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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think DH is emotionally abusive

29 replies

Iris10000 · 08/11/2025 19:47

I will try to cut the story short. We will be divorcing at some point in the next year or so, could be longer. We still live together and weekends are unbearable. DH is dragging things with mediation so the progress is slow. He has been unpleasant, starting anrguments and calling me names for the last year. It started when I was pregnant and he got very friendly with a female work colleague sharing stories of his ‘awful’ wife (my sin for example is asking him to do 50/50 nursery pick ups which ‘disrespects’ his work. He doesn’t do much mental load besides ironing his own work shirt and doing the weekly bins and his work allows him to plan his day however he wishes. We both work). In the last few months I started to feel like I am making things up and I am over sensitive. Then the anger came and I started writing things down to vent off and realised he is a prolific liar and changes facts. He also calls me an abuser which makes me worried. He is very close to his parents and told them that I threatened to kick him out of the house and made threats against them, none of which is true. They stopped contact with me since the news of the divorce. Today he called me crazy and when I responded saying that’s horrible thing to say and I feel abused he said I am abusing him. Also today he shoved something in the kitchen cupboard and when he opened it again a bit of hot chocolate powder spilt out. He reacted by shouting: oh my god what have you done! Why would you put hot chocolate on the edge. He found another issue today. I was baking elaborate cake with DD and joked that I will need take away becuase I cannot face anymore of food prep and washing up and he went defensive saying in raised voice: so now you refusing to cook for everyone and only thinking about yourself. Nothing is ever his fault and he cannot apologise but when I point out that simple apology would be kind he says I am the one who cannot say sorry. He always turns things so he is a victim and I am the abuser. Any challenge of his behaviour meets with him finding a fault in me. Is this abuse, narcissistic behaviour, low self esteem? How can I survive living with him for months?

OP posts:
justagalaskingaquestion · 08/11/2025 19:54

For the sake of yourself and the children you can’t just “survive” living there for the next year or so. I would really get some professional advice on this and get out as soon as you can.

Iris10000 · 08/11/2025 19:59

The solicitor advice is to stay put if I can mentally. Unfortunately I cannot afford to pay mortgage here and rental elsewhere.

OP posts:
Tree20 · 08/11/2025 20:01

Why are you planning and announcing a divorce in the future? It's either happening or it's not ?

Givenupshopping · 08/11/2025 20:02

Are you paying all of the mortgage OP?

Whereismyfleeceblanket · 08/11/2025 20:03

Headphones... Wear them at every opportunity..

Iris10000 · 08/11/2025 20:04

Tree20 · 08/11/2025 20:01

Why are you planning and announcing a divorce in the future? It's either happening or it's not ?

The decision was made 3 months ago and that’s when I saw solicitor. DH keeps saying he is too busy to organise his side so we haven’t applied for divorce yet

OP posts:
Iris10000 · 08/11/2025 20:05

Givenupshopping · 08/11/2025 20:02

Are you paying all of the mortgage OP?

We split bills around 65% me and he pays 35% and this reflects our net wages and has been seen fair by both parties

OP posts:
Givenupshopping · 08/11/2025 20:11

Can you not put the house on the market now, and divorce later?

NewtonsCradle · 08/11/2025 20:15

Respond to every criticism with, "it's ok if you want to change it" the responsibility is then his to improve the problem or shut up about it. If he criticises again, "I thought you'd have fixed it by now".
I don't think the abusive label is helpful in anyway so I'd advise you to just keep note of the specific things he is doing and saying, ultimately the lawyers will see him for what he is.
Don't worry about what his parents do or don't believe, they have to side with their son, no matter how ridiculous his behaviour. They've known him all his life I don't imagine they'll be surprised about his relationship breaking down.

Iris10000 · 08/11/2025 20:16

Givenupshopping · 08/11/2025 20:11

Can you not put the house on the market now, and divorce later?

