Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

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

Emotionally abusive bullying husband

65 replies

Sickandtired14 · 16/08/2014 11:09

Yesterday I was out all day at my mums as I'm due a baby in 4 weeks time and I was organising all my baby stuff from when dd was born 2 years ago. Basket, car seat etc. I stayed at mums til it was DD's bedtime and she fell asleep in the car and I got her out, upstairs and into bed. All sound asleep. DH was home and I had been all evening. He knew we were on our way but he decided that the exact moment I put her into her cot was the same moment he NEEDED to put a large pile of clean clothes into her room and, of course, he had to put them on top of a carrier bag. Therefore... He woke her up. Now she's seen daddy and refuses to go back to sleep. I tried to resettle, did a bit if controlled crying as were having sleep issues anyway, but ultimately after an hour she wasn't sleeping and he was getting grumpy and angry and nasty so I got her up. He then starts on me that I'm inconsistent - he's pissed off that I wouldn't let him get straight away - and he starts shouting and swearing at me in front of her when I was keeping my voice low steady and calm. She bursts into tears and he blames me.

He slept on the sofa. This morning he isn't speaking to me. Is clearly fuming. His eyes are like a thunder storm. Clenched jaw. Stomping around refusing eye contact etc.
We were supposed to start potty training today. Everything was set up as we had a plan etc.
He then randomly, without any communication gets her dresses and takes her out to Tesco. In the past when I've tried to get him to take her he always says no and has some excuse so this was done to annoy me and to scupper my potty training plans. He gets angry when I mention the PT and snaps that I can just do it after lunch.
They come back from Tesco and he puts her to nap without saying happy nap time to me. Again may seem petty but it's done to hurt me.

I then broach him about something else - he have her an orange and her top is covered in it and he never soaks them or anything. Just leaves them and it bothers me greatly cos I am the one that ends up scrubbing clothes cos he's too lately to put it on a bowl of water - and he flips out. He's screaming at me so I tell him to get out. He refuses and starts yelling and pointing about all sorts of stuff. I defend myself and feel off the happenings of the last 16 hours and ask him if he thinks that his behaviour is acceptable and why is it all my fault?? He ignores me. I ask him 3 times 'r u just going to ignore me then?' And after that I say, fine get out but stay out' and he then decides he's going to shower and take ages etc.
This is my stupid bit- I decide he's not and that if he is going to treat me so rudely and abusively then he can literally get out and I refuse to let him shower.
Were in the hallway and he is right in my face screaming and spitting and waving 2 fingers at me 'fuck you fuck you fuck you your a fucking bitch'.
He walked off to the living room and I went to the bedroom. I'm crying cos I'm angry. I'm 38 weeks pregnant.
And I sit here thinking 'I don't love him anymore'
After 20 mins he comes to apologise - sounds good but he almost never apologises. He always maintains that he is the innocent victim and I'm the one who is at wrong and I force him to do/say things so he has nothing to apologise for. I think he sees that I'm getting stronger and distant. As in the past I would have backed down instantly and just tried to get past it. But now I get angry and defensive. I won't be bullied.
I told him to go away that I had no interest in listening to him justify his behaviour. He stood there and started going 'oh right. So I'm a grown up and come to say sorry and u...' I didn't hear the rest cos I said 'real grown up screaming fuck you in your pregnant wife's face outside your sleeping daughters room....' And just repeated 'go away' til he did.

I don't even know what I'm asking. I don't like him. I don't think I love him anymore. He made my daughter cry last night cos he was so angry and aggressive and she picked up on it. He's made me cry today. He has no respect for me. He will twist it so this is all my fault. I know he will as that is just what he does.

I think I'm with him cos I'm scared of being alone with a toddler and a new born. And cos of finances. I don't know how I'll cope alone but it will still be better won't it?
I have tried so hard with him. I called the police 6 months ago as he pushed me during an argument and then broke stuff in the flat. My dd wasn't here. So this isn't the first time.
He's said awful said time in the past and is emotionally manipulative and abusive. I'm not an angel but I am not as nasty. I tend to hold my tongue from saying nasty things just to hurt but I do get sarcastic which just fuels things I know.

I just don't know how to end it. He had no where to go. He is here on visas and has no access to public funding and I feel guilty kicking him out and putting his visas at risk, not for him but for our children. If his visas are revoked then he will be sent back to his country and they won't see him. And that pisses me off cos I think that's not my responsibility.

OP posts:
Sickandtired14 · 17/08/2014 14:34

He is just acting totally normal and saying that I am the one with the problem and that I 'don't wanna get over it' apparently he tried several times to 'apologise' but what that means is him saying 'I'm sorry you got upset but you made me do these things'
He slept on the sofa and we are trying to potty train dd and as I refuse to argue in front of her we can't talk til she is asleep.

