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

Is this the end?

114 replies

Rageagainstmanchild · 21/03/2021 11:15

I have NC as I don't want this linked to my other threads.

My DP is a hothead, always has been and he shouts a lot and can be aggressive. Never physically to me, although when throwing things he has caught my leg/arm but would never hit me I don't think. He is in the process of quitting smoking, which I think has added to the stress this week but it's part of a long line of behaviour that I can't cope with.

About 2 years ago he punched a hole in wall and told me he'd cave my fucking head in, in front of the children (very young) and we nearly split up over it but he promised to go to anger management, which never materialised but he hasn't done anything like that since.

He gets angry all the time, when he's tired, when he's stressed about his hobby and I always try to placate him as I don't want him to shout at the children or me. He smacked our child once and I tried to leave but we worked through it, I don't know why I didn't leave then as it goes against everything I believe in and we agreed before children that we would never smack them. DC1 is quite aggressive and vocal, learned behaviour but he can't cope with it.

I have been having counselling and I'm trying to stick up for myself and vocalise how I'm feeling to try and communicate better, which had been working but the past few weeks he's showed that he doesn't like this.

His hobby is taking up so much time, it's consuming him and I've asked him to do a couple of things as I don't have a key to the shed or garage so couldn't do myself. Bear in mind that I do everything else and I asked politely to put something away as we had workmen coming to the house. He exploded and called me a cunt. I'm not proud but I exploded at him and chucked all his stuff that I wanted him to move, in the garden, the children weren't here.

The second time this week he called me a cunt was over me asking if he'd looked inside our child's school bag as there had been dirty clothing in there, he shouted, called me a cunt and said I hadn't told him to and that I need to prioritise the children and call the doctor (the reason there were dirty clothes was because of a medical condition) - I again said that the children are not solely my responsibility, I work full time, do everything round the house etc.

Third time this week, I came into our kitchen and asked if he wanted to watch a film on Saturday evening - his friend was there and he went mental saying I was interrupting him, I was a bit put out as he was using my laptop to do something so I said he couldn't use it, I know this was childish. He basically threw my laptop across the room and it hit my leg.

We talked about it the next day, and it ended in an arguement - he claims I came into the kitchen as an aggressive act to distract him and I didn't need to do it. Called me a massive cunt again and I explained that I'm scared and intimidated by him when he shouts. He told me that was the intention and if I was a bloke he would have beat me up and that his hobby comes before me and the children. I'm not proud of it but I screamed at him that he was a bully, I wasn't going to take it anymore and called him an arse hole, the children were in the other room so heard it all. I have protected them from him so many times and have always kept my head and not argued in front of them but I couldn't control my emotions - years of verbal abuse have worn me down.

Today, I apologised for losing my temper (I apologised to the children immediately after) but that I wanted to talk to him as I can't continue to do this and want to seperate. He's basically ignoring me, kept saying he doesn't want to talk to me and I'm not accepting his boundaries - maybe I'm not but I don't particularly want him here and I want him to leave.

I'm so scared that I'm breaking up my family, that the children are going to be upset, that I can't cope on my own, that I'll forgive him and this perpetual cycle will continue. I'm a talker and want to talk things through and he likes to punch things, I'm so sad. He's gone out and left me with the children without a second thought. I hate him right now.

OP posts:
Rageagainstmanchild · 21/03/2021 11:18

There were paragraphs in there before I posted!

OP posts:
CoddledAsAMommet · 21/03/2021 11:24

The children won't be upset. They'll be relieved.

I have been with my husband for 28 years ( we started young!) and he has NEVER called me a name. Not idiot, not stupid, not lazy... and certainly NEVER c**t. Never. What's going on in your house is not normal AT ALL and you need to put a final stop to it. Draw a line. This is it. Finished.

longtompot · 21/03/2021 11:31

I wouldn't be in a relationship with anyone who called me a cunt, gaslight me, threw things in a tantrum, and was aggressive. You and your kids will be much happier away from him. He's told you his hobby comes before you and the kids, so put you and your kids first and leave. Someone will along soon with the steps to take. Women's aid would be worth a call and they can help you.
But, in answer to your question, yes, this is the end.

Rageagainstmanchild · 21/03/2021 11:32

I know you're right. I knew it years ago and I didn't have the strength to leave, as when it's good it is really good - I don't want to be a single mum but to be honest, I don't see another way. I need to protect myself and the children.

OP posts:
JensonsAcolyte · 21/03/2021 11:33

Yeah there’s only one cunt in this relationship and it really isn’t you.

Get yourself and the kids out of there.

Shodan · 21/03/2021 11:34

It should've been the end two years ago, when he punched a wall and threatened you.

No man has ever called me a cunt, that alone would have me dumping him immediately, never mind aggressive behaviour and threats of and actual violence.

Get rid of him. What use or good is he, for you, for your children?
You're not breaking up your family- he has already done that. This would be you putting your family first. You and your children- that's your family. Protect your family against the threat- don't allow it in to cause yet more havoc.

MazekeenSmith · 21/03/2021 11:34

Oh god just leave him and protect the kids and don't look back. He's a domestic abuser and the fact that he hasn't hit you YET means nothing.

MorrisZapp · 21/03/2021 11:35

It has to be the end, yes. It's not fair to expose your children to this. Do you have supportive family or friends?

Rageagainstmanchild · 21/03/2021 11:37

I do have lots of lovely friends and family but I'm scared of telling them and being judged . They told me to leave 2 years ago and I believed that he would change, he hasn't and it makes me so sad

OP posts:
sadpapercourtesan · 21/03/2021 11:41

If you stay with him, he is going to hit you. He'll probably hit one of the children eventually as well, as they grow up and become more opinionated.

