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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:
perfecthouse · 16/09/2015 12:43

I cant tell the kids greenwood, ive protected them from shit and horrible things from when they were born...i'm not going to put them through that. The less they know the better. If they blame me, they blame me, one day they'll understand.

OP posts:
ClearBlueWater · 16/09/2015 12:44

Yes, perfect but I am TAKING STEPS.
You are doing brilliantly.x

LoisPuddingLane · 16/09/2015 13:00

You still think your children don't know what is going on?

summerwinterton · 16/09/2015 13:08

Your kids will already know. Why are you protecting him? And why are you asking people about a normal relationship. Are you going to tell him what he should be doing and welcome him back hoping he will change.

Why haven't you reported him to the police And I will ask again, have you looked at the Freedom Programme yet?

You don't want to end things with him, you seem to want to fix and rescue him, all the while your kids are watching and seeing everything. Just awful. The only person you are protecting here is him, because you aren't taking care of yourself and you are exposing your children to goodness knows what.

Muckogy · 16/09/2015 13:09

call the police and women's aid.
this is classic abuse. classic.
please get rid of this toe rag. now.

UnderTheGreenwoodTree · 16/09/2015 13:23

If you tell the children, perfecthouse, then you are being honest with them, and teaching them a valuable life-lesson - that we don't tolerate abuse in personal relationships.

By trying to keep them in the dark, you are not protecting them, only him. They will be picking up on subtle clues in your relationship that you will be unaware of - and your DD will be learning that this is how women are treated in relationships, and your DS will learn this is how to treat women.

I have never heard a child of a parent who is suffering domestic abuse say they were unaware of the domestic abuse. They are always aware of it - best that they place the blame on him appropriately.

Grumpyoldblonde · 16/09/2015 13:27

What do you get out of this Perfect? why have you stayed with him through all this? This is a genuine question and I'm curious to know why you have put up with all this crap, eating your food, bullying you, sneaking in your house, spending your cash, criticising you and so on. What has kept you with him these 3 years?

LoisPuddingLane · 16/09/2015 13:40

I asked that too. I'm genuinely baffled, as he appears to be a thorough-going cunt.

Misnomer · 16/09/2015 13:44

Your children will already know and your eldest is being put in a really horrible, compromising position of being spoilt by her mother's abuser. She may well feel very confused about it and she may need a some help in dealing with those things. If you don't have this discussion with them and explain what has happened then neither of them will have the opportunity to talk about it with you and to tell you how they feel. They'll have to bottle it up and make it harder to cope with their own relationships in the future. It's really important that this is brought out into the open. You don't have to give them blow by blow accounts but you do have to make it clear that what was happening wasn't ok.

I really hope that you find the strength to cut this horrible man out of your life. Please get support to do it and do it decisively. He won't take it well and you have to prepare yourself for that but you have support on your side and the law on your side so get help quickly when it's needed.

Grumpyoldblonde · 16/09/2015 13:51

I am also interested to know what is meant by the daughter being 'spoilt' by this man, what about the other child? (son?) Is your daughter the 18 year old? I am a bit confused but this has been bothering me, why he 'spoils' one child.
Anyway, I am bewildered by why you stuck with him after the first time he kicked off in front of your children and really hope you are doing something about it now.
What did the 'crazy ex' actually report you to SS for? did they give you any idea?

NettleTea · 16/09/2015 13:56

You want an example of normal??

Ok Im a bit similar to you in that I have a partner, but we do not live together.

He goes home and sorts his shit before he comes to me, makes his 'relaxing' cup of tea and gets a bit of peace and quiet, because he needs that, before he comes over. Because he knows the kids are noisy/messy but he wouldnt insist they change when its in his control to make sure that he gets that quiet time if he really needs it.

We more or less alternate on food. I may cook. He cant really cook, so he will get us a takeaway. If he notices the lawn needs mowing or some other DIY/garden job needs doing he will just do it, despite not living here.

The house may be tidy. The house may be a tip. He would never comment - I am who he has come to see, and if its totally out of control he will ask if I need help with anything. He tells me to rest, make sure I look after my health, not take on too much. At times when Ive struggled with bills, he has helped me out.

He might not enjoy all the TV I choose, but he wouldnt complain. Likewise I dont always like his choice. Thats life.

He has never brought up presents as an example of how good he is, or what he has done for us. He has treated the children wonderfully, makes sure birthdays are for spoiling them, but always backs me up in areas of conflict - would never take sides in front of them, although may discuss a different view out of their hearing.

He has NEVER put a hand on me, shouted in my face, called me a name screamed, stormed, sulked, huffed or bullied. I dont fear him coming round, or worry I may say the wrong thing.

I THINK thats normal.

TheImminentGin · 16/09/2015 14:54

I don't think you are protecting your children by not telling them the truth of the situation. I think you are putting them at risk. For instance if you brush it all off and he tries to contact them again with some sob story bullshit about how you have hurt him blah, blah, he might be able to manipulate them into anything. There is nothing wrong with telling them the truth. The truth will protect you and them.

