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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

I think my husband just asked me for a divorce

52 replies

Sadlassie · 15/09/2025 22:01

Me and DH work together have done for a long time, but the last couple of years it has been difficult, especially this year. He wants more involvement with what I'm doing, he definitely doesn't trust me, he asks me to do something and I spend ages and it's not what he wants. He talks to me patronisingly, he eye rolls, we had an argument recently and I said how annoying it was when he interrupted me (it's not just me he does this with other people, my colleague mentioned it to me and said how rude he was to me in a meeting and how he does it to her as well) and he actually said well I know what you are going to say, he can't see how rude that is, even if he is right, he isn't. He sighs when I talk, closes his eyes to find his patience when I say something he seems stupid and has said other people in the team I work with find me difficult. I doubt that as far as I can see, and I have always have had really good relationship with my colleagues, I have always been trusted to do my job and get results. I have never been spoken to or managed like this in my life. I no longer enjoy work
He hasn't been always like this, this started maybe 18 months ago. I was struggling to point I had counselling at the beginning of the year to see how I could manage my behaviour around him.

We talked about divorce earlier this year and he said how much he hates fighting and he really doesn't like how we are and I thought we had a break through. We didn't. He talks to me about work first thing while I'm trying to get ready for work and make sure the kids are on track for school. He talks to about work after work. There are no boundaries despite me asking for them. I was on annual leave one day and he was talking to me about work, I pointed out I was on annual leave and didn't want to think about work. He said to me, that's your problem you are a senior member of the team you don't get to switch of. I pointed out the rest of the team got to switch when they turned their laptop off.

Anyway he said to me today we aren't peers you need to do what I tell you, I was like oh fuck that's what you think. To be fair he has been telling me this with his actions and I have ignored it. This was after me conceding to changing something to the way he wanted and he just wanted to hash it over and over again to find out why we 'weren't aligned' despite me saying I am doing what you have asked.

Anyway and sorry this is long, I decided in counselling I liked my outside of work husband but didn't like my work husband but that's something I can live with. Now I don't know if I can tell them apart, he just isn't very nice or kind to me. We haven't had sex for a month, he moans I'm not affectionate, I'm not naturally a huggy, kissy person but even if I was I don't want to be nice to someone who is fundamentally unkind to me. I've just finished a big qualification and someone said oh my partner would be so proud of me if I did that and I just screwed my face up as I don't think he is. I mean he was supportive and entertained the kids loads to allow me to do it but I don't think he is proud. I think he thinks I'm stupid, we had a process on at work a number of years back and I spoke to a friend who is a mutual friend who was involved as my DH said something and I didn't recall it like that. Our friend said no your version is correct and he said he thought my DH should of had my back much more. He asked if I was doing the qualification on the back of what had happened and I said yes, sort off. He told me that was nuts, I shouldn't have to prove myself as I can do that simply by my career to date. He is right though he doesn't have my back. My friend said he was his wife's biggest champion I can't say that about my DH.

So just now he just came and talked about figuring a way to exit the business and said I could have the house and everything like it is his to gift me! He said he hates his life and he needs to do it and do you know what I was like okay then. I'm crying writing this but because this has made me realise how sad I am. I know if he was here he would dispute my version of events but he has a habit of looking at things with the benefit of hindsight. I don't know what I want from this post. I'm not ready to talk to anyone about this yet on RL. My kids will be devastated. But it was helpful just writing all this down. I might invest in a diary to capture my thoughts and feelings.

OP posts:
CallMeEvelyn · 15/09/2025 22:05

OP. Why are you with such a twat?

MonGrainDeSel · 15/09/2025 22:06

You're sad because things will be different. You're sad because it didn't work out like you hoped. I don't think you are sad at the thought of not being with your husband. He sounds awful. If you can get through the splitting up process as amicably as possible (or even if you can't), you are going to be so much happier without him.

Givealittlebit · 15/09/2025 22:06

Ahh I didn’t want to read and run, but have nothing helpful to add!

You deserve better, you know you do. But it doesn’t stop it being sad and shitty. Offering a hand hold if needed

tripleginandtonic · 15/09/2025 22:08

Well it's easily fixed, get another job.

CallMeEvelyn · 15/09/2025 22:09

Sorry, I should've said more, I'm really sorry you're in this position which is clearly not your fault, he sounds terrible.

He really doesn't seem to have any redeeming qualities whereas you've gone above and beyond, OP. It's really not your loss and I'd be happy to get rid of him - promise you, one day you'll be glad too.

