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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

how to deal with someone who threatens to end relationship but never does

132 replies

londongirl15 · 16/07/2014 12:51

My husband and I argue quite frequently and he is quite impatient and likes to get his own way. Our last big argument was over his refusal to put our baby to bed ( my 2 children from my previous marriage live with us and it would be nice if I only had to put them to bed now and again) the following day he said he was sick of the petty bickering and didn't see a future for our relationship/thought it was a mistake to marry. He then just carried on as normal. If I try and discuss what he has said he turns it around on me and says I am destroying our relationship by casting doubt on it. I just feel things are unresolved though as he will only say he gets frustrated with me and I need to forget the past. He never says that he didn't mean it. As a result I become more and more apprehensive about asking for help with our baby and end up not telling him stuff. Yesterday I found out my job is at risk (I will probably be made redundant before I return off maternity leave) I warned him I needed his support and patience and he asked if I was ok and got me the name of a colleagues dp to send my cv to. Unfortunately last night I was tired after a 5am start with the baby and trying to get them all down to sleep in the evening and although I updated the rest of my cv I forget about my mobile number changing. I apologized to the girl and sent a corrected version of my cv and she was fine. I warned my dh to be patient about what what I was about to tell him but when I told him he called me a "fucking idiot" more than once and seemed more concerned about how it reflected on him. I was very teary after that as am struggling with the thought of leaving the baby\finding childcare\probably going back to work sooner than my maternity leave would be over in order to ensure I have a job and I don't feel secure or supported in our relationship with his repeated threats to leave and the fact that I have to censor what I tell him or he'll lose patience with me. He has apologised for calling me a fucking idiot and I acknowledged that I had done something stupid but he still refuses to discuss the other stuff he has previously said about there being no future in the relationship. He is away to work now and says he'll not contact me today to give me a chance to think about how me bringing up stuff from the past is stupid and threatening to ruin our relationship. Should I just let go of what he previously said? It preys on my mind because I am financing my own maternity leave so if I am to leave I'd better do it before I've used all my savings.

OP posts:
Lweji · 21/07/2014 20:41

Don't forget to thank him later for nailing his own coffin.

Sending you strength vibes for tomorrow.

londongirl15 · 21/07/2014 20:56

He's just been down and said I can have the 9 months off (as long as I put my contribution into the joint account and am looking for jobs) if I want the year I'll need to take a loan as he won't pay. He's sick of me bringing up the past.

OP posts:
Lweji · 21/07/2014 21:02

He'll be happy to discuss the future with you, then.

Twat.

londongirl15 · 21/07/2014 21:05

Now he has said he'll put in my contribution for the rest of the 9months (never thought he's say that)

OP posts:
CogitoErgoSometimes · 21/07/2014 21:09

Please don't be fooled. Bullies will say anything when they're backed into a corner. Look what he has to lose. Not just you and the rest of the family but he also knows that, if you talk to someone about the abuse he subjects you to, it would damage his career.

Stay strong OP. He thinks he can buy your silence.

PlantsAndFlowers · 21/07/2014 21:13

He can sense that you're checking out of the relationship, so he's saying what you want to hear. This is unlikely to be due to a true change of heart though.

tipsytrifle · 21/07/2014 21:16

londongirl please don't be swayed. It's disturbing how these psycho abusers get instant telepathy soon as their captive starts to plan freedom.

This situation is all wrong. A cell comes in many styles and colours, gilded too. But it's a cage nonetheless and you would pay for the constant upkeep too. You know this, right?

AlfAlf · 21/07/2014 21:47

Oh please, you can't trust a word he says. What if he changes his mind (he does that a lot..) again as soon as he's got you back under his spell, refuses to support you, and says you're 'bringing up the past' when you remind him of his promises?
Don't fall for it. He has been too, too cruel to you and your children, don't buy his nice reasonable guy act.

ChanelNo19 · 21/07/2014 21:59

Wow he sounds like my x. Shape up or ship out' he used to say regularly.

I also used up my redundancy money and my only wish is that I'd just faced up to the fact that I'd made a huge mistake and acted to end things sooner rahter than later.

My x was a BLAMER and a few other types from the abuser portfolio.

