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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

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I need a place to share what’s really going on behind closed doors…

259 replies

1246aimee · 27/08/2022 00:04

Hi, apologies for the incoming download of shit but things are getting out of hand and I need to get this off my chest without the judgement and ‘told you so’s from friends and family. Things are getting so out of hand and I really don’t know what to do…

We have two children (6yo girl and 14 mo boy) and have been together nearly 11 years. The arguments started when our LG was born, mostly around money - I’m shit with it, have no savings etc so can forgive him for these early ones. However, since finding out we were pregnant again he became even more argumentative and hurtful, calling me names and screaming at me infront of our LG, like every week he’d flip because I didn’t answer his question quick enough, or I didn’t remind her to tidy the playroom.

When it came to it, I went into an elective C section with our LB on my own because he didn’t want to go in (I’m pretty sure there’s some post-natal PTSD after our daughter, he just refuses to get help).

He set up his own business 3 years ago and works 24/7 with zero help (not through lack of me trying). He’s an all or nothing man, very ambitious and has to be the best at whatever he sets his mind to. I had a full time job that I loved prior to having our son, and I was made redundant during Mat Leave - he stated that we were financially sound and that there was no pressure to find another job, so we agreed that I’d stay home and raise our family.

Now that my income is zero, the arguments are really severe - as soon as he comes down in the morning it starts. Repetitive name calling to include ‘you’re a selfish b%}h’, ‘you lazy c^t’, ‘you’re a cancer in my life’, ‘f#%k off out of my life’ etc. Each roasting like this will last on average 2 hours and the language is unbearable. Infront of our babies. I walk away from him to make it stop, but it makes him angrier. Sometimes I bite back which I hate myself for, but what am I supposed to do?? He has shaken me twice in the last 4 weeks, gets really up close to my face, grabs my face to force me to look at him, pokes me and pushes me. Arguments are mostly focused on money, and how I never organise anything for the family to do together on his days off, I don’t make him feel loved, I never think of planning nice stuff to do just us… which is true. I don’t do those things because in the past he’s always found an excuse not to go! So many cancelled dinner plans, cinema trips, lunch dates, family days out… he doesn’t seem to comprehend that when he puts me down like he does I have zero will to make him feel ‘special’ 🤦🏻‍♀️ After these rantings we’ve always moved on from them eventually, not mentioning the previous row.

Anyway, today he hit a peak during his daily dose of verbal abuse and told me to leave for my own good - I make him so angry he can no longer control himself and he will likely kill me next time. I wouldn’t say I’m scared, just numb to everything he says if that makes sense? Almost like I don’t believe him.

My family & friends know nothing of what’s going on. I have no money or savings. I have no job. I have two babies whom I love dearly - my heart knows I need to take them away from this, but my head tells me to stay - he’s super tired, stressed, over worked, lonely and all the other excuses/justifications I tell myself. I just don’t know where to go or what to do. Help please! Xx

OP posts:
Zonder · 27/08/2022 08:10

Whose house is it? Are you married? Whatever, the priority is to get you and your kids out, and tell everyone what's going on.

Does he have any family?

JumpTheGun · 27/08/2022 08:12

“my head tells me to stay - he’s super tired, stressed, over worked, lonely and all the other excuses/justifications I tell myself”

All of this can be true. He probably is incredibly stressed. But if you care about him you’ll get out. I’m sure he doesn’t want to be the man he is right now, but he is. Get out now, and he has the chance for life not to be defined by being an abuser.

Obviously first and foremost you need to get out for yourself and your children, but if it’s concern for him that’s holding you back, recognise that you’re doing the best thing for him too.

LakieLady · 27/08/2022 08:12

Please leave, OP, for your children's sake if you don't feel you can do it for your own sake.

Great advice on this thread, please take it.