RosieLeaLovesTea · 15/09/2025 22:14

Hi OP - do you run a business together or are you employed in the same organisation? I could not easily tell from your post. I think if you are just employed then easily resolved to leave and get another job. Even if you have a business - can you leave and get a similar job elsewhere? It sounds like you need more time apart and the ability to be individuals?

Handsomesoapdish · 15/09/2025 22:19

MonGrainDeSel · 15/09/2025 22:06

You're sad because things will be different. You're sad because it didn't work out like you hoped. I don't think you are sad at the thought of not being with your husband. He sounds awful. If you can get through the splitting up process as amicably as possible (or even if you can't), you are going to be so much happier without him.

This. There is grief in breaking up relationships maybe sometimes even more in bad ones than good ones but he is awful. No one should be treated that way. How much low level abuse does it take before it become high level abuse? I think you might be there.

ThreePears · 15/09/2025 22:22

He appears to treat you as a subordinate at home as well as at work. Nasty. I agree with a pp, you need to find another job. Then you will find it much easier to tell him to fuck right off, and if he wants a divorce he can jolly well have one.

WatchingTheDetective · 15/09/2025 22:30

I'm struggling to understand the business structure. Do you own it? Is he a shareholder or part owner? Could you run the business without him?

He's really awful, OP. I can't tell you how relieved you'd feel to be rid of him.

Your children will know exactly what he's like. They will see him haranguing you and will see you doing your best for them. They will be upset short term but honestly, it will do them good not to spend every day with him.

incognitomummy · 15/09/2025 22:31

OP
you need a different job. Away from working with him.
Only then will you know if you are still compatible in your non work life

best of luck.

Crikeyalmighty · 15/09/2025 22:36

@Sadlassie boy did that ring a bell - we have a business together, married 30 years. I do the back end stuff , he does the front end stuff and frequently speaks to me like shit - it has defo got worse - I know he finds it stressful as the creativity ( and we are in a creative field) all comes from him and we get lots of pressure from the much larger business we are partnered with as to some extent are their big earners - but I do find it hard to cope with , as you say the eye rolling or the constant nit picking - today’s for me was the minute I copied him in to an email that he asked me to follow up he was moaning about the fact I hadn’t split the paragraphs in the same way he would have, but accepted all the content was there and correct - I genuinely think he gets a buzz from putting me down -like you, I don’t think my H is happy either - but I don’t think it’s actually me, I think it’s pressure, he hates the UK as it is , ( he is British) we aren’t particularly comfortable because despite being high(ish) earners he has quite big expectations and is just a bit of a dissatisfied bloke, has been this way for a lot of years. It’s hard isn’t it - he can be lovely, he’s good looking, talented, intelligent even in his early 60s he would have lots of women on paper interested, but he’s just not particularly nice to live or work with

altmember · 15/09/2025 22:46

Change jobs. Or change husband. The old saying of not to do business with friends also applies to not work directly with partners.

Sadlassie · 15/09/2025 23:56

To reply to a few people. We own the business, I'm a major shareholder in my own right so financially I am secure and I'm a high earner, but it's hard to leave without a formal exit. I would be breaching my contract if I just resigned. Having a managed exit might be the way to go.

Honestly two years ago I couldn't have predicted this. I do feel like it's some of the people he looks up to that have influenced his thinking, I on the other hand think they are twats.

He would say if he was here that I go out of my way to argue with him, I don't I just want to do the right thing morally by the company and the staff and we clearly have a difference of opinion on what that is, he also wants me to do things that a magician would be hard pressed to achieve.

We didn't use to disagree. I just don't know how we got here. And yes I often mutter what a fucking twat under my breath, or on a couple of occasions said it to his face. The ironic thing is he thinks he is so emotionally intelligent. I actually bought into his bullshit until a close colleague was like really, you can't possibly believe that. He does say our communication styles are so unaligned (that word again) and he wants to bring one of our colleagues or close collaborators in to 'mediate' and I'm so fiercely against it as I dont want anyone I know or respect in the middle of this shit storm. Not because I think they would judge me poorly, they might in bits I have lost my shit a few times, but because I would feel so embarrassed that I am allowing this.

