Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

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

Hand hold needed after huge fight with DH

97 replies

MrsSwears2Much · 25/04/2020 03:50

My husband blew up after an extremely petty disagreement tonight.
He asked me to make another drink (alcoholic) and I playfully pointed out that I was pretty sure it was his turn as I had made them all evening.

His whole demeanour changed and the nasty look that crossed his face made my stomach contract. He shouted. Called me a liar.
And for the record I wasn't lying.
The fact is though, that he was having a beer -sometimes 2- with every Cubra Libre I made (3). And in the short space of an hour had knocked over 4 drinks (the kids, mine and his own beer). So I really did think he was too drunk by this point anyway.

I don't like confrontation at all, so took myself upstairs. And the kids followed me. They were unhappy with his raised voice.
So now "I have turned the kids against him. I need to get out of his life. He hates me. Blah blah blah."
He followed me in and out of our bedroom 4 times. Screaming abuse. I stayed calm. Didn't engage. He wouldn't allow me to talk when I tried anyway. Would just shout and swear over me.

He was starting to really scare our youngest (5yo DS) and our eldest (10yo DS) came into the room asking if I was okay. So I tried to block the door to protect them from the aggression.

This was a bad idea as their father flung the door open (I was holding it closed, asking him to please go back downstairs) and literally flung me across the room onto the bed beside the kids, by his arm on my neck. He picked up a full water bottle from my vanity unit to throw at me, but threw it at the window instead. He then made comments saying I was looking dramatic and trying to get sympathy.

After his 8th go of screaming at me how horrible I am he finally fell asleep downstairs.
But the kids were crying and wanting me to take them to my mum and dads house. Saying that dad is too angry tonight and it's scary.

This is not the first drunken fight, but it's the first time he has lay his hands on me. I'm just so lost. I love him sober. He is a totally different man without alcohol.

OP posts:
MrsTerryPratchett · 25/04/2020 14:47

It does not matter if he's an alcoholic or not, it only matters that he verbally, emotionally and physically abuses his own wife and children when he drinks.

I'm normally a stickler for definitions with substance abuse.

In this case it's very very simple. He knows alcohol makes him abusive, he still drinks. He decides to pick up the first drink that causes this when he is sober. So no, sober him isn't a nice guy either.

Please get your kids somewhere safe.

CheshireChat · 25/04/2020 14:58

You say you love him when he's sober- but does he love you enough not to drink?

No? Thought so.

firsttimemum30 · 25/04/2020 15:19

I hope you're ok OP. I hope more that you've found the strength to put your kids and your safety first and left him. Please don't become another statistic Flowers

whynotchange · 25/04/2020 15:24

I hope you are ok, please stay safe. I've been there.

rvby · 25/04/2020 15:59

@MrsSwears2Much I'm not sure how much worse this has to get before you listen to your kids? Please do as they ask.

There is no reason that would make it ok for you to keep exposing them to this violent home.

Your husband is a dangerous abuser and you need to put your kids first, how H feels and what he wants doesnt matter any more.

MashedPotatoBrainz · 25/04/2020 16:10

I was married to some like this. You have to leave or get him to leave. It will only get worse and worse. Be prepared for a sob story, for tears and manipulation, anything to get you back in line. He'll promise you it'll never happen again and you'll believe him because he will mean it. But it will happen again. And again. And again, until you end it.

GreenFairy246 · 25/04/2020 17:51

This was my childhood, it will get worse, don't let your children go through what I went through... it marks you for your entire life, every relationship you have, with everyone you meet...

deepwatersolo · 25/04/2020 18:46

I would insist on a ‚no alcohol‘ rule in the house. I frankly don‘t think it is healthy to drink in front of the kids, anyway. (If it were just one glass of wine or one beer in a family that has never seen an alcohol fueled escalation, that would be different, but that ship has sailed).
If he can‘t stick to that or doesn‘t remorsefully feel it is necessary, you need to leave.
You should also make a rule of not drinking at home - even if you leave. Otherwise you might attract the same type of partner and issues again.
I think your kids need to learn that alcohol is rather an exception (a glass on new year‘s eve...) than a part of ‚every day’ life. (Not saying you guys drink every day. But it didn‘t sound like it was a special celebration, and even then I‘m not sure having several drinks at home with small kids present is a healthy way of celebrating).

YRGAM · 25/04/2020 18:53

OP, is everything alright?

YRGAM · 25/04/2020 18:58

Deepwatersolo, I don't agree that alcohol should be seen as something for a special occasion. It's healthy for kids to learn that people can drink small amounts of alcohol regularly, in moderation, without it changing their character. But this isn't really the thread for that discussion

TeenyQueen · 25/04/2020 19:03

Omg, you were left shaken this time, next time it may be a severe head injury or even worse. I feel so sorry for you and your children. No child should ever have to see their parent being violent and abusive. You have to get out or get him to leave. You and your children deserve better!

It doesn't matter how lovely he is when sober, he's choosing to drink knowing it makes him abusive. That isn't love. That isn't responsible parenting. Your DH will always be your children's father regardless of whether you're still married to him or not, but YOU need to teach your children that abuse isn't acceptable and women deserve respect.

