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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

How far can he take the stressed from work excuse?

999 replies

thenamehaschanged · 24/07/2014 13:13

H rents a room close to his work and comes back to the family home at the weekend (the family home is only 40 minutes max to his work by the way!)
He manages a department, has a lot of responsibility and pressure, has to give presentations daily which he says he hates and works often to about 7.30/8pm after an early start so I am in no way doubting he's busy and stressed at times. There is also a hell of a lot of socialising and boozing pretty much all week with trips to karaoke bars, top restaurants where he is simply the life and soul.
What I get coming through the door at the weekend though is a moody, sullen, withdrawn shell of a man who when asked if ok either doesn't respond or looks at you with mild scorn. He is so resentful, jealous even, that he has to work - and hates me for being more at home with the kids which is where he wants to be. you can cut the atmosphere with a knife. Needless to say I can't wait for him to just fuck off back out the door again Monday morning!
He is controlling and abusive and I am going to see a solicitor next week - I have tried to end the marriage many times but his grip just gets tighter. The last occasion was this week, I snapped (again) told him it was over and that I am seeing a solicitor - I won't go on too long about it all but his continual defence of how horrible he is is that (after he's told me that I'm just as abusive which I really really am not) he's stressed, under pressure and doesn't want to be doing this job even though it pays well and comes with lots of perks. It's a job he trained specifically to do, he did leave it for 8 years as there were elements he didn't like, to build his own business which failed (he was an arse then as well) there's no other job he will entertain doing and so he's back doing his old job.
And I am embarrassed to say that here I am totally lobotomised and spaghetti headed, still in the marriage, agreeing to counselling :( which I really don't want to do) and thinking does he have a point. I wouldn't like to have to give loads of presentations for instance.

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thenamehaschanged · 09/08/2014 00:52

Right I will do then - I mean honestly I bloody hope he wouldn't - I would be horrified but he can appear so unhinged that it makes you wonder what more he's capable of. He's done a few 'breakdowns' on me in the past that I could clearly see were an act - I just wonder if he'd pull that shit on someone else to try and win back contact?

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thenamehaschanged · 09/08/2014 00:56

All about preparing for the worst I guess!!

I tell you if I get out of this safely to the other side then seriously anyone can do it! It has taken me soo long to get here but hey rather now than another ten years wasted!

Goodnight everyone Thanks

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Darkesteyes · 09/08/2014 00:56

Wow he really is a manipulative fuckwit isn't he. Next time he pulls this breakdown shit , tell him you are calling a doctor. And follow it through. Thanks

Darkesteyes · 09/08/2014 00:57

G" night name Sleep well

wyrdyBird · 09/08/2014 01:01

He has a serious problem, thename, hasn't he.... though not one he'll ever address.
I hope you get some sleep and have a good weekend with the DC, and without STBX. Happier times are coming soon Flowers

50shadesofknackered · 09/08/2014 05:05

You're right to wait for your mum and dad to be settled in that case, you don't want any extra stress or worry for you or dc's. His behaviour really is very odd and if he does try anything like faking a breakdown or attempting to get himself ran over etc i should imagine that would help you with any custody or divorce proceedings. That will just be proof that he is unstable and highlight why you feel unsafe. Hopefully you won't feel as sad this morning, have a lovely day with the kids and be relieved that he isn't there to ruin it. You're doing so well.

FunkyBoldRibena · 09/08/2014 07:44

Replace 'would he do that to try to win contact' with 'would he do that to try to win back control and make himself look like the victim' yes, I suspect he probably will at some point.

Just remember when you get the call from the police to react 'I've been expecting him to orchestrate something like this to get control back officer, as he is an abusive manipulator'.

ptumbi · 09/08/2014 07:50

Fake a breakdown to win back contact? With you? With the DC?

Of he goes to hospital, you may be informed. You do NOT need to go to see him, or to bother with it in any way. See it for what it is; fake. Attention seeking, nonsense.

If he's doing it to get contact with the DC who he never sees normally - well, that's not going to happen!

Have a good weekend

thenamehaschanged · 09/08/2014 09:43

Thank you everyone x

I do feel low today but I'm also hormonal so it's maybe more that! Dd2 hasn't been well this morning and it worried me maybe she had an infection since she had an op this week and so I was on the phone to nhs direct for a while. Thankfully she's ok, but I am to monitor her today - it just brings home my situation.

Honestly I feel like texting him and telling him what a fucking selfish bastard he really is - that he hasn't even bothered to see his precious dd2 after her op, and has totally abandoned us.

I want to say don't fucking ever come here again, i am issuing divorce proceedings against you - but I can't. Because I would be unsafe here if I did that.

