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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask if this is normal

104 replies

ThePigspjs · 11/09/2021 11:44

Hello

I really don’t know what to do. Are the following things normal:

Punching holes in the wall when we argue.
Throwing plates across the room and smashing them, and making holes in the floor because his tea wasn’t cooked properly (it was, he was just in a mood).
Calling me names, and mocking me when I cry. This is what upsets me most, copying my voice, it just makes me so sad and I don’t know why.
Smacking a pan on the worktop, then breaking a spatula, a measuring jug and our washing up bowl by hitting it with the pan because I tried to flip a pancake, and it tore.
Hitting his head against the wall, and denting it.
Punching my chest of drawers until they break.
Smashing a huge mirror on the floor until it broke.
Refusing to have tea because he’s in a mood, and I haven’t decided what we are having, or I have and he doesn’t fancy it.
Making me do all the driving and then shouting at me if I don’t pull out of a junction quick enough, or if I wait too long at a roundabout (I’m now a really nervous driver, which makes this worse).
Refusing to speak to me about why he’s angry.
He used to scream at our cats but he’s stopped that now, and is really nice to them.

Normally things like this happen, then a few hours later I apologise to him and he calms down, but he still is angry with me about his tea not being right last night, which is really out of character.

We aren’t married, but we have a joint mortgage, and three joint cats, who I can’t leave, because they are the only thing stopping me from killing myself.

I’m really struggling in my new job, I find it too complicated, and I’m meant to be studying so I can change careers, but my new books have just arrived and they are massive, and there is no way I can finish them in the timescale I need to not let myself have another breakdown. I’ve recently gone on beta blockers to help my panic attacks, which is good, but now when he gets angry it just makes me really sad instead of panicky. I feel like I want to go and jump off the cliff, I genuinely would do if I didn’t have my cats.

He always has these anger bursts then everything goes back to normal, we plan the rest of our lives together and I love him so so much. But surely he doesn’t love me back if he calls me names and scares me? I feel like I’m always walking on eggshells, but he’s never been violent towards me, so I’m being stupid. I just don’t know what to do, I want to take my cats and run but I’m scared that means I can never get back with him, and I do really love him. And I’m scared he will go to the police for me stealing the cats, even though they are registered as mine at the vets.
I just need a way of fixing my relationship, and then I can focus on my job and studying and everything. I can’t talk to family because the only people i could tell are poorly.

Can anyone help me? Please don’t say leave, I just need help keeping myself together until his work calms down and he gets less angry. Thank you

OP posts:
BeautyGoesToBenidorm · 11/09/2021 11:48

Unfortunately my love, the only way to fix this relationship IS to leave. This is so far from normal, it's not even on the same planet.

This man is an abuser. Everything he does is designed to intimidate and belittle you, to erode your confidence to the point where you genuinely believe you have to stay with him.

This isn't love. He might not have hit you (yet), but his behaviour is violent. It's only a matter of time.

You're worth so, SO much more than this. Please speak to Women's Aid, they will help you.

AppropriateAdult · 11/09/2021 11:49

You know this isn’t normal, and you know it won’t stop when his work calms down. This is a highly highly abusive man, and he’s only going to get worse. It’s very likely that at some stage the thing he punches or throws will be you.
I’ve been married for nine years, and my husband has never done a single one of the things you’ve described. It’s not normal.
Is there anyone else in your life you can confide in? You need to get out of there. You only have one life - you don’t deserve to spend it like this.

PumpkinKlNG · 11/09/2021 11:49

You know it’s not and you know everyone will only tell you to leave

Moonlitdoor · 11/09/2021 11:50

He is violent towards you he just doesn't hit you. Punching walls, breaking things is violence. I think you are in a relationship with a very dangerous man. Your description is terrifying. Please call woman's aid and please leave.

I'm sure someone else better able to advise will post but do not underestimate what an appalling situation you are in and what a total shit your partner is.

TopBlogger · 11/09/2021 11:51

If you have to ask, you have already answered it.

What are you going to do?

YouAreEnough · 11/09/2021 11:52

No it's not normal and he should not be treating you this way. Keeping yourself together is not the problem. He is.

PocketPeanuts · 11/09/2021 11:52

No, this isn't even close to normal - it's extremely abusive. I'm so sorry.

You need to start making plans to get away. I understand that it won't necessarily be a fast process because you'll need to figure out accommodation for you and the cats etc. but things will only get worse so you do need to start looking into what's available and how to leave.

MattHancocksSexTape · 11/09/2021 11:52

No this isn’t normal. It will escalate to where he hurts you, or one of your cats if they are “in the wrong place”. He’ll blame it on the cats. It’ll never be his fault.

Get yourself out of this situation.

Wole · 11/09/2021 11:53

This is not normal. It could escalate as well.

Speak to woman's aid. Stay safe Flowers

BillyJoe111 · 11/09/2021 11:53

He will never get “less angry”

He has massive issues and his behaviour is not normal.

He will never, ever change or get better. He will only get worse.

The only way you will make your life better is to leave.

rainbowunicorn · 11/09/2021 11:53

You know it isn't normal. You also know that you need to leave. What help do you expect people to give you if you don't want people to tell you to leave. It really is the only thing you can do,

Polly271220 · 11/09/2021 11:54

Why are you with this nasty cunt...fuck him off

BillyJoe111 · 11/09/2021 11:55

You are in a bad place. But listen to this - ONE thing on that list and I would leave someone over it.

You do not have to put up with this.

Wandafishcake · 11/09/2021 11:56

It isn’t normal.

He has anger problems. He may be upset, angry, struggling with stress, maybe struggling with something else …. but it’s still abusive. It’s still abusive even if you love each other.
He is taking out his problems and awful temper on you, and it is making your life not worth living, you said so yourself.

I’m so sorry but I don’t think there is anything you can do except leave. Take the cats with you. Can you go to your parents or a friend? Do you have any savings?

MadeOfStarStuff · 11/09/2021 11:57

You need to leave. I know that’s not what you want to hear but it’s the only solution to this situation.

pigsDOfly · 11/09/2021 11:59

Of course his behaviour is not normal.

As pp said it's only a matter of time before the thing he smashes and punches is you.

He is doing this to you. He is the reason you feel you want to kill yourself.

You need to get yourself out of this abusive relationship.

Call women's aid and get some help because nothing is going to change whatever happens in his job.

Decent people don't behave like that just because they're under pressure from work.

He's an abuser and always will be. You can't fix him and make it better it's just going to get worse unless you leave.

Frolicinameadow · 11/09/2021 12:00

This is not normal at all. His punching walls and other objects is a threat, as in this time it’s the wall I’m punching / head butting next time it could be you.
The shouting over tea and driving is all designed to undermine you and make you feel responsible for his anger and responsible for placating him.
But you are not his cook or chauffeur. If he’s able to throw a man sized tantrum he’s able to cook his own tea.
Please contact women’s aid, everything you’re feeling is due to his behaviour, if you get away and get some clarity and space you won’t feel this wretched.
You are worth so much more than being treated as an emotional punchbag for this overgrown spoiled violent excuse for a man. Please know you are worth more.

pigsDOfly · 11/09/2021 12:01

Take the cat's with you. He can't accuse you of stealing them.

PollyDarton1 · 11/09/2021 12:06

Please leave. I am now exiting an abusive relationship which isn't anywhere near as nasty as yours. Look up the trauma bond - this is what it is, trying to appease the abuser, for the dopamine you get when the abuser is kind to you.

This man is violent and controlling and there is absolutely no way you can have a peaceful, equal, harmonious and loving relationship with this man because he's simply not capable of being the person you deserve. I have learnt this the hard way in my own situation. I am lucky in a way that my DP recognises he is the problem but this man sounds far beyond that.

Speak to Woman's Aid or to your local domestic abuse charity who can either support you in getting help to stay in the property or look to rehouse you, hopefully with your cats. Fingers crossed they'll be able to get this horrible, insidious man to leave you - perhaps with police involvement.

Wishing you the very best Thanks

BluebellsGreenbells · 11/09/2021 12:07

Do you want 50 years of this?

TheWeatherWitch · 11/09/2021 12:07

The man is a pig and not worthy of you. Unfortunately if you think he will calm down or be less angry you are in for a real rude awakening.

Please don’t say leave
Then stay, he’ll not improve. He’ll throw a family size time of beans at you and break your toes , he’ll slap you awake because he’s seen a man has been phoning you, he’ll punch you in the face and split your nose, but you love him 🤦‍♀️

Don’t ask for advice then disregard it before it’s offered. Get used to him if you don’t want to free yourself from living with this vile, abusive pig.

AhNowTed · 11/09/2021 12:09

I only read the first paragraph.

He is a nasty violent prick.

Love? Doesn't even come into it.

You must leave this arsehole before he destroys the rest of your life.

Ionlydomassiveones · 11/09/2021 12:10

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn at the poster's request.

georgarina · 11/09/2021 12:18

He's an abuser and nothing you can do can change that, you can only protect yourself. Really lucky you're not married and don't have kids together. Do you have friends/family? Leave leave leave. You can have a happy life!

NOTANUM · 11/09/2021 12:24

You are in a very abusive relationship. Please contact Women's Aid for advice on how to escape.
There are charities that foster pets while people sort out their lives. I believe the Cat Trust does but many local small ones do too.
You're overwhelmed at work and in study because you're in a state of anxiety waiting for the next blow-up. How could you work/study well in that atmosphere?
Hands down it'll get worse if you don't get out. Wishing you well..
Flowers

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