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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 he abusive or am I just uncaring? Different perspectives needed please!

32 replies

Proseccoisthenewlambrini · 30/09/2017 09:09

All views welcome even if it is hard to read, I really don't know what to do for the best anymore. Apologies to those who have posted on previous threads, I haven't ignored all of your advice, I just keep panicking that i made a mistake and it's my issues not his.

A bit of background, I have 4 dc, 2 with DH, 2 with exdh. I have been with DH for 8 years, when I met him I had just come out of a very abusive relationship, (not exdh just a boyfriend) I was open with DH at the time and told him what I had been through. DH hasn't really changed, if I'm honest he has always been a little cold with me and my dc at times but on the whole we used to have fun and he would be a practical help around the house fixing and building things. I had very low self esteem at the start of our relationship and would panic and feel sick if he went out with his friends thinking he would see someone attractive and compare me to them (I know this sounds crazy but it was and sometimes still is a genuine fear) he labelled me as being controlling which I can see his point. We have had many temporary break ups and arguments over the years where I do someting like disagree with his parenting skills or want to spend money on something we disagree on, this quickly escalates and he usually ends up telling me to fuck off, he has done worse in the past for example ripping up my college work and throwing it down the stairs, shoving past me when I'm stood in his way trying to reason with him, tried to stop me leaving the house during an argument that the dc witnessed by squeezing my hand so hard I dropped the keys I was holding in it, leaving me at home unable to care for myself after an operation, insisting I go food shopping with him when I had pneumonia and was being sick, he even got cross that I had to leave the supermarket to be sick in the car park. He has told dc mummy is selfish and he has no patience with them, he doesn't give them a chance to explain if he is telling them off for something, he threatens to smack ds age 4's bottom when Ds gets angry as he is not being heard (he doesn't actually smack him) the list is pretty endless!
I left him last year, he made me see my faults and I took him back. Since then things have been better, until recently, he has started falling back into his old ways, but picking at me and dc, he said he feels like I don't care about his opinions on how the dc should be parented or anything else, the phrase he keeps repeating is that I do what I want when I want and it's middle finger up to him. His reasoning for feeling like this is I have discussed with DD aged 10 what she would like for Christmas and not involved him in this, I was driving us home from a BBQ and needed fuel immediately, I was surprised we had made it to the petrol station, he said he needed the toilet and told me to get it in the morning instead, I explained I didn't think we would make it home and back again, so stopped for the fuel, I had taken my shoes off to drive as they were heals and were hurting my feet, i went barefoot to pay. When we got home he demanded the keys and went t the toilet, he didn't help with the dc and then told me I didn't care about him, this is the last straw and I'm selfish, it's all about me, told me to fuck off infront of dc. He hasn't spoken to me since, this was last Sunday.

He started buying a flat earlier this year when we were separated, we got back together and decided to go ahead with the purchase as we do not own any property and it would be a foot on the ladder, the flat is in his name only, it needed total renovation which he has been working really hard on, I have helped when I could around work and the dc, we have struggled financially as I have been paying everything for the family home and usual expenses childcare food etc and he has paid for everything for the flat. It has been stressful as we haven't had much time together.

Sorry it's long but any advice would be very appreciated

OP posts:
jeaux90 · 30/09/2017 09:16

I'm sorry but this relationship sounds awful. He sounds abusive and you sound wildly insecure. When you were separated how did you feel?

Tearsoffrustration · 30/09/2017 09:17

He sounds awful - you don't have to love like that - of you are married then I think you would be entitled to half the flat. Get legal advise to separate.

Proseccoisthenewlambrini · 30/09/2017 09:23

When we were separated I felt relaxed at home. The dc were relaxed but they did play me up more which I know is to be expected. I just felt guilty for breaking our family up and worried about him meeting someone else and feeling jealous and disgusting, fat, old, ugly. I know I'm really insecure, he has only complimented me once and that was in his speech on our wedding day.
His mum is also very harsh, he was bought up very strict, made to go on his paper round aged 11 whether he was ill or bad weather.

OP posts:
MiniTheMinx · 30/09/2017 09:26

I don't know from what you have said whether he is abusive. Maybe he is. But maybe you just get on each others titts. It sounds miserable.

Have you considered counselling, I think this sounds like a situation where it could work, because the problem you have is communication. But I'd only consider it if he lays off the shouting, accusing, blaming and is willing to leave off any aggression. You too, come over in your post as angry.

Fishface77 · 30/09/2017 09:30

He's fucking awful!

jeaux90 · 30/09/2017 09:31

The fact you felt relaxed and calm when you were separated speak volumes to me.

You will be entitled to half the flat proceeds.

If it was me I would get some legal advice and separate. Life is too short to stay in a shit relationship. And if you are one of those people that think "I don't want my kid to come from a broken home" your home is already broken. You can probably fix it by separating and co-parenting amicably.

Plenty of us are single parents with lovely well adjusted kids. Right now you are showing them a dysfunctional relationship

I would go get some counselling for yourself, sounds like you are a little controlling and wildly insecure to me.

NellyNouNou · 30/09/2017 09:31

OP please do the Freedom Programme run by women's aid. It's online and costs a tenner.

