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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 · 11/02/2019 14:00

oh and i just wanted to clarify, I did not see any posts tis weekend as for some reason I am not receiving email notifications from Mumsnet anymore. i wasn't ignoring you.

OP posts:
MsPavlichenko · 11/02/2019 14:01

It is not good, but it is not unheard of in the circumstances, But, you need to stop it now. For the sake of your DC, and you. He is an abuser, he won't change, and you are putting your DC, and yourself at risk.

Freedom Programme. Google it now, and sign up/call asap. Do have a look at what's online. And go for no/low contact from now on. And your house has to be the safe place for you all from now on. He doesn't get in. Even in situations without abuse, separated partners don't usually spend time in each other's houses. The DC can show pictures if they must. Doing it this way is like ripping a plaster. Hurts at first, but you get it over sooner.

Call your uni, and arrange to talk to student support. If you really can't catch up (and a failed essay isn't the end of the world), can you defer maybe? Don't throw all your work away.

You've come so far. This is a blip, but you can keep going. You must!

Lifeisnotsimple · 11/02/2019 14:01

Gosh op im lost for words. You are now trying to have a relationship with him behind your oldest kids back. Do you not think they will know or find out. What you fail to realise is when these kids are adults they will not look back with fond childhood memories, there will be loss of respect because you cant keep your word and you have always put him and yourself first over your kids. I will never understand how any woman can continue to love a man who abuses them or their kids. You have come on mn to find out how to find love and respect from dh, but its questionable how much you love and respect yourself or your children. Im afraid the previous post is correct you reap what you sow. Dont complain about dh if you allow it to happen.

IDoN0tCare · 11/02/2019 14:02

And I’m dragged in again. You said you lost focus, because your kids weren’t there, so what about putting photos of them up, everywhere, especially in your bedroom. Before you even open your mouth to him, look, and I mean REALLY LOOK, at the photos of your poor children’s faces. If that doesn’t work, then I give up.

Jux · 11/02/2019 14:10

You're not actually putting what you want first because you know damn well that he'll be vile towards you again once he's got what he wants, which is you back in your box and you and your children scared and bowed down before the Mighty Male.

What you are putting first is your whim - what you feel like right then.

He'll have you pg and dependent again in no time.

One of the very worst things you can do is give up your course.

Jux · 11/02/2019 14:12

Oh, and go on the pill or get an implant or something.

DonaldTwain · 11/02/2019 14:13

Hi you don’t owe it to people here to stay strong and you don’t have to account to us for what you do. You are accountable to your kids and, just as importantly, yourself. You need to believe that you deserve better treatment than this man was willing to give you. And you do. You’ve achieved a huge amount. You feel bad now but you’ve made progress and you will make more, as long as you really accept you’re in an all or nothing situation with this man. You’re either in with him with all the crap that entails. Or you’re out and that means really out.

DonaldTwain · 11/02/2019 14:15

And good luck. FWIW I think you made an excellent decision to leave this man because he’s horrible. You’ve not unmade that decision. You can still draw a line under this.

frustratedwineaholic · 11/02/2019 14:19

i'm leaving this thread now.

i understand why you are all being so harsh, but i'm feeling really low and reading the comments isn't helping me. I need to pull myself together before i collect my children from school.

I have been through so much since starting this thread. I'm not perfect and I have never pretended to be. I have been in a relationship with DH for 9 years, we are married. I have tried to walk away, ffs i have left whilst he was at work and rented a house, leaving my lovely home I own. I have put my feelings and emotions to one side to get this far, I'm sorry that i fucked up this weekend. I didn't stay with him for 9 years because it's easy to leave and just switch off. I am trying my best but it's bloody hard.

Thank you to everyone who has supported me this far, I could not have done it without you. I'm sorry i have let you down.

I am going to go no contact with DH, it's the only way.

OP posts:
IDoN0tCare · 11/02/2019 14:29

I'm sorry i have let you down.

You’re not letting us down. We’ve no skin in this, but you are letting your children down and yourself.

bibliomania · 11/02/2019 14:38

Don't beat yourself up, OP. You've had a wobble. You've had evidence that a manipulator manipulates. You're completely right to say that no contact is the way forward - at some level, you might have needed this to happen just to confirm that point to you.

The future is still yours for the taking.

Jux · 11/02/2019 14:41

No contact is great. Good luck.

SandyY2K · 11/02/2019 14:41

There is still support here OP. Don't leave because of the judgmental comments.

