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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

I'm on autopilot.

19 replies

bitterbuns · 04/04/2012 08:59

Namechanged for this. Just need to "voice" this.

Basically, as long as i agree with my Husband, we're the best of friends. But he is a terrible communicator and will only voice any negative feelings he has toward me as a means to taking the attention off of himself when I call him out about something. He could turn me asking him why he never cleans the toilet into a massive row.

In our 9 year relationship, I have repeatedly asked him not to wait until he sees a chance to row with me to bring up any issues he has because it's destructive but i'm talking to a brick fucking wall.

Lately, his mantra is that he's been going for anger management counselling for three months (He's got a bit of a short-temper in that he bangs about a lot and gets intimidating) and I should be greatful that he's making an effort. But the last time that he said that to me he told me in his next breath that he bangs the screen door to draw my attention for not shutting it correctly.

When directly questioned on contradictions like this he either tells me to shut up (Which is an improvement as it used to be "fuck up." before the anger management) or simply grasps at the first thing he can think of to shut me up. The example of this from Sunday was him calling me bitter in response to my wanting to know why it seemed like one rule for him and another for me.

I told him that calling your wife bitter was a big thing to say and did he have any reason to feel this way. He said he couldn't explain it save to say it's that my opinions have changed. Instantly I figure it's because I've recently told him that I have had an aversion to porn since our youngest child was born. Of-course, he never brought that up. He said instead that I just seem bitter because my opinions have changed and couldn't give me one single example, even when I said he could have time to think about it.

I asked why he never brought that up at any other time and he aid because he "doesn't like confrontation." No kidding. He recently let me me and the kids go ahead of him when we all had to walk past a rather drunk group of young men.

I said that if I seemed bitter it's because I've just had to tell my alcohlic Dad and enabling Mum to fuck off out of my life, because I have lots of health issues and because I have a Husband who would sooner shout me down than actually fucking talk to me. I feel like the most inimportant thing in the world.

I told him that I was sick of talking about any of it because it's all been discussed before. I said that I feel unimportant because, little things or big, my feelings are never considered and, since I have hypocritically been warned never to bring up past misdeeds, I have to work out how to deal with them alone.

He recently had a vasectomy without even talking properly with me about it. i realise that it's his body and his choice but you seriously can not expect something like that to not affect your marriage. I realise that his reasons for it were sound. I just don't appreciate not being consulted and it's a typical example of how swayed by what he wants i am.

When he had decided to have children with me in the first place he told me by (TMI) coming inside me (We'd been using the withdrawl method for 2 years) and announcing that we were ready to have kids.Then he said that I could move in with him when I got pregnant. He then told me he'd marry me if I "spat out a couple of kids first"

He conveniently remembers none of this. And there's a lot more. but I'm meant to carry it in silence. Now I feel like I can't even share my opinion on anything because he won't even tell me how he feels about my opinions til we argue.

I feel completely at the whim of others wants and needs and said as much. He has offered to put me through an OU course to distract me from the fact that he decided when our child-bearing days were over. I will take him up on this offer because I do need to carve a life for myself. obviously he never said anything about it being about the vasectomy. He said it was to help me feel important.

The worst thing is that I haven't eaten since Saturday. I'm smart enough to why. It's the only thing I feel I have any control over in my life. During the last 3 days, when I've had hunger pains, I've felt this smug little thrill from saying no to them. i am an (otherwise) smart lady and this new turn of events is frightening me. I still can't bring myself to eat anything. I've lived off of sugary coffee.

As for kicking him out? Tried that. He's said no. He still thinks I owe him time to change. i'm really tring here. But what about me. What the actual fuck about me?

Thank you for allowing me my rant. I'm going to back to mouth shut, legs open mode now. We're getting on OK at the moment but I feel like everything is fake on my part.

OP posts:
holyShmoley · 04/04/2012 09:14

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

DaisyAndConfused · 04/04/2012 09:21

Hi Bitterbuns,

It sounds like you are going through hell, I'm so sorry. This is an abusive relationship but you know that.

Is there anyone in RL you can confide in?

Can you get some counselling? Or speak to Women's Aid? You have had to deal with your parents as well so it's no wonder you are feeling like this.

CogitoErgoSometimes · 04/04/2012 09:24

I think, if the stress of being in such an abusive, controlling relationship is affecting you to the extent that you're heading down the route of an eating disorder, then you need to call time very urgently. When you feel powerless that is often when self-harm can seem attractive. Obviously, it acheives nothing and is very destructive.

