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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

Our first Relate appointment is tomorrow, I'm scared.

979 replies

Scorps · 14/12/2009 10:12

DH & I are at 'shit or bust' point in our marriage. He came back to the family home on Friday night after 12 days away; He says he doesn't love me anymore. We want to go to counselling and try, because at least if we do split we can say we did everything possible. It has all stemmed from when i mc in Feb i think. I got pg v quickly after, but totally withdrew into myself. Another woman paid him attention and when i was 15 weeks pg he kissed her. Since then i have been terrified and not let him out of my sight, have withdrawn love from him and affection, etc. He would say he loved me and i wouldnt even say anything back.

He is behaving oddly now - saying he doesn't love me, then when i had a 'revelation' this morning saying to him that maybe because of my self worth i should just quit now, i have alot to offer a man etc, he gets upset. We have had sex this weekend too but I'm not allowing that anymore - he can't reach out to me on the sofa, but tries to have sex. I told him today no more of that and he agreed. He said he wants his affection to be true when he does it, and i think thats best too.

He is not nasty; I'm 38+3 weeks with dc4 and he is caring for me and the dc. I have enough money, etc. He is a fantastic father and really wants to go to Relate, but isnt commiting himself to saying he wants our marriage to work.

I'm scared about the appointment, what we will have to talk about, what he will say that will just hurt me more, Relate isn't superglue .

What will happen, any advice, nice things to say to me? Feel like im living life blindfolded. Please dont think he's nasty hes not, its been such a hard year, 2009 has.

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Scorps · 27/01/2010 17:40

I'm so wearing tights though lol

having a mild wobble but it's ok. Wobble stems from church toddler group leader talking to me about value of marriage. I realise that I still believe in marriage but I now know I married the wrong person. I feel more positive each day I will experience that properly oneday. How can I not at 25 ffs???! ATM my daily likes are seeing friends and dd1 is really enjoyable lately. I'm looking forward to Saturday night an a 20s night on feb 13th. And rugby a week Sunday. Getting out and about is the way isn't it. It's ridiculous to think that at 25 I'll NEVER have a bf/dp/dh again.

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Fleecy · 27/01/2010 18:47

Exactly right!

Did the leader know your situation? Were they insensitive?

Scorps · 27/01/2010 19:05

They did know yes she was trying to help but telling me I'll only be happy in a relationship with God wasn't very helpful.

my sinuses are blocked. Lovely.

Lady at group was being nice though just a bit painful as I realised I was making 1 And 3/4 of the effort in my marriage out of 2. Also it reminded me how seriously intook vows and just because I had that sentiment it doesn't mean I should have assumed he was the same.

Strangly I met a woman there whose exh left her pregnant too. She is now remarried with more dc.

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snowpoint · 27/01/2010 19:29

Scorps, you will definitely definitely have another relationship one day, and it will hopefully be an awful lot healthier than this last one!

But - I do worry that some of your self esteem is rooted on being desirable to men, and you need to make sure it's boosted enough that you don't settle for the next seemingly nice person who comes along - you deserve so much better than you've had so far - hold out for it!!

Glad things are on the up for you

Fleecy · 27/01/2010 19:51

Oh dear! That's not very helpful is it, even if people do mean well! I think she was prob trying to make a similar point to snowpoint - you need to know you're worthy of love in and of yourself, that your value doesn't depend on who you're with.

But it seems your confidence is growing daily so I guess that's not going to be a problem for you!

Encouraging to meet the other lady. Would you want more children?!

Scorps · 27/01/2010 22:37

No I don't want anymore children, regardless of any future partner and if he has dc or not. I have 4 and tbh I have been truely shat on during 2 of my pregnancies by him and I would be so paranoid next time. I will be getting a coil in a month anyway because it's been great for periods for ne before and incase I do have sex at some point it's there as a back up incase a condom breaks etc. (I so do not want any babies!)

yes I do think alot of my self worth opinion depends on a mans attention - I have only been single for two months ish since being 14 - I'm 25 now. I have had one 3 yr relatinship and one 7 year one in that time, and a 4 month one (first boyfriend). 3 flings. That's it. That's why this is all so bloody scary. [naive]

such a busy day.

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Lemonylemon · 28/01/2010 10:21

"yes I do think alot of my self worth opinion depends on a mans attention"

Scorps that's why I was recommending you go to the library and borrow some self-help books to help with your self esteem.

You sound like you're doing great!

Scorps · 28/01/2010 12:21

I've never read a self help book, that seems a little odd to me but I'm willing to try. Any recommendation?

A little down today though proud as other mums commented on my coping abilities - dds immaculately dressed house perfect etc.

Looked around at playgroup today and realised how normal it is to be a split family these days. Never my aspiration but it's sitting better. The dcs have 2 parents that lov them (3 in ds1 case lol) so it could be worse.

Still scared. And tired, lacey unsettled night last night but I havestill got out done house etc. Mum ad dad here soon.

