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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

Should we separate?

167 replies

Gangle · 03/01/2010 23:09

DH and I have always had a difficult relationship but it's been particularly bad since DS, 21 months was born. Have posted about this separately so won't go into too much detail but basically he is nasty, selfish and emotionally abusive. He is a dr and works long hours which he uses as an excuse to rarely help out with DS. Because of his job, he claims he is constantly exhausted - if not working, he will have at least a 2 or 3 hour nap whilst I'm running around like an idiot, despite being 28 weeks pregnant with DS2. Naturally, he does nothing around the house - I organise everything, pay all the bills, do all the cooking, laundry, plus work full time in a demanding professional job. I could live with him not doing anything if it wasn't for his other behaviour - he oscillates between ignoring me and criticising everything I do, from my appearance to the way I raise DS. DS has an amazing vocab yet the other day DH commented that I should work on improving this asap. He has various obsessive compulsive disorders, for example, throwing my possessions away (have posted separately about this) and takes/uses my possessions without my permission, for example, he runs his car out of petrol then takes mine and drives it until it runs out of petrol. He did this a few weeks ago and also let the back window open so that the rain got in and drenched DS's car seat so when I came to use the car the next day I found it unlocked, emptied of petrol with the backseat and DS's seat soaking wet. He also incurs numerous parking tickets when driving it and doesn't tell me - first time I found out was when I nearly got a CCJ against me (he's binned all the reminders etc). He is horrendously disorganised so going anywhere or doing anything with him is a nightmare as we'll miss the flight/train or he'll forget his keys, or if we do make it I'll nearly have a heart attack from the stress of it. He ignores 99% of what I say so never does anything I ask, refuses to ever get up with DS so I NEVER get a lay in, even if sick, pregnant, whatever, doesn't matter, he won't get up so I have to. If he does then it's after so much naggging and rowing it's such not worth it. I just need a tiny amount of help, one lay in a month would be heaven, but he just can't do it. On the other hand, he finds time to go to football on Tuesdays, the gym on Wednesdays, see a counsellor on THursdays and usually out and gyms at least 2 other nights a week. If I want to go out or do anything then I have to get a babysitter as he cannot be relied upon to turn up or will turn up late. I am basically a single parent. I'm not sure if I still love DH. I think he does love me and I know he loves DS but his behaviour is just unbearable. His mum and a close family friend who has known him all his life agree that he is a bully and think he has a personality disorder but nothing I say or do makes him change. We row all the time and I am getting sadder and sadder and more and more lonely and it breaks my heart to think of raising DS and the new baby in this environment, or taking them away from their father when I know he does love them but who is slowly destroying me. To complicate things further, DH is supposed to bed taking a job in Nashville, US, in June. DS2 will be 3 months. He is insisting that we all go but I am refusing as I cannot move 2000 miles away with the relationship the way it is, nor do I want to move whilst DSs are so young with no support network etc. Seems like a natural time to separate but still very sad that he can just up and leave and not care about not seeing his children. He is putting on the onus on me, saying I should move to ensure the children see their father but I don't want to leave my home and my support network and a well paid job which could be my only means of support in future to move there. I just spent a week alone with DS as he went away over NY (to his mother's, I refused to go) and the house felt so lonely and empty, think I will find it really hard being alone. Sorry, this is turning into a ramble. Can anyone help?

OP posts:
MakeYerOwnDamnDinner · 05/01/2010 10:43

Gangle, I have worked in domestic abuse service provision.

Perpetrators of domestic abuse (and that is precisely what he is) seek to isolate their partners. A move away from all support networks often precedes an escalation in the abuse.

I think a move to Nashville could be potentially dangerous for you. It is certainly going to do nothing to improve your life.

Your children will be better off not living with their father, and growing up to witness him mistreating you in this way. He is no role model is he?

The fact that you are not financially dependent on him makes it easier in some ways for you - at least you won't have to navigate the benefits minefield, although I do not wish to minimise how difficult all this must be for you.

Gangle, I'm so sorry you are having to go through all this - especially when you are pregnant and have such a small child.

I would suggest you take steps to protect yourself and your dcs now. Get all essential paperwork together - passports e.c.t. and put them in a safe place. Make an appointment with a solicitor, and consider seeking support from Womens Aid. They are a non judgemental, confidential service, that can explore all your options with you. I would also consider letting your doctor and midwife know what's going on.

Gangle, in all my work experience I have never seen a situation like this improve and be o.k. It just tends to escalate I'm afraid.

It sounds to me as if you already have the seeds of a lovely independent life in your hands. Let us know how you go.

groundhogs · 06/01/2010 17:54

AF, thanks, that's really kind of you to say! I felt sorry for her too!

Gangle, don't go. I was full of hope and joy about my new adventure with my 6mo DS, my beloved SH, but once there he changed, he got all bolshy and controlling. Your DH is a nightmare NOW, it'll not improve him to be the only other person you know for a thousand miles...

let him go to the US, say you don't want to uproot the DC, that you have DC2 to give birth to. My sister lives in US, had her first DD 5m ago and the bills are still coming. She says that she wouldn't stay in the US if she wanted to have another one, for the medical costs and everything else. Her medical insurance is now over $1300 a month and there are only the three of them! She didn't even get a room to herself for that either!

My DH has just returned back to the UK, so far it's tough, getting him to adjust, he's still pretty useless, but is trying to get involved, but I'm so used to doing it all, I don't let him.... Hoping that he will settle soon, it's very early days.

We may survive, I hope we will, I'd hate that place to rob me of three years of freedom AND my marriage... will try NOT to let that happen.

ItsGraceAgain · 06/01/2010 20:10

Yikes. Really glad you posted here, Gangle!

It looks as though he's already undermined your confidence to the extent that you don't even know if you could separate, never mind should! Thank goodness you're getting reasonable replies here.

Re-read what MakeYerOwnDamnDinner wrote, 2 posts above. Take it seriously, for it's serious.

I'm usually Mrs Fix-Your-Marriage, but not at the cost of a partner's sanity and/or kids' welfare. The way he treats you isn't normal, reasonable, caring or healthy. Get out.

Definitely DON'T go to Nashville. Saying more, see a solicitor and start a divorce. Don't play games - he's likely to 'punish' you. Visit help & information services, like women's aid

I wouldn't say this lightly.

ObsidianBlackbirdMcNight · 06/01/2010 22:15

Jesus Christ what a nasty, selfish, shitty fucking cheesy bellend you are saddled with

Except you aren't. You don't love him, he never helps you, just causes you stress. You are a single parent with a ton of dead weight dragging you down. It's a no-brainer. You will be a thousand times happier without him, getting on with life without his shit dragging you down. Let him fuck the fuck off if that's what he wants. I can't believe you are even considering any other options!

ItsGraceAgain · 06/01/2010 22:40

Added: Go for a divorce on irreconcilable differences & 2 years waiting. Don't mess about with contestable blame. He'll be furious anyway, there's no point prolonging the agony. Luckily you have the resources to fund a forensic accountant - do that the minute you get your separation papers, because he'll go into 'damage limitation' (damage to HIMSELF, not his family!) the second he realises he may be losing his control over you.

Grrr.

autumnlight · 07/01/2010 12:24

Sounds very much like the same selfish personality of my H. He too has worn me down over the years. And I have experienced most of the things you detail. He is just getting on with living his own life with no thought to you while you run around sorting everything out. What benefit to you is he?

autumnlight · 07/01/2010 12:38

AnyFucker. This is exactly how my H is. Ten years of dangling me to try to keep me sweet and could only ever say anything nice when he was miles away, eg in another country re work, but once back home straight back to the same nasty personality. And absolutely no commitment to being a life partner/husband. In fact, just this morning, my H has told me by email again for the millionth time, to not look to him for 'providing me with a life'. I must add that we have never had any holidays, never went out anywhere together, never did anything as a normal couple etc...... And yes, he likes to reiterate that at the start of our marriage, he told me he did not love me but if I could put up with that, he would carry on 'being married'. Unfortunately, that was at the start of my abusive 'marriage' with a narcisist. Ten years on I am still married to him.
Gangle - don't put yourself through years of misery if you can get out of it now.

Badinfluence · 07/01/2010 12:42

I really feel for you Gangle, it sounds like you have a really tough time at the moment.

I'll also add a vote for not going to the US with him. I moved abroad when my ds was 18 months old and was expecting my dd (she was born out there). However hard it is here it will be trebled in a foreign country where you have no support network in place. I had a really hard time when I did it, couldn't wait to get home again despite trying really hard to make a life there and my H (now X) was nowhere near as bad as yours.

I hope you find some way to resolve your situation and move forwards to the happy life we all deserve. It can be done.

maristella · 07/01/2010 18:32

i can't give you any advice that you haven't already been given.
please don't go away with him, you will be so isolated!
also as GRACE suggests please check out women's aid. you do need to understand that you are married to an emotional abuser. the way he abuses you is likely to sffect your dc's. they might also become victims of his abuse, judging by the behaviour you've described i'd say this was likely.
emotional freedom is worth fighting for - good luck

AnyFucker · 07/01/2010 18:57

autumn, I am so sorry you are in that position

you say you are still married to him. Can I ask why ?

ItsGraceAgain · 07/01/2010 18:58

I was wondering that, too, autumn?

groundhogs · 08/01/2010 00:15

Autumn so for you...

Am beginning to see today that perhaps what I have is not at all right either, he's threatened to go, this time I think i might just 'let him'.

