Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

AIBU or is this really emotional abuse?

226 replies

sunnyblueskies · 22/05/2018 21:26

Hi MNers,

I don't know where to start. So I will waffle my way through probably missing huge chunks.

Been with DH for 8 years married for 4.5. We have our beautiful preschooler who is 3.5 years.

There has been times in the past I have thought about leaving and almost nearly have but then wonder if I am just being a drama queen princess.

During our non married years it was fun with an element of seriousness from him. Almost talking to me like a child and telling me off if I had done something wrong (and not in a kinky way!)

After our LO was born it was horrendous, she was super poorly with severe reflux and allergies. Never slept. He was shocking used to moan about her crying and screaming and never helped. I had to foot all the private medical bills etc (NHS wouldnt do anything to help).
Resentment grew. I was like a single parent.

A few years go by, I just feel he never has anything good to say. Hes had outbursts in the past calling me a C word in front of our daughter because he thought I was changing. Infact I had lost a lot of weight and was starting to get my confidence back so I was feeling really good. He moans when I go to the gym, moans when I don't go. I don't know what he wants of me?
Every weekend he lays in to me over something trivial and blows it all out of proportion.
Example; a few months ago I had forgot to get a pint of milk. He was on the train home so I messaged him asking if he could get a pint of milk on his walk back from the train station (LO was in bed). I got a barrage of abuse saying how lazy I was and how unorganised and forgetful I am . Pulling up all kinds of random shite that was coming from no where. Cue tears.
A couple of weeks ago it was Friday, he was on the train on the way back from work, I text him suggesting what we could do at the weekend as the weather was meant to be glorious. Again when he got home I got it in the neck again. Saying that im hassling him and its not a relaxing plan (it was a picnic with our LO) im trying to organise his down time bla bla. Went on all evening, Cue tears. Now I am banned from messaging him on his way home.

Everything has a negative caveat to it. If I suggest something its always hit with a no or a negative response.

Tonight he came home. Went immediately upstairs to change and came back down to immediately say "oh i see the carpet is trashed" LO had knocked over a cup of coffee which I couldn't for the life of me get out. So now he has a face on and will bring it up at some point either later tonight or tomorrow.

I have recently been on a course to do with work and my mum and MIL and him, rallied around to help as it was for a week long so they all took it in turns to look after LO. He constantly throws it in my face that "everyone" rallied round to help me and why should they etc.

Yesterday I had a late client meeting, so I asked him if it was possible that he could leave work on the dot so I could make the meeting. He was fine with this. Then decided when I got home that he would throw it in my face that he had loads to do at work and came home especially on time so I could make my meeting.

All this is not doing my anxiety any good. Everytime he has an episode of moaning or grumpiness it gives me the shakes.

I would like to add, I am recently self employed. I work all the hours my LO is at preschool and the evenings too. I keep the house clean, dinners on the table every night and do the bedtime routine every night. I also get my gym in 3/4 times a week. So I am bloody shattered and like most of us, its a juggling act. He pays me a small amount every month for this. It covers my bills.

I feel like my wings are clipped. We talk all the time after every single "episode". It changes for a few days or a week and then reverts.

The above is scratching the surface and so minor. I have a list as long as my street as to all the various episodes and things he throws in my face. I just constantly feel like I am not an equal and that hes the teacher and I am beneath him. Hes constantly grumpy and short patience with LO. Even my LO calls him grumpy (not prompted by me!) I feel like I walk on eggshells and am constantly asking if hes ok and if I ask more than once he gets real shitty

I am trapped. I rely on him financially and just don't know how I could do it on my own.

AIBU or is this just normal grumpy husband behaviour?
Apologies for any typos. I am typing super quick so I can get downstairs on time!!

Thank you

OP posts:
eggncress · 22/05/2018 23:14

Call Women’s Aid... they can help you leave. He sounds very abusive. I’ve been there and it’s not normal but when you’ve been with someone like this for some time you lose sight of what is and isn’t normal.

sunnyblueskies · 22/05/2018 23:46

Thank you all so much.

