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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

Upset, confused. Think I've had enough.

94 replies

Sockmate123 · 08/07/2024 14:26

Looking for advice I suppose. Don't really know where to start. Currently on holiday with DH and 2 kids.

DH generally grumpy/irritable, not all the time, has a good sense of humour and can be upbeat when it suits him but like at entertainment at hotel I have chatted to other families at the entertainment/by the pool and he just sits there with his head in a book/earphones on or wearing these sunglasses that play music/audio books. When I say something he tuts/sighs and pulls out the ear pods. Basically I am always competing with devices. At home he is in meetings online (fine) but in evenings few times a week is online gaming. Basically every time I knock on office door he's telling me he has to go on a call and to hurry up whatever I want to say.

He has a high powered job and it's well paid. I work part time. We pool all our money just keeping some 'fun' money each.

Anyway on this holiday things seem to be deteriorating. He is gaslighting me all the time. He seems to bizarrely be trying to spin a narrative to the kids that I am drinking. Last night I lifted my daughters teddy to give to her in bed, there was an ear pod under it that I didn't realise was there and fell on the floor. He started huffing and puffing and swearing and saying if I wasn't drunk I wouldn't have knocked it over. I drank a glass and a half of wine. I am not a drinker. I drink maybe once every 2 months and I am such a lightweight it's a running joke with my friends! I can only handle 2 glasses of wine and I don't drink anything else.

A few nights ago at the entertainment I was enjoying myself singing along with the entertainment. He told the kids 'this is what Mummy is like after 4 glasses of wine'. I had nowhere near 4 glasses of wine, if I did I wouldn't be able to walk.

Last night I was arguing with him over text that do not accuse me of being drunk in front of my children. He is replying stuff like 'our' children. And insisting I am drunk but he didn't call me that and that I called him that. I didn't.

He is bare faced lying now when he would never have been a liar before.

I'm concerned now he is trying to twist things to build a case against me down the road. He told me recently during a conversation about a friend who is divorcing and her husband has to pay maintenance. He said that wouldn't be him and he would just 'leave the jurisdiction'. I said that would mean leaving your children.

I'm concerned his personality is changing. Sex life isn't great but hasn't been since 1st child due to 'catastrophic' injuries during his birth, it hasn't been an issue really as it wasn't my fault and he understood that.

What advice do you all have? He hasn't apologised since last night. I am communicating here today with him functionally, as in if he asks do I have the suncream, I'll answer etc

I am a good Mother, my youngest has additional needs and psychologist recently told me she's lucky as I go above and beyond.

He isn't a great Dad, not the worst bit has little patience with them and clashes hugely with my eldest.

If you've read this far you deserve a medal! 😂 thank you and sorry for the rambling post 🙈

OP posts:
frozendaisy · 08/07/2024 14:32

Just ask him outright if he wants to stay in this marriage.

Because as far as you can see he doesn't really like any if you.

Countrygirlxo · 08/07/2024 14:36

He seems to put little to no effort in and it's up to you to decide whether you can continue like that. Talking down to you in front of your children would be the breaking point for me.

Sockmate123 · 08/07/2024 14:53

Thanks for the replies. If it wasn't so difficult I would probably suggest separating but I'm afraid he'll play very dirty. Also he is from another country, though living here 18 years. I'm worried he'll leave the country and want kids visiting him there. He is not capable of minding them. He is extremely forgetful, never ever listens. He is extremely focused at work but useless outside. Can't even name the kids teachers or remember what activities they do etc barely knows a couple of friends. I wouldn't trust him minding the kids. On the rare occasion I leave them the eldest rings me crying for some reason or other.

Tips to get through the holiday? I can't have it out with him here really as kids with us 24/7

OP posts:
GertrudeCB · 08/07/2024 14:57

How many days until you go home op ?

