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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

Am I in an abusive marriage?

13 replies

Milliemoosey · 27/01/2020 15:07

I desperately need advice. I have spoken to people close to me and they have all given their advice but I need an outsiders opinion. I'm sorry it's so long!! Xx

I have been with my husband for 7 years. We have been married for 7 months. We have 2 children (eldest is mine from previous relationship). He works in a very good, well paid job (approx. £90k p/a), I work part-time (approx. £7k p/a).

He's always been a bit controlling, but in a subtle way. Basically, if there's a big decision to be made he'll be the one to make it. I have no say, no voice. If I have an opinion it'll be half listened to, if he can tear himself off of his phone, and then my opinion is irrelevant as we're basically going with whatever he decides.
For instance 'my' car, he chose a huge 4x4, I didn't want it, it was too big but he just said we needed it and I'd get used to driving it! After a year I put my foot down and said I don't want it anymore! So he compromised, I could have smaller car but only if it was an Audi, BMW or Mercedes. He has to make sure everything he has is the best. The car is in his name.
He controls all financial aspects, all bills come out of his bank account. We have a 'joint' account but this is money he puts in from his personal bank account. This is for shopping and anything the children need. If this runs out I have to ask him to put more in. Then I get questioned; how much, what for, are you sure we need it. He moans at me for spending it and claims we have no money but I have no idea what he gets paid per month, what bills we pay, what savings we have, nothing!!
He alway makes me feel like I'm not good enough for him like I should look after myself better, go to the gym, go running etc. He'll make a face or a noise if I eat something he doesn't think I should, or if he isn't eating the same. It's like everything is ok for him but it's a different story for me.
He's very manipulative but not in an obvious way. I suffer with severe depression and am in strong antidepressants. If I try to talk to him about anything he says he'll change (does for a couple weeks then straight back to how he was before), or he'll ask if it's because of my illness that I'm like this. I'm
I moved 100 miles away from my family and friends to be with him. I was having a really hard time where I lived, I was a single parent, really struggling. I met him online and it felt as if he was 'saving' me, my knight in shining armour. But now it's all changed and I feel so lonely, trapped and suffocated! I have no family where I live now (I'm extremely close to my family), a few friends. I've asked and discussed if we can move back to where I'm from and he just tells me all these reasons why it would be a terrible idea. My daughter is 8 and has started asking if we can move back as she's really unhappy being away from her family. We moved when she was 2!
I could go on talking about things he does for a lot longer but I won't bore you anymore!!
I just need help, I have no idea what to do! I'm desperately unhappy, don't particularly like him anymore let alone love him but I'll be breaking up our family if I leave, not sure I can do that to my babies. Plus if ever I speak to him about me being unhappy he gets upset and I feel so guilty like I've ripped his heart in two!

Please help xx

OP posts:
Nogoodwithgoodbyes · 27/01/2020 15:13

Have you spoken to a therapist? That's always a great first step. Best of luck. x

Whynosnowyet · 27/01/2020 15:18

See a solicitor. They will find out exactly how much he has. .
Financial abuse is worth divorcing over ime...

lazylinguist · 27/01/2020 15:24

Better to break up your family than to bring your children up in a household where they will see their mother being controlled, belittled and financially abused. Is this the kind of relationship you want your daughter to think is normal for a woman to put up with?

followingonfromthat · 27/01/2020 15:30

Oh my word, yes he is definitely an abuser.

Milliemoosey · 27/01/2020 15:38

I don't even care about the money, I know he lies about that. I just want to be free of him. It's crazy as looking at him as an 'abuser' to me seems strange as I don't feel 'abused' but he makes me feel worthless, useless and ugly. He doesn't even say those things to me, it's how he is with me. He doesn't really come near me anymore. He'll stare at women in the street and in an obvious way, occasionally the women look at me with pity cause it's blatantly obvious he is eyeing them up! Then if I say anything he has no idea what I'm talking about. Or if I get annoyed with him after he's all lovely and kisses me, puts his arm round me.

OP posts:
HDDD · 27/01/2020 15:43

Yes you are. Have a look at Women's Aid. Make a plan.

justdontknow45 · 27/01/2020 15:55

Yes.
Ring a local DA charity to make a safe plan to leave.

Delbelleber · 27/01/2020 16:10

Make a plan and leave him. You deserve better

Lozzerbmc · 27/01/2020 16:14

Yes he is abusive please make a plan to leave and get as much support as you can.

CandyFlossSkies · 27/01/2020 16:24

The salary difference between you is not exactly helping the situation. You are being infantilised. Moaning at you for spending on essentials and saying you have no money is ridiculous, unless he is spending outside his means on things that you aren't aware of. 90k is plenty of money. Do you live in an expensive area, or do your children go to private school? Could you support yourself on your own?

Have a look at 'agreeableness' personality trait. It seems like he's quite low in it and that can be bullying, pushy or controlling if not kept in check. Sometimes people in certain industries or positions are like this. What does he do for a living?

followingonfromthat · 27/01/2020 16:29

he makes me feel worthless, useless and ugly

That's the abuse right there.

LCScotmum · 27/01/2020 16:44

you sound like you could be me. I'm in a very similar situation. I totally get the struggling to see him as an abuser cause you just cant see yourself as being in that situation but that is what it is.

its not nice. you shouldn't have to ask for money nor feel undervalued. your not his child if you want to go out and do something you can!

my husband is also the main earner, its a scary thing leaving. I'm terrified but also at a point I cant face being this down.

think to yourself, do you want to be in the same situation in 5 or 10 years time? actually even in a years time.

I've been living desperately unhappy for 4 years. its not nice, I'm leaving. if your truly not happy, go with your gut instinct as its usually always right. You've reached the maximum capacity of BS you can take OP. you have nothing to feel guilty about and the kids will be ok. I have two myself and haven't told them anything and wont be until I have a flat sorted, it will be hard but I know they will be ok.

goodluck.

DesertRoza · 29/01/2020 13:13

I'm so sorry that you are enduring this type of relationship. I agree with several other people here that encourage you to seek counseling, at least for yourself first. Are you able to stay with any family?

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