TheLastCarnival · 16/09/2015 14:56

Perfect, I hope you find the courage to kick him out, though I can understand your reluctance, the fear of speaking up, fear of his reactions, fear possibly of going it alone, what the kids will think, what others will say because he is so perfect and you are obviously not in your right mind! I know all this because I live with it, the difference is I am married, own a house with him, don't earn enough to support myself and my kids. I am desperately trying to muster up the courage to tell him I want it to end.

I have been almost in tears reading what others have written about "normal" relationships as I have never experienced anything like that even in the early days his needs and wants still came first.

Please, please get out. You have no real ties to him, remember that and get rid of him. Get support if you need it but do it, let's have one less woman putting up with this crap please! Flowers

TheImminentGin · 16/09/2015 14:57

Tell them the truth, get rid of him and you are being very strong, an excellent role model and doing the very best for your children. It seems you would rather twist it into an odd martyr situation. Why?

Footle · 16/09/2015 15:14

Yes you are being abused, and your children know all about it. Can you be sure he isn't grooming your daughter ? Sorry, I know this is a shocking idea but he sounds pretty far gone in nastiness. I can't see where there is any plus side to sharing your life with him.

Anniegetyourgun · 16/09/2015 16:02

Of course children shouldn't be party to every gory detail of their parents' relationships. However there is such a thing as age appropriate explanation. They will be adults one day - your elder DC already is! - and will be entering their own relationships in due course. They need to know some shit. 11 is by no means too young to start knowing that some people treat others badly, that "one may smile and smile and be a villain", and 18 is way past old enough. Pretending everything in the garden is lovely is a recipe for a nasty shock when they find out about wasps and nettles. They should be warned.

InimitableJeeves · 16/09/2015 16:09

OP, have you told him he's dumped and made arrangements to get his stuff out of your house? Has he been blocked on your children's phones?

Jackiebrambles · 16/09/2015 16:18

The more I read the more I'm shocked at what a horrible bastard he is! You need him out of your kids lives and your life now. Please change the locks.

Saltedcaramel4 · 16/09/2015 17:06

OP is willingly playing the victim in all this. You are a role model for your children and it's very likely they will grow up to be victims too unless you break the cycle. Your children will have a general feel for what's going on even if they don't know the facts.

ClearBlueWater · 16/09/2015 18:14

I don't think the phrase: 'willingly playing the victim' is helpful here...

TheLastCarnival · 16/09/2015 18:49

I don't think the phrase: 'willingly playing the victim' is helpful here...

I agree ClearBlue, unless you have been in the situation you can't understand. I don't think she is playing victim I think, like you and I, OP has been so ground down by this man that she is in a state of helplessness. I know I wouldn't say that I am playing the victim but my head has been fucked with so much over the years that I don't whether I'm coming or going, and also every time I stand up to him I pay for it dearly so it is easier to just go along with for an easy life while I work on my confidence and plan my escape. I imagine the OP feels pretty much the same. LTB is not as easy to do as it is to say!

Grumpyoldblonde · 16/09/2015 18:59

I don't think she is playing the victim but LTB is a great deal easier if you are not married, have kids together or a house together surely?
It is hard to understand why OP stays with this man in her particular situation and it's worrying about her childrens exposure to this level of abuse.

OP - I hope things are OK with you this evening? There are a lot of people here rooting for you

FantasticButtocks · 16/09/2015 19:22

When he comes back from work the house has to be spotless Well, why? Who says it has to be? Why have you given this man such power that he must get what he wants? Are you from another culture which is subservient to men? If not, I cannot understand why you have let him tell you what to do, spit at you, tell you off, push you around...the list goes on.

Why are you in this relationship?

If you want your life to change, you have to be the one to change it.

ClearBlueWater · 16/09/2015 20:23

Waves at Carnival

Grumpy yes, technically leaving when you are not married/kids/mortgage SHOULD be easier.

But how easy it is to leave depends on many things.
Like Carnival says, it is hard to understand if you've not been there but it can depend on your prior life experience / childhood (this is the biggest factor, I should think), on your RL support, on your finances, your own physical or mental health - tons of things.

It's just the phrase: 'willingly playing the victim' is something I heard a Police officer say to a lass of about 23 once. He had no ruddy idea what she had been through. I did. She tried to top herself that night, and in her note she said: 'Now I KNOW it's my fault I'm a victim'.
(she survived, btw, but that phrase 'rings' with me now).

OP, we may or may not find it hard to understand but we ARE all behind you. Every step.

Salted is quite right about being a role model and that the children will be aware something is 'wrong' even if it is just the tension they are picking up on.

I am no expert, I have found myself in similar shoes too and I know how hard, and how ESSENTIAL it is that we 'get away'. I have been getting some support and some 'tough love' on another thread myself, for which I am truly grateful.

Sending you much love.x

Footle · 16/09/2015 20:44

I'm another trying to picture this dick lying in a bathful of hot water which you have paid for, ringing you to come up from cooking his tea so he can shout at you for having had a better night's sleep than he did. Actually I'm trying not to picture him at all, but I wish you the strength to bring this nonsense to an end.