MaryMack · 08/07/2024 14:59

Grit your teeth and tolerate him for the rest of the holiday. When you get home you need to have a serious conversation about your relationship. Constantly undermining and gaslighting you is awful behaviour. You deserve better than this.

gardenmusic · 08/07/2024 15:01

Just ask him outright if he wants to stay in this marriage.

But before you give him any clue that it is on your mind, do as much as you can regarding 'ducks in a row'.
If he does go overseas to avoid paying for the children, it is not up to you to facilitate their visits to him, and it sounds as if he may not bother.
From your post, it looks as if he is checking out already. Do not let him gaslight you or the children re drinking.

chilicrackers · 08/07/2024 15:11

frozendaisy · 08/07/2024 14:32

Just ask him outright if he wants to stay in this marriage.

Because as far as you can see he doesn't really like any if you.

Nailed it.

Sockmate123 · 08/07/2024 15:13

GertrudeCB · 08/07/2024 14:57

How many days until you go home op ?

7! Halfway through a 2 week hol

OP posts:
Sockmate123 · 08/07/2024 15:15

gardenmusic · 08/07/2024 15:01

Just ask him outright if he wants to stay in this marriage.

But before you give him any clue that it is on your mind, do as much as you can regarding 'ducks in a row'.
If he does go overseas to avoid paying for the children, it is not up to you to facilitate their visits to him, and it sounds as if he may not bother.
From your post, it looks as if he is checking out already. Do not let him gaslight you or the children re drinking.

Thank you.

Should I say to children he is being ridiculous about the drinking thing, it's the most ridiculous thing as I really don't drink! He's clutching at straws i think but I'm wondering why.

OP posts:
BettyBardMacDonald · 08/07/2024 15:17

What ages are the children?

RedHelenB · 08/07/2024 15:19

One point, you should say our children not my. Holidays should be relaxing for everyone as far as possible.

TheWestfoldFell · 08/07/2024 15:19

Sockmate123 · 08/07/2024 14:53

Thanks for the replies. If it wasn't so difficult I would probably suggest separating but I'm afraid he'll play very dirty. Also he is from another country, though living here 18 years. I'm worried he'll leave the country and want kids visiting him there. He is not capable of minding them. He is extremely forgetful, never ever listens. He is extremely focused at work but useless outside. Can't even name the kids teachers or remember what activities they do etc barely knows a couple of friends. I wouldn't trust him minding the kids. On the rare occasion I leave them the eldest rings me crying for some reason or other.

Tips to get through the holiday? I can't have it out with him here really as kids with us 24/7

Can you get another hotel room for just you and the kids?

Yiayoula · 08/07/2024 15:20

gardenmusic · 08/07/2024 15:01

Just ask him outright if he wants to stay in this marriage.

But before you give him any clue that it is on your mind, do as much as you can regarding 'ducks in a row'.
If he does go overseas to avoid paying for the children, it is not up to you to facilitate their visits to him, and it sounds as if he may not bother.
From your post, it looks as if he is checking out already. Do not let him gaslight you or the children re drinking.

My thoughts exactly.
Keep your powder dry until you’re back home .
And then go for it !

AGodawfulsmallaffair · 08/07/2024 15:20

Sockmate123 · 08/07/2024 15:15

Thank you.

Should I say to children he is being ridiculous about the drinking thing, it's the most ridiculous thing as I really don't drink! He's clutching at straws i think but I'm wondering why.

Yes, stand up for yourself!

BigPussyEnergy · 08/07/2024 15:25

No don’t drag your children into these stupid arguments about drinking.

Just roll your eyes if he says anything again, he’s clearly just trying to wind you up.

If it was me I’d stop drinking anything alcoholic just so that he didn’t have even a tiny reason to be a dick about it. I don’t drink much at all so wouldn’t be bothered about not having any alcohol on holiday (ex and I used to go to all inclusive hotels and have the kids mocktails instead of booze!). But you really shouldn't feel like you have to cut it out completely due to his gaslighting. Just thinking it’s one way to shut down his nonsense completely. I’m sure he’ll come up with something else in that case though.