IgglePiggleNotInBed · 25/04/2020 19:09

Hope you're OK OP x

deepwatersolo · 25/04/2020 19:09

YRGAM I actually also said that but as I also said that ship has sailed. For all of them.

That said, why it would be an important lesson to learn for kids that some adults can drink alcohol regularly without turning into monsters is beyond me. I would consider the lesson that you can have lots of fun without alcohol (or drugs) more important.

YRGAM · 25/04/2020 19:22

I just think prohibition and mystifying alcohol isn't the right way to go. Obviously this case is totally different

deepwatersolo · 25/04/2020 19:30

Drinking only on special occasions isn’t prohibition, though - unless for habitual drinkers, obviously.

rvby · 25/04/2020 19:47

If this case is totally different, then don't bring that up in this thread @YRGAM

If you want to talk about your ideas of what others should believe about alcohol, start a new thread

mathanxiety · 25/04/2020 19:56

I apologise for my previous rash post and I hope the following will flesh out and clarify my thoughts here. I believe we are all on the same page here, with shared insights into what is going on in the OP's home and what needs to change.

www.verywellmind.com/enabling-its-not-blaming-the-family-67226
Enabling: It's Not Blaming the Family article here.
"Many Times Family Members Sincerely Think They Are Helping"
Article ^

www.verywellmind.com/why-is-alcoholism-called-a-family-disease-63294
The Partner As the Enabler article here ^.
As the alcoholic behavior escalates and becomes routine in your own home, the last thing that would occur to you is to get help. You've been slowly drawn into the thinking that you should protect the alcoholic because you care. You cover for him, lie for him and hide the truth. You keep secrets, no matter how bad the chaos has become.

There is a very well-recognised and tragically predictable sequence of events here.

On the topic of enabling and all that goes with it - I think this summary is an important one to include:

Enabling vs Helping an Alcoholic

Many times while trying to help, friends and family members actually make the situation worse by enabling the alcoholic (such as giving them the wrong types of gifts that can enable their addiction)

What Is Enabling?

Enabling is defined as doing things for a person with an alcohol problem that they normally could and would do for themselves if they were sober. In contrast, helping is doing something that the alcoholic could not or would not do for themselves if sober. Helping does not protect an alcoholic from the consequences of his or her actions.

Anything that you do that does protect the alcoholic or addict from the consequences of his or her actions, could be enabling him to delay a decision to get help for their problem. Therefore, it's in the best interest of the alcoholic, in the long run, if you stop whatever you are doing to enable them. Enabling is not helping.
From:
www.verywellmind.com/how-to-stop-enabling-an-alcoholic-63083

Disabling (a better word is dismantling) the mindset that causes the enabling is vital before a situation will be turned around. It stems from a mistaken set of beliefs - that you caused a problem, that you can control a problem and that you can cure a problem.

Alcohol abuse on the part of one individual in a relationship is not something the other party can control or cure. It's not something the other party caused.

In the same way, abuse in a relationship is not something the abused party can control or cure and it's not something the victim caused.

The belief that you caused, can control or cure abuse is a very strong belief that is a very predictable - to the point of being almost universal - side effect of a relationship with an abuser (and it's addressed in Twelve Step approaches to treating families of alcoholics and also in therapy aimed at victims of DV).

Hence 'walking on eggshells' - doing everything in your power not to provoke the abuser. Even though the abuser's attacks are irrational and unpredictable, a victim will try to maintain a sense that she is in control of her situation by careful monitoring of the abuser's mood and adjustments to her behaviour.

DV is a world with its own rules, its own rhythms. The ultimate aim of DV is to make a victim feel she has no option but to stay and absorb more abuse. This doesn't mean that a victim who has been beaten down to that point is complicit in her abuse. It does mean that tackling the toxic belief she has been forced to live with must be addressed.

There is a difference between stating that a belief exists and governs someone's behaviour and responses, and blaming that person for having that belief. The word 'enabling' comes across as very negative, a reflection on the 'enabler', which is incredibly unfortunate. Enabling happens when there is fear and a strong sense or perception of powerlessness on the part of the victim, often caused by the abuser or the alcoholic, and always reflecting an imbalance of power in a relationship.

The belief that the power to cause, control and cure abuse lies within the power of the victim needs to be uncovered and dismantled - it's part of the process of disengagement which has to happen if a victim is going to gain the strength to get free and stay free of abuse.

CupoTeap · 25/04/2020 20:01

Please think about your children. Can you really risk putting them through this experience ever again?

Embracelife · 25/04/2020 20:16

Take the dc and leave.
It s an essential journey.

Washyourhandsyoufilthyanimal · 25/04/2020 20:25

Take them to your mum and dads. Don’t make them stay somewhere they are scared.

binkyblinky · 25/04/2020 20:27

Thankfully never been violent (yet) but also living with an alcoholic in our family. Sending you much love xx

firsttimemum30 · 26/04/2020 16:53

Are you safe OP?

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

This thread is closed and is no longer accepting replies. Click here to start a new thread.

Swipe left for the next trending thread