Some other shitty things happened to me too this week, my cousin has fallen out with me and I have a psychotic neighbour! I always used to turn to him when I had a problem (and he always would use it as an opportunity to stick the boot in actually!)

I have been feeling vulnerable I guess but actually maybe this is all a good thing, never turning to him again, facing everything myself.

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tadpolefeet · 09/08/2014 10:58

Never posted before on a thread like this, but just read the whole thing through, and couldn't not post. You are AMAZING. And you are absolutely doing the right thing. Of course it will be difficult but have strength in knowing you are doing the right thing for you and your children.
If you're feeling down could you focus on the practicalities... little by little... (eg 'today I'm going to select the children's favourite story books to pack and put somewhere safe...') Can you play the lists game... each child (depending on ages) has to come up with a list of their 5 favourite toys, games, meals, cakes, things they are most proud of, things they love about each other, about you etc... All focussing on the positives, and might help... I don't know... it is so extraordinary to read about someone so clearly so intelligent and strong, but in such a horrid situation. Good lucj with it all, and remember you are doing the right thing.

thenamehaschanged · 09/08/2014 12:39

Thanks so much tadpole Thanks - I've picked myself up and we're heading out to an adventure playground now Smile

You're right though this was always going to be hard, this is the emotional roller coaster bogey talked about - I was feeling positive and then wham, floored again, undermined and made to feel so unimportant.

It's amazing what a shower and some make up can do! Smile

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wyrdyBird · 09/08/2014 18:21

I hope your day's been going well, thename. I really believe that a shower and some make up can have a wonderful effect on your wellbeing. :)

springydaffs · 09/08/2014 18:57

Hello lovely. I've read your thread, and your confusion is palpable. No wonder, he has tied you up in endless bits of string to get you stuck fast..

What jumps out at me is that he is training you - to be the obedient servant. He could perfectly well do eg the mortgage payments himself (as well as get his time sheet in on time) but he is getting you laden down with tasks, using fear/financial insecurity to keep you off-balance, to keep you in such a spin you can't think straight. His strategy, to train you to be obedient, is behind all he does eg he complains and grumbles that he 'is working hard for you/the family's benefit' and look how hard it is for him; while you just aren't coming up to scratch on your side of the agreement: to be the obedient, grateful, non-complaining wife. He doesn't come home because you are not yet adequately trained - see how he points out the water in the bathroom, you are not yet the adequate servant, the domestic goddess; see how he is happy and appeased when the house is perfect so you can play the perfect family with his folks. If you argue with him it proves you have not yet learned obedience to your master, and he has to punish you to get you to learn re going away this weekend without prior notice or consulting you. You are not an equal partner.

That, and he has a PD.

if you did stay with him, turning a blind eye to his insanity (not that you're be able to do it without getting even more severe spaghetti head), your daughters would end up in the same type of relationship. As his mother's children have.

Have you heard of the Freedom Programme? One near you. Can't link but do look it up and sign up to a local course - it really is excellent. The above examples show clear King of the Castle characteristics. And that's the least of it, I imagine.

Like you, I used to think i was a fraud because my husband never hit me (except once a slap to get me to behave, rather like you'd slap a dog). Please don't underestimate the terrible toll of this invisible and extremely corrosive abuse. I have met so many women who were hit, who say they'd be hit any day rather than endure this mindbending torture.

I took a non-molestation order out on my mindbending exH soon after I left him. He was also not permitted to come beyond the gate. He made a huge song and dance, I think you're going to have to accept he is going to fight bitterly.

You're doing exactly the right thing, well done, keep going, don't doubt yourself (though you will because his training has been partially absorbed). Plough on through and get you and your girls free of his malign influence. You are doing marvellously, it's so hard to get free when they've ground us down to dust.

Ime just a surprisingly short while away from them and peace and sanity takes up residence again. It is absolute bliss.

thenamehaschanged · 09/08/2014 20:15

Hi wyrdy! I ended up having a really nice day with the girls thanks! I went back to bed at 10 this morning thinking I couldn't cope with the day - i then just figured I had no choice! It was an effort but getting out was the best thing for all of us Smile

Hi Daffs! Thank you for such an insightful post - you really have nailed him down there! Yes I have heard of the freedom programme but have never been able to find one - I'll have another look now. 'Mind bending' is an excellent description, and the number on me he's doing is what his dad did to his mum who is the epitome of the obedient, grateful, non complaining wife (shudder) she is no flag flyer for women at all - we are all lobotomised baby machines in her world - with nothing better to do than coo brainlessly over children and have them make up 90% of our conversation.

