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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

How am I going to get through this :( (long post sorry!)

712 replies

MyHeadIsSpinning · 17/03/2008 12:43

I've been with DH for over 10yrs, married for 1 and have a new baby. LO was born prem and we have been going through hell but she is home now and doing well.

DH has always been indecisive and before each major milestone, getting engaged, a house, married etc he has had a panic and discussed splitting up as he doesn't think he loves me enough to get engaged, buy a house, get married etc.

However once we have talked things through and he has had his stress he always decides that he does love me and wants to be with me.

Surprisingly getting pregnant was one thing that he didn't stress about and was really happy that we were expecting. When I delilved LO early and it was touch and go for me and LO - apparently cos I was out of it but have been told by various people - DH was a bit of a mess which was understandable, ie couldn't speak for crying. However he won't talk about this and although has been supportive during the weeks LO was in hospital on SCBU I feel he could have been there for me more than he was.

Over the weekend things have come to a head. We've been having a few niggly arguements and he has said over the past few weeks that he isn't sure if he loves me enough (again) and has been thinking about us splitting up. Yesterday I made a real effort - did my hair and make up etc and tried hard to make an effort - we had agreed to do this the night before. However DH didn't notice the effort I had made and was sullen all day only speaking when I spoke to him etc. When I cracked and said that his behaviour was upsetting me and I was upset that he hadn't commented that I looked nice - he said that he hadn't noticed that I'd made an effort and didn't think I looked as though I had particularyly

We had a 'discussion' during which he told me that;

He feels it would have been easier if I had died when havign LO as this would have ade things easier for him ie wouldn't have to decided to stay with me or not - this really hurt and he knows how bad it sounded.

He doesn't feel that he loves me enough and wishes that he's 'had the balls to leave me before marrying an having a baby'

When I asked why he married me he said he thought it would be a solution to how he was feeling about being not sure about the relationship and everyone else seemed to think it was a good idea. He was NOT pressurised into marrying me or indeed even staying with me.

The arguement went on until I said that I wasn't prepared to share our baby and him be a weekend dad. That isn't why I brought her into the workd to be passed about between two homes etc. I told him that it's all or nothing he either has us both or looses us both cos I'm not beign a part time mum and our daughter needs a full time dad.

He went to walk out of the room and I asked him how he felt right then - he replied like he wants to die

I left him to cool off and then went upstairs to see him. He was sat on the bed crying. He Said that he loves our daughter and doesn't want to be a part time dad but isn't sure that he loves me enough etc. He broke down and cried so hard he was howling and holding on to me - this is not like him he cries but only a little. This was a major breakdown kind of cry.

We have decided to see how things go for a couple of months and both make a real effort to make our marriage work He has said that he would rather fall back in love with me and make it work but at the moment isn't sure that this is possible.

I just feel so empty and don't know what to think. Part of me feels so sorry for him cos I love him and he is hurting and I want to make things better but can't) I have suggested that maybe he is depressed after the birth and the general situation and he said that he doesn't think so cos he just feels the same way as he has previously.

On the other hand I'm so angry with him for what he has said and that he is taking away this precious time with my new baby cos I can't enjoy her as much as I would cos I'm worried about the future and being on my own if he does leave us.

He finds talking difficult so I'm off to buy a couple of notepads for us both to write our feeligns in about the relationship and anything else over the coming months - I feel for me it will be cathartic and help when I really want to talk and he doesn't, for him I hope that writing down his feeligns and fears will help put them into perspective and help him to work through how he feels whatever the outcome may be.

I just feel sooo sad and can't stop thinking about what he has said and also part of me thinks that maybe we shoudl just call it a day and I can move on and find someone who does love me although not sure this would work as the person I want to love me doesn't Also I really don't want to be a single parent.

OP posts:
HonoriaGlossop · 26/08/2008 13:17

excellent posts Raggerty....I do totally see what you mean about passivity from MHIS hopefully forcing some aciton from him.

I think I'm very much a 'do-er' and that's why I would have to have an end point in MY control...but MHIS is not me and as you say I am sure would blame herself if the outcome was not favourable....

raggety · 26/08/2008 14:05

I am the same as you HG. I would lose patience in this situation. I think most women want to talk things through, sort things out, move forward. MHIS is also a 'do-er'. But MHIS' husband sounds like he has an avoidant personality, the harder you try to reach him, the more stressed he becomes, and the more likely he is to become elusive and to indulge in escapism.

HonoriaGlossop · 26/08/2008 14:28

yes, didn't mean to imply she wasn't a 'do-er' Perhaps I meant to say I am an over controlling old hag

dittany · 26/08/2008 14:47

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

HonoriaGlossop · 26/08/2008 15:00

but dittany I think one of MHIS points was that this 'waiting' actually ISN'T more of the same; that in the past she and other members of the family may have pushed him and taken decisions for him (or so he could claim) when he has expressed uncertainty.

I am afraid I do totally agree that he will never commit. What he is doing is not the act of a man who is in love with his wife

dittany · 26/08/2008 15:07

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

HonoriaGlossop · 26/08/2008 15:13

'You can't hang your happiness on someone who isn't interested in helping you gain it'

So, so true dittany.

MyHeadIsSpinning · 26/08/2008 19:58

Thanks for all your comments - not been around today!

DH picked up DD on time tonight... so he does seem to be responding better and doing as I wish which I feel however small is a step in the right direction.

I am not making conversation with him. I am waitign for him to initiate atm. In doing this I am feeling stronger and as raggerty says it isn't what I would normally do - i would have tried to initiate conversation and manipulate his feelings, I suppose, make the decision for him. ATM I am giving him the respoinsibility to make the decision whatever that is.

When he makes his decision I will be in a position to move on without him or if he decideds he wants to make a go of things I can then decide if that is what I want.

In the meantime i am growing stronger for not having the contact with him.

OP posts:
lel1 · 29/08/2008 12:39

If you didn't have a DD together then in a lot of ways it would be easier for you to move on, its cos you keep seeing him when you drop DD off ect and chat then its makes it harder for you, you can't then disconnect your feelings and move on.

I do agree with most of the other posters on here (havn't read them all though!) that you have to think of your own happiness and I don't think you will ever be truly happy with him, whether he lives with you or not, cos I think you need to be loved by someone who is in love with you, and I know it hurts but from his behaviour I don't think he does love you.

Think about yourself more and not him, and try and find someone for yourself (which I know isn't easy with a young DD) but you will find someone one day and you will be happy

ratbunny · 29/08/2008 21:46

just wanted to say that you guys are giving rally good advice.
I am in exactly the same position as mhis and what you say really speaks to me. I just am not ready to give up on the dream either.

chin up mhis
x

MyHeadIsSpinning · 29/08/2008 22:32

I'm still staying strong....he came round for DD last night and ended up seeign her here because she was restless - teething. I spent much of the time upstairs or in another room. Only went in to feed DD.

He tried to make conversation but I dodn't really respond - was polite as ever but no really talking.

Feelign strong but still so sad that I can't talk to my husband/daughter's father any more After 14yrs feels so strange, would be so easy to fall into conversation with him but I know it's not right and I keep reminding myself of what he has done

Makes me feel sick

OP posts:
ratbunny · 29/08/2008 23:04

I guess our problem is that we are so USED to having them, with all their issues. That is why its hard to give up. Not because they are good for us, or would make us happy, but because we are used to them.
the hardest part I find is giving up the dream - that he would be part of a loving family. But that always WAS a dream, even when we were together..

maybe you should make a list of things that you cant stand about him, to look at in moments of weakness?

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