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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 abuse? Or do I deserve it?

43 replies

houseproudme · 20/04/2018 20:00

So my husband was on a long shift today. He called in quickly during his shift to drop the kids some ice lollies off because the weather was nice. He kissed me twice and said he's in a rush and had to go but didn't seem to have an issue with me. He Tenna texts me 2 minutes later saying 'your makeup is all wrong, I feel like I'm with a teenager' saying ' you need to make changes to your life or resenhou will end up like your mum' then making sly digs in relation to my weight and my appearance and saying I'm mentally unstable. He's asked me to 'change' but when I ask him what does he want me to change he said 'only you can change I can't do it for you'
He's made me feel so bad. I've put weight on since having my last child. I've tried diets but i just can't lose weight no matter what I do ( I'm really not making excuses) I'm 13.2 stone, 5.9 in height and if I eat 3 healthy regular meals and cut out all snacks I still put weight on even though the meals and portion size is correct. I've been to the doctors, they did blood tests and because they come back normal they say I'm depressed. My husband does this a lot, he goes on a massive rant on how I need to change and lists all my 'mental issues'
And then doesn't suggest anything to change?
Then everything goes back to normal and starts again months later. It's so confusing because if he was so unhappy why does he still have with me and kiss me? Why does he Tells me he loves me? He said he does all that to 'keep the peace'
Is this abuse? Do I really deserve all this for my makeup not being right and some weight gain? He says he doesn't like the fact that I don't like to use lifts ( I don't like enclosed spaces) and he said this 'continues' to my mental issues.

OP posts:
OnTheRise · 21/04/2018 09:11

This sounds worse the more you tell us, OP.

Hold tight. Look up Women's Aid and see if you can phone them today. They might not be available at weekends, I'm not sure: if not, then get through the weekend as best you can and call them first thing next week. Ask for their help.

You really don't deserve any of this. And you have to get your children away from him because he's teaching them really bad things about self-worth and acceptable behaviour.

Zaphodsotherhead · 21/04/2018 09:12

Yes, think about how he would react if you just said 'my face, my choice' when he criticises your make up or 'my body, my choice' if he yells at you for being overweight.

Would he concede that you have a valid point? Or would he go spittle-faced rager that you dared contradict him? I think I can guess...

He's a knob using 'I'm perfect so you need to live up to my standards or else!' to control you.

BettyBaggins · 21/04/2018 09:15

Have you ever considered leaving him op? Do you think you are depressed because of him?

expatmatt78 · 21/04/2018 09:20

I expect the reason you're depressed is HIM! I firmly believe your partner should love you "warts n all" which means when you're at your worst both physically and mentally.
I am not a well groomed person and never was. When I get home from work I take off my bra and change into baggy sweats. Often I've rubbed my face so my mascara is all spread over my face and I'm a mess! I don't care because I don't think my DH is grossed out by me (I'm also sure he's not finding me sexy at this time but the point is I'm being a normal human comfortable in my skin and my home!) I also forget to shave my legs sometimes for ages til even I'm grossed out.
On the flip side he lets his toe nails grow so long I call him the sloth as he could prob climb trees with them. He's getting a bald spot which I don't mention as he can't see it and I know he's worried about it. He's better than me with diet and fitness but sometimes his belly is wobbly.
When one of us gets a zit we tease one another . Staring at it and asking "who's your mate?" Is the standard in our home and we both laugh about it.
The point is if I was being really unhealthy and perhaps my depression was showing in my appearance- ie if I notably stopped caring at all - maybe (MAYBE) he would mention it but it would be in a kind supportive way.
If he texted me to criticize how I'd looked I would be utterly gobsmacked and it would be unacceptable. Particularly delivered by text
That kind of "feedback " delivered passive aggressively not in person is just mean and cruel. And if sent after a nice time together I designed to blindside and confuse you
I say again- THIS is why you're depressed
Find a man who cares not abt your eyebrows ( I spent money on my eyebrows recently and not sure if DH even noticed)

Sisterlove · 21/04/2018 09:22

My response would be "Let's get divorced and you can be free to find the wife you want, with the perfect eyebrows and make up. I'm not changing. This is me. You aren't trapped and are free to go, but while you choose to stay. I dont want to hear another word about my appearance"

He's a foolish man trying to erode your self esteem. How dare he compare you to your mum like that as well.