I just worry if I’ll do the right thing and if I’m just overreacting?

Being newly self employed, I’m not taking an income yet. So this worries me massively.

OP posts:
CaledonianQueen · 23/05/2018 00:03

In that case you may be entitled to benefits op, I would try to talk to a benefits advisor and to have a look at the CSA calculator, I think you will be entitled to more than you realise.

eggncress · 23/05/2018 00:03

If you experience hardship you should be able to claim benefits. Women’s Aid can advise. Longer term you will probably be entitled to at least half of the marital home (if owned) and his pension if he has one. You need to get legal advice too. Concentrate on getting out first. The rest can be dealt with later.
Don’t tell him your plans.
And you’re not overreacting ... his treatment of you causes you to doubt yourself ... it’s a tactic !

GooseLose · 23/05/2018 00:04

You are not overreacting.

eggncress · 23/05/2018 00:05

Marital asssets ... not just marital home

Calvinlookingforhobbs · 23/05/2018 00:26

Do not let upf son grow up thinking this is normal. OP, get put now. Right now. Now!

TooManyPaws · 23/05/2018 00:27

Speak to Women's Aid and a lawyer - some will do a free half hour consultation. You are entitled to a share of the marital assets and child maintenance. As PP have said, be very careful when leaving. Is there anyone who can store things for you to get them out of the house in several loads that he wouldn't notice?

Be careful and imagine how wonderful your life will be when you're not tied to nearly 20 stone of useless shit who wants to control your every thought, action and breath. He'll do the same to your daughter.

Gagastwin · 23/05/2018 00:41

Try and get evidence if his abuse, for legal aid

Roussette · 23/05/2018 07:21

Overreacting? NO NO NO. Underreacting YES YES YES

I've been here forever and rarely hand out a LTB but your joyless unhappy first post has me saying LTB. He sounds completely and utterly vile. This is no way to live. I could ask my DH to pick up anything when he is out and he would be happy to do that. Your life is miserable and I hate to say, your DD's life is miserable too. Imagine hearing Daddy calling Mummy a c**t. This is not right. For the sake of her, start putting plans in place and leave this miserable nasty controlling man.

userabcname · 23/05/2018 07:31

How dare he treat you like this?? Who the hell does he think he is? What a selfish, controlling, awful manchild he is. So you're not allowed to "plan his time" or ask him to do the most basic of chores, while he freely criticises / upsets / has a go at you? And you put up with this because....?!! OP, you need to get angry and get out. This is not normal, you are not overreacting and you need to get you and your child out of this toxic situation.

gettingbacktoresearch · 23/05/2018 07:54

He is a bully. An abuser who has already upped his game and will do so again... if you stay, how will be control his daughter too? Especially in the teen years... do you really want that for yourself and your daughter? Get out and get help ASAP xxx

Tiredspice2 · 23/05/2018 07:55

He's not a good man, he's not a good person. What kind of example is that for your child?

lanbury · 23/05/2018 08:03

Plan an exit strategy OP. He is treating you appallingly. Get your paperwork in order, get organised and get the upper hand. He's controlling you because he can. Flowers

Blaablaablaa · 23/05/2018 08:14

Not normal in the slightest amd most definitely abusive.

Two things stood out and made me sad - you're banned from texting when he's on his way home and you needed to get downstairs on time......you sound like you're living on pins and that's no way to live.

You need to leave before your daughter picks up on this.

Other than giving you money does he do anything practical?

sunnyblueskies · 23/05/2018 08:29

Thank you all for your amazing words of encouragement and support. I am truly grateful.

Some of you have asked what he brings to the table apart from financial stability. He puts the dishwasher on every night and he gets up with our daughter on a Sunday and brings me in a cup of tea. He will buy coffee or lunch if we are out.

