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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

Is this just how marriage goes?

111 replies

Mysteriousgirl2 · 18/08/2023 16:44

So you meet someone, fall in love and plan a wedding.

Years down the line (9, to be precise), you are stuck with someone that you just don’t really fancy anymore and you have to live with the decision you made. Is that it?

My own situation: DH is 14 years older than me, we have 3DC. I have spent many years taking extended maternity and then part time jobs whilst he has had full access to his career. He does not share his money fairly and I pay for most bills etc. He has never had to take a day off work to take after a sick child, nor had to shorten his work day for pick up.

I feel resentment towards him for two main reasons: 1. He does not feel attached and therefore burdened by the children in anything like the same way I do. His work and life has carried on exactly the same way as pre-children. One of my DC was born on a Friday and I remember feeling pleased because at least he could make cups of tea for me over the weekend before returning to work on Monday (for the others he was back in work the very next day). 2. He’s incredibly tight with money. For instance, if I buy the children new school shoes and ask him to pay half, he won’t and will say I should have bought them secondhand. He won’t pay for music lessons (even though he can easily afford them) as he says it’s my choice that my DC want to do them.

I’d probably be better off on my own. But is this just normal among most marriages and for most men?

OP posts:
GorillaInBikini · 18/08/2023 16:48

No, fancy the pants off my husband and we have a joint account and agree budgets together.

Why haven't you left?

TooManyAnimals94 · 18/08/2023 16:49

I think it's quite common judging from a lot of threads on here and certainly a few people I know well enough to talk about the ins and outs of their marriages.

But that doesn't mean you have to accept it. He doesn't sound like a good father or partner so you may well be happier on your own. And assuming he's not self employed, you could go through CMS to get your fair share towards the children.

Weefreetiffany · 18/08/2023 16:50

Second hand shoes? You pay bills? He’s taking you for a ride. What does he actually contribute? Does he pay into a pension for you? Both sets of wages into a joint account now. Why do women put up with this shit?

Roselee1 · 18/08/2023 16:50

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

Quartz2208 · 18/08/2023 16:51

Nope not what I would call a partnership at all
what does he bring to the table

Mummy08m · 18/08/2023 16:52

Not normal, he sounds dreadful

ChangeIsAGoodThingIThink · 18/08/2023 16:53

Not normal, but quite common I think, and sad really.
Don’t accept it if you’re not happy.

NP101 · 18/08/2023 16:54

Him being a tight arse potentially financially abusive isn't normal in a marriage.

FettleOfKish · 18/08/2023 16:54

Well, not for everyone. I've spent the last week with 9 couples on a group trip, all of whom have surpassed 50 years of marriage, and though I haven't delved into their private lives the love and fun and companionship is evident to see in all of them. It's lovely, for me who's been married a year, to see.

If your relationship is not making you happy, and from your description why would it, then get out. It sounds like you'd be the same or better off without him, and overall happier for the lack of him day to day.

summer3219 · 18/08/2023 16:55

It is my experience of the attitude of a man when in a long term relationship involving children. And sometimes there really is no warning that they will be that way before the DC come along, as it can be quite difficult to spot when there is more money to go around and you are both free to please yourselves/ build your career.

You don't have to put up with it though. Once you are officially doing it on your own it feels easier than trying to do it with someone who isn't interested.

Mysteriousgirl2 · 18/08/2023 16:55

TooManyAnimals94 · 18/08/2023 16:49

I think it's quite common judging from a lot of threads on here and certainly a few people I know well enough to talk about the ins and outs of their marriages.

But that doesn't mean you have to accept it. He doesn't sound like a good father or partner so you may well be happier on your own. And assuming he's not self employed, you could go through CMS to get your fair share towards the children.

He’s self-employed. I wouldn’t even be interested in seeking CMS anyway, but if I didn’t have to pay for everything all the time (any holidays always paid in full by me, his food etc as he truly eats LOADS), then life would be already cheaper for me.

OP posts:
NoSquirrels · 18/08/2023 16:56

Not normal at all.

NoSquirrels · 18/08/2023 16:57

Why do you buy the food?

Noicant · 18/08/2023 16:59

Not normal at all. Maybe you would be better off divorced.

Noicant · 18/08/2023 16:59

always put in a claim for cms, always. It’s for your children.

Mysteriousgirl2 · 18/08/2023 17:00

I buy food I suppose because I’ve got more time off during the week. However, I’m going FT soon and I know I’ll still be doing it. It’s costing £450 a month for the 5 of us.

Oh, and he also tells me which supermarket to shop at. (Not the one I ever want to!)

OP posts:
AllProperTeaIsTheft · 18/08/2023 17:02

No, that's not just how marriage always goes, though it probably goes like that more often than it should.

Having my dc messed up my career more and for longer than I'd anticipated, but it was my choice to stay part time for ages after having dc. Dh took paternity leave, always shared finances, was always supportive, has always done his fair share with dc. And when I recently went back full time there was no question of him not stepping up and sharing housework equally.

Sorry, but yours sounds like a financially abusive arsehole, OP.

Vegandiva · 18/08/2023 17:03

Why are you paying for everything?!? Please get out!!! He sounds horrible, just a drain on your time and finances and is not bringing anything to the table.

And just because you are doing the shopping there is no reason he can’t pay for it.

JJ8765 · 18/08/2023 17:07

It’s normal if you’ve managed to marry someone selfish who doesn’t enjoy being a parent. Which isn’t always obvious before dc come along. The resentment won’t go and will kill the marriage anyway so it’s better to cut loose sooner (you will get a better financial settlement with younger children dependent on you and have more time to rebuild). My ex was lazy and earned little (also self employed) and I was financially better off without him. You would want to collect evidence of all the savings he’s obviously stashed away for himself first.

BatshitCrazyWoman · 18/08/2023 17:07

He sounds horrible. You'd definitely be better off without him! And don't even think about not claiming CMS - it's for your children!

NoSquirrels · 18/08/2023 17:08

Stop paying for ‘most bills’. Tell him he’s in charge of the food shopping, or at least limit what you buy to the DC and you. He sounds like an absolute arsehole.

Fupoffyagrasshole · 18/08/2023 17:09

no not normal tbh - he sounds like an arse - id just leave

Autieangel · 18/08/2023 17:10

He sounds awful no wonder you don't fancy him.

I've been with dh 15 years, 3 kids. We have ups and downs. He has his moments but n the whole we are good friends and I still fancy him. He would never tell me how to spend money or where to shop. He earns 6x my wage and it all goes in the joint pot.

Have you considered you may be happier alone?

angeltattoo · 18/08/2023 17:11

No. My husband is wonderful, a partner who makes my life easier. He is generous in spirit and with his time, effort and money. Yours sounds dreadful, and you sound like your life would be much nicer without him. Please don’t think you have to settle for less than you deserve.

MrsMarzetti · 18/08/2023 17:26

Just leave, divorce him. Take half of everything and put in a claim to CMS. You have wasted so much of your life already. Good luck