OP posts:
Sadlassie · 16/09/2025 00:04

Crikeyalmighty · 15/09/2025 22:36

@Sadlassie boy did that ring a bell - we have a business together, married 30 years. I do the back end stuff , he does the front end stuff and frequently speaks to me like shit - it has defo got worse - I know he finds it stressful as the creativity ( and we are in a creative field) all comes from him and we get lots of pressure from the much larger business we are partnered with as to some extent are their big earners - but I do find it hard to cope with , as you say the eye rolling or the constant nit picking - today’s for me was the minute I copied him in to an email that he asked me to follow up he was moaning about the fact I hadn’t split the paragraphs in the same way he would have, but accepted all the content was there and correct - I genuinely think he gets a buzz from putting me down -like you, I don’t think my H is happy either - but I don’t think it’s actually me, I think it’s pressure, he hates the UK as it is , ( he is British) we aren’t particularly comfortable because despite being high(ish) earners he has quite big expectations and is just a bit of a dissatisfied bloke, has been this way for a lot of years. It’s hard isn’t it - he can be lovely, he’s good looking, talented, intelligent even in his early 60s he would have lots of women on paper interested, but he’s just not particularly nice to live or work with

I genuinely feel your pain. I don't think I can do this for another two years, let alone longer.
We dont have the same pressures as you. We have a decent team of folk at our level so it's not all on him. He does micro manage some of the others in that team although I wonder if one has quietly become a yes man and the other is still in the honeymoon stage although I suspect that might be coming to an end. I need to detach emotionally and only argue when I know we are going to break the law or it is something I can't morally agree to. Everything else I just need to agree to. But then he gets annoyed if I agree. I can't fucking win!

OP posts:
MousseMousse · 16/09/2025 00:14

@Sadlassie wow, he's seriously threatened by you isn't he?

You are worth so much more than this. Cry, grieve, by all means, but let him go and find peace in not brleing disrespected all day every day. Flowers

Branster · 16/09/2025 00:18

The thing is, even if you find another job just to see how you get on without the work link, at the end if the day he has shown you that he doesn't value and respect you as a business partner, as a professional or as a wife.
It's not something he can un-do and you know it.
One of you needs to leave the business (it sounds like it would be easier if that was you instead of him). You can't work together anymore m. I can accept he might be under a lot of pressure but that doesn't excuse this behaviour for such a prolonged period of time, especially as he is incapable of seeing what he is doing to you.
At the same time I'd suggest there isn't much point continuing with the marriage unless you want to live with a man who undermines you all the time. Your children are witnessing this and that's no good.
This situation has turned you into a less tolerant person, loosing your temper and lacking affection somewhat. Who knows how else you are expressing this stress in your behaviour at work and at home. Because your patience has a limit. And you are trying really hard to put up a front to preserve your self respect which is being eroded.
Get yourself out of this unsustainable stressful situation. It is not helping anyone. You are suffering a great deal here.
Your DH will never be satisfied because that's the way he is. And the older he gets, the worse he will become.

Sadlassie · 16/09/2025 00:24

Branster · 16/09/2025 00:18

The thing is, even if you find another job just to see how you get on without the work link, at the end if the day he has shown you that he doesn't value and respect you as a business partner, as a professional or as a wife.
It's not something he can un-do and you know it.
One of you needs to leave the business (it sounds like it would be easier if that was you instead of him). You can't work together anymore m. I can accept he might be under a lot of pressure but that doesn't excuse this behaviour for such a prolonged period of time, especially as he is incapable of seeing what he is doing to you.
At the same time I'd suggest there isn't much point continuing with the marriage unless you want to live with a man who undermines you all the time. Your children are witnessing this and that's no good.
This situation has turned you into a less tolerant person, loosing your temper and lacking affection somewhat. Who knows how else you are expressing this stress in your behaviour at work and at home. Because your patience has a limit. And you are trying really hard to put up a front to preserve your self respect which is being eroded.
Get yourself out of this unsustainable stressful situation. It is not helping anyone. You are suffering a great deal here.
Your DH will never be satisfied because that's the way he is. And the older he gets, the worse he will become.

Yes his Dad has got intolerant as he has got older and that worries me. I'm also not the person I'm meant to be, or want to be. I definitely stand up for myself, we are a couple that take the piss out of each other, but I think the tone of it has changed and he can be disrespectful towards me in front of the kids. In fact he was really rude to me in front of my parents recently, I am seeing them this week I need to ask them their thoughts on it.

OP posts:
NotToday1l · 16/09/2025 00:24

Sadlassie · 15/09/2025 23:56

To reply to a few people. We own the business, I'm a major shareholder in my own right so financially I am secure and I'm a high earner, but it's hard to leave without a formal exit. I would be breaching my contract if I just resigned. Having a managed exit might be the way to go.

Honestly two years ago I couldn't have predicted this. I do feel like it's some of the people he looks up to that have influenced his thinking, I on the other hand think they are twats.

He would say if he was here that I go out of my way to argue with him, I don't I just want to do the right thing morally by the company and the staff and we clearly have a difference of opinion on what that is, he also wants me to do things that a magician would be hard pressed to achieve.

We didn't use to disagree. I just don't know how we got here. And yes I often mutter what a fucking twat under my breath, or on a couple of occasions said it to his face. The ironic thing is he thinks he is so emotionally intelligent. I actually bought into his bullshit until a close colleague was like really, you can't possibly believe that. He does say our communication styles are so unaligned (that word again) and he wants to bring one of our colleagues or close collaborators in to 'mediate' and I'm so fiercely against it as I dont want anyone I know or respect in the middle of this shit storm. Not because I think they would judge me poorly, they might in bits I have lost my shit a few times, but because I would feel so embarrassed that I am allowing this.

Can you leave and keep your shares….that might be a stupid question as I’m not a shareholder in a company

Sadlassie · 16/09/2025 00:28

NotToday1l · 16/09/2025 00:24

Can you leave and keep your shares….that might be a stupid question as I’m not a shareholder in a company

In principle yes I have protection to allow that to happen in practice it's not the done thing. And they couldn't afford to buy me out yet. I don't know it's just so complicated. If I could go tomorrow I would.

OP posts:
CallMeEvelyn · 16/09/2025 00:37

You need a solicitor to advise you on your exit options, OP. I think I'd take advice, take the money, and get a divorce. It's his problem and the company's problem to find funds to buy you out, not yours.

Focus on yourself, you sound very capable and you'll find something new professionally pretty quickly, I should imagine, or open your own business without him.

Edit: ask the solicitor re order of events not to risk the value of your shareholding is subject to any claims he may have on divorce.

Dogaredabomb · 16/09/2025 00:38

It sounds like he's contemptuous of you. Can you leave the company and divorce him or would it bring the company down for him to buy you out?

DuckbilledSplatterPuff · 16/09/2025 00:47

OP... he has more or less said that he wants a divorce.. whether that's from the business or from you, he hasn't made clear. You clearly need to be prepared for a follow up.

He doesn't treat you well at all and you are clearly stressed and unhappy.
The annual leave thing was awfull and he wouldn't get away with treating a normal employee like that. You've been having counselling to find better ways to manage him. That says it all. It really does.

I think you now need to play your cards very very close to your chest whilst you do the following.

  1. see a divorce solicitor who has an understanding of business issues.
  2. gather all the info you can get hold of about finances, pension and business accounts.
  3. find out if you can resign and look for other jobs (quietly)

and when you know where you stand formulate a plan. Don't let him know you are doing this.

He doesn't value you, so I think making a gift of the house to you, needs real investigation so that you are not short changed. You've spent 30 years building the business. There must be a lot more value that you are owed.

olympicsrock · 16/09/2025 00:50

Contempt is exactly the word. He cannot be uncivil in a professional capacity and so effectively you are being managed out of the business because of his behaviour.
You deserve so much better - divorce and one of you needs to be bought out and leave the business.

GreekHorse · 16/09/2025 00:51

Be careful re listening to your parents opinion, they may have a skewed view/advice because they have their own agenda no matter how much they love and support you, they may be considering the grandchildren too much or old fashioned views re avoiding divorce etc

I am so sorry OP, from personal experience my now ex husband seemed to dislike me too although deep down I think he loved me too, which is a total head fuck. I think it’s very hard to come back once the dislike has set in, months and months of couples counselling couldn’t fix it in our case. You deserve so much more and so do your children who are being show a terrible example of a relationship, as previous poster said it will get worse as he ages and you deserve a much better future than that, good luck.

RawBloomers · 16/09/2025 00:57

I’m not clear on what your set up is. It sounds like you both have huge amounts of experience but he was always a bit ahead of you? Presumably a few years older and so, naturally, a few years more experience, and though the time that’s passed since probably means those years don’t really count anymore, that dynamic of him being in charge has never changed? Or is it that you are operations and he’s programming? He delivers the “skill” and you do all the things the run the business side?

Just wondering if you can tell him he needs to leave and you’ll stay…

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