Sunshineandroses5 · 27/08/2022 08:15

Already great advice. It’s super hard to leave, would you want your children thinking this how to behave in a relationship? If you can’t leave for you, leave for them 💐

StClare101 · 27/08/2022 08:16

Do not give him any inkling you are leaving or you will be in so much more danger. Pack some bags when he goes to work on Monday and go. Take all the advice others have given about who to call.

Sswhinesthebest · 27/08/2022 08:25

Get your paper work together and some basic essentials and leave the next time he is out of the house. I hope he doesn’t wfh, and you can do this soon.

TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams · 27/08/2022 08:26

You appear to be stalling because of the “I told you so’s” that may come your way.
If you have friends and family who had reservations about him from the start they will be the first people to support you and to help you stand up to him. Please ask them for help.

TooManyPlatesInMotion · 27/08/2022 08:28

Leave. Leave now. Talk to your friends and family and let them help you. I doubt those people who love you will be saying I told you so, as your post suggests.

Protect yourself and your children. Get out today.

UserError012345 · 27/08/2022 08:28

Call the Police. Take him seriously. He has threatened your life. Let them deal with it.
They can be there while you move out if needs be.

Don't believe him when he says it 'was just a joke'.

What's your plan OP?

EfingNora · 27/08/2022 08:28

I've never posted here before but I can't scroll by this time.

You have absolutely no need to apologise for the "download of shit" . It's not your shit, it's his and the only apology necessary would be from him to you (and your children) and that's not going to happen.

I'm so sorry this is happening to you, you don't deserve it (no one does) even though many victims find that hard to believe, I know that I did. There are so many points where you tell us how "great" he is, setting up his own business, working hard, good with money, whereas you describe yourself as shit with money, no savings etc. None of that is true! He's done such a great job of putting you down, gaslighting you and destroying your confidence that you believe these lies at the moment. But they are lies.

You say "he stated that we were financially sound and that there was no pressure to find another job, so we agreed that I’d stay home and raise our family." Well he can't have it both ways, you can't go to work AND be a stay at home parent. If you start earning again he will have lost the weapon he is using to beat you with. He wants to keep you powerless, it makes you easier to control. As an aside, my last violent ex used to use similar money issues with me. One day he came home and announced he'd quit his job and it was my turn to do the graft for a change (of course child care and running a home is not work!) I applied for two jobs and was offered them both. You should have seen the look on his face when I told him! Taking back that little bit of power was the first nail in the coffin for that relationship.

The escalation of aggression and violence you describe is alarming, but I don't think I can add to the advice others have already given, so instead I'd like to unpick some of his shit and give it a different perspective. He says you don't make him feel loved. That's not you, that's him making himself feel unloved by making you so terrified, fear kills love. Why would you want to arrange to spend time pretending that the way he treats you is normal and everything is OK?

When he says that you "make him so angry he can no longer control himself and he will likely kill me next time" I'd say that the first half of that is definitely untrue. You DON'T make him angry, it's his choice! He could choose to walk away, take some time to calm down, get some help for his anger, but no, he chooses aggression. Likewise he can choose whether to control himself, physically, verbally and in all other ways. He chooses to be aggressive and threatening because it works for him! I know that's hard to believe, but plenty of men can manage to disagree with their partner without losing it and he could learn to do the same, but he chooses not to do so. There may be good reasons why he has learned this behaviour, but it's not your fault, nor is it your responsibility to fix or put up with it.

You have done an amazing thing today by reaching out and asking for help. I know from experience how hard that is. It's a huge thing to do and I hope that one day you are proud of this moment.

Bestcatmum · 27/08/2022 08:29

He has told you he's going to kill you. I would listen to him if I was you. What's keeping you there? Apathy? Go now before he actually does kill you.

Snoozley · 27/08/2022 08:30

Sadly this is domestic abuse .it is not your fault. Speak to your GP and ask for sign posting to services to help you escape this awful situation.

eatsleepeatrepeat · 27/08/2022 08:37

OP please reply when you can so we know you're ok.

