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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 being over sensitive?

113 replies

HittyPitty · 24/05/2020 22:45

Hello, I’ve namechanged so as not to link to other things I’ve posted. I’ve been feeling more and more upset by my husband and think the lockdown has intensified things. I’m unsure if I’m being over sensitive or whether he’s using that label to give me no way to assert myself.

He’s a very charismatic person, he does public speaking and is very opinionated. Since we had our son to me he’s become obsessive about certain things. I’m a SAHM and it was bad when he was working but with him being in the house all the time I feel like a member of staff.

He questions me about what our son has eaten, he’s 3 and very picky but I find not making a bit deal of it is the best approach. As an example yesterday he got mad because I gave him a comic at breakfast time rather than saving it for later in the day to use as a bribe or distraction. He questioned the way I’d cut some meat up saying I should have left it in a big piece. I’d cut it up as the day before my son had asked me to cut it up. He also tried to grab the plate to remove the ketchup I’d put on it, despite it being him who introduced it. He said it was too much and it wasn’t good enough. His tone is very blunt and like an employer.

He ignores me when I speak if he’s watching TV or if our son is with us. It is true I talk too much and I’ve tried to talk less in the evening, but don’t understand why he can’t converse with me when we’re all together. I hate it as he showers our son with affection but doesn’t answer me so I feel excluded.

He won’t back me up and tells our son yes when I’ve said no, or else laughs and says he won’t get involved. He has started carrying him around so now he won’t walk anywhere, whereas he was enjoying walks before.

He keeps on about how he’s the sole bread winner, which is true, but it seems like it’s being used to imply I’m not up to scratch and to justify anything.

If I ever assert myself for example get cross about his tone of voice or the way he talks to me he just say it’s me who is at fault and I have to accept him for who he is. If I say the same he just finds fault with me and says he’s not putting up with it.

Tonight he has said I’m an angry person with a chip on my shoulder and I’m to change other wise he will leave me. He says everything is in my head, I’m paranoid and there is nothing wrong with his tone. He often barks out a list of what has to change about me and says I need therapy. I did see a counsellor who thought he sounded emotionally abusive from what I’ve said.

I’m beginning to feel very frozen over emotionally and can’t feel any happy emotions very often.

My reasoning is clouded and I get confused when he has these rants so just wanted to share really as if I told anyone I know they would never believe me as he’s so friendly.

OP posts:
Ohnoherewego62 · 24/05/2020 22:47

What are you getting out of this????

You know it's no good!

longtimecomin · 24/05/2020 22:49

This is abuse!! You must realise this right??

Aknifewith16blades · 24/05/2020 22:50

Sounds like he's gas-lighting you. Time to move on.

funnylittlefloozie · 24/05/2020 22:51

He's nasty and abusive. He is abusing you and your son. Is this what you want for your one and only life?

If he left, would it be such a bad thing, really (and please dont come back with the "but hes an amaaaazing dad and our child would be gutted if he wasnt there" - hes NOT an amazing dad)?

longtimecomin · 24/05/2020 22:51

Coercive control - google it!!

Allinadaystwerk · 24/05/2020 22:54

There is only one way to say this. You are not over sensitive.
He is emotionally abusive.
You do not have to put up with it
You can leave and be free.
You can take care of yourself.
Think on these statements and if/when you believe them your life will change.
Much easier said than done.but it's the only way for you to have quality of life. Keep talking. State the things he has done and continues to do and recognise the abuse.

LouiseTrees · 24/05/2020 22:54

A suggestion perhaps. If you’ve been to therapy and your person said he sounded abusive, why don’t you suggest he gives “suggestions” to the therapist and therefore attends with you. Basically you then end up with a couples therapy session. You can then assess if it’s worth saving or just to leave him. My dad sounds quite like your husband but he’s not like that all the time, they’ve been married 37 years this year and actually I don’t think they’d have made it through unless a) I told my dad some home truths as a teenager and b) my mum stopped being a doormat.

HollowTalk · 24/05/2020 22:59

I'd be praying that he'd leave me.

Crikey0000 · 24/05/2020 23:00

No, you're not over sensitive he's abusive.

Buggedandconfused · 24/05/2020 23:12

Read ‘why does he do that’ by Lundy Bancroft. He’s being emotionally abusive.

pog100 · 24/05/2020 23:42

If course you aren't being oversensitive, just the opposite. You are parenting properly, he is an abusive controlling arsehole. Let him leave, and sort a new life out. Did you work before you became a mother? I think you need to look into earning again, asserting yourself properly, and splitting.