I definately do not want my beautiful LO to be effected or walking on eggshells. That is the last thing I want. She is very spirited and I would hate that to be dampened. He works from home 1 day a week and clocks off at 5pm. LO finishes pre school at 3pm so when we are at home we have to make ourselves scarce from the kitchen where he is working as he doesn’t want the noise. Although I’ve offered him my little office upstairs copious amounts of times. That upsets me. It’s her home. He accepts me for me. I think that is a big hold on me. I have had a lot of issues (mental health) since we’ve been together. I had some before we met but only a bit of self loathing depression which I was rid of when we met. But he’s accepting of it. I’m on the strong road to recovery after investing in private therapy. I think part of my fear is that if I ever met anyone, would they except all my floor and quirks. Although meeting someone is furthest from my kind and I certainly don’t need to be in a relationship to be happy. But that lurks in the back of my mind.

He’s being “normal” and “nice” this morning which again makes me question myself. My tummy is in knots! He has a week off work coming up so that will be interesting.

I don’t want to wake up in 10 years time and realise what I’ve wasted. But similarly I don’t want to wake up in ten years and realise that I made a mistake. I threw away a loyal (that is one thing I’m 100% sure on, he is not a cheat) person.

I’m just playing devils advocate here. After reading your replies I know it’s not right but I worry about making a mistake.

OP posts:
FarFlungFairy · 23/05/2018 08:34

Get him out if you can, if you can’t leave and take your daughter with you.
The ‘man’ you live with treats you like nothing more than a slave and emotional punch bag, I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s physical abuse that you’re not sharing here.
He’s nothing more than a bullying cunt who’s found an easy target.
Start gathering important documents, passports for you and your child, birth certificates, copies of his payslips and any bank statements.
If you need to find a paying job to get out than that’s what you’ll have to do, you can go back to being self employed when you’re in a more secure position to do so, just please get yourselves out of this awful situation.

violetbunny · 23/05/2018 08:35

I suspect if you got rid of this awful man that your mental health would improve significantly.

Singlenotsingle · 23/05/2018 08:37

He's not quite right in the head, is he? It's not a question of if you leave, but when. The sooner the better. Haven't you got family who can help? You can't live like this and it's bad for the child.

category12 · 23/05/2018 08:41

Him refusing to use the office is basically saying "I'm the most important person in the house, you all must creep around me".

category12 · 23/05/2018 08:42

I rather think your mental health problems are caused or at least exacerbated by being in an emotionally abusive relationship.

SusanneLinder · 23/05/2018 08:46

I was with a man like that. I left eventually, and went on benefits for a short while. Yes it was a struggle initially but the peace of mind I had was incredible.
Get benefits advice, as there are ways of staying on benefits whilst starting your own business.
This man is an arse. I stayed too long in my previous relationship because of being dependent financially and should have got out sooner.
I now have a well paid job, and am married to a lovely man.
What's worse OP is that my daughters were similar ages to yours when he treated me similarly. Even worse....they remember when I thought they were too young to. They are adults now.
Please make an escape plan and get out now, if not for yourself, do it for your LO.

Flowers
SusanneLinder · 23/05/2018 08:54

Sorry, just read your updated post. Yup they are nice sometimes. Thats what keeps you there. I remember the whole "nice and loving" bit, and then being fearful of the next outburst. Walking on eggshells is no way to live.
Your MH will deteriorate whilst you are in this relationship. You are stronger than you think OP, and I have every confidence in you. Smile
Once you have made the decision to do this, and started putting the plans in place, you will feel so much better.
Lots of love xx

Blaablaablaa · 23/05/2018 09:01

The fact he puts the dishwasher on and gets up with your daughter on a Sunday does not make him a good dad or husband. That's way below the amount of contribution he should be making.

All he seems to bring is anxiety. I bet if you left him, the over riding feeling you'd have would be relief - believe me I've been there

wowfudge · 23/05/2018 09:09

I am guessing that he doesn't like the fact that with therapy you are moving out from under his thumb. You deserve much more than this.

Swipe left for the next trending thread