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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

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:
OhCobblers · 26/02/2025 18:53

Naunet · 26/02/2025 13:10

I'd love to know what men like this think they're bringing to the table. He wants a woman to pay 50% of the bills, do almost all the housework, childcare and cooking, and have (no doubt bad) sex with him everyday. OK, and what's he offering in return, or does that not even occur to men like this?
OP he's a misogynistic dead weight around your neck, you'll be so much better off without him.

Everything I thought in a nutshell - honestly OP how you even share a bed with this nasty little wanker is beyond me. Poor you and your poor daughters for having such an arsehole for a father 😡

Lighteningstrikes · 26/02/2025 22:17

He’s a self centred pig.

Id be tempted to bugger off somewhere for a week and let the lazy fucker sort the kids and everything out.

Im cross on your behalf!

selffellatingouroborosofhate · 27/02/2025 01:23

Honestly, just leave this twat. Get copies of proof of his earnings and file for divorce,

Codlingmoths · 27/02/2025 04:29

heartbrokenlost · 26/02/2025 06:53

He’d still be stroppy and act hard done by. ‘It’s shit you don’t fancy me’. Cannot get his head around it’s not about fancying him but more exhaustion and overwhelm

Op, it’s ok to be honest. Tell him well no I don’t fancy you because you add nothing but misery to my life now. No woman in her right mind would fancy a useless shitty partner and dad who let’s be honest, treats me more like a nanny cross indentured slave cross blow up sex doll than a woman, a person, or a partner. Im not in the mood because I go to work too but I also do everything around the home and for the kids. And every time you say I won’t do washing or cleaning, my vagina shrivels. And every time I watch you unable to parent for 10 minutes without sitting on your phone ignoring them I think there’s a man who will die miserable and alone, as he certainly won’t have loving kids visiting. At this rate if you’re lucky they will remember your name. Don’t ask me about sex ever again unless you’ve cooked a healthy meal, done some washing or tidying, actively parented your own children including talking to them and for the record yelling at a 5yo because they haven’t dressed themselves isn’t talking. As an effectively single working mum I may never have sex again and certainly never ever with a man who refuses to do those things.

cordeliavorkosigan · 27/02/2025 04:50

Brilliant post @Codlingmoths
Nails it.

Surf2Live · 27/02/2025 06:55

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.

OP, this: "I would probably need a couple more months to save for some furniture - I don’t know what he’d let me take."

Let you?

IT'S YOUR FURNITURE TOO

Take what you need. It's yours to take. If you take about half, and not everything, he's got no leg to stand on legally.

OP, this man treats you like a service animal. You're there to provide cleaning, cooking, child care and sex. You're also supposed to bring in money for the household.

He is not treating you like a partner or equal. He has no respect for you. He probably doesn't even like you.

He probably wants to stay married so that his comfortable life with everything done for him continues. He won't change, he's too selfish and stupid.

You'll be so much happier without him in your life daily.

ToutesetBonne · 27/02/2025 08:34

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!

There is something seriously wrong with this man!

ERthree · 27/02/2025 09:24

I know that fear but get your hands on all of the paperwork you will need, his national insurance number, photocopies of all bank and building society accounts, anything to do with his pension etc. Whilst you are planning to leave save ( in cash) every single penny you can, stock the cupboards, make sure you have a good stock of laundry products and toiletries, anything that is expensive and has a long shelf life. Buy the children new shoes and clothes for summer, as much school uniform that you can and look at the sales for winter coats and wellies for next year, make sure to use his credit card. You will cope, honestly, nobody will let you starve x

HereForTheFreeLunch · 27/02/2025 16:40

You are the domestic appliance so it's only right that you do all the housework without complaint or rest.

The car gets an MOT once a year and a few trips to the garage, maybe a rest to cool the engine occasionally - but it really doesn't get to dictate his day. It goes where and when he says to go. You should be similar.

You are under a misunderstanding that you are an equal human being with rights and things. And you definitely don't get to tell him what to do. Oh no, not that. Not even if you are right.

HereForTheFreeLunch · 27/02/2025 16:42

That's why he will never understand. Trying to get him to understand anything is a mugs game.

