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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

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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:
MightyFishwife · 27/08/2022 09:19

Haven’t RTFT so someone may have already suggested this, but report the abuse to your GP. Having it on record will help you get legal aid if you need it.

You and your babies deserve infinitely better than this, OP. Be strong x

Veryverycalmnow · 27/08/2022 09:19

Get away as soon as possible!

SunshineLaughter · 27/08/2022 09:20

Sending you hugs because you deserve so much better than this! So much of good advice mentioned in previous posts but also could you somehow record some of the stuff he's saying to you? Without him knowing of course. Just to have proof of the extent of the abuse.

ThinkingaboutLangClegosaurus · 27/08/2022 09:22

Rowen32 · 27/08/2022 07:51

Your little children will be listening to his every word and be traumatised for life, please leave for them, please - you deserve so much better - get your children out

As everyone is saying - you need to yourself and dc out quickly. His violence is escalating very rapidly now. Go now. Good luck.

GlassDeli · 27/08/2022 09:23

So much good advice on here, OP. Please do contact the organisations who will help you. There is NO justification for him abusing you. You have the choice to speak up and find a much better future for yourself and your children. Please take that first step today. Flowers

viques · 27/08/2022 09:24

Find the childrens birth certificates, any passports, details of bank accounts, mortgages and other paperwork ,then leave. Your health and life and you and the childrens mental health is the most important priority. You say your family doesn’t know about the abuse, I bet they have their suspicions even though they haven’t said anything. You will get help, you will get through it and your childrens lives will be improved immeasurable by your bravery.

Katela18 · 27/08/2022 09:24

Op please call women's aid today. They can help you leave. He is not tired he's abusive. My husband works very long hours and travels for work. He doesn't abuse me in front of our kids or threaten to kill me. You are teaching your children it's OK for someone to treat them this way. Get out for everyone's sake

Matrons · 27/08/2022 09:27

I feel so sad for you. This situation is not going to get better. Ask yourself if you want to spend the next 15 years like this. I wouldn't. It will continue to wear you down, tell ur family.

You and your children will b better off alone.

EfingNora · 27/08/2022 09:28

@RJnomore1I "I hope you are safe and happy yourself now." Thank you. I'm doing much better, but it's a process. You don't just walk away from the consequences of abuse when you leave. But the lessons I learned have made it easier to avoid falling into the old traps. I had a money argument with my oh recently and he said (heat of the moment) "but I pay for everything!" My reply "if that's the case you can start paying me for the laundry service that stops you going to work looking and smelling like a tramp!" He apologised immediately! Also, he started doing the laundry... Result! I'd never have dared say that in the past.

beastlyslumber · 27/08/2022 09:30

Matrons · 27/08/2022 09:27

I feel so sad for you. This situation is not going to get better. Ask yourself if you want to spend the next 15 years like this. I wouldn't. It will continue to wear you down, tell ur family.

You and your children will b better off alone.

There won't be the option of 15 more years. He's going to try and kill her.

OP just get your kids out of there quickly. Get your birth certs and passports, bank account and mortgage details, favourite toys and a change of clothes in a bag and just go. Everything else can be sorted out when you're safe.

ThisIsPlanetEarth · 27/08/2022 09:30

This is so awful and distressing to read. You need to get away or get him out before he does kill you. Your poor daughter as well.
If he touches you again, phone the police.
Take the good advice on here.
Do not make excuses for his vile behaviour.
You need to be away from him, he should be getting charged with assault.

wizzywig · 27/08/2022 09:32

No idea if this is legal where you live, if you aren't planning on leaving asap, can you set up those cameras in your house? So he can't deny what's going on?

Fraaahnces · 27/08/2022 09:32

Oh honey, you are blaming his behaviour on stress/work pressures, when he is really, really abusive. You NEED to tell your trusted family and friends and get the fuck away from him at all costs. Can you imagine your kids repeating this or treating you this way? I can’t imagine allowing anyone like this around his kids.
Great fathers do not abuse the mothers of their children.