He works but he is very very insistent on 50:50 split of all household pitgoings. We have seperate accounts and both keep food receipts and total up at end of month and whoever spent more gets the difference back from the other. Not as bad as it sounds, just the only 'fair' way.

Last week he came home with a new tv box. He loves his gadgets. I said I can't afford to pay towards it which he says he is fine with. It was not a discussed purchase but even if it had been and I had said no he would have bought it anyway. He does get annoyed cos I have savings and therefore he thinks I can afford much more then him but that's cos he sees savings as money waiting to be spent. And I don't. I'm not shelling out for gadgets I don't want just to make him happy so he 'sacrifices' the full cost for 'us' to have nice things......

He's just so nasty and agressive. Not physically. But with his voice and his face. He has the kind of face that can show total fury. And he then stomps around huffing and exhaling and looking like he could kill someone. He refuses to stop swearing in front of dd aswell.

He has taken over the potty training completely. Everything I do is wrong. And he is the type who thinks 'if you don't agree with my way/opinion then it's cos u don't understand so I'll keep explaining and getting angrier until you do'
He says I'm ruining PT cos she smacked me in the face so I put her in time out. That was wrong cos now I've made her hate the potty. But all my suggestions and wants are 'pointless and won't work' all cos he watched one video on YouTube he's now an expert.

He would give me money if I asked for it but he would probably make me say what I needed it for.

I'm just sick of it. I'm sat in the bedroom crying again and he's potty training my little girl cos he knows how and I'm a failure. I wanted to do it. But he has taken over and changed how it's being done without hardly any word to me

OP posts:
sonjadog · 17/08/2014 14:45

Please get rid of this man. You will be so much happier without him, as will your children. Your DD may be being clingy because she is reacting to the tension and unhappiness in the house.

Sickandtired14 · 17/08/2014 14:58

What surprises me is that she reacts by going to him. He is the one swearing and shouting and spitting and looks furious and all that and yet she clings to him. It confuses me. I am worried that she is damaged already. Can that be undone?

I don't think I love him anymore. I don't like him. I am just finding it so hard to end things.

OP posts:
wotoodoo · 17/08/2014 17:07

Of course she is damaged by this. Even children 'suck up' to the bully because they are scared of the consequences of what happens when they are not on the bully's side.

Your dh is undermining absolutely everything you do so that your dd sees you as the 'problem'. Your dh will also be taking this opportunity to badmouth you and turn her against you.

People in these situations have seen it all before. Please get rid before your self confidence erodes completely.

What are you waiting for?

Sickandtired14 · 17/08/2014 17:27

Waiting for dd to go to bed.
Something switched in my brain this afternoon. And you have hit the nail on the head completely in your last post.

He is trying to potty train and I have effectively been sidelined as all my suggestions were wrong and he undermined me and got angry at me. Anyway, she keeps weeing on the floor. I think probably cos he is pressuring her so much and she can sense tension and isn't ready yet.
Anyway, right in front of me he says (angrily) 'mummy doesn't want to show you so I'll have to. Come with me' takes her to the bathroom and sits on the toilet. I asked why he said that and he said cos u won't show her. So I replied I show her everyday. And told him he said that 100% to be nasty and to get to me.

But the fact that he bad mouthed me in front of her and used her as a tool to hurt me has made me snap. I am so angry and have seen a very small angry desperate little boy.
I won't start a big thing in front of her as she is too young and has seen too much already. But when she is in bed I will tell him.

I have to stay strong. And that is my problem. I'm so tired already that I am worn down by him so easily. I have to keep seeing her face in front of me.
She weed on the floor and to show her it was wrong he told her 'I don't like you anymore' and pushed her away!!! Her little face. She understood what he was implying and it was heart breaking. What a monster.

I have midwives appointment tomorrow so I can ask for some support there as well. And will make a gp appointment to get some sort of counselling or support.

Feel like I've been a idiot. I knew it would happen eventually but I let it go on long enough until he did hurt her and turned on her. I'm a shit mum

OP posts:
NotQuiteSoOnEdge · 17/08/2014 19:10

You aren't a shit mum. HE did it, not you. His choice, his responsibility. You also have a choice, the one that makes you the strongest and best mummy in the world, which is to get her out of this life and into one where he no longer has the chance to do this to her.

You can do it. You are coming out of the FOG more and more with every post. Call WA as soon as you can and they will help you with every step.

He is a horrible piece of work. Get her away.

DontstepontheMomeRaths · 17/08/2014 20:36

I wouldn't have it out with him when he is already like this, it will escalate. Stay quiet, start to make a plan, get advice quietly, start taking important documents to your Mums etc.

I'm worried he'll start shouting a use at you or even worse hurt you tonight. Please call the police if you start to feel threatened in anyway.

DontstepontheMomeRaths · 17/08/2014 20:39

abuse

wotoodoo · 17/08/2014 21:15

Good luck op, you absolutely have to go through this for your own and your dd's mental and physical health.

You can do it. A beautiful, peaceful and safe new life awaits you.

You are in the grips of an awful nightmare. You can escape it. He is not part of your future. But get help and let everybody know the truth.

You can do it.

Sickandtired14 · 17/08/2014 22:39

Apparently my children will grow up and hate me because they will have a shit life. He has said if we split/divorce then he will go back to his country and never see them cos that is better then seeing them just a few days a week.

Apparently he is more committed to me and this family then anyone he knows and treats me better then anyone he knows. I said that I was now seriously worried for his friends wives and children cos he's pretty fucking shitty and abusive towards me.

He thinks I'm saying it just to cause a fight. Just cos I'm pregnant and hormonal.
Any example I gave of anything wasn't relevant cos it came from the internet - therefore it's not true. Or from other people's relationships - therefore not relevant.

I said our relationship doesn't work. He said no ones does but you just get on with it. I told him I don't think I love him anymore and he just got angry and said nasty stuff and everything I predicted.

He is on the sofa. Even though I've done it.. Why doesn't it feel like I have?????

OP posts:
DontstepontheMomeRaths · 17/08/2014 23:23

He's trying to guilt trip you by threatening to go back to his Country and by saying the DCs will hate you and literally everything you say he's twisting. He's manipulating and lying. Don't believe any of it for even a moment. Stop trying engage and reason with him, it's a waste of time. Become detached and start planning to get rid of him and make a life for you.

wotoodoo · 17/08/2014 23:29

He has more to lose than you do. His ego is dented. Men don't like that very much. He might read what you have posted here, would be a good thing if he was stable but he is not so please be careful op.

Who have you told the truth to? Please start recording every incidence of emotional abuse so that you have a record, a written account would be good. You could even record or video how he treats you.

You don't have to live a lie anymore. He will say things to you to get a reaction because he knows you have a conscience. Don't be surprised if he threatens to hurt you or himself.

Pleae don't let him blackmail you into staying with him. You absolutely must have legal and rl emotional support.

He has had complete control over you for a long time and he is aware his hold over you is weakening. Don't be surprised if he changes tactics to force you or guilt trip you into staying with him.

Quitelikely · 17/08/2014 23:36

Op ask him to leave within a few days. It seems like you two are not compatible at all.

If he has to return back home well that's just a consequence of the situation that has developed between you.

It's like your dd is being used as a possession between the pair of you. Things are obviously quite bad between you with all this business over potty training! I mean why can't you both be involved. Is he following her shadow 24/7.

I also think that you seem quite angry yourself at the mo. I don't think it's ok to be in a huff for two days. Not good for you or dd and it won't really help the situation.

wotoodoo · 17/08/2014 23:42

I am not surprised op is angry.Trying to live a lie all this time and pretend everything is ok to the dd while living in an abusive environment is horrendously toxic not just for dd and op but for her unborn baby too.

43percentburnt · 17/08/2014 23:42

He is guilt tripping you. He knows this will make you behave.

If he returns to his own country then thank your lucky stars! I don't think he is going that easily.

I am worried for your safety.

Your dd clings to him as she is scared. She is doing what she can to ensure he doesn't turn on her.

Look into what would happen if you split. Would he be deported? If so may be the best thing you could do. Your dd doesn't deserve to have such a crap father in her life. A good dad treats his child's mother with respect.

He treats you with contempt, says no relationship is good, ruined your wedding, resents your children, calls you names, tells you you are awful, doesn't respect your opinion etc etc. but you say let's split up and even that isn't right. I wonder why? Ahhh cos you are his sponsor, silly me! He's using you op. Get this incident on record with midwife. Right for a family life! Yeh when it suits him, when he's being deported, in the deportation centre, to a judge. But not to his wife or his gorgeous little girl.

Adarajames · 18/08/2014 00:42

As all other posters have said, you need to be away from him. With regards the housing swap, the rules are different if you need to move due to DV, and that's really a minor issue compared to the need for you and your children to be safe. Speak to WA, get a plan in place, and look forward to the birth in a calm and safe environment knowing he's not going to be around to scare your newborn as well as your daughter. X

Sickandtired14 · 18/08/2014 08:08

I am so tired. I didn't sleep all night. At around 4 he and to comfort me and I was so tired and so defeated that I let him. But it has all been said now. He was angry at first and became upset as the argument went on. This morning he is unsure how to act cos he doesn't know what is happening anymore. It likes he thinks I will give in. Letting him comfort me probably wasn't a good idea but I so desperately want him.
Feel stupid for saying that but it's true. He is a monster yet I feel a pull towards something akin to gravity.... Makes me sick to think I am being weak.
I am off to midwives now. Will tell her all that has happened. Have gp appt for tomorrow to ask for help/support. Will try WA when he is out at work. Is only a small flat and don't want him over hearing any conversations I have.

