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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

What would you do?

26 replies

bumblebubble23 · 09/11/2024 11:22

Trying to get all the facts down now without drip feeding. Been in a relationship for 14 years now 3 children a dog and a mortgage never married. So my partner of 14 years, is often moody, he has always been this way but has got worse over the past 5 ish years. We're both mid 30s. I think maybe it's depression he has but he will not seek help for it. We are both full time in work, I have always worked when our children were babies etc he does work a 6 day week so does more hours than me. (35 for me with the occasional bank shift when I can fit in around children he does 45) I do all the childcare/housework, I do tea every night, kids homework kids bath/bed the cleaning housework, kids clubs , any medical appointment and I stay off work if one of our children are poorly. All I ever hear from him is how hard his life is, he drinks most nights between 4-10 pint cans. Also a heavy smoker. I don't. Sometimes, I have to remind h now again to how a shower or cut his finger nails, I then get called a bitch or nasty and that I don't appreciate how much he does for me. He eats crisps in bed regularly leaves the packet in our bed if I mention to him move your crisp packet, again I'm a nasty cow. Our 3rd child who is 6 was unplanned and as we don't want and can't afford anymore children he has been on the waiting list for a vasectomy for sometime but puts it off when they have a spot for him. I can't go on pill etc medical reasons he won't wear a condom struggles with impotence and is quite happy having a none existent sex life. A very close family member of mine died last year, he drank at the bar most of the night whilst I had the kids, didn't once swap for me to mingle and speak to my relatives as you would do at a funeral. It was the anniversary of their death recently, when I returned from work expecting a how are yoy,how was day? Etc I get greeted with I've got fucking cold off you never stopped blowing my nose all day! And I can't find some papers he needed for work that was lost. Yes, I get he was stressed looking for something but he can't have a conversation with me anymore. I understand he works hard and money is tight, but when he says I'm unappreciated of him is really getting me down. Look at all I do? His mum lives near us within walking distance, and after tea almost every night he will walk to her house whilst I bath kids tidy after tea do lunches and u inform for next day. Then he comes home when it's all done? If I try and speak to him about any of this it ends with an argument! I have tried telling him he needs to change his ways or I will go, and I get a response of well you know where the door is. What would you do? I have no savings etc car is in his name. Do I put up with this and hope he changes or do I try and leave now? I feel like I'm at a complete crossroads and I'm worried that I will look back at my life in 15/20 years and think why didn't I leave I really don't want to be that woman, but at the same time would be so difficult financially and hard on the children.

OP posts:
BrunchBarBandit · 09/11/2024 11:28

There’s not a single positive thing he adds to your life. He sounds dreadful.

What has kept you with him this far?

GarrynotsoGorilla · 09/11/2024 11:41

Wow, why would you stay with someone who treated you this badly? He brings nothing to your life from what you say there. Feel so sorry for you.

bumblebubble23 · 09/11/2024 11:43

He can have good qualities on a good day, but the bad is over taking the good at the moment by far. I'm worried about money if I leave and also sharing the children with him! He does play with them from time to time, etc will listen to them read sometimes. But he can have horrible comments at times, this morning he's taken the car to work because he didn't want to wait an hour for a lift ( works for himself) I said aww I might need it, might go out with kids etc he replies you never go anyway or do nothing! You're just saying that coz I need the car. We do go out on Saturdays but it's usually somewhere free to save money like walking to park, or driving to my mums or sisters etc

OP posts:
Pumpkinpie1 · 09/11/2024 11:43

There are no positives in this relationship. He drinks too much, doesn’t participate in family life and drains the energy out of your life.
You are already functioning as a single mother . If he left your life would be much less stressful.
Plan your exit strategy, is there anyway he would transfer car in your name ?

bumblebubble23 · 09/11/2024 11:46

I'll just add that if I ever get serious with him, in a subtle way about him needed to change and be nicer, he makes me feel sorry for him. And I do, things like all I do is work and it's all for you and the kids etc. but I'm full time and my full entire wage is bills that are debated on my payday, but that's life sometimes isn't it?

OP posts:
Pumpkinpie1 · 09/11/2024 11:48

Get some legal and financial advice , so you know your rights . But don’t let fear of change stop you moving forward. This relationship sounds like a living hell OP . Stop wasting your life on a man who doesn’t care
Talk to your mum and sister get their support . Stop putting up with his ……

GarrynotsoGorilla · 09/11/2024 11:49

How much more money would you have if he wasn't spending it on beer and fags? That could all be invested in doing nice things together as a family. He is very very selfish. His money worries are all of his own making. He can find the money for the things he wants. Just not for his family, he is selfish. So tell us more about the good side? What is that specifically? Is that just good because he isn't odious? Or does he actually do things to make you and his family feel loved and valued and cared for?