Can you take your children to stay with relatives or friends and give yourself time to think? Do you have numbers for a local Women's Refuge? You will have to get away from his influence if you are to have a chance of breaking whatever you think obliges you to stay put and put up with ill treatment.

bitterbuns · 04/04/2012 09:25

He hasn't said at all. He just thinks that i'm BU because he is going for counselling and I need to give him time. Counselling might help him to control his anger but it certainly won't change WHO he is. I used to think of him as my best friend but since the vasectomy and the way he dismissed me aout something so big, that's definately been the nail in the coffin for me. I can't change how I feel. I'm not even sure I want to. I'm not saying that I don't have enough kids. I'm just saying that I resent my life being planned on his terms.

I can't go away because we have 4 kids and literally have nowhere to go. I am not leaving them with him either and I'm frightened that he might use my disability (visually imapired) against me to keep the kids. He is a good Dad but often lies to children about silly things like he does to me and now the elder kids are liars too. The house we are in is owned by a member of my family and I wouldn't get any benefits to pay for the house because of this.

OP posts:
bitterbuns · 04/04/2012 09:27

X--post Cogito

We have 4 kids and no-one has room to put us up. The thing that obliges me to stay really is not being strong enough. I'm aware of that. I am just so tired. It's not like I haven't asked him to go.

The pretence is killing me.

OP posts:
bitterbuns · 04/04/2012 09:27

the worst thing is all our friends and official people find him so well spoken, clever and charming.

OP posts:
bitterbuns · 04/04/2012 09:28

daisy I'm actually just finished a year's worth of counselling for depression. Still deoressed. I think I'm going to have to find a way to pay a private consellor.

OP posts:
joblot · 04/04/2012 09:30

Jesus christ how utterly unbearable for you. If a relationship does not add to your life then what's the point? I know its not that simple but what you write makes my jaw drop, and I'm in no way easily shocked/surprised. He sounds as if he hates you, no wonder you feel so desperate

bitterbuns · 04/04/2012 09:30

As for having the time to do the course, the kids all go to bed between 7-8. I can do it then, apparently.

OP posts:
tallwivglasses · 04/04/2012 09:31

And you're still with this nasty man because...?

bitterbuns · 04/04/2012 09:33

tall I've already explained that I tried to kick him out and the reasons why I can't myself leave the house.

OP posts:
CogitoErgoSometimes · 04/04/2012 09:34

He's never been your best friend from what you describe. Sounds like he picked you out as the type of personality that he can dominate & control from the outset. That's not friendship and it's certainly not love, I'm afraid. It's more like the relationship a trainer has with an animal. He is not a good Dad either because 'good Dads' treat their children's mothers with respect.... not set the example of how to emotionally brutalise another human being.

It does seem unfair that it should be you that leaves with the children but, if you are already so low, the Womens Refuge should have some ideas. Can the relative that owns your home bring any influence to bear? Could they evict him, for example?

bitterbuns · 04/04/2012 09:39

Cogito When he says how happy he is I tell him it's little wonder because he's found someone to beat down.

I might try speaking to my landlord to see if she can help me out with the rent for a few months while I get a job, otherwise it's the homeless unit for us. Again. (We previously ebded up in one due to DH's bad choices) The worst of it is DD1 is in Primary 1 and I'd hate to have to move her but I need to do something.

I never considered calling a refuge before because I thought that they were for women who were beaten.

OP posts:
bitterbuns · 04/04/2012 09:40

He's getting up, I need to log off now. I will be back tonight.

OP posts:
clam · 04/04/2012 09:41

What would happen if you stopped sleeping with him?

mummytime · 04/04/2012 09:42

Phone Women's Aid. Get advice, you are your children's primary carer, no one is going to take them away because you have a visual impairment. See a solicitor. You have given him a lot of chances, you are not being unreasonable. He always has been.

Goawaybob · 04/04/2012 09:52

Women's aid 0808 2000 247 please phone them, they can help you

CogitoErgoSometimes · 04/04/2012 09:57

"I thought that they were for women who were beaten"

There are far more ways of brutalising someone than through beating. It's sadly all too common for 'well-spoken, clever, charming men' to use emotional bullying and psychological abuse in order to destroy a woman. You're confidence is shattered, you're scared, depressed, despairing and the only thing cheering you up is that you haven't eaten for three days... How would a black-eye make this picture any worse than it already is?

YNK · 04/04/2012 10:11

Put him out - the home is owned by your relative. Talk to your relative and get their support to change the locks.
My guess is that once you have done an ou course his next move will be to tell you he has equiped you to be a breadwinner so he can opt out of financial responsibility too.
He is abusing you!

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