Minkywater · 21/04/2018 09:25

Op he is disgusting and abusive.

houseproudme · 21/04/2018 09:28

He said he hates the fact I have low self esteem and that he feels he 'baby sits me' but he's the one who's damaging my self esteem and he's the one who makes me do the things he wants so he's babysitting me because HE WANTS TO not because he has to!
Thank you for everyone of your responses. I've read all my posts out loud and realised it's so bad. I've just googled the freedom programme as suggested and it's even available online x

OP posts:
houseproudme · 21/04/2018 09:29

He also knows I resent mum for a lot of things and when he compares me to her it really upsets me

OP posts:
Eolian · 21/04/2018 09:37

He is an abusive arsehole and his behaviour is not normal. You would be much better off without him. In the meantime, time to make it clear to him that his opinions about your appearance are complete bollocks and utterly unimportant. He is belittling you deliberately in order to keep your self-esteem low so that he can criticise you for it and maintain power over you.

mapaca · 21/04/2018 10:37

Yes, he is abusive.
No, you don't deserve it. He is using your insecurities against you.
Good on you for identifying his nasty behaviour and taking steps to deal with it!

snewname · 21/04/2018 10:42

If my husband ever said anything like that to me I would tell him that if he didn't like it/me/my makeup/whatever, he should leave. And I would mean it.
I know that it's not that simple but yes, you shouldn't have to put up with crap like that.

iklboo · 21/04/2018 10:46

Ex-p used to do this. He'd insult me, belittle me, make nasty comments about my hair, weight, clothes & make up. Usually somewhere public like on a bus or pub so I wouldn't cause a scene. When I'd get upset he'd just say it was because 'the truth hurt and I knew he was right otherwise I wouldn't get upset. I'd take the 'feedback' on board and do something about it'.

lifebegins50 · 21/04/2018 10:49

Wow, you are his emotional punch bag.
How old are the children? At 30 you have a life time ahead of you so don't think you have to tolerate this.

If he is on nightshift is he ok to look after the children without sleep?

TheHobbitMum · 21/04/2018 10:56

Your 'D'H is a massive twat! You shouldn't have to put up with that from anyone, he is abusive and you are not fat/overweight Angry

The best way for you to lose weight right now would be dump the DH Angry

Sn0tnose · 21/04/2018 11:09

It's about control. He is chipping away at your self esteem because he wants you to believe that you are worthless.

I promise you, if you had your make up done professionally and went clothes shopping with Gok Wan, Trinny AND Susannah, he would still tell you that you looked ridiculous and criticise your appearance. His goal is not to help you have better eyebrows. It's to make you feel like you aren't good enough.

He compares you to your mum because he knows it upsets you. If you had a close and loving relationship with her, then his goal would be to drive a wedge between you and isolate you from her so that she couldn't make you see what he is doing.

This man is dangerous. He will carry on like this until you are on the floor and you truly believe that you cannot function without him. Please, for your mental health and the sake of your children, call Womens Aid.

Ryder63 · 21/04/2018 11:22

This man is dangerous. He will carry on like this until you are on the floor and you truly believe that you cannot function without him. Please, for your mental health and the sake of your children, call Womens Aid

This ^ a thousand times.

ItsuAddict · 21/04/2018 11:43

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

springydaff · 21/04/2018 12:41

Yes he is seriously abusive. The post about you ending up on the floor is sadly accurate.

Re the Freedom Programme - do go along to a group if possible. The online course is wonderful but meeting others in the same position is very powerful.

You can do this. LTB Flowers

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