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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

I've done a bad thing. But is this a normal reaction?

253 replies

IsThisNormal1 · 16/11/2019 21:03

Sorry, this will be long.

Been together almost 10 years. He's late 30s, I'm early 30s.

I'll start off by saying we've had a lot of stress in our relationship. About 4 years ago we were dealing with a lot of drama with my family - absolute narcs, the lot of them. It was resolved 2 years ago and I'm NC with them now.

Due to this drama, our relationship has taken a back seat. He's never been the romantic lovey-dovey type, but all intimacy stopped. We don't kiss, cuddle, hold hands, nothing. Sex is rare. Almost non-existent.

When the drama was resolved, I thought brilliant we can get on with our lives now. This hasn't happened. He does literally nothing. I do all the cleaning, washing, DIY, I even book his car MOT and doctors appointments for him. He wont take any initiative. Works at the same dead-end job which he hates but won't do anything about because "Brexit" or "job hunting is too hard" or various other reasons.

I experienced a major hiccup in my job last year (company restructuring) and was almost made redundant. I'm the bread winner so this was a huge deal. I signed myself up for an online course and told him he needs to step up with housework etc because I need to do this qualification while also working a 50 hour week. He stepped up for 2 or 3 days, then went back to his old ways. He leaves everything at his arse. I spend the evening cleaning, it's a shit tip by the next day. I do his washing and ask him to put it away, it gets left in a heap on the floor. Dishes left next to the dishwasher for me to put away. This goes on daily for months. Every day it's like he's saying a massive "FUCK YOU".

I don't like to nag but when confronted he says he's just got no motivation since the drama. Yes it was traumatic but life needs to go on. I have zero family now and it's not exactly been easy for me either! I've offered to pay for counsellors etc for him. No. He just spends all day every day watching YouTube and doing nothing. He says he needs to "build up" to doing anything and if that doesn't work, he can't do it at all.

Last night we went out for a few drinks at the pub. I admittedly drank too much and was very intoxicated. We both were. There was a man there and we got chatting at the bar. A proper real conversation for once about history, a mutual interest. This went on for some time and I feel we did have a connection of some sort. He left, and I went outside a few minutes later because I was starting to feel a bit unwell with the alcohol. Unbeknown to me, the man was still there and he kissed me. I haven't been kissed or even had any ounce of affection for years, so stupidly I didn't stop him.

DP came outside, saw this, and flew into a rage. He threw a glass at me, cutting my arm. Blood pouring. He then took my purse and went home, leaving me stranded with no money for a taxi home. The guy behind the bar had to loan me money.

I got home and DP had locked the gate knowing full well I couldn't reach the lock to get in. (The taxi driver managed to reach it for me). This morning I find that he has cut up all my bank cards, and hid my house keys so I couldn't get out. He says he didn't want me "sneaking out anywhere".

We talked today and I told him how undervalued and unappreciated I feel, he said "well write me a list and I'll do the cleaning every Tuesday". I don't need him to clean, I just need him to start acting like a proper grown-up.

I know what I did was wrong, I don't deny that. I feel awful. I've apologised to him. He has spent the rest of the day saying nothing and holding his head in his hands. I understand he's upset. I would be too. His cousin phoned this evening and he was all bright and cheerful like nothing happened. Then was laughing at stuff on tv. An hour later hes slumped on the stairs saying he feels sick and dizzy. I can hear him how pacing upstairs. Hes acting like I've just killed someone!

Words can't express how bad I feel. It was so out of character for me. I admit it was nothing more than feeling "wanted" for 5 minutes. I would never have seen this man again and regretted kissing him almost the moment it happened.

I'm not sure why I'm posting. I've been horrible, I admit. But with his reaction, I just know hes going to make me "pay for this" and use it as an excuse to do even less. I love him still, I really do. (Although the resentment is horrific) Am I kidding myself? Do I need to call time or do I deserve this?

OP posts:
RolytheRhino · 17/11/2019 11:04

It's so.interesting how the views on lack of sex in a relationship are dealt with on here, depending on whether it's the man or woman instigating it... here because the op is female it's not right that she should have to live without intimacy and her partner is wrong for not even discussing it?

I don't think that's the prevailing viewpoint here based on what I've read. The vast majority of respondents have focussed (rightly, IMO) on the physical assault and determination to treat the OP like a scullery maid. Sure, you get some on every thread who'll suggest that sex is a right and anyone not getting it regularly is being treated unfairly, but I'd be willing to bet there's also a few on the thread you mentioned saying that the man is within his rights to leave and maybe even one or two suggesting that women have a duty to sexually satisfy their partners if they want to keep them. I haven't been on that thread, so don't know the specifics, but obviously who is being unreasonable (if anyone) varies dramatically depending on the nuances of the situation.

I've just been on a thread where a very horny and heavily-pregnant woman is being refused sex by their partner and not a single person on there (at last viewing) has suggested she force the issue or that her partner is wrong for withholding sex. Responses to these types of thread do vary depending on the specific situation- it'd be wrong to generalise.

One MN constant, however, is that on any thread where a male is generally held to be in the wrong, someone will show up to argue the toss and throw blame on the woman, claiming double-standards, even in cases of physical abuse and domestic violence.

yellowallpaper · 17/11/2019 11:08

What you see on these threads is always a one sided POV and my argument would be, what is the other persons view?

I actually didn't read to full post about the physical abuse, so I do agree it's unacceptable and MH issues don't make this OK

Hearhoovesthinkzebras · 17/11/2019 11:10

I don't think he was right in throwing the glass, at all.

But the relationship before that sounds dysfunctional and I'm not sure whose to blame. Clearly the op felt the family drama is relevant in someway - so what happened? Does that explain her partner's subsequent behaviour? How bad was it and in what way was he involved?

As for her talking to this man for an hour and feeling a connection (flirting) in front of her dp and then kissing the man - come off it, the DPS reaction to that today, being sad, staying in bed etc, is understandable. Would anyone really tell a woman whose husband kissed another woman in front of her that she just had to carry on as normal and basically stop being a baby?

RolytheRhino · 17/11/2019 11:14

Would anyone really tell a woman whose husband kissed another woman in front of her that she just had to carry on as normal and basically stop being a baby?

Knowing MN, they'd tell her to put on her big girl pants and get her ducks in a row.

plightofthealbatross · 17/11/2019 11:19

Why are you wasting your life staying with this person?

Hearhoovesthinkzebras · 17/11/2019 11:21

Knowing MN, they'd tell her to put on her big girl pants and get her ducks in a row.

I have never seen that. Yes I've seen her told to get her ducks in a row but alongside sympathy, calling the husband all the names under the sun, encouraging her to be kind to herself, seek out emotional support from family or friends etc.

Not just the oh he's so.pathetic, what would he do without the dog, cry in the toilet bowl (as a pp has said on this thread).

RolytheRhino · 17/11/2019 11:27

I have never seen that.

Bizarre. Guess you don't frequent the sections of the site I do. You get 'be kind to yourself/seek emotional support' stuff largely in the aftermath but generally, in the immediate 'my husband's cheated' it's all about the pragmatic. No time to sit and wallow while the bastard cleans out your joint account.

And if she'd cut him with a glass in response most posters would be reading her the riot act.

dontgobaconmyheart · 17/11/2019 11:29

All he's seen is the evidence that it's over OP. You were way out of line in what you did but his violence and behaviour is appalling.

He has obviously lost the plot op and is trying to desperately do anything, and that is worrying actually. I would be concerned about what he might do as he is clearly unwell.

You pay everything so I'd take the dog to a friends so je can't steal or harm it to spite you, remind him you don't need to 'sneak' because you can do whatever you bloody like, tell him it's over and he's leaving or you'll be calling the police. I would report him for throwing a glass regardless, take photos of the injury and for cutting up your cards.

10 years is really very little relative to the length of our lives OP and you are well rid. He's not your responsibility- he is trying to hurt you fgs.

abitlostandalwayshungry · 17/11/2019 11:32

This is so spot on!!!!!

It doesn't matter whether his behaviour is as a result of mental health issues or not @yellowallpaper. No one has to put up with abuse and the OP is being abused by this man.

Especially after his refusal to accept any form of therapy or counselling.

erniepigy · 17/11/2019 11:53

LEAVE! This is a dead relationship and you may well have done things for each other, support wise, financially, emotionally BUT that’s life.
You both deserve better and may well find it elsewhere. Nothing will get better in the relationship, its done and the quicker you admit that, the better

Wizzbangpop · 17/11/2019 12:30

Seriously LTB - and don't blame yourself for last night. Throwing glass at you and hurting you and cutting up your cards is far far far worse than kissing some guy.

You don't say if you're married or if you have dcs but for yours and their sake get out.

The fact that he's been treating you like a skivvy and the job stuff is dumpable offence in itself. But what he did to you last night is just horrid Thanks

drivingtofrance · 17/11/2019 12:38

Get out. Tomorrow.

He is not enhancing your life. He's draining you.

He will not change for the better.

He's probably scared as he might now ha e to support himself. Earn his own money, cook, clean and manage his own life.

You owe him nothing.

Mix56 · 17/11/2019 13:43

Good God, you could have replied, "No nothing is alright", Get yourself out of bed I have something to tell you."
let him sit at the kitchen table & say,
"I am done, I have given all I have to give. You need to move out." (He will refuse, reply I am selling the house, )
Get him gone, don't be sucked back in.
Move on & be happy

Sushiroller · 17/11/2019 13:49

Cut and run...

