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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:
Thewheelsarefallingoff · 18/01/2019 19:03

Well done, op. That's great news! Flowers

frustratedwineaholic · 18/01/2019 19:07

Thank you all so much for your support and kind words.

I am a bag of nerves but super excited. Just worried about the referencing for the house as I was only offered the job today so have no payslips. I have told 2 friends, one has offered to be guarantor for me if I need it, funny thing is he was DH’s friend, he told me he knows what he has been doing is abuse and offered to help any way he can.

My other friend is my old supervisor and she said she will tell a white lie and pretend I still work 16 hours per week.

Spoke to GP again this afternoon, she informed safeguarding but they are happy I’m doing all I can to protect DC. She will have letter for solicitor ready for my appointment on Thursday.

Now I have a whole new house to furnish!

OP posts:
HeartsTrumpDiamonds · 18/01/2019 19:59

Well done OP Flowers

Jux · 18/01/2019 20:02

Is it empty? Would you be able to star moving things in there quite soon? What would you need, everything including cutlery/crockery/pots etc?

Does dh ever go away for a day or two?

It's very exciting, though! Have you contacted WA? They may be able to give you some pointers to help get you and the dc out in the least amount of time once you get a moving in date.

frustratedwineaholic · 18/01/2019 20:22

Moving date is 05/02, 18 days!!! Yes I will need everything, luckily landlord is leaving washing machine, fridge freezer and cooker. I have only recently bought crockery pots a d pans etc for our house, such a shame but it will just be another thing for him to kick off about if I take anything. I’m paying £50 per month on credit agreement for our bed and mattress too. It sucks

OP posts:
AcrossthePond55 · 18/01/2019 21:36

I'm sorry to be so bold, but why are you leaving everything behind? Remember, you will be in your own place with a door you can lock and a phone you can put down. Just who is he going to 'kick off' at? You won't be there.

I'm not saying to strip the house bare, but you are certainly entitled to take half of 'things, at least to get yourself started'. Half the dishes, eating utensils, pots etc. The DC beds, linens etc. I get the thrill of buying all knew and if you can do it, go for it! But don't beggar yourself because of his attitude.

I sure as hell wouldn't be making payments for a bed I'm not sleeping in.

AcrossthePond55 · 18/01/2019 21:37

Boy! Lots of typos ^^

frustratedwineaholic · 19/01/2019 11:02

You are right Acrossthepond55, I suppose I'm just hoping he will be peaceful if I don't do anything to upset him. But then again, leaving with the DC will be the worst thing for DH.

re the bed, I know i should take it, I just can't face the guilt of leaving him with no bed, i have chosen to leave so I feel I should just walk away and start again.

I will take some kitchen stuff and towels and bedding.

I just need the ok from referencing so I can start sourcing furniture on gumtree, I should be able to store stuff at a friends house for now.

I haven't told anyone else yet, I don't want to until its all done, my family will only worry, I know they will support me after the initial shock wears off. So if you lovely people don't mind I will keep posting, Mumsnet is the only thing stopping me h=going insane and backing down!

OP posts:
medusawashere · 19/01/2019 11:33

Wow OP. Well done you! Keep at it. Every time you feel guilt or fear, think of your little DD telling you she wants to kill herself because of this situation. You are doing it for your children. Your DH will be fine. He cannot be your concern now. The kids have to be.

Oliversmumsarmy · 19/01/2019 11:43

I suppose I'm just hoping he will be peaceful if I don't do anything to upset him

Do you actually believe he isn’t going to react whether the bed stays or not?

But then again, leaving with the DC will be the worst thing for Dh

Yeah, no one to scream at any more.

frustratedwineaholic · 19/01/2019 14:00

I’m so pissed off Angry

DH has been watching tv all day whilst I have taken DS to club and then was in bedroom attempting to write an essay due in Monday. DH did not help with DC, I made them lunch with bread rolls he had bought this morning at local shop, when I started to use one for myself he stopped me and said they were for him. I said well you are eating the food I have bought, he said that’s because I make him pay the whole mortgage because I buy the food!! TWAT!!!
Anyway, I was trying to write essay, he came in and said I could have the roll but I should have asked first! I said no thanks. Ggggrrrrrrrrrrr
He did not help with DC being bored so now I am sat in a soft play centre trying to write the damn essay.

