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Dh has walked out

breakingthroughtheinstincts's picture

Phew... a strange calm has settled over Breakingthrough's home this evening.

It has all come to a head. I have been so upset, overthinking and emotionally wrecked the last few weeks. I have actually hated SS20 because of my gagging order against him and lack of understanding from my DH. DH and I have drifted on, our therapy has not improved anything and we have ended up resenting each other.

So I think I must have subconsciously decided to bring things to a head. I wrote a pro-con table this morning, with the options for our future: 1) Continue as we are (non-option, will lead to me leaving), 2) Me move out, 3) SS20 move out or 4) Rational discussion involving taking my feelings into consideration (as well as SS's), compromise, love, understanding.

I also wrote a list of things I'd like: 1) Tidiness around the farm, 2) Tidiness inside the caravan optional; but an understanding that if not in a fit state for sale when vacated I am owed purchase price, 3) Politeness (not sneaking up on me, knocking when wanting to enter my home, asking when wanting to use my facilities eg washing machine, informing us if girlfriends/friends etc coming over, not dumping stuff (cars) everywhere unless asked first and 4) Some financial appreciation if not contribution - me present a bill for a third of the utilities that we pay, for example.

I gave it to DH and said it was a starting point for us to have a discussion; he looked it all over and put it down/ignored it/closed his eyes. I asked what he thought and he stared into the distance for a good minute in silence. I asked again, but he ignored me.

Calmly I said - "I will go and look for somewhere to rent then. Would you be prepared to look after the animals we have here, or do I need to think about finding somewhere for them?"

That's when he exploded, ripped up my inner thoughts and threw them at me, shouted at me he was moving out.

While he got his stuff together and told his son that he was leaving so he might have to leave too, I informed him that if he was leaving it gave me the right to finally talk to SS20. I took his storming past as affirmation, and gave SS my list of wishes, telling him it was a starting point for discussion and that is why Dad is moving out. SS read it, then came back to me and said I was not a bitch, that all the points seemed reasonable - except the paying us anything. He earns less than I thought (still a fair amount, £800 a month) so said he would find it very difficult to find any spare money. I discussed that renting somewhere nearer work would be cheaper than his diesel, but he said 'I can't, my friends and social life are down here'. I didn't push it as we were doing so well. I explained that I was happy for him to be my guest, but he needed to act like a guest, not a squatter - I told him I couldn't live here like this any more and he took it on board (dare I say it - like an adult!!).

Meanwhile DH stomped round like a spoiled child gathering his belongings. I told him he didn't need to go, that SS and I had sorted it out... He left.

I feel strangely elated. I don't mind living here with SS20 if we can come to a mutual agreement. I would actually prefer him to DH sometimes who is messier and worse with his money than his son... I am quite scared it is these traits, not his son I am so upset by? Anyway for now I am a pregnant lady with no Mum or family who has just forced her husband to walk out on her, what a bitch. I so wish I could drink right now...

Comments

Stepped in what momma's picture

So sorry to hear this is all happening all the while you are pregnant. Your DH is acting like a child and I would treat his as such. This is probably the best thing you have ever done for you and the child you are expecting. I am willing you to stay strong and know you did the right thing for you.

breakingthroughtheinstincts's picture

Ha! Thank you Clevergirl, I will start writing that list! Thanks too SIW - I come on here so much as it's really hard to be strong when you have no Mum to talk to Sad

Stepped in what momma's picture

My mother passed away many years ago, sometimes for me it doesn't feel like time will ever heal my heart because when you need your momma, you just need your momma. One thing I keep in mind when I need her is that all she wanted was for me to be happy, so I live my life in pursuit of happiness and I measure my next moves in life based on happiness. Life is too short to live it being unhappy so if you can measure it then you can manage it. Keep coming back here every time you need some mom advise and us step talkers will step in until you get over the hump. XXXOOO!!

Maxwell09's picture

It sounds like he chose to walk out, not that you forced him. I will say that all though it is a great thing you have sorted out the issues between your SS and yourself about living conditions, you DH (or Ex DH) might turn him against you out of loyalty to him. It's a shame really because you managed to get an agreement done without any issues. I feel like there's something else bothering your DH for him to have over reacted like this. Hopefully he takes note from his son on conflict resolution (compromise) and he comes back around to work on things.

Exjuliemccoy's picture

The lesson here is that your SS was never the real problem, your H is. He sounds incredibly childish, immature, and stubborn.

You've actually broken the toxic stalemate by speaking truth (which he chose to tantrum over and run away from), and pregnancy aside, I would NOT let him return. You need peace and a chance to evaluate whether you even want to keep trying to resuscitate this problematic relationship. Some time apart will do you both good.

breakingthroughtheinstincts's picture

I do feel so much better with him gone. He has texted to let me know he is staying with mutual friends and I can just see them doting over him which is frustrating. This is the problem, we have hundreds of mutual friends/family and all are his, not mine; so I end up with no one to confide in!