No, he said it’s his house (it’s a joint ownership though both of us)
and nothing gets sold until divorce is finalised.

OP posts:
BuddhaAtSea · 08/11/2025 20:19

Why do you care about what he says or wants? Go ahead and divorce, you’re not at school to ask permission.

IhadaStripeyDeckchair · 08/11/2025 20:21

Why are you waiting for him to "consent" to the divorce?

Just complete the paperwork and submit it.

Grey rock.
Do not let him get to you.
Text re children.
You do stuff for you, he does stuff for him (that means he does all his washing, cooking, cleaning up after himself etc)
Just dont engage with him, then he has no ammunition to use against you.

Whereismyfleeceblanket · 08/11/2025 20:22

File for divorce tonight online. You don't need his permission..

Iris10000 · 08/11/2025 20:27

Whereismyfleeceblanket · 08/11/2025 20:22

File for divorce tonight online. You don't need his permission..

I guess I am too scared because we agreed we would do joint application and he would flip if I did it behind his back. I am worried he will manufacture more lies about me when he gets angry.

OP posts:
SunnyViper · 08/11/2025 20:29

He will never file as it’s not in his favour. Do it now!

TangerineUnicorn · 08/11/2025 20:31

I know this trait of calling abuser when you stand up against the abuse or try to ignore it. Grey rock as much as possible. I got through a similar situation and 6 years on I am so pleased for me and DC that I did. I found reading this book useful - It's Not You: Identifying and Healing from Narcissistic People by Ramani Durvasula. He wants to break you and it’s so exhausting I know. Good luck.

TangerineUnicorn · 08/11/2025 20:31

This reply has been withdrawn

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

Goldenboxes · 08/11/2025 20:58

File for divorce asap.
Call Womens aid for advice.
You are being abused.
Your children are witnessing and being emotionally abused by his mistreatment of you.

Get support.

KoalaKoKo · 08/11/2025 21:08

Why are you paying 65% of the mortgage after you decided to divorce. Are you still cooking for him? You need to only pay half from now on - he is not your partner! Don’t cook for him, do his laundry or anything of that nature!

Terrribletwos · 08/11/2025 21:14

@Iris10000 you need to find the courage to file for divorce yourself. The fact that you are frightened to do this because of the possible repercussions from him and his shitty attitude towards you makes it absolutely more reason that you do it now. He is controlling you and being abusive. I hope you can find the strength to take back control. Start the divorce proces.

I understand you're afraid of him but this is your life and really he's not that powerful if you can just get your head around that.

Whereismyfleeceblanket · 08/11/2025 21:25

He isn't your boss. Pay 50%from starting that divorce..

Endofyear · 08/11/2025 21:29

I would go ahead and file for divorce - he's just holding you to ransom at the moment. You need to get things moving as this intolerable living situation can't continue without having a huge effect on your mental health. If he reacts in an aggressive manner, call the police. He can't be allowed to abuse you this way indefinitely.

I would keep all communication to as little as possible. Don't make conversation, or react or respond to him trying to bait you. Try and avoid being in the same room with him as much as you can.

Speak to your solicitor and say you now want to do everything you can to expedite the divorce.

TheatricalLife · 08/11/2025 21:37

You obviously can't stay put mentally as suggested, so you need to divorce.
In the meantime, I'd suggest you grey rock method every interaction with him. He can't bully you if you don't give a shit.

oviraptor21 · 09/11/2025 08:31

You can't file for divorce because you fear his reaction if you do? That's coercive control. Please call Women's Aid for help with this.

Floatingdownriver · 09/11/2025 08:36

OP, the answer is yes. He is successful king being unkind to you and this is changing your behaviour towards him. You’ll see it one day when you’ve been away from him and healed. He is awful and you MUST find a way to get out of this as it WILL leave an impact on you and your kids. You decide. It’s your life. You get to make your own choices. Divorce him asap. And go for therapy.

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