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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

Made my abusive husband leave, please tell me I'm right

14 replies

tornmum21 · 22/06/2021 20:14

I've NCed but I'm a long time poster.
I'm late twenties H is early thirties. Been married for 2 years and have a very young baby.
He's been abusive in the past but I thought we had turned a corner (please no judgment there I know I'm stupid) I got pregnant and things were perfect. Since baby was born things have been tense and not right for a while. He's shouted a couple of times at me and is generally stressed and tense. I've been suffering really bad anxiety and I think PND now. H kicked off today long story short and I left with the baby. When I went back he was still the same so I left again and phoned a family member who came. Police were called and came straight away as they have historic reports of DV etc. He left and I have no idea where he's gone and I know he's not my responsibility but I feel so guilty. I'm crying, baby is asleep now and he's fine. I know I've done the right thing for me and my child but I can't help think of the good times etc and miss him and feel really sad. Please reassure me and tell me this will get better I feel awful. Sorry for the rushed post I'm trying to keep it short. Thank you

OP posts:
Lychnis · 22/06/2021 20:25

No judgment here. We try to see the best in our partners and overlook the flaws and hope for the best. I’m so sorry to hear this has happened to you. I’ve no advice to offer from experience - but from what you describe you are absolutely doing the right thing: prioritising yourself and your baby. You are still young and have many years ahead of you - no need to waste previous time in an unhappy, possibly unsafe situation. You are worth so much more. Best wishes to you.

Feduppluckingmychinhairs · 22/06/2021 20:31

I promise you this is the very best thing you could ever do for your child. And I promise, PROMISE you will get better and stronger.

Outbutnotoutout · 22/06/2021 20:32

You have done the right thing
Now just don't let him back

randomkey123 · 22/06/2021 20:35

You're not missing or feeling sad for him, you're missing the version of him that lived inside your head and not in reality.

See him for what he is, not what he should be.

Flowers
halfhope · 22/06/2021 20:37

torn abuse always escalates. You did the right thing to leave 💐

halfhope · 22/06/2021 20:40

Check with your GP/HV about PND. You will get through this and there will be happier times away from the abuser. You could not stay with this man.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 22/06/2021 20:49

The only acceptable level of abuse in a relationship is NONE.
Abuse is not a relationship problem. Abuse is about power and control and he wants absolute over you and your child. I would think that without question he has further chosen to ramp up the power and control against you. Pregnancy and birth are two further flashpoints for abusive men to wield further power and control over their chosen target.

If you were to think about this some more you would likely come to the conclusion that the "good times" were all on your H's terms and leant towards him having a good time. Such men do not change; this is who he is.

It will get better for you and your child if you continue to stay away from your abuser. You are NOT responsible for him and his actions towards you and in turn your child here. Your baby cannot afford to grow up in a home where he sees you as his mother being abused.

Where is your support; how helpful are your parents here?. Do contact Womens Aid as well as your health visitor/GP for further support. I would also look into seeking legal advice re separation and divorce; knowledge here is power too.

Roberts25 · 22/06/2021 21:08

If he was a bully 100% of the time you would quickly realise hes abusive, this is why they switch it up. It also makes them feel better about themselves.
Abusive people are all about benefits, every single incident brings a benefit. Unpredictable behaviours bring him benefits.
Incident happens, he leaves... mabey even suggests suicide... now your worried and comfort him about abusing you when he arrives back and confirm to what he asks you to do.
Mabey you think next time, easier life ill just stay home.
Mabey at dinner time when you asked him to do the dishes he screamed at you and threw a plate, now you never ask him to do that again.
Whilst hes not consistant with his behaviours and moods you go to walking on eggshells, he benefits, your second thinking everythin qorrying youll bother him, not asking him to do his actual responsibility like looking after the child and cooking ect.
Allllll benefits. Dont worry all abusers talk about their childhood trauma, substances and self harm or just vanish after an incident its purpous it to provoke guilt that with the promise to change. You are not a mental health professional, also staying or going from a relationship will not stop suicidal thoughts thats a state of mind not subject to relationship status. But if he threatens it then call your cmht to assess him, so he knows he cant make threats like that. If he brings up his childhood tell him so you know how it feels, i hate that stigma its gross, childhood victims are not more likely to be abusers its a choice. We do not need to tell an adult things like dont cheat, dont his, dont scream abuse... its common sence, if he acts like he didnt know better suggest he gets a capacity test since he is unable to seperate feelings from behaviours and has the capacity of a 2 year old or seriously mentally ill such as dementia. Hell soon shut the fuck up. Do not try to remind him you are human and have feelings he knows thats why he has double standards he just does not care.
Change is dificult, sudden change is always false, try changing your organizational skills or health those alone are extreamly difficult let alone everything within abuse.

Lastly validate yourself. He will never admit. Validate your own feelings, trust yourself. You will second guess yourself even intrusive thoughts like was i abusive, thats fine dont worry just remember to validate and place all blame, shame, guilt and embarrassment with his dumb ass.

Ive worked with 200 victims. Yet to see an abuser change. Regardless of intervention and perp programmes. Sometimes they reduce the abuse but never stop. Much more likely to get a teenager to change. Adult abusers that have changed long term are extreamly rare. Block him on all platforms. Do not keep him there because you are scared to block and waiting for a warning incase hell turn up, if hes going to hes going to. Block him to avoid the, i love you ill change and sob story. Read healing books, why does he do that and out of the fog are great reads, but move on to healing books after those, dont get obsessed with reading domestic abuse books just switch on to healing straight after those two. Concentrate on being assertive, attachment, codependancy, florence given book, breaking habits ect. Books can be your best friend. Lalaletmeexplain and florence are good pages to follow after an abuser to empower you. They have stories on there page dedicated to dv. U

halfhope · 22/06/2021 21:12

As someone once remarked to me 'Why would an abuser change? The abuse is working for them - they've no reason to change and they think their victim should just put up with it.'

CupOfTPlease · 22/06/2021 21:19

You 100% did the right thing. Those nice memories are all fake from him. He's an abuser. They don't change, stay safe x

tornmum21 · 22/06/2021 21:24

Thank you everyone for your replies. I know I've done the right thing, my chest keeps going tight and I'm worrying about where he is/how he is. He got in touch to ask how the baby was and that's all. I've cleaned up and kept myself busy, the baby is asleep and I just keep going in and looking at them reminding myself that the pain is for them. I'm hurting but it's for the baby, it's not about me, it's about them. I would never let anyone hurt them and I know growing up in a toxic environment or coming and going, their parents splitting up then getting back together etc or being at each others throats would hurt them . I know I have to do it for them, it's just reminding myself and not thinking about how much I want him back here. My family are supportive and I have supportive friends etc who have all reassured me and helped out. It's just letting go of that guilt and feeling of responsibility will be really hard. I have said time and time again if he did this/that/whatever again he was out and I've never followed through until now.

OP posts:
AttilaTheMeerkat · 22/06/2021 21:38

If he came back you and in turn your child would be in for more of the same. The nice/nasty cycle of abuse he shows you is a continuous one.

Read about codependency and see how much of this fits in with your own behaviour re feeling responsible for him. You are NOT responsible for him and his actions. Unlearn the rubbish you have learnt along the way about relationships.

What have you got to feel guilty for?. He needs to see that his abuse of you has consequences. He away from you permanently is what you need.

Do you think he feels guilt here, let alone remorse for his actions? No he does not.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 22/06/2021 21:40

What prevented you from following through previously?

Fear of him, fear of the unknown?. This and many other reasons probably stopped you previously but you cannot have him back in your lives now. Your relationship is over because of the abuses he has meted out. It was over the first time he abused you.

ReallyRatherBlonde · 22/06/2021 21:57

You've absolutely 100% not a shadow of a doubt done the absolute best thing for you and your baby. Speak to your GP or health visitor for PND support, things will get better 💐

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