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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

Struggling to stay married, trapped

50 replies

Limesorbet1 · 17/02/2025 10:43

Married ten years to, by anyone’s judgement, a kind and decent man. Works hard, great dad, very responsible, attentive.

Downsides are that he is not social, has very few friends he rarely sees, he doesn’t have any hobbies other than the gym. He’s basically quite boring. Conversations are limited to a few topics.

I am very into arts, culture, friends, travel. I long for these.

He runs one business which is the main earner, then we also have work together on another business which earns the remaining 25% of our income, but we are now going to sell that business as it puts too much pressure on us as a couple.

We are looking to relocate to a more rural area so lots of change ahead. This will also get me away from my narcissistic mother which can’t come soon enough.

But I’m struggling to see how I get the life I want even once we’ve changed locations. I’m so sick of being married. I want to wake up in the morning and do what I want to do without the constant negotiation for childcare, work, household tasks, etc etc

I’m 42, so probably peri menopausal. I think these feelings have been coming on over several years though.

I crave autonomy. We’ve talked about it, and he says he wants to allow me to step up and be the breadwinner, allowing him to be more of a househusband, freeing me of domestic burden. I would prefer this, but while our children are young (5 and 8) we need the income his business brings and it will be very difficult for me to suddenly earn enough.

I feel trapped. I resent him, even though that’s probably not fair.

Once the biological need to have kids has passed, do lots of women feel this way?

I feel desperately sad about it and am struggling to get through the days. Waking up with a weight on my chest that doesn’t shift.

OP posts:
Tumbleweed44 · 17/02/2025 10:49

You made choices in your life and you can’t blame everything you are feeling on the biological need to have children and the fact your DH is not as sociable as you.

Reading your post makes me envisage you as a self centered person. You say your mother is a narcissist. Do you see any evidence that you too display narcissistic traits in your post?

Mrsttcno1 · 17/02/2025 10:54

Tumbleweed44 · 17/02/2025 10:49

You made choices in your life and you can’t blame everything you are feeling on the biological need to have children and the fact your DH is not as sociable as you.

Reading your post makes me envisage you as a self centered person. You say your mother is a narcissist. Do you see any evidence that you too display narcissistic traits in your post?

Agree with this.

GarrynotsoGorilla · 17/02/2025 11:13

@Tumbleweed44 is perhaps being a little harsh, but there is a lot of truth in what she has said it sounds like you are blaming your DH for your own discontent. I am assuming he was just as boring when you met and decided to marry him?

Life gets difficult at times, it is down to you what you choose to do to make it enjoyable. It is not his job. Look at yourself more closely here.

Wholepeppercorn · 17/02/2025 11:17

I am very into arts, culture, friends, travel. I long for these.

and you rely on him for these things?

festivemouse · 17/02/2025 11:26

This does seem more of a you problem than a him problem? He works hard, great dad, responsible, attentive, main earner - open to conversations and willing to make changes so you can go out and earn and he can pick up more at home?

If it was a women posting this about her husband I'd assume he was having a mid life crisis if I'm honest, especially around the "I'm into arts, culture, friends and travel" part - it sounds like someone longing to be young and unburdened by family responsibilities. Why can't all the things you long for be compatible with your life? Does he stop you having friends? Are you unable to access art? Can't you enjoy other cultures?

Life isn't just about getting the life you want when you've got responsibilities and a family, you have to get a life that's good for you all.

Have you spoken to anyone? It

whoamI00 · 17/02/2025 11:27

What about female friends?

Dror · 17/02/2025 11:28

You sound a bit passive. Having a kid is not a biological need, it's a lifestyle choice, and you chose your husband.

If you're sick of being married, you could divorce and let your husband be the resident parent.

I can't see how living rurally with 2 kids and a man you don't like is going to give you the culture and travel you desire.

CaptainFuture · 17/02/2025 11:28

Agree with pp, it sounds like you feel that you are better than boring old him?
Are you working full time yourself?

teentantrums · 17/02/2025 11:34

I can't see how living rurally with 2 kids and a man you don't like is going to give you the culture and travel you desire.

