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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:
HeyGirlHeyBoy · 29/12/2021 07:01

Even when you say 'wasn't as abusive as' I seem conditioned to think 'Is he that bad?'

OP posts:
youvegottenminuteslynn · 29/12/2021 09:43

His behaviour absolutely meets the threshold of verbal and emotional abuse.

How bad is this?
How bad is this?
HaggisBurger · 29/12/2021 09:47

@HeyGirlHeyBoy re your question about what to tell you DH? I’d be tempted to go with a firm - our marriage is over. This relationship no longer works for me or our children. Rather than go into detail and have him try and argue and minimise (or promise to change)

HeyGirlHeyBoy · 29/12/2021 09:49

Really? OK I will consider that. And thank you Youvegottenminuteslynn.

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youvegottenminuteslynn · 29/12/2021 09:50

Some more info

How bad is this?
HeyGirlHeyBoy · 29/12/2021 09:55

Thanks. All of that is very helpful and is bolstering me very much.

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SortingItOut · 29/12/2021 10:03

You could just tell the children that you and their Dad are splitting up and will live in seperate houses but they will both be no.1 priority.

Nothing else is needed in the short term.
My DD was 15 when her Dad and I split and I just said we were splitting up and going to live apart. I didn't go into detail until a few years later as I didn't want her to think badly of her Dad.

I would tell your husband that the marriage is over due to his abuse of your son and you wont be changing your mind.

Too be fair I expect he'll want to see the younger child more than the older one which would be better than him having them both and abusing the older one.

HeyGirlHeyBoy · 29/12/2021 10:05

I would like a plan for living arrangements before telling dc si we're coming from a place of stability from the off. Thanks for good advice.

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NoTvNoWifi · 29/12/2021 10:17

I just wanted to say you sound like such a good and caring mum. You are making the right decision for you and your child for a less fraught future. Willing you on.

SortingItOut · 29/12/2021 10:21

What is your housing situation currently?
Mortgage or rented? Who's name?

HeyGirlHeyBoy · 29/12/2021 10:23

Mortgage, plenty of equity but house prices equally high nearby, joint names. I would rather no move for dc for now anyway. It will all depend how it plays out and I jave a feeling he won't be overly accommodating.

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HeyGirlHeyBoy · 29/12/2021 10:24

Thank you NoTvNoWifi Flowers

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SortingItOut · 29/12/2021 10:39

Has he got family he can stay with in the short term?
Can he afford to private rent a property until things are sorted?

Can you afford all the bills including mortgage on your salary?

HeyGirlHeyBoy · 29/12/2021 10:42

Yes I can afford the mortgage and bills but of course that will seem unfair to him. No family nearby unfortunately. I don't know whar he'd manage to get privately in terms of renting. Prices are high. I have my DParent ifbwe were to go the nesting route.. I am sick again with it all as he will not want to leave.

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youvegottenminuteslynn · 29/12/2021 10:50

Be sure to find some online calculators to see what you are entitled to both in Universal Credit terms and Child Maintenance from him. The more information you have, the more in control you'll feel.

SortingItOut · 29/12/2021 12:03

I think that there are lots of options with regard to living arrangements but to start off with you need to tell him your marriage is over.
Start avting like that so you don't cook for him, do his washing or anything. You act like lodgers.
Then in a few days raise the house situation and see what his thoughts are and go from there.

You are feeling worried about something that has not cropped up yet, I think the biggest shock will be you telling him the marriage is over and he/you may say horrible stuff in the heat of the moment so one thing at a time.

billy1966 · 29/12/2021 13:04

OP,

Please ring Women's aid for advice.

Your children are in a highly abusive home, of that have no doubt.

I think asking the abusive parent to leave is reasonable.

I think you should expect him to get very angry and abusive when he feels his control slipping.

He is a bully, just like his father.

Calling the police on 101 and telling them your intention to end an abusive relationship because your husband is abusing your child, would be wise.

They can put a marker on your address and your phone number, should you need to call.

If he kicks off, please call the police.

He is a house terrorist.

The damage to BOTH your children is huge.

Please believe this.

He knows well that his behaviour is wrong but chooses to be a bully.

Does he behave like this in work?
With neighbours?
Family?

No, he does it to a 9 year old boy that is terrified and traumatised and now has behavioural difficulty.

You sound like a lovely woman who has made bad choices over the years.

Your children desperately need saving.

Please tip the police off.

Your eldest is unlikely to want to spend a lot of time with him.

Go to your GP and log the abuse and trauma.

Your children desperately need you to stand tall and call his abuse out once and for all.

Wishing you strength and resolve.Flowers

HeyGirlHeyBoy · 29/12/2021 13:36

I know your advice is meant with great kindness Billy but I feel a bit weak tbh reading it and I'm not able to take it on board just now. I think just letting him know it's over is going to be first massive challenge. It would be so much easier to stay on auto pilot. I'm not going to do that.

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billy1966 · 29/12/2021 14:24

The most important thing is to keep yourself and your children safe.

Could you send them to stay with family so that they are out of the house when you tell him?

Focus on your immediate safety.

HeyGirlHeyBoy · 29/12/2021 17:27

Thank you. I am not fearful for our safety. This will destroy the true him that I mnow is underneath and my heart will find that very hard despite everything. I feel selfish and cold and uncaring. I have spoken to mu second sibling now and she was wonderful, told me I am doing right thing and I have everyone's support.

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Pinkbonbon · 29/12/2021 17:33

Please stop calling this 'anger issues' your partner is not abusive because he is angry. He is angry because he is abusive.

He is not 'losing control' and flying into a rage. He is deliberately acting with rage in order to intimidate you and your son.

Get out of there.

pointythings · 29/12/2021 17:34

The true him that is underneath is the angry man who is abusing your boy. Until you accept that, you cannot act decisively.

HeyGirlHeyBoy · 29/12/2021 17:37

No you're wrong. I am about to act decisively but I can still be sad for the little boy he once was and the great intentions he started out married life and fatherhood with. I am allowed to grieve that.

Interesting distinction Pinkbonbon I will reread that a few times. Worth reflecting on for sure.

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Pinkbonbon · 29/12/2021 17:41

I'm glad it gave you pause for thought.

Because that is the trick of the abuser - they convince you that they don't mean it, that they are just 'losing control'.

The truth is that they absolutely mean to abuse. It's a choice. They just don't want you to know that. So that you'll keep excusing it as then being a 'good person, with issues that something could be done about' as opposed to the utter asshole they truly are.

It's all part of the gaslighting.

It's a trap.

HeyGirlHeyBoy · 29/12/2021 17:44

Really interesting.

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