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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To have walked out last night?

233 replies

cherrypumpkin · 27/12/2024 11:11

I'll try to keep this brief. Yesterday we hosted the my in-laws for the day. I drove them to the races and then stayed home with my 21yr old DD ( we are not racing fans) and MIL who has back issues so wanted to stay with us. I cooked a lasagne and a vegetable curry for the evening, then drove back to collect DH, FIL and my two stepsons and bring them home.
They sat and watched football while drinking, I pottered in the kitchen checking on dinner, bringing drinks etc. At food serving time DH came out as I was dishing up the lasagne. He started to shake his head so I asked what was wrong. He said "that looks fucking shit". I reminded him we had decided not to make a salad as it never gets eaten, he said "you didn't make salad because you couldn't be arsed". I said look it's fine, there's salad on the plate I will put some on the plates, but please don't speak to me like that.
He become very aggressive and told me to put the fucking salad on the plates, then that I was being a massive prick.
I ignored him and finished serving the food and the curry then went upstairs. He followed me up and told me I was a fucking bitch, and entitled prick, that I was selfish and didn't give a shit about anyone else. He was so vile out of no where and I didn't want it to escalate so I packed a bag and slipped out, spending the night in a nearby travel lodge so as not to a) have it become worse and b) spoil the evening for the rest of the family who were enjoying themselves.

He says what I have done is unforgivable in a marriage. He says I shouldn't be concerned about his words and that I should be more concerned about his actions which he said were not wrong.
Was IBU??

OP posts:
Eyerollexpert · 27/12/2024 11:57

Another alternative maybe rent a house with DD as a student and get other students to live there too. Not ideal but a suggestion

Shetlands · 27/12/2024 11:58

I totally understand you not wanting to leave your dogs and you don't have to! Your DH is the one you need to be without.

Mrswhatsit40 · 27/12/2024 11:59

It’s like trying to negotiate with a monkey holding a machine gun.

So true. You don’t need to explain or discuss this with him op. You can just withdraw, grey rock him etc whilst you get your ducks in a row. He’ll never apologise or explain bc he’s a twat, he enjoys being a twat.

Youre going to have to get tough here and start thinking differently. YOU are being abused and you need to find a way out. He doesn’t matter. One blessing is that your dd is grown up and can make her own decisions about seeing him etc - I’m guessing she knows exactly what he is.

Going and verbally attacking you like that away from everyone else is so insidious - it was just purely meant to upset you and put you down. Dickhead.

Fraaances · 27/12/2024 12:01

You can’t communicate to him because he is an abusive dick who has no interest in having his own viewpoint challenged. He won’t change.

pikkumyy77 · 27/12/2024 12:04

cherrypumpkin · 27/12/2024 11:33

I need to articulate to him how this situation is not all about me removing myself but about the way he spoke to me which led me to do that. I find it really hard to communicate with him in these situations because he will not listen to me and I get muddled and lose my ability to speak clearly...

You CAN NOT explain something to someone who does not care to listen. This is not a communication issue. He is a careless, drunken, abuser and his object of abuse is you. There is no “telling” or “explaining” that will change his behavior. He likes it like this—hell he loves it like this!

The only road forward us to separate. Concentrate on doing that swiftly and safely. Don’t sacrifice your life for your dogs. This situation can escalate to injury and even death. Your daughter needs you to live, to be bold and courageous and live!

Wheresthebeach · 27/12/2024 12:05

You are in an emotionally abusive marriage. Leave.

He enjoys insulting you, he enjoys you being upset, he enjoys making you pretend to be happy for the sake of others. He is cruel on purpose. He will not change, he will not stop as this is how he gets his kicks. Its power.

DeepRoseFish · 27/12/2024 12:08

He’s abusive! It’s time to LTB. Speak to women’s aid.

Goody2ShoesAndTheFilthyBeast · 27/12/2024 12:09

If you rent through a friend of yours could you tell her about it and ask her to give you both notice then rerent to you alone?
He doesn't need to know that's the plan.

cherrypumpkin · 27/12/2024 12:09

Thank you so much for the support, I was doubting myself and starting to think maybe I had been in the wrong for leaving because he is so adamant that it was thé worst part of all of it, he doesn't believe that words can be so hurtful or understand why I have such a reaction to the things he says.

OP posts:
DeepRoseFish · 27/12/2024 12:09

He will not change. They never do!

Do you want this for the rest of your life?

Duckswaddle · 27/12/2024 12:09

Fucking hell.
I don’t think any amount of talking to him is going to make a difference is it. You’re making a lot of excuses as to why you can’t leave him but you do realise this will be the rest of your life if you don’t…it’s really sad when women think this is all they deserve.

Shrinkingrose · 27/12/2024 12:10

cherrypumpkin · 27/12/2024 12:09

Thank you so much for the support, I was doubting myself and starting to think maybe I had been in the wrong for leaving because he is so adamant that it was thé worst part of all of it, he doesn't believe that words can be so hurtful or understand why I have such a reaction to the things he says.

Cmon now. Of course he knows words can be hurtful. That’s why he does it. To Hurt you.

BrunchBarBandit · 27/12/2024 12:11

cherrypumpkin · 27/12/2024 11:33

I need to articulate to him how this situation is not all about me removing myself but about the way he spoke to me which led me to do that. I find it really hard to communicate with him in these situations because he will not listen to me and I get muddled and lose my ability to speak clearly...

You say

’I do not like the way you spoke to me last night and I will not accept being spoken to like that.’

he’ll then arse around and try a) deny he said that stuff. B) say that it was your fault c) claim that you are controlling him by telling him what words he can use. Probably it’ll be a combination of a, b and c

Your only response to his blustering is to say ‘Well yes of course you can think and say what you want in the same way I can decide not to accept it. I don’t accept it and I will be staying in the travel lodge until I find more permanent accommodation.’

mnreader · 27/12/2024 12:11

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

EightChalk · 27/12/2024 12:11

pikkumyy77 · 27/12/2024 12:04

You CAN NOT explain something to someone who does not care to listen. This is not a communication issue. He is a careless, drunken, abuser and his object of abuse is you. There is no “telling” or “explaining” that will change his behavior. He likes it like this—hell he loves it like this!

The only road forward us to separate. Concentrate on doing that swiftly and safely. Don’t sacrifice your life for your dogs. This situation can escalate to injury and even death. Your daughter needs you to live, to be bold and courageous and live!

Agreed. It's so hard with unreasonable people to avoid trying to find that perfect way to explain things so that they will understand - but this will never work, because they are either incapable of understanding (or else they wouldn't behave like they do) OR they are doing it on purpose, in which case the explanation is meaningless to them. There really is no winning other than leaving. Wishing you strength.

Ohnobackagain · 27/12/2024 12:12

@cherrypumpkin so you ran around after everyone all day waiting on them
hand and foot and he treats you like a skivvy, not even as politely as one would treat an employee? Why would you be with this idiot? Please don’t stay with him.

Haggia · 27/12/2024 12:12

He’s a nutjob. Run.

Starlight7080 · 27/12/2024 12:15

You sound lovely.

You do need to try to make longterm plans for yourself and daughter.
A man like that should not be around her. Or you .
His behaviour is terrible. And does not sound like it will improve.
He is obviously feeling no remorse.

Tuftykitten · 27/12/2024 12:19

It's only a matter of time before he hits you.

I think you will go back to him though, which is a pity.

pictoosh · 27/12/2024 12:20

cherrypumpkin · 27/12/2024 12:09

Thank you so much for the support, I was doubting myself and starting to think maybe I had been in the wrong for leaving because he is so adamant that it was thé worst part of all of it, he doesn't believe that words can be so hurtful or understand why I have such a reaction to the things he says.

Yes he does. He understands plainly. Everyone does. It's not even a nuanced situation...if you are straight out horrible to someone, they will be upset. There is little to unpick.

He wants to have his nasty, abusive outbursts then have it swept under the rug so he doesn't have to take accountability. He enjoys bullying you. He isn't interested in the consequences. He really is that selfish and callous.

Katemax82 · 27/12/2024 12:21

Jesus's he's a monster! Leave the bastard

Bleachbum · 27/12/2024 12:22

My dad was a nasty piece of work like this. Never raised his hand to my mum but would say incredibly nasty things like this. And he didn’t even have drink as an excuse.

OP, if you can’t leave for you, then leave for your DD. I would bet money on her wishing that you’d leave him.

You say that you rent off your friend. Could you afford this rent on your house with some benefits? If so, is this a friend you can confide in? She could serve notice on your joint tenancy and then rent to just you?

Frangywangywoowah · 27/12/2024 12:23

What an utter arsehole.

penelopelondon · 27/12/2024 12:24

he should have prepared dinner for everyone (if he's so fussy with food), you're not his free cook (I hope so!). This man sounds like an abusive arsehole, you need to talk with a lawyer, then pack your stuff and move out. Fast. He knows he can get away with treating you like dirt so it's only going to get worse. For your safety and wellbeing leave this man asap.

cherrypumpkin · 27/12/2024 12:25

Bleachbum · 27/12/2024 12:22

My dad was a nasty piece of work like this. Never raised his hand to my mum but would say incredibly nasty things like this. And he didn’t even have drink as an excuse.

OP, if you can’t leave for you, then leave for your DD. I would bet money on her wishing that you’d leave him.

You say that you rent off your friend. Could you afford this rent on your house with some benefits? If so, is this a friend you can confide in? She could serve notice on your joint tenancy and then rent to just you?

This is probably my best option. Hopefully she would be happy to do that...

OP posts: