My feed
Premium

Please
or
to access all these features

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

Relationships

I want to leave my DH but I feel so guilty

39 replies

FliptheCoin · 25/10/2013 12:18

Please can you help me make my decision? I’ve lurked on these pages for a while (looking for answers to my own problem in the posts made by others).

In a nutshell, I’ve been with DH for 12 years and we have 1 DD who is 4 (just started school). The problem is that my feelings for him have changed and I no longer fancy him and truth be told I no longer want to be with him (in fact if it weren’t for DD I’m 99% sure I’d have split with him). The problem is I worry about the consequences that us splitting up will have on DD.

I told DH how I felt about 4 months ago and I was shocked at his response. I really was expecting him to say that we should split up because I couldnt believe he was happy either. In actual fact he told me that he really didn’t want to split up, thought it would be terrible for DD, that he still loved me a lot and would try to change the things I had issues with. To be fair to him, he has made a real effort (e.g spends more of his spare time with us now, helps more, tries to be less grumpy and argumentative). I’m impressed with how much he is trying to make it work. The problem is that despite this I still don’t feel like I love him as I should and I’m not sexually attracted to him in the slightest.

Any advice appreciated.

OP posts:
Report
BurtNo · 25/10/2013 12:45

if you were attracted to him once it might be recoverable but you shouldn't have to put up with a sham sexlife - can you bear his touch or does it feel wrong?

Report
FliptheCoin · 25/10/2013 12:54

Being attracted to him feels like a distant memory. It's hard to describe but I suppose I feel like I tolerate his touch but I avoid sex and intimicy if I'm honest. I know that's not fair on him.

OP posts:
Report
passedgo · 25/10/2013 12:57

Do you feel affectionate towards him? Hugs or other physical closeness?

Report
FliptheCoin · 25/10/2013 13:06

We;re not physically close but I know he wants to be. Again I'm aware that I avoid it. I'm quite an affectionate person which is why I feel so mixed up.

OP posts:
Report
CogitoErgoSometimes · 25/10/2013 13:13

I think you've been very honest but, if it's not working for you, it's unfair (verging on cruel) to keep this hanging over him while he frantically tries to be a better man. There are consequences to splitting up but the consequences of living in a one-sided arrangement where there is no affection and intimacy is only tolerated, then the consequences of staying together are likely to be more damaging in the long-run. To your DD as well as your DH

Have the courage of your convictions and, if it's never going to happen, be honest and call time

Report
FliptheCoin · 25/10/2013 13:19

Thanks for the replies. You're right Cogito, it's not fair on him and I'm very much aware of this. Deep down I know what I have to do. I just need to grow myself a pair of balls.

OP posts:
Report
Dahlen · 25/10/2013 13:27

Guilt has to be one of the most destructive emotions there is. Nothing good ever seems to come of it.

I tend to view guilt as self indulgence. It s a form of naval gazing. Your guilt being used to trap you in the marriage is actually making things worse for everyone else. Far better to be pragamatic about it. Own it and say, "you know what? Yes, I'm going to hurt you, and for that I am deeply sorry, but if I stay I hurt both of us."

You owe your H courtesy, respect and honesty, but you don't owe him the rest of your life at the cost of your own happiness. We're each responsible for our own.

Having parents who live apart doesn't hurt children; warring parents hurt children and can do so whether apart or together. Nasty divorces damage children badly, but if you handle your divorce with integrity on both sides your DD will adjust to the changes quickly and without scars.

Report
FliptheCoin · 25/10/2013 14:07

I know you're right. but I worry that he'll hate me (I really don't want that), I worry that we won't be able to divorce with integrity on both sides because he'll feel hurt and hard done by and therefore his prophesy of it "being terrible for DD" will come true. And of course I worry that DD will find it hard to settle in the new arrangement and become more of a handful that she already is.

OP posts:
Report
Lweji · 25/10/2013 14:13

If he will hate you, then he is not really a good person.
If he is a good person, and he loves you, he should understand that you don't love him anymore.
If he loves his DD, he should do his best to be the best dad (also ex-partner) he possibly can be.

Maybe the fact that you know he can turn nasty is the reason you don't love him anymore?

Report
DoYouEverFeelLikeAPlasticBag · 25/10/2013 14:19

Oh OP - take a look at all the threads about affairs to realize the damage that happens when people don't have the courage to just leave a relationship if it's not working.

Letting it drag on when you've acknowledged that it isn't working will only damage you both in the long run. In my experience, once you've let that cat out of the bag, there's no going back. People can trundle on for years sweeping it under the carpet, but it will come back sooner or later. The older your DD gets the harder it will be to eventually split.

