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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

Final Straw.

17 replies

Helpmetoleave · 22/04/2008 13:25

Name changed for this.

Yesterday I found out that my H had gambled away this months rent money despite the fact that we have an eviction warning in writing from December. We are in large arrears and have been paying them back monthly. I did some fast talking and sorted it out. However this is just the latest in a long line of crap in this marriage.

H has slept with prostitutes and kissed other women. I am having to declare myself bankrupt because of the debt he has got us in. He drinks nearly every single night, although I dont really see it as he does it when I and DC have gone to bed. He is extremely verbally and occasionally physically abusive. He gives a third of his wages to us as a family - the rest is for himself and he thinks that this is acceptable. He had a bonus from work about 6 weeks ago and gambled that too. We are in a huge amount of debt - 90% of which was run up by him and he says he is trying to win enough to cover this debt.

His reasons for all this is that I married him when he was in his early twenties ( I was thirty) so I have brought it all on myself. He is now nearly thirty. I suppose there is some truth in this what did I expect marrying someone so young? I cant regret it though because I have two DC and they are my world. He has no money and he wont leave. I hate him but I am scared of being alone with my childen with no support. I have no family near by. I feel completely lost. I cant even begin to tell you all the kind of things that he says to me, you would not believe a sane person could come up with them.

I really dont know which way to turn. When I tell him he has to leave he tells me that he will come and see and take his kids whenever he wants - there will be no access arrangements etc. I feel like there is no escaping this man so what is the point of leaving or getting him to leave anyway? He is quite intimidating. I am in so much debt and feel completely and utterly trapped. I have absolutely nothing positive going for me at all.

OP posts:
NotABanana · 22/04/2008 13:27

Why should you go bankcrupt because of him?

I am a bit kneejerky today but I would be tempted to change the locks and not let him back in.

ImightbeLulumama · 22/04/2008 13:30

whose name is the house in>?

sounds like he is not being much of a support or help to you or the children

age is irrelevant. DH and i were both early 20s when we got married. i don;t see why that is his excuse to behave like this

he is abusive

he is unfaithful

he wastes money and has got you into debt

he threatens to take teh children whenever he wants

what a charmer get legal advice today

Cappuccino · 22/04/2008 13:31

"When I tell him he has to leave he tells me that he will come and see and take his kids whenever he wants - there will be no access arrangements etc."

that's not up to him it is up to the courts

just go

where are your family? do you have to stay where you are?

I don't think banana is being kneejerky at all

there seems no point being in this marriage at all

he clearly has no respect for you

get out of it, don't waste your life

tiredlady · 22/04/2008 13:32

Christ, you poor thing. What a nightmare. You need support - family? friends? solicitor? and you need to get the hell out of that relationship. It's not healthy for you or your children. I am sure someone will post who can advise you better about the financial side of things. Good luck x

alittleone2 · 22/04/2008 13:44

Message withdrawn

ObsidianBlackbirdMcNight · 22/04/2008 13:47

Jeez.
He doesn't support you. You don't need him, you will be much better without him. He sounds horrible. Age is not an excuse! If he wasn't ready to settle down that's his responsibility - IMO he will never be ready from the sounds of it.
Leave if you can, get rehoused, it will be tough for a while but you need to get OUT of this hideous relationship.

MrsMattie · 22/04/2008 13:49

Jesus Christ, what a complete wanker. This is definitely a 'Run, run, run like the wind!' thread. He treats you appallingly and has no respect for you or himself. My heart goes out to you. Please leave him.

Blu · 22/04/2008 13:51

Get a solicitor, fast.

"I am scared of being alone with my childen with no support. ". Well, you will need a lot LESS support without this man in your life.

For goodness sake, get rid of him, effectively, decisively and with the correct legal advice in place.

madamez · 22/04/2008 13:54

Contact Women's Aid immediately (someone will be along any minute with the details), they will give you all the information and advice and support you need. He canot take the children when he wants, he can be removed from the house and not allowed back if he is violent. You are not his property and you do NOT have to live like this for another single day.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 22/04/2008 13:56

www.womensaid.org.uk

0808 2000 247

cestlavie · 22/04/2008 14:09

Contacting Women's Aid makes an awful lots of sense in order to give you the advice and support you need. As the last two said, I'd contact them immediately.

