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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:
LoisPuddingLane · 16/09/2015 10:15

I'm not in a relationship (possibly because I have a very low tolerance for cuntitude) but this isn't normal. If he has no money for food - not your problem. Presumably he has an income. Therefore he can pay for food.

Anyway, just get rid. Any man who can spit in your face and bark "move" at you and chuck you on the bed is not to be tolerated.

Alittlecurious · 16/09/2015 10:18

He will call you everything but it doesn't matter. So what if he calls you selfish and horrible. You are entitled to end the relationship for any reason whatsoever.

Alittlecurious · 16/09/2015 10:20

I'm not in a relationship either thank god so can't help you with what's 'normal.' But the peace and freedom and being comfortable in my own home is priceless.

perfecthouse · 16/09/2015 10:37

cuntitude Grin that's a good word!

It's not true that saying "sticks and stones can break my bones but words can never hurt me". Words can hurt, they can twist your mind until you cant think straight. I never would have imagined I would be "one of those women", I was strong...but it sneaks up on you, you don't even realise that someone is eroding your self confidence until it's too late and you're totally reliant on them. My friends (and I don't have many) just don't get this, all they see is me being a shadow of my former self. They don't see him suddenly snap from being the perfect bloke to a vile arsehole..it can happen within minutes and he hasn't even an excuse, he doesn't drink or take drugs. I've tried to record him in the past but he's not stupid, he just does the actions instead. He hides it well, he has lots of friends, is really well known and everyone thinks he's a "great bloke", he will do anything for anyone (he does), showing off. Noone will ever believe me.

OP posts:
Grumpyoldblonde · 16/09/2015 10:37

Normal is not being scared of when your partner arrives, normal is doing things for each other, being respectful of each other, speaking nicely to each other, having fun, a laugh, sharing good times and bad. Not pushing, spitting, breaking in and bullying.
Well done so far, I expect next there will be tears and promises to change from him, he won't change, this is him.

Grumpyoldblonde · 16/09/2015 10:39

So what if no-one believes you anyway? You can end a relationship for any reason at all, "It was not right for me" is just fine

LovelyFriend · 16/09/2015 10:39

I too have a low threshold for "cuntitude"! Grin
And an enjoyment for being single. Life is so much better when you aren't dreading that other person being there.

Why do you feel like shit?

Why is feeding a grown up who doesn't live with you your responsibility? CLUE - it's not!

He's just trying to emotionally blackmail you - don't let him. Read back over your OP and believe everything you wrote about your own relationship with this arsehole.

LoisPuddingLane · 16/09/2015 10:39

Noone will ever believe me.

It doesn't matter. Just dump him because you are unhappy. You don't need to justify it.

Justaboy · 16/09/2015 10:40

Tell you this much If i had someone who just cooked me something when i got back home I'd be VERY grateful, sod a bit of dirt caused by doggie kins here and there!. As a single male parent i have to do all the housework cooking etc.

Have you checked to see if your supposed man's balls have dropped as yet as he sounds to me a big overgrown kid who badly needs to grow bl**dy up!.

Look on the bright side least you have your own home which is a fantastic asset to have. If i were you I'd start speaking to a good solicitor with a view to starting divorce proceedings as it appears to me that he's not going to change and your getting more unhappy by the day and sure as hell its not going the do the children any good long term.

Advice for now?. Get rid if this wally and either stay single or find a decent man who loves, supports and appreciates you as you are.

Simple as that!.

hellsbellsmelons · 16/09/2015 10:40

Week days go - I get up make us a cup of tea. He will do his own breakfast (I usually eat it when I get into work). Give each other a kiss as usually leave at the same time and then go off to work.
During the day he will usually ask if we need anything for dinner.
Then I'll usually get home first and if there's something then I'll cook. If I don't fancy anything 'proper' then when he comes back he will decide what he wants.
He will then pour me a nice glass of wine and run a bath. I get in the bath then he does.
We eat dinner, he cooks his own if I've not made anything.
Then watch a bit of TV together (usually what I want!)
Off to bed to read or play solitaire or some such thing the snuggle and sleep.

Weekends, he will get up first and make me tea. Often breakfast.
He usually works on a Saturday morning. I try pretend to clean up a bit and probably go shopping or some such thing.
Then we usually do something on a Saturday night. Out with friends or out with my friends or out together etc...
Sunday he always me a cup of tea and we have breakfast together.
I work on a Sunday, he does his hobby and see's his kids.
Then the evening is for chilling with a take away curry and TV.

Then it's Monday again.

Of course he's calling you selfish - it's called 'projection' look it up.
Ignore him. He'll try every trick in the book now.
From being horrible to crying to begging to anger to threats.
Honestly he will. Just wait and see.
Ignore everything. He will get the message.

LoisPuddingLane · 16/09/2015 10:41

They aren't married or living together!

LovelyFriend · 16/09/2015 10:42

My friends (and I don't have many) just don't get this, all they see is me being a shadow of my former self. They don't see him suddenly snap from being the perfect bloke to a vile arsehole..

The reason you are a shadow of your former self is because you have been involved with a vile arsehole.

We believe you - keep posting here.

Just because no one else can see what is going on doesn't mean it's not happening. And your children MUST be seeing it.

hellsbellsmelons · 16/09/2015 10:56

He stays there all the time - cocklodging!

perfecthouse · 16/09/2015 10:56

My kids don't see it thank god, he used to kick off in front of them years ago until his crazy stalker ex reported me to ss. She harassed us for 18 months and I cant help wondering if he drove her to it. Anyway, he doesn't do it now, he waits until they are out of the room to start on me. So I know by that, he CAN control his temper when he needs to. He's so cruel to me, like i'm being punished for some imaginary thing I've done. Then when he's made me cry I get a bollocking for that too, it just makes him more angry.

OP posts:
LoisPuddingLane · 16/09/2015 10:59

he waits until they are out of the room to start on me

I'm sorry, but anyone who thinks this means the kids don't know what is going on is living in a fantasy world. Kids can hear through walls and doors. They can pick up on atmospheres and the fact that you are scared. Do not think for one minute that they have no idea what is happening.

You deserve to live without punishment. Get rid.

perfecthouse · 16/09/2015 10:59

We aren't married justaboy (thank feck) Grin

OP posts:
summerwinterton · 16/09/2015 10:59

contact your phone provider and ask them to change your number due to harassment. Who cares what he says anyway? A normal relationship is not what you have here.

Have you looked at the Freedom Programme yet?

worldgonecrazy · 16/09/2015 11:01

perfecthouse I wonder if you've hooked up with my ex by any chance? He was a "great bloke" in public too, and I felt like you, that no one would believe me. But you know what? It doesn't matter. I have new friends, who do believe me, and who think he's an arse. And then after a few years you start hearing the stories "I thought he was a good bloke but . . . . ."

Abusers are great at keeping up a mask in public.

I suspect that you will soon get the whiny "I love you, you're so special, no one else makes me feel the way you do" text messages. Please, when these arrive, remember the man he really is, not the man he is pretending to be.

Stay strong. (And when you don't want to stay strong, it's perfectly acceptable to crumple in a soggy mess on the sofa, and eat cake until you feel better again.)

Grumpyoldblonde · 16/09/2015 11:01

Years ago? You have only been together 3 years! How did you stay with him when he used to kick off in front of the kids?
the more you write the more I don't understand how you can stay with him, no judgement but the only thing I can think is he must be amazing in bed and you are under his thrall. Really, this is no way to live. Why did the "crazy ex" report you to SS?

Phoenix0x0 · 16/09/2015 11:06

This man sounds and is awful. So he comes over and you cook etc and he has the audacity to chastise you in your own home. He also makes you sit in an uncomfortable position and dictates what you can and cannot do when he is with you.....Shock.

You are a shadow of your former self, because he has really worked on sapping your confidence and self esteem. He most probably started off small and has just ground you down.

Of course he can be lovely, of course he hides it well and of course everyone thinks that he is great....this is all part of the script...to keep you in line...to make you feel that he is far superior and that you HAVE to his bidding. Because if you do, he might just might be nice.

My DH and l have been together since we were quite young. Like any relationship we have had our ups and downs. When it has been difficult, I have never. Ever. Been treated like you have described.

My DH isn't great at doing housework (at the moment I am a home) nor cook. But if the house was untidy, if I had not cooked he would not bat an eyelid.

I appreciate that this is hard, but you are doing the right thing. Block his texts and email. Don't open the door if he calls round. Please ignore the wo me stuff, he's doing it so that you fall back in line.

willconcern · 16/09/2015 11:08

I believe you OP. I've been in a relationship a bit like yours, it took a few years to finally chuck him out. But I did, and now I have a "normal", happy relationship with a man who treats both me and my DCs with love and respect. Smile Chucking ex out was the best thing I ever did. You can do it too. I thought my DCs were unaware, but they weren't, they just didn't say anything until after he'd gone. Then the change in them was very noticeable. They laughed more, they relaxed more and we all felt comfortable in our own home.

You asked what an ordinary day/week looks like. So:

Week days:
Alarm goes off, one of us makes a cup of tea for us both. Youngest DC usually creeps in and climbs in with us and has a cup of tea too. DP showers while I go downstairs and do packed lunches for DCs, and get breakfast for us both. I shower, then kids go to school and we walk dog, often together. Then both off to work. I don't work full time, so on my days off I meet friends, and do the housework. If he's also off, we might have lunch together, or do a longer dog walk.

DCs come home from school and I prepare dinner for all of us. I take kids to various clubs/music lessons. He's usually later than me, so tends to clear up rather than cooking. We all go out and walk the dog after dinner, often as a family. One night a week we have a sitter and go out to do a joint hobby. Another night he goes running, and I often walk the dog with a friend and her kids. Sometimes I go out with a friend while he stays home.

Weekends - if DCs go to their dad's we go out on Friday night, Sat am one of us makes tea, have breakfast, may go for a cycle/long walk. Sat night we'll cook together, or go out with friends, or go out doing the joint hobby (sorry, don't want to out myself by naming it!). Sunday - lazy morning in bed, maybe some chores, if it's raining, we might watch a movie. Cook a nice dinner with some wine and pudding! Watch some TV/episode of whatever series we're watching at the time.

Or we might go away for the weekend - sometimes for the joint hobby, sometimes to see friends, sometimes to visit parents or his adult DCs.

If the DCs are with us for weekend, we often watch a movie on a Friday night and chill out together. Sat & Sun, we eat breakfast together, then there are lots of football/rugby training sessions/matches, or we all go out walking as a family, or cycling. We're pretty active!

One other thing we do a lot of is talking - all of us. It's rarely quiet! We also do a lot of music - various instruments and various combinations of jamming.

The really important thing to me is that, within the family set up (and it isn't the average "nuclear" family in that DP is not my DCs' dad (they see their dad alot and relationship is good)), there is mutual support and consideration. I feel I can express my feelings, I can talk to DP even about things that might be difficult. I feel listened to and I feel that my feelings and views are important and given time and space. I don't feel criticised if I haven't hoovered for a week, and I don't feel under pressure to "perform" to a certain standard.

Good luck OP, please get rid of this bully in your life....

Alittlecurious · 16/09/2015 11:11

It gets worse. He used to 'kick off' in front of your children?

perfecthouse · 16/09/2015 11:11

No, he isn't amazing in bed Grin. His "crazy ex" was obsessed with him, and me. She did everything she could to cause trouble, she found out where I lived, threw paint over his car, phoned his boss and told him he was working elsewhere, reported me, hacked his facebook, threatened to smash my house up. Basically anything to hurt us...she was convinced he cheated on her with me, (he didn't). 18 months I put up with that crap and now I wonder why I bothered. I'm pretty sure he drove her to it, with his manipulation and lies.

OP posts:
LoisPuddingLane · 16/09/2015 11:12

What, exactly, do you get from this relationship? I was hoping that at the very least he had a solid gold knob but it appears not. There seems to be absolutely nothing positive.

Justaboy · 16/09/2015 11:15

perfecthouse . OK well if you not married fine but the *children involved I presume they are his?. If you have been together for sometime either in the same house if in a relationship of sorts then there may be legal issues on the matter. Suggest you look around ask friends for a good solicitor in your town and ask them for advice a lot these days will give you an hour or half free for an initial consultation. Which one way or the other i suspect your going to need.

*If they are not his children then suggest a decent locksmith;!)

Keep strong and here, have a BIG virtual hug:)

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