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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

My head is frazzled, am I being abused or just silly?

244 replies

perfecthouse · 15/09/2015 13:42

This is how it is: I don't work at the moment due to illness, I am trying to find a job, I worked right from leaving school but i'm a little limited now...it's just a bit more difficult, not impossible. My partner works. We both have our own homes, we don't live together but he is here much of the time. I have never asked him for anything towards my bills...why would I? It's my home my responsibility. I buy the shopping every week, I cook all his meals. He "borrows" money from me often and then doesn't want to give it back...saying well he takes me shopping and that costs petrol. He also "reminds" me of anything he's bought me in the past (birthday and Christmas gifts).

When he comes back from work the house has to be spotless (difficult with two kids, and a dog who sheds everywhere, brings muddy footprints in and is a complete maniac jumping up the walls and dirtying them. But I try my best. In fact, I spend most of every day cleaning and he still finds fault.

When he comes in, he demands a hot drink and parks himself on the sofa, if i'm tired from cleaning all day he's funny with me, if i'm not, he's funny with me...I haven't done enough. If I've taken any time for myself, he's funny with me because i'm lazy. I'm not allowed time for myself when he's here...i'm not giving him enough attention. I'm not allowed to read a book, use the internet. If I do, I don't love him anymore. He controls the tv, sometimes he'll say "put what you want on" but then he'll huff and puff and make it very obvious he's bored. When he isn't at work he wakes up, I cook breakfast, he goes to sleep on the sofa and does nothing all day, while I run around for him. He deserves it, because he's exhausted apparently.

He constantly whinges that I show him no affection anymore, don't cuddle up to him on the sofa...how can I when i'm squashed up in the corner with his legs on me..so I cant move? Some nights i'm so uncomfortable I go and sit on the floor but he takes that as a personal insult too. He doesn't give a flying fart that I have back problems.

His moods are changeable, sometimes he's "perfect partner", sometimes he's "passive aggressive" and sometimes he's downright bloody nasty, will flip at the slightest thing. Example: the other day he called me up when he was in the bath. I went up, he started shouting at me saying I had more sleep than him (not true), I walked out of the bathroom (didn't want to argue) and I was getting changed into my pyjamas when he runs into the bedroom naked. I was putting my clothes away, he shouted "MOVE". I didn't move straight away, it was probably less than 30 seconds to put my clothes in the draw. He picked me up and pushed me over, saying I was "fucking horrible".

I'm so sick of his moods, sick of treading on eggshells, he's never hit me but he's done some awful things. I don't deserve it, I think i'm a good partner. I wash his clothes, I make his meals, I make his lunch for work, I bail him out when he has no money, I do everything he asks. Where am I going wrong?

OP posts:
Coolforthesummer · 15/09/2015 14:09

How dare he criticise the amount of cleaning you do or don't do in your own home?

I can't believe the way he is treating you. What a disgusting specimen.

Dump him now. Mind you he will have a shock when you do and he won't like it. Be prepared for him to suddenly get all lovey dovey (then nasty of course when you don't back down.)

pocketsaviour · 15/09/2015 14:12

OP, I'm just one in a chorus of voices all urging you to LTB (leave the bastard).

Yes, it's abusive. And I hear you about not having an image of a good relationship; it's very hard to set boundaries if you've never had examples.

Get rid of this bloke, and have a read of this: Why Does He Do That by Lundy Bancroft.

As a pp suggested, look into doing the Freedom Programme - you can do it online if you can't get to a local course. It will help you reset your expectations of how a respectful relationship is supposed to be and make you aware of "red flags" that abusive men display.

Please have some real life support when you tell him its over. As he's already been violent I suggest texting or calling him, and if necessary change the locks first. If he turns up, ring the police immediately, don't feel embarrassed, this man has already been violent by pushing you over and could easily escalate further. Be safe Flowers

TwmSionCati · 15/09/2015 14:14

" Oh he's done worse, he's spat in my face, he's threatened to have my kids taken off me, he's got in my house and taken pictures of me asleep put wine bottles from the recycling in front of me "

please please just change the locks - it is your house!
Nobody walks into my house and demands a hot drink after they have spat in my face!

Your home is your sanctuary ffs.

sooperdooper · 15/09/2015 14:15

You don't need proof, you just need to want out of this excuse for a relationship - he's awful and your life will be better without him

Please follow all the advise here, you'll be so much better on your own in so many ways

Could a friend in RL be with you when you tell him it's over? At least he can go back to his house, you can change the locks and be shot of this abusier bully

willconcern · 15/09/2015 14:17

My god. Your last post - he spat in your face? He got into the house and took photos of you with empty wine bottles?

These are not the actions of a nice man. He is abusive.

You do not need any proof of anything. You are entitled to tell him you do not want to be in the relationship any more. Change your locks - it is YOUR house, so you don't have to consider him at all. Tell him you want no more contact.

Fannyupcrutch · 15/09/2015 14:19

I stopped reading after 3 paragraphs. That's all it took to be 100% sure that your "boyfriend" is in fact a first class fucktard that doesn't deserve space in your life.

Get rid. NOW! Get yourself a hair cut, maybe new frock or something to make you feel good about yourself and work on rebuilding your self-esteem. But the first step is to realise that you and your children are worth more than this pathetic excuse for a human. Fuck him off!

hellsbellsmelons · 15/09/2015 14:20

I would advise that if you are going to change the locks and end this then please call 101 and ask for the DV team.
Let them know about everything to do with this vile specimen and tell them you are planning to end it.
Ask them to put you on priority call list so if you dial 999 then they will respond fast.
If you can have a male friend or family member with you for the 1st couple of nights after you end it.

Grumpyoldblonde · 15/09/2015 14:20

My God, call a locksmith right now, text him "we are done, do not come here again"
You don't need any reason to end a relationship, just get rid of him, if he kicks off and comes round tonight - call the police.

perfecthouse · 15/09/2015 14:21

I don't need to change the locks, ive never been daft enough to give him a key. (thank gawd). He will keep driving down here though, phoning my kids etc....not fair, how can I keep putting them through that?

OP posts:
Canyouforgiveher · 15/09/2015 14:21

I just don't really have a clue what's acceptable in a relationship and what isn't because I've never seen it. I'm not even sure what's abuse....my head is telling me it isn't right to be frightened of someone you love, when you dread them coming home because you KNOW there will be something wrong.

What you described is a horrible abusive person and you have an awful "relationship" with him. But you've identified your problem - you don't know what is acceptable in a relationship. Probably because of shit you had to see/endure in childhood. Take it from those of us who do know what is acceptable, this is not acceptable.

What is awful is if you continue this, apart from the damage to your own life, your children will also grow up to be people who "really don't have a clue what is acceptable in a relationship". Don't let him do that to them. Dump him and treat yourself better.

Ask a friend to stay with you, dump, change the locks, call the police if he starts up.

DoreenLethal · 15/09/2015 14:22

He is an abusive cunt. Get the locks changed, chuck all the shit he has at yours into bin bags and tell him to fuck off out of your life.

Grumpyoldblonde · 15/09/2015 14:22

But you are putting them through that - while you are still with him

TwmSionCati · 15/09/2015 14:23

get them to block his number.
If necessary take out what used to be called an injunction. Hopefully someone else with more up to date info will advise.
How did he get in your house when you were asleep before? How well does he know the house?

MorrisZapp · 15/09/2015 14:23

Block his phone number. It takes about eight seconds. Block it on kids phones. They need never see him again.

TwmSionCati · 15/09/2015 14:23

Are you sure he doesnt have a key ?

hellsbellsmelons · 15/09/2015 14:23

How will he call the kids?
Via their mobile phones? That they can use to BLOCK his calls and text messages.
They can also block him from all social media.
How can you keep putting them through having this awful, abusive man in their home, where they are supposed to be safest of all.
They are NOT safe. They are being taught awful lessons about how a man treats a woman. They are seeing their mother being abused, day in and day out. That is what has to STOP!!! Right now!

NotYouNaanBread · 15/09/2015 14:24

You don't need proof. You don't need to justify anything. He IS abusive, and he's got you scurrying around fearfully even though you don't actually need for anything at all.

He will not engage in any conversation about his behaviour, I can promise you that, so a quick and decisive break is better. Otherwise you will dragged into a debate that you will lose, and somehow you will end up being the one sobbing and apologising for your unreasonable behaviour (I've been there!) instead of him. The proof that he will do this is in the way he is successfully treating you now.

While he is at work, change the locks, and send him a voicemail/text/email telling him that it is over, then get a friend over so that you are not alone when he comes back. Be prepared for a backlash from him. You don't have to prove to your friend that you are breaking up with him for a good reason. Just explain what you have told us here, if you like.

hellsbellsmelons · 15/09/2015 14:24

How is he getting in to take photo's if he doesn't have a key????
He may well have had one copied by now!
Change the locks just in case.

LovelyFriend · 15/09/2015 14:25

when you dread them coming home because you KNOW there will be something wrong.

Just imagine you need never feel like this again- bliss!!

NotYouNaanBread · 15/09/2015 14:26

Just saw he doesn't have a key - that's fantastic! Now block his number from the kids phones (probably without them knowing, if possible, because he might try to work on them and present you as the bad guy?), then block on social media so that you don't have to be distressed by rambling abuse/begging on Facebook at 3am.

LaNouba · 15/09/2015 14:26

You are in a really strong position here given that he lives elsewhere. I second the suggestion to change the locks and reclaim your own house. He won't change and you need to consider the effect on your children who presumably witness his vile behaviour. Is he the father of your children? If not then you can erase him from your life and concentrate on re building a secure and happy future. Life is far too short to put up with this. You don't rely on him financially so a split is far less complicated than some posters who are financially dependent. As already posted Women's Aid might be able to offer some good advice. Good Luck

NotYouNaanBread · 15/09/2015 14:29

It really sounds like he has a key to your house, looking back at your posts. I would be very surprised if he hasn't arranged this before now.

GloGirl · 15/09/2015 14:31

Is it normal - does that matter?

Is that what other people like - what if they did?

Let's say your relationship was an average one - so fucking what? Who cares if other people put up with that kind of shit, why should you?

It's not normal, it is abuse and very few people would put up with it. But it doesn't matter. It's your life! Make things easy and enjoyable for yourself. God it would be so easy to just change the locks - you wouldn't even have to worry about him sleeping on the street. He could go back to his miserable fucking existence and you could have sweet, guilt-free freedom. Cake

My head is frazzled, am I being abused or just silly?
IsabellaofFrance · 15/09/2015 14:36

Goodness - get well away from him. Don't waste another second on this oxygen thief!

Do your children see him treating you like this?

perfecthouse · 15/09/2015 14:37

ok my answers to your questions. He has the kids numbers as we arranged it for an alternative to emergency contact along with my mum first for school blah blah because my phone is old and I often have no signal.

and no, he has never had a key, or a copy key. In the summer I leave the back door open and he jumped the gate.

OP posts:
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