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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

Emotional abuse?

18 replies

Apparentlyinsane · 16/09/2017 11:50

I've come here to rant becausue I honestly feel like I am cracking up.

I've been with DH for 18 years and we have 2 dc age 11 and 7.
He's always been quiet and subdued but that was okay by me.

Since having our children the dynamics have changed massively and I'm not even sure who I am anymore. I feel like he makes me question my sanity.

He never helps around the house unless I ask him and then when I do Ask him I get comments about telling him what to do. I hate to ask him too, that's the ironic thing. He's 38 ffs. He knows what needs doing, he just chooses to ignore it.
He's never in our 18 years cooked me a meal. I know this sounds silly but it gets to me. I got home the other night after everyone else shattered and he's sat there waiting for me to come in and cook. His excuse I don't know how and I don't want to . Plus he will throw in that I'm fussy which I am but he knows what I like.

I'm currently at the end of a 3 year degree and be has been not one bit of help at all. He hasn't supported me when I've been up all hours trying to get work done and will still sit and watch me do everything. He will empty the bins and Hoover very occasionally and for some reason thinks that it's him running the house.

Now the issue with this is not what he won't do really. Yes it annoys me. I feel like have 3 children a lot of the time. It's his attitude if I ever have a moan about it. He's so aggressive.
I asked him the other night how I was going to finish my research proposal and be just shrugged so I suggested a cleaner for a while or can he just help me out. Start dinner, make lunches just anything without me having to ask and cause the bad feeling and be went mad.
This isn't the first time but it's slowly dawned on me that how he is just isn't right. He started punching the arm of the sofa and telling me I was blind to all the good stuff he does and only notice the bad and that if I want his fucking help I have to ask. To which I responded but when I do I get "told off" for telling you what to do. He called me a bitch and was just glaring at me. Remember trevor from eastenders? Exactly like that and I could feel my heart pounding as it had blown up from me just asking for a bit of help.

We argued last week too as again he came in from work and ignored me and the children all night just watching videos on his phone. I asked him to try and act like be did want to be here ( And yes I was angry) and again he blew up.

I'm not getting all this across how I want but in a nutshell. I question him or ask for help and he blows up. If I argue back he will twist things and make me feel like I am imagining stuff. I just know what I feel in my heart. This isn't right.

He only ever talks to me to moan. He only shows affection if he wants sex. I'm invisible to him.
I passed a huge part of my degree a few weeks ago and a part that had been stressing me out which he knew. Anyway that weekend my parents turned up with a bottle of champagne and a card and my sister a bouquet of flowers.
I didn't even get a well done from him. In fact the only thing he did say was " if you want me to treat you like a princess for an exam result, then you can piss off"

There are so many things he has done and said over the years
Abuse of porn. To the point it was worrying me... And guess what that's my fault too.

Smashing things up if I dare question him or complain... Yep my fault too. I push him to these things.

Lies about pretty significant stuff... Yeah you guessed it. My fault too.
In fact I don't think I have ever had an apology or admittance of fault. Everything is my fault.

I know deep down that I need to get away. But despite all of this I do love him. I just want him to love me back.
I don't want to break my family up and I'm not even sure I could do it all alone. However, the thought of another 30/40 years like this fills me with sadness and dread.

I should add I'm not a wallflower and I do argue back but when he explodes I find myself apologising. Even if what I said was right as I can't stand the bad feeling.

OP posts:
Apparentlyinsane · 16/09/2017 11:52

Should have proof read that!

*he not be

OP posts:
LuxuryWoman2017 · 16/09/2017 11:57

So, he is disrespectful, acts like he hates you, lazy, aggressive, violent (punching the arm chair is violence) ignorant, - what do you love about him exactly?

PickAChew · 16/09/2017 11:59

He's an abusive, petulant manchild. Do you see yourself getting to 19 years with him, or do you want better than that?

loveisevol · 16/09/2017 11:59

Why are you still there? You'd be better off without him.

Guiltypleasures001 · 16/09/2017 12:02

With the best will in the world lovely, you havnt got a family

What you have is you and the kids plus your parents, and a demented lunatic

My dh often says never argue with a drunk or a fool, you won't change him or make him do anything
You will waste valuable time if you try.

Tell your parents though I suspect they know and make a plan to split up
But don't tell him anything you can't reason with an unreasonable person plus he might do you or your
Home some harm

Ps sorry ipad not letting me do commas etc Flowers

GlitterSparkles17 · 16/09/2017 12:09

He's vile, he sounds like he's jealous of you in some way? Not even congratulating you on your course is just petty and nasty.

And yes you can do it alone, your doing it alone anyway he doesn't help you and sees you as beneath him.
You would be ten times happier without him and you know this, I get that it's scary to make the first move and get the ball rolling but you really need to for your own sanity. This isn't good for your kids, they are going to think this is a normal relationship and it's not, far from it.

Sadly he isn't going to change and the longer you stay the more time your wasting on the wrong person, an abusive person!

Apparentlyinsane · 16/09/2017 12:19

I think partly me loving him is when things are okay he's nice. However, it isn't amazing just nice.
I feel like I do start most of the arguments but I get so frustrated. Everything is my responsibility. From clean uniforms to permission slips, to vet appointments to dentist appointments. Birthdays and Christmas he has little to no input. I feel sometimes that I'm drowning. Then I get all arsey. He loses his rag and it's a vicous circle.

