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Relationships

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

Desperate For Support/Advice Please

3 replies

completeturmoil · 17/10/2010 12:17

I threw DH out/he left last night. It's not the first time I have done it/it's happened and I always give in and ask him back usually and, not suprisingly, he doesn't take me seriously and treats me like a joke.

Last night we went out with friends and had a lovely meal and evening. I drove. Afterwards, we went back to friends for a few drinks and then walked home. DH Got very drunk at friends house and we ended up getting into a petty arguement when we got home. He became verbally aggressive towards me and then got dressed and whilst doing so 'flicked' me in the face with his jumper. I locked myself in the loo and he insisted on opening the door from the outside, all the while calling me an 'ugly c**t' and other equally horrid names.

We've been together several years. In that time he has been violent on several occasions, always when very, very drunk. After the last time I did throw him out and I meant it and he absolutely begged to come back and promised not to drink again. This was a couple of years ago and slowly he started to 'ask' if he could drink on social occasions, now just assumes I won't mind. I hate him drinking as he can never have a drink or two and at best he gets depressive and miserable. He is in a job/cricle of friends where drinking is almost part of the culture and he doesn't think he has a problem. I don't think he's an alcholic, but he just doesn't know when to stop and has a problem.

We also lost a baby earlier this year at late term. A daughter. Last night was quite hard as our friend's daughter came down for a cuddle with her Dad when we got there and obviiusly it's hard not to imagine that that could have been us with our daughter. DH did cry and had to leave the room.

DH has asked the GP for help/referral to counselling and nothing seems to have come of that. Relate will not get involved due to the past violence. DH has said he will go to relationship counselling with me, but we never have. I think it' past that, tbh and I also think he needs counselling himself, but he denies this.

I just don't know what to do. I consider myself a strong person, but I also know I am putting up with behaviour I never expected to. That said, although DH does frighten me at times, I know without doubt he would never lay a finger on me when sober and I am not generally scared of him. I have children from a previous relationship and I do have to consider them. (they have never been there when DH was violent, always at their Dads) I won't deny I hope that by moving on with my life DH will seek the help he needs and take me more seriously, but for now I think I just need to find a way to move forward.

I live in DH's house, but I do have a small income from self employment. I could probably raise the money for a deposit for a privately rented house, but don't have enough income to cover the rent etc. I appear (via the website) to be entitled to some tax credits, but not really sure how this works or how long it all takes to come through?

More importantly, how do I find the strength to see this through? DH and I were TTC again and although I'm aware we can't do so anyway now, I am 35 and feel I will have to accept that I won't have any more children. That is the hardest thing in all of this. Sad

OP posts:
ilovewoody · 17/10/2010 15:53

I know how hard this must be for you.

I left my husband 3 months ago after putting up with similar behaviour for 12 years. He was never physically violent to me but was verbally abusive and threw things around the house when he was drunk. And he did punch my dad in the face once too

He just didnt know when to stop. He would drink and drink until there was nothing left. When he was like that I hated him and over the years I just lost all respect and love for him

He said he would cut down and did stop once for a couple of months after he nearly lost his job

But it was bigger than me and think the drink would always win

I am really sad that my marriage is over but feel a big weight has been lifted off my shoulders

You are only 35 - you can start again. Do you have anyone you can stay with? Even just to give you some time to sort yourself out

Even if life would be tough for you on your own to begin with it will be so much better than having the threat of him kicking off every time he has a drink. I know what that fear is like. In the end we had no social life as he couldnt be trusted to behave in public

Good luck

Sorry the post was so long. Havent really talked to many people about the reasons for our split.It felt good to write it all down

cory · 17/10/2010 16:36

Just looking in to read your OP here, having seen the one in AIBU. I think you have been incredibly brave about this. He clearly has a big problem but won't recognise it/can't cope with confronting it, sooner or later it would affect your children. Also, if you love him, how would you have felt gradually watching that love erode when all the respect was gone? You have done the right thing- though it must be very very hard.

ilovedplaydays · 09/02/2012 17:16

Just come across this. I'm wondering how you are now? Research tells us apparently that any abuse ALWAYS gets worse if it is not genuinely dealt with...? Maybe through counselling I guess. You are no way responsible for his behaviour yet you have a duty of care towards your quality of life and that of your children. I imagine children are always happier when their parents are happy - whether together or apart. When abuse (emotional, mental aggresssive, violent etc) is in the home children learn to live with it, happily or unhappily and that can't be good. Take care

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