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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

Marriage, it’s not for everybody.

4 replies

mummahbythesea · 29/01/2026 19:43

I type in jest one of my favourite lines from Friends said by Monica Geller - or Bing as she’s known that episode.
But the reality is, I am unhappy. So unhappy. It’s been weeks of criticism, lack of effort and I feel like I’m living a life I don’t want.
I come from devorced parents and growing up never wanted to get married, never wanted children and dreamed of living in a London flat working as a family solicitor. Bam! Puberty hits and I start getting all the feels for boy and now here I am. 40years old, 2 children, a husband and I feel stuck. My oldest has noticed something is wrong and it’s simply because I’ve had enough.
It’s been a downward spiral since 2022. I’ve tried to claw my way back up but as the months go on, the negative feelings are growing.
I work part time, my husband full time. I do the cleaning, majority of the cooking, all the laundry and general house admin and this is something I don’t mind doing as I am part time. However, the lack of appreciation is making me so resentful. Cleaned our bedroom, moved some beard balm and he called me disrespectful for the way I had placed it back. Not thankful but criticised me. Laundry, washed/dried/put away and calls me rude for misplacing his normal tops with his pyjama tops. Not thankful but critisced me. He always has something to say. The kids are demanding, playful, messy and I am their favourite. It’s obvious why. He doesn’t engage with them as much as I do. When they do impressions of him they pretend to be on a mobile phone laying down on the sofa. I do everything for them, baths, bed, homework, school admin, life admin.
The last straw was tonight. We’ve been planning on getting a new bathroom, like I said trying to claw my way back and be positive and we disagree on a few things. Our builder is coming when he’s at work, his reaction ‘oh that’s it I won’t be here and I won’t have an input’. I told him to WFH an extra day. I have also said 1000 times I will ask for what he wants and if it’s possible and cost effective then I’m happy to do it. He said ‘that’s the problem, either do it properly or not at all.’ It ended with him saying ‘why are you still talking, I don’t want to talk to you.’ I haven’t spoken to him since.
I know what I need to do, and I know I can do it by myself, I just don’t know where to start.

OP posts:
exhaustDAD · 29/01/2026 19:55

that sucks @mummahbythesea , I am so sorry you are in this situation. I agree, marriage is not for everyone, but in your case it seems like the problem is not the marriage itself, but the married partner... As time goes on, I see this more often with people around me - when there is resentment already, it's past a point of almost-impossible-to-return. But to be fair, you do sound like you know exactly where you are heading.. You know, based on the limited info we can read in your post, it is probably the right idea... I mean, I would ask questions like: Did you talk about this with him - how unappreciated you feel for x, y, z? What is his response? I am guessing he dismisses it, but please correct me if my hunch is not correct. These things could only be amended if both parties WANT TO work on it, together, for each other, and themselves... But it sounds like you yourself don't want that any more, right?
There are a lot of women who were in a similar position like you, I am sure they can give you useful tips here, how to start the process... and who knows? Maybe there is a flat in London at the end of it..

Loubelou71 · 29/01/2026 19:55

Omg don't allow yourself to be spoken to like that. Don't get a bathroom start looking for a whole new house just for you and the kids. He sound so arrogant.

Plot30B · 29/01/2026 19:58

Maybe try counselling? But honestly, he's rude, disrespectful and doesn't deserve or appreciate you. Does he even like you?

Personally, I'd have strong words and give him one more chance, then if there's no improvement, I'd make plans to end the marriage. This is no way for you to live and not a good example for your children. I bet you'd be a lot happier without him!

WinterSunglasses · 29/01/2026 20:06

Yeah, I'd go straight to 'shall I file for divorce then or are you going to do it?' He's clearly well past the point of being nice so you may as well be direct.

What housing options do you have? Would he move out and let you stay with the kids in the house or would he be an arsehole about it? Do you have family who would fit you in?

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