Please leave this man and take your babies.

Ladybyrd · 27/08/2022 08:47

His warning that he is "going to kill you" is a get out of jail free card. It says to me that if you stay, he will become violent, but that will be your fault for staying. He sounds like a real arsehole, and I would have no issue with telling him so. But why are you the one who has to leave? If he's unhappy, then he should go.

RunningSME · 27/08/2022 08:47

Are you getting a child benefit ?
you must have access to some money how are you buying the weekly shop etc

MummyJ36 · 27/08/2022 08:57

Please OP for the sake of your children leave.

EfingNora · 27/08/2022 09:00

As Ladybird said "why are you the one who has to leave? If he's unhappy, then he should go."
You may have to get out in the short term for the safety of yourself and your children, but when my sister got divorced (and her husband was nowhere near as extreme as yours) the divorce settlement gave her and the children the house, her twenty years of doing EVERYTHING* except earning the money was given equal weight to his financial contribution. Once you're out of danger get some legal advice.

RisingSunn · 27/08/2022 09:00

You really have to leave with NO warning.
He is escalating - and with financial pressures increasing - I guarantee you his abuse will become even more extreme.

LemonDrop22 · 27/08/2022 09:07

I'm very sorry op but you're going to have to leave him.

Women's aid can help you get housing.

You will qualify for universal credit. You can work a number of hours on universal credit too. If you work a few hours, you will get;

  • Universal credit, which consists of a rental part and regular part.
  • Council tax discount or free
  • Child Benefit
  • Child maintenance off him. Starts at 12 per cent of his income, unless he has them 50-50 overnights per year or more. There's a calculator online. He may try to evade/play it, being self employed .... A forensic accountant could help with that.
Many men will go for 50-50 but not remotely stick to it. You record the overnights.
  • if you work, you'll get 85 per cent childcare paid, up to a cap (of around £1600 I think) per month
  • any wages you make
  • when they go to school you'll get free meals and uniform cost help

Citizens advice and women's aid can go through what you'll receive.

Dwrcegin · 27/08/2022 09:08

Anyway, today he hit a peak during his daily dose of verbal abuse and told me to leave for my own good - I make him so angry he can no longer control himself and he will likely kill me next time.

Bloody hell, go to the nearest police station today, and if you can't phone them. Do not give him a chance to carry this on!

RJnomore1 · 27/08/2022 09:08

@EfingNora that’s a great post and I hope you are safe and happy yourself now.

LemonDrop22 · 27/08/2022 09:08

(Obviously you'd get everything except your wages and the subsidised childcare if you don't work. And there's no compulsion to until both kids are 3 or so).

Namechanged454 · 27/08/2022 09:08

Please call women's aid my lovely! The abuse I endured was far less than yours and they helped me more than I could have ever imagined. I remember my (ex) husband going away with work and the shear relief I felt at being home on my own with my children. I broke down to my boss, told a couple friends and finally admitted all to my mum. Everyone was so supportive, some said they felt like they knew something wasn't right, others were oblivious. I went to a refuge and it changed my life. My young children thought we were on holiday bless them! They still talk fondly of the fun we had there - I thought it would scar them taking them to a place like that but it didn't. Please get help, or you're teaching your children that relationships like this are normal and they will grow to be in toxic relationships themselves xx you deserve to be happy xx

2bazookas · 27/08/2022 09:12

Hear him and believe him.

Do you want your motherless children to have him as sole parent? Really?

Get out now. First, inform local police he has threatened to kill you; it's legally important to formally log that threat and that you are in fear of your life and your childrens safety. Then contact a womens' refuge for emergency accommodation and legal help. Your local council, library etc have details.

beastlyslumber · 27/08/2022 09:14

Saying this in the gentlest way, OP: you should be scared. He's threatened to kill you. Believe him. Get yourself and your kids away as soon as possible.

Contact women's aid, contact the police, tell your friends and family - just get out of there.

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