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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 gaslighting?

43 replies

Southernbird2021 · 19/07/2022 18:37

I've been with my partner for 8 years now and we have a 1 year old DD.
We argue a lot. He didn't initially want a baby. He then said he would if I lost weight.

Anyway I could bulk this out with loads of past issues but I'll jump to the most recent.

I am going back to work part time because we can afford it. Started about a month ago. He still expects me to do the nights, mornings and weekends as I did on maternity leave because he's the reason we can afford me to work less.

There are other issues but if I share all of them it could be outing but basically when I try and raise stuff, we have a massive row. He always gets mad and shouts and swears at me and calls me names. Then he tells me it's my fault because I always cause a row and have issues...he just wants to spend his time doing what he loves and doesn't want me to raise anything. He calls it me "starting aggro" every time. Because this has been ongoing now, i often bottle it up and sometimes I try to raise stuff in a civil way and sometimes I may just make a sarcastic comment when I've reached the end of my tether...this will cause explosive rows where he calls.me some of the worst names imaginable.

OP posts:
HelenHywater · 19/07/2022 20:49

So he told you that you can't ever put on any weight and have to remain obsessively skinny or he won't fancy you?

He sounds awful OP. And no, he isn't an amazing dad.

TibetanTerrah · 19/07/2022 20:56

The "you're causing aggro" comment jumped out at me. My abusive ex used to say that to me to make me shut up and toe the line. He could do what he wanted, treat me however badly he wanted and if I said a single word I was "causing aggro".

Southernbird2021 · 19/07/2022 20:57

What did you do?

OP posts:
pinkyorange · 19/07/2022 20:59

he didn't initially want a baby

It's as old as the hills. Men who don't pull their weight with kids are generally the men who never really wanted them but went along with it. Listen to them the first time, and move on

Forgothowmuchlhatehomeschoolin · 19/07/2022 21:04

He's not an amazing dad.
He's a complete cunt

TibetanTerrah · 19/07/2022 21:04

Southernbird2021 · 19/07/2022 20:57

What did you do?

If you mean me, I left it far too long (no DC) thankfully, but eventually I said something like "fine you won't get aggro from me anymore" and I left him.

Southernbird2021 · 19/07/2022 21:06

Please anyone. What should I do? I'm so unhappy.

OP posts:
Unanananana · 19/07/2022 21:13

Imagine what your DD will learn about how to treat women from this douchebag? Is that hpw you want her treated?

Amazing Dad? No. He is just a cunt.

You need to leave him for your own sake as well as your child.

Gotmynewshoes · 19/07/2022 21:16

He ditched me because of some perceived slight (attempt to control). A massive wave of relief came over me, so when he apologised and said he'd made a mistake he was very shocked to discover that I agreed that we should split. Best decision ever, but the unpicking of how I got there in the first place has taken a while.

So I think you should leave him. I lost a lot of "weight" instantly when I did.

TibetanTerrah · 19/07/2022 21:24

Southernbird2021 · 19/07/2022 21:06

Please anyone. What should I do? I'm so unhappy.

You need to leave. That sounds easier said than done but we'll help you. What do you need to be able to get out?

Pegsonstrings · 19/07/2022 23:01

Look up narcissistic abuse on YouTube

read Lundy Bankroft, why does he do that?

look up your local woman’s aid, you can find them on their webpage

educate yourself on coercive abuse, emotional abuse and financial abuse, read read read.

also, you are deserving of love and respect, no one on this planet is entitled to abuse you, even if you turned out to be the biggest person walking this planet.

you can have a good life.

the hardest thing leaving an abuser is staying away once you leave because they are so clever in hoovering us back into whatever lies they tell us to keep us. So remember to write all the shit down, all of it and use it to deter you from going back when he is crying, begging and loving you the way he did in the beginning.

mumsnet saved me multiple times and you are not alone

HollowTalk · 19/07/2022 23:08

Amazing dads don't treat their child's mother like that!

ThinkingaboutLangClegosaurus · 19/07/2022 23:54

Get practical advice from 'women's Aid or refuge, about how to leave, how to claim benefits etc. And please accept all the help your good friend is offering.

He is abusive and he's not going to change. Do you want your DC to grow up in this horrible atmosphere, and learning how women should be careful not to anger men? Dreadful. Save yourself and DC.

Sisiwawa · 20/07/2022 00:17

Read up as other posters suggest, but also consider speaking to work about increasing hours in the near future, speak to nursery about costs involved etc. Start saving secretly,
Start making plans and work towards leaving. Consider all your options re housing, work, money etc.

Southernbird2021 · 20/07/2022 07:07

Thank you everyone. I've started a diary to record everything and I'm going to speak to my parents and tell them everything as well. Still not sure what I'm going to do but I will definitely read up on everything too.

OP posts:
ThinkingaboutLangClegosaurus · 20/07/2022 08:10

We argue a lot. He didn't initially want a baby. He then said he would if I lost weight

I've read all your posts, OP, but just those statements were enough. Please leave hism. Protect yourself and DC.

billy1966 · 20/07/2022 08:37

OP,

Tell your parents asap and get packing.

This is a highly abusive relationship and a terrible environment for your child.

What do you mean you have handed over the finances?

Southernbird2021 · 20/07/2022 08:38

We agreed I would go back part time so I can spend time with DD. This means financially I'm relying on him for mortgage etc. Before I got pregnant, this wasn't the case.

OP posts:
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