Thank you for support. I fear the worst and hardest but is yet to come still. Making him believe me and making him leave.

OP posts:
wotoodoo · 18/08/2014 08:26

So his tactic is to use all his charm and 'love' and affection. Of course. He needs you back in your box and wants to convince you he is sorry.

He knows your weak points and he will exploit them to get you under his control again.

Don't beat yourself up about it but it is a well used ploy by abusive men to by turning on the affection when it suits them

It is not the charming, loving side of men you need to worry about, everybody has that side.

A person's true character is the dark side, the side when things go wrong, when things get hard.

That is the side your dc will see as the norm and will influence how your dc behave. Your dh is aggressive and abusive.

You are condemning yourself and your innocent dc to a lifetime of misery if you keep him in your lives and you know it.

Some women put love for their abusive partners first as they are blind to the damage and destruction they cause.

You have seen the light, you want to give your dc a happy childhood, that is very brave

It means leaving behind your old, toxic life and starting anew without him

Good luck op xx

GrapefruitILoveIt · 18/08/2014 11:04

He sounds like my x. He used to try to strangle me and then two minutes later he'd put the kettle on and make me feel I was being a petty grudge-bearer if I didn't accept a cup of tea with a smile.

He will not get better. Please get the police to get him out of your house.

Don't berate yourself for having married him. It's done now. It was a mistake. One of our human rights is the right to make a mistake. Another is the right to change your mind.

Toileting (if that's a word) was also one of my triggers for leaving as dc1 regressed from having been dry during the day and dry at night too! to suddenly wetting her knickers when her father started getting cross. She was a daddy's girl too, I guess. Sort of. But it was a point-scoring exercise for him. Look, your precious daughter will come to me if I click my fingers.

GrapefruitILoveIt · 18/08/2014 11:07

Another helpful tactic for you might be to focus on how you feel. Not the 'facts' as presented by him. Because they operate like cross-examining barristers all the time, bamboozling you until you're so tired and confused you say "yes yes, i'm a moaning whinging cow who's never happy".

Focus on how you feel. Trapped, Frustrated, Screwed over, Fearful, Angry, Worried, UNheard............ many more adjectives I bet. There is no script in the World that he can rail road you with that will change your feelings

Castlemilk · 18/08/2014 11:12

Get this shit out before he ruins your relationship with your daughter, turns her into a nervious wreck and probably starts hitting you.

GET HIM OUT.

GrapefruitILoveIt · 18/08/2014 13:53

Hope it went well with the mw. Tell them the truth. As woodoo says, the effort of keeping up pretence that all is fine is exhausting, it's another drain.

Confide in the mws.

I told the HVs before I left my x that I wouldn't be back and I told them why. They were so shocked, concerned, supportive, so believing of me, that I just wished wished wished I'd told them years earlier.

Sickandtired14 · 18/08/2014 14:03

Midwives were lovely. Although it was a trainee doctor who was taking my appointment and I think she wasn't entirely sure what to do when I simply burst into tears and was so bing so much I couldn't get a word out for like 3 minutes. She sat and waited stroking my hand every few seconds and then slipped out to get an actual midwife. Who was so mumsy.... They were lovely. So everything has been recorded and I have a gp appointment for tomorrow to request some emotional support and get the ball rolling and just have everything on a readily available record.

Terrified of giving birth alone. My mum will be able to care for my 2 year old but there isn't really anyone to come with me onto the labour ward. Have gestational diabetes aswell so am considered high risk and may be induced if I go overdue.... Just all so stressful.

Thank you for all the support. I read and reread everything I've written and the responses to keep myself strong.

OP posts:
petalsandstars · 18/08/2014 14:22

Well done, did they gice any advice for getting him out of your home? Or is it time to get some friends round with their DPs to encourage him not to be trouble

wotoodoo · 18/08/2014 14:59

Well done Op! You are on the right path now. You are going to feel up and down throughout this process. He will try and win you over. Imagine your dd repeating the words he uses at you in anger, and later your new dc, both ganging up against you, that is your reality if you keep him in your lives.

Can you get your mum to move in with you? He needs to go and you need to tell the police and change the locks.

Tell him your mum is moving in. Tell the council and police you want him gone. You will be surprised how helpful everyone will be.

You need to put your health first and your unborn childs'.

May be your mum can put his stuff in a bin bag and leave it outside. Tell everyone, your neighbours can be very helpful, let them know.

Tell him the police are aware of the situation and tell him everything he says and does will be recorded and be used in court.

Treat him as distantly and objectively as possible, and do not react emotionally. Keep him at arms length and if you can, have someone with you while you go through this process.