If you can deal with this with dignity and integrity, when your only crime is to fall out of love with someone - then hats off to you. Hold your head high, you're being a good, strong person.

Your DD will be fine Flowers

Report
Giveatossagain · 25/10/2013 14:22

Flip I am in a similar situation and it's hard, I am struggling to grow those balls too but Dahlen is right I need to 'own' it and do it.

I have reached the stage of being envious with all those who post on here who have left relationships they weren't happy with and starting to wish he'd have a fling or up and leave of his own accord. Pathetic I know. His mum already hates me just for him making him miserable by telling him I'm unhappy and causing him so much stress and worry and like your DH he's keen that we stay together.

Is there any particular reason you've grown out of love with your DH or is it just one of those things? I am well aware that being unhappy is the only reason you need to leave a relationship but is there anything that is worth working on in your relationship?

Report
Dahlen · 25/10/2013 14:47

If your H is the sort of man who could behave that badly on divorce, he can do an awful lot more damage to your DD if you stay together unless you allow the marriage to run entirely on his terms, which will not only damage you but damage your DD's future as she learns marriages work by self-sacrifice.

Lots of people handle divorce badly. The good news is that most people are decent. After an initial wobble, they get their act together, and any damage inflicted on the DC is repairable. If it doesn't get better, there are things you can do to limit the damage and in a way it validates the decision you made to leave.

Your DD will definitely have a period of adjustment, as will you. That's to be expected. It will quickly pass.

Don't let fear rule your life. Don't hide behind your DD. Lots of parents worry about their DC but the reality is that this is a smoke-screen (as much for themselves as for others) for fear of the unknown and for being thought of as the bad person. It is impossible to please all of the people all of the time. But it is perfectly possible to act in a way that works in the best interests of those who matter - you and your DD.

Report
babyseal · 25/10/2013 14:59

I felt so guilty about ending things with my exp that it was making me ill, but amongst other things two of the pieces of advice I received stuck with me and helped me throughout; 1. That I was freeing him up to maybe meet someone who was in love with him as well 2. That my dc would be damaged by being brought up using an unhappy relationship as their blueprint for their own adult relationships.

We split a year ago, and it was really shit and hard. Sometimes it still is, but I am happier and he, lo and behold, has met someone else and they seem well suited and happy. I do still feel sad and guilty that the dc's parents are not still together, but I am beginning to see it more as unfortunate circumstance, rather than being my fault.

It takes guts to make the decision to leave, and it is extra difficult if there is no "reason" except your own unhappiness as we still live in a society where as a whole people women aren't expected to put their own happiness higher up on the agenda than the "good of the family" . Good luck doing whatever you decide to do Flowers.

Report
Overtiredmum · 25/10/2013 15:29

I agree with what babyseal said.

I am now four weeks into a new life. DC and I have our own home, H moved back to his mums. I have tremendous guilt at making the decision, and I have had every conceivable accusation thrown at me, especially having an affair - no-one can grasp the fact that I was just unhappy, there has to be a reason for it.

My family have cut me off from any relationship with me, because I "am causing my DC irrepairable damage by not staying" as babyseal said for the "good of the family". But, do you know what? Both I and the DC are happier than we have been in months, if not years. The DC are getting better quality time with the father than ever before.

The tunnel is long but the light is so bright. I'm under no illusion that times will be hard sometimes, but I'm sure we'll be fine.

Stay strong OP.

Report
FliptheCoin · 25/10/2013 16:03

Thanks for your advice. It means a lot and is helping me think about this rationally. There is nothing I want more than for us both to handle it with integrity and mutual respect. My dream scenario is that we support each other through it and end up being friends. Not sure if that's unrealistic though given that he still loves me.

He's a good person although he has his faults as I know I do too. My feelings for him changed when DD was born. It put a huge strain on us and for many reasons I won't go into I felt let down by him in my time of need, but my mistake was not confronting him at the time. I thought that if I did then we would split and I couldn't handle it because I was too run-ragged and sleep deprived to cope with that. Now I'm in a position where even though he's changed, I just can't move on and just don't feel the same about him.

It took me ages to convince myself to post here but I'm so glad I did. It'll take a lot of psyching myself up to tell DH the inevitable, but I know it's the right thing. I'll keep you posted as to how it goes.

OP posts:
Report
passedgo · 25/10/2013 16:06

Blimey Overtired, your family sound horrendous. I can't believe that anyone would cut off their own child just because of this. I think I remember you. I also remember you babyseal and one of my favourite pieces of advice to people is - Let him go, he will find someone else, they usually do. He will be OK.

Don't feel guilt.

Report
passedgo · 25/10/2013 16:08

Being there in someone's hour of need is the deal-breaker really. If it doesn't happen at the time, it can't be fixed later.

