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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

Handhold needed - think we're over

227 replies

heartbrokenlost · 25/02/2025 22:44

Just had a big argument with DP. We just cannot see eye to eye on our relationship at all. We have 2 kids and I'm just so lost as to what to do next. In my heart I know we're not right for eachother and I could be happier elsewhere but I am so scared of the implications/finances etc of splitting.

I need to try and sleep and see if we can talk calmly in the morning but honestly I think this is it.

OP posts:
Coralsunset · 26/02/2025 08:30

heartbrokenlost · 26/02/2025 07:50

He said last night he wants the kids 50/50. He doesn’t and would struggle - I do not think he said this because he actually wants the kids 50/50.

Mate. They all say they want 50/50. Very few of them mean it.

Tell him that’s great, it’s ideal for you so you can get out there and date, make a fabulous new life. He will quickly change his mind.

SuperTrooper14 · 26/02/2025 08:31

heartbrokenlost · 26/02/2025 06:55

Slept terribly and have woke up thinking I should try and appease him and fix it. What is wrong with me 😣I know I absolutely deserve better. I suppose it feels easier to stay. Need to stay strong.

Please don't appease him. Everything you've written about him has made me shudder. He's a massive misogynistic man baby who clearly thinks housework is wimmin's work and that wife needs to be an angel in the kitchen and a whore in the bedroom. If you stay with this man, he is going to hammer away at your self-esteem until all that's left is an empty shell.

Do you really want that to be your children's blueprint for what a good relationship should be?

Imbusytodaysorry · 26/02/2025 08:33

heartbrokenlost · 25/02/2025 22:51

We've been together 8 years. We own the house (mortgage).

The main issues are sex, household, finances, parenting. Quite a lot if I think about it like that.

Financially, he earns more we split bills proportionately it's around 40/60 monthly expenses and then he will cover more of holiday cost. (he doesn't think this is fair - thinks it should be 50/50 despite his higher earnings). We both work full time.

Household - I do 95% of kids/house (I don't think this is fair as we both work full time). Said I'd happily do 50/50 finances if he picked up 50% of the house/kids - he said he absolutely will not.

Sex - he basically wants it everyday. I don't have the energy, 2-3 times week is enough. Makes me feel objectified and guilty if i say no to sex. Cannot wrap his head around the fact that id have more energy for it if i wasn't overworked/overwhelmed with my full time job and 95% of the kids/house - he doesn't think theres a link (i absolutely do!).

Get out! Is he self employed or employed ?

Changeissmall · 26/02/2025 08:37

I tried once to actually get my ex to articulate how he justified my doing the majority of the domestic load when we worked in the SAME JOB.
It ended up with him basically saying it was just something that should come naturally to me. Mothering and housework. He found it difficult because he was a man. He had needs. He deserved to have fun.
I listened and I (eventually) left. Now I have been promoted twice and am still doing all the domestic stuff alone because I am just competent.
He found someone else to look after him better 🙂.
He won’t change. Why would he? Many men are like this and it’s only women’s paid work that allow us to see it. Up to us to decide if it’s beneficial to have these men in our lives. It’s sad when children are involved but the men rarely give any thought to that or make any effort to keep their family together so we shouldn’t martyr ourselves.

BustyLaRoux · 26/02/2025 08:38

I’m sorry @heartbrokenlost, I had one of these too. Not the finance. We didn’t argue about that really. Though he did seem to think household items like nice cutlery or new towels should be paid for by me as he said we didn’t need them (and then took them all when we split up saying he’d paid half, which he categorically had not!). Anyway I digress. Yes I had one of these. I think you’re very good to do the sex 2-3 times a week. I could barely manage it once a fortnight. But he told me the minimum he would expect is once per week and I should absolutely prioritise it. However like you, although I worked full time, I also did 90% of everything else that needed doing. All the washing and folding, the weekly shop (ordered online). On rare occasions I had to go into work at short notice and it arrived when he was wfh and I wasn’t, he would put a bag (not even take the items out of the bag. Just the whole bag) of fridge stuff straight in the fridge and leave everything else out for me when I got home. So I would come home having also picked up the kids from school to be greeted by bags of shopping which were apparently mine to deal with. When I would protest he would shrug and say I shouldn’t organise deliveries for when I’m not here and he is (why??? Because the family food shop is my job in his mind!). He went to the gym before work and again after work. I of course was dealing with the children. He would come home from the gym, and I would be bathing the children having cooked for and fed them. I’d ask him to please finish up tidying the kitchen (I’m not very messy so it’s just put a few things in the dishwasher and wipe down the table etc). He would refuse and again shrug and say it wasn’t his mess! (Again, feeding children is the woman’s job obviously!) He would rather shove down the rubbish in the bin than empty it such that the bin (it was one of those that pulled out as you opened a cupboard) actually broke. And guess who fixed that???. If I asked him to empty the bin, he say no, he did it last time (but I would have done it the 40 times before that!).