I always thought he wanted different from his family. He always gave me that impression anyway although always remaining fiercely loyal to them. But he moved way, he did well when they aren't particular achievers - he was the fledgling golden boy. He's a mover and shaker in London now, what would he want some 1950's, carbon copy of his mother for? Hmm except for the fact he knows no other model so wants it but also hates it? (I'm going a bit pop psychology here - it'll be the Wine sorry! Grin)

He's always loved my humour - it was always my witty humour that gelled with his that made him 'love' me - except he has been putting my intelligence down for a long time as well by simply bigging his education up compared to mine (he went to uni, I didn't) and pointing out his superiority. The thing is, I know I am funnier, more insightful, more observant, tons more common sense and better read than him. I don't shrink from confrontation and fighting because I am weak and pathetic, I avoid it because it's horrible! Like a lot of people would Hmm I am genuinely warm, genuinely kind and the last thing I would do is take pleasure in humiliating somebody by putting them down.

I took my wedding rings off again today. I don't want them on. I feel really aware of them when they're on almost as if they're aching a bit!

OP posts:
FunkyBoldRibena · 09/08/2014 20:24

That is a big step. Well done.

GarlicAugustus · 09/08/2014 20:44

Ohhhh, that IS a good sign!!! Your mind is rejecting the bonds of your marriage :)

(Put 'em back on if you're still living in the same house next time he pays a visit ... )

You are all those things you said about yourself. I don't even know you & can see that! There'll be no holding you once you're properly free.

Cheeky76890 · 09/08/2014 21:04

Good luck for when the papers are issued. Great idea going to your parents. How long will you stay

thenamehaschanged · 09/08/2014 21:43

Thanks everyone - hi Garlic! Smile

Prob good idea re the rings Garlic.

I am thinking of staying out the rest of the summer hols at my parents as soon as they are settled and probably the first week of term with an explanation to school - not all that fair on the girls I know, but I can't risk turning up that first week and he's trying to get involved.

I doubt he will but I want to leave it as long as possible him getting papers, him having to reply, him knowing there's to be no contact, him getting his own legal advice etc etc before I move back to the house.

Could be ages - hope not though.

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Jux · 09/08/2014 23:24

Have you called WA? I know you would prefer to go to your parents' place once they've moved, but until then, having WA on stand-by might not be a bad idea.

I don't trust him to be really away. Yes, he's punishing you like Springy said, but he could just as easily suddenly turn up "to surprise you" (really, to catch you out).

HansieLove · 10/08/2014 01:00

When he goes on about counseling, and how you haven't really tried, you can tell him counseling is not recommended for abusers. Watch him sputter!

RandomMess · 10/08/2014 09:51

Well done, just remember one day at a time is enough for now.

As he's got digs I wonder if it's worth applying for a non-molestation order straight away - if he breaks it you can just call the police voila another legal strike against him.

thenamehaschanged · 10/08/2014 10:23

Thanks Random, the solicitor talked about non molestation orders and said that to apply for one you have to be in immediate danger which at the moment I'm not but when papers are served I will be so I think she was saying that she would apply for one then...I think. I need her letter to go over everything we talked about.

I've said that Hansie! I've called him an abuser and said that's why I won't go to counselling - he's having none of it! I'm just as abusive apparently. We're both abusing each other and need a third party to point that out to us and that is where I will be found out Confused

Thanks Jux yes I'm thinking WA now. I want to crack on with it this week I think if possible. I can just say it would be short term can't I - stay in a refuge for a week or so until my parents are available?

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Jux · 10/08/2014 14:34

Yes, I think so - after all, they're not going to hold you captive! There are a lot of advantages about going into a refuge (if a place is available), aside from the obvious protection it gives.

thenamehaschanged · 10/08/2014 15:37

Yes I guess there is - it doesn't look good for a start does it.

He's just phoned - he's on the train on his way back and wanted to know if we could all go out for dinner. I just said a flat no - I'm just so sick of it - he's doing the forlorn thing again.

I have been constructing a text telling him I don't want him to come back here tonight, why should he anyway and to see the kids tomorrow instead - there is so much I want to put - I have started saying family meals out will never happen again because of his behaviour in a restaurant last week - I'm thinking I probably shouldn't though.

I really really don't want him coming here - it wouldn't be too out of the ordinary for me to say so.

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thenamehaschanged · 10/08/2014 16:01

It's ok I deleted the text. Thought better of it than angering him which is lucky because dd1 phoned him from the landline and he told her he's going to take them to mcds. (He's not going to be here til bloody 8.45 tonight - they're 8 and 6!)

Still - gets him away from me I guess - I'm just going to go to bed with a fake illness as soon as he gets here - I'll say period pains or something.

Angry
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