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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

Support needed

15 replies

Raven8 · 02/11/2019 23:12

Advice needed - my husband and I have been together for many years and have three children. He has always been a difficult person to live with. He has OCD and wants the house spotless all the time. He is also very controlling but I think it's all linked to the OCD. He will criticise me every-time he comes home from work. It doesn't matter if I've been to work or busy with the children, his only concern is the tidiness of the house. At the weekends, we cannot go out until the house is spotless but he also sets unrealistic time limits eg we must leave the house in 45 minutes to avoid traffic (because the thought of traffic or too many people also stresses him out) - as it's quite difficult getting a family washed, fed, dressed and a house spotless in this amount of time it always results in him either going mad at the children or being rude to me. He frequently will call me names and criticise me saying I do nothing. Ironically I feel I spend my life trying to keep the house and everything else spotless but it's just impossible. What I'm finding really difficult now is that I just cannot be bothered to keep trying to make him happy anymore. I try to do things he wants but it's never good enough and I find it depressing. The longer we are together the more the greater the boundaries seem to stretch. He can be quite verbally abusive sometimes which is very upsetting. I don't want to be without him as I would hate for my children to be without their father but I've spoken to him many times and nothing changes. He can be a loving and generous person but I feel it's always on his terms.

OP posts:
rvby · 03/11/2019 01:59

Why are you allowing your children to live in this environment? Can you see that the best you could possibly do would be to leave him? X

Quartz2208 · 03/11/2019 02:04

You really think this environment is best for your children

walnut87 · 03/11/2019 04:30

OP, you don’t have to stay with him.. having OCD isn’t an excuse for being abusive - nothing is an excuse for that!

Sometimes people that are abusive can also be nice. That doesn’t mean you should stay with them. Most of the time it’s just a way to keep you sweet for longer - those periods of being loving and generous keep you attached.

Honestly, you don’t have to put up with this! So if you are ready to move on emotionally (it sounds like you are) it’s because deep down, your mind is trying to tell you there’s better things out there for you and your children x

EvenMoreFuriousVexation · 03/11/2019 05:32

Does he have a clinical diagnosis of OCD?

Pinkflipflop85 · 03/11/2019 06:28

Does he actually have a diagnosis of OCD? Sounds like he is just using it as a convenient excuse for controlling you.

75Renarde · 03/11/2019 06:54

Yup. I agree. OCD is an excuse.

Hes a controlling cunt. Sorry op Flowers

Rainbowqueeen · 03/11/2019 07:07

He needs to seek help. This is no life for any of you including him

I also thought people with OCD with cleaning obsessions actually did the cleaning themselves but it sounds like you do it all and he does nothing. Is that right??

I would also get therapy for yourself to help you make sense of what is happening and how you can best support yourself your kids and him.

CodyBurns · 03/11/2019 07:13

Another one chiming in to say he’s using The ‘OCD’ as an excuse for controlling and coercive behaviour. Your OP seems to imply that you are taking on the bulk of the cleaning and tidying work here, does he pitch in? Does he do any cleaning himself? I doubt it.

The verbal abuse, criticism and imposing arbitrary time limits on the cleaning is really worrying. He sounds awful and this is no way to live.

This isn’t about cleanliness, or even mental illness on his part. It’s about subjugation and control.

MrsMozartMkII · 03/11/2019 07:18

Gosh. That's no easy to be living your life lass, nor is it right for the children: you need to evaluate the impact both on you and on them. They're children - naturally messy and bouncy and all the other wonderful things that children do and are. Plus, don't you long for some peace?

Raven8 · 03/11/2019 23:35

No diagnosis as he doesn't really accept he has a problem. He does tidy up and is a really hard working person, I cannot say he isn't . It's the constant criticism I find hard. He will come home and spot the one thing I haven't done. It is stressful.

OP posts:
12345kbm · 03/11/2019 23:41

He is extremely controlling and he is using this OCD excuse in order to control you. He's like a sergeant major patrolling up and down parking orders at the troops (you). I note he doesn't actually keep the place clean himself, just enjoys dictating to you.

I'm at an utter loss why you think it's better for the children to be in this controlling, abusive atmosphere. His generosity is 'on his terms' because that's the reward mechanism he uses to control you. Like a master giving his lapdog treats.

It's your responsibility as a parent to bring your children up in a safe, supportive, loving environment. I suggest you get help in order to leave.

ClapHandsAndSaveTheFairies · 04/11/2019 00:05

I grew up in this environment.

It was really damaging. My parent is still totally batshit about cleanliness and is very verbally rude to my other parent about it. Will pick up several imagined specks of dirt from the floors.

It's quite sad.

stophuggingme · 04/11/2019 00:08

You are living on your wits and walking on eggshells

This is no life. If you want to stay with him then you must insist he seeks help. Not for his OCD but his controlling bizarre behaviour

Interestedwoman · 04/11/2019 00:17

'I don't want to be without him as I would hate for my children to be without their father'

If you split up they'll still have they're dad.

Children pick up on atmospheres, I grew up around similar stuff from my father, the 'walking on eggshells,' 'living with a volcano' etc- it's left me with anxiety and other issues for life. Your kids'll be better and healthier for life if they don't have to put up with this at home.

Raven8 · 04/11/2019 08:28

Thanks for your comments. I have told him I think we are better off apart and he needs to look at finding somewhere else to live. Watch this space!

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