Where to start?

Anon Imperfect Mum

Where to start?

I need to move on from my marriage, we've been married for so many years, we have 2 kids. I don't think we can salvage our marriage, we've been like housemates, there is no communication, nothing, when he wants to be intimate, it's just sex, he doesn't show love, he never talks or wants to resolve things, or at least say he doesn't want anything anymore, is like for him this is normal, is always up to me to resolve things or give in into his way. He never says thank you or seems ro appreciate what I do, And im just exhausted, physically, mentally and emotionally, i don't have the energy any more, i've been so stressed that has started to affect my health. When I approach him to talks, he does the 99% of talking and i would be listening and he always turns things around, is always my fault, my fault that he is the way he is with me. Another thing that I don't like is he is always carrying his phone in his pocket around the house, always and when I told him he said because im going to do something to his phone. question is, since I came to Australia he has controlled everything, money: i dont have acces to the bank accounts, 3 years ago he started to give me $50 dollars every two weeks, nothing else, wich i spend on the kids, birthdays, save or sometimes buy what I need to finish cooking, i don't even know what to do in a bank. He does the shopping, pays the bills etc. I've been living under a rock that sometimes feel I don't know how to act when im outside. He is older than me, we never talked about having kids, I dont use protection, he does, after many years of married we had our first kid, wich later i found out he thought it wasn't his, and ask for DNA, 8 Years later we had our second, again no planned. He has always been jealous and has accused me or having someone else. He was married before and divorced because he accused her of been unfaithful. He is a good responsible dad, only doesn't have a way with tjmhe kids, and they are more attached to me, i make them laugh and im silly with them, he is more serious, barely laugh or say I love you and just wants them to be sitting or laying down, wich i think with a toddler is impossible, he was single for many years before meeting me, so I guess he got used to his rutine, controlling everything and been alone, he complains that he is a slave to us, but when he was living on his own he did everything, work and look after the house, now i look after the house, he helps with washing the clothes and doimg the grass. So my question is, since I don't have any family or friends, just one close friend in Australia, I don't know where to go or ask help, or what would be the first step about leaving and divorcing him, where can I go? Who do I turn or ask for help, I'm alone in Australia and don't know how things work or what im entitled to, im just lost, desperate, this is not what I wanted for my kids, and I'm scared if I leave I'm going to expose them to danger, but this is not a healthy marriage, i didnt wanted my kids to grow up in this environment, in a loveless marriage or for them to think that this is normal and they would be treated the same. Please help, I'm alone and lost, don't judge me please.

Posted in:  Relationships & Marriage

1 Replies

Anon Imperfect Mum

I’m afraid in your case you are going to need to be determined and have a long term plan.

This is a Domestic Violence situation, because he is Financially Abusing you. You also sound like you are far away from friends and family.

You are going to have to start researching. I’d start by contacting a Domestic Violence support group like 1800RESPECT.

You are going to have to make a plan to leave and it might be longer term than you like, but it’s a start.

I assume you aren’t working. I’d also start checking out if your eligible for Centrelink payments if you leave. If your not elligible I’d start looking for work. I’d also get a bank account that he doesn’t know about and start putting some money in that account.

Get copies of your important documents. Marriage certificate etc and put them somewhere safe that he doesn’t know about. If you have friends or family that could help you or even offer emotional support it’s time to start reaching out and telling them what’s happening.

Do you ever travel with the kids to see your family?

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