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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

To separate or not

18 replies

AForkInLife · 30/11/2025 18:32

A bit of a long one, but I’m stuck and need some advice. I’ve been with my OH since I was 18, we started dating in Uni and got married 23 years ago. I’ve realised over the last couple of years that he is most probably a narcissist! He doesn’t like my parents or the way they talk to him, hates my sister. We both earn fairly well, with him earning a lot more than me. My salary goes into a joint account and I can’t spend on anything without getting his approval. Only in the last couple of years I’ve managed to get him to agree to give me £300 a month for me to spend on myself for things like hair dressers, cosmetics, clothes, shoes etc. He is always trying to make me feel guilty and wanting me to spend that money on buying gifts for him and the children. To the extent that when my parents come and visit, they give me some cash in secret so I have access to funds. The credit card is my name and he goes through transactions on a fortnightly basis to see if I’m trying to sneak in my own shopping on it. If I have issue at work and want to talk them through, his only response is that it must be my shortcoming which is causing an issue. I’m constantly being criticised about my cooking skills, household skills and childcare skills. I’m at my wits end and can’t take it anymore. Every time I try to have a conversation about how I feel, he gets aggressive and starts shouting. We have two boys, the oldest has his A-levels in May and the younger one is in Yr9. I’ve tried talking to DS1 about having to move as I’m struggling to stay in this relationship and he refuses to listen to me. What should I do? Don’t have any friends who can advice me. There’s a lot more I can say about OH’s behaviour, could write a book. I’m scared OH will resort to shouting and screaming if I talk about separating.

OP posts:
Considerlentils · 30/11/2025 18:34

Imagine what your kids must have endured in this environment op

try to salvage the last of their childhoods

Sounds bloody awful

Considerlentils · 30/11/2025 18:34

Fgs don’t open up to your 17 year old

Considerlentils · 30/11/2025 18:35

My salary goes into a joint account and I can’t spend on anything without getting his approval.

could you not have changed that?

colachive · 30/11/2025 18:36

Leave leave leave leave leave - that’s no way to live. Doesn’t matter about having a conversation with him, forget that he won’t change. Make a plan, speak to women’s aid, speak to your parents, friends, anyone who can help you get out ❤️ stay safe and remember life will be so much better

Considerlentils · 30/11/2025 18:39

First thing tomorrow is change your salary to go in to YOUR account

BlueberryFlapjack · 30/11/2025 19:29

Yep. 100% what @Considerlentils said. You are an adult human. Ask your employer to pay your salary into your own personal bank account. It should be sorted by the next pay day in December.

I'm baffled as to why you agreed to the current arrangement of him getting your salary, but that's the first thing to fix.

I do also think you should split from him as he sounds like he's not a very nice person (to put it mildly) but you sound like you might need a bit of time to realise how badly he's treating you and start thinking about divorce.

BlueberryFlapjack · 30/11/2025 19:32

And you really can't talk to your son about this. It's not his place to help you split from his father, and you can't put that burden on him. Perhaps you could get some support from a domestic violence organisation? I'm sure other Mumsnetters will have ideas on where you can get support. Your H is financially abusing you, which is now a crime.

AForkInLife · 30/11/2025 20:04

Considerlentils · 30/11/2025 18:34

Fgs don’t open up to your 17 year old

My mistake for not explaining it better. Haven’t opened up to my 17yr old but kids are often at the receiving end of their dad’s behaviour and have noticed things. I’m not consulting my 17yr old to to decide what to do. Kids have previously mentioned not wanting to move from the house.

OP posts:
AForkInLife · 30/11/2025 20:06

BlueberryFlapjack · 30/11/2025 19:29

Yep. 100% what @Considerlentils said. You are an adult human. Ask your employer to pay your salary into your own personal bank account. It should be sorted by the next pay day in December.

I'm baffled as to why you agreed to the current arrangement of him getting your salary, but that's the first thing to fix.

I do also think you should split from him as he sounds like he's not a very nice person (to put it mildly) but you sound like you might need a bit of time to realise how badly he's treating you and start thinking about divorce.

We had a joint account and when I started working, it was a simple matter of just using it for my salary. Anytime I’ve mentioned opening my own account to start receiving my salary has led to arguments and I simply give up to maintain peace in the house.

OP posts:
Thecatthatgotthesouredmilk · 30/11/2025 20:18

You need to open your own account as soon as possible. Then get your salary paid into it. Do you have any savings in the joint account? Do you have access to it? If you do you need to transfer half.

Let your mum and dad know the full extent of what has been going on. You will need their support.

You are being financially abused!

AttilaTheMeerkat · 30/11/2025 20:22

He has wanted absolute power and control over you all along and the manufactured arguments he’s used against you are all part of that.

I would urge you to contact Womens aid as you are being financially abused here by your so called husband. Your marriage is all but over now due to his financial abuse of you and in turn them. You need legal advice and a divorce.

This is no life for your kids, they’ve also endured more than enough crap from their abusive father. Time to teach them properly that the only acceptable level of abuse in a relationship is none.

your own recovery from his abuse will likely take years but the freedom you will feel will be worth it.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 30/11/2025 20:23

And open your own bank account asap and get your salary paid into that.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 30/11/2025 20:25

Remember that exams can be retaken so do not stay because of forthcoming exams.

I would also think the atmosphere currently is not all that conducive to studying for a level exams due to the underlying tensions within.

Considerlentils · 30/11/2025 20:30

AForkInLife · 30/11/2025 20:04

My mistake for not explaining it better. Haven’t opened up to my 17yr old but kids are often at the receiving end of their dad’s behaviour and have noticed things. I’m not consulting my 17yr old to to decide what to do. Kids have previously mentioned not wanting to move from the house.

You were very explicit in your OP about trying to discuss your relationship with his father

I’ve tried talking to DS1 about having to move as I’m struggling to stay in this relationship and he refuses to listen to me.

Considerlentils · 30/11/2025 20:32

AForkInLife · 30/11/2025 20:06

We had a joint account and when I started working, it was a simple matter of just using it for my salary. Anytime I’ve mentioned opening my own account to start receiving my salary has led to arguments and I simply give up to maintain peace in the house.

You don’t need to consult him
Just change the account your salary goes in to

it is that straightforward

IndigoIsMyFavouriteColour · 30/11/2025 20:37

I would leave

AmyDuPlantier · 30/11/2025 20:38

Oh god separate. I’m doing the same right now from my husband who withheld my salary from me. Fuck that.

whyohwhyisitalwayswet · 30/11/2025 21:02

This sounds awful. You should definitely leave. Lots of red flags!

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