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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

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I'm exhausted from the constant snapping, rudeness and lack of appreciation. How do I make it better?

242 replies

RainOnTheTent · 01/03/2015 20:16

There are two of my husband. He lives for weeks, sometimes a month or so as one person and then a switch flicks and he becomes the other for a similar amount of time.

Husband one is ok and I love him to bits. The kids adore him and he can be brilliant with them but husband two is vile.

Husband two is rude, snappy and aggressive (in manner and tone) to me and the DCs. Rarely says thank you, rarely concentrates on us, what we are doing or planning or gives us his undivided attention. He huffs loudly at complete strangers for doing minor things like inadvertently stepping in his path. Raises his arms in a gesture of "what the fuck" rather than one of "would you mind moving please" if a car or cyclists have blocked his way or done something without thinking. Flies off the handle with snapped responses with no need always taking things the wrong (negative) way. He never acknowledges the contribuion I make. Acts like he hates or disagrees with the very air that I breathe. He tells the DCs off for poor behaviour yet he models the most awful example. Muttering "Jesus Christ" loudly and clearly at the slightest thing that annoys him or constantly looking at his phone even when we are having some family time.

I just want a loving pair of arms round me (in addition to those of my children) and a heart felt compliment and a kind word or two every now and again.

When he chooses to be husband one all will be well but we have no say as to when that will be. Husband two has been here for many weeks and I am on my knees. Please be kind as I'm not up to harsh replies.

OP posts:
GallicIsCharlie · 04/03/2015 19:14

Well done from me, too Flowers

RainOnTheTent · 04/03/2015 21:29

He sent me a WhatsApp text as I was driving to collect DCs....
"You clearly believe I am insane. Obviously with my extreme reactions I cannot be trusted around people that cause me such upset. One day I may go to far and cause them serious injury or worse. Given that our marriage is clearly over that day may well be today. Once you are out I will pack some things. I won't be there by the time you are back."

He had been home and packed some things and left by the time I got back with DC2 & DC3. I told them he'd needed to be away for work meeting tomorrow.

He'd made a big show of left his wardrobe door wide open with a chunk of clothes missing from the hangers and left the drawer wide open where the box containing our passports/birth certs etc are kept. His are gone.

By the time DC3 got home the other two were in bed so I had a nice evening watching Comic Relief Bake Off with DC3.

He's switched off the location tracker app that we and DC3 use so I can't see where he is.

OP posts:
AnyFucker · 04/03/2015 21:32

That reads like a threat Hmm

woowoo22 · 04/03/2015 21:51

What a tube. Are you doing okay, as much as can be expected?

He sounds volatile. I remember the drama of being with EA ex. Constant drama, just like you've posted.

Katisha · 04/03/2015 21:57

Do you read it as a threat? Is violence a possibility do you think?

AnyFucker · 04/03/2015 21:58

I haven't heard tube for ages Smile

trackrBird · 04/03/2015 22:13

Are you ok, Rain?

He over reacts to an alarming degree. I'm not sure if I see threat or drama queen in his words: you know him best.

Is there anyone you can count on for real life support?

chocolatefingersandtoes · 04/03/2015 22:14

What a knob! How are you feeling OP?

PoppyField · 04/03/2015 22:35

Total drama llama. Does he think he is in a movie?

But hey - Result, he's gone. Any chance he could stay away for a nice long chunk of time while you have a period of calm and consolidation?

I think he has overreached himself and issued you with a threat. Perhaps that would be useful evidence if you wanted him to live away from the family home for a period?

If he's at his mum's or a Travelodge, whatever - you need some time to think. If he suggests coming home in the next few days, just tell him it's better if he stays away for a few more days because you 'need some space'.

He is behaving abominably. But he's doing it somewhere else - enjoy!

Hope you're ok Rain. You may be reeling at the moment, but this could be a good thing. I was thinking you'd be in a situation where he would refuse to leave. This is a good start. Ring a few solicitors tomorrow and see where you stand. He has upped and left, which leaves you in the family home where you should be.

RL support would be good. Bolt the doors and sleep well.

Swanhildapirouetting · 04/03/2015 22:36

The thing is, that even if you love him and care for him, and want the best for him - he probably still needs to leave just to sort himself out for his own sake. Because being with the family at the moment seems to be an incredible source of hatred and unhappinesss for him. For what ever reason his own depression - because he is stressed by something because he has got some unresolved issues or is an ea- whatever is not going to be cured by being in the house with you.
I really hope he finds some peace and addresses his own problems. I think if you can remember that, it will stop you feeling guilty or responsible for him in any way. Although you will still wish him well for the time you spent together even if he was only fleetingly husband 1. I do hope I am not out of order to say this rather than out and out condemnation of him - it is just that if you suddenly think I must forgive him he's so unhappy in a week's month's time you are not really solving the problem. You are not responsible for his unhappiness. Or his treatment of you or his attitude to you.
I'm thinking of you because it must be very hard letting go of someone you once loved and probably still love, when you do keep thinking it is up to me to solve this problem (of his unhappiness) but it is not. You cannot. You can only say I will not let this destroy me and the children.

ouryve · 04/03/2015 22:52

My sister is a shite cook.

And a good mum.

Lots of mums can't cook. That's what convenience food is for. And youtube. Almost anyone can learn to cook, with some effort. Learning to be a decent human being is harder.

emotionsecho · 05/03/2015 00:44

You say he's taken his passport and birth certificate and left yours and the dcs, for safety's sake could you put them somewhere else and keep them secure.

I hope you are okay, whatever you do don't blame yourself , he is choosing to behave the way he does and he has chosen to leave.

I must admit I found his 'one day I may go too far and cause them serious injury' and 'as our marriage is over that day may be today' rather disturbing, do you have friends or family you could confide in who could also be on hand for you?

Please take care of yourself and your children, I hope this is a step on the way to a better life for you.

nannyj · 05/03/2015 07:20

Rain I can't tell you how amazing you are. My father used to resort to suicide threats to keep my mum in her place and not leave him. Your husband seems to be a text book abuser and it must be so hard for you as I'm sure he's been like this for many years so your natural response must be to smooth things over but the fact that you're questioning him on his begaviour is commendable and very brave. Flowers

DeliciousMonster · 05/03/2015 08:39

He flounced. Sigh.

What a drama llama.

What a shame you lost your house keys today and had to change the locks?

RainOnTheTent · 05/03/2015 09:06

The children would be devastated if he didn't come back. He's not a thread. He's the drama llama.

OP posts:
DeliciousMonster · 05/03/2015 09:21

Yes. As I said - he flounced and is a drama llama.

Are you really 100% sure that they would be devastated?

Their dad, wonderful dad, who should shout at them and won't even pick them up from school when he is practically next door?

You do know 'husband 1' is an act don't you?

minkGrundy · 05/03/2015 09:25

rain the kids will cope. They are resilient.
I found out mine knew all kinds of things I didn't think they knew after he leftSad

They are happy to see him as an nrp and also happy not to live with him. In a lot of ways it is the best of both worlds for them.

Yes a family is the ideal. But a family was not on offer. So they now have the next best thing.

minkGrundy · 05/03/2015 09:32

I would be very careful of him at this point though. His pride will be hurt. You have challenged his superiority. If he gets so angry about tiny things imagine how righteous he is feeling now.

Stay safe. Don't be alone with him. Keep your phone charged. Hopefully it won't be necessary and he will go quietly. But be careful.

Also watch out for him promising the moon (with the condition that you just meet him half way). He hasn't got it to give. Husband 1 is just a mask put on until he gets his way.

Underneath it all he does not believe you are his equal. He will not change that belief. It took me so long to realise that. My x didn't hate me, he didn't love me. He just thought I was a lesser being who either was or was not behaving how a lesser being is supposed to behave in his presence.

emotionsecho · 05/03/2015 09:49

I think the children may well welcome a period of calm and, as others have said, may surprise you with how they feel.

I imagine he is expecting/wanting you to be going frantic trying to find out where he is, don't play his game just get on with your day to day life with the children calmly. Don't chase him, stand your ground and he may finally get the message you are serious, he is expecting you to cave in so he can go back to business as usual with an added dose of self righteousness as to how you made him leave and it is was all your fault.

RositatheSeata · 05/03/2015 10:41

Please tell me you've changed your email password by now

RainOnTheTent · 05/03/2015 17:20

He has text to say he's coming back tonight & staying in the spare room. I said unless he was seeking help & change he was to stay away. He refused & said he pays the mortgage so he will stay in spare room. What now?

OP posts:
BalloonSlayer · 05/03/2015 17:24

Call 101 and mention the threat in the text? Confused

Duckdeamon · 05/03/2015 17:35

That text seems intentionally threatening. Could you local friends in RL what's going on so they can help you stay safe? And put important documents, cash cards and so on somewhere safe, seek legal advice asap.

MelonBallersAreStrange · 05/03/2015 17:45

Call 101 because of the threat in the text and him now coming back.

Refuse to speak to him when he comes home. Act as if he was an irritating lodger.

Get to a solicitor asap.

GallicIsCharlie · 05/03/2015 18:13

I'd also call 101 - and Womens Aid or Respect - for advice. Issuing threats like that isn't 'normal' melodramatic behaviour; people trying to raise anxiety levels usually threaten to harm themselves - not their children, and within a specific time frame!

I'm not saying I think he is going to murder his children. I'm saying his actions aren't even normal for your average abuser, therefore it's worrying.