ATastingMenuButItsAllCrisps · 09/11/2024 11:50

Get the house on the market and your kids away from this rancid, nasty alcoholic. This is not a relationship.

@Pumpkinpie1 there are no rights, they're legally single, so nothing to sort except the house sale and child maintenance.

bumblebubble23 · 09/11/2024 11:52

Pumpkinpie1 · 09/11/2024 11:43

There are no positives in this relationship. He drinks too much, doesn’t participate in family life and drains the energy out of your life.
You are already functioning as a single mother . If he left your life would be much less stressful.
Plan your exit strategy, is there anyway he would transfer car in your name ?

This is what I'm thinking to plan my exit, I'm going to save for a year, as I have no savings. I'm thinking do I try and give him a serious talk, like explain I will leave if he doesn't change or seek help if it is depression. He falls asleep every night listening to podcasts as well and a lot of them are about men working so hard and no reward or appreciation at the end of it!

OP posts:
DemonicCaveMaggot · 09/11/2024 11:52

He's spending £6 - £15 a night on beer that is £180 - £450 a month going down his gullet.

I'm not surprised he has no money, ED, and is depressed, he's a functioning alcoholic.

It's a pity he doesn't go down to his mother's and stay there.

Singleandproud · 09/11/2024 11:54

He isnt going to change to dash that bit of hope. You need to make a decision on what life is like now, and what life is going to be like if it gets worse which it likely will.

Practically you do all the work anyway so the only thing you need to worry about is the finances side of things. You'll likely be eligible for some UC with three DC so a bit of help with housing and childcare. He will probably kick off and say he is going for 50:50 "you can't take my kids from me" but in reality he won't Actually want them that much and you should get some child maintenance from him.

What I would do in the immediate future is start getting ducks in a row.
Get copies of all financial statement.
Start decluttering - both to reduce the stuff but also you can store some sentimental and children's bits at relative or friends house and no one will notice.
I wouldn't want to remain in the family home with all the bad memories and trying to get him out, he'll still be able to walk in and out until you buy him out.
I'd start looking at properties to rent - yes your standard of living will probably decrease but your quality of life will increase. If I could Id try and decorate / furnish it before you all move on so it looks better for the children.
Then I'd look at selling the house

What I wouldn't be doing is considering to continue living as you are.

bumblebubble23 · 09/11/2024 11:54

DemonicCaveMaggot · 09/11/2024 11:52

He's spending £6 - £15 a night on beer that is £180 - £450 a month going down his gullet.

I'm not surprised he has no money, ED, and is depressed, he's a functioning alcoholic.

It's a pity he doesn't go down to his mother's and stay there.

He likes going to his mums as she feeds it, tells him how great he's doing etc

OP posts:
Mischance · 09/11/2024 11:56

You sound very dissatisfied with him at the moment.

Can you sit him down and have a proper talk with him about it? - say you are in a rut together that does not feel great from your end and ask that you both put your cards on the table as to what is working for each of you and what is not. The only way forward is for you to listen to each other and effect some life changes that might meet both your needs better. Communication is the key.

Going in grumbling is very tempting but will just cause a defensive response which will not get you both anywhere.

Attelina · 09/11/2024 11:57

I got as far as this -

'get called a bitch or nasty'

Why are you wasting the one life you have in the company of this repulsive specimen who can't maintain the most basic hygiene without you reminding him?

He's gross and not worthy of your affections.

bumblebubble23 · 09/11/2024 12:02

Mischance · 09/11/2024 11:56

You sound very dissatisfied with him at the moment.

Can you sit him down and have a proper talk with him about it? - say you are in a rut together that does not feel great from your end and ask that you both put your cards on the table as to what is working for each of you and what is not. The only way forward is for you to listen to each other and effect some life changes that might meet both your needs better. Communication is the key.

Going in grumbling is very tempting but will just cause a defensive response which will not get you both anywhere.

This does happen a lot and we get nowhere, I do get mad at him, when I try to explain things because it falls on deaf ears it's like explaining something to a child at times. He has always loved praise and liked to get people to feel sorry for him maybe that's his personality. But he was different say 8 ish years ago, would get up early before work walk the dog, go for a run few times a week, we would eat out together like once every two months or something (money has always been tight) but he just stopped, it's like he hit a brick wall or something.

OP posts:
AttilaTheMeerkat · 09/11/2024 12:05

The only acceptable level of abuse in a relationship is none. Your relationship is well and truly over. Abuse is not about communication or a perceived lack of, its about power and control.

Its no point whatsoever in having a serious talk with him; you've likely done this already and he has not listened.

Saving money takes time and he is drinking the money away. You need to firm up your plan of exit now. The house can be sold and I would think about getting it valued for sale.