You need to get out of this relationship. You're not safe, and you're not safeguarding your children.

Pokske · 21/03/2021 11:43

Please do not put up with this abhorrent behaviour. It will NEVER EVER change.
I hurts to admit your family were right, but it will hurt more to endure this situation for the rest of your life. You can't try and keep your children out of it, the older they get the more they will understand. Get out as soon as you can.

MorrisZapp · 21/03/2021 11:44

No they won't judge. They'll be relieved that you're finally doing it, and they'll help. They'd have to be truly horrible people if they thought you 'made your bed and should lie in it'.

DK123 · 21/03/2021 11:44

Oh my god OP. He is an utterly disgusting human being. This is so far beneath the standard of acceptable behaviour I don't know what it is. Your DC will be relieved to be away from behaviour like this and if they continue to grow up around him, it could have a very negative effect on them. Please get away from him for your own safety and sanity. I think this man could really hurt someone.

Rageagainstmanchild · 21/03/2021 11:47

Morris they absolutely will not judge me, I'm just scared of telling them because that will be it. It's really going to happen.

OP posts:
picklemewalnuts · 21/03/2021 11:48

It really needs to happen and should have already.

Treetops73 · 21/03/2021 11:48

There are many single mums (and dads) out there doing a wonderful job, what are you afraid of? Imagine the joy of living free from abuse and fear, for you and more importantly your children. You have a choice here, they do not. And they may well come to resent you for making them stay in this awful environment.

Call Women’s Aid and start the process of leaving now. If he threatens you (or the children) at any point, or you fear for your safety, call the police immediately. He is bringing this on himself with his abominable behaviour.

Let today be the day you take the first steps towards leaving. 💐

Buttonfm · 21/03/2021 11:48

He is vile and abusive. Things will only get worse over time. He will never change, this is who he is.
He has no respect for you or the kids. He doesn't care about you, he is using and abusing you.

The children will be better off without him there all the time.

You know that breaking up is the right thing to do and we will be here to offer advice and support you all the way. You can do it.

mummymeister · 21/03/2021 11:51

why does he continue to behave like this? because he can. because no matter how violent, how vile his behaviour you give him "one more chance" so he carries on. and he will carry on like this forever so long as you stay with him. He is NOT going to wake up one morning and become the person that you and your children deserve. He is though going to pass on this behaviour as being normal to your children so one or all of them will become like this and so the cycle will continue. You have all the power here to stop this. And no its not good when he wants it to be. its just better relative to the rest of the shit that you are putting up with it. If you dont leave him now when do you think you will? when social services are involved because he has hit one of the children again? when you are in casualty for an injury?

Rageagainstmanchild · 21/03/2021 11:51

Thank you-I do need to find the strength within, I am going to do it but what can I do if he won't talk to me? I really don't want to leave the house as all the kids stuff is here, I work from home so all my work things are here.

OP posts:
mummymeister · 21/03/2021 11:57

stop making excuses. why is it so important for him to talk to you? his outbursts have done all the talking you need to hear. very calmly very clearly say "I have had enough of your violence. the relationship is over. you need to leave" dont get into the "im sorry it wont happen again" shit. and if he says he wont leave again calmly and clearly tell him that you will be consulting a solicitor on Monday and in the meantime any outbursts and you will call the Police. and mean it. dont wait until they carry you away in an ambulance for goodness sake.

noirchatsdeux · 21/03/2021 12:02

Are any of your children attending school?

Because if they are, you better end this farce of a relationship before one of them tells a teacher, friend etc what happened this weekend.

You call the police, tell them about him throwing the laptop at you and threatening to beat you up. They can remove him from the house.

He is the last person you need to be talking to.

honeylulu · 21/03/2021 12:02

Bloody hell, this is terrifying. You must leave the relationship (with the children). It's toxic f or them, and you. It sounds like he has a one second fuse and a foul, violent temper. Your poor children hearing their mother screamed at and called "a massive cunt" and having things thrown at her . His hobby is more important than you and the children, seriously? Can you see how fucked up that is? (It doesn't even seem like he enjoys the hobby much if it makes him angry and stressed.)

You work full time and are not married. This is good.

The complicated bit is getting him to leave. You can apply to court for an occupation order. How do you think he would react though? Can you afford the house on your own?
Every time he gets violent or threatens you, You should call the police. This will make it more straightforward to get a non molestation order and occupation order.

Colourmeclear · 21/03/2021 12:07

Abuse is not a communication problem, it's an entitlement problem. There is very little that will change that.

Women's Aid will be able to help and talk to those who can support you. Making it real will help you hold your nerve when he starts trying to reel you back in.

Rageagainstmanchild · 21/03/2021 12:11

Noir, because he won't even engage in any kind of interaction where I can tell him to leave. He says he won't discuss anything. I don't particularly want to talk to him just tell him to leave.

He didn't throw the laptop in front of the children, they just heard an arguement which I know isn't great but they did not witness violence, this time.

I can more than afford the house, i am the breadwinner and I can get the money to buy him out I think.

I will absolutely call the police if he is violent but I do not want the children to witness what would happen if I did. He's already said he would need 10 police to taser him if I called the police and my children don't need that trauma.

OP posts:
Shodan · 21/03/2021 12:15

He's already said he would need 10 police to taser him if I called the police and my children don't need that trauma

He's being very silly and arrogant, which is unsurprising.
You're making excuses, again. Your children don't need the trauma of living with an aggressive, violent bully.