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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

How to decide when to separate

28 replies

Kitty8204 · 10/03/2025 13:58

How do you know when the end has come of a relationship. Been married 16 years and have twins who are 10. Things haven’t been great for the last 2 years. Husband has lost all interest in making any effort at home. He’s so lazy, he’s addicted to his phone, even the kids joke that he’s always on his phone. He will help around the house but only when I ask him to. Our love life has got up and gone predominantly because I have lost any interest in it because I’m always exhausted from trying to keep on top of washing, cleaning, school runs, shopping, and I work 3 days a week as a nurse in a fast paced ward where you barely get time to pee let alone have lunch some days. I don’t want my marriage to end for the sake of the kids as I feel as much as my life would be better, it would be worse for them. They have stability here. If were to split I have no idea how he would cope on his own with them. They’re amazing kids but they can be hard work, both have high functioning autism. They like routine, they don’t like change. Do I just suck it up and put up with things as they are? We’ve talked at length, he knows I am at the end of my rope but he’s making no effort to improve things. I don’t think he has anyone else and he says he isn’t depressed. Keeps saying he’ll step up but I’m still waiting. And he won’t entertain marriage counselling, I’ve asked multiple times but he says that won’t help. Where do I go from here. Anyone else in similar situation?

OP posts:
BexAubs20 · 17/03/2025 14:51

The 3 days your at work, are they 12hr shifts? If so, could he look after them at your house and you go to a friends/ family/ hotel/ flat to sleep? Then the other days he does the same? That way you’re not really disrupting the kids routine? It’s hard enough leaving when you have children, but I can’t imagine the guilt when they have autism and you k ow it’s going to upset them BUT you clearly know in the long run this is best for everyone. Good luck!

BexAubs20 · 17/03/2025 14:52

Boglehead · 10/03/2025 16:18

Divorce has a catastrophic effect on Children. Don’t mind the divorce cheerleaders on here, speak to your husband. Work it out. You did love him once and he you.

Your children are young and need him in their life, everyday and not part-time. Find a good therapist and work things throughZ

It’s too easy to get swallowed up in the industry of divorce.

But he’s refused to go to therapy

Emmylou22 · 17/03/2025 15:03

Your kids will be more affected by a miserable mum staying in a situation that's making her unhappy. And you'll only get more miserable and resentful of him. Don't waste your life with someone who makes you this unhappy. I could have stayed with the father of my children but I'd have been deeply unhappy. My daughter picked up on it even at a very young age. Her life is better with her parents apart and happy.

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