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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:
2bazookas · 11/09/2021 19:06

Just a matter of time before he starts physically abusing you.

Get out now while you still can.

GotToGoBye · 11/09/2021 19:26

Your first question- no it’s not normal to scare your partner and make them feel threatened. Particularly over something as silly as a torn pancake.

Second question- I love people (and I’ve really been thinking about this) the only time I’ve acted in anger in front of them were things like I ripped up a letter that upset me. I wouldn’t even ever do it in-front of the person who sent it (who I don’t love). My partner was in full understanding that the anger was not to them and they comforted me. I have only had the same from partner.

So either your partner CANNOT control his anger and so it will continue. OR he IS OK with this and even actively decides this is his way to behave towards you when he is angry. He doesn’t care enough, you can’t make him care, you can ask him to behave and he might or he might for a short time. I doubt you can even ask him without fear or consequences.

You will know how he behaves with his work colleagues and friends. Can he behave?

Last question - I can’t help you make him be better. If he was asking then maybe people would have suggestions.

Your cats are yours, Police doesn’t come into it. Imagine a place where you work, come home to your cats, study, cook what you want and don’t have to tiptoe around shouty/angry/smashy man.

AppleCrumbleForBreakfast · 11/09/2021 19:29

I'm sorry, I'm sure this is painful to read but none of that is normal and he won't change. You need to leave.

Make a plan, don't phone or google from any device he may see, but if you can get out alone make enquiries then, go to a library (to access a computer) or police station or even your GP and ask for help.

Make a plan to get you and the cats out of the house together (Vet appointment if you need an excuse maybe?) and move into a refuge from there. Make it thorough but quick. Tell a friend or relative who can keep tabs on you/ help.

Good luck, keep us posted, you deserve so much more than this. To feel safe is a basic human right.

All the best

Good luck,

Looubylou · 11/09/2021 19:38

OP your last post has worried me. Great that you are thinking about an exit plan, but encouraging him to leave could be a very dangerous plan. Please get support from your local domestic abuse team (your council will have one), or Womens Aid. They will help you to devise a safer plan. You may well suffer financially, but you are currently suffering in far worse ways. Can you confide in your manager at work - this may help your work situation at least. People need to know that if you don't turn in for work, they should be worried. 💐

Muminabun · 11/09/2021 19:39

Make sure you have all your documents for yourself and for the cats. Make sure they are microchipped in your name, vet in your name and insurance in your name. If you have the cats and their paperwork then no one will be interested in an ownership dispute. Do not talk to him about leaving that would be very dangerous. He is violent toward you. Living with him sounds terrifying. Good luck and stay safe op.

Lizzyc1982 · 11/09/2021 19:40

Please speak to your local women’s aid. This is not normal behaviour, it is emotional abuse, you would score highly for high risk abuse (risk of serious injury or worse) Please get help safely. They will call you when it’s safe to do so.

CaptainMyCaptain · 11/09/2021 19:44

It is absolutely not normal.

I think people might I have been confused by the vote. I voted YANBU because you are not BU to think it is not normal. The people who voted YABU might think you are BU to still be with him.

SleepTalk · 11/09/2021 19:45

@ThePigspjs

This is all very upsetting to read, I wasn’t expecting everyone to say the same thing. I’m sure he won’t hurt me, so I think the best thing for me to do is a longer term plan. I put down the entire deposit for the house, so I’m scared to loose that- obviously that was a stupid thing for me to do. He does threaten to leave quite often- maybe encouraging this is the way to go. I just feel very numb.
.... just to follow on from my earlier post. In case you haven't considered this - I know I didnt even for years after I left.... they dont have to hurt you fo it to be abuse and i hate to point this out, the way he is treating you is abuse. Does he control you in as much as controlling your money, access to friends, etc? If so then this is now illegal and you should have the full support of the law. It is called Coersive Control. I read a news article recently where a chap was sentenced to prison. I apologise if he isnt and I have over stepped - but again I couldn't not point this out as your situation sounds so similar to one I managed to escape after 6 years of hell, so it come from a place of genuine concern. If this is the case I suggest you seek advice from a lawyer re the house deposit as there will be something you can do with this.
Yarnandneedles · 11/09/2021 19:46

Please contact Womens Aid. They are so kind.
They can also refer you to fostering services for your cats when you leave, until you get organised.

Bobsyer · 11/09/2021 20:28

Honey, he's already hurting you.

