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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:
wallywobbles · 16/09/2015 20:51

Ok. So How was my day. DP got up and dropped my kids at school on his way to work even though it's out of his way as I'd had a bad night, and he wanted to give me some extra sleep. We both did a days work. He got home this evening after me, kissed me hello, asked me how my day was. We planned our trip for our anniversary in February. ??We cooked together, ate as a family, cleaned up together. Kissed the kids good night. ??We had a cuddle while the bath ran and then had a bath together. ??Last weekend he cut the hedge at my rental property, fixed a radiator, a table, 2 lights, umpired the 5 kids (our 4 + 1), helped cook and clean. ??This weekend we are going to his to chop and stack his wood for the winter. ??I was single for 6 years after my abusive ex. But I've landed on my feet this time. You I'm afraid have got the dregs. Throw him back and dip again.

Grumpyoldblonde · 16/09/2015 21:13

ClearBluewater A thoughtful and thought provoking post there.

Correct Op, whether we understand or not, how and why you stay in this situation you can be sure we all want to see you out of it and free from him.
I really hope you are Ok tonight, sadly I have a horrible idea of how things may be right now. The tears, the talks the "I will change" the anger, the emotion, twisting things until you believe you are at fault. I really hope I am wrong and you are peaceful and relieved in your own home, the one you pay for and can keep as neat or as messy as you damn well choose.

Atenco · 16/09/2015 21:36

OP, so glad you got rid of this jerk. I don't have any partner, would like a knight in shining armour but nothing less, frankly, you were living like a slave in your own house and paying for it!!

Saltedcaramel4 · 16/09/2015 22:01

You can be your own night in shining armour

perfecthouse · 16/09/2015 22:18

Thank you everyone, it really means a lot to me. Ds isn't eating, which is worrying...dd doesn't give a shit. My friend dropped by tonight who ds hates, so he buggered off to his room. She is a pain tbh but she means well and I was glad of the company. Why did I stay with him? Its hard to say, I guess that we were a family and I've never had that with anyone. Silly things, going to Tesco at 1am because we were bored, holding my hand while we walked to get the sunday paper, going to car boot sales...sounds ridiculous but ive never had that before!

OP posts:
Muckogy · 16/09/2015 22:49

OP - you can have all those good things in life again.
just with someone who will treat you well, which you totally deserve.
Flowers

perfecthouse · 16/09/2015 22:55

and no, i'm not playing the victim. I was a strong women before this, I went through being pregnant with my dd alone, brought her up alone and I was just fine. I'm ashamed of how pathetic I am now, that's what he's done to me, i'm just asking for a bit of kindness. Whether anyone understands...actually I hope no one does, I wouldn't wish this feeling on my worst enemy. I'll just keep chatting away on here and i'll be fine i'm sure.

OP posts:
perfecthouse · 16/09/2015 22:56

sorry m, x posted Smile

OP posts:
hellsbellsmelons · 16/09/2015 23:09

Many many people on here understand only too well. Which is why you are getting such a strong response.
An these men pick strong women. It's more of a thrill when they bring them down. That's the challenge.
So so many strong women have been right where you are.
But you are dealing with it.
You are seeing him for the abusive arsehole he is.
You will be that strong woman again.

UnderTheGreenwoodTree · 16/09/2015 23:13

OP - it's really crap that he's done this to you. It's well known that this can happen to anybody - strong or vulnerable. Thanks

perfecthouse · 16/09/2015 23:18

Thank you Smile well I think i'll bugger off to bed soon, my kitchen is a bloody mess, plates I haven't loaded in the dishwasher but i'll sort them tomorrow...it isn't a big deal is it?

OP posts:
DollyTwat · 16/09/2015 23:39

Perfect my exh used to make me feel like I had to look around to see what he'd complain about. Used cups not washed up etc. If I had a friend round he'd take the cup and take it to the kitchen, whereupon a lot of drawer smashing and bashing would happen. Friend would leave feeling uncomfortable.
Now?
A few of my close friends have the key to my house, when they're here they treat it like their own. I can stay up til 3am if I want, fall asleep on the sofa and bi-one asks if I'm coming to bed. I can cook or, I can choose not to. We can all get up at 11am in a weekend if we want. If I want to go out I just find a babysitter, I don't have to check with anyone.

It's lovely. It's been 12 years and I still appreciate it and GUARD that freedom.

wotoodoo · 16/09/2015 23:40

Perfect, this is your first step to a positive change just posting on here. Well done.

Next will be to follow everyone's advice, step by step.

We are all rooting for you so please start thinking of your bright, peaceful and happy future which you and your dc deserve.

You only live once, you've taken a wrong turn allowing this jekyll and hyde into your life, but it's only a wrong turn, it's not the end of the world.

Look forward to positive updates after you get rid, op!

Please don't waste a moment longer. Please promise us you'll tell him to go? He's doing your head in and he has form for that.

Log it with the police if he gets nasty. You would not accept a stranger to be nasty towards you or intimidate you so detach and treat him like a stranger from now on.

Compile a journal of his behaviour with dates to use as evidence if you need to.

