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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

I've done something I'm not proud of....

66 replies

MissCommunication · 17/09/2017 19:07

Hi all

I've got this thread....
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/relationships/3004114-Speeding-husband-our-problems-are-all-my-fault?pg=11&order=

...at the moment in relationships but this is a general AIBU. I was looking for a letter for DS and I came across a bank statement of DHs. I don't know why I did it because I've never seen fit to peek before...I don't look at his phone or email...but I did. I quickly totted up that last month he spent over £4k on "hobby" equipment. He earns good money and can spend it on what he likes because he works hard however...he started a DIY project in a small and very frequently used room two years ago and it's still not finished. There is heaps to do around the house and when we talk about it he says things like "where do you think the money is going to come from"? I can't pay for extras each month...I get a certain amount into a joint account which he has access to and I cover all household bills (it's a stupidly expensive house to heat and run, high council tax bracket etc), the DC costs, my own car, phone and costs. I shop in Aldi, most of the DC and my clothes are second hand or gifts, I haven't had a hair cut since January and I have to ask him for extra money if we need anything and I can't cover it. I'm pretty thrifty but not great at budgeting I admit, but I do not spend money excessively on any level. So it grates a bit when there isn't spare money for extras out of my money but he can spend that sort of cash without any qualms.

Was AIBU to have looked as what we don't know doesn't hurt us? I have no idea what the family finances are...other than what our mortgage is and DH pays it. I don't know how much money he has. I have what I'm given and no savings as such. The account where any income goes is the joint account and so he knows what goes in and out at any given point.

OP posts:
MissCommunication · 17/09/2017 23:23

Thank you all so much. I really appreciate your input. God. This was a genuine AIBU question. I had no idea that being absolutely in the know was normal. I thought I was being underhand and sneaky which is why I felt guilty. I've got half a mind to get a highlighter pen and question it all now. But I won't because it won't be worth the reaction...to give you an ecample, this morning I went out at 6.50am to be somewhere (for me) and my sister's car was blocking mine in (she's actually in between jobs and staying with us for a couple of weeks in answer to PP question) On other occasions he's got funny if I've said I'd take her car rather than his if I've had to go out and been blocked in. This morning I took his car having had the internal dialogue of which one to take and decided to minimise risk...he sent a shitty text asking why I couldn't have moved cars around as he had to get his car ready for his hobby which he was going to be leaving for 1.5 hours after I was due home. He wasn't speaking to me when I got home.

I haven't spoken to WA yet but think I need to. I did get through a few weeks back but the person I got didn't seem to know what she was doing. I felt really uncomfortable talking to her.

OP posts:
PyongyangKipperbang · 17/09/2017 23:31

The car thing proves that it isnt about the cars at all, its about making sure that you are always in the wrong. It was punishmen for doing something for you. In his world, everything is about him so how dare you do something for yourself?!

If you had taken your sisters car then you would have been in the wrong. If you had moved your sisters car and taken yours then you would have been in the wrong. This is what abusive men do, they will find any reason at all to wrong foot you.

You could be the absolute perfect Stepford Wife and you would still get shit from him for something, anything.

GabsAlot · 18/09/2017 00:32

hs prob got a tracker on it so doesnt lik it when u use another one he cant see where youve gone

AcrossthePond55 · 18/09/2017 00:35

^ What Kipper said^

JWrecks · 18/09/2017 01:45

This morning I took his car having had the internal dialogue of which one to take and decided to minimise risk...he sent a shitty text asking why I couldn't have moved cars around as he had to get his car ready for his hobby which he was going to be leaving for 1.5 hours after I was due home. He wasn't speaking to me when I got home.

Oh, love. I'm so sorry. Flowers What a nightmare to have to struggle with yourself over an utterly insignificant decision that nobody else would even notice just to avoid further abuse, and still never be able to get it right.

It hurts my heart that you genuinely had no idea that other men were not like that, that other families were open and happy to share with each other. Your "d"H is an abusive monster who is holding you and your precious children financially hostage and controlling you in every way.

Please understand that NONE of this is your fault. It's not your fault when he loses it with you, NO MATTER WHAT HE'S ANGRY ABOUT; it's not your fault that you found him; it's not your fault that you've stayed with him; it's not your fault he has kept you in the dark; and it is especially not your fault that you didn't realise he was abusing you. LITERALLY NONE OF THIS IS YOUR FAULT.

Many many many victims have no clue they're being abused, even when the abuse is quite severe. Abuse is not limited to screaming all day, incessant terror, constant berating and belittling, punching and kicking and choking or any other physical violence, being locked in the house unable to escape. Abuse is NOT just what you see in the films. Obviously there are horrific cases like what I've described here, but those, I would venture to say, are actually relatively rare.

An abusive relationship is not necessarily one in which there are no good times at all. Most abusers are fine, even lovely, the majority of the time, only every now and again... It's little things that add up to self doubt, being controlled, fear, being cornered, having autonomy and freedom slowly taken away in one way or another, and so much of what you've described here. It can be quietly manipulating you, subtly making you beg, ignoring and neglecting you, withholding things from you like sex, affection, information, money, whatever. Severe, incredibly damaging abuse can be invisible to others and difficult to detect, stacking up slowly and subtly over time, and it doesn't always leave physical scars or cause direct fear for your life.

