I pushed him over the edge

[Elljam]

My husband and I haven't been getting along great recently but no real big arguments just sarky remarks here and there. Tonight I brought dinner in and we started to argue over it and he snapped. He never really gets angry but he was screaming infront of the kids and calling me names so I took his dinner and flung it outside and he belted me across the face infront of our kids. I shouldn't have done that. My kids where crying. My glasses burst my nose. Im in shock. What do I do now?

Call the police, right now.

You’ve been assaulted.

Where did you learn that a man's allowed to hit you if he doesn't like your behavior?

Call the police and make sure this is logged.

If nothing else, even if you are not ready to throw him out, it will give him pause for thought. He won't want the embarrassment of being known to the local constabulary as a wife beater. Which -be clear about this-is what he is.

Your poor children seeing this. What you do next will teach them what's acceptable in a relationship ship and it isn't this. What would you be telling your daughter to do if it had happened to her. Phone the police and log it.

You need to contact the police and report this assault. Take photos of the injuries too. And you all need to get away from him. I suspect he won’t leave and that you’re afraid of him. Call a relative, a friend, someone you trust. If you can’t drive or travel easily to them ask them or a taxi to come and get you. Take the children and maybe any pets you are worried about. And stay safe. This man isn’t worth your time or effort. He is a violent bully and it will continue. Your children will be affected by witnessing violence. Do not stay with him. You deserve so much better than this vile man.

Please don't take responsibility for somebody else's aggression and violence.

He assaulted you, it was his choice. Your children have witnessed violence and you cannot control his choices. Unfortunately, once a man gives himself permission to do that, the chances that it will happen increase considerably.

As confusing and as scary as what happened to you is, just imagine how absolutely traumatising that it was for your children. Your dysfunctional marriage is their primary relationship role model, it is your capability, not theirs to protect them from the toxicity or would you prefer SS to act on their behalf.