You need to grow a pair. I mean this in the nicest way. You are worth more than his shittiness. You need to believe that. Work on your self esteem and kick this knobhead to the kerb. He is nasty. You deserve to be loved respected and happy. He gives you none of this. Please focus on what is best for your DC too. They deserve to live in a house without abuse and conflict between their parents.
And get over your jealousy. Some other woman would be unlucky to get involved with him. He is not worth being jealous over.

Standingcat · 30/09/2017 09:37

Why wouldn't he go to the toilet at the petrol station?

I would be planning to break up with him if I were you

bonjourbear · 30/09/2017 09:38

He's abusive. And just so you know, it's not unusual for abusive men to tell their partners that they're the abusive ones. Their thinking is so skewed they often believe it: they see any instance where a woman stands up for herself as abuse. There was a good post on here the other day about figuring out which one of you is abusive in these situations. Ask yourself two questions.

  1. who benefits? Who is getting what they want most of the time? Abuse is a means to an end not an end in itself. It is a tool abusers use to get what they want: an autocracy.
  2. who is doubting themselves and asking questions about their own behaviour? Abusers don't do this as a rule. They are certain they are right
Angelf1sh · 30/09/2017 09:41

It sounds a mess and neither of you can be happy. I wouldn't want to live like that.

I also think it's quite telling that he continued with purchasing the flat once you were back together but it's still only in his name. Given your marital status and the financial input you've had this has no legal consequences, but it's interesting to me that despite the fact that you ultimately bought it to get the family on the property ladder, he doesn't consider you important enough to go on the title. I'd definitely have lost my shit over that.

Loopytiles · 30/09/2017 09:43

He's abusive, and it was a mistake to get back together with him. Please do the Freedom Programme.

Offred · 30/09/2017 09:49

He's abusive. You are wondering if you should put up with it because a. He 'stuck with you' while you were insecure at the start and b. He is maybe 'less bad' than the 'really bad guy'.

Reality is it is clear as day that he is an abuser who targeted you when you were vulnerable.

Leaving him is the right thing to do. As you are married it doesn't matter that the flat is just in his name, you need to register a charge against it.

RandomMess · 30/09/2017 10:35

He's awful, the flat is still half yours as you are married. He can buy you out when you divorce.

Proseccoisthenewlambrini · 30/09/2017 12:37

Thanks for all the advice, I feel so stupid, I've been here before so many times, I don't think I can muster the energy to do it all again.
He's hardly speaking to me anyway, how do I begin to tell him? I'm scared of making a big mistake

OP posts:
Loopytiles · 30/09/2017 12:39

Don't tell him: get RL support, and make plans.

Offred · 30/09/2017 12:39

You tell him it was a mistake to get back together and you want a divorce!

Proseccoisthenewlambrini · 30/09/2017 12:41

Also he's been making things difficult for me this week, not walking the dog in the morning meaning I have to go at 7.30 with 4 dc before work and school and nursery, laying in bed all morning until 10 minutes before he leaves for work so I have to do everything.

OP posts:
Proseccoisthenewlambrini · 30/09/2017 18:00

He's just come home from work, moaned about dc having some toys out, sat on the sofa on his phone whilst I vacuumed around him, he's acting like he's the fucking king! Still not really talking to me unless to ask why something in the house is out of place or why dd1 is not at her dads, not in a caring way but in a way like I should force her to go there.
I took dc to a birthday party this afternoon, it was in a lovely house, a lovely , happy family, I just want the same Sad

OP posts:
inlectorecumbit · 30/09/2017 18:26

Rely on him for nothing, Make his life as difficult as he is making yours. Down tools. Do nothing for him, no laundry, cooking etc. With a bit of luck he will get so pissed off without you having to say/do anything and he will leave.

jeaux90 · 30/09/2017 19:10

You can have a happy family. One without him in it. I'm a single parent and I have a very happy family. Family is not just about a marriage and kids, it's about happiness and your kids not growing up in a shit dysfunctional situation. Family is also extended family and your friends that you love.

Bring them up in that environment not the crap miserable one your abusive dickhead is subjecting you to.

MeMeMeMe123 · 30/09/2017 19:17

OP - Jeaux speaks a lot of sense. Adult role models come in all shapes and sizes, not just mum and dad.

All the very best to you = it's not easy. I have been in a similar situation and mostly now shake my head at how much crap I accepted.

I think if you dread the thought of growing old with him then you may well have your answer

MeMeMeMe123 · 30/09/2017 19:18

its not easy NOT (= not easy)!!

HoneyIshrunkthebiscuit · 30/09/2017 19:22

I actually think your are both a bit abusive which is more common than people realise. At the bare minimum your relationship is toxic and you need to end it.

Proseccoisthenewlambrini · 30/09/2017 19:27

Honey, in what way do you see me as abusive? I don't mean that question in a defensive way, I'm genuinely interested as always wonder if it's me

OP posts:
Proseccoisthenewlambrini · 30/09/2017 19:31

He's now acting like nothing has happened, being fun dad and offering to get me a drink????? I'm so confused! Confused

OP posts: