Stuck due to lockdown, trying to shield child

[HGranger]

Some of you may well have read previous threads. My marriage has been on the rocks for a long time. I was slowly considering leaving might be the only option and then of course lockdown happened. Things haven't been as bad as I was worried they might be. But we have come close at times, with him starting to call me names again and being quite spiteful at times. One thing I cannot tolerate is the way he will argue with me through conversations with our child. Like 'yes, mummy does hate daddy', or 'no, mummy doesnt want anything to do with us' and others. I am desperately trying to keep our child out of this, but it is incredibly difficult, as he refuses to do the same. How can I protect her from this, whilst we are stuck in this situation?

Is there anywhere else you can go?

@LonnyVonnyWilsonFrickett I don't really think so. My parents are over 70, and the rest of my family doesn't have room.

How old is DC?

@EvenMoreFuriousVexation a toddler.

Not much advice but bumping for you

Oooh that's tough then.

I think I'd play the long game - keep smiling and nodding "yes dear" for now, but get out as soon as humanly possible and arrange counselling for your DC to help overcome the harmful things they have been told.

Don't underestimate how hurtful and harmful this type of abuse can be to a child. Have a read of any of Alice Miller's work.

If you were to tell your parents examples of his behaviour, do you think they would tell you to come home?

@evenmorefuriousvexation probably. But with this virus going round, I'm terrified of giving it to them. You are right. I should just play the long game, and try and make life bearable for the time being.