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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

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To not want to be friends, after he has ruined my MH

12 replies

13MAPARTHELL · 12/03/2026 09:38

9 years a 4 & 5 year old

Husband is massively avoidant, he cannot have conversations about emotions, it makes him uncomfortable, he cant answer questions about emotions, he struggles to gather his thoughts, express them and connect. He has no relationships outside of myself. He can ensure he never thinks of anything if he does not want to, he can block it all out, a skill i wish i had.

For years, ive been questioning if he loves me, ive sat and cried and asked and begged for clarity for attention. He never wanted to speak of our relationship, no matter how much it hurt me. So id distract myself, be his best friend, have a laugh BUT when something emotional would happen or I would need some form of support, i could no longer distract away from the pain of questioning my reality.

Our children are disabled, i work full time as does he, i do it all of course. Never an offer of help with the load, just sit in silence and watch my efforts and my struggles that I am in alone, while throwing the kids around, being dad of the year & judging my parenting choices, while im broken and struggling.

So I begged one more time, and he finally told me (he could not get the words out in full) that he does not love me, i told him to leave - he did not leave, I found comfort in my friend (male) and he made me feel supported, while i stayed in a house that felt so heavy, he said he didnt want to leave, i took this as us working things out - friend has blocked me

2 weeks later, after booking therapy for us, babysitter, i find texts of him arranging to meet a girl. A girl he was seeing before me, ive caught him texting her before, shes black and he has a black fetish.

He then proceeded to tell me he wants to meet her, and then that it was nothing and just escapism, and then that its not that deep, and then that it is - over the years hes told me 7 different names for this girl, i know nothing about her he lies and lies and lies.

Again, he said he wanted to work things out and then to my face refused to block and delete her.

The pain became to much, i attempted suicide [edited by MNHQ], he found and an ambulance was called, when home, he left me downstairs and slept like a baby, never once checking on me or asking me if im ok.

I feel robbed of my mental health, my clarity, i have adhd and I catastrophes massively, and feel overwhelming feelings of not being able to cope with my children alone all while watching him have time, freedom and choice.

He walked out last night, my kids screamed and cried begging him not to leave.

I am in so much pain - he wants to be friends, and even after my suicide attempt, he sat there smiling, chirpy even.

OP posts:
Villanellesproudmum · 12/03/2026 09:47

You are polar opposite personalities and the relationship is toxic you are right not to want to be friends.

Someone with experience will hopefully come along and suggest how best to support the children through this as you’ll need to obviously come to some arrangement for contact.

Are social services involved?

Chasingfairies · 12/03/2026 10:05

I’m sorry you’re going through this. I don’t really have any advice I’m afraid. But I think the healthiest thing to do for your MH is cut him out as far as you possibly can for a co-parent. Definitely not friends. Minimal interaction, only communicate the basics regarding childcare and try and have a fresh start away from him with your kids. You need support but absolutely do not get social services involved if they aren’t already. You need support from family, friends and a therapist

gamerchick · 12/03/2026 10:13

This bloke is never going to be able to meet your needs OP..if you're at the point of wanting to top yourself then it's good that he's gone.

I disagree with a PP that social services shouldn't be involved though. A suicidal mother with disabled kids absolutely needs services looking in and helping you back on an even keel.

NadineMumsnet · 12/03/2026 13:01

Hello OP, we are really sorry to hear you are feeling this way.

We hope you don't mind, but when these threads are flagged up to us we usually add a link to our Mental Health resources. You can also go to the Samaritans website or email them on [email protected].

Support from other Mumsnetters is great and we really hope you will be able to take some comfort from your fellow posters, but as other MNers will tell you, it's really a good idea to seek RL help and support as well.

We are going to move this thread to the Relationships section shortly.

Samaritans - Here to listen

Samaritans works to make sure there’s always someone there for anyone who needs someone. Read more.

https://www.samaritans.org/

Itsseweasy · 12/03/2026 13:06

”.. my kids screamed and cried begging him not to leave”

And what support do your poor kids have? Are there Grandparents on the scene?

13MAPARTHELL · 12/03/2026 13:07

Itsseweasy · 12/03/2026 13:06

”.. my kids screamed and cried begging him not to leave”

And what support do your poor kids have? Are there Grandparents on the scene?

Nope, i call ny mum sobbing every week, dosnt make her want to offer any help. Nobody either side wants to help

OP posts:
ImImmortalNowBabyDoll · 12/03/2026 13:22

YANBU to not want to be friends, but YABU to put your MH on him, especially the suicide attempt. I can see that the relationship might have worsened your MH, but you can't put responsibility for a suicide attempt on another person.

Itsseweasy · 12/03/2026 14:18

13MAPARTHELL · 12/03/2026 13:07

Nope, i call ny mum sobbing every week, dosnt make her want to offer any help. Nobody either side wants to help

Sorry OP I realise your mental health is fragile so I’m trying to word this kindly, but if you aren’t in a position to put your children first then you need to tell their school or a trusted friend so that steps can be put in place to help them.
Clearly your toxic relationship (that should have ended a long time ago) is your priority, and looks like he was willing to walk out on his kids despite knowing that would leave them in the care of someone who has recently attempted suicide.
Can you please consider finding a solution for their care and wellbeing before any more damage is done to them. You must realise how unfair this is for your kids to be around/witness.
I realise you’re looking for help for yourself but when we become parents we have a duty to those kids, they have no one else. Absolutely you need to get yourself help to deal with your own mental wellbeing but please help your kids too.

13MAPARTHELL · 12/03/2026 15:04

Itsseweasy · 12/03/2026 14:18

Sorry OP I realise your mental health is fragile so I’m trying to word this kindly, but if you aren’t in a position to put your children first then you need to tell their school or a trusted friend so that steps can be put in place to help them.
Clearly your toxic relationship (that should have ended a long time ago) is your priority, and looks like he was willing to walk out on his kids despite knowing that would leave them in the care of someone who has recently attempted suicide.
Can you please consider finding a solution for their care and wellbeing before any more damage is done to them. You must realise how unfair this is for your kids to be around/witness.
I realise you’re looking for help for yourself but when we become parents we have a duty to those kids, they have no one else. Absolutely you need to get yourself help to deal with your own mental wellbeing but please help your kids too.

Edited

Thank you - i can assure you although im hurt, im extremely pro active

within 10 hours i called social services myself, I had a GP appointment i contacted early help, i have a private therapist appointment, and also spoke to talking therapies and had a referral made to mental health together

i am trying my best

OP posts:
13MAPARTHELL · 12/03/2026 15:05

13MAPARTHELL · 12/03/2026 15:04

Thank you - i can assure you although im hurt, im extremely pro active

within 10 hours i called social services myself, I had a GP appointment i contacted early help, i have a private therapist appointment, and also spoke to talking therapies and had a referral made to mental health together

i am trying my best

Do not confuse my state for shitty parenting,

all pf these services refused me multiple times prior to this event

OP posts:
Epidote · 12/03/2026 15:16

I don't have much advice because you have a lot other than forget about him, let him go, don't take him back. I realize after my ex left that most of my struggles were caused by his behavior. The lack of support, the contempt etc were the root cause of me being down. Take this as a liberation and work your way up. You can do it for you and your kids. You will see in some time how things are different and you will start to feel much better.
All the best, OP.

category12 · 12/03/2026 15:22

Sorry you have been so low.

Honestly I think you'll be better off without him in the long run.

He's not been a good partner to you and the relationship seems toxic.

Of course it's going to hurt and be a struggle, but this can be a fresh start.

Just because he says he wants to be "friends" doesn't mean you have to be. He's not your friend and he's not got your back.

It's OK to look after yourself and allow yourself to heal and not to engage with him. You can aim to co-parent amicably without giving him particular access to you.

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