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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

Pregnant and thinking of leaving DH.

105 replies

CantSleep88 · 13/12/2021 05:16

I'm so sorry I fear this is going to be long. Will try and be as concise as possible.

Background: I am 13 weeks pregnant, been with DH for 16 years. DS almost 2. Have had doubts about his behaviour in past and even spoke with Women's Aid back in the summer, but then reverted back to burying my head in the sand, I guess.

Waking up to the fact DH is selfish and a bit of a narcissist, maybe, and interested to know what people think or if it's just pregnancy hormones skewing my perspective before I throw away a long marriage.

DH doesn't like if I stick up for myself, always says "don't argue with me", says I use the wrong tone of voice or facial expression. I have taken to putting on a fake cheery voice to try and avoid upsetting him but even that doesn't work sometimes. I feel like I am treading on eggshells a lot. Things I do around house are wrong, such as where I put things, the attachment I use for the hoover. He snaps and raises voice and then says it's offensive and rude that I cower because it implies he shouts at me. Very sarcastic and if I don't hear him or answer straight away he snaps "hello?" at me. Never apologises, except sarcastically such as yesterday he said an Amazon order with some face masks wasn't coming till next week so I said no problem, I had better grab some from shop for now. He says "well sorry! It's not my fault!" even though I was being perfectly friendly. Makes me feel rushed all the time, I end up getting so nervous and flustered I drop things and my heart races. Is very patronising and if he wants things done a certain way will sigh and say "we need to do this this way" even though it's something only I do around the house.

Trying to think of some recent examples. He didn't speak to me for a day and a half because he said I slammed car door. I didn't, I was carrying a rucksack and another bag and had got DS out of car and used foot to close door but he got very angry saying I slammed the door and I know I did and stormed off. He snaps at me for things I do with DS - DS got hold of one of my old mascaras and started painting a mirror with it. I started cleaning it up and his hands but DH came along and said what on earth was I doing letting him do that, did I think that was wise, he did not want "his" son having mascara on their face (he didn't but DH seems very concerned about DS appearance, has said before he is to wear brand names and play football at school, doesn't want him growing up to be a snowflake). When out for a walk there was a cat being sick which DS thought was funny, DH snapped at me why was I letting "his" son see that, shaking his head at me. He will speak to DS but be making a dig at me such as yesterday saying "that box shouldn't have been left there for you to trip over, should it" even though it wasn't in way at all. Last Christmas he said we spent too long at my mum's although were there less than an hour, and said this year we are only to spend 20 minutes there. He has since retracted this but I am dreading the aftermath already, knowing he is going to moan about how long we take opening presents. When I found out I was pregnant this time round I really struggled initially to get my head around it and how I would cope. I went downstairs after DS asleep and burst into tears, was hyperventilating saying to DH I don't think I could cope with the pregnancy (at time was being sick multiple times a day and DS not sleeping at all) and he didn't even hug me, just said "for gods sake I was hungry and wanted to have my dinner, couldn't this have waited" before unplugging chip fryer so hard it moved down the worktop. He is not physically abusive but does slam things around now and again. Lots more examples but just a few off top of my head.

I have not had a lie in since before DS was born. DH wakes when he wants. He is and always has been a terrible sleeper, still waking multiple times a night. I am suffering with sickness and PGP this pregnancy and do not get any respite, I cosleep with DS to try and get a break and am up every couple of hours while DH is in bed from 10pm-7am. On his days off when he gets up he will say I should have woke him. If he ever does take DS to park etc he is back home within 20 minutes. However I am a SAHM (gave up work after DS born when no childcare due to covid) so do expect to do lion's share. Equally housework I do most of, he does wash up (badly) some nights but that is it, for example last night went up to bed leaving bins overflowing and dirty worktops etc for me to sort although has two days off. Lots to be done around house including putting a side gate back up, hedge cutting, tip runs etc but he will moan about state of house / gardens but not do anything to rectify. He never ever cooks. Last time he did was when DS was two days old and he made such a big song and dance about it. Has a takeaway addiction and moans about having no money. Last week spent £90 on new earphones while I was struggling to pay for food shopping and nappies. He finishes work at 4 most days and will come home, sit down and play on phone and make himself a coffee which he gets to drink hot, rarely offers me a drink. If I try and bring anything up he gets very offended and storms off even if I try and mention something in a joking way, so I just don't bother anymore.

