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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to have felt scared?

2 replies

anonymousas · 22/04/2025 20:33

This may be a bit of a ramble but hopefully it makes some sort of sense as I’m really struggling to understand the situation.
for context me and my partner have a newborn and an older child. We’ve been together for almost 10 years. He’s never been physically or verbally abusive in any way. I’ve seen him lash out in anger in some instances (punching things or kicking things in frustration)
This morning I asked him to take our newborn downstairs so I could catch up on some sleep as I do the night feeds solo (I’m breastfeeding and he works until midnight so comes home and gets some undisturbed sleep) At the moment I’m getting about 4/5 hours of broken sleep so I’m absolutely exhausted.
my partner took our DD down and I slept for a few hours, he came upstairs and asked me to come downstairs so he could get dressed and go out to see his friend. I remember him coming and waking me up and I remember saying that I was getting up but I must have fallen straight back to sleep. I didn’t fall asleep again on purpose I was just that exhausted that I couldn’t help it. About 30 mins later he wakes me up by stomping up the stairs again and banging the bedroom door open and asking if I’m getting up in a very angry tone (he didn’t shout but it was quite intimidating)
I don’t know if it’s because I was still half asleep or if it’s something deeper but my initial reaction was fear. I felt scared in that moment.
I got up and took over with DD and found myself walking on eggshells a little until he left. I struggled all morning trying to dissect my feelings around it.

For background info I have no past trauma and had a very happy childhood. The only thing I’d mention is that I have quite poor mental health and am autistic.

My question is AIBU to have felt scared in that moment? Was he in the wrong? Or am I overreacting?
Any thoughts are much appreciated

OP posts:
MsNevermore · 22/04/2025 20:37

You felt how you felt.
There is no right or wrong answer here.
You felt scared and that is valid.

As for the lashing out in anger, kicking and punching of things in frustration?
That is not a normal expression of anger for a grown man with two children in the house 😳

You have a newborn baby. You’re breastfeeding. You’re getting little sleep.
So to answer your question bluntly: he acted a complete cunt.
You do not bang a door open and abruptly wake a new mother because you want to go out with your mates 🤨

Ohmeohmygoodness · 22/04/2025 20:44

I'm not surprised you have poor mental health if that is the way your partner behaves.
He has anger management issues.Lashing out and kicking and punching things is often the precursor to being physically violent to their partner. And is very frightening.
And you have a new born baby and are exhausted. He should be helping and supporting you but his priority is meeting his friend . That is not how a decent partner and father to a new baby should be behaving.
I think you were right to be frightened because there is every chance his behaviour will escalate.
Do you have family or friends nearby OP?

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