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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Husband threw a boot at me in front of terrified kids.

145 replies

dogdias · 12/08/2019 21:26

This happened last night and I cannot stop thinking about it. It started out as a normal night, I was putting the DC (DD1 5,DS 4, and DD2 8 months) to bed and my husband was out picking up a takeaway for us both. He came back and we started eating and watching a film. I noticed he had something on his mind as he was quiet (he's usually sat making jokes etc) and asked if he was alright and he ignored me, so I asked again. He just gave a halfhearted yes and then walked off to the kitchen and came back with a beer. I ended up pausing the film and said "Something's bothering you, what is it? Did something happen at work?". He had depression a few years ago when DD1 was a baby and he lost his job and this episode reminded me of that and it scared me, he spent months just sat on the sofa staring into space and snapping when I tried to help. He ended up saying "Just put the fucking film back on or I'm going to bed." So I did and he just sat on his phone scrolling the whole time. Eventually the film finished and I was in the process of finding something else to watch but noticed he kept whispering "For fucks sake" and "Jesus christ" under his breath. I asked what was wrong and he said he was just going through the accounts and had realized how much money I'd been spending and had a go at me for wasting money. I quit work after becoming pregnant with DD2 but he works full time. I haven't been wasting money at all. He earns it but I do the budgeting and work out what the DC's need and also sort the bills. Baby 3 has been hard on us financially and the past month has been particularly tough as all 3 DC had growth spurts needing clothes, my car conked out costing loads in repairs, DS's bed collapsed, DD outgrew her buggy as well as lots of other stuff that has added up. All of the money spent was for essentials for the DC's but he was going on like I'd been spending it on spas and shopping trips for myself. None of it was spent on me, not a penny.

I asked him what he was on about and he ended up shouting that I buy too much and I'm never fucking satisfied and I should get a job myself instead of being a lazy bitch. He was quite loud and the two older DC came running down the stairs. I said to him we agreed I'd be quitting work when we decide to try for a 3rd baby and he just continued yelling. He just went on about how I'm lazy and spoil the kids but don't give a shit about him. I said "Shut up the kids have come down" and he screamed "Go to fucking bed!" at them. They both ended up in tears and clinging on to me but I took them upstairs. When I came down he continued to just scream at me and I just stood for a while thinking if I let him get it all out he'll calm down but it just carried on so eventually I ended up shouting back which I realize I shouldn't have done. He happened to be standing by the front door and without thinking he picked up one of his walking boots and threw it at me, it missed my head. I was stunned in silence and then he just went quiet and left the house. I then realized the DC had been standing on the stairs near the door and had witnessed it and after he had gone they came up to me crying. DS was physically shaking. After about an hour I calmed them down enough to put them back to bed and then went to bed myself but didn't sleep. I knew he was sleeping in the van outside.

This morning his van was gone, I took the DC and went to drop DD off at school and then after coming back he was sat in the living room with some flowers and a box of chocolates and DS ran upstairs when he saw him. I didn't want to continue arguing so I accepted the apology and got DS downstairs and my husband told him he was very sorry for upsetting mummy etc. Husband now doesn't want to talk about it again but I can't stop thinking about last night and my children's terrified faces. We argue quite often but this is only the second time it has been like this, the last time was back when DD1 was a baby and it took me a while to get over. It is bothering me even more now because my children witnessed it and were terrified. But I also akcnowledge my husband has realized he was in the wrong and is stressed about finances etc. I don't know how to handle this to ensure it doesn't happen again.

OP posts:
AnyFucker · 12/08/2019 21:57

Your children went to school today ? Are you not in the Uk ?

S1naidSucks · 12/08/2019 21:57

my husband told him he was very sorry for upsetting mummy

That’s not an apology, as it puts the onus on you to react in a certain way. He should have been sorry for losing his temper, throwing a boot and being a bully. Do you find that you often agree to do what he wants or do you back down, in case he gets angry? Is this a case of him acting out if character on two occasions or is it a case of you managing his moods, without actually realising you’re doing it?

Iggly · 12/08/2019 21:58

That’s a random question @MrsHound

OP I think you know this isn’t acceptable. You need to find a way to get financial independence again and leave.

dogdias · 12/08/2019 21:58

@MrsHound Scotland. DD just started P2 today DS starts P1 later in the week.

OP posts:
confusednorthner · 12/08/2019 21:58

Any I think Scottish schools have gone back...

coffeeismydrug · 12/08/2019 21:59

I have been there. It will happen again. and again. and again.

plot your way out!

Smelborp · 12/08/2019 22:00

Flowers and chocolates don’t exactly cut it do they? Particularly if they are bought to make you shut up about his violence and how much he scared everyone.

Are they really enough for you?

