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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to react this way

45 replies

Bubbles1986 · 27/11/2021 16:06

So to preface I grew up in quite a violent household. My step dad would hit me and my mum and would scream and shout and swear in our face, and my stepbrother sexually assaulted me on a number of occasions. My husband is fully aware of my history but find it difficult to control his anger at times. He used to hit doors and walls and slam things when he got angry at me but to be fair to him he hasn't hit anything in about 2 years.

Last night I had gallbladder pain and had to take some codeine so I wasn't much use. My husband had to make the kids tea but was too tired after work to clean the kitchen so when I made lunch today room was limited. I shouted the kids to get their food but as they came to get it my husband called them into the living room to show them the new Christmas tree he bought. I hadn't heard this part though so as far as I was aware they had come down stairs and gone straight to the living room so I shouted through for them to come get it from the kitchen. Yes I probably did sound exasperated as the kitchen as a state and I had limited room (yes I know I should have cleared it first but we were out most of the morning and so lunch was already late and I didn't want to delay it any further). My husband came through and told me off for telling the kids off. I said I didn't feel I deserved to be told off and that's when he cornered me at the dishwasher (he said he was washing his hands which is why he was so close) he started screaming and shouting and swearing in my face and told me it was time I learned a few home truths and that it was my fault because I should have cleaned the kitchen last night and told me to stop fucking crying and shaking because it makes him feel bad that he can't express his anger at me when it's perfectly fine for me to be emotional and upset. He said he only gets like this rarely (maybe 8 occasions over the last 5 years) and so he shouldn't have to be held responsible for my upbringing. So is someone screaming and shouting and swearing in your face OK in relationships where people haven't had a violent upbringing and am I overreacting? If so should I go speak to someone about my reactions as me getting upset just seems to escalate things anyway

OP posts:
Sirzy · 27/11/2021 16:09

It’s never ok to behave like that and to try to push it back onto you makes it even worse.

Don’t let history repeat itself and your children grow up in a situation like you did. You can all do better than him

tallduckandhandsome · 27/11/2021 16:09

YANBU, OP, this is not OK at all.

My DH and I have had quite robust arguments but he has never, ever got aggressive or got in my face to scream and shout at me.

I really think you need to leave this abusive man Flowers

thenewduchessofhastings · 27/11/2021 16:13

And it's Saturday and he wasn't capable of helping to clear up the kitchen because?

Yes it's fine to express your anger at someone but cornering them,getting in their face and generally because physically intimidating isn't okay.

What's worse is he knows behaving in such a threatening manner would really frighten you.

arethereanyleftatall · 27/11/2021 16:16

No, op, it's not ok to behave in the way he does. It's abusive. I'm sorry for you that you don't know this.

kiwimum18 · 27/11/2021 16:17

This is absolutely not ok. A bit of an argument is one thing but shouting swearing in someone's face is just over the top. Seriously concerning. I hope you're ok OP.

Bubbles1986 · 27/11/2021 16:19

OK thank you. It didn't seem right but you never know what's going on behind closes doors and I didn't know whether most people have occasions like this, like I said it is only maybe 8 times in the last 5 years whereas when I lived with my stepdad it was every week. I think if I just start trying harder around the house more then I can make it go longer between occasions. I must admit I'm not very easy to live with, I have a lot of health problems so I can't keep the house as tidy as I should and I do only work part time so that is reasonable of him to expect. I think that might be the home truths he was talking about. I know that it's not normal behaviour now though so I might try and explain to him again when he's calmed down

OP posts:
arethereanyleftatall · 27/11/2021 16:22

No op, you working harder round the house isn't the solution I'm afraid. It's his problem, one which he needs to rectify.

Jabvribt · 27/11/2021 16:26

No it’s not ok at all. I find certain things triggering due to past experiences so DH doesn’t do them, even when he’s real annoyed he has the self control just to walk away. He’s blaming you for his actions

ThirdElephant · 27/11/2021 16:27

YANBU. Screaming and shouting and swearing at someone is never an acceptable response to anger, not towards anyone, despite their upb.

