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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think this is unacceptable?

139 replies

seeya2020 · 27/11/2020 01:32

Me and my partner generally have a good relationship.. until we disagree with something.
I'm fairly calm and much prefer a discussion over things. I hate confrontation and rarely get angry.
However my partner gets irate over the littlest things and speaks to me like shit when he's angry. Tells me to fuck off etc. I NEVER say this to him unless I get really angry which is rare but he seems to get angry over the littlest of things.
Example is.. tonight we were discussing our sleeping routine with our son, he's 2 weeks old (before anyone goes down the route of oh he's snappy because he's tired from having a new born.. no.. he was like this before children), he mentioned that he allows me to have a nap during the day and that he doesn't have naps.. to which I said 'yeah you do have naps' and he flipped his shit basically saying I make shit up, he's sick of me making stuff up about him, he's pissed off, fuck off downstairs, you're a fucking dickhead. Demanding an apology for saying he takes naps 🙄 Etc etc.
Bare in mind, the discussion on my behalf was completely calm and was just trying to work out a general routine.
I would never ever call him names such as dickhead/fuck off etc unless I was REALLY angry. Which as I've said is rare.. but he's so flippant with it. It seriously upsets me, why does he feel like it's okay to speak to me like that? Is it normal or am I just sensitive? He says I'm sensitive but to be honest i think he is with three way he reacts so angrily to the littlest of discussions?

OP posts:
lilmishap · 27/11/2020 05:21

Does he bother controlling his gob when he speaks to your child? or does he swear at your child as well?

BoomBoomsCousin · 27/11/2020 05:26

I think having a sit down chat with him is a pretty reasonable and obvious thing to do as a first step.

So I question why in 10 years you haven't done this before coming on MN to ask a bunch of women you don't know?

10 years of having someone be vile to you for 1% of the time is over a month of it nonstop, 24/7, no sleep, no let up. That's a heck of a lot. I've been married 25 years, together for longer, and neither of us has ever spoken to the other they way you're describing. I have had boyfriends where that happened, but they generally didn't last much past the first occasion, no one made it past the second.

lilmishap · 27/11/2020 05:29

@AlizarinRed How would his anxiety be if you started ranting about everything?

You need counselling. You only get one life don't waste it making excuses.

JillofTrades · 27/11/2020 05:34

So I question why in 10 years you haven't done this before coming on MN to ask a bunch of women you don't know?

It's good that the op is asking for advice even if it is 10 years later and there are kids involved. However she is minimizing and defending him.
She has children now to put first, not just her who was happy to accept this for so long. As I said the kids will certainly learn to walk on tip toes around him. And sometimes anxiety starts off exactly like this. Op thinks the world of this man clearly, she needs to think of her children first though.

Omeara · 27/11/2020 05:36

If he doesn’t do it to other people then he’s choosing to behave this way towards you.

There’s not a chance I would tolerate being spoken to like that. You do not want your children to grow up thinking this is either an acceptable way to behave or be treated in a relationship.

lilmishap · 27/11/2020 05:37

@seeya2020 why were you discussing napping timetables? were you asking him for help?

Onedropbeat · 27/11/2020 05:39

Op my DH can be similar.

He’s got a short fuse and when he’s tired or anxious he can be more snappy.

However, I don’t like it and I find it disrespectful as he wouldn’t dare talk like that to anyone else

The main reason for this is that he’s comfortable with me

We have 2 kids too. I’m not leaving him over it as he is genuinely an amazing man and lovely the rest of the time.

It happens so rarely.

The last time he snapped was also when we had a newborn just a few weeks old

I walk away and let him calm down. Don’t engage with him. Once he’s calm I told him I will not be spoken to like that, that he can control it as he can control not speaking like it to others and that because we have children I will not accept them learning the same way of miscommunication and bullying behaviour
I told him that as a mother I will not tolerate anything that may affect the children and for me that’s the line crossed and if he did it again he would have to leave

He hasn’t done it since

He still gets stressed and upset occasionally but we’ve both made conscious efforts to diffuse any situations in a more calm and rational manor

He was if anything a bad communicator and had been perfect first born child and given anything he had wanted by his parents who were also bad communicators and a little bit emotionally stunted.
He is otherwise a very shy and quiet man, and I think it can be a quiet type who sometimes when they feel comfortable end up having the outburst because they hold so much inside

