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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

This can't get better can it

20 replies

soconfused29 · 29/10/2024 21:05

This might sound glaringly obvious, but these signs mean there is no going back, right?

Things with dh have been awful for over a year, living as roommates which turned into separate rooms, terrible arguments in front/in next room from dc, undermining or belittling each other casually. We can't go on a (rare) date without bickering, unless alcohol is involved which means we occasionally have a superficial laugh. We don't spend time with each other on days off. We don't talk. I have zero attraction to him, in fact 'the ick'. When I'm despairing about us, he just stares at me coldly and tells me to get it together. I don't want to "try" eg with counselling. He irritates the hell out of me- the way he talks, the little things he does, how he is with dc and the pets. I want him to find happiness but with someone else. On weekends we both sleep in and avoid each other. I want another child someday and I am young enough, but definitely don't want one with him. He belittles or doesn't care about my taste in music or TV or books. He's boring to me with no hobbies except screens. I rather go out and sit in a cafe on my own than with him, if I get a child free period.I don't want to make future plans. I feel dead inside. I've developed severe depression which has brought out previous addictive behaviours from my past, my therapist said it was dopamine seeking. Nothing like drugs or alcohol but some other stuff. It scares me how lonely and down I am, and how long I've felt like this. When I went to visit family with dc for 3 weeks it was like I found myself again.

And yet. Dc want us to be a family. They love him despite being quite a shit/bare minimum dad. We are financially comfortable, nice holidays and christmas presents, etc. Dh will be nasty if I say I want a divorce, he is vindictive.

But I have to, don't I?

OP posts:
Freezinghotlikeaweevil · 29/10/2024 21:12

I think so, life is too short to waste it with someone you don’t get along with.

category12 · 29/10/2024 21:16

Of course your dc want the familiar and mum & dad together. Of course they love their dad, they're pretty much hard-wired to do so.

But that doesn't mean it's a healthy environment for them to be in. They're kids, you're the adult, you have to make the hard decisions.

Change is scary. It doesn't mean it can't be for the better for all of you.

80s · 29/10/2024 21:17

You don't like each other. That's horrible for you all.
Sure, the children love their dad. It would be great if they could see him (and you) relaxed, calm and happy. How do you know they want you to stay together? It's not, and should not be, their choice/responsibility.

NeckolasCage · 29/10/2024 21:19

How many DC?

StormingNorman · 29/10/2024 21:21

Time to go your separate ways.

soconfused29 · 29/10/2024 21:28

2 dc aged between 7-10. i dont know how to live with the guilt of breaking up their family, but it seems to be the only option. I cannot get back the love for DH. I've been trying for months and i just am beginning to hate him. I think he feels the same way about me. Yesterday when upset he told me to shut my mouth and just get on with things. He never used to be like this, so cold and angry. i want us both to be happy again; we were once, but things are deteriorating.

OP posts:
Kittykat86 · 29/10/2024 21:31

The bit where you said you want another child but not with him basically says it all, that's your answer.

category12 · 29/10/2024 21:32

i dont know how to live with the guilt of breaking up their family, but it seems to be the only option.

But your relationship is so bad, the family unit is already broken. It's not good for your kids to grow up in that atmosphere.

80s · 29/10/2024 21:39

It's not breaking up a family, though, is it? It's lancing a boil.
Divorcing is not a crime. Would you pile shame on anyone else who divorced, or would you feel bad for them, and show sympathy for their situation?
My exh told me he was sorry for "breaking up our family" and it really pissed me off. That wasn't the nasty thing he did. It was all the other things that he should have been apologising for.
Get some therapy, focus on the fact that you have been doing your best, and wait for time to heal the wounds.

Gonegirl7 · 29/10/2024 21:39

Following OP as similar things here but our children are much much younger

GarrynotsoGorilla · 30/10/2024 03:50

Really feel your pain and understand completely where you are at. You completely know that ending it is the only option left. But totally get how terrifying that is and how that forces you to seek solace in your need for dopamine and how that in itself can he a negative spiral. Hope you find the strength you need to move forward and find your happiness x

autienotnaughty · 30/10/2024 04:35

You should leave. Role model to your children what healthy relationships look like and not to suffer unhappy relationships.

Make your plans , get some savings/finances sorted. Look at your options for living arrangements based on your earnings.

When you feel everything is in order tell him it's over (when kids aren't there) if you feel unsafe have someone with you.

lifesrichpageant · 30/10/2024 04:46

OP your severe depression alone is not good for your DC. Not to mention them overhearing how rudely/disrespectfully he speaks to you and the tense atmosphere in the house. Staying in this environment will potentially have many negative consequences on your dc. And you're not even in the teen years yet. I would speak to a lawyer and a counsellor ASAP.

yeesh · 30/10/2024 13:35

Don’t make your children live in such an unhappy home. They will think it’s normal and go on to have the same shitty relationships you have. Happy parents are what is best for children not this toxic home. The younger they are the easier it will be for them in the long run.

RobinEllacotStrike · 30/10/2024 13:37

everything is already broken.

Leave him now and by this time next year you & your DC will be well established in your new much happier lives.

stayathomer · 30/10/2024 13:47

The things you say you want, him with someone else, you- a baby with someone else etc etc- the fact you hate so much about him… weirdly the worst for me is that when you’re upset he’s telling you to cop on … you both sound like you hate each other. Ye need to have a ‘can this go on as it is?’ talk, no blame, an actual conversation x

orangesonatree · 30/10/2024 15:22

RobinEllacotStrike · 30/10/2024 13:37

everything is already broken.

Leave him now and by this time next year you & your DC will be well established in your new much happier lives.

Optimistic outlook. I don’t disagree this is the right thing to do but I can tell you from experience things could turn very ugly.

soconfused29 · 30/10/2024 18:00

What do you mean @orangesonatree ?

OP posts:
StormingNorman · 30/10/2024 18:15

I think @orangesonatree means that your dislike for each other will intensify when you no longer have to pretend to be a couple.

Catoo · 30/10/2024 18:28

Yes you need to divorce.

Arrange DC to stay with family overnight soon so you have a free night. Possibly don’t tell DH so he thinks he’s coming home to a normal evening on his screens.

Tell DH you will always respect him as DC father and the good times you had. But now you just make each other unhappy. You think you could be great coparents even friends in time. But you think you should separate and divorce now. Spin it that you see how unhappy he is. It hurts you because you know you can’t make him happy and vice versa. You have both lost the feeling and it’s no-ones fault you just grew apart. You want both of you to really try not to hurt each other over the coming weeks and months until it’s over. Etc etc. communication will be key and so on. He’ll probably be relieved. As will you be.

Be prepared for him to move on insanely quickly. Because he may already have someone lined up. But don’t let that derail you and turn you angry. Because you don’t want him either. See it as an added incentive for him to do things quickly.

I’m sorry OP. Some shit days lie ahead and then some much happier ones.
💐

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