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Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

(d)h threatened to hit me

580 replies

itstimmy · 10/10/2010 08:52

Yes I provoked him.

When we met he said he had threatened to hit a gf before. And he said if another lady talked to him in a provoking way he would hit her, as apparently 'women who provoke secretly want to be hit'.

There have been lots of small things over the last 7 years I have wanted to speak to him about, I have, to no avail, he will just cut me off with a threatening look or sarcasum. And there have been a number of big things over the years I have had to keep a lid on when really I wanted to go ballistic with him. This has led to me simmering with resentment and anger at him, I just want to speak out and be heard and for him to actually take some action...but I dare not for this threat.

So yesterday it was a minor incident, I have been 'needling' him about it and making a few snippy comments, and in front of dd which I'm not proud of but I can hardly tell her not to do something when her dad is...it needs both of them to stop and have spoken to both indvidually about it. And I made one last comment yesterday, I was just incredibly pissed off but could not tell him how annoyed I was due to constant threat so made a pointed 'look what has happened, don't do it to the next one' comment and he got up from table and went to other room.

About 15 min later he comes to room where I'm folding clothes and warns me that I nearly got hit. To stop provoking him or I will get hit. He was not threatening me or trying to bully me he was warning me. And that it would hurt (said that a few times) and we have two small children in the house and that he did not want to hit me but I was provoking him into it. He was v scary, as he rarely makes eye contact and he did yesterday. First I tried to put on a I'm not scared leave me alone look but he told me I was provoking him, so I told him in a calmer (upset way, I was scared) why I had done it and it was wrong to have provoked but I had done it because he has been ignoring what I've been saying and I just want him to listen to me. In the end after a few more 'warnings' I asked him to leave, so (cursing myself now) I left the room and went to bathroom (door shut) so quietly cry my heart out, then when he went out drinking last night to do it again. He has left house again for an hour now and I just want to cry again. When he's in room I just start meaningless things like stirring porridge, feel a bit shakey.

I don't know what to do now. Does this mean after 7 years he is going to start to hit me? What will count as 'provoking'? Will going out all the time be provoking as I don't want to be in the same room as him. There have been a number of incidents over the years that have made me want to leave but I think this could take the biscuit.

On another note I don't think he loves or cares for me which is probably also where the provoking comes from...

I feel humiliated and scared. Wish I could threaten to smack him one...but even if I had the advantage I would not.

I know I can be a martyr and annoying but what the hell do I do now? I cannot move on without him actually taking responsibility for his actions in the house without getting so wound up he won't listen to me and then I get wound up and want to vent but can't.

What a mess.

He's back shortly so if I go quiet its for a reason.

And I married him because he reminded me of abusive dad...

Just rechecked this...I think I can see why he wants to hit me...but I just want him to LISTEN. And the provocation is down to that...you know where you just want to go "AAAAGGGGGHHHHH!!!!! DON'T DO THAT!!!!' and then whatever it is gets blown over, no big row, just a quick vent...imagine keeping a lid on that for 7 years...and there have been some whoppers where I wanted to just go completely wild and walk out that I've had to keep a lid on. Am excusing my behaviour now...how the hell do I get him to listen...thanks for reading so far...

OP posts:
ToniSoprano · 13/10/2010 09:05

Also, wanted to say you sound good and strong now, well done, and hang on in for the bumpy ride!

BrightLightBrightLight · 13/10/2010 09:06

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

frenchfancy · 13/10/2010 09:06

My guess is "where are my socks?"

Have a nice day with your girls Timmy.

itstimmy · 13/10/2010 09:18

and the winner is..................

Isitmeor

Congratulations you are now a Dr. Make sure you use it in any correspondence...

It also is other guesses aswell. And as for washing machine and how to work it...he's got his mother for that...he doesn't like her but was still getting her to do his laundry/ironing at the age of 33...the 'where are my socks/i'm hungry' etc tho were rather funny...

so it read...