Bl3ss3dm0m · 27/11/2020 05:45

I am with Gurps again here. I would go so far as to say that unless in your own head and heart you already know that you want to leave your partner, then it might be best not to expect advice on mumsnet about this sort of subject. I don't know what it is with all the people who's reaction is immediately "leave the bastard", I do think that there must be a significant number of mumsnetters who are in very unhappy relationships themselves, and project that on to others, or they are single themselves, and probably unconsciously, are jealous of those who are generally speaking, happy in their relationships.
OP if your initial reaction was (and it seemed to be) don't be ridiculous, telling me to leave him, we are happily married, but with the occassionally blow-up which your DP, for whatever reason, cannot deal with in the same calm way that you can, then I think that you probably are happily married, and that you may both benefit from some marriage guidance counselling - I know from personal experience, that if one partner tends to stay reasonably, calm during heated discussions/arguments, and the other doesn't, that the more angry partner can (in some cases) feel as if the calmer partner doesn't really care about them at all if it doesn't make them seem overly emotional too; whereas the calmer one can feel really upset by what is happening, but for whatever reason (and there can be many) does not feel able to show it. Both of those reactions are very common, and getting to the root of each persons insecurities (or whatever they are) can be extremely helpful in helping their relationships flourish.
Contrary to a pp's view (which seemed to be based on only her personal experience) some stressed, and/or depressed people can, and do, react angrily to situations that upset them, and if they are stressed or depressed, many many situations can make them feel upset/scared/out of their depth, etc. Yes, some people will withdrawer into themselves, but that does not mean that that is how stress and/or depression manifests itself in everyone else.
Obviously OP you can only cope with what you can cope with, and it wouldn't necessarily be helpful for either you, or your DH, to just ignore his outbreaks, and if you ever start being at all worried that his anger may become physical, or starts to impact too heavily on you (or your DC) then you would need to withdraw yourself and the children from that situation, at least until the issues have been properly addressed. At the moment you do not sound as if you are in that situation, and suddenly having to cope on your own (and with the DC) without the love of your life's support, company and love, can be a very bleak situation to be in.
My advice - for what it is worth - is to get yourselves on a waiting list for marriage guidance counselling, and an appointment for you and your husband to see (ok, almost impossible at most GP practices at the moment) his GP, or at least have a video appointment with his GP about your husband's ongoing stress/depression. If your DH isn't willing to do that, then can you write him (your DH) a letter for him to read when he is not in the house) explaining how his moods affect you, and what you feel you may have to do for your's and your DC health and well-being, if he is not willing to seek any help. Unfortunately, no-one on mumsnet can say what that should be. You sound very intelligent, and with a lot of commonsense too, which do not always go together very well, so I am sure with maybe a little time to yourself to think clearly, I believe that you will come up with the best solution for you, and your DC. However, I have great hope that your DH will see that him talking to his Dr will give you all the best chance in moving ahead as a loving and successful family.
If anything I have suggested here OP makes you think "No" that is not right for us, then please listen to yourself, and ignore me. Good luck, I will be thinking of you, and sending you the very best of good wishes x

BoomBoomsCousin · 27/11/2020 06:08

@JillofTrades

So I question why in 10 years you haven't done this before coming on MN to ask a bunch of women you don't know?

It's good that the op is asking for advice even if it is 10 years later and there are kids involved. However she is minimizing and defending him.
She has children now to put first, not just her who was happy to accept this for so long. As I said the kids will certainly learn to walk on tip toes around him. And sometimes anxiety starts off exactly like this. Op thinks the world of this man clearly, she needs to think of her children first though.

It isn't good that her first step before sitting down to talk with him is to ask for advice hoping to be told to sit and down and talk with him, fgs. The reason why she wouldn't just do this before she comes on MN to ask for advice could make a lot of difference to understanding her situation better.
AlaskanSnow · 27/11/2020 06:14

My husband used to be similar.

He would call me all sorts during an argument. It took a while, but I refused to discuss anything unless he spoke to me in a civil manner.
It was perfectly possible to have an argument without calling me a bitch

He no longer does it.

