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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 · 24/04/2012 21:54

Sorry, my broadband keeps crashing :(

He's still wandering round the house, just went in to see DD I think (she's asleep at least) and he has a packed bag so at least he has an intention to leave in the morning.

I don't know what's wrong with me about not wanting to call the police, if I was reading this happening to anyone else I'd be screaming at my computer by now :( I'm going to log off and call CARP at the least, they are part of our police force in any case.

Luckily DD is at nursery tomorrow so if my knee is still bad in the morning I can drop her off and go to A&E. Not sure how I'll explain that to work though.

OP posts:
NiniLegsInTheAir · 24/04/2012 22:08

He's gone quiet downstairs, so logging off now to make my call. Then to try and get some sleep, I'm exhausted. Thank you for all your support tonight, I'm so grateful :)

OP posts:
BibiBlocksberg · 24/04/2012 22:13

Can sympathise with the dread and awkwardness trying to have a phone conversation in this situation Nini. If you can't tonight then pls do it as soon as the door slams on his arse in the morning.

Thinking of you.

Angelico · 24/04/2012 22:15

Hope you are okay Nini :(

TheHappyHissy · 24/04/2012 22:20

Nini, I am so sorry.

Please don't let this man back into your lives, please call the police/carp. Please go to A&E, you need to get this documented. You need a paper trail. It will help you with court stuff if it gets to it.

There is a chance that you can have him kept out of your home and you get the right to residence in it, if you prove violence it is much easier.

Love, you need the help in RL, let CARP/WA/Anyone help you. We are always here for you too, remember that?

(((HUGS)))

mercibucket · 24/04/2012 22:36

So sorry to hear it has all come to a head like this

He is a tosser

Better days lie ahead for you and your dd now

cestlavielife · 24/04/2012 23:29

You need to report .
Before he reports you for "scratching" him
And to counter what he will say .
Get to a and e or gp tomorrow.

Raisedonadietofbrokenbiscuits · 24/04/2012 23:40

I don't really know what to say but you need to find the strength to call time on this poor excuse for a man. No one thinks that will be easy but people in RL will be Grin you've done it not all judgy pants as you think.

It's just sad. No one - no one - should have to go through anything like this. Sad

AnyFucker · 24/04/2012 23:47

Your thread title asks us what you should do

Go to your GP or A+E and have your injuries documented

Call Women's Aid for some support

Report the assault and press charges, obtain an order to prevent him from coming back into the house

Tell him to leave

Don't continue your relationship with him

That is what you should do. That is what you would advise someone else to do.

horsetowater · 25/04/2012 00:03

I think if he's packed a bag he probably will leave tomorrow. If he's spoken to his Dad he's taking advice from him and might even do the right thing.

But I don't know him and I don't know you, he sounds temperamental and angry and if he's still stomping around the house I would call the police now just to be safe.

If you are afraid, you are perfectly entitled to call someone to help you. That's what the police are for, you pay your tax for a service - it might be time to use it.

mathanxiety · 25/04/2012 02:48

*If you do not take steps to remove him from the house TONIGHT he will consider that he has called your bluff and has got away with what he did, and he will not leave, not tomorrow or ever.

HE WILL NOT LEAVE UNLESS YOU MAKE HIM.

He is testing you here. Please call the police and tell them what happened and that you want him out of the house tonight*.

mathanxiety · 25/04/2012 02:49

If you do not take steps to remove him from the house TONIGHT he will consider that he has called your bluff and has got away with what he did, and he will not leave, not tomorrow or ever.

HE WILL NOT LEAVE UNLESS YOU MAKE HIM.

He is testing you here. Please call the police and tell them what happened and that you want him out of the house tonight.

Chandon · 25/04/2012 07:22

hope you are o.k.

