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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Do we need help is he abusive?

110 replies

Twoopposingforces · 04/04/2026 23:55

Hello

Me and my dp had a rare evening out on Thursday and my mum looked after our 10month baby. The evening was amazing. The following day, we both went into shops. He spent quite a while looking at clothes (he never buys clothes) and then he really wanted to visit his hobby shop before picking baby back up. I wanted to go to a new bakery. But it was in the opposite direction. After his shops I was then getting rushed so we could pick baby up and then rush home to collect cats from cattery. I wasnt happy with this and told him I didnt want to pick baby up, thank my mum and go. It seemed ungrateful and I wanted to at least sit for a bit. He said he would maybe phone cattery to extend stay (as I did with my dog to avoid the hassle... as we live an hour away from my mum).

He then managed to fit everything in car which meant we could pick up cats enroute instead of going home and him going back out. Ill admit I wasnt happy and wanted him to just call cattery. Anyway he told me we had 40minutez then we had to go to make it. In all honesty, I wasnt in any rush as I was pissed off our day was being rushed when he could just extend booking. I didn't hurry and he kept pestering me "we need to go, hurry up and have your coffee, be quick in bathroom etc".

He then said he would meet me in the car. I then down ten minutes later, I went to bathroom said bye to mum, she was saying bye to baby etc. In the car he told me to stop being in a mood as I was quiet. I told him I wasnt happy being rushed and didnt appreciate being told to hurry up at every opportunity. He sajd he isnt a mindreader and if I wanted cats in an extra night, I should have said. We then started arguing in the car. He was calling me selfish. I denied this and said he was being selfish as he could have been quicker in his shops.

He then told me I was in a mood as I knew I had done wring. I said no, I was in a mood at being spoken to like a child. He then slapped my thigh and told me to grow up. He was shouting and swearing in car. Baby was asleep but he was driving fast to make it to the cattery. He said afterwards he hated driving fast as we had our baby in the car. I told hin to stop blaming me he decided to drive fast. He kept saying "tell me why u were being selfish, I need to know as I don't want to be with someone sellfish what is the fucking root cause" I then asked him if he watched his dad hit his mum growing up, if not, what is his root cause for hitting me, my leg in the car. He then said he wanted me out the house. I refused.

He kept calling me a fucking bitch infront of our baby. When challenged he said I have broken his heart. All I do is argue with him and he can't take it. He said he does lash out but I cause him so much frustration. I told him to grow up. He then started on the "tell me why you are selfish, why??" I then laughed and said "wow, and you call me autistic. Shut the fuck up". I then had 999 on dial and told him if he touched me again id call the police. He then said to our baby that he was sorry she ended up with a mum like me and because if me her life is now drastically going to change.

I then said, what does that mean?? He said that he isn't in a position to coparent as I'll move back to my home city and he works full time. I said well you would see her at weekends. He then said why should he see her every weekend where is his time off to do what he wants. I then said he was a deadbeat dad. He said he isnt he would do what needed done. In bed he then told me he is feed up of me treating him however I like. And he is the bad one for reacting. We both agreed we love each other but when it comes to conflict its bad. We are now being civil to each other. But is he abusive??

I feel sad but he keeps telling me it was my fault and I am not a team player in this family.

OP posts:
60andcounting · 05/04/2026 13:15

Twoopposingforces · 05/04/2026 12:44

What 6 and 2??
We have been together 4 years. All horrible stuff happened from 1-2 years.

6 and 2 threes means - 6 of one and half a dozen of another.

Woodfiresareamazing · 05/04/2026 13:15

Twoopposingforces · 05/04/2026 12:44

What 6 and 2??
We have been together 4 years. All horrible stuff happened from 1-2 years.

The saying '6 and 2 threes':
2 threes are 6.
6 and 6

Another saying:'6 of one and half a dozen of the other'.

Same thing.

You're as bad as each other.

BinNightTonight · 05/04/2026 13:16

MovedlikeHarlowinMonteCarlo · 05/04/2026 13:08

You sound like my friend who has guilt over being single. You should feel so proud your baby knows nothing but love and kindness.

Thank you so much, i needed to hear this today. Its so hard when all I see are families, but its a stark reminder that the grass is not always greener on the other side. He is napping blissfully beside me x

Livpool · 05/04/2026 13:19

You sound as bad as each other to be honest. What a drama about nothing! You need to seek therapy or split

Terfedout · 05/04/2026 13:31

Poor baby, stuck with parents like you two.

Peggyplunkett · 05/04/2026 13:35

You are equally abusive and toxic people.
Please sort it out, for the sake of the child.

YourWildAmberSloth · 05/04/2026 13:39

He had no right to hit you. However, up until that point I actually felt sorry for him. You were rude, immature and miserable. I'm not sure what the answer is - you are as bad as each other - so yes, you do need help, for the sake of your child if nothing else.

