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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

How bad is this?

154 replies

HeyGirlHeyBoy · 27/12/2021 09:10

Unfortunately when I am in the situation I am finding it hard to see the wood for the trees and would appreciate balanced, neutral advice. My husband has had an anger issue, specifically from when dc was 2.5 so it's going on years.. Sad I spoke up early on, he agreed and said he would get help to stop, he has gone to therapy but not for lomg enough imo and while it is better, I am still wondering am I mad to stay and I am staying very mucj for family life as my own feelings were cut off with it all. Over those years he has kicked a whole in a door, dented a metal bin by kicking, broken a bathroom step by throwing and broken a light switch by thumping it, only the latter in last 2 years, others years ago. Unsurprisingly dc1 has issues with his own emotions and I have probably undermined oh by sticking up for dc at times so it's probably messy in general in his little head. In last 10 days he has been called a fucking brat, a horror, a disgrace and pathetic. Admittedly behaviour was dreadful in these moments but I absolutely hate the language used and it goes completely against my way of bringing up and dealing with behaviour problems.
On the other hand, husband is a hige worker at home and on in general doesba huge amount. His father was a bully to him and I know there is good in him too, which makes it harder. I also know a breakup would be very hard on dc. We have gone to counselling and probably shouldn't hVe stopped. I habe told him i think he needed more but his was very shortlived considering the issues. He has started parenting books and left them unfinished. Ds can be a real challenge with his blow ups and h doesn't lose it every time or anything like it, just to give a balanced pictute. How bad is it from the outside?

OP posts:
HenryLaurens1776 · 27/12/2021 22:30

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

pog100 · 27/12/2021 22:41

@HenryLaurens1776 you've posted at the end of a thread about a father verbally abusing his son. You need to start your own thread by cutting and pasting your post.

HenryLaurens1776 · 27/12/2021 22:54

Sorry I realised this and tried to delete it but am in my phone and can’t work out how! Apologies to OP!

HeyGirlHeyBoy · 28/12/2021 06:11

That's OK Smile

I'm wondering if people would tell him why and detail things or just go with it's over?

OP posts:
SuperSange · 28/12/2021 06:32

@HeyGirlHeyBoy

That's OK Smile

I'm wondering if people would tell him why and detail things or just go with it's over?

If you tell him reasons, he'll try to worm out of it. Just tell him it's over and you're leaving. Make sure you w sorted somewhere to go immediately, unless you think he'll turn violent, then just leave while he's out.
autieok · 28/12/2021 07:22

I was in a relationship with an angry man. He never hit me but there was pushing and grabbing my arm plus nasty words. I was scared to leave, I was worried about kids if we split up, what extended family would think and I was scared to be alone. He left me (he moved out temporarily to show me how much I needed him as he felt I didn't appreciate him) it massively backfired because for a few days it was hard but then it was literally like a weight had been lifted. Being able to go into the house and not worry about what mood he was in. No more Tiptoeing around and trying to shield kids from his moods. So many holidays or days out were ruined because he would snap or say something nasty. It was 15 years ago and my only regret was not doing it myself sooner. Now we are like distant strangers (kids are adult) I never have to think about him and I genuinely believe my children had a happier childhood with. just us and then eventually my dp.

autieok · 28/12/2021 07:26

@HeyGirlHeyBoy

Put your child first for once... This tone is really unhelpful, just so you know. I have amd am taking on board the comments but making me feel like shit won't help. I would have been gone long ago if I'd only considered myself, wrong as it might bave been I was trying to preserve my children's family and family home. Youvegottenminuteslynn the plan such as it is... Well I'd love input and to keep posting here if I can. My first step will be to tell him, and that's probably the hardest bit. Then there's the practical stuff, ideally I'd like my children not to have a big upheaval. I have a DParent home nearby which could also be a base. He will absolutely look for 50/50 I have no doubt, certainly at first. I am very grateful that though he has ruptured his own precious relationship with dc1, I am extremely close to him.
It's easy for everyone to type advise but the truth is it's your reality and it's complicated you know what you need to do but don't be impacted by posters over simplifying it.
Dancingsmile · 28/12/2021 09:04

You see, his dad bullied him, which has caused him to be abusive to his child.
Who am I talking about ?
Is it why your FIL caused your H to be the way he is ?
Or am I talking about why your son is abusing his kids in the future ?

Someone has to stop the cycle. Children learn from what they see.

HeyGirlHeyBoy · 28/12/2021 09:46

I think he'll make out I'm completely overreacting but not turn violent no. He will be extremely upset. He doesn't have the friendships and support that I do. He is a much less social and quieter person. That is another reason why this has been hard.

OP posts:
youvegottenminuteslynn · 28/12/2021 10:13

He is a much less social and quieter person

Quiet except for when he's calling a little boy names.

