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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

Used the kids as a weapon but now doesn't seem interested

1 reply

PinotBlank · 20/03/2025 10:03

Weve been married ten years and have 2 boys, 8 and 9. H was an organ donor to the eldest.

To be honest, he always been quite shit as a husband and it's only since reaching peri that id checked out of the relationship. He typically plays on the Xbox all day, spends what little money we have on thinking he's going to be the next big thing in crypto. You know the type.

I asked him many times to be an equal partner as the full mental load was on me, which includes many medical appointments for my son and caring for his complex health needs. He always said he will pull his socks up and when I mentioned it would be easier for me to be a single parent, he would throw the transplant back in my face and say how horrible I would be for breaking up the family and how he would be devastated not to see his kids every day.

Well, 2 days ago he's asked me for a divorce. I'm happy enough with that as we only rent and have no assets, but now not seeing the kids doesn't seem to be a thing any more. He's looking at moving to his brothers or his friend who are both at the opposite ends of the country to us and he doesn't drive.

I'm not bothered, but it just shows how they leverage these threats doesn't it. Fact is, if he wasn't arsed about spending time with them and being an active part of their lives over 9 years, why would now be any different!

OP posts:
MsNevermore · 20/03/2025 18:08

Sorry you’re dealing with this.
But this is a really popular script for this particular brand of narcissist.

My exH used to try the same thing. Act like I was the worst human who ever lived for breaking up a family etc would threaten to take me to court - sometimes he’d threaten full custody. Sometimes he’d threaten 50/50.
Then as time went on, he’d repeatedly come up with lies about working and he had to cancel his time with the kids, and I’d then find out he wasn’t working, he was out with his mates etc
So after that happened on a few occasions and he again hit me with “I’ll take you to court for 50/50” I simply responded by calling him on his bullshit. “You don’t want them 50% of the time just as much as I don’t want you to have them 50% of the time. You don’t even want them the 20% of the time you’re supposed to have them!”
Hes never ever brought it up again 🫠

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