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ladylush · 28/01/2010 12:33

Not too sure if self-help books can help with self-esteem per se, though they can help show you where you are going wrong/conversely what you are doing right. Best way to boost self-esteem is to do things that are for you isywm (pampering, hobbies etc., things you enjoy doing) and to surround yourself with people who love you and reinforce a good sense of self. By the same token AVOID AVOID AVOID anyone who will lower your self-esteem.

Scorps · 28/01/2010 13:10

Yes I'm not talking to MIL she is a bit posionous to my brain ATM and says things about him, but they're not close at all and it's all guessing and rubbish.

Will go back to boxing soon but only ladies night as he goes there, and will have to keep quiet there anyway as all the girlies like him. J goes there. I don't see why I shouldn't though I love it. (and can hit and kick her as much a I like and not get arrested lol)

am pleased lacey has a bottle

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ladylush · 28/01/2010 15:57

don't rub it in - dd has nothing but contempt for a bottle Good thing I didn't take just 6 months off work otherwise we'd be in real trouble.

Scorps · 28/01/2010 18:11

I'm so tired I could cry

mum has done the kitchen tonight, but lacey won't settle. I have a cold too.

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Fleecy · 28/01/2010 18:21

Can you feed her to sleep? Or is that not an option with the others to look after as well.

Can you give them all an early night? Or stick telly on for the older ones?

Scorps · 28/01/2010 18:26

And I need a shower and she's crying again

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Scorps · 28/01/2010 18:39

I am bf and she's sleeping on the boob but wake when I put her down

a friend is coming up at 8 so I can at least shower and she can hold lacey/make a cuppa etc

reilly is asleep now, jame and mimi out with twat him.

My feet ache I'm so tired feel well sorry or myself lol

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Fleecy · 28/01/2010 18:48

Aw, bless you! Well hopefully you'll have a lovely time with your friend and feel a lot better after a shower. At least you can put your feet up when it's just you and Lacey awake and she's feeding!

Scorps · 29/01/2010 08:03

Have been less positive the last couple of days keep remembering the nice parts of it. Normal though?

Am very tired and I guess that and 4dc etc isn't the best recipe. Resentful of his spare time thpugh not caring what he's doing

I think lacey must be growth spurting. Ff is so tempting ATM but would feel stupid as bf IS working.

Still have to express for tomorrow night yet.

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Scorps · 29/01/2010 08:25

I am so
used to being alone with dc as he has been on several trips abroad etc, Inc Thailand for 3 weeks last year. I'm concerned I'm managing so well because subconciously I'm expecting a return from a trip iyswim?

I know I don't want him back. I know he's bad for me. But it's almost habitual? Iyswim

it's hard to write what I'm trying to say.

Am noting this to discuss with cpn

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Lemonylemon · 29/01/2010 10:00

Scorps It feels like it's not real - that, I think is what you're feeling. It does take a while for things to settle and become real.

The self-help books I mentioned were by Louise Hay (to start with). You have affirmations that you have to say to yourself to get your brain to believe them. Yes, it's a bit new age and American, but I found that they helped me after I split with DS's Dad 10 years ago. There are also books by Dr Phil McGrath (who used to appear on Oprah). His writing style is very to the point, straight forward etc. But these are only basics, tools which will help you develop your self-esteem by pointing you in the right direction..... They're not the be all and end all answer to everything, but can be very helpful.

kinnies · 29/01/2010 10:47

Scorps
I read this whole thread last night and my god!
I've cried for you and cheered you on.
Just wanted to say that I'm in absolute awe of you and how far you have come .
Your strength of character is amazing.
x

Scorps · 29/01/2010 11:59

will have a look lemony

kinnies - must have taken you ages it's a very long complicated story!

Feeling a bit blue today. Tired. Lacey has morphed into a limpet. Seriuosly feel like giving up bf in hope of more space. Yawn.

Sone days are fine and others a bit down. I realised yesterday we should have stayed friends Never more- we were so close before and now look.

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Fleecy · 29/01/2010 13:13

Sorry to hear you're feeling down but I think it's to be expected. Two steps forward and one back sort of thing!

As others are saying though, you're doing a grand job and making good progress. It's just easier for us to see than it is for you when you're in the middle of it.

It's easier said than done - but there's no point in thinking about what you should or shouldn't have done in the past. It's behind you and you can't change it. You need to focus on what you're going to do today. And tomorrow. And take it a day at a time until you're comfortable with that.

Anyway, I shall stop rabbiting on now...

Scorps · 29/01/2010 15:24

I don't really feel I could have been any better or anything I did fuelled this though - he did all the bad things. I have never lied or cheated. I always 'behaved'.

Today I feel cross. And disbelieveing.

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Scorps · 29/01/2010 17:35

Mum gave the baby a dummy and I have had time to make casserole and put my clothes away an eat and everything!!

Still can't shake an underlying down feeling.

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Scorps · 30/01/2010 09:55

Just did child handover. He looks such a mess - thin, pale, bags. Is hard for him to be pale as he's so dark lol. How odd. Prob been up all night shagging lol

Going out tonight

Lacey slept great last night but millie didn't! Must be a conspiracy.

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