Can you record him? It really bothered me that he was supposed to love me, yet felt that language towards me was OK

Mebeline · 27/11/2020 06:19

In a respectful, loving relationship, you say when calm - please don't call me names, it really upsets me. He says - oh OK, I'm sorry I didn't realise I won't do it again.
And then he doesnt.
It really is that simple.

wildraisins · 27/11/2020 06:19

It all sounds very confusing for you.

Remember that you know more about your relationship and this man than anyone on here possibly can, so don't let the forum sway you too much. I'm a little concerned that you are preparing to leave after reading a few comments on here when originally it wasn't even on your radar. It sounds like you're not feeling very sure of yourself or what you want/ need.

You can take on board opinions, but ultimately it's your own life, so have a big think and listen to yourself. What's your gut telling you?

On mumsnet there are always a lot of people hammering their keyboards and telling people to leave relationships which could actually be worked out. A lot of people have anger issues and especially at the moment with the pandemic and 2020 being the way it is. It could be that he knows he has a problem and wants to work on it. If you say the relationship is good 99% of the time then that could be worth saving.

In my view it is not normal or OK for him to treat you this way - I think that's been established. So now it's about how you deal with that.

So, have you talked to him about this directly and told him how it makes you feel? If so, how does he respond when you bring it up? I suppose what I want to know is whether he has any insight into his behaviour and does he want to work on it for you? That is the important thing really. If he has no insight, doesn't care, or just gets angry when you bring it up, then that's the time to think about whether you want to stay in the relationship. Try communication first.

lilmishap · 27/11/2020 06:25

Yes OP you and Two children should exist to be sympathetic to a man who cannot chop an onion without upsetting everyone in the house. You don't deserve any better than that.

Of course they have discussed this previously, if @seeya2020 felt she was happy to let it slide she wouldn't have posted asking for reassurance that it is ok for her to feel this is unacceptable.
You've given TEN years, it's time for Act 2 in your life story because Act 1 is not going to change for the better and now you've started questioning it, you will always be aware that you're settling.

You were at your parents for x years and you moved on, very few stay in One relationship forever, this is not the relationship you want to look back on as it likely will involve watching your kids trying to make the same excuses you are. They don't have the benefit of another set of parents who didn't talk to them shit, only you have that.

Geez, you don't owe anyone a romantic relationship because they only blow up at you when they feel like it and you gave birth

Shoxfordian · 27/11/2020 06:27

It isn't ok for him to call you names or swear at you. Doesn't even seem like a big argument in your example, just his default reaction to you. Your children will absolutely notice it and think it's normal. They'll be either repeating his behaviour or thinking it's ok for their partner in future to call them names.

I admit I say ltb a lot. Not because I'm single or unhappily married but because I can see the abusive behaviour clearly. If and it's a big if he wanted to get anger management counselling and demonstrate that he can and is changing then you could consider staying. If not and he thinks it's fine to treat you like this then absolutely ltb

Bananasandorangesss · 27/11/2020 06:31

Absolutely unacceptable abusive and bullying behaviour - be kind to yourself and get out and leave him to swear at onions by himself

SquareSausage17 · 27/11/2020 06:34

He sounds like a vile, toxic abuser. I think you’ve become so used to normalising his behaviour you don’t even realise how serious it is.

You don’t deserve to be treated this way, and I’m so sorry he does this. I hope you can find a way to leave before he raises your son to be the kind of man he is Flowers

sapnupuas · 27/11/2020 06:37

I'd be interested to know if he naps?

Because surely only one of you can be right. If he does and he's telling you he doesn't, isn't that gaslighting?

SquareSausage17 · 27/11/2020 06:46

I don't know what it is with all the people who's reaction is immediately "leave the bastard", I do think that there must be a significant number of mumsnetters who are in very unhappy relationships themselves, and project that on to others, or they are single themselves, and probably unconsciously, are jealous of those who are generally speaking, happy in their relationships.

In my case it’s the exact opposite. In the ten years we have been together my husband has never even once called me a horrible name or raised his voice at me. Not even once. And I would never do it to him. I have never been treated with anything other than absolute love, respect, warmth and empathy.

I am astounded by the behaviour some women think they should be expected to tolerate from their partners - it is inconceivable to me that a woman should expect to tolerate or excuse being called a dickhead by an angry man, because at least he’s only like that some of the time.