So excited for you op, your peaceful, new life awaits Flowers

ObsidianBlackbirdMcNight · 17/09/2015 06:13

If you don't have an open and honest conversation with your kids about all this then you are letting them down, not protecting them. They need the opportunity to make sense of their experiences with this man and refusing to discuss it honestly will lead to them making up their own narrative which could be much more damaging to them.

sooperdooper · 17/09/2015 10:00

Morning perfecthouse, hope you're feeling good today, it's up to you when the dirty dishes get sorted, nobody else :)

It occurred to me just now, when you've got rid of him, and you're happily on your own with your kids - a perfect house is exactly what you're going to have, so stay strong

What's your plan for today? :)

willconcern · 17/09/2015 13:00

Hi perfecthouse. Well done!

In answer to your question - no, it doesn't matter about the washing up! It isn't a big deal. When my ex who was like yours went, I revelled in being able to leave stuff like that, and not have the huffing and puffing if the stairs weren't hoovered etc. etc.

I still have to remind myself it doesn't matter - these habits have taken a while to die....

The difference in my DCs is incredible. The weight has gone from all of our shoulders. It will lift from yours too.

I did find the first 2-3 months quite hard after he went - I think I had spent so long trying to please him (and usually failing!) that I had forgotten what it was to please myself....

But it is definitely onwards and upwards, and at least you have no house transfer to deal with.

Good luck! Flowers

perfecthouse · 17/09/2015 14:49

Today hasn't been so good, Ive cried from the minute the kids went and im still crying now. I feel so angry, I loved him so much and he's ruined everything with his behaviour...there was just no need for any of it. We could have been a brilliant family, I could have had what seems to come to other people so easily, but no. What is SO wrong in his head? Why doesn't he understand when you love someone you don't put them down, make them cry, shove them about.

OP posts:
ClearBlueWater · 17/09/2015 15:00

Sorry you're having a rough day. Me too. They are long, aren't they?

HOLD ON though to the fact that, in the midst of your rubbish day, you are still realising that there was something WRONG IN HIS HEAD.

Yes, you could have been a brilliant family but he didn't have it in him.
Never will.
His loss.
Not yours.

Because YOU can find it elsewhere, in time.
YOU are an okay person - he is the 'faulty' one.
YOU still have chances.

You will cry. It's a kind of grieving for what you hoped for, but wasn't possible.

You will have days of rage too, and use that energy to charge ahead in life.

hellsbellsmelons · 17/09/2015 15:02

Why doesn't he understand
He does! And that is exactly why he does it.
It is what abusers thrive on. Knocking people so far down and making them feel bad in order to make themselves feel better.
You are a nice, reasonable person. Stop trying to 'understand' an abuser. Unless you are one you can never possibly understand.
You cry as much as much you like.

But please try to keep your sugar levels up and yourself hydrated.
You'll make yourself ill otherwise.
This bit is horrible and very hard. But you will come out the other side.
So many of us on here can vouch for that!

wotoodoo · 17/09/2015 15:36

You cling on to the idea of a perfect little family. You can still achieve it. But not with him. Sorry he's ruined your dream of a perfect little family.

He is mean and nasty, the dark side of someone shows their true colours. Not the charming, lovely side. That side is only on display to others, to wheel you in, hook, line and sinker.

I am glad you have realised he has single handledly ruined everything. Thank god you see that now and can see that no matter what you do or try to please him it is in his nature to find you at fault. To criticise. To bring you down. To make you think he's the nice guy and you are evil.

Look up sociopath on the web. Or psychopath. You will be shocked how many similarities there are. You have done everything other than get rid or admit his true colours to yourself.

Once you face reality and not fantasy of a lovely family life with him you can move on. You have lots of love to give, you have a beautiful nature. You need to take stock now and get that evil toxic waste out of your lovely little family's life.

Waiting for your tears to dry so you can make the first step on the road to getting rid once and for all op...x

Exciting times and peaceful times and a future you and your dc deserve awaits your first move op!

InimitableJeeves · 17/09/2015 18:13

OP, I'm a bit concerned that you seem to be avoiding questions about whether you've got rid of his things and told him he is dumped. Please tell us you have?

Grumpyoldblonde · 17/09/2015 18:32

Hi Op,
You are bound to feel emotional, for what could have been, however, it would never have been your hoped for relationship.
have you made it clear to him it is over? I am not sure from your updates whether you have just been avoiding him or have ditched him.
Anyway, one day you will realise you have done the right thing, son I hop when you no longer have those knots in your stomach as you hear him arrive round at your house (not home, it was never his home)

willconcern · 17/09/2015 19:57

OP, sounds like you've had a tough day. I would really recommend you get a copy of Why does he do that?, inside the minds of angry men, By Lundy Bancroft. I read it and it changed my life.

What you are feeling is normal - grief for the promise that didn't get fulfilled, grief for yourself and all the parts of you that have been damaged, and anger at what he has done to you, your self esteem and your self worth. I was up & down like a yoyo after ex went. Whatever you do, don't contact him.

Make it "real" - tell everyone that he's left & why. It makes it easier to stay away from him.

Have you told him it is over & spoken to your neighbour about FB?

FreakinScaryCaaw · 17/09/2015 20:15

I was stalked by a cocklodger. Told my younger kids what was going on. Rang the police over and over...

He went to court and pleaded guilty thank God!

Friends would text to say he was hiding in the bushes over the road.

You must see that this has to end now?

FreakinScaryCaaw · 17/09/2015 20:17

Why can't he understand? Why the fuck would he. He's a selfish abusive twunt.

You seem to be living in a bit of a fantasy world?