Basically his whole life was devoted to finding ways not to have to do anything. Of course it was unreasonable!!!! And he knew that. But he was so good at arguing and manipulating. When I questioned whether going to the gym twice a day was reasonable given we had two young children to deal with and get to school/pick up, he said it didn’t count as leisure as he didn’t enjoy it! 😳 Then when I balked at this ridiculous argument, he just found a new one: it was to keep him healthy. Didn’t I want him to be healthy? He actually asked me “do you want me to die young??!”. When I questioned why I did so much housework while he sat down or was in the gym, he would say his job was harder or that he was a good dad or I didn’t give him enough sex….. Basically just avoiding the topic by giving an answer which didn’t address my complaint at all.

I knew I would have to leave him. I knew that there was nothing I could say or do that would change him. The behaviours were too entrenched he’d. We’d been together more than 20 years and I should have left him years before. I stuck around because I was scared about breaking the family up and worried about money and I couldn’t envisage not being with him as we’d been together so long.

But I did leave in the end. Actually I had an affair! (He was also playing away by that point and I honestly didn’t care!). I don’t think we had much respect left for each other. It was nice that someone else thought I was a worthwhile human being. Obviously I’m not recommending you do that! (It wasn’t the cleanest exit from a relationship and I could write a book about what happened next!). But it did actually give me some confidence and strength to stand up and say this is enough! I left.

He did have the “decency” to admit that perhaps he had been a bit lazy (gee, you don’t say!!) but of course downplayed it by saying I was horrible to him and bullied him etc (forgetting all the horrible manipulation tactics he used on me and the nasty verbal abuse he gave me when I protested strongly about his behaviour. Apparently I was toxic!) So of course he gets to still be “a good man if a bit lazy” and that’s the narrative he’s going with. Fine. Whatever.

And you know what, we are both happier. And actually fairly good mates. We co parent excellently. The kids are fine. He is an improved human being, as I always knew he would be if he were with a new woman. Because he would have to be!

You could try counselling. Maybe it’s worth a last ditch attempt. I’d checked out by then. 20 years of someone being a manchild will clamp your Fanny shut and there ain’t no amount of talking that was gonna reverse that! Besides he is such a clever manipulator that he would have made me look unreasonable. I often said he should have been a politician because of how he evaded answers and manipulates situations to get what he wants.

But if you decide you’ve had enough, and god knows no one would blame you because he genuinely sounds utterly awful, then I can assure you it will be fine. You don’t need all the answers now. You’ll work it out as you go along. Which is scary, yes. The unknown and not having a plan is pretty terrifying. But, all the hard bits will pass. And you will be OK. Plus you’ll have ditched your manchild. You can either enjoy being independent of someone who brings you down or you might find someone new who values your efforts and doesn’t treat you like a sex doll!

Good luck, my friend, whatever you decide! Xx

heartbrokenlost · 26/02/2025 08:40

Imbusytodaysorry · 26/02/2025 08:33

Get out! Is he self employed or employed ?

Self

OP posts:
heartbrokenlost · 26/02/2025 08:41

Changeissmall · 26/02/2025 08:37

I tried once to actually get my ex to articulate how he justified my doing the majority of the domestic load when we worked in the SAME JOB.
It ended up with him basically saying it was just something that should come naturally to me. Mothering and housework. He found it difficult because he was a man. He had needs. He deserved to have fun.
I listened and I (eventually) left. Now I have been promoted twice and am still doing all the domestic stuff alone because I am just competent.
He found someone else to look after him better 🙂.
He won’t change. Why would he? Many men are like this and it’s only women’s paid work that allow us to see it. Up to us to decide if it’s beneficial to have these men in our lives. It’s sad when children are involved but the men rarely give any thought to that or make any effort to keep their family together so we shouldn’t martyr ourselves.

Oh my goodness the ‘deserved’. What is it with these types of men and the entitlement? Nothing drives me more mad than when he declared after a dinner that I’ve cooked ‘right I’m relaxing now I’m doing nothing else’ - what would happen if I just opted out of everything cos I ‘deserved to relax?’

OP posts:
ForZanyAquaViewer · 26/02/2025 08:43

heartbrokenlost · 26/02/2025 06:21

He says he won’t do it. He ‘could pay someone to come everyday and do it’

Yes, but what’s his justification? Why won’t he do it? Why is it fine for you to do, and not him? Have you not asked? When he says ‘I won’t do it’, do you just nod and agree?

Zanatdy · 26/02/2025 08:43

I wouldn’t be having sex with him at all when he treats you like some skivvy who is expected to do 95% of the household and childcare. I wouldn’t go near him. No I don’t fancy you when you are happy to watch me burn myself into the ground whilst you do fuck all. And he’s got the cheek to complain you don’t want daily sex. I’d rather sleep on a mattress and build up furniture gradually than stay another few months with him. I’d tell him it’s over and you will be moving out. Let him try 50-50. You know it won’t last, especially when he’s cleaning his own clothes and house as you’re long gone.

I left my ex, and no it wasn’t all sunshine and roses at first, but it was a damn sight better than living how I was living. I sorted the rental first, paid the deposit etc and told him after i’d got the keys. 15yrs on we are friends now, and have co-parented really well and have 2 amazing teens / young adults.

heartbrokenlost · 26/02/2025 08:44

BustyLaRoux · 26/02/2025 08:38

I’m sorry @heartbrokenlost, I had one of these too. Not the finance. We didn’t argue about that really. Though he did seem to think household items like nice cutlery or new towels should be paid for by me as he said we didn’t need them (and then took them all when we split up saying he’d paid half, which he categorically had not!). Anyway I digress. Yes I had one of these. I think you’re very good to do the sex 2-3 times a week. I could barely manage it once a fortnight. But he told me the minimum he would expect is once per week and I should absolutely prioritise it. However like you, although I worked full time, I also did 90% of everything else that needed doing. All the washing and folding, the weekly shop (ordered online). On rare occasions I had to go into work at short notice and it arrived when he was wfh and I wasn’t, he would put a bag (not even take the items out of the bag. Just the whole bag) of fridge stuff straight in the fridge and leave everything else out for me when I got home. So I would come home having also picked up the kids from school to be greeted by bags of shopping which were apparently mine to deal with. When I would protest he would shrug and say I shouldn’t organise deliveries for when I’m not here and he is (why??? Because the family food shop is my job in his mind!). He went to the gym before work and again after work. I of course was dealing with the children. He would come home from the gym, and I would be bathing the children having cooked for and fed them. I’d ask him to please finish up tidying the kitchen (I’m not very messy so it’s just put a few things in the dishwasher and wipe down the table etc). He would refuse and again shrug and say it wasn’t his mess! (Again, feeding children is the woman’s job obviously!) He would rather shove down the rubbish in the bin than empty it such that the bin (it was one of those that pulled out as you opened a cupboard) actually broke. And guess who fixed that???. If I asked him to empty the bin, he say no, he did it last time (but I would have done it the 40 times before that!).

Basically his whole life was devoted to finding ways not to have to do anything. Of course it was unreasonable!!!! And he knew that. But he was so good at arguing and manipulating. When I questioned whether going to the gym twice a day was reasonable given we had two young children to deal with and get to school/pick up, he said it didn’t count as leisure as he didn’t enjoy it! 😳 Then when I balked at this ridiculous argument, he just found a new one: it was to keep him healthy. Didn’t I want him to be healthy? He actually asked me “do you want me to die young??!”. When I questioned why I did so much housework while he sat down or was in the gym, he would say his job was harder or that he was a good dad or I didn’t give him enough sex….. Basically just avoiding the topic by giving an answer which didn’t address my complaint at all.

I knew I would have to leave him. I knew that there was nothing I could say or do that would change him. The behaviours were too entrenched he’d. We’d been together more than 20 years and I should have left him years before. I stuck around because I was scared about breaking the family up and worried about money and I couldn’t envisage not being with him as we’d been together so long.

But I did leave in the end. Actually I had an affair! (He was also playing away by that point and I honestly didn’t care!). I don’t think we had much respect left for each other. It was nice that someone else thought I was a worthwhile human being. Obviously I’m not recommending you do that! (It wasn’t the cleanest exit from a relationship and I could write a book about what happened next!). But it did actually give me some confidence and strength to stand up and say this is enough! I left.

