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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 to manage emotional abuse in lockdown

8 replies

BayTiger · 17/04/2020 23:37

Hello everyone,

I just typed out a whole thread and lost it so I will try and remember what what I put! I have written quite a bit about my relationship which I have gradually realised is at times abusive emotionally, my husband is very clever, has a great job, very charismatic and no one would ever believe me if I told them. Even my mum doubts me I think as I have the perimenopause and get irritable.

We have a two year old daughter and it feels like he micromanages me, even more at the moment! I have to give a run down of what she had eaten. If I fill up the paddling pool he runs out to check the temperature and whether I have done it properly. He makes a big show of taking over and making it nice and warm even if I haven’t t finished.

Last weekend I made a nice lunch with lots of different bits, while he was asleep, our daughter is very picky so I knew she probably would not eat it, but she tried a few things. He then said oh she doesn’t want that, I will make a sandwich. I said don’t worry I’ll do it, to which he said, no she’s very picky at the moment and you don’t know how to make it. This is a cheese spread sandwich that I make all the time! He then apologised to her because I didn’t pull all the strings off a piece of celery and said he’d do it better and said oh you poor thing I’m sorry.

It’s like he’s in competition with me and constantly covers her in affection. I feel like his housekeeper. He won’t ever say no or back me up if I say no. My little girl actually told me to stop fussing yesterday as she had heard him saying it.

With this lockdown he’s at home all the time and has a comment to make about everything I do. Apparently she never ever misbehaves when he takes her out only when I do. He rarely does anything together and takes naps whenever he can, he will only go
out with our daughter about once a week. It’s so sad as I used to adore him and have been slowly realising he isn’t what I thought he was :(

I’ve been getting nervous with him hovering about watching everything and don’t know the best way to manage it. If I ignore him I can’t have an adult conversation. If I defend myself I’m spoiling for a fight. Other times I’m obtuse or have a victim mentality. I don’t know if I’m coming or going and my emotions are all frozen, I can’t feel anything. I have a plan in place but just wondering the best approach for now.

He’s become very obsessed with us getting ill and is talking about getting our daughter’s passport and relocating to his home country. When I said no he said how can you be SO selfish: he got so mad he slept on the sofa and kept telling me to fuck off when I asked him to come to bed :( I can’t believe the situation I find myself in at times, but I’m glad I’ve recognised it. Thank you so much.

OP posts:
BayTiger · 17/04/2020 23:44

Ps sorry for a couple of typos.

OP posts:
Justtryingtobehelpful · 17/04/2020 23:51

He sounds like a torture!

Read and observe him. Start to see what he's doing for real. Get these books on your Kindle.

Lundy Bancroft's book 'Why Does He Do That? docdro.id/py03

www.amazon.co.uk/Why-Does-He-That-Controlling-ebook/dp/B000Q9J0RO?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

How He Gets into Her Head: The Mind of the Male Intimate Abuser www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1855942208/ref=cm_sw_r_em_apa_i_gxxAEbBTMRXTM?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

On how to change how you speak with and respond to him:
Never Split the Difference: Negotiating as if Your Life Depended on It www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1847941494/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_i_HSXgEbDGGKQCE?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

Grey Rock Method
www.aconsciousrethink.com/6158/gray-rock-method-dealing-narcissist/

Keep on hanging in there still this is over! Unless you decide to go as you can under the CV rules.. ..

category12 · 18/04/2020 00:02

You can leave if it's lockdown that's keeping you there.

I'd hide your dd's passport, if I were you.

YgritteSnow · 18/04/2020 00:52

Where's he from? Is it a country which recognises The Hague Convention?

My ex was like this with our kids. Always overruling me, talking to them in loud, jolly tones about how shit I was. He mentally destroyed me for many years.

Get the books linked to previously especially Lundy Bancroft. That book saved me.

BayTiger · 18/04/2020 09:29

Thank you for the links, I hadn’t heard of most of them so will give them a try. I have read Lundy and think my husband is a water torturer. Such a shame as he does have a lovely side. I’ve also been having some counselling to see how I’ve let this situation happen so that has helped with self awareness and building some self esteem.

The trouble is when I do answer back it leads to a big drama so I’m best off ignoring a lot of things. It’s only just dawned on me that people like this want to see your reaction.

All the best to everyone else in this situation, although many people have it far, far worse.

OP posts:
CherryPavlova · 18/04/2020 09:43

I think in the short term try smiling graciously and tell him off like a naughty child for being over-helpful. Thank him for offering but say you’re worried about things you haven’t been able to do.

Then give him a list of jobs to do that you are good at but he’s rubbish - or just jobs. Explain you need his help and won’t be able to do them as you’re doing x and y.

Try suggesting he
Washes all the bins because they smell a bit
Cleans the grouting in the bathrooms
Bakes banana loaf cake and makes pizza bases for supper
Repairs a few of your daughters dresses and sews missing buttons on.
Removes stains from various materials - clothing, tablecloths, tea towels etc
Cleans the skirting boards
Tidies the shed
Does daily story time with your daughter to give you time for a nice long bath
Sources and grows raspberries, carrots, garlic, beans and beetroot as you’ve heard they will be in short supply.
Repaints the front door
Tidies the cutlery drawer
Cleans out the fridges
Makes scrubs or scrub bags for the local hospital
Sets up social contact for your daughter using zoom.

You’ll think of loads more. Never cross just things to keep him busy and stop him interfering whilst remembering it is hard. We are all on top of each other but there is more than one way to crack an egg.

BayTiger · 18/04/2020 14:17

Thank you Cherry, that’s also good advice and I’m currently trying being cheerful all the time.

OP posts:
CodenameVillanelle · 18/04/2020 14:21

Plan to separate. Hide her passport. Once you've separated then apply to court for a prohibited steps order to prevent him taking her abroad without your consent

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