Report
babyseal · 25/10/2013 16:33

Overtired that is really shit how your family have been. I have always been close to my Mum and not so close to my Dad, but when we split they showed their true colours. My Dad just said I didn't need to explain, I obviously had my reasons, and he would support me without having to know them. My Mum was really unsupportive, could hardly bring herself to look at me, until I was forced to give her a blow by blow account of all the reasons I didn't love exp anymore, stuff I didn't really want to talk to her about Sad.

Flipthecoin, I don't want to be negative, but I also dreamt we could split on good terms; my exp was horrendous for months, but at the time it really helped me to focus on the fact that I was doing the right thing. We are now approaching a place where we are friendly in front of the kids and he is acting more like a normal human being towards me now he has regular shags a lovely new partner Grin. I am not saying a non-acrimonious split isn't possible, but prepare yourself for it being a rocky ride for a while. So worth it though Smile. Picture yourself in a year... where do you want to be?

Oh, and the dc are fine. It has affected them yes, especially ds who is 5 and really sensitive, but I dread to think how much years and years of a miserable Mum would have affected them.

Report
FliptheCoin · 25/10/2013 19:28

Big respect to Overtired for knowing you did the right thing despite being disowned by your family. (I hope mine react better than that!) I'm glad you and the DC are happy and hopefully in time your family will come to their senses.

babyseal - I know it'll probably be awful for the first few months, especially in the interim while we work out finances etc and trying to keep it together for DD, but as you say time can only improve the situation. I just hope he doesn't act like an a-hole but I guess that's out of my control. In a year from now I hope to be living independently, with enough money to eat and pay the bills. I'll be happy with that.

Giveatoss - I hope this thread has inspired you to think about dealing with your own situation. Good luck with what you decide.

OP posts:
Report
raspberriesareforever · 25/10/2013 19:52

flip it sounds to me like you are flogging a dead horse and the relationship has run it's course. You are being unfair on DH if you have no feelings left for him. As long as your DD knows each parent loves her and providing you both ensure that she is not emotionally hurt in the process and continues to see you both as loving parents then you should make the brave move and move on with your life. Good luck.

Report
Giveatossagain · 25/10/2013 20:08

Thanks Flip like you I thought when I told DH I was unhappy he'd feel the same (is a miserable git anyway!) but he thought all was pretty much ok and doesn't want to split.

I also have stupid guilt/worry about the impact on the Dc's and am well aware that may be a bit of an excuse to stop myself making the decision. I am reminded by friends who have been through this that the Dc's will be fine and have their own relationship with DH.

This thread has been helpful. Thanks for posting.

Report
Giveatossagain · 25/10/2013 20:11

Thanks Flip like you I thought when I told DH I was unhappy he'd feel the same (is a miserable git anyway!) but he thought all was pretty much ok and doesn't want to split.

I also have stupid guilt/worry about the impact on the Dc's and am well aware that may be a bit of an excuse to stop myself making the decision. I am reminded by friends who have been through this that the Dc's will be fine and have their own relationship with DH.

This thread has been helpful. Thanks for posting.

Report

Don’t want to miss threads like this?

Weekly

Sign up to our weekly round up and get all the best threads sent straight to your inbox!

Log in to update your newsletter preferences.

You've subscribed!

Giveatossagain · 25/10/2013 20:13

Apologies for the double post. Bloody phone.

Report
Bigbird01 · 25/10/2013 21:03

Flip - I know exactly how you feel. Our situations are extremely similar, including the age our our children (big twins in my case).
I told my husband in January how I felt - he promised things could be better / encouraged me to stay etc.
More and more over the last few months I have felt that things haven't moved on at all - yes, he has tried to work on some of the things I had raised, but the underlying problems are still there.
Anyway, the Kids are staying with Grandparents next week for half term and last night DH decides to book a restaurant for us to have a meal together... All of a sudden I started shaking and that was it - the words just came out and I told him it was over.
Last night was not fun and today he seems convinced that he can change my mind, but I have deliberately started telling people as it is making it more real and I don't want to let myself be talked out of this! He seems to think that changes will make it right, but the underlying problem is that the idea of spending my old age with him once the kids have grown up fills me with dread.

For all that it is horrid at the moment, I do feel that the weight has started to lift off my shoulders - it may be some way off, but that glimmer of hope for a happier future is there.

I know the kids will be fine - I can't be the mum I want to be when I feel this unhappy so it can only be better for our relationship if I am not with him.

Stay strong. The moment the words come out is the hardest, but once they're out there don't back down - stay true to yourself and you DD will be fine!
Xxx

Report
Bigbird01 · 25/10/2013 21:04

B/g twins, of course! Although they are a good size! :-)

Report
Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.