He is permanently glued to phone. I mean he never puts it down, when interacting with DS, meal times, day trips etc. When I get up throughout night I can see the glow from his mobile phone as he sits up all night playing on it. He is obsessed with crypto / bitcoin so spends all his time on phone doing things relating to that. I do sometimes wonder if he's talking to other women but no way to prove or disprove. I feel like he is a teenager, his room has clothes all over floor, empty alcohol bottles, vaping stuff. He only eats beige food (yesterday said he is going to start eating better before having biscuits and crisps for dinner). He also vapes in bedroom and in pantry where food is kept but I've asked him not to, or to at least open door/window, as smell makes me feel sick and gets on everything, but he doesn't.

I wouldn't say he's a terrible dad but he is quite impatient, sighs a lot and gets moody and snappy. Recently I had a driving lesson in middle of day and when I came back I asked DH what DS had had for lunch and he said he hadn't given him anything as he didn't know what he eats, but had made himself something. Equally if I ask if he's had a snack or a drink he will say he forgot. Will take him out without a coat or change bag etc. Plonks DS in front of TV all the time (I am not anti-TV by any means and rely on it to get cooking done etc, but it irks me when he just puts it on so he can sit on sofa playing on phone).

I feel like I may be crucified for having children with this man, but I feel like I've just been so blinded to it and after growing up with an abusive father I think I just sought refuge with him and stayed there and unfortunately I'm only now waking up to it. I have always had anxiety and been a people pleaser so think I have just put up with things, but want my child(ren) to be happy and safe. I feel very vulnerable as I'm pregnant, not well and not working so financially vulnerable also. I don't have many friends at all. He has said before that I would not cope without him, and now I'm struggling with pregnancy I worry he will use it against me. Everyone thinks he's wonderful, his family and friends think he's a brilliant hands on dad and I guess that puts me off leaving even more. For some reason I go blank if I try and think of examples etc, so if someone were to ask what he does wrong I would struggle. I am just finding this existence treading on eggshells and wondering what I'll have said or done wrong really exhausting. I'm not sure what I want from this post really, just wondering if anyone has been in a similar situation and can offer any advice. Thank you.

OP posts:
billy1966 · 20/12/2021 11:40

@FallonCarringtonWannabe

First of all, he is a terrible father. i mean the absolute basics are feeding your child. He doesn't. He is awful. Absolutely awful.

And he is abusive. So you need to end the relationship as soon as possible.

Hoe far along in the pregnancy are you? Do you still have a choice whether to continue?

He will never be a good partner. This is who he is. And he is shit.

Phone women’s Aid again and your mw.

This.

I would suggest you terminate your pregnancy asap.

Get on to Woman's aid and get away from this awful abusive man.

Bringing another child into this situation does not help you IMO.Flowers

ImmutableSexQueen · 20/12/2021 11:48

He is abusing you.
You have done well to make a record of it here.
The suicide threats are about controlling you. Maybe he'd try it, maybe he'd succeed but what he really wants is you to toe the line and not make a move he doesn't like. He enjoys having his victim waiting at home for him.
Don't do things like trim the hedge. Those days are done.
Quietly plan and make arrangements to end the relationship.

I have taken to putting on a fake cheery voice to try and avoid upsetting him but even that doesn't work sometimes. I feel like I am treading on eggshells a lot
Stay quiet and safe, but make plans. It won't be for much longer. Stay strong.

Flixon · 20/12/2021 12:01

horrible abusive vile person. please leave. take your child away from this evil person before he completely destroys you.

Just go. fast . and don't look back

sleepymum50 · 20/12/2021 12:17

I agree with everyone else.

Get yourself a journal and write down every time something happens - like you have in your postings. This will help you remember the facts, and may be useful further down the line.

RantyAunty · 20/12/2021 12:49

The likelihood of him getting full custody of a baby that he never takes care of is zero.

All abuser men say that to scare you into staying.
The judges have seen 1000s and 1000s of these men.
The men think they are cock of the walk in charge until the judge hands them their arse and they scurry away and complain to anyone who listens.

CantSleep88 · 22/12/2021 09:08

Thanks again, your replies are all keeping me going and I re-read some of them when I start to feel low.

Yesterday was DH's day off and he was very unpleasant all day, rude, sarcastic and patronising to me. Being passive aggressive and making digs about me to DS. Moaning about the "state" of the house and then started aggressively tidying, by which I mean picking things up and sighing and saying "does this really need to be here" before storming off, putting things away while I was still using them then tutting when I got them back out etc. Muttering at me or answering me with one word answers so quietly I could hardly hear him.

I just feel so drained from it all, feeling very unwell with the pregnancy so could do without it. Just hoping he does not try and spoil Christmas. Last year he waited till we left my mum's before launching into a rant and saying we are only to spend twenty minutes there this year. I feel very nervous about it all.

OP posts:
kelseypops · 22/12/2021 12:03

@CantSleep88

Thanks again, your replies are all keeping me going and I re-read some of them when I start to feel low.

