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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

Think this time really is the last time and we need to separate. Need help.

319 replies

lulupop · 10/12/2004 20:34

Oh God, this could be such a long msg but no point going back to the yr dot with it all. DH and I just had a row and he has screamed at me (as usual, no self-control or thought for DS who was awake in his room) and left the house. I am shaking. I feel all fizzy.

We have had a volatile relationship for such a long time. Things go fine as long as I suppress my frustrations with him but if I bring up how I really feel, it all kicks off. He has no boundaries when it comes to losing tempers and will scream the most appalling things at me, usually in front of the children. We have had 2 separate periods of time going to Relate and all we achieved was that he agreed in principle to setting boundaries, taking time out etc when arguing, but it has always been only till the next time.

He's never been physically violent but he is a real bully and is so abusive I feel like nothing. Just now when I said I was sick of having the same argument over and over again and it made me feel there was no point carrying on, he screamed "Fine! Fine! I will go into work and resign and we can get divorced and you and the kids can have half of NOTHING. And I can tell them that you only married me for the money, you stupid fucking WHORE!"

Not sure what he meant about resigning. I am SAHM and only worked for 2 yrs before having DS. I have no idea how we would live if I left DH but I think I've reached the point where anything has got to be better than feeling like this. All the times we;ve had rows like this before, I've always thought "Don't do anything rash, just give things a chance to settle" and then it goes back to normal for a bit. But nothing changes, it all feels so hopeless now. I don't think I even like him - we certainly seem to be inhabiting different planets. I come from a happy home myself and can't bear the idea of my children not living with both their parents, but don't want them witnessing these sorts of scenes.

I feel stuck in Groundhog Day. No amount of counselling is going to change DH, and though I realise I could change as well, I don't think I can change my personality to accomodate the way he is. He can be very, very nasty when he thinks he's been betrayed, and I am afraid of what would happen if I said I actually wanted to separate formally.

I don't even know how to find a solicitor who could tell me what to do first.

I am supposed to be going to my parents' tomorrow for the night, but now I'm wondering if, if I do so, when I come back he'll have locked me out (he has done this before). What should I do?

Should I lock the door tonight so he can't come back in? I cannot face more of his screaming and ranting at me, with the children hearing it. But afraid of making him even angrier.

OP posts:
nutcracker · 18/03/2005 14:24

You are right Lulupop about getting to the poiunt where you just know it can't go on. My mom has said to me before now that i will just know when enough is enough and that will be it.

lulupop · 18/03/2005 16:41

Hi StressedMummy! How's things with you. Been thinking about you quite a bit as I've gone through all this recently. Hope you're OK.

Yes, I just feel the most enormous sense of relief. Unfortunately I have a feeling that he is still thinking this is a "trial separation" (even though I've been very clear that it's final), and since he's coming here tonight, I'm going to make it crystal clear once again.

Then off to parents for weekend, thank God.

I'd be lying if I said it wasn't quite up and down, but I really know this is the right decision, so think it's just a question of the dust settling now and then I'll feel great about it.

OP posts:
wild · 21/03/2005 08:31

so pleased for you lulupop
Best of everything!

Newbarnsleygirl · 21/03/2005 08:40

Glad to hear your getting sorted now LP.

I was thinking about you this last week cos I'd noticed you'd not been on for a while.

Hope things all go smoothly for you.

stressedmummy · 28/03/2005 10:59

Hi lulupop.
How are things at the moment?
You have taken a very, very brave step. Well done!
I am not so brave ATM, although things have calmed down a little here.
I know 100% that this calm period is only temporary, but you tend to push the bad thoughts to the back of your mind when things improve don't you?
How are you coping with it all?
I find the thought of being alone very scary, although my H is nearly always working ATM, so I am practically on my own most of the time anyway.
Has your H been hassling you at all to get back with him?
Good luck with everything & well done!

lulupop · 29/03/2005 21:10

HI there. Well, it's two weeks today since twatface (as I now think of him) moved out. Initially, things were sort of OK, and I was on quite a high, but of course that was never going to last and now we are into full-on acrimonious proceedings.

