In thinking this is emotional abuse?

[debbs77]

Can't find a relationship thread, so putting it here.

Tonight my other half has for shitty with me. We've been arguing the last couple of days anyway. He pushes and pushes (verbally), takes the Mickey out of the way I'm talking, turns the blame round onto me. Until I blow and get mad.

Then he backs down, so he is essentially the one being shouted at. Tells me I'm the one with the problem. Acts all nice, smiling, asking for cuddles. Then is extra attentive to the kids.

I don't want a load of man haters shouting "leave him!" From the roof tops. This is a genuine post

[AgentZigzag]

I read stuff into tons of threads too Newt, but the OP's hardly said anything really, just on its own I can't see how it's gaslighting or done in order to manipulate the OP for his own evil ends.

People argue, some all the time, some sniping at each other constantly, some of it is drawing on your own experiences of what you know pushes the other persons buttons. I'm not afraid to push DHs buttons if I think he's being an arse.

I don't think that makes me abusive it just means I've got a great memory for detail I won't take shit, and nor will he.

Horrible after it happens, but there aren't that many who genuinely enjoy a good barney.

[debbs77]

Thank you everyone for your messages.
The reason I added about Man haters is that I've seen so many threads on forums where people's immediate response is "leave him".

We argue every few weeks. Mainly about the kids as we are a step family and sometimes it gets too much.

The recent row was about our daughter and her bedtime routine. I made a comment which he took in completely the wrong way and got crappy with me. Same thing happened yesterday about something else.

The rest of the time we genuinely have a great relationship. He is great around the house, great with the kids. It's just this thing when we argue. He sees negativity in everything, be it me, or the kids. If someone paid him a compliment he could easily read a negative into it.

Yes I do blow up......because he literally pushes and pushes and pushes. I try to ignore him but I lose my temper, specially when he gets in my face. I've hurt him before, just by getting him out of my face .

I was married for ten years to my ex and I can count on one hand the arguments we ever had. My OH has had three women leave him. It's always been their fault though of course.

I am looking into counselling. We have too much together to lose, but I won't carry on this way

[FLURMP]

This is how men are when they're winning the arguments. You must crush him.

[SeaSickSal]

It is the same principle as hitting someone, blaming someone else for your own lack of control.

And it does appear that the OP HAS hurt him but justifies this as deserved as he was 'getting in her face'. Which also sounds like an abusive man.

And that's an awful thing to say. Having split up with 3 exes hardly counts as being roundly rejected by the whole of womankind, it's normal.

If your ex is so great why aren't you with him then? Do you tell your partner that you didn't argue with him?

After that comment about his exes and your admission of violence I'm starting to feel sorry for him.

Perhaps the reason why he always got dumped was because he tends to keep on trying even when relationships are unsalvageable. Ahem

[chateauferret]

I'm not a man hater, I'm a man. And he is a twat. HTH.

[noslimbody]

My stbxh used to do this. He has now moved on to upsetting the children in order to 'wind me up', after I started ignoring him.
He used to say anything he could to hurt me, until I complained, then keep talking over my voice, and when I spoke pretend not to hear me until I raised my voice then start calling me crazy.
I realised what was going on when I saw him snigger.
He also used to do the being all nice to kids thing to try to make them think that he was the nice one and that I was the scarey one. The being nice to the kids was not genuine, but just another tool to destroy my mental stability. My 7 year old used to tell me I was a stupid bitch a couple of years ago, I know where he learned that one..
You must ignore him, but be warned he will definitely move on to something else.

[olgaga]

noslim
Oh dear you have just described my mum & dad. I am so pleased she left him before my younger siblings realised what was going on - but my older brother and I were traumatised.

And that's an understatement.

[debbs77]

Noslimbody, that is exactly what happens. Tonight my children didn't even bat an eyelid. I don't want it to be the norm for them, or for them to see me cry.

And for those of you saying you feel sorry for him, wow thanks. I would like to see how others would react to someone following you round while shouting at you, getting right in your face and you not react by pushing them away.

[olgaga]

Call Women's Aid. Try to get help from anywhere you can for your children's sake and yours.

[AgentZigzag]

You did say you'd hurt him in the past didn't you OP?

I can't see how anything can excuse 'hurting' someone, whatever you mean by that.

It's not OK to try and put the responsibility on to him for 'making' you do that, you chose to behave like that.

I'm not saying I wouldn't do the same given the situation, and have in the past, but you have to accept that it's not all him.

[wyrdyBird]

Yes, this is EA.
If you would like more support, go to
Talk Topics > Body and Soul > Relationships

[debbs77]

By hurting him I mean completely by accident while trying to push his face out of mine I've scratched him

Half the problem is that it is my house and he would refuse to leave