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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

Where to go from here ?

7 replies

TJ69 · 04/07/2003 22:19

I've been looking everywhere for information/help and found this place.

I'm stuck, me and my husband are having problems. We've been together 11 years, married for 3 and our 1st child was born 8mths ago. Things have been difficult - as they usually are when something this big happens in a relationship, but for the last 2mths he has basically said, he's unhappy, he thinks we've been unhappy for a very long time - before our daughter came along (although he doesn't know why he hasn't said anything before), and he doesn't know what we can do to make things change.

About 4 years ago we went to Relate, but to be honest, it wasn't much use. We only ever discussed minor niggles, and never got to any major problems, and after 6 sessions, the therapist basically stopped the sessions. And because of that, he is doesn't want to try counselling again.

He says that he does love me, and I definitely love him, but there's a great big brick wall between us. We try to talk, but nothing ever gets resolved. When I ask what he wants, how he would like us to be, he doesn't know. I get frustrated, he gets annoyed, and we get no-where, except more unhappy.

I've bought a couple of books, but to be honest, he doesn't think "it's his kind of thing, but if I want, we can try it". It's the same apathy with anything at the moment. He doesn't think anyone can change, but I think people can - and that's just another argument I don't like having.

I had a quick look to find a local counsellor - just to see if we could at least try (I really think we need someone to help with our communication), but I'm finding it really difficult to find someone locally. Relate is pretty much a no-no, and it's also difficult to get people to look after our daughter on a regular basis, without 'advertising' that we're getting therapy ! That's if I could even get him to go.

Does anyone have any suggestions of where to go from here?

OP posts:
ThomCat · 07/07/2003 17:46

TJ69 - so sorry to hear you're having problems. Personally I'm no use to you on advice etc on this subject but you've come to the right place - not only for advice but loads of moral support. I really hope things work out between you - lots of luck and love - xx

SamboM · 07/07/2003 18:58

Sorry to hear you're having such a hard time, I'm afraid I can't help either but as Thomcat says there are plenty of people on here with similar experiences. All the best ((()))

Oh, and welcome to mumsnet.

judetheobscure · 07/07/2003 19:17

Has your dh said what he is unhappy about? You say he doesn't give you any answers when you ask what he wants, but do you have a good idea or guess as to what is his problem? Might he be depressed? As you say, you've recently had a major life change.

TJ69 · 11/07/2003 22:02

Thanks to everyone for the moral support. I suppose my gut feeling is that he's no longer my focus, I don't have the patience with him that I once had. I agree with him that we haven't really been happy with each other for a while, but I suppose I just thought that was a rut we were in, rather than anything serious.
Now I'm finding I'm distancing myself from him so I don't get so hurt if he decides that he doesn't want me - and that just isn't helping things. I suppose he could be depressed - without going into too much detail, he was on tablets for OCD (had probs locking the house up) but he stopped taking them earlier in the year, and hasn't seen the consultant for ages (work and schedules just hasn't allowed). I have spoken to him about this, but he doesn't reckon it's anything to do with that.

We're spending the whole day out tomorrow at my work summer party and spending the evening at a little B&B (MIL has got dd for the night)- so I suppose I'll have to wait and see what happens.

OP posts:
Lennie · 12/07/2003 01:00

Have you both tried to visualise what life would be like if you spilt up? It sounds like he doesn't really know what he wants at the moment, but it might not be that he wants to be without you.

I hope you both have a good day together tomorrow and that things can be resolved soon.

Lennie · 12/07/2003 01:02

sorry, I should have added that whenever I start getting really frustrated with DH, I imagine what it would be like if we weren't together. Once I get past the good bits, like not having to be the one who finds stuff all the time, no more socks in the corner, etc I get scared as I would hate the reality of being without him.

ForestFly · 12/07/2003 01:39

All i can say is that i went on and on with my man for years and years. he just left! I wish i had kept my mouth shut, they just want you to love them for who they are. Dont do what ive done and keep nagging, you will regret it whan your on your own!!!!!

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