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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Abusive partner or am I to blame?

50 replies

Jojo397 · 06/09/2023 10:04

Hi everyone, this is my first post so apologies if this isn’t in the right place and for the long post but I need some anonymous advice as I can’t face telling anyone I know about this.

I’m currently 8 weeks pregnant and on a group holiday with my partner in turkey with his friendship group for a wedding. It’s been mostly great but I have been feeling quite tired and sick for the past few weeks of being pregnant.

Very sadly a close friend of my partner’s passed away 2 days ago while we were on the trip. He is very upset of course but doing his best to hold it together.

Last night we went out for dinner in a group, him and some other boys we were with were drinking very heavily and being quite loud in the restaurant. I was quieter than normal because I wasn’t feeling 100%. My partner kept asking me why I was grumpy with him and I kept telling him I just wasn’t feeling great. He kept on asking to the point it got annoying so I did take a tone but only quietly because i wanted him to stop asking. He got quite angry and quietly called me some nasty names. Him and his friends got progressively louder and quite obnoxious so I moved to the other end of the table to sit with some of the other girlfriends in the group but I want annoyed with him at all. When the meal was finished some of the group went to another bar (because we were embarrassed of some of the group shouting quite offensive things in the restaurant). I kissed my partner, told him where we were going and that I loved him.

I was having a great time at the other bar (obviously not drinking) until my partner came. I went to sit with him and he started spitting venom at me (F you, I hate you etc) quietly so no one else could hear.

Eventually him and I left the bar. The whole walk home he was screaming at me and saying some of the nastiest things (F you again, hate you, you’re such a nasty C, that I was emotionless, wouldn’t care if my best friend died). He even repeatedly shouted at me to get rid of that thing inside me. His justification was that I embarrassed him in front of his friends and left him to go to the other bar when he was in his darkest hour and his phone was dead (when I left he was chanting with the other guys I told him where we were going, yes his phone was dead but the others had phones on them).

His shouting on the walk home that multiple people came out to check I was ok. He did hit me on the arm at one point but not hard. The police were also called by someone who obviously heard and thought I was in danger. I promised them I was ok and they went away.

This morning he’s doubled down, still saying he hates me, it’s my fault and that I’m a nasty C. He’s also denying saying that I should get rid of the baby.

I don’t know what to do. We’re only half way through the trip. Is he abusive or am I awful for not being more understanding?

OP posts:
TheShellBeach · 06/09/2023 10:09

There is no question that he's being abusive.
I'm so sorry this is happening to you.
If he's hit you and shouted abuse at you, you need to split up.

Please don't think that this is because you weren't understanding enough. He's an abusive bully.

TheShellBeach · 06/09/2023 10:15

How soon are you going home? I'd be tempted to leave early, without him.

melisma · 06/09/2023 10:21

Without a doubt he is abusive and I am so sorry this has happened to you. His grieving, drinking, you going to another bar etc is absolutely no excuse - no one should EVER treat you like that. Is going home early a possibility?

Miri13 · 06/09/2023 10:23

There is a saying when drink is in, the truth comes out. You need to leave him. Sorry to have to say this but he has made his feelings quite obvious and especially with the next morning’s behaviour . I’m not sure, but I think I read that a lot of men who go on to abuse women are lovely at first but a pregnancy seems to unlock the abusive side in them and this might be the start of worse to come. I know it’s going to be difficult but you really should break up with him now, for your and the babies sake. The fact he is grieving is no excuse, if anything he should be seeking comfort from you not abusing you.

BodenCardiganNot · 06/09/2023 10:25

Is he abusive or am I awful for not being more understanding?

He is abusive. Go home and make plans to leave him.

Bananalanacake · 06/09/2023 10:29

He is abusive and you definitely need to leave him. Do you live together.

Thepeopleversuswork · 06/09/2023 10:31

He’s massively abusive and the fact you have to ask is worrying.

Get through this and once you are home make a plan to get away from him before the baby arrives.

EdithStourton · 06/09/2023 10:32

That's abuse. No excuse for it. Get out as soon as you can.

Jojo397 · 06/09/2023 10:40

Thank you for your replies. I know deep down you’re right and I need to leave him but it’s just so hard because I do love him very much. I just don’t see the man I love in him when he’s acting like this, it’s like a switch has flipped and he’s a totally different person. We’ve been together for 6 years, rent together and share a dog.

We’re supposed to be here until next Monday. I could get a flight home tomorrow but I’d miss the wedding and Im scared I’d create a drama on someone else’s wedding trip by leaving.

OP posts:
Humidititties · 06/09/2023 10:44

You're not the one creating the drama, he is. Just leave and seriously think about whether you want this baby with him as the father

AnythingILike · 06/09/2023 10:50

There was literally a thread on here yesterday where quite a few of us were saying that the moment some men marry or get you pregnant, they suddenly flip

You're in a vulnerable position now you're pregnant hun, I'd definitely back the hell away from him - as for the baby, you do what feels right for you - ignore him

Chicky101 · 06/09/2023 11:08

Go home, make prep to leave him. Under NO circumstances should someone treat you that way. You certainly don't want him around you while pregnant, or you and the baby later on. Alcohol often reveals a character. When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time. Your priority is your health and mental wellbeing, and the safety and wellbeing of your baby. Nothing else matters. Good luck.🙏🏽❤️

Watchkeys · 06/09/2023 11:21

If you can leave, leave. Don't worry about creating drama for others. Look after yourself and your baby first, and let that be your motto from today forward. Continue to put distance between you and him. Split up, keep away from him. If you can't do it for yourself, do it for your baby, who is currently being abused before it has even been born.

Your motto, again: Myself and my baby come first.

In time, investigate why it hasn't always been your motto to put yourself first, and why, when someone calls you a cunt, you might think it's your fault. There is never a situation where calling someone a cunt is morally the favourable thing to do. Even if you'd done awful things to him, he would have a variety of responses available to him, including explaining to you how he felt, and trying to understand your position. Instead, he chose to insult you.

If he really thinks you're that bad, then the adult response would be to walk away from you, so, even if you were behaving appallingly, he still hasn't done the adult thing.

Book a ticket, leave, apologise to the couple quietly and remotely stating personal issues, and make your plans to exit the relationship. Womens Aid and Turn2Us can offer emotional and financial support.

Pixiedust1234 · 06/09/2023 11:23

He said it all whilst drunk - not good at all.
He repeated every single horrible word when sober - get the hell out of there and don't look back. He meant it.

When other people call the police because they are witnessing abuse then it's gone too far. Most people turn a blind eye until it's really really bad.

Ducksinthebath · 06/09/2023 11:25

Does it matter if you create a drama given that if you break up (which I hope you do for your own sake), you won't be seeing his friendship group again?

I am sorry to say it but in your position I would also be giving serious thought to continuing with the pregnancy or not. Even if the relationship is over, a child would still irrevocably link you to this disgusting excuse for a human being.

pinkyredrose · 06/09/2023 11:26

Honestly, I'd have an abortion and leave him. He's an abusive person, please don't inflict him on a child.

TheShellBeach · 06/09/2023 11:38

pinkyredrose · 06/09/2023 11:26

Honestly, I'd have an abortion and leave him. He's an abusive person, please don't inflict him on a child.

This isn't helpful. The OP may not want an abortion.

Ducksinthebath · 06/09/2023 11:48

TheShellBeach · 06/09/2023 11:38

This isn't helpful. The OP may not want an abortion.

She may not want to break up with the partner but you're ok with people suggesting that. What's the difference? Is it that one fits with your personal beliefs and one doesn't?

Dinoswearunderpants · 06/09/2023 11:52

He's behaviour was utterly vile. Has he ever acted like this before?

I appreciate he has a lot to deal with currently but that's no excuse to treat you this way.

I'm shocked he's not remotely remorseful this morning. I'd be running for the hills.

WeeOrcadian · 06/09/2023 11:53

I got as far as "He did hit me on the arm"

That's it. It won't get better - only worse from here on in

And you're pregnant. Google how abuse gets worse during pregnancy.

He's shown you who and what he is - believe him

Consider very carefully if you want to be tied to this piece of shit for the next 18 years, and if you want to bring life into the world, knowing that they might have to deal with him too.

pinkyredrose · 06/09/2023 11:56

TheShellBeach · 06/09/2023 11:38

This isn't helpful. The OP may not want an abortion.

Suggestions of not continue a pregnancy with an abusive partner are entirely appropriate.

Prelapsarianhag · 06/09/2023 12:21

Now he feels you are trapped he can reveal his true abusive nature. He has hit you and that is crossing a massive line, which once crossed, ususally continues. He is not a safe person anymore.

Cloudsandyoghurts · 06/09/2023 12:56

It takes alot for someone to step in when they witness abuse. It takes even more to call the actual police so it must have been pretty extreme. You cannot stay with this man, you and your baby deserve so much more.

Gettingbysomehow · 06/09/2023 13:00

No abuse is your fault. Leave now before he starts abusing you and your baby. I would not tolerate that behaviour in public from anyone much less abuse in private.

Chunkyspunkymunkey · 06/09/2023 14:44

How often does he drink because alcohol changes people?

I m Know some people say your real self is shown when you’ve had a lot to drink, but I don’t agree. I have behaved very badly on about 5 occasions in my 70 years of life because I have drunk too much. I made a complete arse of myself. For the rest of the time I am a fairly sedate, sensible person.

I see he has continued to behave badly but if this is very untypical behaviour I would not jump to LTB or abort the baby in a 6 year relationship.