Beyond that (although I'm sure Women's Aid will have far more useful advice) I'd be inclined to make a plan for the next week as to what you need to have in place in order to be able to leave him - obviously, if you feel you or the children are in imminent danger you might need to act more quickly.

Whilst the right emotional advice is to run fast, far and now, the right thing to do for you and your kids is make sure you're running to the right place. Although (thankfully) I've never been in a situation like yours, it always strikes me that having a plan to achieve this not only helps you get there, but helps you focus your thoughts rather than just feeling overwhelmed by everything.

Ask WA/ Mumsnet/ internet for what information you need to be able to move forwards. As a littleone2 says, speak to the National Debt helpline on the debt concerns; speak to local solicitors (Yellow Pages) on availability of legal aid and your situation and make an appointment to see a couple of them; speak to the Council and explain your situation regarding housing/ benefits/ council tax; speak to Citizens Advice more generally.

littlewoman · 22/04/2008 16:21

I feel so sorry for you, as my xh and I moved in together when he was 24 and I was 31. He behaved in a very very similar manner, and I waited so long for him to 'settle down' - thinking he was too young really. Infact, he was just a total tosser.

Please go to Women's Aid. As women, we are very used to people raising their eyebrows about our hard 'jobs' as mums, and our problems with our husbands. We are branded as clingy or nags. Women's Aid will take you totally seriously. Please don't think they will turn you away or dismiss your fears.

You do have something going for you. You still have the strength to know that what he is doing is wrong, and the determination to get away.Don't let him grind you into the ground. Find someone lovely... your one life is too short to tolerate this man's shit.

Helpmetoleave · 22/04/2008 19:29

Thank you for all your responses. Still feel like crap but very slightly more positive. Have looked at the Womens Aid website and one thing that stood out was the statement "Domestic Violence is Never Ever the victims fault" and I have said this to him today when he has been trying to justify his actions. He says I never just come in and beat you for no particular reason - this is his definition of domestic violence and I told him that no he didnt but it was always the natural progression of any argument we have. It will always end with him pushing, pulling my hair, hands round my neck screaming in my face and threatening to hurt me. Other things like not helping at all with kids or housework, keeping me short of money and verbal abuse are also classed as domestic violence. It was good to have some proper information to quote. I have told him I want him to leave and he keeps saying "what can I do to make you let me stay". I just want all this to be over and done with.

OP posts:
Helpmetoleave · 22/04/2008 19:38

Also littlewoman. Thank you for telling me about you and your xh and the age gap. I have spent so long thinking that I only have myself to blame for marrying someone so much younger. It makes it embarrassing to tell anyone about any problems we are having. It is good to get another perspective. Maybe my H is also just a "tosser" like your xp. Refreshing thought for me.

OP posts:
Cappuccino · 22/04/2008 19:43

it is not his age

dh and I were 22 when we got together and we were both grown up

"I never come in and beat you for no particular reason" - this just leaves me speechless

do you have a plan helpme? do you want to leave or change the locks and throw him out?

littlewoman · 22/04/2008 19:54

Yes, I know what you mean about the embarrassment .. I don't know why that is, but I was embarrassed about the age gap too.

Whatever you do, whether you go, or stay because he promises to change, I'm glad you have some information abuot domestic abuse that makes you feel better about you. Sending you lots of encouragement to learn your own worth

madamez · 22/04/2008 21:01

When he says: 'What can I do to make you let me stay?' could you give him a list? Ie 'Stop physically assaulting me when you can't control your temper, stop gambling with the household income, start pulling your wieght around the house' and see what he says to that. If you get anything other than at the very least a promise to try and stick to all three requirements (and they are things that all civilised men are required to do if they want to remain in their homes with their wives and children, not freakish unreasonable henpecking demands), then start making plans to be rid of him.

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