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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

Is this abusuve or is it my fault?

142 replies

chicolatta · 20/11/2016 15:07

Things have been getting increasingly worse between DH and I. We usually rumble along for a week or two with no issues, but when we spend "quality" time together e.g. dinner together we always end up rowing, usually about my family vs his family.

We had to move back to the Uk quickly at the start of the year so have been temporarily living with my parents (free of charge) whilst we sold our place and bought one here. We are due to exchange on that this week so the end of living with the inlaws is in sight.

Obviously it's not been easy for him living with them (even though my mum does everything for us eg takes baby monitor at weekends and does washing) because nobody wants to live with anyone else's parents. But I feel he's built up an undeserved hatred towards them and keeps trying to punish them for how much time they're spending with DS and DD - because his mum obviously doesn't get the same access.

Anyway today was another row, this time over lunch because he said he didn't want to see my parents for three months after we move in, and that his mum will do the twice weekly childcare for us over that period (that we planned the grandparents to do 50/50). I questioned this - just because I don't think banishing them from seeing the kids for 3 months is totally unfair (and something his mum hasn't had to endure) and he went mad. In front of the kids he called me:

  • a pathetic cunt
  • an embarrassment
  • that I disgust him
  • that if he was allowed to hit me, he would
  • that I should look at myself to see why we don't have a sex life (ie I'm ugly)
  • that DS was only asking him not to shout because I was brain dead and trained him to say it (I haven't, but he has heard me asking DH not to shout in the past).
  • that he recently got thrush because I'm such a disgusting tramp (even though I've ever had thrush, ever)
  • kept calling me a spinster, when I poinyed out that I wasn't as I was married he said that I fucking well should have been
  • put on a moany voice and was saying "I never thought I would have children" (something I said when we first got together)

Meanwhile I didn't cover myself in glory - quite the opposite, albeit some way down the line after his tirade. When the kids were asleep in the back of the car I said I only had sex with him last night because I felt obliged and that I wouldn't go near his stinking cock (it doesn't!) voluntarily, that his mum would see less of the kids if he left me (which he was threatening to do), that I feared I had married the wrong person, corrected him when he referred to his parents - plural (he doesn't see his dad) and that my life in many ways would be easier without him as I wouldn't spend all my time consciously trying to avoid making him angry.

He then tried to go to his mum's for a few days and like a proper psycho I stood in the door on the car and begged him not to.

I know this is fucking awful and no, I don't want my kids seeing it and do all I can to avoid them doing so (including usually ignoring digs to avoid a row) and usually the rows are after bedtime, so they don't

But I guess my question is this: can there be any way back? Or do you think he's verbally or emotionally abusive? Or am I?

FYI. My radar is a bit skewed thanks to being previously (20 yrs ago) in an emotionally and physically abusive relationship. Also I suspect my self esteem is shit as I've been bulimic for over a decade (although am trying - with much success - to get over that myself)

OP posts:
Lweji · 20/11/2016 17:43

It should be pointed out that he said those things in front of the children, while the OP waited until they were asleep. (although you don't know if they could still hear you, chicolatta)

He's not just abusing you, he's abusing the children too.

PoldarksBreeches · 20/11/2016 17:44

He's really abusive. Your marriage is over, whether you accept it yet or not.
Please think about pulling out of the sale and seeing a solicitor for a legal separation before you buy anywhere else.

PoldarksBreeches · 20/11/2016 17:45

My ds told me the other day that he remembers lying in bed and listening to me and his dad shouting and swearing at each other. He was too upset to comedown and tell us that he was awake. He even remembers me saying 'shh DS will wake up'. This must have been at least 4 years ago and DS is only 8.
They know.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 20/11/2016 17:46

It is precisely for these children that you should turn your back on this man in a heartbeat. Their home is not a sanctuary of any kind.

What do you want to teach them about relationships, just what are they learning here from the two of you?.

And what did you learn about relationships from your own parents when growing up.

Happybunny19 · 20/11/2016 17:48

Chic, you seem to be getting angry with the wrong person in your last post. Perhaps an example of your own anger issues affecting how you respond to conflict. People are trying to help you.

ElspethFlashman · 20/11/2016 17:49

He calls you a cunt in front of the kids and your DS is upset yet you seem determined to stay with him.

And you said vile things within earshot of them in the car. I bloody hope they were completely dead to the world and not only half asleep.

How is any of this in their best interest? Seriously?

chicolatta · 20/11/2016 17:50

My parents are still together, very happy and in love. Hardly ever row, mainly because my dad is super laid back and doesn't react to anything.

DH's parents divorced when he was young. He wanted to live with his dad. His mum said if he did he would never see her again. He had contact growing up with his dad but always got back to and upset/drunk mum. His dad stopped making an effort when he reached his twenties and he hasn't seen him since.

OP posts:
RickOShay · 20/11/2016 17:53

He's fucked then basically. But he is a grown up now and needs to take responsibility for his feelings and behaviour. I repeat it is not ok for him to talk to you like that. Has he supported you at all with your illness? Have you had counselling?

chicolatta · 20/11/2016 18:04

No counselling. Trying to just struggle through alone.

Haven't asked for his support. He didn't believe me when I first told him and he accused me of making it up. Not really mentioned since.

OP posts:
AlabasterSnowball · 20/11/2016 18:05

But Chico that's exactly what it is, a fantasy. You don't have a great relationship. Your husband calls you the most disgusting things in public in front of your children and you spend all afternoon apologising to him. Can't you see how fucked up that is?

chicolatta · 20/11/2016 18:06

Yes I can. But it is tough living here, it really is, so I just want to see if things improve when we have our own place. They're def worse than they were so I'm hoping they will improve.

OP posts:
chicolatta · 20/11/2016 18:07

Happy I know I'm getting cross with the wrong person but seriously it just felt like an attack on my parenting, as if I didn't think of my children. They are literally all i think of.

OP posts:
BratFarrarsPony · 20/11/2016 18:08

once your husband has called you a cunt in front of your child there is nothing that will improve, honestly.

Costacoffeeplease · 20/11/2016 18:10

You would really stay with him after that little display? Confused

chicolatta · 20/11/2016 18:11

Yes. I'm pathetic aren't I.

OP posts:
Rochdaleman122 · 20/11/2016 18:12

I have been reading this n yes it is abuse . I have just split from my partner . We have a daughter together n she already has a son . I have been constantly told I am a CUNT . A Vile bastard , all sorts . She threw things at the wa b shouted and screamed in front of my baby . It was horrible . But I was too scared to do snythin. Cos I wud lose my baby . The thing is . If she meets anyone else , she will just behave the same way to them and my daughter will still witness it . It's heartbreakin thinkin about it .

dollylucy · 20/11/2016 18:16

Right now you can get him to leave
Six months down the line you might not be able to get him to leave- the house will be viewed as 50/50 and you'd probably have to sell it to buy him out, which could very quickly especially with a nasty bastard like him.
Don't hold out for him changing, it's never going to happen.
Sounds like you have supportive parents, let him go now.
I wasted 5 years trying to change someone like this.

Lweji · 20/11/2016 18:23

What do your parents say?

Have they witnessed this or other behaviour?

chicolatta · 20/11/2016 18:26

No. although I think they've started to see hints of a different side to him.

He's so lovely most of the time. But then...

OP posts:
chicolatta · 20/11/2016 18:26

If they'd seen today I know they'd want me to leave him.

Although they'd also tell me off for how I spoke to him.

OP posts:
EasyToEatTiger · 20/11/2016 18:30

It can be really horrible here on MN sometimes. While it is clear to an outsider that things are not going well for you OP, we are not living in your shoes. It is bloody difficult when things are shit to first of all admit it, and then to take action. Sometimes it is as clear as mud as how to take any action especially when life seems so bound up with the other person. I have found the process I am going through myself devastating. I feel skinless and although I know my husband is a bastard of a high order, it doesn't mean that I don't feel amazingly vulnerable and want nothing more than for the whole thing to be over. I think we also live with hope beyond hope that things will get better. People live under dreadful circumstances in the hope that one day... My mum's escape has been through Alzheimer's. My dad can't touch her there. You sound as though you are not yet ready for any major change, which is ok, and is not a judgement on you. The penny may or may not drop eventually. But please remember that there is help out there, and nobody is going to make you leave if you don't want to. I felt many, many years ago that there was something wrong with my relationship. I couldn't put a finger on it. It is hard to accept fact of abuse when you are still in love with someone, have children and the whole things seems utterly overwhelming.

OP, you really have been through the mill. Can we please all try to listen a bit more. It really is a hellish time and it's so brave of the OP to ask the question. I think she's got an answer fair and square but now needs kindness and support. There is rightly a lot of anger about shitty men.

RickOShay · 20/11/2016 18:34

You are not pathetic. You are staring at your life and thinking how did this happen? It is hard. How would you feel about getting some legal advice? Does that seem frightening or empowering? Don't think about what should have been, think about what is, without fear if you can.

Lweji · 20/11/2016 18:34

Although they'd also tell me off for how I spoke to him.

Or maybe they'd also have gone down on him like a tonne of bricks. :)

Could you confide in them and ask for their help?

He is choosing when to abuse you. He won't do it in front of other people, but you can break the secrecy barrier.

chicolatta · 20/11/2016 18:34

Thank you, easy, thank you.

The kindness of strangers. you've made me cry.

OP posts:
RickOShay · 20/11/2016 18:35

Hear hear tiger
Skinless is a good way of putting it.