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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

Make it make sense....

37 replies

RealityChecksNeeded · 02/11/2025 12:01

I'm shamelessly going to use MN to log things happening to me. These events lead to me questioning my reality and sanity.

Sunday 02 November 2025.

Meeting members of my family for a lunch to celebrate my mums birthday.

DH has said he doesn't want to go as he doesn't trust me family, knows what they think of him and doesnt want to be fake.

Below, anonimised text I've sent to DH for context. It's long, they mostly are because it's predominantly how we communicate outside of day to day stuff.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

You are only fixated on how you feel, your hurt, your struggle, and your victimhood.

You keep dragging things back and trying to pull me into it. It isn't fair, but I'm trying to understand you and not feel your attacks personally, even though they keep on coming.

Your mood swings are hard to brush off and very, very difficult when trying to create stability and calm along with moving forward.

I can do what you're doing, make comments, have digs, blame you, complain, I know there'd be no understanding or compassion for me in that scenario.

You are consistently punishing me, and I'll take it because you're not in a good place, but this will have its own impact as I'm human, too, I've been hurt and damaged by your actions too and I have just as much right to hold on to it. I'm choosing not to.

Please try to observe yourself. And what you're doing is damaging. You're struggling, I do understand that, but that doesn't give you the freedom to hurt me whenever you feel crap yourself.

You said:
I don't trust your family.
I tried to ask why and understand, I was not combatative.
You then said you can't fake it anymore with them. Well, I can't keep making excuses for you when it's very clear that you spend no time around them, unless they're here. From that place of honesty, because you can't fake it, I'll tell them how you feel. I don't think that's unreasonable. I'm drained pretending, and it's very obvious when you are around them that you don't want to be. You can't complain about isolation and then actively choose to isolate yourself.

Your comment in response that you're only doing what I've been doing for * years isn't fair or honest and then your parting shot after making such extreme and hurtful comments is 'I could be understanding and not combatative'. I'm not being combatative, but you're just hurting me, and that isn't fair, respectful, or kind.

I'll tell and not to be unkind or make you out to be horrible. They're more than aware of our problems, and they're good enough people to still hold space and love for you when you see their goodness for what it is and stop judging them or assuming things that aren't true.

I'm exhausted, too.
I'm depressed too.
I'm struggling, too.
I'm angry, hurt, and in pain, too.
I don't feel good about what's happened to me either.
I'm just not projecting onto you or talking about it all the time. It won't help. You won't understand and give me empathy anyway, and it won't be good for the home environment.
I'm trying to heal while listening to your attacks and, for the most part, not reacting. Please respect that.

It isn't fair to inflict your headspace onto me. Not when my own is so depleted and fragile. Consider going to *** today. It will help you. It's where you need and want to be right now and it'll, in turn, help us.

OP posts:
Zempy · 02/11/2025 12:04

I mean, if he doesn’t like your family, he doesn’t have to go, and you can tell them whatever you like.

Aside from that, this marriage is over isn’t it? All that tedious angst?

PiggieWig · 02/11/2025 12:07

It sounds miserable. What are you hoping his response will be?
There obviously some context missing but you don’t sound like you’re a team at the moment.

Abracadabrador · 02/11/2025 12:07

Are you divorcing? Life is too short to not make it enjoyable.
Write out what you want your future to be, how you want to prioritise joy, peace and freedom, then plan how to get there. 💚

barskits · 02/11/2025 12:10

It is difficult to comment without knowing the backstory of why he doesn't like them, and why he believes they don't like him.

Is it true that they don't like him, and if so, why?

RealityChecksNeeded · 02/11/2025 12:15

We have been having problems for at least a couple of years. When things have been very bad, my DH has gone to my sister with our issues and also my brother.

My sister has been very blunt in her views, we either fix things with both doing the work or we go our separate ways. My DH has been upset by her honesty and has come to the understanding that she will always be on my side, she is truthful and says yes, she's biased in terms of loyalty as I'm her sister, but she's brutally honest about both our faults.

My brother has also been approached a few times by my DH and he more listens and then offers advise in a bigger picture way, fix it or go separate ways.

I've never taken the problems we have to his siblings and have only discussed with my own when my DH has invited them into our issues.

OP posts:
PiggieWig · 02/11/2025 12:17

And is there any movement in trying to resolve your problems or have you been at a stalemate for the last couple of years?

RealityChecksNeeded · 02/11/2025 12:19

And no, they do not dislike him and I believe he doesn't dislike them. He is struggling with some issues at the moment and I feel his negative state is linked to those.