Honeypickle · 11/02/2019 14:49

We’re just disappointed FOR you OP, when you’d done so well. Onwards and upwards! It didn’t make you happy spending the weekend with him and he won’t make you or your children happy going forward. Think of last weekend as your goodbye present to him (!) and best of luck for the future. Hope it’s a rosy one filled with happiness for you and your children.

AcrossthePond55 · 11/02/2019 15:05

You haven't let us down, my love. You owe us nothing. We are not important, you are. IF you feel you have let yourself down, that's another matter and one you will deal with in your own good time.

Just remember that you are human. Humans sometimes do things that may not be in their best interest. But when that happens the best thing to do it pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and begin again.

For now, congratulate yourself that you are still in your little new home and planning to stay there. You are still living separately. That's a good thing. The rest will come, a step at a time.

I think perhaps if you aren't ready for full NC, you could set yourself a rule that he is not allowed in the house unless there is someone else there.

Please give yourself a break and don't beat yourself up. Millions of women have left abusive relationships, millions of women have had moments of weakness. And millions of women have started again. You will, too.

Lozzerbmc · 11/02/2019 15:23

Give yourself a break OP its a blip dont be too hard on yourself. You just need to draw a line under it and move on with your plan and life without him. Wishing you all the very best

Atalune · 11/02/2019 16:54

It’s not the mistakes that define us, it’s what we do afterwards.

Please please please rethink quitting your course.

PUT DH in a big box and leave him there. Mentally. Shut him away and tear your focus away.

And on another more crass note-
Buy yourself a good vibrator.

Zofloramummy · 11/02/2019 17:30

Oh dear, I had a feeling this would happen. It was way too soon to have him in your space. You were emotional and vulnerable and he made sure he took full advantage of that.
Yes there have been some posts that are difficult for you to read, but also posts that are more understanding.
You’ve come a huge way in a short period of time. You’ve turned your life on its head. And yes you made a mistake. But you know that.
Reinforce the NC and move forward. Get some support in real life. It’s hard to say this but you know you have to see this through or your older dcs and later on the little ones will carry the scars of living in an abusive toxic environment for the rest of their lives.

Give yourself some breathing space away from this man.

another20 · 11/02/2019 20:58

frustrated you have done so much to date. It’s not a straight line.

Re-read and re-read and re-read the thread and you will find your courage and focus. You will learn something about yourself and your boundaries as each time something else will chime with you one way or the other.

As others have said get your course back on track now - otherwise it is self sabotage and you will leave yourself and your children at the mercy of him financially forever.

category12 · 11/02/2019 21:28

OP, try to see if you can put your course on hold or something. You'll have credits or whatever they're called, and hopefully be able to complete the rest. Don't crash out, see what you can salvage - you have extenuating circumstances.

I hope you don't leave the thread.

frustratedwineaholic · 12/02/2019 17:10

Thank you for being kind to me.

I told DH yesterday that we need to stop messing about. It's over and we need to have as little contact as possible, only contact re DCs. He told me he loves me and he wants to be with me. I replied that we have no choice, it's not about what he or I want, it's about whats best for all DC. He did not reply. DS2 called him this morning (he knows how to ask siri to call anyone on my phone and it does it). DS2 asked Dh if he could go to his house, Dh said he would pick him up after he has been to the doctors. DH has just been to collect DS2 and DD2, he knocked the door and then waited by his car, that was really difficult but i'm glad he is trying to do as i have asked.

Having a glass of wine and trying to hold back tears now though! Had a call from DD1 school today, her friends took her to see a teacher as she has scratched the back of her hand on purpose. When they asked her why she said she is worried that since we have left her step-dad I won't cope with her and her brothers! The boys were fighting again this morning, I understand that she is worried about me but in front of her i have been fine. I have created her her own beautiful bedroom with . double bed. I have organised for her friends to sleep over this weekend. The boys are going to take time to settle, they were no different at the old house!

GGGrrrrrrrrr!

OP posts:
MsPavlichenko · 12/02/2019 17:56

Again. Freedom Programme is your friend.

category12 · 12/02/2019 17:57

It'll take a while for things to settle for the dc, it's very early days.

Lozzerbmc · 12/02/2019 18:09

Keep going- i’m sure the DCs will settle down and with half term soon hope you can do something nice. You’re doing so well. Go and have a treat new hairdo nails massage or something.

BettyBooper · 12/02/2019 20:54

Keep going OP. Don't beat yourself up. Life is complicated and it's not surprising that you are feeling unsure and have times of self doubt. Sleeping with your ex is a trap many of us fall into. As long as you see it as a wake-up call (which it looks like you have), all is good. I hope you are okay.

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