OP posts:
SandyY2K · 19/01/2019 14:16

He's being petty. Just bide your time and try not to respond or engage with him.

You're doing a very demanding course with 4 DC... that's commendable and as you know, there are no shortage of jobs in SW.

Your H has serious issues, but now you're safeguarding your DC.

AcrossthePond55 · 19/01/2019 15:41

C'mon, c'mon, c'mon grit your teeth and bide your time. Ignore him and his stupid antics. You only have 18 days!!! It will all be over soon. He's not worth getting agitated by, you're a 'short-timer' now. If he does/says something stupid tell yourself "Well, in 18 17 days I won't have to deal with that shit anymore!" Focus all that mental energy on list making and visualizing your new home! Make a little 'countdown calendar' and start ticking off the days!

One of the things BFF noticed after she left was how much more energy she seemed to have. She said it was the decrease in the 'mental load' of seeing him doing jack shit whilst she did it all. As a lone parent, she had to do it all anyway but she said it was so much easier without the mental load of resentment in seeing him sitting on his arse.

frustratedwineaholic · 19/01/2019 20:22

Yes, I am gritting my teeth and doing grey rock!

He has turned on me nice (ish, never fully nice lol).

Spoke to letting agent today and he said referencing should be ok based on what I have proof of as income and my friend being guarantor. Fingers crossed!

I told DD1. I wasn’t planning to until it was all finalised but she is so mature, DH was a dick this morning and she said we can’t keep living like this Mum. I said don’t worry, I am working something out. Later at soft play she asked me what I meant, she said I didn’t have to tell her but she promised not to tell anyone. I could see it in her eyes, she needed to know so I told her. I pre warned her the house may not happen and explained why, she was brilliant! I want it even more now.

Been sourcing furniture, I have some viewings booked for stuff within 50 miles for next weekend. I’m counting down now!

OP posts:
AcrossthePond55 · 19/01/2019 23:35

Onward and upward!

PositivelyPERF · 20/01/2019 02:34

Well done OP. You should be extremely proud of yourself.

Weenurse · 20/01/2019 03:08

Good luck, no turning back now.

WhoKnewBeefStew · 20/01/2019 09:22

Just read your whole thread thins morning and I’m now sat here cheering you on OP Flowers

frustratedwineaholic · 20/01/2019 11:55

Thank you for your support, I’m finding it more difficult now as it’s the weekend and DH is home. Got a stinking head cold too.

I’m better when I’m busy sorting things. I might make a list of all the things I need to buy. Need to stay focused

OP posts:
category12 · 20/01/2019 13:49

Lists are a good idea. Collecting the paperwork you need, etc.

Make sure you put simple /easily doable things on it as well, so you're not faced by lots of hard things that will take time. Short term, long term goals.

AcrossthePond55 · 20/01/2019 14:26

Yes, keep 'mentally busy'.

One of the 'downsides' of being a short timer is that at the same time that you are happy because your escape is soon and you won't have to put up with their shit anymore, you also get more irritated by said shit because (wait for it) you won't have to be putting up with it anymore soon. Ah, human nature!

frustratedwineaholic · 20/01/2019 19:23

I’ve been looking online for sofas with express delivery but interest free credit, it’s impossible!

Doing a good grey rock impression though Wink

OP posts:
category12 · 20/01/2019 19:41

Try British Heart Foundation, freecycle and secondhand places. Personally I wouldn't be taking on debt if I could help it.

SuperLoudPoppingAction · 20/01/2019 22:29

I got both my sofas from Gumtree for about £40 each from somebody who would let me view first and then do delivery for free or £10.

Jux · 21/01/2019 13:29

When we were v broke, I got a sofa from our local dump. I was lucky, it had only just arrived so o mustiness or dirt, very clean. It was a largish 3-seater and cost me £5.

Also gumtree, local markets, boot fairs etc.

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