Exjuliemccoy's picture

The truth will come out - he can't fool all of the people all of the time. And it speaks to character that he walked out on a pregnant woman.

Are you getting your finances in order? Do you have any joint accounts?

Tuff Noogies's picture

meh. you can still thrive. i had no one. and i do mean NO ONE. the only person i could call was my brother, who lives a thousand miles away with a family of his own.

who gives a flying phuc if his friends are doting on him. your requests were totally reasonable, as confirmed by ss himself. you made clear your intent was to open dialog. he WAY overreacted. that's his problem, not yours.

NoWireCoatHangarsEVER's picture

My marriage ended when I was pregnant with my third child.

And DD2's dad walked out on me when I was pregnant too.

I'm not going to lie and say it wasn't stressful cause it was. I did a lot of crying. I had to give birth all alone with my third pregnancy BUT I am fine. I am. I am happy. And so are my children!

breakingthroughtheinstincts's picture

Wow; Nowire you are such a strong woman! I am quite capable of looking after myself (psychologically and financially); in fact I find it easier than the constant work of being in a relationship (especially one with skids!). I always pride myself on how well we fight for our relationship but I have run out of steam. Is it normal to always have to fight for a relationship?

Having said that I would be really sad if me standing up for myself caused our breakup.

NoWireCoatHangarsEVER's picture

I think he'll be back. And when he does come back, it should be pointed out how SS acted like more of an adult , more of a responsible adult willing to work on the issues, than your own DH!

Sometimes you have to fight for what you believe is right. And yes, sometimes you have to standup for yourself.

I'd have done the exact same thing. I have done the exact same thing. I'd rather be alone then treated so disrespectfully as if my own thoughts and feelings didn't matter. And I am alone but I tell you, I'm happy!

furkidsforme's picture

Methinks your DH is not so happy another child is on the way. Have you ever considered that?

breakingthroughtheinstincts's picture

Quick update after lots of thinking, rationalizing and a huge chunk of singing and dancing round the house in my underwear... Blum 3

Hubby staying away another night, says he'll be back tomorrow. Said he's 'very hurt' but wants to talk to me about his feelings. I admit I am intrigued... I know the first anniversary of his Mum's death is in two weeks and I know how much that hurts; but otherwise I can't for the life of me see why he is being such a childish, stubborn beggar.

I have every reason to think he is over the moon we are expecting - he told everyone weeks before it was 'safe' and is always with me at every midwife app and blood test. I think I was expecting to be on a bit more of a pedestal is all; he expects be to help him lift heavy things and grumbles if I ask him to do anything for me. I am not sure why? Perhaps because he has been there three times before, pregnancy has lost its' magic? Or maybe he is so wrapped up in his own troubles he cannot see me at the moment...

doodleboo's picture

"Very hurt."

Pfft. He will get over it. Good for you drawing a line in the sand. A little consideration goes a loooong way not just in Step situations but in life in general. SS2O is right. It isn't unreasonable at all.

Exjuliemccoy's picture

Well, you can talk about his hurt fee fees, but that doesn't guarantee he gets to move back in. He did a terrible thing, tantruming and running out on a pregnant woman. He has issues he needs to work on, and I'd have to see some progress on that before I'd allow him back. He needs to FEEL the consequences of his actions, IMO.

Can you meet him in a public place for a convo? He shouldn't be able to just waltz back into your home.

Ladystark's picture

Stick to your guns. I think its great that you get this sorted out before the baby comes.

Ss should help out more- with the baby coming why cant he do more physical work for you? Terms can always change after the baby gets bigger.

As someone who is trying to assert herself, i admire you confronting them!

breakingthroughtheinstincts's picture

Thank you all. I can't be bothered to start a new post so I will update here one last time:

I was not as assertive as I would have liked, but did demand an explanation rather than the hug/kiss he went straight in for when he got back...!!! I let him talk.... apparently he just 'reached the end of his fuse' on Friday. The only thing I could get out of him was stress about his Mum, his suppression of grief all bubbling to the surface. He also mentioned not wanting to confront his son/upset him (I did point out it wasn't unpleasant and it didn't upset him!). But that was it! He apologised for leaving me like that, so I had to accept his apology - but I am still fuming. I have lost my Mum too - and I have no family to talk to, let alone run away to like he can and did. He left his pregnant wife to run a farm for 36 hours. Not fair, not fair at all...

The upshot is, he came back with a plan for moving SS20 out. It is still a massive enabling of him, and it sounds doomed to me - but if it's not under my roof then it is their problem! So in conclusion, I am over the moon. I will deal with the above in therapy on Weds, but if SS20 is going then I am dancing round the place singing 'ding, dong the witch is dead' Smile