Haggisfish · 12/08/2019 22:00

Scottish schools have gone back. Leave him.

Vgbeat · 12/08/2019 22:02

Something is clearly bothering him. Are there redundancies or something at work. I might be the only one but he doesn't sound abusive we all have moments when we snap or so something silly we regret. I would try talking to him and say that he needs to let you know when things are bothering him as I know from past experience how stressful finances can be and can be all consuming especially when there are times when everything needs money at once.

Merryoldgoat · 12/08/2019 22:03

My DH do not have and idyllic marriage. We’ve been together for 14 years.

We have NEVER called each other names, never been violent, never stonewalled the other. We’ve had arguments with raised voices maybe 4 or 5 times.

We treat each other with respect at all times and communicate properly. We have a life together, we have children, we have to be responsible and that includes not exposing them to a toxic relationship.

ClaireElizabethBeauchampFraser · 12/08/2019 22:04

MrsHound there are areas in Scotland that started back today

MrsHound · 12/08/2019 22:06

Not really that random, forgot Scotland break up in June don't they?

What if she says something at school?
I would have stuck those flowers up his nose.

Tell him to grow up or leave. You cant have your children scared in their own home.

FrogFairy · 12/08/2019 22:08

Make no mistake, your children are being damaged by what they see and hear.

DonPablo · 12/08/2019 22:08

If one of your daughters was in a relationship and a man treated her like this, what would you say to her?

pooopypants · 12/08/2019 22:08

Protect your children so that they don't see this behaviour and think this is the norm

Can you contact something like woman's Aid?

FurnitureAndBackgammon · 12/08/2019 22:08

I agree with Vgbeat there is obviously something serious going on that has stressed him. Obviously that is not an excuse to behave that way but could be a reason.
You need to sit down and talk, preferably when the kids are not there.

LemonAddict · 12/08/2019 22:12

there is obviously something serious going on that has stressed him

And yet I can guarantee that he’s not going around screaming and throwing things at his boss, his colleagues, his friends, people in the street.

Nope, just his wife and kids.

Funny that eh?

EKGEMS · 12/08/2019 22:12

Those flowers would be on his grave if my husband did that shit to me

SillyLittleBiscuit · 12/08/2019 22:12

He’s left you no choice here. You have to let your children have the childhood they deserve and that doesn’t involve them lying awake at night listening to their parents argue and worrying whether their dad is hurting their mum. It’s twice now. Doesn’t want to talk about it. Thinks a bunch of flowers is apology enough. Your future is bleak if you stay.

AmIRightOrAMeringue · 12/08/2019 22:13

He agrees to go to counselling with you and by himself or it's over. Non negotiable. Everything you've written is awful. From the sulking to the swearing to the insults to the storming off and the refusing to speak about it like any reasonable person would. And that's without the shoe throwing which is clearly seriously unacceptable

Carinattheliqorstore1 · 12/08/2019 22:13

Hi, you need to leave. You know that already, that’s why you’re on here, but you need some support to do it. Please contact women’s aid. I’ve screenshotted some information for you

Husband threw a boot at me in front of terrified kids.
Carinattheliqorstore1 · 12/08/2019 22:14

Here

Husband threw a boot at me in front of terrified kids.
Gorrisandhorace · 12/08/2019 22:16

There’s no point talking because now, forever onwards , you don’t have an equal position in your relationship. At the back of your mind there’s always the fear that he’ll just throw something at you or the children if things don’t go his way.
Account overdrawn? Throw some boots.
Bereavement? Smash some plates.
And so on . But what happens is your ‘crimes’ become less extreme yet the acts of violence become more.
So one day you buy Lincolnshire sausages instead of Cumberland and you find your face through a glass table in front of your children. And so on.
Please leave, don’t look back

Carinattheliqorstore1 · 12/08/2019 22:16

Any I will never understand posters who doubt the story “are the schools not off?”

Firstly, Scotland has different holiday periods than England. The UK is more than just England

Secondly, the OP may have changed a few details so that she isn’t recognized.

Rainbowknickers · 12/08/2019 22:16

Please leave
Please get out for you and your kids

My ex did this
The last time he battered me was the night before jade goody died

I remember waking up,turning on the telly with 3 broken ribs a black eye and a split lip and hearing that she was dead-it was also mother’s day that year

It started ‘small’ like this and just got worse and worse

Please just get out

Your children will thank you one day

Mine lived in fear of mine until I put them first and kicked him out

I still can’t eat black magic chocolate cos that’s what he used to get me after one of our ‘tiffs’

Just pull your self worth up off the floor and get the fuck out-it’s not easy-it’s the hardest thing you’ll ever do-but it gets easier and you don’t know how strong you are til you have to fight

Sending hugs