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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

To be amazed at how little you all seem to put up with in a relationship?!

177 replies

Jazzicatz · 22/07/2011 16:21

Everytime I come on here and read through this section, most of you very quickly jump in and say 'dump him'. Do you really dump someone for apparant trivialities or just saying it but would never do it yourself?

OP posts:
barbiegrows · 25/07/2011 10:59

What gives someone the right to tell someone else their partner's behaviour is 'appalling' and because of what they think you are wrong to try and work through it? You'd never say that to someone in RL.

Some of the weblinks are interesting but there's a weblink for everything, and there is a book out there for everyone to tell them what they want to hear. There are also plenty of weblinks for men to find out why their women are 'nuts', 'abusive' or 'lesbians'.

Personality disorders as far as I remember they are developed, often in older childhood as a defence mechanism? If this is the case it doesn't mean they are actually untreatable. So I'm not sure if it is a problem that they are 'bandied about' because it is likely that this the reason many men do become abusers and others become victims? It is as likely that women suffer personality disorders as much as men. A disorder can be re-ordered.

Bandying about autism and aspergers is a bit extreme I think though as these are not acquired behaviours and people with these disabilities have no ability to alter it, in which case the OP wouldn't have gone near them in the first place. You can't 'play down' aspergers - either you've got it or you haven't.

The reason I like the Beverly Engel book is that it alternates between 'he' and 'she'. This is hard to read but makes you think twice about your own behaviour, which although often justifiable, isn't always good.

The main reason I object to the leave-him-now posts is that it is dangerous to tell a woman to leave an abusive man. No social worker or anyone trained in DV or child protection would ever say that to a woman.

rainbowtoenails · 25/07/2011 11:10

Im in the 'shocked what some women put up with' camp too. Like the thread last week about the broody 23 yo who was told to stay with her emotionally abusive dh.
Some people may seem to jump the gun sometimes but often it does transpire that there is much worse abuse than admitted in the op. Eg a thread last year where the mum was being raped.

Laquitar · 25/07/2011 11:26

Barbie, you feel that people don't have the right to critisize your dh's behaviour but you have the right to critisize divorcees as 'selfish' and to feel sorry for dcs who 'have 2 birthdays and 2 christmasses' ? Hmm

By all means if you dont want to leave then dont leave. But dont try to guilt trip those who did or who are about to do. Some children -in disfuctional families- dont have ANY happy birthday or christmas when their parents are under the same roof so i think having 2 is not bad.

Proudnscary · 25/07/2011 13:36

I agree that posters can become positively nasty if the OP is not ready to leave her partner, or indeed refutes that her relationship is destructive or unhappy (or is in denial).

I have seen OPs ridiculed and bullied and made to look/feel stupid.

There are many kind and wise posters who bend over backwards to advise and supported abused women. That is invaluable and admirable.

But to expect a woman who is only just coming to terms with the fact she might be a victim of abuse to say 'yes I'm leaving' in a matter of hours is unrealistic and unfair.

barbiegrows · 25/07/2011 13:43

I'm not saying anyone's selfish. I'm talking about what I see with my own family. I don't see why my opinion about my experience, because it doesn't fit in with yours, should be attacked.

A little restraint never did anyone any harm.

Laquitar · 25/07/2011 16:28
Hmm
barbiegrows · 25/07/2011 16:31
Confused
KellyKettle · 25/07/2011 16:34

That's it! That's the "talking down to/belittling" face that gets posts in relationship threads when the OP doesn't do what someone wants or tries to justify an alternative action.

Hmm
barbiegrows · 25/07/2011 16:45

Spot on Kelly! Angry/NOT

MigratingCoconuts · 25/07/2011 18:14

how about Smile? I like Smiles

KellyKettle · 26/07/2011 09:55

Smile and these Grin

barbiegrows · 26/07/2011 10:23

I think they should invent one of these [patronising].
;)

KellyKettle · 26/07/2011 10:28

It would save a lot of typing. Straight to the point, no messing. OP knows exactly where she stands.

MigratingCoconuts · 26/07/2011 12:23

although it does annoy me a bit when someone types something mean and then adds a Smile as if that'll make it better...

....Smile

Laquitar · 26/07/2011 13:12

Look,

barbie came in a topic where half of posters are thinking of ending a marriage and struggling with guilt and she posted something -imo- very judgmental. I challenged that and her reply was a) 'i didn't call anyone selfish' (even so her post is there and everyone can read it ) and b) 'poor me i've been attacked' .

Now, i can have better and more reasonable debates with my 5 yo. Also, i cant have the mn window all day in front of me, i come for 5 min then leave for few hours and come back for another 5-10 min while i drink my coffee. So a hmm face was quicker to an unreasonable post.

Funny how my hmm face was 'patronising' and your sympathy towards children with double birthdays wasn't.

Now you can carry on with your childish comments about the face Hmm here have another one.

MigratingCoconuts · 26/07/2011 13:17
Hmm
MigratingCoconuts · 26/07/2011 14:33

sorry....couldn't resist!

barbiegrows · 26/07/2011 17:57

Laquitar you really have got it in for me. Accusing someone of being judgemental is another last resort when you don't like something somebody says. Particularly when it's on an open discussion thread like this.

Wine
Laquitar · 26/07/2011 18:09

Yes. I didn't like what you have said. I found it judgemental and a bit insensitive on a section with many-some of them abused- women traped in unhappy marriages. So i challenged that. Ok? No 'last resort'. This was my first and only point. And nothing personal. I don't know you for Adam.

SheCutOffTheirTails · 26/07/2011 18:14

I'm really trying to imagine how bad a parent you must be, minx, if you are worse than one who skips the country when his child's life hangs in the balance.

That is beyond the call of duty for a unbelievably shit Dad.

barbiegrows · 26/07/2011 18:21

If you want a private discussion with me that's fine. If you highlight my name on a public thread with several different opinions and posters, it IS personal. This is a discussion, not a multiple choice test.

Laquitar · 26/07/2011 18:38

Ffs!
I'm giving up!

minxofmancunia · 26/07/2011 21:08

shecutofftheirtails

"I'm really trying to imagine how bad a parent you must be, minx, if you are worse than one who skips the country when his child's life hangs in the balance.

That is beyond the call of duty for a unbelievably shit Dad."

I'm sorry I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about. Neither of my children have fortunately ever been that poorly. Are you talking about something earlier on in the thread that I've missed?

If you are making a statement about either me or Dh then you've crossed the line. The one time dd had to go to hospital he stayed with her the whole time she was there whilst i was at home with ds. Can you clarify please??

FWIW I was talking about Dh being more patient, calm and less irate with the dcs most of the time, whereas I'm the more practical type person.

KellyKettle · 27/07/2011 04:08

This thread isn't about Minxs relationship and bring in something you have read elsewhere is bad form.

"I'm trying to imagine how bad a parent you must be". Jesus.

With that supportive tone is it any wonder minx opted not to post on this board for further support?

KellyKettle · 27/07/2011 04:08

*bringing in

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