NorksAreMesssy · 21/07/2014 21:59

london we are all here to support you through this

ChanelNo19 · 21/07/2014 22:01

Oh yeh, despite my x telling me to shape up or ship out, when I left him he promised to change and I went back with a heavy heart. I think I knew deep down nothing would change but he bullied me in to thinking that I OWED him another chance because he said I did.

Well he 'changed' for about three weeks and then he later used to refer to my 'tin pot parade' ie the first time I left him.

The second time I left him it was no tin pot parade.

Lweji · 21/07/2014 22:30

Yes, don't be sucked in by his apparent good will.
He must have started thinking about what he stands to lose. But too little too late, and I bet he'll revert if you find yourself under his spell.

Get along with it tonight and set yourself free tomorrow.

ChanelNo19 · 21/07/2014 23:06

the second time I left, I had no money though. boy i wished i'd never returned.

Please leave once and for all with your maternity money and don't put yourself through leaving twice.

Jux · 22/07/2014 00:27

He's trying to reel you back in. Please be careful now. Don't tell him anything; this is the time to keep your cards very close to your chest.

Don't believe a thing he says.

Have you got as much financial info as you can find? Bank statements, pension, mortgage/rent docs etc. Take your passport. Any other important documents.

Good luck tomorrow. Shall be keeping an eye on this thread with my fingers crossed for you and sending you lots of good vibes.

QuipFree · 22/07/2014 01:09

Wishing all the strength you need tomorrow! I think it will be liberating to be with your sister for while.

EverythingCounts · 22/07/2014 01:28

Hold your nerve and keep quiet till he's out of the house tomorrow, then scoop up all the financial paperwork you can and go. It will be a lucky escape. All the best to you.

NeedsAsockamnesty · 22/07/2014 02:13

This little turn up for the books is nothing other than an occasional indulgence.

It's the emotional version of bringing you flowers after he's punched you in the face and yelled "look what you made me do"

Never ever forget how hard your going to have to work for an indulgence that will last no longer than a bunch of flowers would.

VivaHate · 22/07/2014 02:23

Please don't listen to him, he is trying to wrest back control as he can sense something has shifted in your mindset. Be prepared for what he will likely do when you do leave-- he may become aggressive and threatening (stating he will claim for custody, saying you won't get a penny, that no one else will want you, that you need him etc) in order to frighten you into returning. He may become suddenly "remorseful" "tearful" while trying to make you feel like the guilty party. Please don't be dragged in by his lies. He sounds like an evil bully. Look at him and think "would I want my DCs to grow into man like him/marry a man like him".

Keep us posted and stay focused, you will find strength that you never thought/you forgot you had x

Lweji · 22/07/2014 07:37

I hope you keep your resolve and strength today.

And if you don't, we are here for you.
Thanks

sezamcgregor · 22/07/2014 10:54

I'm so shocked at how he's nomalised his treatment of you, regarding your two sons with such contempt and refusing to see you all as one family.

I hope you manage to leave today and this day is the first day of life away from him and his bullying.

Thanks
hellsbellsmelons · 22/07/2014 11:13

Please get out today.
The more you write about him the worse it gets.
Please make sure you contact Womens Aid and log all the abuse.
He is emotionally, verbally, emotionally and financially controlling you.
Not sure about Scotland but you will be entitiled to legal aid when there is DV involved. And this is a big case of DV.

Make sure you take paperwork with you today.
Passports, birth certificates, marriage certificate (you'll need this for the divorce)

You know this is wrong and you know you deserve so much better.
Get out and don't give him any money.

Also contact CAB to see what you are entitled to, benefits, housing etc...

Keep strong, stay focussed.
You can do this. Your poor DC deserve so much more.

PlantsAndFlowers · 22/07/2014 11:19

Good luck Flowers

Jux · 22/07/2014 11:37

Thinking of you today. Thanks and good luck.

Branleuse · 22/07/2014 12:11

good luck today honey x

SignYourName · 22/07/2014 12:49

OP, I really hope the next time I check into this thread is to read an update from you saying you're safely installed at your sisters.

Stay strong, don't be sucked in by his bullshit. He's panicking, he'll promise you anything right now but if you waver and stay, nothing will change.

You have a chance to build a better, happier life for you and your children. I hope you can find the strength to take it.

Good luck.