He did have the “decency” to admit that perhaps he had been a bit lazy (gee, you don’t say!!) but of course downplayed it by saying I was horrible to him and bullied him etc (forgetting all the horrible manipulation tactics he used on me and the nasty verbal abuse he gave me when I protested strongly about his behaviour. Apparently I was toxic!) So of course he gets to still be “a good man if a bit lazy” and that’s the narrative he’s going with. Fine. Whatever.

And you know what, we are both happier. And actually fairly good mates. We co parent excellently. The kids are fine. He is an improved human being, as I always knew he would be if he were with a new woman. Because he would have to be!

You could try counselling. Maybe it’s worth a last ditch attempt. I’d checked out by then. 20 years of someone being a manchild will clamp your Fanny shut and there ain’t no amount of talking that was gonna reverse that! Besides he is such a clever manipulator that he would have made me look unreasonable. I often said he should have been a politician because of how he evaded answers and manipulates situations to get what he wants.

But if you decide you’ve had enough, and god knows no one would blame you because he genuinely sounds utterly awful, then I can assure you it will be fine. You don’t need all the answers now. You’ll work it out as you go along. Which is scary, yes. The unknown and not having a plan is pretty terrifying. But, all the hard bits will pass. And you will be OK. Plus you’ll have ditched your manchild. You can either enjoy being independent of someone who brings you down or you might find someone new who values your efforts and doesn’t treat you like a sex doll!

Good luck, my friend, whatever you decide! Xx

Thank you! Hearing other stories really is helping me realise I am not alone, many have walked this path and that shows so can I.

DP will empty the bin, but categorically refuses to replace the bin bag afterwards because ‘inside job’ and so will happily pile rubbish next to it until I cave and put a bag in. Honestly it’d take 20 seconds to pop a fresh liner in!

OP posts:
BetterWithPockets · 26/02/2025 08:44

heartbrokenlost · 26/02/2025 06:58

@Nellsbell i think I need therapy tbh. I have such a small support network I’d essentially be doing it alone which feels daunting.

my mum died a few years ago and I’ve often thought if she was still here I’d have left already. Just that extra support would have given me the courage I think.

Oh, OP, your comment that you think you’d have left already if your mum was still around really resonated with me. I’m so sorry.
Having a support network is huge, I know that, but the biggest step to take is the first. It’s great you’ve been looking at finances to see if you can manage; get as much information as you can about your DH’s finances too, and go and see a solicitor. You don’t have to act on any of it until you’re ready but at least you’ll know exactly what’s involved. And it might make taking that first step feel a little less daunting.

heartbrokenlost · 26/02/2025 08:45

ForZanyAquaViewer · 26/02/2025 08:43

Yes, but what’s his justification? Why won’t he do it? Why is it fine for you to do, and not him? Have you not asked? When he says ‘I won’t do it’, do you just nod and agree?

I do ask. He tells me he doesn’t want to and then accuses me of being ‘abusive’ by forcing him to argue, lol, irony.

OP posts:
Imbusytodaysorry · 26/02/2025 08:47

@heartbrokenlost he is an abusive bully.
Don't tell him you are leaving (if you can )

Start with separate bedrooms . Try plan a day for when he wouldn’t be around to move your stuff out .
Why don’t you make plans that you will be out so you and kids can enjoy this summer in your new home without the nasty man .

Go on entitied2 and see what you would get with his maintenance and without if he actulay did do 50/50

You deserve better.
Start with your free half hour at any solicitors that have space . Take appointments with a few different ones that are ment to be good.
Then they cant represent him.

ForZanyAquaViewer · 26/02/2025 08:51

heartbrokenlost · 26/02/2025 08:45

I do ask. He tells me he doesn’t want to and then accuses me of being ‘abusive’ by forcing him to argue, lol, irony.

You: why is it fine for me to do and not you?

Him: I don’t want to and you’re being abusive by forcing me to argue.

If that’s genuinely how these conversations go, then this man respects you so little that he can’t even be bothered to justify his laziness. And you feel guilty about not having sex with him?! Why?

Are you frightened of him? If not, you really do need to start telling him to fuck off. Regularly.

UnderHisEeyore · 26/02/2025 08:52

Just wanted to say that before you tell him about counselling be careful how you phrase it. If he thinks you are telling ppl about his tantrums he might get angry or attempt to stop you going. I'd say it is because you want to feel better about sex (the thing he really wants) because you don't know why you don't have the drive any more. Feign confusion for now.

