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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

Don't know what to think

19 replies

Blossome · 09/02/2021 09:05

Hi I'm new here, and just wanted to let everything out. I'm 33 and a mum of 2 girls. (2 and 6) I have been with my partner for 10 years. To be honest I'm planning on leaving, I just don't know when. Finally I'm seeing clearly and looking back I can now see the red flags for what they were. It started one NYE and we were in a busy pub and someone pointed out he had red wine down the back of his shirt, he blamed me for it, when the clock struck 12 it was like being in a film surrounded by all these happy people while he was having a go at me. We've had good times, but I have grown to resent him, he would work away and moan about how tidy the house was and pick in the thing I hadn't done , like some dusting. I spent my time working and looking after our first child. I do everything cook, clean, laundry, shopping, taking the children out. He does DIY at weekends and moans if things aren't going right. There's been countless times where he had been a nightmare. After a night out with friends he called me a miserable bitch and threw sauce at me. He put a guitar through the wall because he was drunk and I wouldn't help him, I pretended to be asleep to avoid the situation. He smashed the dinner up the wall because I said something he didn't like. He threw the ironing board at me because I made a comment to him. More recently he decided he wanted to move the iron from where I kept it into another cupboard and insisted on doing it even when I said it wasn't helpful. He has thrown biscuits and other items at me whilst I hold my daughter. He has never been supportive when I've had the girls both by c section and he would continue to do DIY whilst I'm trying to sort them both out, cook etc.
On one occasion he would continue to tip the cooking oil on the floor everytime I said something, resulting on more and more oil on the floor. He called me a manipulative bitch at times, he tells me I'm disorganised and when I ask for help which I've done on many occasions he told me 'im not helping you get out of something you should have already done'. If I'm upset he'll say are you having one if your moments again, he says mental health problems run the in 'smith' family (my cousin has bipolar).
We argued the other day and haven't really spoken since our home is tense and he keeps trying to laugh about it, he tells me it's because I undermine him and am never on his side with the girls. Even though I didn't undermine him, I agreed with what both he said and what my daughter said. I want to leave and end our relationship just need some advice. There's so much more to mention too. Thanks and sorry it's so long. X

OP posts:
Rockinmomma · 09/02/2021 09:19

I’m sorry OP, what’s your housing situation? Own or rent?
I’d call women’s aid as you really don’t know what he is capable of and you have DC. They’ll give you advice, support and help you get away.
You are in an abusive relationship and I’m so glad you’ve decided to end it
Get some real life support and post here

Becstar90 · 09/02/2021 09:21

He thinks you're below him. Omg all this food throwing and smashing things up, he needs to bloody grow up. You deserve so much better and it's not a great example for your children, they'll think this behaviour is what 'normal' people do. He sounds like a narcissist pig. I'm glad you're planning on leaving. If you second guess it remember this..if your daughter was in this situation with a man would you want her to stay? Good luck and stay strong Thanks

Blossome · 09/02/2021 10:55

Hi thanks for your replies, I'm making small steps to remove us from this situation. We own the property (mortgage) I am lucky my sister has 2 spare rooms, I want to get things set up there before saying any to him because I know it will blow up. I need to keep strong for my girls. My daughter has already picked up on things and has said remember when daddy threw the dinner. I've been worried she would mention things at school too. X

OP posts:
Rockinmomma · 09/02/2021 11:02

Are you married OP? Is your name on the property?
If you think he’ll ‘blow up’ then just leave, do not put yourself or your DC at risk
Once you’ve left block him on all SM and msging except for email so you can arrange access and selling the house
Don’t engage with him about why you’ve left
You’ve got to do this for your girls and you

AttilaTheMeerkat · 09/02/2021 11:09

Your children are indeed picking up on all this and learning damaging lessons about relationships.

Do not delay any longer in getting to your sister's house. When he goes out you leave with only essential paperwork for you and they (things like money, cheque book, birth certificates, passports, your driving licence, photos of the kids, their favourite soft toys etc).

Seek legal advice re the house asap too. I would also look at obtaining non molestation and occupation orders for yourself re him. Enrolling yourself onto the Freedom Programme would also be an excellent idea for you going forward as part of your recovery from his abuses of you and in turn your kids.

Blossome · 09/02/2021 11:16

Yes the property is in both our names. I am going to sort the children's things like passports etc and as I'm working from home I can do bits without it being noticed. My father was an alcoholic and I witnessed and heard arguements as a child so I know only too well what it is like. This last arguement something has changed and I can't go back to what it was like before. I have thought about councelling and will look into the freedom programme too. I feel so naive as to what's been happening. I know things aren't right and I just assumed abuse was something experienced daily x

OP posts:
Windmillwhirl · 09/02/2021 11:22

I'm really concerned for you, op. Why cant you contact a solicitor, find out what you may need and just leave.