I'm addressing what he's doing because while I accept his pain, I don't accept the attack and unless it's documented, hence the text, this thread, it will with be deflected entirely onto me, or completely ignored and brushed under the carpet which then means it festers.

I'm not looking for anything back. Just documenting my experience so that I don't end up feeling like I'm insane which happens a lot.

OP posts:
Jellybunny56 · 02/11/2025 12:22

At the point you’re sending texts like that honestly the marriage is over and you’d be better off spending time in actual therapy learning to accept that, than trying to host your own therapy session by text.

barskits · 02/11/2025 12:43

"Just documenting my experience so that I don't end up feeling like I'm insane which happens a lot"

I can tell you straight - you are not insane. Far from it. He, on the other hand, appears to have considerable.. er.. issues.

You need to split up. This relationship is a seriously bad one and you will feel a whole lot better without him dragging you through this constant cycle of angst.

Abracadabrador · 02/11/2025 13:03

You don't need to live like this. The man attacks you and gaslights you, he is failing to enhance your life and make it fun, which is the whole point of a relationship.

Divorces are now non fault and can be started online.

Endofyear · 02/11/2025 13:05

I mean, that is all awfully dramatic for him saying he doesn't want to come with you to see your family. From your text it sounds like you have insurmountable problems in the relationship and should indeed heed your sibling's advice and go your separate ways.

AITACHRAF20 · 02/11/2025 13:07

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

ThrushorSparrow · 02/11/2025 13:08

You communicate with your husband via text messages?? Sorry, but that's really odd.

RealityChecksNeeded · 02/11/2025 13:24

Abracadabrador · 02/11/2025 13:03

You don't need to live like this. The man attacks you and gaslights you, he is failing to enhance your life and make it fun, which is the whole point of a relationship.

Divorces are now non fault and can be started online.

I don't believe I've enhanced his life as much as I could have either. We are both trying to do things differently but I believe he is finding things very hard. I am too but I'm trying to be self aware with a little compassion and not go to the divorce conversation which I've done numerous times meaning he's lost trust and safety.

We are trying to work through. We have children involved. We've both made sacrifices for the marriage in different ways.

I need a sounding board and something to read back on, where else but MN 😆 I don't want that sounding board to be in our personal lives. I don't have any expectations for any responses here and writing it out helps.

I've been seeing a Psychotherapist once a week since September.
I've been diagnosed with PND which I'm working through and some childhood issues along with that. I've started taking Sertraline.

In the last 2 years alone we've moved home twice, had a baby in September of this year, dealt with external issues, (work, family and financial streses), some major mental health struggles of one of our older children and our own personal issues as individuals. It's been a lot. We are both flawed and we are both trying.

My DH's entire support network lives 3 hours away from us. He moved to my city when we met. He struggles hugely without his network.

From a practical place, yes, the answer seems divorce (I'm shockingly a legal professional) - but it's never that straightforward and, for all the above, there is love there.

My journey of growth is for me and me alone now, if in the process I can improve my relationship, it's a bonus.

Thank you for your post, I do appreciate the input.

OP posts:
RealityChecksNeeded · 02/11/2025 18:47

Before I left for the birthday, DH came to give me a hug, I guess kind of reconnect. I declined and sent the following explanation:

Me: Don't take me not coming in for a hug as rejecting you. I'm protecting myself by keeping a small boundary where I don't end up getting hurt again. It's a pattern between us. I'm here for you, want to listen to you and I will if you'll share but while keeping an emotional distance so I don't get hurt which leads to a spiral in my mind, fight or flight which is very damaging for me and those around me.
^^
^ Bare in mind this was around 1pm, DH had already been annoyed with me in the morning and done the same 'hug' process. It's like an attach, attack and detach - repeat. I find it very, very painful and confusing as I don't know what to expect, regardless of how 'well' I manage myself around him.

Later:
Me: I'm going to to pick up Mum's cake and some flowers for her. I didn't want to wake you when I came out of the bathroom.
I hope your mind eases somewhat ❤️
You will be ok. Perhaps we could go for a walk later, the sun is out 😊

Later again:
Me from the restaurant: If you'd like me bring anything back for you, please tell me.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

No response from DH which is ok and expected. I'm trying to let him know I'm here, without losing my sanity in the process.

We're back from the birthday celebrations. It was soul enriching to relax a little, watch everyone fuss over the baby, see Mum's gratitude and smile and eat some good food!

