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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

So...what to do when he hits you and claims he hasn't? LONG

364 replies

NiniLegsInTheAir · 24/04/2012 20:39

Related to:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/1448343--to-expect-DH-not-to-deliberately-wake-me-up-early-in-the-mornings

And to a lesser extent on and off here:
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/relationships/1451592-Red-flags-I-should-have-heeded-share-yours-for-womenkind

So, 5am this morning he starts screaming at the cat (who is on the windowsill (sometimes she scratches the woodwork but wasn't this morning). He started banging the bed violently with his hands so I told him to get a grip and he punched me on the arm. Which hurt.

He gets up at 6:15 and stomps around the house like he always does (this is where the first thread is relevant), and at half 6 goes into DD's room to get his workclothes - he refuses to sort them out the evening before. And like always, he disturbs her, she thinks he's going to pick her up so when he leaves she starts screaming and crying. So I told him off for waking her and he throws some clothes at me and shouts at me.

I've been stewing all day about the ridiculous morning situation (and how my eyes have been opened by being on this site the last few weeks). So when I got home I moved my clothes into the wardrobe in DD's room, put his clothes on our bed (to sort out after having put DD to bed). So I put her to bed and go downstairs. I put dinner on. Suddenly he walks through the door, a good half hour earlier than normal (and he claimed he was gonna be late tonight).

He comes in, breezy and talking to me normally, which gets my back up straight away. I was a bit frosty so he goes straight upstairs (WHY OH WHY did I not tell him about the clothing arrangement then?! I'm such a fucking idiot). Next thing I know is I hear DD crying.

So I go upstairs. He's playing with her in her cot. She's supposed to be settling to sleep (she's 14 months). He knows that. I asked him "What are you doing?" He says "I'm playing with her." I say "She's supposed to be sleeping." Then I go back downstairs to finish putting dinner on.

Within a few mins I hear her screaming the place down as he's obviously left her now. Not impressed particularly with that. Then there's a great crash from our bedroom. He comes flying downstairs shouting at me "There's mud everywhere now!" I said "What? Why is there mud upstairs?" (a bit confused). He then starts yelling about me moving the clothes and how because of me the clothing rail has broken (no shit Sherlock, its been broken for most of the 3 YEARS I've been using it). So I said to him "You're being too noisy for DD. Why is she crying?" He shouts even louder that he "doesn't fucking know", slams the cupboard door by my foot that he's just taken the dustpan out of and almost knocks me into the boiling saucepan I've got in front of me on the hob.

So I lost it a bit and squared up to him. Can't remember quite what I said - bit of a red mist - something along the lines of being sick to death of him etc etc. So he shoulders me and I went back at him. Then he grabbed me and threw me into the dining room floor, knocking my back and my right knee. And he's screaming at me for "scratching his neck" and how I should "never fight him when he's bigger and stronger than me". I started crying at this point (tears of angry but also my knee was agony) got back up and just let rip with what I thought of him. How much I hate him. How I'm sick to death of him for a whole host of reasons and I won't tolerate being hit by him again. He claims he never hit me. I was totally shocked that he DARED tell me he didn't punch me in the arm this morning. According to him it never happened, please tell me I'm NOT going crazy!

I then let rip, told him exactly what I think of him, what a tosser he is, how worthless he makes me feel, how much I hate him, that it's all over. I told him to stop gaslighting me (ahh how sweet it was to see the confused look on his face when he didn't understand the term Grin). I told him not to come home tomorrow night as I need some space - "I'm not going anywhere" he said. I told him the door would be locked if he came home (not smart I know). I eventually had to back down and went to the kitchen, finished dinner and ate it alone while he swept up the mud upstairs. Our poor cat was so spset, she kept meowing and rubbing around my legs. I was slumped against the sink and she stood on her back legs and took my hand with both her front paws, it was amazing Shock.

He's now in the bath on the phone and I'm in the bedroom. My right knee is in agony, it's red and feels swollen already (I have bad knees anyway, any knock to them causes this kind of pain). DD is still awake, I went in to her afterwards and cuddled her, she was happily chatting away to me. I can't believe we dragged this innocent little soul into such a shitty life, what kind of mother am I. It's making me weep Sad. The cat is curled up closely next to me.

