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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

how can i get DH to treat DC and me with respect and love?

559 replies

frustratedwineaholic · 08/01/2019 13:10

Hi, I am felling really stuck in my relationship. I want to end out marriage but I can't. He will not leave our house and I have been advised by a solicitor not to leave as then I will be unlikely to ever get back into our home or receive any equity from it. This is why I am asking for advice on how to change my husband. I know you can't really change people, they themselves have to want to change but I'm so desperate.

we have 4 dc, only the younger 2 are dh's. they are 12, 10, 6 and 4. DH is usually grumpy and always finds a way to suck the fun out of everything involving the dc. when we have a rare night off he is different, but mostly only if we are with friends. He hates being wrong and can never apologise. he tells the dc not to shout but then shouts at them, he never listens to them, just jumps to conclusions and unfairly punishes them by sending them to bed early, when when i attempt to calmly explain why they did whatever it was and he knows he has over reacted he will not back down, he just becomes angry and starts shouting at me. a few recent examples,
DS2 is like Jeckyl and Hyde, one minute he is the ost loving, cuddly little 6 yr old and he next he just seems to get this look in his eye and he is horrible, he spits, throws things, kicks and hits me and dc, tries to run away all because of the slightest thing like time to close he pet cage. This morning he got up early, he shares a room with DS1, DS1 is in the top bunk and DS2 the bottom, he took his pull up off (diagnosed over active bladder) and threw it at DS1 face then spat at him for no reason. I had an operation yesterday so still under affects of general anaesthetic and was call DS2 to stop, DS1 was shouting Mummy help, I got out of bed, held onto the wall for dizzyness and held DS2 hand puling him away, DH came out o the kitchen and sent both DS to time out, I got cross as DH is always picking on DS1 in my eyes and told him DS1 is not going to time out and DH shouted at me that he was shouting so people down the road could hear, I said he was calling for help as DS2 was throwing a wet nappy at him and spitting at him and DH starting shouting at me for having a go at him and threatened to go to work and leave me to it, it was 6am and DH was going to work late to enable him to do the school run following my operation. I just backed down as I know him well enough to know he would go off and leave me. I had aa major operation 2 years ago and couldn't walk easily or lift anything, he stormed off the following day after an argument and left me unable to eve have a cup of tea. Anyway, he as then in an awful mood, storming about, telling everyone off for the slightest thing, made my DD1 cry as he refused to get her a toilet roll from the cupboard as she should have go it herself before sitting down. in the middle of all this chaos DS2 is still being a total nightmare, he poured salt into the last of the milk so my DS1 lost his temper with DS2 and picked him up from the breakfast bar stool and roughly put him on the floor, DH went mad and DS1 bravely told him he has had enough of being blamed for everything, he said he wont be here later, DH told him he is going to bed early for his mouth.

I can't take anymore, I called a local counselling service to enquire about family counselling but I can't afford it.

Any advice gratefully received.

OP posts:
frustratedwineaholic · 27/01/2019 09:57

I’m ok thanks choccybiscuit

He is quieter today, I gave him the option to have dc or me to take them out, he chose to have them so I have come to my parents house, my dad is helping me collect a bed for DS1.

9 days!!!!!

OP posts:
Lozzerbmc · 27/01/2019 10:12

I think you must be very careful - what about booking a holiday cottage for a week as its very concerning about his behaviour with the DCs and his threats. School would understand. With it being out of season it would be a cheap time of year but of course appreciate thats more money to spend out. Take care

Rega26 · 27/01/2019 11:58

Frustratedwineaholic, I don't have advice but I am right there with you. My life sounds very similar to yours. I have 4dc, the oldest not biologically H's.
I don't work and am completely financially dependant. We don't own our own home, we privately rent but I could not afford the rent were I to become single.
He is unfairly harsh on the dcs - a month long ban from an iPad for putting it away 5 mins late.

I am a bit scatty and forgetful, I don't notice every time the DC do something they shouldn't, DH tells me I don't give a fuck. he says he has to tell hem of as I don't. I try telling him I have learnt a better way, he refuses to listen to me
This is exactly me!
He got cross with eldest dc (15) 3 months ago and smashed their phone for breaking a rule and they haven't spoken since.

I know that it is not a good environment for any of us and I am desperately unhappy but am still struggling to be able to do anything about it.
The situation has caused me to have depression and anxiety and feel like I'm in a fog I can't get out of.

choccybiscuit · 27/01/2019 12:07

Glad you're ok. If I were in your shoes, I'd think about staying somewhere else for the remainder of the nine days. I know it's not easy though x

Rega26 · 27/01/2019 12:11

Apologies, I'm new to this so have just seen your updates. Glad you have taken steps towards your new life Smile

Lozzerbmc · 27/01/2019 13:08

@Rega26
You must get some help you cant live like that. Womens aid, family, find a job, please find the strength like OP

another20 · 27/01/2019 18:08

Rega I am sorry that you are in this situation.......but you need to prioritise getting out now.....as your DD is now a direct victim of DA.

frustratedwineaholic · 27/01/2019 20:24

Rega I’m sorry you are going through this too. It’s taken me years and several attempts at leaving / ending it to get to this point. The difference this time is that I am ready. I’m still sad, and I am holding it all in at the moment but I’m looking forward to having the space to begin grieving for how it should have been, for the good times and for the future I had planned. I know deep down it never would have been a happy life though, I decided to stop prolonging the misery.