I think male anger, male entitlement and male aggression are so normalised that lots of women aren’t willing or able to recognise them for what they actually are: toxic behaviours which should not under any circumstances be tolerated. Women should not tolerate being shouted at by their partners. Women should not tolerate being called horrible names by their partners. Women should not be fearful or concerned about raising issues with their partners.

Perhaps most importantly, women should not have to do the emotional labour of sitting a man down and patiently explaining to him that it’s not ok for him to get angry, storm around and shout insults because it is already patently clear to all decent adults that this is not acceptable behaviour.

That’s why in a situation like this I will almost always suggest leaving. I don’t think it is the job of women to remediate abusive men. I don’t think abusive men just need to be told they’re abusive by a nice calm woman. I think many mumsnet posters exhibit a startlingly high tolerance for abusive behaviour, and it worries me enormously. I think women can and should expect better from their partners, and should be empowered to leave relationships with men who treat them badly.

lilmishap · 27/11/2020 06:48

The majority of relationships do not involve having your head bitten off.

Its hard to believe that when you've known nothing else for ten years, but it's true. Most adults do not swear at their partner and an onion and the tv and whatever else they think justifies making you feel ignoring that they've made you feel crap because (insert reason here).
You're an adult with choices but you're responsible for Two people who aren't and this is their dad.

It's not fair on any of you

BloggersBlog · 27/11/2020 06:49

@AlizarinRed

he's too old to change

No, he's too lazy, and you're too enabling. Set your bar higher fgs

Catscatsandmorecats · 27/11/2020 06:51

OP, I have a similar story to onedropbeat my DH can get overly angry at little things and sound very aggressive and nasty, however he does not do it at me or the children or near the children.

He understood (before children) after friends saw him at me for something relatively minor whilst on holiday and were shocked. We spoke about it and he was horrified that he'd upset everyone, me included. We've been able to have open conversation about it ever since and if he is unnecessarily harsh at any point, which is now very rare, I can point it out.

He understands that it can frighten and upset and has worked to change his behaviour.

We also discuss how our behaviours towards each other can influence the kids and if we notice something we don't want to model then we talk about it. We've become more aware of our flaws and what we want our children to find acceptable.

In all other ways he is wonderful, we are a great team on even footing with two great kids. We laugh a lot and are affectionate and take comfort in each other.

OP, this is just my experience and my DH sounds different to yours in some ways, similar in others. But you need to think about what is right for you, no one from just reading your post can give you and definitive advice. You are not oversensitive though, I've been there and it is not nice. I hope you work it out.

BonnieDundee · 27/11/2020 06:55

From reading your first post only theres nothing here to save. Random people in the street or at work wouldnt talk to you like that. This man is supposed to LOVE you.

Suzi888 · 27/11/2020 07:25

“For example, she'd often be on a work call and as soon as she'd hang up she'd shout "no, I WON'T do all your work for you, you FUCKING WANKER" or "grrr, you're such a FUCKING TWAT!" at her laptop. “ My DH has been around me when I’m doing that! I would never do it around my child or in work, well just in my head sometimes! Lockdown has been difficult for lots of people.

Does he do it all the time OP? are you frightened of him? If you are scared of what he might do to you then you need to leave. If you are not scared and you love him then you need to talk to him, he can’t act like this in front of your child, your child will think it’s normal. He needs to recognise and get help for his problem. He can’t exactly feel great during or after these outbursts? When he’s losing his shit on an onion, would he do that alone? or is it for your benefit... he doesn’t do this in front of other people because he knows there would be repercussions.
If he can’t or won’t change, then I think you have a choice to make. Hope it doesn’t come to that.

Chocolate1984 · 27/11/2020 07:28

I nearly 41 and I’ve ever had a partner or friend that swears at me or calls me names. It’s not common, it’s not the norm and it’s not acceptable.

CharityDingle · 27/11/2020 07:39

@Omeara

If he doesn’t do it to other people then he’s choosing to behave this way towards you.

There’s not a chance I would tolerate being spoken to like that. You do not want your children to grow up thinking this is either an acceptable way to behave or be treated in a relationship.

Exactly this, OP. His behaviour is completely unacceptable, and that's putting it mildly. You have two children to think about now. Is this what you want as a model for them?
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