My husband's gambling habit has got so bad he even neglects the kids
DEAR DEIDRE: MY husband has wasted all our cash on gambling, even leaving the kids without food, but he’s in total denial.
I have to work away from home for long periods and the last time I returned there was nothing in the house to feed our children because he’d lost all our money.
Get in touch with Deidre today
My team and I are working safely from home but we are here to help you as always.
Send an email to [email protected].
Every problem gets a personal reply, usually within 24 hours weekdays.
You can also send a private message on the DearDeidreOfficial Facebook page.
Follow me on Twitter @deardeidre.
I’m worried sick about our kids but he constantly tells me to stop “freaking out”.
Last year I went back to work as my husband was off with stress and we were struggling to pay the bills.
He agreed to look after our children, aged eight and six.
As a housekeeper, I work away from home for a week at a time.
But when I returned a week ago my husband admitted he hadn’t been shopping the whole time I was away.
I checked our bank account and discovered he had spent hundreds of pounds betting online.
He was acting like it was no big deal when I confronted him and just walked away from me.
I told him to get off all the sites he was registered with, then call a gamblers’ helpline and transfer what’s left in his personal account to mine. Of course, he didn’t.
He has been sleeping on the couch since then.
I was so angry that I didn’t speak to him for days.
Then one of the kids became ill so I had to start talking to him again.
Now he thinks everything is fine.
I am 36 and my husband is 38.
I am struggling to sleep with this constantly playing on my mind.
My work schedule means I need to go away again in a couple of days but I am worried my kids are not being looked after properly.
The house is always a tip when I come home and I have to sort it all.
But I can’t afford to give up my job.
I have tried to be supportive but this is just breaking me.
Unhappy families
Issues in a blended family?
Email [email protected] for the support pack Stepfamily Problems – and read my advice on Facebook, Twitter or at the-sun.co.uk/deidre
DEIDRE SAYS: He knows deep down everything isn’t fine.
You cannot continue like this.
It is dragging you down and your children are being neglected.
Your husband might have become addicted to adrenaline surges, but he is digging you into deep debt.
Tell him again that either he gets help or your marriage is on the line – and this time, the crucial difference is you have to mean it.
It might give him the jolt he needs to realise you are serious.
He should also contact GamCare (gamcare.org.uk, 0808 8020 133) for support on moving forward.
My support pack Gambler In The Family will help you.
But unless your husband accepts he has an addiction and seeks help, there is little more you can do.
NEXT IN TODAY'S DEAR DEIDRE Can I trust my cheating ex boyfriend who wants another go?
READ DEIDRE'S NEW PHOTO CASEBOOK Nadine's son struggles to keep up with online classes in lockdown
GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL [email protected]
Source: Read Full Article