Elsewhere123 · 08/07/2024 15:26

Why don't you stop drinking completely. Then he can't gaslight you. I recommend Noughty alcohol free wine. Don't tell him what you are drinking until he says you are drunk. Unpleasant, unkind behaviour you are experiencing. Perhaps keep a diary so you have data to support you e.g. he was minding children for 1xhour and elder child rang you twice as distressed on this day at this time.

TheWestfoldFell · 08/07/2024 15:27

Practice grey rocking

Sockmate123 · 08/07/2024 15:28

BettyBardMacDonald · 08/07/2024 15:17

What ages are the children?

12 and 9

OP posts:
Bollindger · 08/07/2024 15:30

Fill your glass with apple juice.
Next time after your normal glass... then laugh and say apple juice....
Also if he starts, tell him at least your not checking out of parenting...

Sockmate123 · 08/07/2024 15:32

Elsewhere123 · 08/07/2024 15:26

Why don't you stop drinking completely. Then he can't gaslight you. I recommend Noughty alcohol free wine. Don't tell him what you are drinking until he says you are drunk. Unpleasant, unkind behaviour you are experiencing. Perhaps keep a diary so you have data to support you e.g. he was minding children for 1xhour and elder child rang you twice as distressed on this day at this time.

Yes planning on doing this, really don't mind about not drinking. Yes great idea about the diary. I will start to work on this.

OP posts:
Sockmate123 · 08/07/2024 15:35

I wouldn't be able to check into a different hotel tbh either financially or availability wise, high season. Also the kids are in the pool right now enjoying themselves, their little laughs does my heart good ❤️
DH has gone back to room, attention seeking no doubt but I just ignored/didn't ask why he's going back.
Thanks for all the replies. I feel so alone as I don't want to tell any friends or family.

OP posts:
Moonriver987 · 08/07/2024 15:44

Hi op, I hear the term gaslighting used incorrectly here all of the time, but I think him building a narrative that you are drinking is the definition of the term isn't it? (No doubt others will correct me if I'm wrong.)

If the drinking subject has just popped up out of the blue, then I think it is a bit of a red flag yes, and I wouldn't send any more texts or written communication to him saying "I don't drink" or even discussing the subject, as these messages could possibly be manipulated and used against you.

He seems very disengaged as a partner and father. The problem is working out whether this is a general problem related to family life as a whole, or a specific problem in your relationship.

There are lots of things that separate couples and obviously the demands of young DC and a deteriorating sex life are on the list. Suppressed anger and resentments can build up on both sides. Women mourn a lack of connection. And men, rightly or wrongly, feel rejected when things aren't great in the bedroom. And it becomes a vicious circle.

He may be the one at fault here, especially with the gaming etc, but if you want him to open up, you have to set aside anger, and at least be receptive initially to his pov. You could start, in a non-combative way, by trying to get a baby-sitter and spend a couple of hours alone, and say you were looking forward to spending time with him this holiday, but he seems distant, and see where the conversation takes you.

BuggeryBumFlaps · 08/07/2024 15:53

I like the apple juice suggestion. Fill up your gas's and if he says you're drinking laugh and say 'isn't daddy being silly it's apple juice, would you like a taste dc'

When you're at home get everything you need together and leave, he's being awful

ColinMyWifeBridgerton · 08/07/2024 15:54

@Moonriver987 it isn't really what the term means - gaslighting is when someone tries to make their victim believe that they're losing their mind, for example by subtly changing things and then denying it.

But anyway OP this sounds awful. Write everything down impassively and objectively, with date and time. Back up in multiple places and add to the document. I do this for future custody court but also to remind myself that I'm not crazy and these things are really happening to me.

gardenmusic · 08/07/2024 16:02

No don’t drag your children into these stupid arguments about drinking.

This, absolutely. Certainly don't play games with apple juice.
He is trying something on - don't give him any thing to say.

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