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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Do I cause this?

115 replies

Patriciathestripper1 · 11/05/2019 23:00

My DH goes through phases of ignoring me.
I know it’s not adult behaviour but I don’t know how to deal with it.
We have one daughter who is old enough to see his behaviour is not right.
He can go for days not talking to me for the most stupid reasons. The latest was he came in from work and said the floors hadn’t been steam mopped (he works, I don’t) which blew up into a massive tow about how he goes out to work and brings money in and I don’t contribute etc etc. he makes me feel worthless when he goes on like that, and yes I may not earn a physical wage, but I cook, clean, and look after all our animals (we have a farm).

We moved to rural Ireland and jobs are none existent tbh, and he had to go back to the uk to work every so often which makes me getting a job even worse because i have our daughter to look after and no family here to help. I am financially dependent on him and he never stops letting me know. Anyone any tips gif dealing with his behaviour? For the record he is never wrong and never apologises for anything.

OP posts:
Graphista · 12/05/2019 13:46

Op that latest post is scarily familiar to me.

I've seen my mum interrogated if she was as much as 5 mins late home from work and accused of infidelity SO many times, when mobiles became more popular she and us (the children of the relationship) wrongly thought it would allow her more freedom as she could let him know when she was running late etc instead it's made things so much worse. If she's not at home he's constantly calling and texting and telling her to get home. Mum calls it her "electronic tag" Sad

I'm actually glad he's not too tech savvy as with more recent tech developments if he could he'd be tracking her every move and she'd be getting

"Why were you so late leaving X place?"

"What were you doing at y?"

"Why were you in z shop? You didn't buy anything in there"

She doesn't barely get to breathe it's heartbreaking!

springydaff · 12/05/2019 13:48

Ime it was not so easy to ignore my abuser, turn on the radio, chatter with my children etc. I was deathly terrified of him. He had brainwashed me over time.

Now I think "what a worm" but at the time I didn't.

ChuckleBuckles · 12/05/2019 14:27

@Patriciathestripper1 I am in the midlands if I can be of any help to you in any way. Do you know what you would like to do going forward? Return to your home town or is there any extended family that you could turn to for support or that could help you leave if that is what you want?

TheInebriati · 12/05/2019 14:33

What he is doing is coercive control and its illegal in the UK, so yes its real abuse.
Isolating you from your friends and family, controlling the finances so you cant leave, and wearing you down with a constant stream of comments, ignoring you until you give in - those are all forms of coercive control.

People are suggesting baby steps towards leaving for the usual reason. If OP wanted to leave she would do it. She isn't ready to leave yet. but she can make plans. It needs to feel realistic and achievable for women to be able to do it.

oneforthepain · 12/05/2019 15:04

As said, this is coercive control. And pretty textbook coercive control at that (including the way he behaves when you try to make and maintain friendships - everything you describe is him deliberately trying to disrupt and prevent your friendships).

Www.freedomprogramme.co.uk can help you understand it and see what he's done. It's not your fault he targeted you and made choices to deliberately mistreat you. Try not to beat yourself up over it, you deserve some kindness.

It might take a little time, but if you're ready to start planning your way out there will be ways to make it happen and organisations who can help you.

Life can be better than this.

Humpy84 · 12/05/2019 16:58

People often say that the worst part of an abusive relationship is the emotional and mental abuse.

People like this can really wear you down without you even knowing it.

I can’t believe he tries to tell you that you don’t have time for one coffee a week.

When you have small children, not everything gets done.

I hardly clean, I have mountains of washing, dinner isn’t always cooked.

It must be stressful living on such a budget.

The rural life would be lovely but not in your situation, you would have to have a strong partnership to deal with the loneliness, a stable income to make it worth it etc.

I think you’re right that he lacks respect, but that is not your fault, the way he treats you is not ok. You aren’t at fault here, men like that will grind you down no matter what you do.

I think you know deep down what would be best for you and the little one. The key is finding the means and the bravery to go forward.

Could you find a nanny or babysitting position that you could take your little on to ?

Azure83 · 12/05/2019 18:43

OP your last updated in particular points to classic DV behaviour. He is limiting your spending, trying to limit any time you have with anyone else other than him, ostracising you. This will unfortunately onto get worse, it maybe be very slow, with periods of 'calm' but men like him do not change. Please look after yourself and your daughter.x

longtimelurkerhelen · 12/05/2019 19:17

@Patriciathestripper1 I've sent you a private message.

RandomMess · 12/05/2019 19:45

@Patriciathestripper1 I really hope you find the means for you and DD to leave Thanks

Shallowhals · 12/05/2019 20:32

I live on the Limerick/Tipperary border if I can help in any way OP. Also rural, also farming - it's hard enough as it is without an abusive husband and no family around. Your husband sounds textbook abusive, I can't really add to the advice given above, but I would really aim to find a way out of this relationship.

So sorry you're dealing with this Flowers

honeyrider · 12/05/2019 21:55

Coercive control is now illegal and classed as abuse in Ireland, there's ads on tv explaining it. These pathetic abusers do not change.

fc301 · 12/05/2019 22:18

@Nyushka1 I have reported your victim blaming post which I find absolutely sickening. The OP is neither 'depressed' nor 'bone idle'. This is a forum to provide support!

OP YOU ARE NOT TO BLAME for HIS behaviour.
I wish you well.

Patriciathestripper1 · 13/05/2019 12:20

Graphista That’s what he is like with me. It makes me anxious and I’ve often driven him as I have to make him a sandwich for lunch. It sounds pathetic when I write it down. Driving home to make a grown man a sandwich???

OP posts:
Graphista · 13/05/2019 22:08

Well you know that he's perfectly capable of making himself a sandwich!

But yes it's typical of the kind of things my mum has done.

PLEASE get out ASAP it will only get worse and it will fuck up your child's view of relationships too.

bevm72yellow · 10/07/2020 01:32

Has your life improved or have you got some support to get you away from this man with your children?

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