Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

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

ADHD husband continuously crossing sexual and financial boundaries

146 replies

Mama23g1b · 26/06/2023 14:01

This is the first time I've posted a thread-I really need advice from anyone!

My hubby and I have 4 children. We've always had dysfunction in our family. DD1 is an autistic teen, DD2 has OCD, DD3 typical 4 year old and DS a mischievous toddler.

I'm a laid back, passive person. I love my kids, my part time job and am happy with life in general. My hubby is loud, dominant, shouts a lot and is very dramatic. He moved away from his family 15 years ago to start a life with me and doesn't really have any friends though he's become part of my extended family.

Recently I'm feeling more and more negative towards him. He's constantly asking for sex and touching me all the time. I tell him every single time I dont like him touching me when the kids are home and he ignores me and continues. He's been waking me up early in the morning because he wants sex to which I say no, I'm asleep and he gets annoyed. Truth is I've gone off having sex with him. There is no intimacy, he doesn't show me any love its just a means to an end and it's always very frantic.

He earns a lot more money than I do. Obviously with 4 maternitys and the children's needs my career has taken a backseat. I gave up 2 years to support him through a Masters.

He asks me to do soo many of his day to day tasks for him because 'I'm quicker and better'. Like writing emails, dealing with his work stuff, anything and everything. On top of looking after the 4 kids practically alone, I do all the housework alone and am trying to hold down my own part time job which requires 13 hours a week training on top of my hours.

He keeps all his wage and puts the majority in a savings I have no knowledge about. He transfers an amount to me each month which I use for the childcare/kids activities/some bills etc. However every single month I have to ask him to pay it, he won't do standing order. And now he's reduced it by £200 as he thinks its too much! He earns 4 times what I earn and I have no savings of my own as I'm always surviving month to month and he has 15 years worth of savings from a high salary.

He also rents out a property which he keeps the income for in a separate account I have no access to. However I deal with all the property management, tenants, maintenance etc. I understand he bought it from his own inheritance and its his money but I'm resenting all the time I'm spending managing the property. I had to deal with a court case as he didn't want to pay a solicitor.

He shouts at the children and none of them like him. They always want to be with me. My toddler won't go anywhere near him. He keeps saying he doesn't understand why they don't like him and I've told him he needs to show respect but he laughs it off. He disrespects their boundaries and winds them up all the time. He never has a genuine conversation. I honestly believe he doesn't know how to.

He's very jealous if I go out with a friend and gives me the fold shoulder. He threatens that he's going to book work in that eve so I can't go then says he's just joking.

I'm at a point now I can't put up with his demands anymore but I don't know what to do. I feel guilty as he set his life up with me. And I know he'll put me through hell if we separate.

I'm so sorry for such a long post but some opinions would be massively appreciated.

OP posts:
Summerfun54321 · 26/06/2023 15:35

You made a smart financial decision in marrying him so now it's time to divorce and take what you are owed. It's the only way you will redress the balance of power from a man who has taken more than he's owed from your marriage for far too long.

heartofglass23 · 26/06/2023 15:40

As a neurodivergent person his behaviour has nothing to do with his neurodivergence.

Divorce
Divorce
Divorce

Get all the paperwork photocopied.

Then

Divorce.

AlexaAdventuress · 26/06/2023 15:46

Very much my view @PunCana but much more eloquently put!

Inasmuch as one can tell from a brief posting here it sounds like it would meet the threshold.

AlexaAdventuress · 26/06/2023 15:47

Oh, and once the courts are involved, he'll be under obligation to disclose his assets. Look what happened to Boris Becker!

DaaamnYoullDo · 26/06/2023 15:49

It's all got naff all to do with ADHD. He's an abusive prick and you're better off without him. Get rid. It'll be alot easier than you think. I've been there.

nidgey · 26/06/2023 15:50

ADHD has nothing to do with it. He's an abusive dickhead and you need to get away from him, or at least see what your financial rights are.

Shakirasma · 26/06/2023 15:51

None of that has anything to do with ADHD, its just abuse, plain and simple.

Do yourself and your children a huge favour by going to see a solicitor about getting a divorce.

gamerchick · 26/06/2023 15:58

You do know what to do. He doesn't contribute financially and is a drain on your resources.

You'll probably get more in CM if you leave him

Lidlpopdrinker · 26/06/2023 16:04

He sounds like an absolute twat TBH. The good news is you have two properties for the divorce, so you should be able to have one of them. He might well put you through hell when you break up, but it sounds like he’s already putting you through hell anyway, and at least if you’re divorcing him there will be an end date to the hellishness. Get some good solid legal advice and tell them about all the savings he’s been squirling away over the years. You can probably do it so you pay from the settlement, but take his arse to the cleaners. He can’t just stash away family money for himself and leave his wife and kids in the shit. Also, if he’s earning a wad then CMS will be decent.

and, so what if he moved his life to be with you. He should have been less of a shit shouldn’t he. His own kids can’t even stand him FFS. Fuck him, he doesn’t deserve any of you.

oh, and another thing, have a little bet with yourself how long it’ll take for him to bring out the suicide threats. Don’t worry, he won’t do it, he just wants you to think he will as another means to control you. Abusers don’t like losing control of their property.