You wouldn't want to kill yourself if his behaviour wasn't damaging.

Please speak to Women's Aid and the Samaritans Flowers

Pebbledashery · 11/09/2021 20:34

If you're determined to stay, for the love of absolute God, don't have children with him. You would be completely selfish to bring children into such a toxic relationship. He doesn't and will never respect you, any man who treats his partner with such contempt is not a man. Absolutely nothing will change unless you leave.

3scape · 11/09/2021 20:38

EVERYTHING will be easier without this man in your life. His behaviour is his choice.

You need to choose yourself.

DrinkFeckArseBrick · 11/09/2021 20:38

Oh love. I burned dinner and ruined a pan the other day and my husband was sympathetic because he knew I was pissed off at myself and he offered to go and pick up a takeaway and said we'd buy a new pan as it looked like it was going to be impossible to clean (he was right).

You say he is not violent but breaking things, scaring you, damaging things, is intimidating and aggressive- its violent and its abusive.

The suicidal feelings are a normal reaction to this shitty situation caused by him.

One day when you've left and settled down somewhere else and gone through counselling you will realise he never loved you and you will see him for the nasty little bully that he is, I promise.

Please call womens aid or a domestic violence line or the police and get some help

DuckbilledSplatterPuff · 11/09/2021 20:38

I’m sure he won’t hurt me, so I think the best thing for me to do is a longer term plan
From the behaviour you've described, and over such trivial things, which was frightening to even read, it is pretty likely that he WILL hurt you - don't wait for a longer term plan, make a plan now.

Please get help as people have suggested, like Womans Aid so that you can make a plan.
I didn't see any posters advising you to hang around to see if it gets better.

thelastgoldeneagle · 11/09/2021 20:42

This is one of the worst posts I've read on here.

He is very abusive.

You don't deserve this.

I bet your panic attacks and depression and anxiety would be a hundred times better if he wasn't in your life.

He hates you and doesn't care about your feelings. Everything he does is designed to hurt you.

Please leave.

thelastgoldeneagle · 11/09/2021 20:49

You will never fix him. He has to want to fix himself.

And what do you love about him? What, exactly? There is literally NOTHING lovable about this bully.

Bananalanacake · 11/09/2021 20:51

Ask yourself would your life be better without him in it.

dreamofaVWcamper · 11/09/2021 20:53

Utter narcissist I'm afraid and as fast as you can, leave, know that this IS domestic violence and never truly leaves you

All the best,

dreamofaVWcamper · 11/09/2021 20:58

I'm struggling with the "need his work to calm down, so he's less angry"

There will always be something that irks him, be it the sky being blue or as you say a torn pancake,

TestingTestingWonTooFree · 11/09/2021 20:58

You cannot fix this relationship. He is abusive. You can’t fix him.

If your mental health is frayed, it’s little wonder. Life with him sounds horrendous. Get expert advice on how to leave him. You may be able to get him out of the house using an Occupation Order from the County Court.

beastlyslumber · 11/09/2021 21:29

His threatening to leave you doesn't mean that he is actually going to leave. He says this in order to get you into line. If you encourage him to leave, he may well react violently. The most dangerous thing you can do is let him know you are thinking of leaving or breaking up. You have to get out quickly and safely. Women's Aid may be able to help you make a plan. But keep it secret from him.

I'm sorry it's so upsetting for you, but there's nothing anyone can say except that you must leave him for your own sanity, safety and wellbeing. He is abusing you very severely and women here are talking from experience. This situation never gets better. Abusers only get worse and more violent. Please get away from him.

Hellotoallmyfans · 11/09/2021 21:33

You know this isn't normal OP. My heart breaks for you and the fact you are so downtrodden you feel you have to apologise to HIM. Please make steps to leave him, he will get worse.

MuppetsRus · 11/09/2021 21:35

Please leave! This is FAR from normal. I don't know how old you are or future plans but if relevant please don't have children with this man!

PurpleFlower1983 · 11/09/2021 21:36

Take the cats and leave, I know that’s not what you want to hear but it really is the only way out of this.

Tenohfour · 11/09/2021 21:46

This is how it starts, and then one day you "get in the way" of his fists. Or you just happen to be withing smashing distance of some object he is destroying. Usually it escalates into physical violence, and I know of someone who was murdered by her husband. It was the first time he had hit her. Before that, he focused his violence on furniture. Please please please get out of there. At least talk to someone irl about this. You know it isn't rite.