This! You need to put yourself in a situation where you can do enough to feel that you are enjoying your life while bearing in mind that life with young kids is never going to be "carefree". That's just the nature of the game.

Randomthoughts992 · 17/02/2025 11:37

sorry but the grass is never greener, its a MINEFIELD out there in the dating scene, Most people are twats, you got a good one. Learn to love him for him and get your own fun friends.

Crikeyalmighty · 17/02/2025 11:37

I think you need to separate out the person and the activities aspects- living rural will make you feel even more co dependent and with non if the things you like doing - so for you i honestly think that's a non starter , regardless of what he would like. It takes two - don't go along with stuff because it's 'his' dream -

On the person side i do get this as had similar - in my case i am still married and am 63 but realised i actually don't like the feeling of 'being obliged' - feel I have to check in before I can do anything off my own back , couldn't just say I would be going out for say 5 hours on a Saturday without some 'huffing' - and I don't have kids at home anymore either. There is an expectation in some marriages that you spend a lot of time together constantly - including mine, especially with guys who don't have many hobbies that get them out now I know some would love this and in all fairness I used to but these days I prefer a bit more space in a relationship and it can be hard to get . It may be this aspect you don't like rather than not liking 'him' or his habits.

RoSha123 · 17/02/2025 11:40

Hi OP, what you’re unhappy about (autonomy, being freed from domestic burden) doesn’t seem to be linked to your husband but more about your life and the hard work/responsibility as a mother. I would avoid blaming him unfairly as a scapegoat. All I know is that negative thinking festers like mold in your life - this is the family you were probably longing for in your 20s! It does start with deciding to think more positively and seek gratitude in your life, looking for joy in your everyday tasks and with spending time with your little ones, and focusing instead on your husband’s positive attributes – it sounds like he’s got tons of them. Then, once you have honestly moved on from the grumbling mindset, have a honest think about what of the domestic side of things is overwhelming you (cleaning, school runs) and try to find solutions, either help from your husband or outsource. Honestly, some soul searching might need to be done - I don’t think I would be able to do any of the above without my relationship with God being so central since coming to faith, so it might be worth exploring that. I hope you can overcome this and move to a place of joy in your family.

thehorsesareallidiots · 17/02/2025 11:40

What do you actually want here?

You're talking like you want to be single and childfree again, but that genie ain't ever going back in the bottle, as you well know. You made choices, to marry this man, to have your DC, and now apparently to move rurally. Why, if you want a single in compromised free cultural life so much?

Even if you ditch your husband and move to the city, you will still have to orient your life around your children's needs, because those are the consequences of the choices you made. Your H isn't the problem. You are.

ComtesseDeSpair · 17/02/2025 11:41

I think this is a “wherever you go, there you are” type of situation. I think it’s entirely possible that your marriage has run its course - unfortunately, that’s life sometimes, not all couples are together forever - whilst simultaneously being the case that you have also made life choices which require you to put your needs behind those of your children and to have become a bit boring and stuck in your ways.

You don’t have to rely on DH for your social life and as your only friend. DH and I adore each other but do plenty of things separately - that’s completely normal and healthy, no one person can be another person’s everything. Make some friends. Find a hobby, something which you’re passionate about. Encourage him to do the same.

AutumnFroglets · 17/02/2025 11:42

I am very into arts, culture, friends, travel. I long for these.
We are looking to relocate to a more rural area

Considering galleries and museums and clubs or cafes tend to be concentrated around towns and cities how will moving rural help with that? Won't it make you more isolated and trapped?

Spooky2000 · 17/02/2025 11:42

Oof. Some of these comments are a bit harsh, imo.

OK. So facts... you got together with him - how were things back then? What attracted you to him? Calmness, stability I'm guessing, after a narc mum? In the years since you were married, what have you done regarding your interests - did you set them aside? Do them with him? See friends and do those experiences? On this subject, why would you consider moving somewhere where there may be even less chance of you being able to enjoy those activities, even alone - that's not going to help you enjoy your life is it? So I'm confused by that.