Turns out the 'mud' was from my little giant sunflower I've been growing for DD that was on the mantelpiece. He swept up the dirt on his stuff but has left any that fell on anything of mine. Just shows what he thinks of me. I'm worthless to him. Sad

I don't know what to do know. My head is in tatters, I can't think straight, I've just written this as it's come to me and it happened over an hour ago. I dont have anywhere to go or anyone to talk to. I will probably sleep in with DD tonight to make sure he doesn't steal her away or something in the morning. Please help!

OP posts:
NiniLegsInTheAir · 05/05/2012 19:00

Picked out some books, not toys, lol.

OP posts:
gingerchick · 05/05/2012 19:51

Still thinking about you nini glad you ok

foolonthehill · 05/05/2012 20:02

well done Nini. be glad of the peace!

moomoo1967 · 06/05/2012 18:10

nini what are you studying ? I am working towards a degree in psychology

NiniLegsInTheAir · 06/05/2012 18:59

It's a diploma (equivalent to an NVQ level 4) related to my work. Very hard going and takes up most of my evenings - another bugbear with husband as he complains that I'm 'always studying'. Hmm. I do have a degree in English Lit though Grin.

A psychology degree sounds very interesting! Are you studying it at our local university?

OP posts:
moomoo1967 · 07/05/2012 14:39

no I'm doing it with the OU, so distance learning. Its very hard going and I am not looking forward to the 3 hour exam we have in June. It is about 28 years since I last sat a proper exam that wasn't multiple choice. We have tutorials approx every month which are at a local hotel. I am a member of a study group on FB which helps enormously and we have a giggle at the same time Smile

NonAstemia · 09/05/2012 19:14

Are you ok, OP?

NiniLegsInTheAir · 09/05/2012 21:17

Sorry, I've been meaning to update but the last few days have got away from me.

Suffice to say, he is back in the house. He rang me on sunday (turns out he was staying at his dad's), and we had a very long chat. About a lot of things. And I finally got an apology. Among other things I was very clear that he is to go to counselling (he's now booked appointments) and I'm waiting to hear back on couples counselling.

I know this isn't what people want to hear, but I feel like I want to give this one shot. My faith and trust in him has been broken, whether or not it can be repaired, I don't know. But I'm feeling stronger and less inclined to take his bullshit than I was before, and he is making an effort. For now.

But I'm not going anywhere, so I'm planning on sticking around here in Relationships for some time. Thoughts welcome, as always. :)

OP posts:
gingerchick · 09/05/2012 21:22

Ah honey I do understand but I am worried for you, it is very very rare for it to be a one off but I did the same as you the first time, and the second and the third til it was so commonplace I didn't even notice it any more. I just hope you don't have to go thru what I went thru before you get it. Trust me when you're in hospital with a broken nose, two black eyes and your fingers broken it does hit home. It is your daughter I feel sorry for

NiniLegsInTheAir · 09/05/2012 21:33

Thanks for your thoughts ginger, I think being here talking to people who've been through it will really help me know when enough is enough.

He is good with DD, and I'm always watching him with her. Having had a pretty horrific relationship with my Dad, I do at least know warning signs. I want to protect her more than anything, but I don't want to deprive her of a relationship with her Dad.

OP posts:
Lueji · 09/05/2012 21:36

Are you in the house with him?

You should really only go back if he manages to prove himself out.

Actually going to counselling and consistently showing different behaviour.

Getting an apology means nothing, particularly after all this time and the other types of behaviour. He has figured it out that he wouldn't get off without it. Simply that. I doubt it is true remorse.

I can't blame you, because I sort of did the same. But the truth was that in my heart, I knew he would repeat it. As you must too.

Lueji · 09/05/2012 21:38

So, you are willing to risk your physical and emotional integrity just so that your DD lives in the same house as her dad?