You MUST get away from him, for yourself and for your children. You are being abused, manipulated, and controlled, and your children are learning from your H that treating a person - a woman, a wife, a mother - that way is normal and acceptable. They are learning from him that a person - a man, a husband, a father - does not need to provide for his family, does not need to care for and nurture his children, does not need to love and support his wife. They are learning dangerous and hurtful lessons about love, relationships, power, respect, and marriage from this man.

Now they need to learn from you that his treatment of you all is NOT acceptable, and that the correct way to handle such a situation is to get yourself and your family safely away from such abuse.

You CAN do it, no matter what you think you believe, no matter what he's told you, no matter where you are in life right now. There is loads of help and support for you, and the law is on your side as well. You WILL come out of this stronger and happier, and your children will as well. But you've got to get away and begin to heal as soon as you can.

namechangedforthisreply · 18/09/2017 03:07

Just read both your threads. Please leave, you don't need a catalyst you've had so many. You & the children deserve a normal life Flowers

CallMeDollFace · 18/09/2017 03:22

What a great post JWrecks

Looking at the statement was ok and absolutely your right. There's some great advice for you here op.

Tatiannatomasina · 18/09/2017 03:58

Make an appointment, see a solicitor. Check out online what benefits you could apply for. Speak to the local council about emergency accomodation. Stop wasting time and make your move. Yes he will be an arsehole, yes it will be hard but you need to get away and make a life for yourself. You are not living, you are just existing. Do not let him know your plans, be brave and just do it.

MissCommunication · 18/09/2017 08:57

You are all being so kind. It really makes me tear up reading your supportive words. FlowersFlowersFlowers

OP posts:
TurquoiseDress · 18/09/2017 09:14

OP- I know nothing of your previous thread/not read it.

But from what you've posted here, it does not sound right or fair at all.

Do you have your own current account?

It sounds like he is spending loads while at the same time telling you that there is not enough money for home improvements etc.

I think you both need an honest conversation with each other.

TurquoiseDress · 18/09/2017 09:17

started writing my reply last night, now seen the updates- you've had some great advice on here.

Good luck Flowers

Mittens1969 · 18/09/2017 14:54

I'm so sorry you're going through all this, OP, you really are being abused in every way by your DH. You should have full knowledge of all your financial affairs; my DH always discusses everything with me, as we're a partnership.

I haven't been in a similar situation to you, but I have been the abused child. (My DM didn't know and feels horrible about it now.) If there are any suspicions that he is hurting the children then you really must find a way to get out of there so you're all protected. There is help out there, which there really wasn't when we were growing up.

Reading through these threads there are so many red flags that he could end up sexually abusing your children, I'm so sorry. My DM didn't know it was happening to us, there were signs of what my father was doing but she missed them. But your DCs are little, you're still in a position to protect them.

You've had some excellent advice on both threads, OP, please call Women's Aid and accept their help. FlowersFlowers

mygorgeousmilo · 18/09/2017 15:12

Having read your previous threads, I can't see any other way forward other than "get your ducks in a row, and leave". There's not going to be any way of appealing to his better nature, or really fixing things, he's an abusive and nasty person. Please see a solicitor ASAP

MissCommunication · 02/10/2017 19:30

Hi all

I've had a really interesting insight after a discussion with DH. He's considering replacing his big expensive 4x4. To be fair the replacement vehicle will probably be used mostly by me and DC and my average little car will be a run around until it's time to replace that.

Thanks to you lot I felt able to ask about family finances. Didn't think I had a right to ask before. You see the cars he is considering are about £20- £22k. His might go for £12k by my guesstimation. So I said I can't get past the price tag and how are we paying for any shortfall. We still have a cloakroom to finish and the windows need paying for as well as an eventual extension which will give baby DD a bedroom (she's 13 months old and in a cot in our room/co-sleeping) and all manner of other work in the house.

He was dismissive of me and tried to divert me. I said it is family money and as such I need to understand where we are, how much money we have etc etc. He said it's always difficult talking to me about money because I get cross and can't be bothered (if this is true it's because he's an evasive bastard and it's almost like I shouldn't bother my pretty little head with it...or he's condescending when I ask for help looking at budgets etc). He's more open with my ruddy sister about "our" money than he is with me, for example she told me he said he was putting £40k away in a pension. Last I heard he didn't have a pension. I have never heard of this mystery £40k. When I asked where the money to pay for the car would come from he was vague and said oh I'd possibly take it from what I'd pay into a pension. I then asked if he now had one and he was again vague. It's so clear now.

So I'm letting him pay for me a DC to join him on a work trip somewhere very cool and a bit once in a lifetime over half term. So there.

OP posts:
PyongyangKipperbang · 02/10/2017 19:40

How about you spend some time finding as much info about what bank accounts/pensions he has and see a solicitor?

Him taking you on holiday doesnt change the fact that he is financially abusing you.

MissCommunication · 02/10/2017 19:51

No it doesn't. Not at all.

OP posts:
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