Sorry OP! Stay strong. The wonderful women here will help you get your ducks in a row

Lilactimes · 01/03/2025 19:19

How was your day today @heartbrokenlost ? Hope you had some fun with your girls and left your H alone x

heartbrokenlost · 04/03/2025 11:04

Hey everyone sorry for silence!

been keeping the peace whilst I try and get things in order

had a job interview which I should hear back from this week which is more money and puts me in a much more comfy place financially - fingers crossed

this sounds crazy too but there’s a house come up for sale in the next village - and I just feel so drawn to it in the weirdest way and that it’d be the perfect house for me and the kids. I’m probably a good few months off that even being a possibility but I can’t stop thinking about it 😂 maybe it’s a sign maybe it’s wishful thinking

thanks for all your thoughts everyone

OP posts:
IVbumble · 04/03/2025 11:48

this sounds crazy too but there’s a house come up for sale in the next village - and I just feel so drawn to it in the weirdest way and that it’d be the perfect house for me and the kids. I’m probably a good few months off that even being a possibility but I can’t stop thinking about it 😂 maybe it’s a sign maybe it’s wishful thinking

I call this having a 'know' - it happened to me in a similar situation about a house which sold 3 times but fell though until I was in a position to buy it. Fingers crossed the same happens for you OP.

ChicaWowWow · 04/03/2025 12:43

heartbrokenlost · 04/03/2025 11:04

Hey everyone sorry for silence!

been keeping the peace whilst I try and get things in order

had a job interview which I should hear back from this week which is more money and puts me in a much more comfy place financially - fingers crossed

this sounds crazy too but there’s a house come up for sale in the next village - and I just feel so drawn to it in the weirdest way and that it’d be the perfect house for me and the kids. I’m probably a good few months off that even being a possibility but I can’t stop thinking about it 😂 maybe it’s a sign maybe it’s wishful thinking

thanks for all your thoughts everyone

Giving house purchase can take months, maybe it's worth visiting/putting an offer and see how things go?

heartbrokenlost · 04/03/2025 13:09

@ChicaWowWow I'd love to but 2 big things need to happen to make it realistic:

  1. I get this job
  2. He buys me out/we sell the current house

So yeah a few months off at least really

OP posts:
heartbrokenlost · 04/03/2025 13:09

@IVbumble this is how I feel - can't explain it and feel crazy haha

OP posts:
chocorabbit · 07/03/2025 11:25

If you decide to sell the house only move out when the sale has been agreed with the buyer. Don't spend months or years waiting for a house sale when in the meanwhile you will be liable for your rent AND the joint mortage. Plus he could string you along never actually intending to sell up.

The worst that could happen is both of you co-habiting, you paying the usual, accepting he won't help with household while you try to save money to leave.

You are abusive for asking him to wash his children's clothes, cook them meals etc? But not him asking you to do the whole of it? He will have to do this if he wants 50-50! Also, if he can afford a cleaner, what's his problem with you paying less?

chocorabbit · 07/03/2025 11:34

After all you are his cleaner and he should pay you for it! Otherwise HE is abusive.

heartbrokenlost · 09/03/2025 19:40

Hello! I wanted to share some happy news! On Friday got offered the job I mentioned. It’s a huge step up salary wise and just knowing that if we split tomorrow I financially do not need him at all is so liberating.

Feel well and truly on the path to being in charge of my own life - so so happy.

Relationship-wise things have been plodding along. TBH he seems pretty happy with my new job (of course) as it makes him less of the breadwinner - interested to see how he acts in the next few weeks. I don’t mean this to say I’m saying by the way - more biding my time and getting my ducks in a row. It’s never too long between these ‘blow ups’

OP posts:
Zippymonkey · 09/03/2025 20:04

Well done @heartbrokenlost great news!

Waterlilysunset · 09/03/2025 20:15

Just to say sister I hear you on the sex front. When I’ve put two small children to bed, I want to sit down for 5 minutes without my husband demanding I give him attention (sexual) I just want some me time. I want no one to talk to me or need something from me

MsTulipTurtle · 09/03/2025 21:06

Congratulations @heartbrokenlost , that’s great news x

Mummyoflittledragon · 10/03/2025 06:25

Congratulations! You’re doing so well. Don’t forget your second wish. You got the first.

ChicaWowWow · 10/03/2025 06:27

heartbrokenlost · 09/03/2025 19:40

Hello! I wanted to share some happy news! On Friday got offered the job I mentioned. It’s a huge step up salary wise and just knowing that if we split tomorrow I financially do not need him at all is so liberating.

Feel well and truly on the path to being in charge of my own life - so so happy.

Relationship-wise things have been plodding along. TBH he seems pretty happy with my new job (of course) as it makes him less of the breadwinner - interested to see how he acts in the next few weeks. I don’t mean this to say I’m saying by the way - more biding my time and getting my ducks in a row. It’s never too long between these ‘blow ups’

So so so happy for you! 💪 Make sure not all of your extra money goes to paying bills or family stuff, but that you save most for yourself and leaving him! ❤️ Maybe don't tell him how much this new job pays?

HazelBite · 10/03/2025 06:36

Congratulations on your new job, hope that it's a sign that things are looking up for you!

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