MsTulipTurtle · 26/02/2025 08:55

heartbrokenlost · 26/02/2025 07:50

He said last night he wants the kids 50/50. He doesn’t and would struggle - I do not think he said this because he actually wants the kids 50/50.

My exH said this and that he also wanted them on the days I worked a late shift. I remember sitting crying about how little time I would get with my children who were 11 & 4 at the time.
In reality, he had them alternate weekends and 1 night every other week so 6 nights a month.
He’s probably saying this to avoid maintenance payments. However, if he has them less and still refuses to contribute, go through CMS.
I’m 11 years down the line now and never regret this decision. I just wish I had the courage to do it sooner.
Good luck x

MumWifeOther · 26/02/2025 08:56

He wants a wife contributing to 50% of the household expenses and doing all the childcare and then expects her to want to have sex with him every night?

I wouldn’t be attracted to any man who didn’t want to take care of me financially - a total turn off.

honeylulu · 26/02/2025 08:57

I don't think this is salvageable. He does not see you as an equal, perhaps not even as a person - just a housework, sex and bill contributing appliance. And he gets angry when the appliance malfunctions. And indignant that you expect him to share the chores "because he doesn't want to" . The fact that you will hardly be loving scrubbing toilets and mopping floors and having unwanted sex will not register ... because you're just an appliance, see?

You've said he makes out that his argument is that he pays (slightly) more of the bills so he is "better" than someone who deserves to do chores . But even if you paid equal, or more, men like this will always find a way of believing they are "better" because women are just an inferior sub-species and should therefore serve them.

Make your exit as soon as you can. I've a feeling he will refuse to leave the house so you need to be prepared to seek an order for sale to get your share if he drags his heels about selling. I'd be tempted to call his bluff and say you are leaving the children with him as they belong in the family home which he won't leave (but I think you are nicer than me and won't want to do that).

It's a bugger that he's self employed because he probably will be able to wriggle out of paying maintenance. Thank God you stayed working full time.

Good luck.

TwoeightTwoeightTwoOhhhh · 26/02/2025 09:06

I wouldn’t waste time and effort on marriage counselling. He’s treated you terribly and you don’t owe him a fix for your marriage. It’s just one more chore for you, one more thing for you to organise. Save the energy and channel it in to moving on.
You only get one life and it’s over so fast, don’t waste your trips round the sun on this turd.

bluegreen89 · 26/02/2025 09:17

@heartbrokenlost my dear mother experienced this with my 'father' and it escalated into emotional abuse and gaslighting (what you are experiencing is emotional abuse). He used to leave a lot and then come back (a form of abuse). Anyway one day when he left she packed up all of our stuff (mine and siblings) and booked flights (we lived abroad but are British) back to England with whatever we could fit in our suitcases. It was difficult to establish ourselves here with a house etc. We have been here for 20+ years. Still after all these years my dear mother says there is no feeling quite like putting the key in her front door and walking into her home knowing he won't be there. She said when he left the last time, she knew she couldn't do this for the rest of her life so acted quickly.

I know this story isn't exactly the same but what I'm saying is... you absolutely cannot do this for the rest of your life and your life will improve measurably not having him in the house. He sounds cruel and like he has no respect for you. Don't waste your prime years. My mum regrets it (she wasted 20 plus years on him). Good luck x

BeRoseSloth · 26/02/2025 09:22

As he’s self employed it would be worth getting pics of his income etc before you tell him it’s over, as he’ll likely try to massage the figures to lower his maintenance.

ClairDeLaLune · 26/02/2025 09:24

heartbrokenlost · 25/02/2025 22:51

We've been together 8 years. We own the house (mortgage).

The main issues are sex, household, finances, parenting. Quite a lot if I think about it like that.

Financially, he earns more we split bills proportionately it's around 40/60 monthly expenses and then he will cover more of holiday cost. (he doesn't think this is fair - thinks it should be 50/50 despite his higher earnings). We both work full time.

Household - I do 95% of kids/house (I don't think this is fair as we both work full time). Said I'd happily do 50/50 finances if he picked up 50% of the house/kids - he said he absolutely will not.

Sex - he basically wants it everyday. I don't have the energy, 2-3 times week is enough. Makes me feel objectified and guilty if i say no to sex. Cannot wrap his head around the fact that id have more energy for it if i wasn't overworked/overwhelmed with my full time job and 95% of the kids/house - he doesn't think theres a link (i absolutely do!).

Oh my God he’s an utter twat OP, I’m sorry. To expect you to do nearly all the housework then demand sex off you everyday. What is this, the 1950s? When mums didn’t work so had more time for housework and sex. He sounds absolutely grim.

