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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:
PinkMojito · 28/06/2018 13:48

Yep, and be wary of him cyber stalking you too...these kinds of men are all the same.

ScottishInSwitzerland · 28/06/2018 13:48

I don’t think it matters whether it can be labelled emotional abuse or not. The undeniable fact is that he is being really mean to you and that’s unacceptable. You shouldn’t have to put up with this.

bbcessex · 28/06/2018 18:50

Oh, OP - tough times.

For what it’s worth - leaving this kind of abuse can be a drawn out process - expect false starts..

Your post made me remember my first marriage 1988- 1995 - an abusive man who I felt responsible for.

I eventually left him and am now celebrating 20 years with a kind, supportive, lovely man who supports me in emotionally and is proud of everything I do.

Don’t expect to go cold turkey but keep your end goal in mind ❤️❤️❤️

beeyakasha · 28/06/2018 19:31

Hi OP

I've been where you are right now. My STBXH is/was an abusive, narcissistic bastard and I'm still dealing with the repercussions of having the audacity to leave him nearly two years later. I need you to know that even though he still tries his damnedest to cause me strife, I am the happiest I have been in years. I absolutely mean that.

My ex sounds very similar to yours. ZERO help after our first DC was born (and I was very badly injured during his birth so was really struggling), zero help throughout the marriage. Commented on my appearance really nastily (I always will remember telling me I was 'disgusting' when he saw me breastfeeding DC3). Always put himself and his needs above me and the DC. There's so much more I could bang on about but honestly, I could write a book... he sounds VERY like your H.

Anyway, when I first told him I wanted to leave him, he did the same. Promised me he would change, promised me he would get help for his mental health issues, promises promises promises. Do they follow a script?! I gave in the first time, let him have a chance. It took maybe 10 days for him to revert back to his normal ways. I left him. I took the DC and ran. He found me, assaulted me, was arrested.... it was horrendous. But you know what? It's all a million times better now. The DC are amazing, we are a TEAM and he continues to be an utter dickhead. I don't ever badmouth him - I don't need to! He's amazing at proving himself to be an utter prick.

You will be entitled to benefits so please do look into that properly. I can't emphasise enough how much you need to put yourself and your child first and keep going forward. You deserve so much more! He doesn't deserve you. Narcissists will blame everyone around them and portray themselves as the poor victim - but you know the truth. Please, stay strong. You can absolutely do this. Rely on your friends, family, support from wherever it comes. Go to your GP and get medication to calm you down if you need it.

It will get better. You'll wobble and you'll panic, but don't look back.

sunnyblueskies · 28/06/2018 20:31

Ladies. Thank you for sharing your experiences. It’s amazing how they all sound so similar. Defintely some kind of script going on there.

He wants to talk tonight about marriage counselling. I’m tempted to go along with it to shut him up and just prove that it won’t work. I can’t afford to waste another 6 precious months. I do wonder how long he can keep he act up for.
My mum didn’t help earlier. Read his messages and said “well maybe you should try counselling” NO!!!!!!
That really put a spanner in the works and she got upset! Cheers mum.

I’m so exhausted. I felt myself be snappy with DC today and I hate myself for it. It’s totally out of character for me. I’m so calm and patient with DC. I feel awful.

I asked him if he minded if I went out tomorrow night. Usually he’d be funny but because of the situation, he even offered to get a cab home so I could get out quicker!!!! Totally transparent of course. He’s not fooling anyone. I just want to be done with it.

OP posts:
bbcessex · 28/06/2018 20:46

OP - use this time well to prepare yourself mentally, ❤️❤️❤️❤️

RandomMess · 28/06/2018 20:56

All about him isn't it!!! No recognition of how miserable he had made you...

littlestrawby · 28/06/2018 21:03

I recognise bits (only in part) of what you say. my OH ranted at me in a really nasty way for me forgetting to buy margarine while he was on a business trip. I'd been sick all day and really struggled to look after our baby girl while he was at work. Had nothing to eat all day as I didn't feel up to getting out the house to get food. He refused to get anything for dinner when he got home from the trip given I'd failed to get margarine which had annoyed him as he wanted to have some toast.

In your case, I'd say this sounds like a regular pattern of poor treatment by your DH and it is not a healthy way for you to live your life. Either he agrees to therapy to change his treatment of you, or you leave. I hope things do improve for you either way xx

littlestrawby · 28/06/2018 21:06

sorry!!! completely failed to read the whole thread without realising and have just caught up. Well done you for being so brave. You will get through this and come out happier on the other side xx

blueangel1 · 28/06/2018 21:08

They do work from a script, believe me. I was married to a covert narcissist and the blame-shifting they do is unbelievable. As soon as they're not getting what they want (their victim's unquestioning obedience), then they play the victim, get nasty, or both.

What he is doing at the moment is usually known as "hoovering"; trying to suck you back into their game. As soon as you give in, they know they have you snared again. They may behave well for a little while, or launch straight into punishment mode. If you're really unlucky, they start the punishment phase immediately.

I'm not saying this to frighten you OP, but to strengthen your resolve. Abusers aren't normal; they live in their own self-focused little world and they have no empathy.

