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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

Its got so bad, but I need some perspective.

165 replies

Jazzicatz · 01/04/2010 11:52

Hi all, I gave written on here a few times about my relationship with 'd'p but things have gone from bad to worse and I just wanted some sense that his behaviour isn't acceptable, or that i'm the one that needs to step back.

We have been together for 10 years and we have two gorgeous little boys. Our problems together go back years, but were particulaly bad after we had our first son. I suffered with PND and dp was very dismissive and left me just to get on with it. He had a business at the time that failed and we ended up living with him parents.

His family are wealthy and very controlling of dp, they want him to stay in the area and continue the family fortune. Everytime dp has got himself into financial difficulty, which is numerous times, his family bale him out. He had never really taken any real responsibility for his actions, he knows essentially his family will sort it out. This has put immense pressure on us as I hate the area we live in and don't really like his families interference in our lives.

I however, have neen trying to finish my PhD and worked sporadically and therefore was not in a position to pay for us to move, dp insisted we stayed and kept pressuring me to get a job and finish the PhD. I have now got a job, but work miles away. I have to stay away during the week and come home at the weekends, but the boys are now at school and dp is supposed to have flexibility in his 'job', which is with a family member.

Dp has a very traditional semse of gender roles and finds it difficult that I work away and that I focus on my job so much. He is currently 'punishing' me for being away and although I am home most weekends, holidays and for most of the summer, he still is being, in my opinion, unreasonable.

Now that I am back from work for 3 weeks, dp won't do any thing at all around the house - not that he does much anyway, he comes in really late, and leaves really early. He has taken the car so we are stranded in our village,when he does come home he is usually pissed. He insistes I either sleep with our youngest son in a single bed or on the floor or very small sofa. He won't contribute anything.

Every weekend when I get back he just disappears off and usually rolls in pissed around 7pm. I have to do all the housework left from the week, all the washing, the homework with the boys, shopping - basically everything. However, now he is off, and won't contribute anything.

My job is pretty full-on and I have no time in which to 'recover' before beginning again.

I'm knackered because of our sleeping arrangements, and just feel like a general skivvy.

Do I 'deserve' this behaviour for going away to work? What can I do?
Sorry its long - any advice very much appreciated.

OP posts:
GypsyMoth · 01/04/2010 11:59

What can you do??

Well I'd be gone........ This is NO relationship!

Sorry for your situation, but only you can change this

Jazzicatz · 01/04/2010 11:59

Can I also add that we haven't had sex in months and he does everything he can to demean me. We never spend anytime together and rather than this job bringing us closer because financially we are better off, instead its just made things a million times worse.

Its confusing for the boys as they can't understand why we can't all do things together at the weekends. Its awful!

OP posts:
Rycie · 01/04/2010 12:17

Jazzicatz - he sounds spoiled, petty, controlling, and emotionally abusive.

I am horrified at his forcing you to sleep on the floor - what are you, the family pet??

I think you have to really think long and hard about why you are staying with him, as 3blonde says - this is NO relationship. Well, not one between two adults who are supposed to love each other at any rate.

Personally, I would be long gone, and although it would be a upheaval, I'm not sure why you're staying??

Jazzicatz · 01/04/2010 12:17

Its not as simple as just leaving though is it?

Its all very complicated, but if I go then I have nothing. I wouldn't leave the boys with dp but would take them with me. How do I do that with absolutely nothing?

OP posts:
RudeEnglishLady · 01/04/2010 12:20

Sorry, i don't have any advice but I wanted to say he sounds absolutely awful and tell you that you definately don't deserve this. How you manage not to smother him with a pillow when he's drunk is beyond me.

On the plus side - his negligence has proved that you are capable of supporting yourself and your boys emotionally and financially. Thats not a bad place to be in...

FabIsGettingThere · 01/04/2010 12:20

He would have to support you financially.

GypsyMoth · 01/04/2010 12:20

i did it with 4 dc...left with nothing.....material possesions are of no importance

can you get some money together to rent a small place?

cestlavielife · 01/04/2010 12:25

you have a job and an income.

you can rent and move the boys and you to near your work.

how far away is it for contact with dad?

you not sleeping together so you have no relationship so why stay?

Jazzicatz · 01/04/2010 12:28

He has no money himself so he would be able to claim he was unable to support us.

I think I will have to look into getting somewhere for the boys and I.

Just feel so useless and worthless

OP posts:
Rycie · 01/04/2010 12:30

Of course its not simple to leave, but that doesn't make it impossible.

As Fab says, he would have to support you. And no doubt you would have to fight him for it , perhaps you see a solicitor to get a sense of just how difficult it would be?

What about your own family, or do you have any close friends who could help with somewhere to stay in the short term?

You are a highly intelligent, capable woman. With time and perservance you would resolve all the obstacles to setting up a loving, nurturing home for you and your boys.

You have to decide what's more important - both for you and your boys. What kinds of lessons are they learning about relationships, and about treating women?

Jazzicatz · 01/04/2010 12:30

The job is miles away so contact would be difficult. I tried to talk to him at the weekend about a possible separation - he wants me out, but won't help if I take the boys. Said he won't drive to see them, but I would have to get the boys to him. Don't want to seperate the boys from their dad, but may have no option.

OP posts:
FabIsGettingThere · 01/04/2010 12:31

You are not separating them from their dad - he is removing himself from them if he can't be arsed to make an effort.

RudeEnglishLady · 01/04/2010 12:33

You are not useless and worthless - I think he might be though. You are already doing everything yourself so try doing it without this extra burden. I have now just got this awful image of him as a drunken, dissipated, sexist toff! You are the dynamic one with the proper job and the PHd and everything - ok?!

Jazzicatz · 01/04/2010 12:33

I know you are all right - and thank you for taking the time to answer me. I suppose I need to just go.

OP posts:
AttilaTheMeerkat · 01/04/2010 12:35

Jazzi

I remember you from previous writings and am sorry though not surprised that you are still enmeshed within this unhealthy relationship which has dragged on unnecessarily for years. This sham should have ended years ago. His family have always enabled him as well (with predictable results towards you I may add).

It is unhealthy for you and your children to be witness to all of this dysfunction. What on earth are you both teaching them about relationships here?. C'mon you're intelligent and worldly wise enough to know that this is completely wrong for you and your children. You're sleeping on the bloody floor!. You are not a pet!.

It is tragic to remain within a relationship that is totally and utterly wrong as this truly is.

What are you getting out of this relationship now?. I think you need to ask your own self some harsh and awkward questions re that subject.

You have a choice ultimately re your man - your children do not. Spending the next 3-5 years with him like this is not an option. Your children will not thank you for staying with such a character either.

As another poster put, material possessions are of no importance here.

He will not change but you can certainly change how you react.

GypsyMoth · 01/04/2010 12:35

you can contact the csa once gone,leave all of that to them

as for contact.....offer to share the travel. meet halfway...or he collects from you and then you collect from him. he will need money to take it to court,so just offer every other weekend and holiday time. if it got to court,then this is fair,and normal

collect your stuff together,start thinking about what to take. start planning in your head.

see a solicitor for free half hour. find out rights with regard to being in the house for now.

dont worry. it will work out,you are not useless/worthless at all!!

coldtits · 01/04/2010 12:37

Move to your work place, and take the children with you, and get a child minder. He is doing the minimum of care to stay legal - he's leaving everything else for you to catch up with.

You don't sleep together, as he wants you to sleep in another room. I'd put money on him having another woman, and I hate to say this but she's probably staying round while you are working away, which is why he doesn't want you in your bed.

You don't have a relationship with him. you have a legal arrangement which is not working.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 01/04/2010 12:39

Can you not move the boys to the town in which you work?. Can your employers assist in any way with accommodation?.

You are not separating them from their Dad either - their Dad is a drunken, lazy and enabled person who will never make an effort re you or them. Is this person an ideal role model for your boys - of course not!!. These two young men need decent male role models.

There is always a way out and no luv you are not worthless and useless. He though has done a fine job of making you feel that way.

There is no suppose about it - you need to make firm plans to leave him.

Jazzicatz · 01/04/2010 12:40

Coldtits, of one thing I am sure and that is he hasn't another woman. Sex and relationships have never really been very high up in his agenda. He has a fairly unpleasant view of women, doesn't trust them so avoids them as much as possible.

OP posts:
Rycie · 01/04/2010 12:40

Jazzi - the person who is useless and worthless, is your drunken, lazy, bully of a husband.

And he knows it, and the only way he can boost his self esteem is by making himself feel superior to you - hence you sleeping on the floor and being treated appalling.

Stop believing his bullshit, and quite frankly its not your responsibility to maintain his relationship with his sons - if he can't be bothered to come and see them, well that's his choice. What kind of father is he?

Are you prepared to put up with this for the rest of your life?

coldtits · 01/04/2010 12:40

It is as simple as just leaving.

You look in your work area for a 2 bedroom flat. Get a credit card for the deposit, or bide your time for a few months and save the money. You sign the children up at local school and use afterschool club or child minder. Apply for tax credits if you'r on a low income.

You leave your husband, and you make it clear he's welcome to see them once a fortnight, when you will drop them off and whenever he wants on weekday evenings if he shifts his own arse.

It's a hell of a lot easier than doing what you're doing now.

Trust me, it's completely doable. At least you have an income!

Rycie · 01/04/2010 12:42

And you're living with someone who has an unpleasant view of women. Not exactly a recipe for a happy marriage.

Get out. Now. This weekend if possible. Easter is the perfect time for a new start.

coldtits · 01/04/2010 12:43

Jazzicatz, are you near me (Leicestershire)?

coldtits · 01/04/2010 12:44

this weekend is not a good idea. Being sensible, you need to mentally set a date (whether you tell your husband or not is up to you) and then save money and stash documents.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 01/04/2010 12:44

Cynical me also thinks that he has not married you because apart from not wanting to marry you in the first place, marriage would give you as an individual more legal rights.