Cherry8809 · 05/04/2026 13:40

He shouldn’t have slapped your leg, but you also sound like a twat.

He made it clear he felt he needed to hurry and you said yourself you weren’t in any rush. You sound obtuse and difficult.

Jellybunny98 · 05/04/2026 13:44

You both sound bloody awful and if you love your child at all, either of you, you need to separate. What a fucking mess to bring a baby into.

UnbeatenMum · 05/04/2026 13:46

It all sounds very dysfunctional. You had a specific time to collect the cats. The cattery may or may not have been able to extend it. Instead of agreeing on a plan (either calling the cattery to see if they had availability to extend the booking or agreeing to collect them at the original time) it sounds like you both got locked into a battle that then lasted hours and ended up in swearing, name calling, dangerous driving and physical aggression. You were disappointed, he sounded very stressed, neither of you seemed to be able to control your emotions to create an emotionally safe environment for your child. Are you sure you want to stay together?

QueenBambi · 05/04/2026 13:47

You sound fairly young? Relationships take time and care. You need to communicate better and calm down. It's not the end of the world if you miss out on a bakery visit or are late to collect cats. Breathe.
You both need to communicate with each other and respect each other's feelings.
I don't think you are in an abusive relationship. I think you're both finding your way as parents and probably with each other. Tbh ending your relationship should be a last resort, especially if you love each other and your child. No one will love her like you both do so work through it.

DaisyChain505 · 05/04/2026 14:01

Twoopposingforces · 05/04/2026 12:47

So was he okay to do what he did then as he was tipped how do I get him back we are both so bitter in arguments.

The straight up honest answer is that you’re not good together and this isn’t the foundation for a long lasting happy and healthy relationship.

You were immature to create life together and to drag a poor innocent baby into this mess and if you don’t separate you’re going to cause life long irreversible damage to that baby who will grow into an adult who doesn’t know how to have a healthy relationship because they were never shown whah that was.

You sound like a love sick teenager who’s whole world revolves around their partner when really you should be asking what the hell you’re doing to your child.

StationJack · 05/04/2026 14:19

Twoopposingforces · 05/04/2026 12:44

What 6 and 2??
We have been together 4 years. All horrible stuff happened from 1-2 years.

I’m sorry but 6 and two three’s here. Six of one and half a dozen (2 x 3)of the other, @Twoopposingforces .

StationJack · 05/04/2026 14:32

You are toxic.

ImLeavingWalford · 05/04/2026 23:36

@Twoopposingforces no you’re not sensitive, but I would say you’re controlling, and if you don’t have your own way, then abusive.

The cattery situation. You wanted the plan changed. It wasn’t going your way, so you blamed him for taking too long in the shops. You didn’t get to control the situation to chill out at your mums so began your abusive behaviour.

Your DP said you stop your DD from doing things - again controlling. He called you out on it and you didn’t like it. That’s not being too sensitive. Sounds like he’s beginning to have had enough of you.

You tainted your mini-break by being a stroppy, abusive control freak.

Sort yourself out, or you’ll lose him.

Endoadnowarrior · 05/04/2026 23:57

Awful childish behaviour from you both and you either need to get counselling together or split and get counselling separately to learn how to communicate appropriately and put your child first rather than petty squabbling escalating to vitriol and violence. He shouldn't have hit you, not condoning that, but this sounds more like a toxic and abusive relationship than him being an abuser per se.

Also, why on earth were the cats in a cattery for one night? Surely that's unnecessarily costly AND disruptive for them? Cat feeders are a very convenient and inexpensive solution for a short break, without the drama of having to be back by a certain time.

Twoopposingforces · 06/04/2026 00:06

Endoadnowarrior · 05/04/2026 23:57

Awful childish behaviour from you both and you either need to get counselling together or split and get counselling separately to learn how to communicate appropriately and put your child first rather than petty squabbling escalating to vitriol and violence. He shouldn't have hit you, not condoning that, but this sounds more like a toxic and abusive relationship than him being an abuser per se.

Also, why on earth were the cats in a cattery for one night? Surely that's unnecessarily costly AND disruptive for them? Cat feeders are a very convenient and inexpensive solution for a short break, without the drama of having to be back by a certain time.

How was it abusive regarding wanting to stay at my mums longer? I onlt blamed him for taking long in the shops as he was blaming me for making us all late. His excuse? Oh but we had a plan and could have still made it but you ruined that plan and wanted to do your own thing. Youre not psrt of a team!! Jeez

OP posts:
Temporaryname158 · 06/04/2026 00:13

This sounds toxic.

at the end of the day he laid his hands on you. These things often escalate.

id leave now and take th baby. Do as he says and return to your home town. It’s up to him if he doesn’t see the baby any more but you need to keep the two of you safe

cucumber4745 · 06/04/2026 00:48

Twoopposingforces · 05/04/2026 11:59

I mean he didnt slapped me full force he gave my thigh a hard tap and told me to shut up.

