocker on drugs. Found random strangers and went back to their house. On top of this he doesnt do any housework cooking cleaning I do everything and work full time. Anything I ask him to do he says no or immediately gets defensive and says well in working that weekend or I'm busy that day. I also found out after the bender he had been sacked the day before he didn't tell me. When I say sacked I mean the company he was contracted to found another contractor he isn't employed by them. So he still has other work but its like he has lost motivation in life goes bed at 7pm stays in bed all day. Yet pre covid he worked like a horse lates weekends multiple jobs on at once worked away if there was no local work. He's always been lazy in the house but I could handle that because he was a grafter at work and never took dr*s or went on benders he was sensible. But now I can't trust him to provide. I have separated from him because i couldnt take it anymore. but I don't know if I can afford to live alone. I would struggle I'd have to live back with my mum in 1 bedroom with 2 kids if I get no help towards my rent. He can't afford to pay my rent if he is going to rent somewhere else and he hasn't got job security at the minute so I can't rely on him. He's been saying he's sorry and he knows he's had multiple chances but he's going to turn it around. I love him still but do I stay and hope it gets better or go and struggle?

OP posts:
XmasElf10 · 27/01/2023 10:58

What is the point of this guy??? Definitely time to leave him!!

pinkyredrose · 27/01/2023 11:03

Find out what benefits you'd be entitled to and chuck him out. Is his name on the tenancy?

Mumfirst2 · 27/01/2023 12:31

@pinkyredrose I'm not entitled to anything that's my only concern. No my landlord made me a new one for just me

OP posts:
AnotherNameChangeYes · 27/01/2023 12:35

You’d be crazy to stay. Your child deserves better too.

Aquamarine1029 · 27/01/2023 12:40

Using coke is not the norm, FFS. Get rid of this loser.

Eastereggsboxedupready · 27/01/2023 12:42

Make 2023 the year you get rid op. What an arsehole waste of space he sounds.

Mumfirst2 · 27/01/2023 12:47

@Eastereggsboxedupready I know and one day I feel like that but the next I'm re considering because I want to be able to give my kids what they want and I can't afford to live alone. I'd have to move back with my mum and share a bed with 2 kids. Council house waiting times are up to 10 years round here I've tried before. Had to go private.

OP posts:
pinkyredrose · 27/01/2023 13:49

Mumfirst2 · 27/01/2023 12:31

@pinkyredrose I'm not entitled to anything that's my only concern. No my landlord made me a new one for just me

I bet you'd be entitled to something, I'd bet my house on it.

Please chuck this useless fucker out, he's an abusive piece of shit who doesn't give a fuck about you.

ZaphodDent · 27/01/2023 14:22

It's not the norm to take coke. It really isn't. It sounds like the change you've seen in him is that he's become increasingly addicted to drugs. What you're describing are classic addiction behaviours.

You ask if he'll get better. He needs help quiting drugs, permanently. If he one day gets clean and stays clean for a period of time, then that would be a start, but you would need clear evidence of that. For now he sounds like a complete nightmare. You've done the right thing separating. Feel for you OP.

Can2022getanyworse · 27/01/2023 14:29

Taking coke is most definitely not the norm.

And like pp says, unless you have a £££ job with ££ in the bank, with 2 kids and no other support you should definitely be eligible for some financial support. Have a look at entitledto website. You might be surprised.

He needs to go. You really can't have this man under your roof - he lies, takes drugs, (probably) cheats.

Helen901 · 28/01/2023 16:11

You really need to get out of this relationship. If its only your name on the tenancy, he has no rights to stay.

im in a similar situation myself but with a DH with alcohol issues.

do you work? Have you checked out entitled to . Com? You might be better off than you think. He wont change and you will live your life in this situation over and over again.

put you and your lo first

Lili132 · 28/01/2023 17:02

Taking drugs when you have a family is not a normal behaviour and ilke i said on another thread it almost always goes hand in hand with other impulsive, irresponsible behaviours and attitudes.

You become what you practice so if he keeps choosing instant gratification over consequences, long term goals and his duties to other people it becomes a habit which is difficult to break and which at the moment he has no incentive to break. Like it or not you became his enabler. He knows you work full time, look after the kids and will pick up the pieces. He knows that maybe you'll moan a bit but won't leave and it's a little price to pay for putting himself first if that's what he wants to do.

Sorry to be so blant. I do feel for you and what you're describing sounds awful but you need to see things for what they are rather then believing someone will magically change.

Mumfirst2 · 28/01/2023 19:47

@Lili132 yeah we've been down this road before but I've never said that's it and separated. As I've never been in a position to even financially consider it (I'm still not in would struggle immensely) but I could survive. Then he goes into sorry mode nice as pie makes plans to get straight, cleans, cooks everything but wipe my arse for me. It lasts maybe a month and then it slowly creeps up again. He stops going out but then as soon as he says I'm going out I'll worry all week until the day he goes out. He doesnt go out that often to be fair but when he does he ignores me and comes back off his rocker the next morning. My main concerns are his lack of responsibility and adult organisation with things like debt, repayments and the lies surrounding these issues. We've been together 16 years married for 6 it's just so upsetting because aside from the faults I've listed he's very good to our kids and we do get on.
@Helen901 yes I work full time. They are going to let me know st the end of Feb if im entitled but I think its only child benefit which I only claim for 1 child (my 11 yo) so I will claim for my 1 year old now too

OP posts:
Itstimetoquit · 28/01/2023 20:29

Been there,done that,get rid of him,it will only get worse x

Lili132 · 28/01/2023 21:04

Mumfirst2 · 28/01/2023 19:47

@Lili132 yeah we've been down this road before but I've never said that's it and separated. As I've never been in a position to even financially consider it (I'm still not in would struggle immensely) but I could survive. Then he goes into sorry mode nice as pie makes plans to get straight, cleans, cooks everything but wipe my arse for me. It lasts maybe a month and then it slowly creeps up again. He stops going out but then as soon as he says I'm going out I'll worry all week until the day he goes out. He doesnt go out that often to be fair but when he does he ignores me and comes back off his rocker the next morning. My main concerns are his lack of responsibility and adult organisation with things like debt, repayments and the lies surrounding these issues. We've been together 16 years married for 6 it's just so upsetting because aside from the faults I've listed he's very good to our kids and we do get on.
@Helen901 yes I work full time. They are going to let me know st the end of Feb if im entitled but I think its only child benefit which I only claim for 1 child (my 11 yo) so I will claim for my 1 year old now too

Are you on high income? With 2 children, childcare costs and rent you must be eligible for some help through Universal credit (it would be better to be on it if you're working). You don't have to wait until end of February to find out, there are online calculators which will give you an idea of what you're entitled - for example Entitledto. If you work full time and live somewhere where childcare is expensive you might be better off while reducing your hours and childcare costs (doesn't make sense but that's how system works) so check all potential options.

I'm not saying you should leave, it's huge step and it's up to you but make sure you have all the information to make an informed decision. That includes knowing everything you're entitled to and accepting he won't change without actually wanting to and putting hard work into it.

Mari9999 · 28/01/2023 21:34

How would struggling on your own be worst than having to struggle with someone who chooses to abandon his responsibility in favor of drugs and drink?
Maybe you should love your children more than you love him.

Children deserve better than a father who routinely chooses his wants above their needs. It is fine for you to be willing to live that way but it is not responsible of you to subject them to his dysfunction and selfishness.

Opentooffers · 28/01/2023 23:08

You've got the tenancy, so kick him out. I think it's more a case now of you can't afford to stay with him. It's family debt that he's got you into, and drink and drugs aren't cheap either. Foolish of your mother to loan him cash, but seeing as she did, perhaps she could help you out if needs be. The sooner you cut ties, the less of his debt you will be liable for.

Mumfirst2 · 29/01/2023 08:04

@Opentooffers it wasn't foolish of my mum because she was only thinking of me and my kids if he hasn't submitted an invoice to pay his workers and himself then I also suffer and my kids suffer. Yes she should have not been so soft and gave into him after the first time but she wasn't doing it for him.
@Mari9999 I don't need you to question how much I love my kids thank you!

OP posts:
Snowybeach · 29/01/2023 08:10

Why don’t you go online now and see if you are entitled to any top up benefits? I expect you would be with two children on your own.

Mumfirst2 · 29/01/2023 08:30

@Snowybeach I have done and they said they would let me know end of Feb. I did a quick calculation but it was coming up only child benefit. I dont pay a nursery for child care so maybe thats why and my oldest is 11 anyway so don't need child care for her.

OP posts:
Can2022getanyworse · 29/01/2023 12:34

OP you can go on entitledto website and get an answer online immediately. (Who is telling you you have to wait until the end of Feb?)

Just put your info as if you were a single parent, your own income, kids details. See how you get on.

Snowybeach · 29/01/2023 13:57

There are different online calculators. I can’t work out who’s telling you in February. You can find out now! At least as a guide.

dzdzdxdz · 29/01/2023 13:58

Doing 'sniff' is absolutely not the norm.

Mari9999 · 29/01/2023 14:43

OP, I am not questioning whether you love your children. I would imagine that you love them very much, but as an 11 year old child, if my mom had kept me in a home with a parent who routinely abused both drugs and alcohol, I would certainly have questioned her love for me. I would have wondered why she did not want a better life for me and my sibling. I would have wondered why she did not take steps to get us into a better environment.

With all of that said, I probably would have loved both of my parents, but I think that I would have thought that they loved themselves and each other more than they loved me or my sibling.

Children can live with some amount of financial deprivation . It is much more difficult to live with a parent who is addicted to drugs and alcohol and whose mood swings and unexplained absences are creating a negative environment in the household.

Mumfirst2 · 29/01/2023 15:17

@Snowybeach @Can2022getanyworse I have officially applied for UC but they said that those calculators are an estimate and I shouldn't bank on those as an answer they said they can only give me a definite entitlement end of Feb and if im entitled it will go into my bank 4 days after that. So far it Says child benefit only due to me not having 'official' child care costs as I pay a family member not a registered nursery. But I have rent to pay and the usual expenses. I cant lower my hours as my work don't take part time employees anything under 35 hours Is classed as part time I dont want to risk my job altogether for the sake of a bit of universal credit. So I'm stuck really. Its a shame because I know people who abuse UC by not declaring their self employed wages and get a huge top up

OP posts:
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