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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

My marriage is falling apart

3 replies

Justrealised · 14/09/2025 20:10

Dh and I have been married for 20 years. We have two children; one 18 and about to goto uni and one nearly 16 who has severe autism and learning disability etc.

I gave up work (I know) when ds was two as his needs were apparent and we couldn't manage the appointments, lack of nursery support, fighting for services etc.

We've been mostly happy and had a good life together until recently (last year or so)where it's started to go sideways then today it was clear that he doesnt respect me. I can't believe I've only just come to this conclusion now.

When we first got together his parents were awful to me. I'm sure i was just as bad in return. Dh eventually called them out on it and told them he'd cut them off if things didn't change. They simmered things got to a point where we mostly tolerated each other on occasions.

Today his dad asked me if I knew how many legs were on an insect and how many on a spider and not in a joking way. Dh said nothing, I asked how thick he thought i was and then simmered until we left as it was infront of both children.

There are other things that have happened in the last year or so but this was the crunch. I'm at a bit of a loss what to do now. Dh didn't even understand why I was upset.

OP posts:
Crunchymum · 14/09/2025 20:51

I must admit without full context it sounds like you could have overreacted?

You presumably aren't NC with your in-laws. Is this a pattern of behaviour with your FIL? To try and make you look silly?

Your "how thick do you think I am?" reaction feels very defensive and aggressive.

I suppose it's all just part of your deeper unhappiness which is what you really need to be tackling.

Justrealised · 14/09/2025 21:03

Crunchymum · 14/09/2025 20:51

I must admit without full context it sounds like you could have overreacted?

You presumably aren't NC with your in-laws. Is this a pattern of behaviour with your FIL? To try and make you look silly?

Your "how thick do you think I am?" reaction feels very defensive and aggressive.

I suppose it's all just part of your deeper unhappiness which is what you really need to be tackling.

Thank you for replying.

FIL makes awful comments to me when he gets opportunity. I try to not give him one.

I don't feel like me and dh are working together anymore and I can't rely on him. I guess the comment was defensive but I feel like if I don't defend myself dh won't either.

The last few months have been really hard. I haven't wanted him to kiss me or touch me and we used to be very close.

I just can't see how to move forward. I don't want to blow up the boys lives and it will impact them both but carrying on like this is awful and probably for dh too.

OP posts:
JustBrowsingTheWeb · 14/09/2025 21:23

FIL sounds like a knob, husbands silence not helpful but not up there with cheating, blowing all the money, abusive etc. maybe things gone a bit stale? Book counselling, book date nights, book a holiday ideally without the kids! Hope u find yourselves on the same team again soon xxx.

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