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Feeling utterly defeated and worthless.

116 replies

Snowcherriesfromfrance · 10/06/2014 17:03

Ds is nearly 5 and in reception.
I've been a sahm since he was born. We wanted more children but have suffered secondary infertility. This year (well i mean since september when ds started school) we've had three unsuccessful rounds of Ivf and I delayed job hunting because of going through the Ivf. I needed quite a bit of time to get back and forth to the clinic etc and found it extremely stressful. I did not think starting a new job and then having to ask for time off at short notice with no explanation was a good idea so I've been volunteering four days a week instead to try and get myself some current experience and to do something rather than just let the year slide by having achieved nothing.
Prior to ds I was a teacher. I am volunteering two days in school and two days with a charity.

I'm really struggling to find a job. I applied for a job at the school I'm volunteering in but they didn't even interview me, they said I had been out of it for too long versus other applicants who had much more experience than me and current experience too.

I ideally only want to do three days a week as ds is still small, has a few health issues and also will be my only child bar a micacle so I want to spend as much time with him as I can, dh works very very long hours and ds barely sees him so if I do the same ds won't see either of us.

Dh has a good job and earns £90k+ but I'm aware it isn't fair for him to carry all the the financial pressure, although to be fair even if I find a part time job it would never pay enough to cover our mortgage and bills if dh did lose his job.

Dh says I've got until September and then he won't support me financially anymore. I'm so anxious and stressed, I feel useless. I can't have a baby, I can't give ds a sibling and I'm unemployable.
I'm starting to feel like there's simply no point carrying on.

What else can I do except keep applying and doing my voluntary stuff? How else can I make myself vaguely employable?

OP posts:
tedmundo · 10/06/2014 17:40

I am a SAHM and my DH earns less than that but still very well paid. He has never, ever questioned my financial status. I feel sick even thinking you have been told he will stop supporting you! What an utter dickhead.

When you became a SAHM .. What did he say at that time? You must have discussed it.

moneyone · 10/06/2014 17:41

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

OriginofSymmetry · 10/06/2014 17:41

Snow cherries, I know it might be painful and scary but are you prepared to look at your dh's behaviour and acknowledge he is being hugely unfair to say the least. You don't seem to be taking on what people here are telling you and you are blaming yourself. I'm guessing a lot of your problems are actually base around your dh's treatment of you.

PollyCazaletWannabe · 10/06/2014 17:41

I actually find this hard to read. Your H is an utter twat. I'm so sorry OP :(

Humansatnav · 10/06/2014 17:41

FWIW think about your situation reversed. That's basically me & dh. He works pt, my wages cover outgoings, personal money is equal.
Without his support at home I couldn't carry on in my career.
Your h is a cunt.

Snowcherriesfromfrance · 10/06/2014 17:42

He was all for me being a sahm. We thought we would have two or three children. Well hoped we would. We were lucky in that ds came along easily but that seems to be it for us.

With only one dc and a school age one at that I'm redundant.

OP posts:
ruddynorah · 10/06/2014 17:42

This is really really bad OP. You obviously have no idea how unreasonable your DH is being. He goes on sporting holidays with his friends? You use birthday money for your hair cuts and clothes?

LaurieFairyCake · 10/06/2014 17:42

You're being financially abused

Bet you can live on £1800 a month - which is the amount you'll get in child support when you get divorced

Get divorced, dump the abuser.

JohnFarleysRuskin · 10/06/2014 17:42

It is him who is making you feel defeated and worthless.

Seriously OP. You need to look at what he is saying. It is NOT normal.

JohnFarleysRuskin · 10/06/2014 17:42

You are not redundant. HE is.

JugglingFromHereToThere · 10/06/2014 17:43

If you needed to both be working to pay your bills then it might be fair enough for your DH to encourage you to take steps to find a job, now that DS has started school (only been a few months though hasn't it?)

But you are taking exactly those sensible steps anyway. And your DH is on 90k. And you've just been through 3 rounds of IVF in the last year.

Bloody unbelievable OP.
Look after yourself Thanks
Never think you're worthless.
You're amazing !

EhricLovesTheBhrothers · 10/06/2014 17:46

HE IS ABUSING YOU

sorry to shout but you aren't acknowledging that fact. What do you think about it? Were you aware that his treatment of you is abuse? Deliberately asserting power and control over you?

NatashaBee · 10/06/2014 17:46

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Dornishwine · 10/06/2014 17:47

How on earth are you redundant!?
Good grief!
Let me tell you, raising dc doesn't get magically easier once they start school, it gets bloody harder!! (Voice of doom :))
Your ds needs you, obviously far, far more than you realise.
Perhaps some counselling about the failed ivf attempts might be a good idea? You seem to be taking the whole burden of that experience on yourself...

MyNameIsInigoMontoya · 10/06/2014 17:48

What they all said. Plus, why should YOU have to be the one who pays for all DS's clothes and needs, when he is your DH's son too?

Speak to Women's Aid about financial abuse, cos that is definitely what this is!

Snowcherriesfromfrance · 10/06/2014 17:48

It's like the world is moving on without me.
All my friends have effortlessly produced several children and are in good jobs.

I know it's my own fault. I know I've brought it on myself. But I can just feel time tick tick ticking away and I'm getting older and older and I just feel like 'what's the point?'

OP posts:
Dornishwine · 10/06/2014 17:53

I am 42 soon. 2 dc, sahm, not where I saw myself when I was younger tbh! :)
But please understand that all these people you are speaking of probably feel exactly the same as you do
I call it the Facebook effect....everyone posting pics and waffling in about their perfect lives.....sigh. If it was that perfect they would be enjoying living it, not posting about it in social media!

Snowcherriesfromfrance · 10/06/2014 17:55

I know that other people's lives aren't perfect of course. But at least they've achieved something, they aren't pointless.

I think I will contact some supply agencies and will perhaps look at trying a different school. I like it there so I'm really sad they didn't even interview me. I've asked for feedback on my form but they said the main problem was the gap in employment.

OP posts:
YouAreMyFavouriteWasteOfTime · 10/06/2014 18:00

i don't know where this quote comes from but it seems apt:

"Before diagnosing yourself with depression, check you are not just surrounded by arseholes".

Dornishwine · 10/06/2014 18:01

Well by your definition I am pointless too.
Let's be pointless together! :)
Seriously, this man has eroded all your confidence.
What would your 17 year old self think of your original post?...

ForgiveMeFather · 10/06/2014 18:01

OP please stop for a minute and listen to what people are saying.

You are in an abusive marriage and need to protect yourself.

You do realise that if you divorce you will get custody of your DC and you'll probably get to keep the house too until your DC leaves home.

Your husband will have to support you financially and you'll be entitled to tax credits too as well as a large chunk of your husband pension and savings.

Then when your ready you'll be able to afford that return to teaching course.

You need to see a solicitor

Dornishwine · 10/06/2014 18:01

You are.....that is genius! :) and soooo true.....

Ifyoubuildit · 10/06/2014 18:02

Your DH said WHAT?!!!

Dornishwine · 10/06/2014 18:02

You can get free 30 min appts at solicitors.
Get some advice.
Find out where you stand.
This man has already left the marriage tbh
Maybe you should too?

Thurlow · 10/06/2014 18:04

Oh, OP - all these posts pointing out that your DH is abusing you and you haven't even commented on that Sad

Why would buying your son's clothes come out of your money, to pick one.example? Doesn't your husband allow for any contribution to your son's upkeep other than paying the mortgage?

It's almost heartbreaking that you can't, or.won't, see that this actually has nothing to do with you working or your son going to school.