HeyGirlHeyBoy · 28/12/2021 10:24

Yes exactly. An extremely quiet child also which is why I think he internalised it all and now blows. Even tho ds behaviour can be a challenge, likely because of it all, I am glad sometimes that it is out rather than him and I hope he won't be the same as an adult.

OP posts:
youvegottenminuteslynn · 28/12/2021 10:28

At the moment your son is spending 100% of his home life around an adult who cannot control their own temper (his dad) so he's currently being taught that lashing out / shouting / nasty words etc are a normal and acceptable way to express yourself.

Hopefully that will change when he is no longer under the same roof as his bully full time. Some counselling for your son when you've left could be helpful as he'll need to unlearn that behaviour and also build back up his self esteem.

RowsOfHolly · 28/12/2021 10:31

OP, I was run ragged caring for elderly parents…. and actually should have prioritised my children more. It is very very hard being sandwich generation but our responsibility and where we can make the most important long term difference is in protecting our children.

I regret the balance I felt obligated into. And not because I don’t love my parents.

HeyGirlHeyBoy · 28/12/2021 10:44

Agree completely RowsofHolly. Sorry you had to do that.

OP posts:
pointythings · 28/12/2021 10:44

I think you're right into end this marriage. Your son can come back from this - look into some counselling for him and if you can, sign up for a parenting course. There are specific ones for parents of divorced children and they will give you the skills to support your children. Doing a course doesn't mean you're a bad parent, it means that you want to be the best parent you can be in a difficult situation - I signed up after my alcoholic husband was removed from the family home by the police and it helped me manage my own feelings about the kids refusing contact (they were older teens) and affirmed that I'd done the right thing for them.

HeyGirlHeyBoy · 28/12/2021 10:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

FetchezLaVache · 28/12/2021 11:08

Out of interest OP, is he only horrible to the older child?

HeyGirlHeyBoy · 28/12/2021 11:18

Well yes, only because younger child has taken role of 'good child' however he will get a roar if he plays up, rarely. Older child feels this preference for sure.

OP posts:
ZorbaTheHoarder · 28/12/2021 11:23

Good luck, OP!

Stay strong, in the knowledge that you are doing what is best for your children.

The current situation is never going to improve, as DH doesn't see that there is a problem.

Therefore, your only possible course of action is to leave.

FetchezLaVache · 28/12/2021 11:26

@HeyGirlHeyBoy

Well yes, only because younger child has taken role of 'good child' however he will get a roar if he plays up, rarely. Older child feels this preference for sure.
Uh oh... Sad

Please stay strong and keep referring back to this thread. You need to leave for the sake of both your children and their relationship with each other. They need out of this, like yesterday.

HeyGirlHeyBoy · 28/12/2021 11:29

That's it really. I spoke to him again last week after the throwing incident. Tho in general I have stopped trying to implore to do something as it is his responsibility and not mine. He seems to justify his blow up and doesn't understand the damage it's doing. We are on utterly different pages on it.

OP posts:
HeyGirlHeyBoy · 28/12/2021 11:32

I know Fetchezlavache Sad Temperament completely different also. A stereotypical 'golden child' from day one.

OP posts:
HeyGirlHeyBoy · 29/12/2021 06:22

Just posting to say I am feeling stronger and more determined by the minute. Spoke to one sibling last night and will speak to another today. She waa great. I think I will tell him why. I want to say one last time that it is not normal, I think in his heart he thinks it is because he is 'pushed' to it and it's not all the time. The reality is he escalates it a huge amount of the time. What to tell dc? I'm not sure but I will do all I can to keeo things consistent for them.

OP posts:
feistymumma · 29/12/2021 06:40

@HeyGirlHeyBoy

Just posting to say I am feeling stronger and more determined by the minute. Spoke to one sibling last night and will speak to another today. She waa great. I think I will tell him why. I want to say one last time that it is not normal, I think in his heart he thinks it is because he is 'pushed' to it and it's not all the time. The reality is he escalates it a huge amount of the time. What to tell dc? I'm not sure but I will do all I can to keeo things consistent for them.
OP your post resonates with me, my ex was like your DH and I would feel sorry for him because he had a shitty childhood. He wasn't as abusive as your DH but abusive nonetheless. Same dynamic with the children, one seen as golden child and one seen as devil's child. When I decided enough was enough the DC were over the moon and couldn't wait for him to leave. Your DC might surprise you! Leaving him is what is good for them and you won't regret it. What really helped me as well was the notion that I would be mortified if any of the children treated their children that way so it was my responsibility to stop the cycle for them. Good luck with it
HeyGirlHeyBoy · 29/12/2021 07:00

Thank you so much.

OP posts:
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