TheDevilMadeMeDoIt · 28/06/2018 21:20

sunny if I were a betting woman, I'd go out and bet my house that if you weaken and either try to make it work between you, or attend counselling, everything will be fine for a month or two. And then you'll be back where you are now, only this time he won't believe you when you say you want a divorce, and you too may well believe even more than this time that you can't do it.

You said your OP was just a tiny snapshot of his behaviour. Write down everything he's done, and send it to him with the simple message 'too little, too late'.

(And what the fuck is he doing communicating this in messages. Why isn't he talking to you. Although it's probably best he isn't, it's easier for you to hold steady when it's at arms length.)

TheDevilMadeMeDoIt · 28/06/2018 21:21

PS....

Stuff your mother and her opinion. She doesn't have to live with him.

Fuckwithnosensesauce · 28/06/2018 21:46

Do not go to counselling with this nasty and abusive, self-centred man. He will use it to prove you are wrong, or that it’s all your fault and he is not to blame. You have made you decision, do not weaken.

100thousandreasons · 28/06/2018 21:57

I haven't RTFT, just your updates OP. Well done you brave woman.

To give you a little clarity, in your OP you explained that you'd received a barrage of abuse for forgetting milk.

I text my DH on his way home from work today and said similar. 'I've forgotten DCs blue milk and we need some bread. Can you stop on way home pls'.

His response 'no probs, do we need anything else while I'm at the shop?'

That is a normal response to that sort of request. That is the boring normality you and your child deserve and will one day have as a result of your decision to leave this man behind you.

Good luck!

EeeSheWasThin · 28/06/2018 22:29

You don’t need a reason to leave. You DO NOT need a reason to leave.

If you want to leave, even though he’s “playing nice”, you can. He’ll be back to being the same selfish git within weeks then you’ll wish you’d left.

I wasn’t being abused as you are but my ex was a drinker and begged for a second chance. It took me another three years to realise that I was just getting older and more unhappy.

bbcessex · 28/06/2018 22:34

These posts are all true OP.

Your DP was your first attempt. For your DD’s sake, you’ll do better next time

0ccamsRazor · 28/06/2018 22:42

Joint counselling with an abusive partner is not recommended, abusers are very good at manipulation and are likely to paint themselves as reasonable and victims.

Flowers Op, much strength to you.

0ccamsRazor · 28/06/2018 22:44

Ps pop ye self over to relationships, you will get lots of support from many wise mn'ers whom have been where you are at the moment.

Gruffalina72 · 28/06/2018 22:56

Op, well done for being so brave. I've been reading through your updates and it is clear that you have just met The Persuader, please don't let him suck you back in:

m.youtube.com/watch?v=d5NHBn5p9vY

Also, couples counselling with somebody is abusive (as he clearly is) is dangerous. Please don't go along with that. He will use it to get inside your head and manipulate the counsellor into taking his side and reinforcing his abusive nonsense of his behaviour being his fault. You will end up more trapped not less.

It is always recommended by DV orgs & professionals NOT to do joint counselling with an abusive person. Please stay clear of it and stay firm.

His response to you is textbook abuser. He's just trying to get control back over you, any way will do.

LexieLulu · 28/06/2018 23:26

Wow I've just read this and OP you've been incredible brave.

Keep telling your "D"H you want to move out. You need to unclip your wings and see how it feels

nicenewdusters · 28/06/2018 23:28

Absolutely no way should you enter into joint counselling with this man. It's another forum for them to abuse and manipulate you. A well trained therapist will be able to pick up on this. Some won't, and he'll just use the situation to his advantage.

OpalIridescence · 29/06/2018 09:17

I really feel for you. I went to marriage counselling twice with mine. Once when I was very young and didn't understand what was happening. I do think the counselor knew, she kept focusing on me, trying to get my confidence and self belief up.

The second time I was older and wiser but I still felt like I needed someones permission to make the break, someone to acknowledge it wasn't right.

Much like you asking if it is emotional abuse, I understand the need for an outside authority to confirm it for you when your own mind is so lacking in confidence.

The second time the counselor knew exactly what was going on, after two sessions she dismissed my husband telling him not to come any more. She then said to me about my relationship 'its ok you can stop now'. Such powerful words from her, I owe her so much.

I was very, very lucky to have her and it is totally not recommended to do joint counselling with this type of man. Be really careful with it. If you already know what you want then you do not have to go to appease him or your mother, or public opinion.

Please make choices with you firmly centered in mind, that is actually how you are supposed to live. Was a revelation to me!

I echo a pp, these people are not the same as an average person, the motivation is not the same. You need to hold that strongly in mind when you deal with them, especially if your instinct is empathy and compassion.

It is hard, you can do it, there is a real life on the other side.

sunnyblueskies · 01/07/2018 19:45

Thank you to the moon and back for your lovely replies.
I’m starting to have doubt settling back in now. He’s blantantly trying really hard.
I don’t fancy him or envisage myself having another child with him but I have this nagging doubt “am I overreacting, maybe he will change, maybe he’s good for me, maybe I’ll be making a big mistake!”

OP posts:
bbcessex · 01/07/2018 20:07

OP - if you’re with the right person , you don’t have ‘maybe’s’

PinkMojito · 01/07/2018 21:43

@sunnyblueskies

Write down every shitty thing he's done to you, said to you, made you feel.

Anytime you are having doubts, read it.

💗