You sound intelligent - you already know you should not marry this man and cannot have children with him.

And FWIW I think he has behaved / is behaving appallingly, you made a mistake....

Chesntoots · 17/11/2019 13:55

Just waiting for his thinly-veiled suicide "threats"...just another form of control.

I had this with an ex for 6 years. It drove me to a breakdown. We split up over 14 years ago. Guess what? He's still alive.

(For clarity, I am in no way criticising anyone with mental health issues. Threatening suicide in an abusive / controlling relationship is in itself a form of control).

Palavah · 17/11/2019 14:45

He is abusive. I'd be calling the police after he assaulted you.

Do not go to couple's therapy with an abuser.

IsThisNormal1 · 17/11/2019 14:47

The family drama... I've posted about it on here before and it's outing but here goes. My parents helped me/us with a sizable deposit on our house. Little did I know it came with a tie that they felt they "owned" the house and could move in whenever they wanted. (Boundaries have always been non-existent my entire childhood). The time came and they sold up their house without me knowing and announced they were moving in with me. I refused, they got mad, and they decided to take us to court for the money back. It was a gift 100% but because they're my parents and I trusted them, nothing was ever put in writing to say it was a gift. Huge lengthy court battle where we were in real danger of having to sell the house to recoup the money. It was resolved 2 years ago, we won the case and I've been NC with them ever since.

So, yes it was a traumatic time in our lives. The people I/we trusted were capable of putting us through so much grief. Unfortunately, DP's beloved gran also died during this time so that was a lot of added stress for him too, I don't feel he has been able to grieve for her properly.

We have spoken a little today and he has agreed to counselling. He came out with me when I walked the dog but spent the whole time shuffling at a snails pace with his head down.

He's hurting. I can see that. I've never said what I did was right or justified.

Bizarrely I've discovered he's also smashed a picture of mine too. Not sure when this happened as I didn't see it yesterday. He has apologised for this, and for cutting up my cards (he has now given me his card for our joint account), and apologised for throwing the glass at me. He said he was aiming for the wall. Not sure I believe that.

OP posts:
IsThisNormal1 · 17/11/2019 14:48

Sorry, when I say picture of mine I didn't mean a picture of me. Just a picture I've had for many years since before we met.

OP posts:
Hearhoovesthinkzebras · 17/11/2019 15:03

It's obviously a very difficult situation that has been complicated massively by last night's events.

I don't think that you can expect him to just forget what happened because you say you're sorry or didn't intend to do it. He will have to figure out how he deals with it, if indeed he can.

Equally, you shouldn't just forget what he did to you and need to get advice on how to proceed now.

It sounds like you've both gone through some very stressful times but maybe the relationship is over and you would both be better moving on?

BrightYellowDaffodil · 17/11/2019 15:10

he has agreed to counselling

Be very wary of this. My ex agreed to counselling and not only did he use it to try and manipulate me into believing that how I felt was wrong, but he openly told me at the end that he didn't see it as being for him, only for me and only agreed to go because - and I quote - "I thought counselling would fix you because you weren't agreeing with me". He had more baggage than BA but completely refused to address any of it.

After the first couple of sessions it was obvious he wasn't engaging and I wish I'd split up there and then and saved the money.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 17/11/2019 15:14

Joint counselling does not work on or for such people like your H. You are not safe enough emotionally either to embark on any form of joint counselling with him because of the abuse he has meted out. Such men can and do manipulate counsellors into taking their side and you will not be heard.

He may be "hurting" but that is nothing really compared to what he and your family of origin has put you through. He needs to take some responsibility for his actions and he is not.

EKGEMS · 17/11/2019 15:22

He assaulted you last night. If he wasn't such a coward he should've gone for the man who was kissing you and not you!

Mix56 · 17/11/2019 15:29

Forget kissing the nice interesting man
Your relationship is dead in the water

dreichwinter · 17/11/2019 15:38

OP I think it might be more productive for you to have solo counseling to look at why you are wanting to stay with a man who gives you no affection, you have no sex life with, doesn't support you running the home and who when angry with you becomes abusive.
You need to develop a much stronger sense of self worth.

IsThisNormal1 · 17/11/2019 15:39

I know the advice is to not go to counselling with an abuser. I think the next step is for us both to go to counselling independently.

He's been trying to gaslight me today. Telling me he was outside "for several minutes" watching me kiss him. Not true because it was literally seconds. Saying he saw hands wandering. Again, absolutely not true.

He is due to go to work soon. I've got wine chilling in the fridge. Wine

Again, thank you all for your replies. It's been so helpful to me.

OP posts: