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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

My marriage is draining me

38 replies

rollercoasterlife · 05/10/2009 13:52

Have been together 10 years, married for seven.

DH was my first proper long term relationship. I was always quite independent and never one for always needing a man around.

Even on our first date there were a couple of "alarm bell" moments. He made a sarcastic comment because I couldn't read the map and he got really annoyed when he couldn't find his car keys. I remember feeling quite shocked and surprised by his behaviour(especially as it was a first date).

Basically, DH is just like his father. He is charming and good looking. But he can also be hurtful and sarcastic. Over the years, I have fought back and always asked for an apology if he has called me names (including "bitch, miserable cow and c**t"). He doesn't use them very often and they are mostly in the heat of the moment during an argument but I have told him it's not normal or acceptable to be spoken to like that.

He also seems to enjoy telling me to "calm down" when he knows that I hate being told that. Even if I'm trying to talk calmly, he'll say to try and rile me.

We don't really share the same sense of humour. He is very juvenile. We have NEVER really shared a great belly laughed or howled with laughter at ANYTHING the whole time we have been together. I have always relied on my friends for that. I am told that I am funny and have a great personlity but I feel like it's disappearing. I don't even feel like like making an effort with DH. He doesn't laugh at much I say or will say "you think you're so funny don't you?".

We have separate bank accounts. DH pays into my account every month but I'm always overdrawn. He doesn't mind me buying clothes or whatever I want but I feel controlled not having joint finances. He keeps saying he'll sort it out but does nothing. He does give me more money if I need it(I don't ask often as it's not worth the hassle) but always has a moan about it.

Over the years, there have been at least three of four times when I have said I'm off. He always talks me round. I just get to the point where it all builds up and I just can't stand anymore. I feel invisible.

He is very affectionate and our sex life is good. He is always makes me feel attractive and compliments me if we are going out. There is just something missing and if I'm honest with myself, there always was. I don't feel as if he is my soulmate. We bicker constantly and I just feel worn down. Our DS sees this and I desperately don't want him to be affected by it or turn out like his dad.

He is not a bad person. I think I've come to the conclusion, he doesn't realise how he is being and thinks it's normal. He's accused me of exaggerating when I've said he is verbally abusive.

Last night, I had just had enough. He was moaning about all the washing I had to sort out and how I "was never on top of it all". FGS, who is?? He helped me with it but was saying "not many men would do this". I just want him to get off my back. If he wants to help, just do it and stop bloody moaning.

At the moment, I just feel SO SO tired and he told me yesterday "you are a mess". He meant physically, as I've been complaining of feeling tired for years. It suddenly hit me last night, maybe I'm tired because I've had the life sucked out of me. DH DRAINS me when he is around. It's like I've had an epiphany.

This post feels like such a jumble. Not sure if I've put it in any sort of sensible order. If you have read it all and can make out what I am getting at, thank you.

Not even sure what I expect anyone to say. It helps just writing it all down. I know he sounds vile but 75% of the time he is fine. The other 25% of the time I fucking hate him. Is it me? Is it him? Help, I think I going mad. Does anyone else have a similar dysfunctional relationship?

OP posts:
christmaswreaths · 12/12/2017 07:05

Sounds pretty grim to be honest and I can see why you feel drained. I am married to my soul mate but we still argue and have our ups and downs. Nobody is perfect but it's how you feel that matters.

I feel massively drained but that's more because I have a ridiculously stressful job and four children and both of us struggle to find any time to switch off.

pog100 · 12/12/2017 08:53

8 year old ZOMBIE thread.....

Momsneedlove · 26/08/2018 23:02

Hi Everyone,
It just happened that I found this post today. I know it has been so long since this topic but I would like to know if any of you got a solution to this problem, if the situation got better or worst and what did you change in order to get that result. I am living a very similar situation and I feel like I am about to give up.

Thank you in advance to all of you!

Momsneedlove · 26/08/2018 23:06

Did you do anything about your situation or you just stayed together?

Afriaca85 · 27/08/2018 09:18

Over 20 years of marriage. I don’t remember a time in my relationship where I have been comfortable. I married someone I tried to help due to their background. We had our first child out of wedlock. Although I was not ready to get marry, and did not want to married, I love her and I married her and have been disappointment and unhappy since our marriage.

I feel so horrible and guilty. I have forced myself to stay in the relationship because of guilt. I have been suffering since and I don’t know how to leave the relationship. I am overly ambitious and I have these desire to make a difference in the word. My wife is just comfortable being a wife and a mother. I respect and honor her for that. However, her simplicity and her desires to only stay in her corner represent everything I despise about people who does nothing about upward mobility. We both come from poor families.

We had a very successful business where we employed many people. She choice to abstained from participating in the business. Overpowered by the responsibility of running a business that employed so many people, I shut the business down out of frustration. We moved in to communities that were conducive for personal and spiritual growth, again she abstained from participating in the process, or she participated halfheartedly.

My wife’s family are low lives. Out of the 25 years of marriage, not one family member have ever been evolve in her life. She is lonely. She is afraid. She is angry with them. I feel so sad for her. She suffers from guilt and envy and very low self-esteem. My personality of wanting to chance the world and being overly ambitious creates anxieties for her. This limits my ambitious and makes me angry and frustrated. I feel limited and I hate the feelings of limitations. I feel like I am in prison.

I understood all these emotionally dynamics my wife has faced over the years and I tried to help in my limited ways. She has not accepted the help. She has fought me tooth and nail and makes me feel that I am doing something wrong. She tells me I think I am better than her and she insults me.

I want a divorce but I don’t know how to leave the relationship. We have 4 children together. Our oldest have graduated from college and our second is in college. People look at our relationship and thinks everything things is ok. But things are not ok. I have lost all drive and have become very confused about life. The situation has drained the live and the ambition out of me.

How can I help my wife? She does not let anyone come close to her. She drives everyone away. I am tired. I have tried my best. But I am dying slowly inside from frustration and disappointment.

Momsneedlove · 27/08/2018 14:50

Hello Afriaca85. I understand your feelings but 25 years is a lot of time feeling bad. How can you change the world if you cannot even change your personal life? Kids, business,... are excuses we create to stay in a relationship because deep inside we are afraid of being alone but trust me, being alone is not a bad thing. In the worst case scenario get a dog, you are going to feel more appreciated. Sooner or later your kids will thank you for having the courage to change the situation. You definitely dont want them to keep witnessing the miserable life of their parents together. Life is way to short and we are going to die. Wake up and listen to your gut, normally it is always right, and take action. It is time to live. I wish you the best.

Afriaca85 · 29/08/2018 19:02

@Momsneedlove

Thank You...

Afriaca85 · 29/08/2018 19:06

@Momsneedlove: Yes. I did. I tried counseling on my own. it was required for my profession. Then i continued because it was helpful. we tried to get help. but i was told I am the one needing the help. so here I am..trying a public platform to get others' view of the situation.

Thanks for your suggestions.

hazg01 · 24/10/2018 08:29

@rollercoasterlife
Wow... I thought I was alone on this...

I TOTALLY relate to your post... Except that we hardly have sex because he grosses me out. He's a perv and loves his porn. And he is ALWAYS making sexual advances, in ways that make me rather want to run for the hills! He gropes me constantly, I can't have a stretch in the morning without him grabbing me (ANYWHERE! Yes that includes vagina, tits... everywhere.) And when I get annoyed with him, encore the onslaught of verbal abuse (you're so grumpy, you're a miserable bitch...etc!) Or he will pull down his zipper and make me look at the jewels, which is so disturbing in my mind. It's draining, having to constantly try to avoid him. Whats worse is we both work from home, so I am never rid of him save for a few moments a day!

So hun, I feel your pain!

AlohaFi · 25/10/2018 13:09

Maybe a round of counceling before making any final decisions?

Worth a try to figure things out before actually getting a divorce.

Even if no changes come of it and you decide to separate after that, then you atleast know you tried to change things and didnt just give up.

I say this in the nicest way possible :)

maras2 · 25/10/2018 13:26

9 yea rold ZOMBIE THREAD !

godzilla24 · 05/12/2018 01:45

My wife is going through this. We have been married 20 years and have 2 kids in hs. She says she is emotionally drained. We have always been good to each other but in the last few years I have felt her closing up and shutting me out. I have always tried to be understanding and I know I'm not perfect. I love her and would do anything to work this out. I am hoping she has not given up on us. I feel she has. I never anticipated this happening to us. I am giving her space and letting her work this out but I don't feel hopeful. Any thoughts?

Cawfee · 05/12/2018 10:19

hazg01 !! He exposes himself to you?!? How can you bear it? Yukk!!

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