I don't want2 get involved with visits.its best 2 wait till when u r ready 2 come back home. lots of love and missing you loads

nah, lied about last bit...he never tells me he loves me either...or misses me.

soooo i must be a craaazzzeeeyyyy lady! making it all up, being melodramatic, big fuss over such a little thing, which was all my fault no doubt... i mentioned on my txt i wanted him to see girls as soon as...so using that on me already...obviously he has not checked bank acct yet...still waiting for money to arrive in mine, wondering whether i can get away with transfering it elsewhere so i can claim income support and get free legal aid and have money to draw on to buy a house one day if he gets difficult...ha what do i mean 'if' he gets difficult.

and again if it were me i would be like a mad woman trying to get to them

OP posts:
itstimmy · 13/10/2010 09:23

get to girls that is and know how they are.

dd1 has not complained once about storytime, she had a wobble before bed on first night about going home and a bit of a wobble yesterday but since yesterday afternoon she declares she loves it here and wants to stay forever and loves the cosy bed etc. my mate is a chef, pasta last night was best i ever had, they are asking for us to stay as long as we need to keep getting support...they are being amazing.

dd1 is also not asking for daddy, thought she would ask loads but since first shock in car driving from school...she was heartbroken in her sobs it was awful, stopped car to reassure her, she didn't want me to comfort her but i sat by her side and talked with her and mopped up tears....anyway she barely mentioned him yesterday and today she said we were on holiday in a bit of a confused way...oh and yesterday she told mate that mummy could not be with daddy as she wasn't safe...i want to help her more...

OP posts:
Anniegetyourgun · 13/10/2010 09:24

Bah, outguessed Angry Congrats to the winner!

He, er, doesn't want to "get involved with visits", to his children? Well there's one very caring father. Now you know the bedtime story business was about getting between you and her rather than because he loved reading her stories and tucking her up. A cold fish indeed.

I wouldn't go down the route of hiding money so you can claim benefits, tbh. The state tends to take a dim view of such doings - nasty words like fraud get thrown around.

shodatin · 13/10/2010 10:44

Been following your thread and just hoping all went well for you and children - so pleased you now have police on side to give you some protection for the future.
Your friend is lovely to encourage you all to stay, and I'm happy you're getting through all this so well.
Whatever your dh writes in the future, I don't think you should take it seriously as he's obviously unreasonable (and not a very nice influence on the girls). Good luck.

maristella · 13/10/2010 10:57

what a DICK!!!!

i would not assume that he is sitting quietly and waiting tough, i bet he is plotting against you, so be ready for him to throw some shit in your direction.

it might be a good idea to keep a diary. you can record any attempts to contact you for the police or solicitors (get any texts witnessed by a friend) and you can also record your progress.

glad you and your daughters are having a lovely time with lots of cuddles and bonding without his interference :) keep up the good work

itstimmy · 13/10/2010 11:11

bingo. My bank account is looking extremely healthy at 50k.

well that is something else sorted. Friend suggested investment property as well as the marital home...then i've got it to rent out or live in. We'll wait and see how finances go.

having a wobble, asked dd1 if she is missing h and she said she is and home and school...she keeps doing her 'homework'. Feel so sad for them, I want them to get back to normal and see daddy and go to school again :(

OP posts:
maristella · 13/10/2010 11:16

ok, don't wobble :)
it's natural for DD to miss him, home and school. and she will probably continue to miss them until her normality has been replaced by a new normality; new home and maybe a new school. and yes she will miss him, but she will thrive without out, particularly with the amazing strength you have gained without him.

she'll be ok, you all will :)

Omarlittlest · 13/10/2010 11:39

Hi I have the feeling that dd1 will blossom now - its amazing no? you were afraid at first she would miss him terribly but maybe he was already intimidating and controlling her - she is also now free of this intense and unhealthy relationship - possibly the biggest gift you can ever give her in her life . its also quite significant i think that she could recognise and tell someone that you would not be safe she knows what going on....

well done and another one cheering you on

UpSinceCrapOClock · 13/10/2010 11:54

Just checked in to see if you had updated - wow, I'm smiling at this thread. It's a brilliant thing you have done (especially as a role model to your dd's. Even if they don't understand now, they will when they are older).

Don't wobble, although that is easier said than done. Just think about your dd1 snuggling up to you and that you can two can now do normal, natural things like that without looking over your shoulder or feeling like you are 'breaking rules'.

And what a dick with the text message. But he's just highlighting his twattery there.

Good luck!

Jux · 13/10/2010 14:19

Hi there Timmy. You're doing brilliantly. Your dd1 is getting used to the changes in her life, which are big big things. Keep reassuring her.

What a bum, not wanting to see his kids. Keep that txt forever.

ToniSoprano · 13/10/2010 15:28

Dontcha just love it when someone stands up to a bully? Hope the £50k keeps you warm at night, Timmy- excellent!

itstimmy · 13/10/2010 15:52

okay new challange guys...help me out again please!

