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Step-parenting

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Am I mad like he says?

17 replies

Notcoping2019 · 27/10/2019 11:18

I will try not to drip feed but too much info might make this a long tedious read. I feel like I just want out of this marriage but he says I have no resilience and I am 'not right in the head'.

We are married 3 years, both have 2 dc under 12 but no kids together, and only mine live with us. My dh suffers from depression which wasn't helped by being hundreds of miles away from his kids and us really not having any money for him to visit them very much so we moved nearer. It was not an amicable split with him and his ex, he had to stay where he was because of their older adult child who was very mentally ill and suicidal, and really regrets allowing her to leave with the kids in the first place as he was the main carer, but he felt really paralysed knowing that all his kids needed him but the older one more so. His ex made him choose between the older or younger ones and it was an impossible choice. He became ill himself and was given prozac.

The decision to move was joint as I also wanted to move away because I needed to put distance between me and my dc and my abusive ex. He doesn't pay for the dc and said eventually in court after years of wrangling that he wants no further involvement. I had had threats around abduction and the usual abusive crap. He had supervised contact only then said he wouldn't be back.

I'm not the OW in any way and we met months after his ex w moved, but she describes me as the OW and the kids are 'not allowed' to like me or like coming to our house. This obviously makes things strained and I haven't been able to really get to know them as they just rebuff me. They are quite sullen and they prefer to see their dad without me, which they do several times a week.

I am struggling living in the new area, it's rural with a skeleton very expensive bus service which I can't afford to use much and I don't drive. There is literally nothing in the village except the school and a church and we moved here because we got social housing otherwise we could not have afforded it. We are financially much worse off living here as cost of living is higher. I was also moved from Tax Credits to Universal Credit and the amount is much less. My DH was working but has been signed off sick and has been off for months now. I have been looking for work and had been unsuccessful until now, I've been offered a temp job in the town, thank goodness.

I know that my dh is dealing with depression but I find his moods hard to deal with, he's often grumpy and rude and my DC are a bit reluctant to be left alone with him because of this. I was a single mum for years so this is partly why they always want me but this is bothering me.

He parents very differently to me so there is a difference in the things the DSC are allowed to do from mine eg manners, lax about handwashing, later bedtimes and this disrupts my youngest's sleep as there are always tears and tantrums when I try to enforce earlier bedtimes for her as she sees it as unfair. She struggles an awful lot with her behaviour if she gets over tired so this really can make me anxious as it builds up and she becomes impossible. My dsc don't like her and her behaviour doesn't help that.

The dsc are now here for half term and we have a tiny 2 bed terrace house so this means they don't have proper beds and this bothers me but we have no money to move and my dcs are really settled in the school so I feel a bit torn about moving them again . The dsc are ok about not having beds and treat it like camping or an adventure but it's very claustrophobic for everyone.

I had braced myself to cope for 6 days only for my DH to say it's for 9 days and that he told me it was this long. He didn't. He was told by the exw that she's going away and he had to have them til Monday eve and he didn't challenge her. Fair enough he wants to have his kids here but if I'd known we'd have 9 days together I'd have tried to go away for part of it as my parents would pay for our train tickets to theirs.

We have little to no money to take them out and our car can't fit all of us to go anywhere. If we spend any money recreationally this week we won't be able to pay our council tax bill. I just think we made a massive mistake thinking we could move and make this work. I was stupid and naive.

My dh and I are good when we get on but it never seems to last very long and yesterday he chased after me up the street and shouted and swore at me because I had taken his keys. He was going to collect his dc. My dc started crying and I was mortified that he'd done that in the street. He apologised but I just thought big deal, you''ll probably do it again.

I haven't really been speaking to him much today, just being civil, but then he started being goady and laughing at me and gaslighting that he'd told me they were coming for 9 days and I lost it, and I ended up hitting him. The dcs didn't know, NOT that that makes it ok.

I know I am the hideous one now and have booked to take my two back home. I can't afford it, I called my parents, but we can't all stay cooped up for 9 days in this village with no respite and I need away from him.

My dh is saying I'm mad and unreasonable and his dc will think I don't like them. I just need to get away and I explained that to them, that it's not down to them and that my dc just want to see their gps and friends. I am perimenopausal also I think, and saw the doctor last week.

Am I really mad? I do feel like just leaving him as things have built up. I expected him to want me to go after all that has happened but he's messaged me saying don't go.

I am clearly not cut out for any of this.
I am sorry for rambling on, not sure what any of you can really do or say but I needed to tell someone, noone I can talk to in RL.

OP posts:
LatentPhase · 27/10/2019 13:11

No you are not mad but you were very naive to think this would work given how strained the relationships are between everyone. Six of you in a tiny two-bed could never be easy but what you’re describing sounds impossible.

Get away, clear your head and start to think about what can reasonably be salvaged from this.