Now feeling drained, emotional, like a failure and pretty worthless. Got to keep going through, 6 week old needs bathing and kids back at school tomorrow after half term.

OP posts:
ThrushorSparrow · 02/11/2025 18:55

RealityChecksNeeded · 02/11/2025 18:47

Before I left for the birthday, DH came to give me a hug, I guess kind of reconnect. I declined and sent the following explanation:

Me: Don't take me not coming in for a hug as rejecting you. I'm protecting myself by keeping a small boundary where I don't end up getting hurt again. It's a pattern between us. I'm here for you, want to listen to you and I will if you'll share but while keeping an emotional distance so I don't get hurt which leads to a spiral in my mind, fight or flight which is very damaging for me and those around me.
^^
^ Bare in mind this was around 1pm, DH had already been annoyed with me in the morning and done the same 'hug' process. It's like an attach, attack and detach - repeat. I find it very, very painful and confusing as I don't know what to expect, regardless of how 'well' I manage myself around him.

Later:
Me: I'm going to to pick up Mum's cake and some flowers for her. I didn't want to wake you when I came out of the bathroom.
I hope your mind eases somewhat ❤️
You will be ok. Perhaps we could go for a walk later, the sun is out 😊

Later again:
Me from the restaurant: If you'd like me bring anything back for you, please tell me.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

No response from DH which is ok and expected. I'm trying to let him know I'm here, without losing my sanity in the process.

We're back from the birthday celebrations. It was soul enriching to relax a little, watch everyone fuss over the baby, see Mum's gratitude and smile and eat some good food!

Now feeling drained, emotional, like a failure and pretty worthless. Got to keep going through, 6 week old needs bathing and kids back at school tomorrow after half term.

So your husband came to hug you and you sent him away in order to text him how you were feeling, rather than actually talking to him?

I really think this is beyond repair, no matter who is at fault.

RealityChecksNeeded · 02/11/2025 19:07

What I find hardest is the lack of awareness of how awful I end up feeling because he is finding life hard. He'll make it so others see his happy side, and I know that's masking and he's trying in his own way, but I feel so unloved and unseen.

It's like how I feel is irrelevant, equally I'm relieved that I'm not having to be around him in this moment. He just came into the bedroom, asked how the baby is and then he left again.

It's ok, I'm ok. It'll be ok.

OP posts:
RealityChecksNeeded · 02/11/2025 19:11

To the comment regarding turning away his hug. This is part of a process where I'm emotionally attacked, blamed for the problems and then left feeling like utter shit.

He'll then come back after some time, look for a hug, kiss, a listening ear - and I'll engage. He'll then attack again and detach and I'm left dealing with my own emotional state. It isn't fair.

That's why I kindly declined the hug, it was all about how he was feeling.

I text him because he doesn't listen, he'll get up and walk out of a room, leave the house - simply ignore me. So I text. I have no expectations that he'll respond but I put it out there.

OP posts:
UpDownAllAround1 · 02/11/2025 19:16

What happened to talking? Depressing

AnonymouseDad · 02/11/2025 19:25

Try this.
Give him a hug. A really tight meaningful hug and don't let go. If he tries to talk during the hug. Shush him.
Do it Disney style where the characters aren't allowed to stop a hug until the child stops it first.
It may seem silly but it really isn't.
After the hug then its ok to talk about how you are both feeling.
Hug again when you've talked.
Go into each conversation about feelings in the same way. But also hug often for no reason too.

I'm not saying it will change anything but it may soften the conversations and allow for acceptance that you are both in it together and neither of you actually wants to hurt the other.

RosiePosie007 · 02/11/2025 19:42

Why are you indulging his attacks at all? Leave the room every single time.

And stop texting him.

barskits · 02/11/2025 19:48

"What I find hardest is the lack of awareness of how awful I end up feeling because he is finding life hard"

People who are finding life hard are not necessarily able to prioritise the feelings of others.

Zempy · 02/11/2025 19:55

JFC do people really live like this?

PersephonePomegranate · 02/11/2025 20:05

barskits · 02/11/2025 19:48

"What I find hardest is the lack of awareness of how awful I end up feeling because he is finding life hard"

People who are finding life hard are not necessarily able to prioritise the feelings of others.

So then the OP finds life hard and isn't able to prioritise her DH's feelings either.

That rationale just creates a never ending cycle of people wrapped up in their own feelings and unable to think of other people - like the ones they're supposed to love.

RealityChecksNeeded · 03/11/2025 09:26

This morning I feel fucking depleted.

OP posts: