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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

relate or individual counselling

5 replies

inarightstate · 03/05/2010 22:48

have namechanged for usual reason - huge apologies for long and vague and convoluted this sounds.

I've not been happy since DS was born 18mo ago and I can't differentiate between it being all inside my head or major cracks in my relationship with DH which are being ignored by us both and therefore getting worse.

DS had colic for the 1st few months but has got easier since and is a brilliant little boy now. On the other hand I think DH has become more selfish and introverted and the majority of the time now we seem to have got into habits of being "affectionately" mean to each other.

He's incredibly supportive of my career and tells me a lot how beautiful and sexy I am and that he loves me and how much he appreciates what I do for our son. But he also belittles me, shouts at me out of the blue, blames me irrationally, has on a few occasions had a go at me for not bringing more money into the house (I know this stems from him being frustrated at the lack of our quality of life pre-baby). I often feel like I only get affection when he wants sex.

He's always been quite shy but was overcoming that and when comfortable is great in social situations, but since our DS he has become lazy about socialising (he doesn't have many friends at all whereas I can't bear not to be surrounded by other people) and it frustrates me as I feel I'm contantly making excuses for him.

But, I have a history of depression/self-indulgence. I don't know how much of my unhappiness is due to my own state of mind and putting it onto my DH. My mum always says divorce should be illegal within the 1st 2 years of a new baby's life - am I expecting too much?

I was in an awful situation the other night, an old flame and I went for a drink (we've remained friends the last 9 years) and he 'admitted' to me he was gutted when I told him I was getting married, that he's always had feelings for me, he can't stop thinking about me etc etc I feel like a moron who was feeling a bit down and bought the crap he was feeding me. I was awful though and told him about the times I still think of him and (god it makes me feel sick to even think of this) we kissed - I got very upset and he apologised, saying he was being selfish but couldn't not tell me. I feel like the most horrendous person in the world, it won't ever happen again. I know this isn't about me wanting OM. but it has forced me to look at some home truths and I need to talk to someone about this.

Do I try to get a referral to an individual therapist, or does it sound like Relate might be better so at least DH is part of the solution?

Thankyou....

OP posts:
bubble1 · 04/05/2010 00:14

do noy get involved with old friend...make things worse.
dont really know why im giving you advice with my relationship in shit...but at leas t you two are talking abourt you feelings. depression after chilbirth is soooooo normal maybe he has it too do you think?

webchick · 04/05/2010 04:18

You could do a relate session together to open up all your (yours&his) and see how you both feel about your issues, then see the counsellor on your own once he/she has established what's going on in your relationship & you may feel comfortable to open up to the counsellor on your own. Relate don't just do couple sessions, plus your OH might want some time with a counsellor on his own too.

inarightstate · 04/05/2010 08:58

I brought it up with him this morning and we seemed to make headway until I mentioned couple's counselling - then he blamed musmnet and said I was trying to jump on the bandwagon pretty much.

We've agreed we just aren't very nice to each other and need to spend more time together. A part of me can't help feeling that I just want to be on my own - but I have DS and have already proved myself a selfish twunt. I have to at least make the effort.

I have severed contact with the friend, initially was very upset but I've since seen it for what it is

OP posts:
inarightstate · 04/05/2010 09:13

I'm in utter turmoil, I usually bury my head in the sand but can't help thinking this is never going to end

OP posts:
NotQuiteCockney · 04/05/2010 09:51

Well, if your partner isn't open to the idea of couples counselling, it sounds like solo counselling is your only option. It does sound like it might be a good idea, anyway ...

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