Notcoping2019 · 27/10/2019 14:10

Thanks for your reply. I just feel awful that things have descended the way they did. I will use the time away to think yes.

OP posts:
Winterdaysarehere · 27/10/2019 14:16

I was married to a very similar man.
He eventually resented me having my dc full time, he bowed down to exes demands continuously, his dc could do no wrong. He lied massively about money. His depression crossed the twatism line. I threw him out.
Best day ever.

Notcoping2019 · 27/10/2019 15:14

I feel that he will never stand up to the ex. I know what you mean about depression crossing over into twatism. I wanted things to work but I can't see how they can. I have zero cash it will take me months to try to leave but I think I have to save up and do it.

OP posts:
LatentPhase · 27/10/2019 15:16

If you’re playing second fiddle to the ex then there is no hope and a smart move would be to make a new life for your and dc.

Flowers
Omwardboundlc · 27/10/2019 15:24

I'm so sorry you're going through this, it sounds awful. My advice is to take a look at what you've taken on and ask yourself whether it's fair to expect any more than what you've given. Depression affects everyone differently but it doesn't override your right to be heard, understood and respected in your marriage and in your home.
You can't pour from an empty cup. You need something in your life to fulfill you and give you joy so you can do your best for your DCs.
I can tell that you've recognised your DH's behaviour for what it is and that's already a huge step in the right direction.
Your resourcefulness will surely serve you well in moving forward, whatever that looks like.

Notcoping2019 · 27/10/2019 15:52

Thank you. It has helped to get things off my chest and to know I'm not just crap at putting up with things.

OP posts:
sassbott · 27/10/2019 19:01

Take your Dc to your parents and get some space. Not to mention, let your DC spend time with a happier relaxed mother.
His line of ‘his DC will think I don’t like them’ is a typical, guilt inducing, need based line. If he was a secure parent, then he would simply say to his Dc ‘notcoping is going to visit her parents and it gives us some quality time together.’ That’s all that needs to be said. Children need to learn that the whole world does not revolve around them. And that other people have needs and wants.

Mind you, sounds like your DP needs to learn that too. Take your children and go. Then deal with this when back home and stronger.

What treatement are you getting for the perimenopause. It can have a huge impact.

Notcoping2019 · 27/10/2019 19:14

Yes I've been so on edge it's true, the DC are noticing it. He doesn't like to be honest with his kids, he pretends it's all fine or that it's me in the wrong while he's nice. He doesn't do that with mine though he'll try to involve them in arguments saying oh did you hear that thing your mother just said to me, that isn't nice is it. I hate that.

The doctor suggested the mirena coil and also tranexamic acid for the heaviness and clotting (sorry TMI) she also wanted to do bloods as I am anaemic and also low thryoid but I won't be able to go to that appointment now that I'm going to visit my parents. I've been feeling physically very worn out as well as emotionally strained.

OP posts:
AnneLovesGilbert · 27/10/2019 19:27

There’s no medication that will make your relationship okay. You have to end it and find a way to move out. He sounds awful, you’ve now physically attacked him, all the children must be horribly unhappy. It’s toxic and dysfunctional and unhealthy. Use this break to get yourself together and make a plan to move out or tell him he has to. Whose name in on the tenancy?

Notcoping2019 · 27/10/2019 19:31

Up until recently it was just his name on the tenancy but mine is on it now. It would be easier if he moved out but this village is really doing my head in.

I guess it is toxic and dysfunctional and unhealthy.

OP posts:
slipperywhensparticus · 27/10/2019 19:33

Fuck that for a laugh I would pack and stay packed

He chased you down the road what would happen if he caught you

sassbott · 27/10/2019 21:16

Your DC started crying. You Are physically and emotionally worn out. Your children will notice.

If you can’t do this for you, then do it for them. Go get some tlc. Move the drs appt a week forward. And then take stock. Are your parents in a position to help you?

Gin96 · 29/10/2019 08:33

The only reason you are mad is to move in with this man in the first place, you and your children would be better on your own.

ChilledBee · 29/10/2019 11:33

Did you purposely take his keys?

Maybe83 · 29/10/2019 13:12

This is a mess but you know that.

You both have come to a relationship with very dysfunctional relationships with your childrens parents. Added lack of space I'll health and financial problems means it's a complete boiling pot. There is now domestic violence in your childrens home.

I would leave you cant control him but you do have an choice about the rest of your childrens childhood they can have.

Speak to your parents. Spend the week coming up with a plan.

Komersantka · 30/10/2019 15:46

You’re not mad, anyone would snap with all that going on. He stopped coping before you did by the sound of it and his life situation is being taken out on you. If you could move in with your mum and dad or a friend for a while, without committing to leaving and having the phone switched off to him for a few days, just a break, you could get some space to think what you want to do. The fact he is asking you not to leave tells you everything - he needs you more than you need him. I’d set some conditions for a return if that’s what you decide and have an exit well planned.

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