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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

DH problems - perspectives please

61 replies

Mrscrabbs · 16/08/2025 09:31

After a good week, we're back to arguing for the weekend. What do people think of this, I think it needs to be totally over now. Sorry this is long, I don't want to miss anything out.

DH is self employed and his hours are unpredictable. It's a hobby that turned into a job. He could work 6 days a week and in the evening he'll be on the phone/looking for machinery/talking about it non stop. He really enjoys it.

To allow him to concentrate on his growing business, I pay 95% of household bills - mortgage, food, childcare, house loans, we split the electric bill. The business has been viable and highly profitable for the last year and a half. He has a sizeable amount in the company bank account but still doesn't take a salary.

Yesterday, I texted him and said I'd like to take DC to the beach either Saturday or Sunday. He ignored the message which is fine as he was working. At 5pm, I rang him to say I was thinking of getting BBQ food and then we could eat out in the garden. He agreed and I said OK it will take me an hour to get to the shops and 30 minutes to cook so we will eat in 1hr 30 mins. He said OK, see you later etc. We don't eat together often as he is back late so I thought this would be nice.

I also mentioned on the phone about going to the beach and he said he was working at the weekend.

So I went to the shop, got the meat. Got home and sent him a text 'food ready in 30 mins' - no answer. Started to serve up the food when ready and text to see where he was. 'Back in 30 mins' was the reply so disappointed, me and DC went to eat without him.

Anyway, he gets home after we have already eaten and he'd been in the pub for pints with a coworker. I wouldn't care about this usually but in this instance feel like he led me on. Why didn't he just say when I first rang him that he had no intention of being back on time. To me, in this instance he made a fool of me and chose his coworker over us.

When I said this he coldly looked at me and said 'I don't want to be with you'. I slept on the couch after that.

Sometimes he will take 1 DC to work with him on a Saturday, so I said to DC last night to stay off work so we can do something nice. I was going to take them to the beach. This morning DH asked DC (11yo) if he wanted to go to work and he said no.

Dh then came in and woke me up and asked what I was doing today. I said I'm taking DC out for a day out. He started saying I was doing stuff without him and he wanted to go. I said we can't all go as we will argue, I just wanted to take DC to give them a nice day. He says I didn't invite him to the beach and he wants to go. But I did tell him I wanted to go and he said he was working.

So he's now driven off to work with my car keys and house keys so I can't leave the house with DC! I think this is control and he just wants to control us all.

Am I wrong here or is he as bad as I think he is?

OP posts:
Dryshampoofordays · 17/08/2025 00:39

I hope you get the support you need to be free of him op. Play the long game and be happy for yourself and your kids.

Rasell · 17/08/2025 06:46

Op, don't feel stupid about this situation. You're obviously a very strong, capable person with a lot of love, respect amd trust. You've been able to look after everything and everyone and have been so busy and positive you haven't paid attention to the negatives. Now you are seeing it all and the rug has been pulled out from under you, but no matter how hard this is, it will run its course and you and dc will be so much better off xx

Onwardspeople · 17/08/2025 06:59

You aren’t stupid it all, but he is a colossal twat. Stop doing anything for him, now today, immediately. Grey rock and ignore. See a solicitor and get out. How fucking DARE he leave you and HIS DC stuck at home like that? Selfish prick. It’s not you, it’s him.

Bloodyhrt · 17/08/2025 07:03

Good luck op.

you can do this.

Sally2791 · 17/08/2025 07:11

He’s a vile abusive bastard. Quietly get everything in place to leave and make sure you get good legal advice so he doesn’t screw you over.

chatgptsbestmate · 17/08/2025 07:21

Noelshighflyingturds · 16/08/2025 10:50

Call 101 and report this incident it’s coercive control

Please don't tell him too much as he'll start to hide paperwork

Before you see the solicitor get copies (photos) of all his bank balances, pensions, investments etc. Once he knows you're going to divorce him he will move money

Get all the house details together, mortgage + deeds (if you have them) and jot down all outgoings and incomings

Get your passport and the children's passports and put them somewhere safe. Also birth certificates and marriage certificate

Take a photo of his passport

Get a secret second set of all house and car keys cut

Speak to Women's Aid

Speak to the police (101) and ask their advice about his coercion and tell them that you're scared about what he'll do when he finds out that you're going to divorce him

Tell a RL friend what's happening

Pinkfreedom · 17/08/2025 07:31

Do you have family and friends you can confide in OP?

As a pp suggested you need to keep your paperwork (and proof of his) somewhere safe.

Good luck

Omgblueskys · 17/08/2025 10:31

Oh op be careful, so you need advice on divorce , financial advice but keep this quiet for now as pp are saying get as much info as possible together and keep it safe,
Get a second set of keys made again put this somewhere safe in home just incase he trys taking keys again,

You have to be calm around him don't give anything away, you can still ask him to put xxx into account for house bills and food costs thst ok as he should be anyways, but stay calm smile while gritting your teeth, until you have things in place,

When he realises what your intentions are that's when the shit show starts as the saying goes,
but you'll be ahead of him hopefully, you need all the paperwork or copies or reference numbers to pensions, any savings, mortgage, bank accounts before he knows what your up to,

Remember two steps in front of him, and smile, you can do this op, 💪

Can you keep a small overnight bag in your car ' just incase '

VeryStressedMum · 17/08/2025 10:38

Why on earth are you paying for this man's life when he treats you like shit

ohwhattodowithmylife · 17/08/2025 12:02

I have been here op. There is some really good advice.
do not let him get wind of any plans.
play nice and gather evidence and get things sorted.
he will not be nice, be prepared for a big storm.
you will be ok though, better than ok!!
stay strong x

liessq · 17/08/2025 14:38

Some really good advice from people , I would just add that I would get a couple of sets of spare keys cut and hide them in different places - just incase you have to use a set on one occasion and he takes them off you !
take care and please start to plan your escape from this awful controlling man

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