Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

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

Should I only look forward?

2 replies

IWishIWasInIngo · 06/03/2021 09:03

Is it normal to go over the past of a marriage slightly obsessively? I would say that on the whole I am happily married. We have two teenagers, DH works hard and has worked a lot on the house. We get on well, have a great family life and sex life etc. Everything you could want really. However, for maybe a 7 year period when we were going through the pregnancy/baby/toddler phase, DH was horrible. It was weird how awful he became. I hesitate to use the word 'abuse' considering what some women go through, but I did come to a realisation that this wasn't just stricter discipline, or the usual frustration with toddler behaviour, but was emotional abuse and occasionally physical abuse (way too much smacking - well no smacking is acceptable in my view). He seemed to have so much anger and resentment towards the DC. I didn't leave because I didn't want him looking after them by himself and also because I eventually gained the courage to stand up and say this is wrong, I have faith in myself that I can manage their behaviour in a positive way and that I don't always have to back you up if I feel that your parenting is unhealthy. You have to change. - And he did. Not immediately, but over time. I realised that his behaviour was due to his own difficult experiences growing up and expectations of the role of a father, and I think it was a relief to him to let go of that and have a different dynamic. We have never really talked too much about it. He still doesn't quite realise the extent to which his behaviour was abnormal. But every few months I go through a spell of being really depressed and resentful towards him. I can't eat or sleep much, I want to cry all the time and endlessly quiz him about a suspected infidelity which he denies and happened at the time when he had all this resentment towards us. After about a month of my mood going up and down and feeling like I'm going crazy, I eventually get through it somehow and feel normal again, but it just keeps coming back a few months later. I am worried that once the DC leave home I will just walk out because of what happened years ago. Am I unreasonable in holding onto all of this and dwelling on it?

OP posts:
NotAgainNoMore · 06/03/2021 11:17

I really admire you for working on the issues at the time and coming out with what seems like a really good relationship now.
However, it's understandable you have deep feelings of resentment. Has your DH ever shown real remorse for how he behaved?
You sound like you're biding your time and separating will be the best thing for your mental health but how can you live a lie in the meantime? The DC might not fly the nest for many years. Do you love him? Sorry, not much help.

YukoandHiro · 06/03/2021 11:40

Have you discussed going to couples therapy with him? If the relationship has a long term future he does need to understand how much that chapter really damaged your view of him as a partner and parent. It may also reveal more things about his childhood you don't know that might help you forgive and move on (if that's what you choose to do - not saying you should, I think I'd find it very hard too). What kind of relationship do your children have with him?

New posts on this thread. Refresh page