HittyPitty · 25/05/2020 00:26

Thank you for all the replies, it is a relief to read them. I can’t believe how he twists things round and confuses me. He expects me to listen when he gives me all his angry opinions on various things, or tells me the things he is worried about, but glazes over or tells me I can’t read social cues when I talk.

If I stick up for myself he says it’s not all about you, and says I’m selfish or ludicrous. If I keep quiet he says I’m incapable of an adult conversation.

He said tonight it’s a good thing he’s been here to see what actually goes in when he’s at work, implying I’m not a good mum in terms of feeding our son. He will rarely sit with us for meals but obsessively watches our son from the side to see what he’s eating or quizzes me later on it,

I feel awful as I do often feel angry and bad tempered with him, and he’s said I’m a very angry person with a chip on my shoulder. I have also had anger towards his family to do with some really insensitive behaviour so I guess I have become an angry person.

He’s had quite a go at me tonight and says I make him miserable, but I have done so much to try and make him happy over the years. I can’t witk out if I’ve caused him to become like this. Now he’s perfectly happy though after his rant!!

My little boy thinks he is wonderful as he comes and plays with him for a bit and rarely says no, so I look like the strict one. He does no care for him really, just playing.

He also said, when you’re out as a family the parents should not converse between themselves about anything at length, all the attention should be focused on the child. I find that a strange thing to say but as I do talk too much I wonder if that’s what most people do. This was when I asked why he ignores me when we’re all out together. What a lot of confusion!

OP posts:
Allinadaystwerk · 25/05/2020 00:40

My stbxh used to tell me to not talk when around others. I remember we had his friends round once and I made a small comment in the conversation. No one batted an eyelid. The nest day he told me of saying I was embarrassing him and showing off. He used to tell me I talked too much and I began to believe him. I still catch myself saying sorry I know I talk too much when talking to others. Long term emotional abuse is insidious and hugely damaging.

HittyPitty · 25/05/2020 00:42

I should have said, he’s not like this all the time, just on and off and it builds up to a big rant where he lists all the things I have to change :(

OP posts:
Allinadaystwerk · 25/05/2020 00:43

For the record, no one else has ever told me I talk too much. Or that i am selfish, ungrateful disrespectful, haggard, a bad parent, frigid, damaged, only he told me I was these things.
So glad we are separated

Allinadaystwerk · 25/05/2020 00:44

If they were like it all the time it would be easy to leave. But even when they are lovely deep down you know it can and will change at some point.

HittyPitty · 25/05/2020 00:44

That’s horrible, poor you, I hope you realise you don’t talk too much. That sounds very cruel. My husband often gets very bolshy at family get togethers and will pick me up on embarrassing things I’ve said on the way home. Sounds very similar.

OP posts:
Allinadaystwerk · 25/05/2020 00:45

Seriously op think about changing things for yourself.

HittyPitty · 25/05/2020 00:46

I just read the rest of your list, how horrible. I hope you are beginning to overcome being treated so badly.

OP posts:
Allinadaystwerk · 25/05/2020 00:47

Yes it does sound similar..they are narcissistic twats. When you stop and think about it... just who do they think they are,?

Allinadaystwerk · 25/05/2020 00:50

I am recovering slowly but surely. Been separated acyear and my confidence is returning. He still tries to drag me back into situations where he can control but I am learning to recognise it and adjust. It takes ages to re learn.
What do you think you want to do about your situation?

HittyPitty · 25/05/2020 00:50

Well I still can’t believe he isn’t right about me as he says it so convincingly. Any time I try and put my point across he says well it’s not about you. I’ve had narcissist traits mentioned by the counsellor. But he doesn’t treat anyone else like it and never does it in front of anyone else. It’s hard to overcome how it makes you feel isn’t it. Look after yourself and good luck with your new and happy future.

OP posts:
greengauges · 25/05/2020 00:51

Your counsellor was 100% right - this is abuse.

HittyPitty · 25/05/2020 00:53

Well I feel like it’s only just dawning on me. I’ve told him before he’s been controlling and verbally abusuve and he says it’s my pathology to react like that to any form of criticism, I’m paranoid and imagining it. I am trying to read into it more and get my head feeling straighter. I’m glad to hear you are feeling better and more able to cope with him.

OP posts:
Allinadaystwerk · 25/05/2020 00:53

Thank you I hope to. How about you. Do you think you will stay and work things out?