For context, I have accused him of doing all sorts. One evening after a few drinks, I told him nobody wanted him as he want dumped twice before me. He stormed out of my sisters house. He was waiting outside my house as his car key was inside. I got inside first and was angry he left me. I then cut up his clothes. Told him his sequel past was disgusting. He had a threesome years ago. And threw objects at him. He didnt lift his hand once. The only force he used was to open my hand up to get the key as I refused to unlock my door and he wanted out.

I never did anything like that again but arguments didnt stop and sometimes tiny arguments would escalate into big huge things from his end. He says he has had enough of being nagged and moaned at. He said when he hears any negativity he thinks "not this shit again" and shuts down. He says he doesnt go 0-100. Its years of being moaned. Accused etc. But I feel he always blames me and anything is fair game as he "is annoyed"

You are the abusive one, not him. His behaviour is very likely the reaction to your abuse. Sorry to say but your accusations and actions sound borderline.

Endoadnowarrior · 06/04/2026 00:54

Twoopposingforces · 06/04/2026 00:06

How was it abusive regarding wanting to stay at my mums longer? I onlt blamed him for taking long in the shops as he was blaming me for making us all late. His excuse? Oh but we had a plan and could have still made it but you ruined that plan and wanted to do your own thing. Youre not psrt of a team!! Jeez

Its irrelevant what the root of the disagreement was -or indeed any other such minor disagreement. It's perfectly "normal" for 2 people to each have a different preference or expectation on what you wanted to do/prioritise and disagree about it. What IS abusive is the WAY you've each responded to what many people would usually consider a relatively minor annoyance by both escalating with inappropriate and disproportionate behaviours.

You we're BOTH verbally abusive to each other, and he was physically abusive, driving angrily and threatening to leave you Androidhyour child which is manipulative . This is toxic behaviour and allowing your child to witness this/be around this dysfunction is abusive to her.

This is a recurrent dynamic, even if not constant, and you seem to bring out the worst in each other. Even though you said you'd done awful stuff in the past -.time doesn't cancel out its seriousness! And adds layers and layers of dysfunction and trauma to thw relationship. Neither of you seem part of any team - let alone the team you should both be on and thats "team prioritise our child".

Your initial ask was "do we need help " and the answer on here is overwhelmingly YES, you really all do. Please take everything posters have said in response to you on board and take steps to help your child not have to grow up in the toxic environment of her parents relationship.

cucumber4745 · 06/04/2026 01:01

Twoopposingforces · 05/04/2026 12:09

Abusive with not liking his "leave her" comment? How?

Added to the rest of the behaviour, and the fact you do not see it and are nitpicking situations on mumsnet to try to proof hr is abuse and you are bot is gaslighting abusive behaviour. You had nothing to argue about and started argument over his tone. Your tone doesn’t sound any nicer tbh.. Few comments and your thinking is so black and white which is probably why he called you “autistic”. You say he tapped your thigh and wasn’t hitting then you go to question if it is assault. Do you hear yourself ? Throwing stuff, cutting clothes is assault - the fact it was 3 years ago doesn’t excuse it.
maybe him tapping your leg wasn’t the tight in the situation, but it is not what I will call assault. If he wanted to hurt you - he wouldn’t be taping your thigh, he’d ve elbowing your face. It sounds he was frustrated and it was “cue” to make you stop and back off because he has had enough. It is not right, but victims of abuse (which frankly he is) do react this way. You sound emotionally draining and I suggest therapy and paych evaluation.

ImFinePMSL · 06/04/2026 01:09

Twoopposingforces · 05/04/2026 12:27

Was it assault tho? He tapped my leg hard.

I was abusive yes but everything I said I done was 3 fucking years ago!

You BOTH sound like nasty, horrible hot-heads.

I think you both need therapy. But separately, as you’ve got some deep issues.

Please stop trying to play a “blame game” You both should be utterly ashamed of yourselves and want to become better people for your child and pets.

Cherryicecreamx · 06/04/2026 01:59

Wow sounds both as bad as each other! Make plans to leave before the baby witnesses any more of this behaviour - you can see this is not a healthy place to be in.

PollyBell · 06/04/2026 02:54

Twoopposingforces · 06/04/2026 00:06

How was it abusive regarding wanting to stay at my mums longer? I onlt blamed him for taking long in the shops as he was blaming me for making us all late. His excuse? Oh but we had a plan and could have still made it but you ruined that plan and wanted to do your own thing. Youre not psrt of a team!! Jeez

Abusive people dont see themselves as abusive

Tablesandchairs23 · 06/04/2026 04:26

You're as bad as each other. This is an horrible atmosphere to bring a baby up in. You should both split up and have therapy for anger issues.

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