Yesterday was DH's day off and he was very unpleasant all day, rude, sarcastic and patronising to me. Being passive aggressive and making digs about me to DS. Moaning about the "state" of the house and then started aggressively tidying, by which I mean picking things up and sighing and saying "does this really need to be here" before storming off, putting things away while I was still using them then tutting when I got them back out etc. Muttering at me or answering me with one word answers so quietly I could hardly hear him.

I just feel so drained from it all, feeling very unwell with the pregnancy so could do without it. Just hoping he does not try and spoil Christmas. Last year he waited till we left my mum's before launching into a rant and saying we are only to spend twenty minutes there this year. I feel very nervous about it all.

Oh op, this sounds awful.

Have you started making a plan for after Xmas? I found actually having it all in black and white helped so I typed everything into the notes section of my phone. What I needed to do, what my plan was. Important things I needed to sort.

Also I found writing down my reasons, examples of what he had done also helped.

It's such a bad time of year to leave but there also is never a 'right time' especially when the abuse is so cleverly done as I said before.

Wishing you, DS & bump a very happy christmas. Go into the new year doing what's right for you and dcs - you can do this x

Rrrob · 22/12/2021 12:11

Please leave. You deserve so much better than this.

Livebythecoast · 22/12/2021 13:07

Oh OP, he sounds absolutely vile. I couldn't live with a man like this for a couple of the things he's done let alone all the others you mention and no doubts many more, too many to count.

You deserve so much better and the longer you stay, the longer your life will be utterly miserable and your children's too.

I can't bear it when people pretend they're 'Father/Mother of the year' but abuse their family which can make it harder for the person trying to leave and to justify their actions.

Of course it won't be easy to leave but there is help out there. There are so many threads with people who have been through what you are going through now and whilst it will take time to adapt etc, you'll wonder why you stayed so long. Nobody should live their lives walking on eggshells. You and your children deserve happiness and it isn't going to be with this man.

Wishing you lots of strength and the very best Flowers

WhoppingBigBackside · 22/12/2021 13:14

Leave.

It won't get better.

kelseypops · 22/12/2021 13:36

@Livebythecoast

Oh OP, he sounds absolutely vile. I couldn't live with a man like this for a couple of the things he's done let alone all the others you mention and no doubts many more, too many to count.

You deserve so much better and the longer you stay, the longer your life will be utterly miserable and your children's too.

I can't bear it when people pretend they're 'Father/Mother of the year' but abuse their family which can make it harder for the person trying to leave and to justify their actions.

Of course it won't be easy to leave but there is help out there. There are so many threads with people who have been through what you are going through now and whilst it will take time to adapt etc, you'll wonder why you stayed so long. Nobody should live their lives walking on eggshells. You and your children deserve happiness and it isn't going to be with this man.

Wishing you lots of strength and the very best Flowers

I can't bear it when people pretend they're 'Father/Mother of the year' but abuse their family which can make it harder for the person trying to leave and to justify their actions.

This. My H has done this so many times. Before I left, DS had a sickness bug, obviously I stayed up all night to care for him. H slept.

In the morning he rang his work colleague in front of me to say he was still coming to work but he might've be no good as he had been up with DS all night on the sofa and not slept because he was checking he was ok all the time. Acting like he was some sort of hero. Couldn't believe it.

caringcarer · 22/12/2021 16:27

Where to begin. You poor woman. He has ground you down and taken every once of self belief you had in yourself away so now despite how badly he treats you and your son on a daily basis, you are still not sure you will be better off without him. You will be, believe me when I say if you tiptoe around him afraid to tell him how you really feel and he does not make you feel loved or special, there is no point of staying with him. He would feed himself and not offer your son any food. He sounds like a monster. Would he even give him a drink? If you are married to him and divorce he will be forced to provide you with child support for you son and new baby. A refuge will help you get back on to your feet. If you leave you will have a brighter future without him. Loads of people donate baby items to women's refuge so people in your position can escape to a safer and happier place. Please ring refuge again. Have another conversion with them. Tell them exactly what you put on here. He has bullied you for so long he has made you doubt yourself but deep down you know you and your son are not safe. What happens if you have a baby that cries a lot? How would he react to that? I am upset for you and your son living everyday afraid of saying something or doing something that will set him off. This is no way to live and bring up your son. If you won't do it for yourself do it for your children. He is a vile and abusive role model but if is what your son sees on a daily basis he will think it is normal and begin to copy this behaviour. I hope you find courage to escape. Which part of country are you in OP?

PermanentTemporary · 22/12/2021 16:32

God he sounds sp awful. Your relationship sounds awful.

The only thing is, he's going to be hell to divorce. Could you potentially move back in with your Mum? Just go 'for a bit' and kind of never go back? 'Trial separation' - but don't say that yet? Tbh you could have a trial separation for about a decade?

Livebythecoast · 22/12/2021 17:34

@kelseypops - what an arsehole - glad he's an ex

dancingbymyself · 22/12/2021 19:53

I'm so sorry - he sounds a truly awful human being. You sound lovely.

Please do talk to as many real life people as you can about this and get some practical help to leave him. We will all be here cheering you on.

CantSleep88 · 23/12/2021 20:22

I really can't deal with this anymore. Now trying to ruin Christmas. We were supposed to be going to see some Christmas lights with DS tomorrow. I asked if we were still going and he said no, Christmas is over already this year. He is really annoyed with me because I've got a sore throat and therefore he (understandably) doesn't want to see his parents on Christmas day, saying it's the one thing he's been looking forward to and now it's ruined and that it's my fault I'm ill because I do too much walking in the day with DS. Then said he will take DS to his parents without me but I said DS has a cough and runny nose too and regardless he and/or DH could carry whatever I have, it felt like he just wanted to take him away from me. I said we can still have a nice day, make it special for DS, celebrate with his parents next week, but he just says I don't understand and it's not the same.

I just want to burst into tears, I was so looking forward to Christmas. I honestly feel so drained and broken. Sad

OP posts:
CantSleep88 · 23/12/2021 20:25

This is going to be really outing but it's DS' 2nd birthday on Christmas day too and I'm so upset that he's making it all about him.

OP posts:
kelseypops · 23/12/2021 20:29

@CantSleep88 is there anyone you can reach out too in real life that you know can support you?

TerraNovaTwo · 23/12/2021 20:39

OP, when you do leave, please leave safely. Don't confront him as that will be dangerous for you and DS.

I'm a few years down the line from escaping. My biggest regret is that I didn't leave earlier - it escalated.

Please keep posting... I'm worried for you and DS. Stay safe -is there anyone you can trust who you could go to for support? Cover your tracks. Don't let him know you've reached out. Keep planning your escape. Flowers

CantSleep88 · 23/12/2021 21:01

Thank you both. My mum is aware of the situation and I speak about it with her most days. But she lives in a small flat with no spare room at all. I don't really have many friends. There are one or two who I do talk to now and again about the situation but they are pregnant and working a lot etc, busy with other stress going on so I don't like to bombard them. I honestly feel so exhausted by all of this, I just want to run away.

OP posts:
kelseypops · 23/12/2021 21:06

@CantSleep88

Thank you both. My mum is aware of the situation and I speak about it with her most days. But she lives in a small flat with no spare room at all. I don't really have many friends. There are one or two who I do talk to now and again about the situation but they are pregnant and working a lot etc, busy with other stress going on so I don't like to bombard them. I honestly feel so exhausted by all of this, I just want to run away.
Is your mum aware of how bad things are? Could you make the room at your mums? I'm 8 weeks down now leaving my H. I sleep in a double bed with my 2 dcs at my mums. There wasn't room for us really but we have worked it out as a short term situation.

Or if you could get your H to leave, could your mum come and stay with you for support?

kelseypops · 23/12/2021 21:08

I know it's christmas but that shouldn't stop you making a plan.

As crappy as it is, just write this Xmas off....look to the new year instead. Make a plan and promise yourself that next year it will all be different. Just you and your dcs x

feelsobadfeltsogood · 23/12/2021 21:40

I'll probably get slammed for this but I'd have an abortion and make out it's a miscarriage and then leave him

CantSleep88 · 23/12/2021 21:45

@feelsobadfeltsogood

I'll probably get slammed for this but I'd have an abortion and make out it's a miscarriage and then leave him
No, I won't be doing that. I have had four scans and I have videos and photos of my baby, I feel very attached to them and DS talks to the "baby in mummy's tummy" too. So regardless of circumstances I will not be aborting my child.
OP posts:
CantSleep88 · 23/12/2021 21:48

@kelseypops Yes my mum is aware of how bad it is and says she can't sleep because of it and is getting angrier by the day, wanting to confront him etc but obviously I've asked her not to do this. There's just really not room, no space for a spare bed at all, the living room is tiny, open plan with a kitchen and dining room and DS is a nightmare to get to sleep still as it is, without people coming in and out of room and the light etc Sad I promise I'm not being fussy, it just isn't practical. I will try and get hold of my local housing authority next week, although when I spoke to their domestic abuse advisor before, she laughed and said perhaps I was just going through a relationship breakdown rather than abuse. So it put me off a bit.

OP posts:
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