His line is that I forced him to leave (he packed his bags and left, and all I did was fail to beg him to stay), and that basically he has done nothing more than pay for everything for the last 8 yrs, offer me everything I'd ever dreamed of, and still I've thrown it all back in his face. Such a load of rubbish, it doesn't even merit a response. Never mind I packed in a highly paid career of my own to care for our 2 children, now of course I am reduced in his mind to status of money-grabbing cow who's out to fleece him.

He regularly calls my parents to bend their ear about how vindictive and spiteful I am (my parents, not his!), which of course does not help.

I feel that all this is going to be very unpleasant, and that depresses me, as I'd really hoped he might grow up and act in a civilised fashion for the sake of our children. Not to be, apparently. I am seeing my solicitor next Friday (earliest appt I cld get!), and we have agreed that we'll proceed on the basis of me petitioning for divorce on grounds of his unreasonable behaviour.

Even though it is all very stressful and nasty, I don't feel one shred of doubt or regret, I'm happy to say. I know now that even if I do end up living with nothing, in a teeny tiny flat, at least I'll be shot of the loser and all the stress and strain of daily life with him. So that's something for me to focus on in the small hours.

Trust me, stressedmummy, I feel so much better having taken this step. You could too. CAT me any time.

OP posts:
wild · 30/03/2005 09:20

SOrry it's turned nasty. YOU know who you are, and vindictive you are NOT. You have tried hard to save your marriage and now you are doing the brave thing and drawing a line, making a happier life for you and the children. Keep going! hope your parents are being supportive to you. I'm sure it will work out well for you, you deserve it

stressedmummy · 30/03/2005 09:51

Oh poor you Lulupop.
What a bast*rd!
How dare he phone your parents & say things like that about their daughter.
I bet that makes you even more pleased that you are not with him doesn't it?
Have you noticed a change in your ds since he has gone?
Where are you living ATM?
The thing is that I just know that I could NOT live with my parents.
Things are quite calm here ATM, but it is probably because he is always at work.
The thing is, I kind of erase things out of my mind when we are in one of these calm spells & kind of kid myself that things have changed.
I hope things get better for you because you deserve some happiness.

swiperfox · 30/03/2005 09:56

Hiya lulu (zc here!) I'm sooo glad that this thread popped up - I've been looking for it for ages lol.
Glad to see that he went - but also sad for you that it came down to that in the end. I was actually quite surprised to see that he left - I've asked dp to leave a few times but he always comes home like nothing happened. (only because he's got no-where else to go)
You will get stronger now as the time passes and your ds will draw on your stregnth and get through this.

Things here are better although we have the odd relapse. I dont know if it's me who's depressed that is making me hate him sometimes. (does that make sense??) Who knows.

Keep in touch and take care

HappyDaddy · 31/03/2005 09:22

Lulupop- well done, you. Keep it up and stay strong. It's good that you're petitioning him for divorce, you have the upper hand.

StressedMummy - my ex got my mum completely on her side when I left her. Happens all the time when the unreasonable one loses control.

nutcracker · 31/03/2005 09:45

Well done Lulupop, sorry it has turned nasty though.
You have been very brave though and are on your way to a better life so just keep remembering that.

stressedmummy · 02/04/2005 13:43

How are things now lulu?

lulupop · 02/04/2005 21:15

very bad. he comes home at weekends and is unable to stop having a go all the time in front of children. today being a case in point. can't write now as he's here, but will update later.

OP posts:
stressedmummy · 02/04/2005 21:24

I am sorry to hear that things are not good ATM lulupop.
Is he still trying to blame you?
It must be awful for your children to see him being so nasty.
Thinking of you.

stressedmummy · 03/04/2005 09:46

Are you ok lulu?

swiperfox · 03/04/2005 10:08

Hope you're ok lulu - will be watching out for you today. xx

dinosaur · 05/04/2005 16:59

lulupop how are you doing?

kernowcat · 05/04/2005 17:29

Lulupop. Just want to send a hug to you and Stressed mummy. I've been in your situation and it does eventualy get better and you wonder why it took you so long to make the break. Your a wonderfully strong person whose putting the welfare of her children first. Use all the support available to you.

swiperfox · 28/04/2005 10:05

Hi Lulupop - not seen you around for a while, how is everything going?

Hope you're doing ok

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