I hope you find your time.

OP posts:
Weenurse · 27/01/2019 22:33

How many sleeps now?

frustratedwineaholic · 28/01/2019 06:20

8!!!!

OP posts:
O4FS · 28/01/2019 06:46

Just read your thread OP.

As someone who has been in a similar position, you will be ok. Being a single parent to 4 DCs is much, much easier than being in a relationship with someone like that. You don’t realise until you are out of it how you spend years living in a state of high anxiety. We are all much happier, and I’m a much better parent for it.

Good luck OP. Happier times await.

frustratedwineaholic · 28/01/2019 07:33

Thank you O4FS

Your message came at just the right time, I have been having a strong urge to just cuddle DH this morning, feeling really lonely ☹️
He wouldn’t want to cuddle me anyway, he told me at the weekend that he hasn’t lived me for ages, he hasn’t wanted to have sex with me because I’m a liar and lots of other horrible home truths.

Don’t worry, I’m not actually going to cuddle him, I’m guessing this will just be one of those days and there will unfortunately be many more to come Sad

OP posts:
frustratedwineaholic · 28/01/2019 07:34

*loved not lived

OP posts:
O4FS · 28/01/2019 07:44

Yes, I understand. Much of what you have said resounded with me.

I had days I felt the same. The person who should be there for you just isn’t (and actually never has been). It’s the idea that your partner should be the one to help you through the difficult times.

I had one day of what felt like grieving. Just one. Lay on the sofa sobbing and mourning the loss of my marriage. It wasn’t the loss of my marriage as such, it was mourning what it should have been.

You will have days like this. They are difficult.

O4FS · 28/01/2019 07:54

Resonated. Not resounded. It’s early. Grin

Rtmhwales · 28/01/2019 08:28

You can do this. Just disappear during the day when he's gone and it's time to move. Don't tell him the when or where. If he threatens to burn the house down again, call the police. Just hold strong.

frustratedwineaholic · 28/01/2019 14:48

I need you help, how do I tell dc 3&4?

OP posts:
hellsbellsmelons · 28/01/2019 14:55

Don't tell them yet.
Tell them when you are moving.
Make it an adventure and then answer the questions as and when they happen.
I'm assuming they don't have any special needs?

AcrossthePond55 · 28/01/2019 15:04

So, aged 6 and 4? I wouldn't say anything in advance. The 4 year old is likely too young to really 'get it' and the 6 year old isn't old enough to reliably keep their mouth shut.

Has the 6 year old said anything that can be used as an explanation afterwards? Like 'Daddy yells' or 'Daddy is mean'? Not that you want to run him down (too much), but you could say 'Mummy doesn't like Daddy yelling so we are going to live apart now" or some such once the actual move commences. The 4 year old will take longer to understand it's 'permanent', so you'll have to deal with 'where's Daddy' on a more 'ongoing' basis for a little while. But you'll all 'get there' in good time.

frustratedwineaholic · 28/01/2019 15:06

No they don’t have special needs

Saw a solicitor today who I have signed the legal help agreement with, he was great and said to just leave and don’t tell him.

Had a call from
dd1 school, asking what is going on as DD has told them she is worried and doesn’t want to go home. I told them what is happening and that DD1 and DS1 will be staying with my parents for a week, I just need to think of a reason to tell DD2 and DS2 as to why their siblings are staying with their nana.

OP posts:
Apple103 · 28/01/2019 16:25

Well done to you for deciding to leave and save your DC and yourself. This man is an abuser and what hes done to your DC especially the ones that are not his, is unforgivable. They will probably need therapy but you can deal with that later. I'm glad you have your parents to support you.

Op are you safe? Does he have any idea that you are leaving so soon? It's not worth it staying If hes potentially dangerous.

I can't imagine how scary this all is, but you have made the right decisions and soon you will be free to live a peaceful life. Most of all your DC will start healing without that horrible abuser around . You will be able to create a new normal for them. Wishing you the best of luck.x

AcrossthePond55 · 28/01/2019 16:42

I wouldn't offer an explanation unless they specifically ask "Why aren't I going to Nana's too?". Then I'd say it's DS1/DD1's 'turn' to stay at Nana's and that they'll have their turn 'later'. Simple explanations are usually the best.

frustratedwineaholic · 29/01/2019 06:54

Sorry for my delay. Yes I am safe, DC1&2 are with my mum, DS1 came up with the idea they have to be at school early all week so nana is going to take them.

DH doesn’t know we are going so soon, I have told him a few weeks but told him I am not telling him when as he has made it clear he won’t let me take anything.

DH is being quiet now, no snide remarks even. He’s either planning or in denial. Or maybe someone has given him sound advice to stop being a prick or he will loose his kids.

OP posts:
category12 · 29/01/2019 07:00

I would not count on the latter, OP.

rainbowstardrops · 29/01/2019 07:49

Bloody hell OP, what a time you and your children are having! Sad
You are being absolutely amazing though and you only have to put up with it for one more week though.
With regards to all the threats etc, I think I'd be tempted to speak to the police and say you're worried he might carry out his threats.
At least they'd be aware if he ever did anything.
Stay strong. You're amazing! Star

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