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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

I've told him it's over - now what?

6 replies

SpringyWho · 18/05/2010 11:05

It's me again (previous threads include discovery of porn addiction & frequent verbal aggression towards me). I have finally, after many false starts, told H to find somewhere else to live.

This is easier said than done - we're both students & are currently really struggling to even live here (Housing Benefit is only fully payable June - mid-Sept; the rest of the time I have to find £450 a month out of student loan / CTC / CB) to the point where I may not even be able to. There's an appeal going through at the moment about money they claim we owe them, etc - that's a different story, but is another issue which makes things difficult.

He has his last exam today. I don't have my last exam until next month. Hopefully, he'll get a placement year & earn a small salary, but his only interview for that is at the end of this month, so it's not guaranteed. If he gets the job, it'll be just about manageable. If not, I don't see how it will.

Today, after his exam, he's going to stay with his parents (3.5 hour drive). Which means that I'm looking after DS (13 months) on my own, whilst trying to revise for my exams and catch up with work that I'm behind on due to this ongoing drama.

I'm so angry with him. I don't know why he couldn't try harder and be nice to me. The porn addiction only came to light 2 months ago, but he's not been able to maintain any sort of effort for even this time. I told him that if he didn't complete his recovery exercises (like a 12 step thing) each day, unless otherwise pre-agreed, in order to prove his commitment that we'd be over. He didn't do it on Friday, then told me that it was me who wasn't trying, etc.

This time it feels easier from an emotional point of view. I am still devastated that my dreams of a straight-forward, simple family have gone out of the window, but I'm at the point where I'm so sick of being treated like crap that I can live with him not being here all the time.

But there are all sorts of practical issues - what if he can't afford somewhere to live? He can't just drop out of uni! & obviously being 3.5 hours away is not ideal in terms of contact time with DS.

He's currently living in the family home, but we're pretty much not talking to each other. After DS was in bed, it was just silent for hours between us. I occasionally feel like cuddling up to him & pretending like things are okay, but not as much as I have in the past, when things have gone back to normal very quickly & I've regretted it.

I don't even know what I'm asking. I just think I need someone to tell me that I can do this

OP posts:
motherlovebone · 18/05/2010 11:47

it sounds like the relationship is over tbh.

you are waiting for him to start bolstering you up/do his share, but it isnt going to happen is it?

you are worrying about his future, hes not worried about yours, or his by the sound of it.

i would start thinking as a single parent and planning accordingly.

am clueless when it comes to money etc, but is there something you can claim as a single?
go on the housing list?

after you take your exam, is there family you can stay with?

sorry for sounding so negative, but i dont see how you can make him become responsible.

i dont doubt that you can do this all alone, sounds like you have been doing so already AND tolerating crap from him

motherlovebone · 18/05/2010 11:48

stating the obvious there

SpringyWho · 18/05/2010 15:29

Sorry - been out all afternoon.

& I think you're right. It's not as obvious as you think, though. As in he is a great dad, does his share of housework, etc - it seems sometimes as though it's all in my head.

I think my benefits will go up slightly as a lone parent, but not heaps. My family are 2 hours in the opposite direction from his, so he'd be a long, long way from DS. Plus I'd be paying rent here anyway, so I may as well be here & not crowd my family out.

I just wish it hadn't come to this - he had so many chances.

OP posts:
motherlovebone · 18/05/2010 22:48

bumping for some sensible answers!

SpringyWho · 19/05/2010 11:28

Thanks motherlovebone

OP posts:
SpringyWho · 19/05/2010 21:55

bump

OP posts:
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