I wouldn't be telling him in advance because losing control over you may make him snap and that may result in a new level of aggression.

Just go asap would be my advice.

Take care Flowers

WishingHopingThinkingPraying · 09/02/2021 11:23

He's terribly abusive. In so many ways🙁Glad to hear you are leaving. You won't believe how much better your life will be without him and his nastiness.

Blossome · 09/02/2021 12:20

I keep day dreaming of another life, where I am happy this has been a long time coming. I how I wish I left when my eldest was younger. I feel so awful about uprooting the girls but I know they need a happy strong Mum. I've spoken to my sister's and a few friends in confidence. I feel I needed support here to tell me what I know and how wrong our relationship is. Thanks 👍🏻 x

OP posts:
Itstimetoquit · 09/02/2021 13:49

Go and stay with your sister,he's horribly abusive x

Ludo19 · 09/02/2021 16:10

Seriously get out now.....he's a heartbeat away from actually putting his hands on you. He already thinks so so little of you, please leave x

Rockinmomma · 09/02/2021 17:17

I know things aren't right and I just assumed abuse was something experienced daily

No, most definitely not. I’m so sad you’ve spent years of your life accepting this.
How soon can you leave? I’d go before he can ‘be nice’ and you change your mind or talk yourself into believing ‘it’s not that bad’

HollowTalk · 09/02/2021 17:21

Ugh he's awful. Do you have shared bank accounts? I would be careful to take your share as soon as you've told him you're leaving (before, if he doesn't get phone alerts.) You're so lucky your sister has space - the sooner you can move there the better.

Carreterra · 09/02/2021 20:50

@Blossome
You deserve every happiness from now on, just for putting up with this manipulative nightmare of a . . .man (?)
The incident where he poured cooking oil on the floor, did he assume you would just shut up ? For him to continue to do this (I bet it was you who had to clear up) suggests to me he is unhinged. He is certainly unpredictable, and as a previous poster said, he sounds like he's close to putting his hands on you violently. Please start making plans now, maybe on the memo of your phone (screen locked) about the practicalities of leaving. Nearer to your freedom date, Safe Store Uk have an offer for the first few weeks half price, if you need to store anything away, like I did. Take extreme care to do everything on the quiet until it's safe to slip away, in the meantime, have you tried the grey rock approach with him? Try to detach and disengage, it will drive him potty as he tries to wind you up with childish tactics. He deserves the same emotional torment that he's subjecting you to.
Best wishes to you and your DC Flowers

Starstella21 · 09/02/2021 21:05

@Blossome please OP get out as soon as you can with your kids, I agree with everyone else you don't know what he is capable of and this is absolutely abuse. He sounds completely unhinged. I hope you are ok xx

MaLarkinn · 09/02/2021 21:13

Why are you still there if you have somewhere to go, that's utter madness and very irresponsible. Sorry if that's harsh but honestly why are you hanging around!

Fabiofatshaft · 09/02/2021 21:26

As adults, parents, I think we absolutely underestimate how much children pick up and store in their childhood memories when being raised in a home where one partner is abusive.

Your husband isn’t just being terribly abusive and down right nasty to you, de - facto, he’s also doing it to your children. Their tiny minds must be bouncing off their tiny skulls trying to absorb all these conflicting messages.......

If you can’t leave for yourself, leave for them. Uprooting them from what they know may sound unfair, but then, what do they know !?

Daddy showing violence and abuse to Mommy, and in their children’s heart, feeling frightened for Mommy and knowing ‘ this ‘ isn’t right.....

Dery · 09/02/2021 21:28

Hi OP - don't beat yourself up with thoughts that you should have left sooner. Even your older DD is only 6 so there is ample time for her to recover from any ill effects. And she will have the fabulous role model of her brave mother who knew things were wrong and created a safer and better life for her and her little sister.

Please go to your sister as soon as possible. The Women’s Aid website has information on what to pack if you’re planning to leave at this link: www.womensaid.org.uk/the-survivors-handbook/making-a-safety-plan/#1447926965295-8f67f8a6-62c7

As PP have said - this man sounds very dangerous and has already exposed you to considerable violence. And what kind of bastard throws things at someone when they're holding a child? So please, please do NOT tell him about your plans, not even as you're about to walk out the door. Your focus must be on getting yourself and your DD to safety. If you say anything to him while you're still in the house, he may well try to stop you leaving and the situation could become very dangerous. Frankly, it would be utterly reckless to say anything before you and your DDs are safe. Also, as you're leaving a DV situation, lockdown rules don't apply so you could invite a friend or family member to help you get away if you think that would be useful.

And you can tell him that you've left and why once you're with your sister.

Good luck, OP.

GeeBranzi · 07/03/2021 04:31

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