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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:
tubspreciousthings · 05/02/2019 11:17

Keep going OP. It'll feel better once your stuff is in and your children will feel safer/happier.

thegreylady · 05/02/2019 11:51

Do make sure he doesn’t have your new address. Today don’t give yourself time to think, get all your stuff moved including the bed! You have achieved so much in a short time. You are giving your dc the gifts of peace and security. You have a new job, a new home and a new future. He has exactly what he has earned by his behaviour.
Well done you Flowers

AcrossthePond55 · 05/02/2019 12:08

Today's the day! Good luck and congratulations.

Pashazade · 05/02/2019 12:23

Good luck. Well done on getting this far. You can do it!!

Honeypickle · 05/02/2019 12:29

Well done! Good luck for everything going forward. You've got this.

XJerseyGirlX · 05/02/2019 12:36

Good luck OP, you have done an amazing thing xxx

KatyLovesKats · 05/02/2019 16:44

Oh my gosh, you've done it! Well done, you are amazing! And this is the start of your amazing new life (although you may have a few wobbles before you can fully appreciate it). Settle the kids and congratulate yourself!

Ginny008 · 05/02/2019 16:49

Congratulations OP! I've read your entire thread and just wanted to pop in and say how much I admire you! Look how far you've come!! Best wishes to you and your DCs for what I'm sure will be a much happier future!

user1494670108 · 05/02/2019 17:16

Wow, just found this thread again and seen what you have achieved since you first posted.
I hope that your move has gone well and that you are unpacked and comfortable in your new home. You mentioned going no contact for a while I think that would be a good idea so you can all properly relax and feel the difference when not living with such an ass

coppercolouredtop · 05/02/2019 17:45

Hope you have some fizz in the fridge op...
You deserve a glass or two tonight. X

PositivelyPERF · 05/02/2019 17:50

I hope you got everything you need out, op and are currently enjoying a Chinese and a bottle of wine.

category12 · 05/02/2019 18:15

Hope it went OK.

AcrossthePond55 · 05/02/2019 18:23

Hoping it's all done and dusted and that things went smoothly.

Jux · 05/02/2019 18:35

Thinking of you, frustratedwineaholic, and hoping today went OK Flowers

nocoolnamesleft · 05/02/2019 19:06

Thinking of you.

choccybiscuit · 05/02/2019 21:01

How are you op?

frustratedwineaholic · 05/02/2019 22:09

Hi everyone

Yes we are in. DC are good. I told DC 3&4 at my parents house this evening. DD2 didn’t get it but DS2 was so excited! As soon as I told him he had a new bed he threw himself on me and just kept thanking me. They haven’t even asked for daddy.

I received this text from DH BEFORE I told him...
Hey (frustrated)
As you know I’m not very good at saying about my feeling.
I do want you and the kids to stay and not leave.
I do love you and all the kids.
And I don’t think that you want to go to.
For me I don’t think that it in the best interest of the kids to leave.
ALL family’s Aren’t 100% perfect and our is Far from it.
I just do to want to give up on 9 year and the kids.
It’s never to late but it’s down to you.
Love you

I text him back telling him it’s too late etc. He hasn’t replied.

I don’t feel happy. I feel awful. The house is beautiful, the dc are happy but I feel like I’ve given up on my life

OP posts:
tubspreciousthings · 05/02/2019 22:13

You haven't, you've taken your children away from a damaging situation. He was treating you all badly. It was impacting on them. You've done the right thing. Keep reading the beginning of the thread.

coppercolouredtop · 05/02/2019 22:15

Hey now...

I get how and why you feel that way. It will get easier.

Remember you've done this for the kids - they were miserable.

He needs to work at his relationship now with you all. You've given you and the kids choices. That's brilliant.

Balls in his court now. He can work at it or walk away.

Stay put tho op. Keep that freedom. It gives you choices. X

SandyY2K · 05/02/2019 22:19

If he hadn't been so abusive, it might have been worth trying... but his abuse was very much affecting the DC..so it is in their best interests to leave.

He needs help. He needs to accept his behaviour has been unacceptable and he really ought to do some serious work in therapy...that's just to be a better person and not for reconciliation.

Your DC are the very reason you had to do this.

Congratulations!

This is why a woman being financially independent is imperative. You were able to finance your new home.

You have done brilliantly.

Sunnydays78 · 05/02/2019 22:31

This is the really hard bit op. Be prepared for him using everything he can to get you back. You’ve done it, call women’s aid for support it’s really important now xxx well done you’re a very brave woman x

Lozzerbmc · 05/02/2019 22:35

Well done! This is the first day of the rest of your life! Its scary but you have the DCs and know that you are doing the right thing for them and you. You need more!
Put music on Gloria gaynor i will survive and R E S P E C T aretha franklin! That will help!

fluffygreenmonsterhoody · 05/02/2019 22:48

You’re amazing OP; stay strong.

Lifeisnotsimple · 05/02/2019 23:08

Hi ive been following your journey and just wanted to congratulate you, even though your feeling pants. You,ve stood firm and now have shown him you have self respect and the balls not to be messed with. You are putting your kids before any man. The text he sent you shows he hasn't changed, he,s even telling you how you feel by saying " i know you dont want to go" how the hell does he know, he cant even speak to you without being abusive. Then the next is the guilt tripping about the kids, he doesn't think its good for them, how the hell would he know whats good for them. All he did was abuse them to the point the kids didnt even want to live. He has no awareness or the impact of his behaviour on you or the kids and tbh hes hasn't even said sorry. Last line about it now up to you, like youve done wrong by leaving bloody hell he still thinks hes done nothing wrong. That text is all about him. Your well rid. Good on you, well deserved pat on the back.

Yulebealrite · 05/02/2019 23:35

Please don't lose your strength. Do it for the kids.