ThirdElephant · 27/11/2021 16:27

*upbringing

Terminallysleepdeprived · 27/11/2021 16:33

Your dh is an abusive dick.

Start making preparations to ltb before he does something far worse to you or your kids.

You grew up in that environment, don't make your kids do the same

5foot5 · 27/11/2021 16:35

This is not your issue to solve it is his. Getting in to such a rage that you scream, shout and swear is not normal or acceptable behaviour. It can't be dismissed as "only occasionally" The fact it happens at all is bad. He is the one who needs to see somebody to learn how to control his anger issues.

PleaseGoDontGoAgain · 27/11/2021 16:35

If so should I go speak to someone about my reactions as me getting upset just seems to escalate things anyway

You can talk all you want but getting upset when a man is screaming and shouting in your face is entirely normal. It's frightening. Your fear is not causing things to escalate, he is doing that.

How often your stepdad frightened you is irrelevant, your partner is not a good man because he isn't the same as a bad man you once knew. He has frightened you several times and you believe your behaviour is responsible, this is untrue.

He has an anger problem. You can't fix someones anger by changing your own behaviour.

Throckmorton · 27/11/2021 16:36

I'm so sorry. You and your kids are going through what you and your mum went through. Please think about leaving this abusive arsehole.

Santaischeckinglists · 27/11/2021 16:38

Once me and dh had a lovely day out. He accused me of rolling my eyes at him. I hadn't. He cornered me in the kitchen then shut a door on my arm.
True colours op...
Time to get rid.

Offmyfence · 27/11/2021 16:38

YANBU do everything you can to free yourself. Thanks

FlowerArranger · 27/11/2021 16:42

OP - this is emotional abuse, and with him standing over you and screaming right into your face it is only a hair's breadth from actual physical abuse.

You are walking on eggshells and your children are absorbing everything they are exposed to, including the all pervasive and insidious threat of violence, your 'coping' and appeasement strategies, and the overall unhealthy atmosphere.

Bubbles1986 · 27/11/2021 16:56

Thank you everyone, sorry I can't respond to everyone but it is a relief to know that I'm not over reacting. I have a lot of thinking to do but thank you all for taking the time to respond to me

OP posts:
DonttouchthatLarry · 27/11/2021 17:03

You are not overreacting - this is not normal behaviour. My DH has never ever done anything like that in 21 years.

PleaseGoDontGoAgain · 27/11/2021 17:10

@Bubbles1986 please pay attention to posters like @DonttouchthatLarry, it's really hard to judge normal behaviours if your childhood didn't include normal behaviours.

A little bit of frightening is still frightening and it isn't something most people expect to get away with either.

Nanny0gg · 27/11/2021 17:11

@Bubbles1986

OK thank you. It didn't seem right but you never know what's going on behind closes doors and I didn't know whether most people have occasions like this, like I said it is only maybe 8 times in the last 5 years whereas when I lived with my stepdad it was every week. I think if I just start trying harder around the house more then I can make it go longer between occasions. I must admit I'm not very easy to live with, I have a lot of health problems so I can't keep the house as tidy as I should and I do only work part time so that is reasonable of him to expect. I think that might be the home truths he was talking about. I know that it's not normal behaviour now though so I might try and explain to him again when he's calmed down
Why are you taking the blame and wanting to appease your abuser?

It's not you, it's him

SameToo · 27/11/2021 17:15

It’s never right. He is vile.

beastlyslumber · 27/11/2021 17:32

YANBU at all. He is being abusive towards you and your kids. It's not your fault, and nothing you do or don't do will ever be enough for him.

I think you know, deep down, that this isn't right or okay.

What's your situation, OP? Do you work? Do you have anyone in real life to talk to?

Peace43 · 27/11/2021 17:36

That would be a dealbreaker for me and I didn’t grow up in a violent household. I never scream at my DP or my kids. I can hold my temper and I expect any partner of mine to do same. I would 100% not stay with someone who screamed in my face and made me feel scared.

User5252727 · 27/11/2021 17:40

Your husband is abusive