You say "he says he wants to allow me to step up and be the breadwinner, allowing him to be more of a househusband, freeing me of domestic burden. I would prefer this, but while our children are young (5 and 8) we need the income his business brings and it will be very difficult for me to suddenly earn enough."

You say that you work together for the remaining 25% of the household income and he would like you to step up. Is there something that you could do together to give you more of a stake in the other 75%, such as training, days working alongside him to learn this side of the business, learning the management and administration side of things if the practicality of it isn't a fit?

As an observation, I think a lot of people hope/believe that any activity, hobby, interest etc should be shared with a partner, whereas I'm older and don't agree with that. A r/ship cannot meet ALL needs. There's Meetup.com for making new friends with shared interests which makes me wonder whether your relationship could survive since in other aspects it seems fine, and your interests could still be active. Perhaps even find one to share together?

AnneLovesGilbert · 17/02/2025 11:45

At the risk of sounding like a twat you might want to engage in some gratitude. Count your many blessings, write them down, and you might feel a bit better.

dontdothisOP · 17/02/2025 11:55

You like arts and culture and friends but you are moving to a rural location, and with a man you don't really like and resent?

There is not a lot of arts and culture in rural locations. And your friends presumably won't be there.

I would not move there OP. You will feel more trapped, not less.

Purplecatshopaholic · 17/02/2025 12:32

Dror · 17/02/2025 11:28

You sound a bit passive. Having a kid is not a biological need, it's a lifestyle choice, and you chose your husband.

If you're sick of being married, you could divorce and let your husband be the resident parent.

I can't see how living rurally with 2 kids and a man you don't like is going to give you the culture and travel you desire.

This really. Sorry op, some responses are quite harsh but maybe reading them will help see your situation as others see it from what you have written?

Upstartled · 17/02/2025 12:35

God, poor guy. Steady, dependable, kind, a good father and you'd atomise your whole family to be a bit more entertained?

THisbackwithavengeance · 17/02/2025 13:23

So leave him?

How are you expecting to fund the lovely bohemian lifestyle you want when you're working full time and having to take care of 2 young children as a single parent?

I mean it kindly: get a grip.

Because your lovely, hard working DH will be snapped up and you'll be on Tinder swiping on a load of dysfunctional, sex mad
idiots.

Limesorbet1 · 17/02/2025 13:37

Thank you all, truly - I didn’t expect so many responses and I’m grateful for every one.

I love the way that it’s easy to see things clearly looking in on someone else’s life; I know I’ve done it when replying to posts, and you’ve done it for me.

I am struggling to overcome many painful realisations over the last few years, as through therapy I’ve realised my mum is narcissistic and controlling. A lot of what I’ve done in my life was to seek her validation, and it’s painful to realise. I have started to make changes and moving away will help, but she is elderly now and ill, and despite everything I feel so much guilt, it’s very complicated.

The person that said ‘you have married a good guy to get away from the narc mum’ probably nailed it. He is such a good soul.

I’m very unpracticed at looking after my own needs, I tend to be everyone’s go to person when there’s problems, and the weight of everything has suddenly become too much. But you’re right, I’m the one that’s got to change. I have to get better at prioritising my own needs so that I don’t resent him, it’s not fair on him

He can be stubborn, so it won’t be easy in practice.. But he seems to think I’m amazing, and wants to help me pursue my dreams

The rural vs town thing is a good point, thank you. I love space and hills and trees but I will be isolating myself, so that was helpful to hear

OP posts:
BitOutOfPractice · 17/02/2025 13:40

I wonder where you think all the childcare / household / other tasks and negotiations will disappear to if you split up!

also, as someone who loves art, culture etc, why on earth are you moving more rurally? You couldn’t tempt me to live rurally for a gold clock.

Kosenrufugirl · 17/02/2025 13:50

Do you like reading? The Art of Saying No might be a good read for you. And please don't listen to everything a therapist might say- they aren't always right

Limesorbet1 · 17/02/2025 13:55

Kosenrufugirl · 17/02/2025 13:50

Do you like reading? The Art of Saying No might be a good read for you. And please don't listen to everything a therapist might say- they aren't always right

Thanks, I’ll order it

OP posts:
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