That said, I’m sorry it’s come to this and that you haven’t been able to find a compromise. You might think at the moment that it’s really sad to split your family up, but it’s better for the kids if their mum is happy, and you’re not modelling to them that relationships should be the way yours is.

Before you do split up though, would he try counselling? He really needs to change though, as he’s being totally unreasonable.

Saker · 26/02/2025 09:29

heartbrokenlost · 26/02/2025 07:47

Thank you. And well done for leaving I am so happy for you 💖

Just before Christmas I actually overhauled my finances and so think I would be okay. I have enough in emergency fund for a deposit to rent somewhere whilst we waited to sell the house/him buy me out (he wouldn’t get a mortgage atm as he messed up his credit rating through laziness and not setting up direct debits for some of his bills so not sure he’d even want to sell it so that could be a battle on its own).

I would probably need a couple more months to save for some furniture - I don’t know what he’d let me take. There’s a great second hand shop near us so I’d probably look to get bits from there and Facebook to save money.

if he demanded 50/50 custody I could scrape by without maintenance as long as he covered half the costs - swimming, wrap around, clothing etc.

I think I’d get UC too - not much as I’m not a ‘low earner’ but enough it would help make things a little less tight.

Theres not much comes up for rent where I am (I’m not in a rush tbh I’d rather we live in separate rooms to give me a bit more time financially) - a little 2 bed flat or something would be fine for the immediate future though the kids could share a room for a while whilst we figured it out.

Just to say in terms of furniture, see if you have a local Freecycle. Often you can get things on there for nothing.

heartbrokenlost · 26/02/2025 09:29

ForZanyAquaViewer · 26/02/2025 08:51

You: why is it fine for me to do and not you?

Him: I don’t want to and you’re being abusive by forcing me to argue.

If that’s genuinely how these conversations go, then this man respects you so little that he can’t even be bothered to justify his laziness. And you feel guilty about not having sex with him?! Why?

Are you frightened of him? If not, you really do need to start telling him to fuck off. Regularly.

This is how they go, genuinely:

Me: I'm struggling, I need more help with the kids/house
Him: You don't care if I struggle with the bills (this is nonsensical really and makes zero sense). You didn't pay 100% of holidays I did
Me: This isn't about finances, we contribute proportinately, it's about time/mental load and I am have much less free time/more on my plate
Him: so what you do the washing it takes 5 minutes
me: if it only takes 5 minutes could you do it - it would be helpful
him: i am not doing the washing
me: why?
him: i dont want to. leave me alone

OP posts:
CheekySnake · 26/02/2025 09:30

heartbrokenlost · 26/02/2025 08:44

Thank you! Hearing other stories really is helping me realise I am not alone, many have walked this path and that shows so can I.

DP will empty the bin, but categorically refuses to replace the bin bag afterwards because ‘inside job’ and so will happily pile rubbish next to it until I cave and put a bag in. Honestly it’d take 20 seconds to pop a fresh liner in!

I grew up with parents who had a terrible marriage, and am as an adult in a good marriage, and have been for a very long time. You are in a terrible marriage, and I think you are close to really seeing this for what it is.

All the domestic tasks that he refuses to do - it's on purpose. He knows what they are and is perfectly capable of doing them. He's choosing not to in order to make your life difficult, because making your life difficult is something he enjoys.

The daily sex, and pestering for it when he knows you are exhausted and busy - again, he is doing this on purpose in order to upset you. He is picking these moments because they will cause you the most distress and, when you inevitably refuse, he can start an argument. If you cave he gets sex, if you don't he can start an argument, upset you, and blame you for it. Win win.

Hiding in his office until 7 is a deliberate choice to avoid family/domestic work.

As others have said, please opt out of doing domestic work for him, assuming you feel it's safe for you to do so. If he wants to pay someone to do his half, fine. And please start planning your escape. It doesn't have to be this way. Your kids don't have to live with this. My mother stayed until I was almost old enough to leave home, and it destroyed our relationship.

All abusive relationships start brilliantly. They never start with this, otherwise they would never start at all, would they? It's part of what makes them stick, having that to look back at and constantly try to rekindle, but even if you could get back to that, you'd remember how he is now and you'd constantly be waiting for this version of him to reappear. The trust would be gone.

He doesn't like you, OP. From the sounds of it he doesn't really care about your children either, beyond them being a stick he can beat you with. You and they deserve better. He deserves to be dumped.

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