I did not respond to first text, now had anohter from him

'could i have the car back please? I need it to go to work' (he has to pop into work on an evening to check things over)

The car is in his name, i'm just a named driver on the insurance. So its his.

He has two other cars at work (family business) he can use so the car is not essential to him, and he can also stay at his parents house which is where his work is!!

So a control thing, and to see where i am, and possibly irked i did not respond to his first txt.

I have had suggested by local dv office that i leave it somewhere he can get to and pass on keys via reg post. Makes things difficult for me tho, got 2 girls and a cat to transport and car seats that won't fit in every car...

Might leave it in a nearby town...so he can't work out where i am or it totally throws him...

OP posts:
itstimmy · 13/10/2010 15:53

god this is hard and its only the beginning...wait till he sees the bank account if he's peed off about the car...there again he seemed v calm about the girls so in theory he should be over the worst by now, no?

OP posts:
NicknameTaken · 13/10/2010 15:57

Firstly, don't wobble about DD1. Imagine how sad it would have been for her to grow up distant from you due to your H's machinations. This is better.

About the car, I don't know if legally you could refuse to return it. I suspect this might be risky, as he could cancel the insurance and you could end up in a bad situation. Assuming you do return it, I think leaving it in a nearby town and sending the keys by reg post is a great idea. Make sure you leave the car there first and only tell him where to go afterwards (stating the obvious) so he can't lie in wait for you.

Omarlittlest · 13/10/2010 16:00

agree with dv advice .. but do indeed leave it somewhere he cannot trace you and do post keys

dont let the car - even if a hassle - become a point of negotiation - get rid ...

hire borrow a car or even buy if the money will stretch that far

Ineedmorechocolatenow · 13/10/2010 16:03

I think you should return it, when you have had a chance to get another one. You'll need one for yourself anyway if you have two girls to take to places.

Be aware. This is only the beginning. I think his measured reaction is only an indication of what a cold and calculating c*nt he is (I couldn't resist the alliteration there! Grin). Every response he makes will be designed to wrong-foot you and disconcert you. He hasn't got over it, he's only just begun Sad. PUT NOTHING PAST HIM. DON'T GIVE HIM THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT.

Agree totally with Nicknametaken in that you only tell him afterwards where it is so he can't watch you leave and follow you.

You've done so well so far - an inspiration!

cestlavielife · 13/10/2010 16:05

my aunt gave me her old car - so i as able to hadn back the car which wa s in my exP's name (i was named driver).
i drove it to his place, posted the keys thru the letterbox and fled...

he went mad about that - and has brought it up a few times since! soemtimes "nice" "but you shoud have just asked! i would have transferred it to your name" sometimes nasty" how dare you dump the car on me like that!"

so which ever way you do it you wont win -

what if you ask him to send you the docs so you can re register it as yours? if he signs his bit . but then you would need to reinsure it etc.

if you can manage without it -just dump it somehwere and send him keys...be ready then to not respond to any further text about it.

oh and i think you will find he will wax and wane - trying good cop/bad cop routine to see what gets the reaction. stick to your plan.

maxybrown · 13/10/2010 16:09

can I just say, just because the car is in his name does make him the legal owner! My sis is going through similar. Not sure how you would stand on insurance though. Can you get someone else to drop it over to him? Or leave it somewhere as nicknametaken said. I would not take it to him yourself.

Besides, if he does cancel the insurance, he effectively owns an uninsured car too - besides the issues for you.

I would be very wary, a person who likes to control this much is not really all calm as he may appear.......get shot of the car if you can, but ideally not you giving it to him

Or invite him to meet you for it at your police station?

IsItMeOr · 13/10/2010 16:10

Hmm, not sure it's a good thing that I guessed right!

He's trying to mess with your mind still, of course.

On the car, though, as it's in his name I think you probably have to hand it over. Can you check with somebody with legal expertise?

Now you have the money in your account, could you buy another car for you to use? Or at least rent a suitable one for the time being?

It's a pain, but I suspect has to be done. But at least you made sure you had access to your cash. Sad

maxybrown · 13/10/2010 16:10

DH says if you are nearby he will take it over to him Grin he means it too!

maxybrown · 13/10/2010 16:17

did he personally buy the car or did you use "your" money to buy it?

cestlavielife · 13/10/2010 16:17

yes if he is the only named legal owner then he is repsonsible for the car insurance etc.

as named driver - you are repsonsible when driving it. if you speed a ticket will be sent to him - he can then tick box saying "it wasnt me it was named driver".

if you only on the insurance - it is HIS car legally.