I'm very outgoing and he isn't. He came to my 30th birthday party and didn't speak to anyone including me.
He will go to my parents and utter 5 words in as many hours.

He has always been like this and he says this which is true. I just expected him to mature a little I think.
He has no friends and blames me for this too where as I have a wide social circle and some amazing friends I know be resents this massively but I don't get why it's all my fault.

OP posts:
MyBrilliantDisguise · 16/09/2017 12:23

I think you need to question your idea of love and look at why you are happy to be with someone who cares so little for you.

It's no wonder he has no friends. He sounds like an embarrassment, frankly. He didn't even speak to you at your own birthday party!

What do you think your life would be like if you and he parted company?

Apparentlyinsane · 16/09/2017 12:24

Other things he's done in the past.

Moaned at the time he spent reading sports news etc on iPad with no interaction with anyone. So he smashed the iPad up.

Moaned about sports being on all the time so he smashed the tv remote which didn't even make sense but ah well.

Left me to go to a house party overnight when my eldest was 3 months old and i had just been diagnosed with horrific pnd. I was so upset and called my parents and my dad texted him saying I don't think it's wise to leave her alone at the moment like this and he smashed a vase my parents had bought for me in response.

It does scare me and when I tell him this he will say " it's because you make me so angry"

The children don't witness all this but the atmosphere all the time is just not good. Unless I put up and shut up and then it's all okay but it gets me down.

OP posts:
Apileofballyhoo · 16/09/2017 12:24

Get away or get him out as quickly as you can. He is both abusive and a lazy uncaring bollocks. You have the rest of your life to live and you have every chance of being happy and fulfilled. He doesn't love you at all and you deserve the chance of finding a partner who does.

Apparentlyinsane · 16/09/2017 12:26

I think my life if we separated would be lonely but not as lonely as I am now.
I would feel sad for my children and sad for him really as we are all he has.
I don't think I would feel sad though. Maybe a little lost as I was so young when we met.

OP posts:
Apparentlyinsane · 16/09/2017 12:28

I should add to all this that I'm not a cowering wife and I do wind him up as I don't let things go. I will say if I'm not happy.

The source of all the unhappiness is easily rectified though and he just won't entertain the idea.

OP posts:
trevthecat · 16/09/2017 12:29

You say you don't feel you can do it all alone, you already are. He is vile and you deserve so much more. You need to leave for your sake and your children. Congratulations in your exams. Can't of been easy with no support

GlitterSparkles17 · 16/09/2017 12:33

You will feel lost understandably but it would soon feel "normal" and amazing to not have him around, you wouldn't be walking on eggshells. And that "nice" feeling you get when he's being so "nice" you could find someone who makes you feel like that every day. He won't change his behaviour but you can change your life for the better.

Apparentlyinsane · 16/09/2017 12:46

We have not long moved house. It's a huge house which we all desperately needed with a big mortgage.
Right now I don't think I could afford it alone. The children are so happy here too so wouldn't want to move them.
I graduate in 7 months and then I could just about afford it.

I know physically I could be alone. Financially right now not so much.

It just me to think I'm going to upset my children. They love their dad. Even though I feel he's quite detached with them too they still love him.
If I could wave a magic wand I would. I go to bed upset and wake up upset.

I feel like it's all my fault too and I know deep down its not. I know I'm not being unreasonable in my wants and needs.

OP posts:
differentlife · 16/09/2017 12:51

He swears, lies, calls you a bitch, withdraws all affection and exhibits violent behaviours.

The next time he becomes violent or aggressive, quietly leave the room and phone the police. Tell them that he has a history of punching and smashing things and that you are afraid it will be you next.

Hopefully, he will be removed to calm down, and you can get a plan in place and support to separate and eventually divorce.
Because if your children ever confide in school that Daddy hits, punches stuff, smashes stuff... and you have made no effort to protect them, then questions WILL be asked.

You are obviously a strong and intelligent woman.
You and your children deserve far more than this half-life of being either threatened or ignored. You deserve far better.

HipsterAssassin · 16/09/2017 13:22

This man has nothing to offer you, OP. He makes your life harder. Time to rip the plaster off and get rid of the dead wood.

I have been there and got the T-shirt. Did a 3 year degree with two kids under 5. And did absolutely everything. Eventually a straw broke the camel's back. I just reached the end of my rope. Posting here is a great first step.

After leaving the manchild I went into psychotherapy to get a handle on why I expected so little from a relationship. I learned it all from my mum and Dad.
A much brighter future awaits you, believe me. When I see my ex now I just find him un interesting and slightly annoying. You have some healing to do but you can do it and there is no time like the present.

You can and will shape a much better future and teach your children about self respect in the process. You are clearly a very capable woman. In time you will find someone worthy of you. He is not it...

Flowers
Complicatedagain · 16/09/2017 17:32

Patricia Evans
The Verbally Abusive Relationship: How to Recognize it and How to Respond

Look on Amazon. It will clear your ideas. Look for outside support. To be your reality check when you are made guilty of everything. I helped a friend leave abusive marriage. Now I am stuck in a relationship of that kind with a small baby. Acquired knowledge keeps me sane and not to blame myself for things.

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