If you separate she can still have a relationship with him.
It's just that you don't have to.

gingerchick · 09/05/2012 21:39

Just the fact you feel you have to watch them together should tell you something, her relationship with her father is going to be affected if she is allowed to witness what is going on. Why do you think all of us with dv experience and statistics are wrong and you are right. My ex never hurt my children either but he did lock me out of the house or prevent me from going to them even after we split and my daughter who lived with the violence for two and a half years was affected even tho he never touched a hair on her head. You are being very naive but you will learn like I did

NonAstemia · 09/05/2012 21:47

Nini I'm glad you're ok. I'm know some people who've posted here will probably seem a bit harsh with their advice, but I think that's because they feel that they can see the train approaching with you tied to the tracks, if you see what I mean. I hope things work out for you, but please take on board what people have said here, and be careful.

gingerchick · 09/05/2012 21:53

I'm not going to apologise for being 'harsh' I am talking from very painful personal experience and I wish I'd listened to the advice I got the first time but I was young and in love and I didn't. You are not stupid Nini youre just taking the easy way out because the other option seems too hard. I am not exaggerating to say I am lucky I got away with my life and yet you seem to think an apology and counselling will fix this man. No man who loves you or your daughter would ever put their hands on you, ever full stop.

NiniLegsInTheAir · 09/05/2012 21:57

I don't think anybody here is wrong, I would never discount other peoples' experiences. :(

I just want to (if it comes to it) be able to walk away knowing I did everything I could. And I don't feel like I have yet. Although we're in the same house and the same bed again, he's by no means got away scot free. His behaviour has to change. And if it doesn't, I've made it clear that he won't have us to come home to.

I really hope I've made the right decision, I will be careful. :(

OP posts:
gingerchick · 09/05/2012 22:09

76 per cent of all DV incidents are repeat (Flatley, Kershaw, Smith, Chaplin and Moon (July 2010) BCS - Crime in England and Wales 2009/10 , Home Office,

AnyFucker · 09/05/2012 22:10

I think you are making a very big mistake to take him back so easily

he should have been kept out of your house permanently at least until he had been through DV perpetrator counselling and demonstrated over a long period of time he was able to change

couples counselling is not recommended where there is abuse, I think you will find that out soon enough however...the trouble is your head is going to get fucked in the process Sad

I wish you well though, and am glad you are sticking around

bogeyface · 09/05/2012 22:22

YOu have done everything you could, but there is one thing that you cant do and that is to change an abusive man.

You dont seem to understand that "one more chance" isnt a chance to make your marriage work, it is a signed permission slip to hurt you and your DD AGAIN because he knows he can and he knows that you love him and will always forgive him.

Dont say that that isnt the case because your behaviour so far has proved that it is.

forget couples counselling, see a counsellor on your own to get some understanding of the seriousness of your situation (which you really dont seem to have grasped), the futility of trying to change an abusive man and the direct damage that you (yes YOU) are doing to your dd by staying with him. She wont ever thank you for making her live with this man, I promise you.

gingerchick · 09/05/2012 22:31

24-hour National Domestic Violence
Freephone Helpline
0808 2000 247
Nini I don't think you are listening, really listening to us please be safe

jifnotcif · 10/05/2012 10:12

Just tell him from me that if he wants to be a good father, he's got to look after his daughter's mother first and foremost.

RA88 · 10/05/2012 11:18

Leeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeavvvvvvve!!!

mathanxiety · 10/05/2012 15:29

'I want to protect her more than anything, but I don't want to deprive her of a relationship with her Dad.'
-- You are going to have to decide which of those is your priority. The day will come when you won't be able to put it off any longer.

'Although we're in the same house and the same bed again, he's by no means got away scot free. His behaviour has to change. And if it doesn't, I've made it clear that he won't have us to come home to.'
-- What you've made clear is that he doesn't have to change in order to get right back where he started. He will get to stay in the house and in your bed with you. You have sent him at best a very mixed message with words on one hand and actions on the other.

And he has used words on the one hand and actions on the other too. You had a horrific attack and an apology. You have chosen to believe the apology. How do you know what he has chosen to believe? Your words or the open door? If he has chosen to believe your words, then what did the closed door on Friday mean to him?

Read this.

cestlavielife · 10/05/2012 15:39

His behaviour has to change FIRST before moving him back in ..
keep your bag packed. apologies promises mean nothing til they been acted upon .
splitting does not mean he cant build relationship with dd on his own - if he up to it .

good luck and decide now what your boundaries are - what will be enough for you to walk away again?

ShellyBobbs · 10/05/2012 17:14

Blimey, I bet he can't believe his luck the bastard!

I really think you need to have proper counselling, you are being abused even now (mentally) and you just need to have someone talk you through the process and see clearly what is going on. Your daughter will see all this very soon and like you, may end up in an abusive relationship.

Good luck and I hope you eventually find the strength to leave him.