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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 Dh controlling?

379 replies

enchantmentandlove · 10/02/2017 08:00

I'm unsure if I will even post this, but I just want to write it out.

I've been feeling a bit down recently, so my dm suggested that dd and I could stay with them for a few days. We don't live close to family and I don't drive (am learning), so I don't get to see them much and have been missing them. The plan was for my sister to kindly drive us there and back in a few days.

I've been asking Dh what he thinks of the idea and if he's happy with it as he's been having a hard time at work, but every time I ask he just says he'll think about it. My family have needed an answer, so I perhaps wrongly pretty much said dd and I would be able to come.

Dh and I were talking about it again last night, and I could see he just wasn't happy about it. So I text my sister to tell her unfortunately we couldn't come now, but that Dh thinks we can all come as a family soon anyway. I told Dh but he wanted to look at what I had written. I told him no, it's the principal of not trusting me, I didn't want him to read my messages. That's just not something we do. But he kept pressuring me over and over, asking me lots of questions and making me feel nervous. In the end I let him read the messages (covering what my sister had written, as she had seen through what I'd said and wasn't too happy with dh and I didn't want him reading that).

Dh was upset about what I'd written, when I had only written the reasons he would rather I didn't go with dd. Maybe I shouldn't have written it in that way which I apologised for, but for years I feel I don't always give my family the full impression as I don't want them to be upset with dh, and I didn't want to do that again. Still, I had only written the truth to my sister.

Afterwards I was upset, and explained to Dh I felt he was bullying me into showing my messages which I was unhappy about. I also mentioned that over the years people have often told me that they think he can be controlling of me. He just didn't seem to understand and I just apologised.

Most of the time we genuinely have a wonderful relationship. He builds me up and makes me feel valued, loved and special. He's a fantastic dad to dd. He takes care of us, and is always there for us. But occasionally, things like this happen which I'm just not okay with. I try to speak to Dh, but he's is very clever and I feel I always just feel bad for saying anything.

I guess I'm just wondering what others opinions are in this please. Thank you

OP posts:
Tracey300884 · 10/02/2017 16:32

GO!!!!! PLEASE GO TO YOUR MUM'S!!!!

If this was me, I'd have agreed instantly and then said to my partner "Oh by the way, I'm taking (our daughter) to my Mum's for a few days on (insert date).

There would have been no asking involved!!

Please just go if you want to. The break will do you so much good and will give you the chance to think this over properly x

balence49 · 10/02/2017 16:33

It's wrong op, you know that if you think of your friends as having more "freedom" I think I'd be taking some time to arrange a visit that might be more than a few days.

enchantmentandlove · 10/02/2017 16:35

A part of me really wants to go, it's just I know if I do I'll feel guilty and apologise. He also likes to keep family out of our business, so although my sister is my best friend I can't confide in her.

I just feel like if I speak to her, she will never like Dh again but I want everyone to get along.

OP posts:
Kr1stina · 10/02/2017 16:35

Can you see how it is dishonest ? He wrote messages and sent them in your name.

If he wanted to express it better he could have sent it in his name on his own phone.

He's manipulative and controlling and he's using religion as an excuse. All abusers use something to excuse their actions - drugs, alcohol, stress, debt, a bad childhood, a cheating ex. He uses religion - it doesn't make it right.

Anymore than a man who hits and wife and says it not his fault because he was drunk.

Hatemylifenow · 10/02/2017 16:36

Op I'm going to say this now as someone who has worked in DV services for many many years now.

You husband is abusive. Not controlling, abusive. There are so many red flags here it's unbelievable.

I beg you, please get help from somewhere. You need to leave him Flowers

enchantmentandlove · 10/02/2017 16:38

Oh my goodness, do you really think that?

But most of the time he's so loving and we are so happy.

OP posts:
Costacoffeeplease · 10/02/2017 16:40

When you are doing what he wants.

Naicehamshop · 10/02/2017 16:41

I get the impression that you are only happy if you are doing exactly what he wants, am I right?

Naicehamshop · 10/02/2017 16:42

That's not real happiness or real love, op. Sad

Kr1stina · 10/02/2017 16:44

Can you tell me where is says In scripture that you cant talk to your sister about your own life ?

Where's the verse to suport Keeping your family out of your business ?

You keep telling me why he says he behaves like this.. I know why he thinks and behaves that way , it's because he likes controlling you.

I'm asking you why YOU believe that it's about faith and not about control .

I'm encouraging to think more critically about what he does and says and evaluate it against the Bible. Which I assume is your reference point for living ( nd not what your H says).

Costacoffeeplease · 10/02/2017 16:45

He also doesn't want you talking to your sister/mum because he knows he's wrong, and that they'll know it too

Orangetoffee · 10/02/2017 16:47

If he really had your best interest at heart and put your first, he would have had no problem with you going to your mum.

Hatemylifenow · 10/02/2017 16:49

But most of the time he's so loving and we are so happy.

OP, every woman who has ever come through my doors has told me the exact same thing. It's the nature of abuse.

kittybiscuits · 10/02/2017 16:50

Why do you need his permission to go? Just go anyway. He builds you up! Until you try and do something he doesn't approve of. Then he bullies you. You're painting a very worrying picture.

enchantmentandlove · 10/02/2017 16:51

He says if I have a problem or I'm upset just take it to God as speaking to/seeing family won't really help me. I do pray, and feel guided to speak to/see people, but then he wants to pray in case I'm not hearing properly. This has lead me to feeling quite isolated with no one to really confide in.

The thing is, I've always believed he has a good heart and intentions in helping me. If I want to speak about something, he will always listen and try to help. I know he loves me very much, and has helped with lots of issues and unhappiness I had when we met.

OP posts:
Costacoffeeplease · 10/02/2017 16:56

Are you reading any of these replies?

Hatemylifenow · 10/02/2017 16:58

You know abusive men often seek out vulnerable women? They are predatory.

enchantmentandlove · 10/02/2017 17:00

I am, several times, and appreciate each one. I'm just finding this so difficult. I love him so much, I simply couldn't imagine life without him. Most of the time our relationship really is great. Just moments like this are hard, but I always get over them and just move on. I could never take dd away from him either.

Maybe I could just really speak to him about how I feel, if I write notes or something. Maybe then he will understand.

OP posts:
enchantmentandlove · 10/02/2017 17:01

He's told me before he's glad I met him, as he could have seen me meeting someone abusive who takes advantage of me.

OP posts:
ElspethFlashman · 10/02/2017 17:04

Fucking hell.

He's walking all over you though!

Hatemylifenow · 10/02/2017 17:04

He's told me before he's glad I met him, as he could have seen me meeting someone abusive who takes advantage of me.

A HUGE HUGE HUGE red flag.

He is talking about himself.

Costacoffeeplease · 10/02/2017 17:05

Wow, he's told you what he is and what he's doing

Hatemylifenow · 10/02/2017 17:05

Maybe I could just really speak to him about how I feel, if I write notes or something. Maybe then he will understand.

He won't and it would be very dangerous for you if he starts thinking you are getting some measure of who he truly is.

enchantmentandlove · 10/02/2017 17:06

Hatemylife - do you think he knows that?

OP posts:
Costacoffeeplease · 10/02/2017 17:07

I also think it's dangerous for you to speak to him too openly

I would run away as far and as fast as I could