AnyFucker · 08/01/2010 07:11

for you too, gh

NicknameTaken · 08/01/2010 10:31

Gangle, I hope you haven't replied because you are busy consulting a solicitor! There's been great advice on this thread. I echo all the above - don't dream of going to the US, hide the dc's passport, and definitely leave him. I'm so hopeful for you, because it sounds to me like you have the resources and the strength to do this. He's managed to instill self-doubt in you - that's what abusers deliberately set out to do in order to break you down and keep you where you are - but it really sounds like this is beginning to lift. I think you came on here asking for permission to leave him because you don't really trust yourself. You have our permission, but you don't even need it - you can and should give yourself permission.

autumnlight · 08/01/2010 16:04

There are no good reasons why I am still married to him. Being married to him has caused me nothing but grief, stress, worry, loneliness etc...........and so the list goes on. But maybe I should put the long, miserable story in my own thread. I just do not want to see others make the mistakes I have made (and I realise still am making.

AnyFucker · 08/01/2010 18:32

yes, autumn, do your own thread

you need some support

I am sorry x

loobylu3 · 08/01/2010 20:50

Gangle, he sounds really dreadful and I think you are right to separate. You sound worn down. I suspect your guilt about breaking the family up, taking the children away from their father, etc are because of the mental abuse that you have been putting up with for years.
My DH is a doctor who works v long hours (I'm a doctor too but only work part time since the DCs). He does get tired and does not help around the house as much as I would like but other than that he is a wonderful father and a loving husband. I also think the appraisals thing is telling. Most doctors get satisfactory to good appraisals, some get excellent ones. It is very rare to get dreadful ones and be told that you are 'aggressive'!! Infact, I have never heard of this before! It sounds as if he is completely failing at work and unable to cope with the stress.
I think that being a single mum to two children will actually be a lot easier for you than the stress of having to put up with this man and do everything anyway. I think you are doing an amazing job

Gangle · 09/01/2010 21:26

thanks again everyone. After a few days of being more normal, DH kicked off again this afternoon by having a massibe go at me for buying DS a new flannel and a mesh bag to keep his bath toys in (yes, really). The house is like a museum and DH goes crazy if DS has any toys etc in the lounge or any of his possessions in the bathroom. He wants everything kept in his room - bit difficult when he have 3 floors, all of which are split level - lots of huffing and puffing when 29 weeks pregnant. He is honestly insane! He also spent 3 hours in bed this pm whilst I looked after DS, did the food shopping, washing etc. Anyway, saw my solicitor on Friday. Good and bad news, the good being that DH can't take boys out of the country. Bad news is that he could stop paying his share of the mortgage, bills and costs of the nanny share and, short of getting a maintenance order against him, there's not much I can do it so a bit worried about how I would support myself and the children. Would have to go back to work a lot earlier than I planned and even then it would be a stretch to pay entire mortgage, bills and childcare costs on my salary alone. Maintenance seems to be calculated at a ridiculously low percentage of DH's salary - only 20% which is nothing. How is that fair?? Solicitor also advised to stay in house which is what I wanted to hear as last thing I want to do at the moment is move but means putting up with more and more of DH's insane behaviour. Did I also mention that he took my car again without my permission and left a bag in the passenger seat? Result = car broken into Thursday night, police knocking on our door at 1.30am to let us know. Not sure how much I can take. Nearly lost it in front of DS earlier when DH going on and on about a friggin flannel, FFS! Just can't parent like this.

OP posts:
AnyFucker · 09/01/2010 22:05

I am sorry to hear he is being such a dick

he sounds like a horrible control freak...I fear this will escalate with another dc thrown in to the mix

children make mess and make their presence felt, such is life

if he can't cope with family life then he should do you the favour of leaving you

have you made any decisions re. going to the US ?

kettlechip · 09/01/2010 22:09

What a nightmare he sounds, you poor thing. Get rid as quickly as you can. He sounds horrible.

Please don't move away if you aren't totally sure about doing so, I fell into a similar trap and moved a long way from family and friends on H's whim. It needs to be a mutual decision or it really can't work.

Gangle · 09/01/2010 22:10

yes and definitely not going. Just hope he will go and leave us in peace.

OP posts:
Gangle · 12/01/2010 00:02

Things have gone from bad to worse with DH now being completely abusive. Asked him a simple question tonight about DS and he literally just screamed back at me for no reason. I know my solicitor said to stay in the house but just don't see how we can continue living together as it means me putting up with verbal abuse on an almost daily basis and I'm so emotional anyway from all the hormones that I just can't take it. I stupidly tried moving DS to a big bed tonight and he's only 21 months, think it's way too soon so he wouldn't sleep until 10pm, with me next to him. Just so tired then DH laid into me, just not sustainable.

OP posts:
Anniegetyourgun · 12/01/2010 09:56

You shouldn't have to put up with this, especially in a pregnant state. Does your solicitor know the extent of the abuse? Surely there's something you can do other than sit it out in the same house with a madman until at least June?

Pitchounette · 12/01/2010 10:10

Message withdrawn

Gangle · 12/01/2010 10:49

Will talk to my lawyer again. I gave him an idea but not the full extent of the abuse. Just worried that there is nothing I can do unless I move out.

OP posts:
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