Runningforthebus · 09/11/2024 12:08

Bring this to a head now to force a solution one way or the other. Talk hasn’t worked and his mother isn’t helping the situation. She needs to steer him away from her and back to you and his children. Rather than threatening to leave, which he thinks you won’t follow through on, do it.
Plenty here will advise how to cope financially and emotionally.
Don’t struggle on as you are.

Opentooffers · 09/11/2024 12:21

His attitude of 'all he does' would make my blood boil. I wouldn't argue about it, I'd make a list of all you do, and the little he does in comparison, then how he spends his free time ( drinking mostly by the look of it) against how much free time you get - quite possibly zero by the sounds of it. Next time he has a moan about how hard he works, I'd slap it in front of him, then walk out the room.
Probably won't change anything, just another attempt to hammer the point home, but feels good to do at the time. Then I'd stop doing any work on his behalf- cooking and washing. Just let it mount up and inconvenience him so he can physically see it.

His mother is an issue - she's actively helping him to leave you every evening with it all to do. So I'd have a word with her, sound her out, see if she gets it. I suspect it came from her doing everything for him growing up, so she hasn't seen the issue, and neither has he - that's just what women do! ( not whilst having a job they don't).
What often happens in these situations is that the family parts ways, if the dad wants 50/50 - so they don't have to pay cms usually- they then get the almighty shock they deserve when they suddenly realise that it means 50% childcare and housework is a necessary thing that takes effort- who knew? It could be the making of him. However, If he just moves in with his mother and she is fool enough to take up his 50%, he will learn nothing.
Alcohol is a depressant and leads to poor quality sleep, so he's not going to get anywhere with his poor MH, or physical health if he carries on.
I'm also surprised you'd be interested in sex with a man who has poor hygiene and stinks of fans and booze. That would kill desire stone dead for me.
Look at logistics, do you own half the house? How much equity is split-able? He's banking on you staying put and stuck so has no incentive to change.

JasmineTea11 · 09/11/2024 12:23

Is your name on the mortgage? How much equity in it?
His comment about you knowing where the door is shows he thinks you haven't got the where with all to leave him. You would be much happier without him.
Living alone with the DC you'd get UC. You'd still be skint, but better off emotionally.

BlastedPimples · 09/11/2024 12:27

I'd stop being so understanding even if he has depression.

It doesn't give him the right to be so vile to you. At all. Ever.

He won't change. It'll only get worse. As it has done.

I'd start planning my exit pronto.

bumblebubble23 · 09/11/2024 12:33

Yes I'm on the mortgage 50/50 if I'm correct we have 122000 left but on zoopla the house is worth 225000. No I'm not always sexual attracted to him with his lack of hygiene it gives me the ick. But on that rare occasion probably once in 6 months or so if we try I will say something like you need to clip your finger nails before Confused it's then my fault he struggles with ED because I've put him off and I don't let him touch me!

OP posts:
Youvebeenframed · 09/11/2024 12:34

Do I put up with this and hope he changes or do I try and leave now? I feel like I'm at a complete crossroads and I'm worried that I will look back at my life in 15/20 years and think why didn't I leave I really don't want to be that woman,

This is EXACTLY what is going to happen if you don’t plan an exit and I think in your heart you already know this.
He brings absolutely nothing to your life or to your kids. He is another child in your home and he will NEVER change into what you what him to be and certainly not for more than a couple of weeks when you tell hi it’s over.
Don’t waste any more of your life on this man.
Good Luck 💐

nomorehocuspocus · 09/11/2024 12:46

Get a piece of paper and down one side, write a list of all the positives he bring to your and the dc's lives.

Then write another list beside it of all the negatives.

Which one is longer?

bumblebubble23 · 09/11/2024 13:00

Thank you for all your replies, I'm starting a savings account in my private account as our bank is joint. I'm going to have a serious chat with him this weekend. Don't know how to approach it in a way to make him understand but I'll have to try. If I did leave him, in maybe a years time I'm not sure how it all works with the mortgage and buying each other out etc?

OP posts:
JasmineTea11 · 09/11/2024 14:09

It sounds like he sees himself as a martyr in this situation, being reinforced by others, I.e his mother / the podcasts. In his mind, he is the 'hard working' one, just because he technically earns more than you.

Crucially, he does not see childcare / domestic stuff as work, so doesn't give you any credit for it. Despite actively avoiding it all.
I'm just saying that discussing it with him is going to be very frustrating, as his perspective is fixed, and self serving. He sees nothing to gain from 'giving you anything'.

Sorry you're in this situation, it will take a while to untangle and will require huge strength. IME, though, when you're pissed off enough, you find the determination.

Sorry can't offer any experience on the legal side! Sure someone can..