StarchySturgess1 · 26/06/2023 16:06

SoWhatEh · 26/06/2023 14:26

Can I just say yet again (constantly having to stick up for ND and people with MH issues on here) ADHD has nothing to do with being a complete selfish tosser. I have ADHD and am not a complete selfish tosser. DS has ADHD as is not a complete selfish tosser. In fact we go out of our way to ensure we aren't, which is exhausting, given how easy it is to forget stuff.

👏🏻

BillyBraggisnotmylover · 26/06/2023 16:08

It’s ducks in a row time OP. Spend time finding out and recording as much information about financial affairs as possible and then seek legal advice. Another echo of “it’s not the ADHD” - he’s just a prick.

Rightsraptor · 26/06/2023 16:08

Why on earth do you feel guilty, OP? You have nothing to feel guilty about.

As you do all his admin, you are in an excellent position to photocopy every damn document that comes your way. Do this, starting now, and keep them safe. You'll need them when you divorce him, which you will as he is a controlling coercive prick who doesn't deserve you or the children.

Best of luck.

YouJustDoYou · 26/06/2023 16:11

Divorce him. Make you and your children's lives happier without him dragging you all down.

Devonshiregal · 26/06/2023 16:16

Not his ADHD. Just him. Being an abuser

pimplesquisher · 26/06/2023 16:23

ADHD doesn't make you a dick. HE is an abusive fool and I'd leave him and take him to the cleaners.

mathanxiety · 26/06/2023 16:25

Go online. Look up Women's Aid. The website will show your local / regional number. Or simply call 0808 2000 247 and leave a message. When they call back, ask for the local contact.

Your husband is abusing you financially, sexually, emotionally, and psychologically (you are afraid to take steps toward leaving).
He is abusing your children too.

You need support - WA are there for you.

TWmover · 26/06/2023 16:41

As someone with ADHD I don't think his behaviour is relevant to that. From what you've outlined he is financially abusive, physically and emotinally abusive, demonstrates coercive control and unloving. I'm so sorry with what you are coping with and please know that how he is behaving is completely wrong and you don't have to put up with it. I hope that you can seek some appropriate support via Women's Aid or other avenues people have suggested here to give the support and tools to leave. You and your children deserve better and can have better in life than this.

determinedtomakethiswork · 26/06/2023 16:44

Get the hell out of there and get a good solicitor. You're poor children shouldn't have to live with him

georgarina · 26/06/2023 16:46

ADHD makes me struggle with organisation and motivation. It doesn't make me abuse and exploit my partner.

Hope you're ok. And yes, ltb x

AgnesX · 26/06/2023 16:48

I'm so sorry he's taking advantage of you like that.

I don't know what to suggest that won't rock the boat or that has you walking out the door to the nearest divorce lawyer (as a starting point).

ADHD.... if he's just starting this it's nothing to do with his condition but everything to do with him being a git and he has to deal with it

massiveclamps · 26/06/2023 16:53

LTB (and I don't say that often).

Yes, it will be nightmarish to start with, but once you're settled and got the finances sorted out (get yourself a good lawyer), your life will be so much better.

RecycleMePlease · 26/06/2023 16:58

OP, you don't have to live like this.

I left mine and it's been fantastic - although I had full control of the money because he was too lazy to, he did question every purchase and cultivate an air of needing to save every penny/questioning my (reasonable) purchases in case he burned himself out (HA!) and had to retire early (whilst obviously spending ridiculous amounts on anything he felt like).

Some pieces of advice - try to work up a couple to a few grand in cash - stash it somewhere like a winter coat pocket, or in the washable lining of the settee if you don't have a better spot. Knowing it's there in case you ever need to drop everything and run is very comforting.

Grey rock. Once you disconnect, go the whole hog. Fighting and yelling gets you no-where. Explaining why he's being unfair gets you nowhere. Just keep it short and businesslike (I've managed it all but 2 times, and I regret losing it those 2 times).

SquirrelSoShiny · 26/06/2023 17:04

georgarina · 26/06/2023 16:46

ADHD makes me struggle with organisation and motivation. It doesn't make me abuse and exploit my partner.

Hope you're ok. And yes, ltb x

This.

Mama23g1b · 26/06/2023 17:06

Oh god, I feel a bit sick reading all these messages. I've been a fool for a long time and have normalised it all. I've excused him so many times to the children and defended his behaviour. When I've questioned him about his constant sexual pestering he's always said he can't help himself, its his adhd. That was going to be the original focus of the post to see what experience others had but as I started writing it took a different angle. I've always told myself he's like that because he can't help being hands on. 😪 I think deep down I knew that wasn't true. I'm going to have to do some research as I've no idea how to go about this. Thank you everyone so much for your comments and support, it's made me feel like I'm not being ungrateful or unreasonable ad I'm sorry if I offended anyone with adhd. I know its not a part of this now. I had to bribe my eldest to write his father's day card. I think that was the eye opener 😥

OP posts:
RecycleMePlease · 26/06/2023 17:12

I'm sorry OP. For me one of the things was when my youngest was looking at the calendar for the month and saw when his dad was back home from working away, and he drew a little sad face on that day.

I strongly empathise with being pested for sex (I was woken up 2 hours after I went to bed instead though) despite him not even bothering to spend 5 minutes having a chat with me in the day (let alone spend any time so I would enjoy the sex myself)