NiniLegsInTheAir · 25/04/2012 07:36

Thanks everyone for your concern. He didn't stir last night and was quiet as a mouse when he left this morning (it was bliss!). He's taken a bag. I know what he's like and he won't be back at least for a few days. This has happened once before in Jan 2010 and he did the same thing then - went to stay with his Dad (who is an arsehole btw) who persuaded him to 'make up' and he came crawling back and all was ok for a bit.

I rang CARP but their opening hours are only 10am-2pm so someone should be ringing me back at lunchtime. My knee is sore and looked bruised but I can walk on it at least.

Feeling a bit clearer this morning, DD is still fast asleep! Grin so I'm pottering round getting ready for work. And I need to walk in today Sad.

It's pouring down here this morning, just like in my heart.

OP posts:
QuietNinjaKnowsNotWhatToDo · 25/04/2012 07:44

Don't go to work go to ooh or a and e and get your injury looked at and documented. Call in sick for the morning to work tell them you'll be in later. Please please do this, I'm so worried for you after readi g your thread x

NiniLegsInTheAir · 25/04/2012 07:57

Thanks Quietninja, since I posted I've decided not to go to work, I'm feeling pretty fragile. I just rang my boss and nearly cried down the phone to him when I just told him I slipped on the stairs. I also nearly cried when I heard DD chuntering away to herself in her cot.

It sucks big time that I have to pay to park at our local hospital, but I will get myself there.

OP posts:
Lueji · 25/04/2012 08:01

I agree with Quietninja.

And don't take him back! Change the locks today.

I'd still contact the police. I don't think he'll be arrested, but he will know that you mean it and that someone in authority knows about this.

For my ex me calling the police was a huge treason, but I only regret not calling them the first time and kicking him out then.

QuietNinjaKnowsNotWhatToDo · 25/04/2012 08:05

Good I'm glad you're going to hospital. If you can call the police then please do so or when you tell the hospital how yougot hurt (don't lie about it) ask if they can call. Look after yourself and your dd and keep posting, x

CharlieUniformNovemberTango · 25/04/2012 08:09

I second the no work thing.

Take care of yourself for today. Put DD in nursery but I'd maybe have a word and ask that they don't release her to anyone else. I'm sorry if that's a bit alarmist but it's worth doing. Not entirely sure if this would work with regards to parental rights etc but it might be worth talking to them about.

Then go to a&e. Even if it's not too bad today it will help if you have a record of the injury when he tries to deny what he's done.

Take some time, be gentle with yourself today. You can have the day to get your head together and recover from an awful night.

CharlieUniformNovemberTango · 25/04/2012 08:10

Oh x post.

Glad you're not going. Take care x

bringbacksideburns · 25/04/2012 08:15

Go and get the knee checked.

Do not stay with this angry, abusive dickhead a moment longer.
No, you are not going mad. He sounds deranged.
Take legal advice about the house and get him out now so your child doesn't have to live like this, or you.

CuttedUpPear · 25/04/2012 08:26

Thinking of you OP.

Please get your locks changed today. Try to get a locksmiths appointment before you leave for hospital.
Please have strength from us here. Lots of us have been in your position, and we are real people out there in the world too.

The final straw with my XP was him repeatedly waking up my sleeping baby because he thought his needs were more important.
When you said the word 'worthless' it really struck a chord. I felt as if I had it tattooed across my forehead when I was with XP.

Don't feel that anyone will judge you because they won't. You will need strength however for the next few days and weeks so please keep posting because these guys here are great.

QuietNinjaKnowsNotWhatToDo · 25/04/2012 08:28

Whereabouts are you nini? Saw on your other thread you're west country. I'm Bristol if that's close enough to help in anyway? Don't know how bu even a bolthole if you need it. We have a spare room and a cot going spare at the mo as ds recently moved to big bed. Pm me if you want.

CuttedUpPear · 25/04/2012 08:41

I am also near Bristol but rural, further west. We have a spare room which is all yours if you want a bolthole. PM me also if you need anything.

Adayforthinking · 25/04/2012 08:49

Nini, I'm in Devon if that's any good for you? I also work from home so will be here all day. ((hugs)) x

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