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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

Big row with dh last night, woke up today feeling everything has changed but he just kissed me early and went off as usual. Need advice on how to handle this please.

20 replies

BriefNameChange · 16/02/2010 10:16

Some background: Dh and I are normally very happy but we hve a complex life- 2 disabled children, live hundredds of miles from any family because of dh's work, there's no way we can go back.

I can't work as the children's needs are incompatible with childcare- one needs constant 1-1. DH loves what he does, but I am very aware his long term chances of the biggest success are reduced by having us: most people in his industry travel away a lot and I am not certain I could cope with the children's needs alone. In fact, I desperately need to get out today but cannot as it is impossible to take all out at once. I feel like I am denying him a chance, although I have had to give up a promising career I enjoyed very much to care for the children, and of course we have the resultant very low income.

DH has a hobby he loves and shares with the least severe children, however the youngest cannot participate as it would be a danger so I do the childcare for that; I would dearly love to be involved as I used to, but whilst dh's skills are an essential part of the team, I have no specific skills so it's him, or him and me, but not just me IYSWIM.

As a result, the only adult company I ever get unless we drive down to family is DH and I do nthing all day every day except the children. I get two morning's respite a week (paid for by us, Social Services not interested) but that may end in September due to finances.

Yesterday, twice I was talking and DH just started talking over the top of me,and when queationed why said it was becuase I was boring . I tackled him a bit later and he said because our sex life is reduced and I have nothing else to talk about he is doubting 'us'. Our sex life is only reduced because between the hours of 6am and midnight there is always a waking child needing attention. I often try and make time, but it just doesn't happen. I feel that as much as him. In past years we have ben able to get away for a night or so in the year, but not any more as the person who used to care for the children has an ill son in law and other responsibilities, which is fair enough.

I am just feeling really hurt and tearful today. I'm not superwoman, I can't exist forever at maximum sexiness and cheerfulness on three hours sleep and if I am going to be interesting I would need access to friends and a life. I lost the network I had when schools changed,and I won't be able to make any more at the school because of the way things are.

He's due back from work at 1, and I need to talk to him. the only other time he has been so rude and hurtful was when we went out last year, I was driving and he'd had a few and suddenly he turned around and accused me of limiting his career chances and that he would leave if I didn't find a solution. I tried to raise it since but he says he can't remember it and denies thinking like that. It hurt deeply at the time,though.

I feel that I am being set impossible targets- I could be involved in our hobby if I really wanted (but he can't tell me how bar talk to your aorents, but they already said no it as a regular thing and it's all or nothing to be on the team). He says I don't wamt sex but can'ttellme when it is possible. Whenever we get a chance we do take it, it's not as if I am completely disinterested.

If it were for a few years I think it would be OK, a bit easier, but the local support services have pulled help at adulthood for the disorder that the most severely affected child has, so there is a big sense of this is forever.

I do a class once a week but it isn't anything really going to make me interesting. I can't really take anything else on as Iam committed with the children on a Saturday and dh is committed with them on a Sunday.

I did think I found a job a few hours a week, but by earning £100 I would lose somuch in Carer's Allowance I couldn't manage the petrol anyway. I was getting quite excited so that knocked me a lot, and was only last week.

I know some will recognise me (though have changed a few non essential details), please don't out me as talking about my DH negatively is normally against my rules. I do love him, but ATM I feel so hurt by what he said.
He is a good man generally- this is tough on him too.I have tried to minimise inpact on him for a variety of valid reasons to do with his past health, but can only do it so he gets time, not us together. In all truth whilst I love my children, and most of the time am happy, there are days with no sleep and the rest where it does feel like a waking death, we have access to a family counsellor for the children who describes as 'iving life in a vacuum.

OP posts:
ItsGraceAgain · 16/02/2010 10:31

He's probably thinking whilst he's out.

The overriding impression I get from your post is of a woman at the end of her tether! I don't think it's fair to expect H to be content with the way things are - you're very not, so why should he be?!

Some others will be along with sensible advice soon, I'm sure. My best shot is: Dress up all pretty for when he comes home, drag him into the potting shed for some quick child-free sex, and spend the rest of the day on a brainstorming session.

Something's got to change, and fast. Good luck!

ChazsBarmyArmy · 16/02/2010 10:31

((((Very unMumsnet hug)))
It sounds really tough. I think you and your DH have lost yourselves a bit under the pressure of your children's needs. There is no easy answer. Are there any charities, support groups etc that can offer any help?
I think you do need to find a way of having a break and a life. I know SS can be rubbish but I would push and push. Contact your local councillor and MP if necessary to see if you can increase the amount of support your can get.
You also need to remind DH that the kids are his and he also has to help in finding his solution. Its not reasonable that he has a fulfilling job and leaves you dealing with the situation at home. He also has to realise that you cannot possibly support him as well as the children, it sound like he could do a bit more to support you.

StealthPolarBear · 16/02/2010 10:38

feel sorry for both of you, you more than him though x

AnnieLobeseder · 16/02/2010 10:48

Sounds like he's being very unfair. He might be limited in his career, but you gave yours up completely. They're his children too, and any burdens belong to both of you, not some burden you placed on him.

Unfortunately, it sounds like he doesn't see it that way, and I'm not sure how you can convince him of the truth of the matter. Just because you and I both see it the way it is, doesn't help him to.

Only solution I can see is councelling.

Hope you get things sorted.

BriefNameChange · 16/02/2010 11:17

DH has given up things before, he had a job he not only loathed but made him ill whilst I retrained but that was before the moresevere child was diagnosed and the last part of the training was rpevented. That was 3 years of hell for him though, and he does like to remind me of that.

I ahve e-mailed relate for details but we're very limited to when we could go and financially.

I think DH likes to explode and get it all out from time to time, trouble is I don't think he relaises how badly he hurts me. In the past i've always been a problem solver but these problems don't have easy solves- weare not eligible for ssd help for technical reasons

OP posts:
StealthPolarBear · 16/02/2010 11:23

Does relate not offer concessions?
Don't understand why you're not entitled to SS help, sorry
I think you are both (very understandably) feeling resentment, and although we all agree you probably have more valid reason to, it doesn't help him (it's like the competitive tiredness thing that DH and I indulge in, finding the 'winner' doesn't make either of us less tired). You need to talk to each other and I do think counselling is a very good idea. DO any counsellors come out to the house - surely they must!

Conundrumish · 16/02/2010 11:31

Gosh, what a lot on your plate. Can't believe SS won't help.

I know you said you couldn't move to be closer to family as he works so far away, but what if you did? That way you have support from family, he could then travel with work (and poss work from home part of the time?). That way you would have family and company, and hopefully some time to do something your self, whilst he reaches his career potential?

LisaD1 · 16/02/2010 11:33

Hi OP,

I really feel for you both, it sounds as though (not surprisingly) you may have lost a bit of that spark in between the demands of meeting the needs of your children (happens a lot, even with children with no extra needs).

Do you not have anybody that could help out? No old friends who would come up for a weekend every now and then and help you out? I know I would if it were a friend of mine.

I think it's a disgrace that you cannot get any respite help via SS. Have you got a Sure Start centre near you? Have you tried getting help from them?

How about an overnight babysitter every now and then so you can get some sleep? There are people out there that would do this.

Can your DH provide a break for you on a regular basis so you can meet friends? Join a gym/go for coffee alone/anything so you can be "you" again?

If you're in the Surrey area I would gladly help out :-)

Clumsymum · 16/02/2010 11:49

BNC, I don't have much time for a big reply, but have you tried agencies other than SS for help with the children. I know Barnardo's do some work to help families in your situation, such as this project.

It may be worth contacting them to see if there is any help they can give in your area.

You and DH are drowning under your responsibilities to your children, who wouldn't. And yes, he has railed at you about it, because he can't rail at anyone else. It isn't because he sees it at your fault, it's because you are closest, you are there when the frustration hits.

I suspect before now, you have let your frustration out, aimed at him, even tho you don't blame him anymore than he does you.

We are human, we are all prey to our emotions sometimes, and no body can control/quash them all the time.

Don't bear a grudge about lasts night's row, it won't help. He seems to have let it go, try to follow his example.

themildmanneredjanitor · 16/02/2010 11:50

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

FabIsGoingToBeFabIn2010 · 16/02/2010 11:56

You both have things that need to be said and maybe you are scared to say them as they can't be unsaid.

You are both knackered and resentful for different reasons but the bottom line is the same. You have children who need more care than NT ones and that means you both have less time for work/sex/sleep/hobbies etc etc.

Your life has changed immeasurably whereas his has changed in a different way as he still has work and a hobby.

He has said some cruel things to you and I think I would ask him if he wants out to say so as he can do that without being cruel.

GypsyMoth · 16/02/2010 12:00

tricky....very.

moving back really not an option? am thinking long term here...if no support for later when dc are adult,that thought alone must be damaging

do your parents area have better respite/support/ss?/

ChickensHaveSinisterMotives · 16/02/2010 12:04

I'm not surprised you feel rotten. The pressure on you both must be immense. It's not attractive, and its not right, but we often lash out at those closest to us. Your DH sounds just as frustrated and trapped in his role as you are. That's no excuse for him being hurtful, though. Definitely try and talk this through, although if it is going to open the floodgates on a lot of resentment (on both sides) perhaps it would be better to do it with a third party. If not relate, do you have a minister who could mediate?

BriefNameChange · 16/02/2010 13:51

OK this might give who I am away but

SSd won't helpas they assesed us on basis of first childs disability but have a blanket no to that; they say they have fulfilled their repsonsibility to assess us now even though a second child has since ben diagnosed, with a moresevere form.

Have e-mailed relate' we both feelits ahrd tot alk ATM so I think having a neutral person there might help.

Mum can't help as my BIL is undergoing potentially fatal surgery tomorrow and my sisyter will need her for childcare for the foreseeable future. Sister works shifts so will need all the help she can get, which is fair enough, horrid time for them.

No surestart; hadn't heard of barnardo's etc will have a look.

Moving back not an option as DH has committed to this contract for another 2.5 years.

I don't think DH is being deliberately cruel- we both feel rejected because there is more child work than time already. And we're both exhausted. Absolutely I have railed at him in the past yes. I'mnot holding a grudge or even angry though- wellnot at him,life maybe. I am hurt by what he said though.

OP posts:
cestlavielife · 16/02/2010 14:09

go back to SS - they have a lot of GOVt money to hand right now for short breaks and repsite. udner the aiming higher project.
www.dcsf.gov.uk/everychildmatters/healthandwellbeing/ahdc/AHDC/

get your local counsellor involved and have them write to SS.

tell counsellor /SS you are considering giving up one or more fo your children to foster care /rsidential school as you cannot cope and family is about to break down.

(dont worry these things take time to set up - in meantime badger SS)

soudsn like DH doesnt appreciate you - he ahs a job he loves a hobby - and you get tthe hour to hour 24/7 grunge .

isnt he being a bit selfish? what does he do to make your life easier or to share ? if he wants sex he needs to arrange/pay for/badger Ss for overnight respite care...

however much you love your children. you need a break. get back onto SS. speak to others lcoally about what is available residential repsite homes for shot breaks and so on.

StealthPolarBear · 16/02/2010 14:19

that's shocking. what a stupid rule. would your local MP be able to get involved - really sounds as though this is something that just hasn'tr been thought through properly

Clumsymum · 16/02/2010 15:18

" soudsn like DH doesnt appreciate you - he ahs a job he loves a hobby - and you get tthe hour to hour 24/7 grunge .

isnt he being a bit selfish? what does he do to make your life easier or to share ? if he wants sex he needs to arrange/pay for/badger Ss for overnight respite care... "

I think that might be a bit hard on BriefNameChange's DH you know. I suspect that he is every bit as worn down as she is.

He has to go to work to keep a roof over their heads, and if (as someone suggested earlier), he has to give up his hobby, just because she can't get chance to do it too, that just adds to the total amount of disappointment and resentment they both feel right now.

I suspect the key here is to help find BriefNameChange access to some help so that she and her DH can re-charge their batteries, and have time for themselves and each other.

ItsGraceAgain · 16/02/2010 15:45

Info at dcsf.gov.uk:-
Short Breaks Funding
Increased Access to Child Care
Grants for Parent Participation
Transition Support (into adult life)

National Autistic Society:-
Helpline (10-4, Mon-Fri): 0845 070 4004 website here
Welfare Rights Service
Community Care Service
Benefits & Community Care
Care & Benefits for Carers & Parents
Take a look at this (it's a PDF):
Model Letter to Social Services (PDF)

ItsGraceAgain · 16/02/2010 15:53

Here is the page for Contact A Family, which is supposed to help with claims for families of disabled children.

I'd try ALL the helplines, if I were you! The NAS has specific ones for the various subjects linked above. All of these lines do email as well as phone calls.

Batteryhuman · 16/02/2010 16:00

Have you tried Home Start? (if you have a child under 5). One of their volunteers could be just what you need to get a break once a week.

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