PumpkinPie2016 · 27/08/2022 09:36

Oh @1246aimee I feel so awful for you reading your post 😥 your situation sounds horrific and you sound so frightened.

Lots of good advice here already so I can only really second what others have said.

You need to leave with your children. They and you deserve so much more. Money/possessions can be sorted later. Safety is the most important thing.

Is he going out today? If so, leave then. Turn up at a police station if you have to.

If he isn't, act normally and take the children out 'to the park to run off some energy' or shopping or to visit grandparents- whatever is easiest. Then you can go to a friend/relative/police.

I know you feel family/friends will say 'I told you so' but most likely, they won't. If you were my friend/sister, regardless of what I thought of your choice of husband, I would just want to help.

Please let us know how you are.

SlouchingTowardsBethlehemAgain · 27/08/2022 09:37

You have become numb to the abuse to protect yourself, but trust me, it is really fucking terrible - and your kids are seeing it. Contact women's aid and get out before he does something worse.

VeganCow · 27/08/2022 09:38

Its very rare for a violent man to have insight into his own behaviour.
He is TELLING you what will happen, don't just listen to it, BELIEVE it. Tell everyone you know and trust today, call womens aid and the police and and go with your babies

NewYorkLassie · 27/08/2022 09:42

This is an awful situation, for you especially but doesn’t sound healthy for him either. He’s as much as said he has a problem and told you to leave for your own safety.

Hopefully leaving will give him the kick up the arse he needs to get some help. You know you can’t stay and when you leave it will be up to him to get help for his problems.

Motnight · 27/08/2022 09:42

He is abusing you and your children. As others have said he has told you what he will do next.

User6761 · 27/08/2022 09:42

Women's Aid and the police were both exceptionally supportive to my sister when she was in a similar situation. Call them today OP. You can do this.

KentuckyDerbyandJoan · 27/08/2022 09:43

chelle0 · 27/08/2022 00:15

He is threatening to kill you in front of your children. Believe him when he says that. Phone the police and leave. Don't let your children witness that.

This please call the Police

AnotherForumUser · 27/08/2022 09:51

Please take the advice here. Previous posters have put up links to organisations can help. You and your beautiful babies need to leave. You are worth so much more. You can do this. You can regain your own life and feeling of self worth as an independent woman. You don't say whether you are married or not but whichever it is you must leave this excuse for a human being who is a vile abusive bullying piece of shit. He is scum.

CoffeeLover90 · 27/08/2022 09:55

I didn't believe my ex when he said this either. Then he smothered me, cracking my ribs in the process and smashed my phone so I couldn't get help. My son was in the house. I grabbed him and ran. It's been 5 months. I'm pressing charges. I feel safe, loved and appreciated. Not quite happy yet, but getting there.
This is going to get worse. He's testing you to see how much he can get away with. It's not because he's tired or overworked, it's because he's a bully. He took it up a notch when DD was born because you were vulnerable. He's tied you to him for life and made you depend on him. He's been very calculated.
Ring women's aid. They'll help you with an escape plan once they know your living arrangements etc. Tell your family and friends. Tell your neighbours, ex work colleagues. The more people know the better. You'd be surprised how much help is there.
Press charges, emotional abuse is against the law, as well as him assaulting you. This will effect his access to the children and black list his name if any women check him out in future under claires law.
Follow all the advice you're given by women's aid and you'll come out the other side. But 'men' like this will be left bitter and lonely, which is more than they deserve.

TheOGCCL · 27/08/2022 09:55

If he is conscious enough to know what he is doing and what he is capable of, he would be conscious enough to adjust his behaviour, regardless of how tired/stresses he is, if he wanted to. It’s the knowingness here that is most disturbing. He clearly has no love for you.

viques · 27/08/2022 10:01

SunshineLaughter · 27/08/2022 09:20

Sending you hugs because you deserve so much better than this! So much of good advice mentioned in previous posts but also could you somehow record some of the stuff he's saying to you? Without him knowing of course. Just to have proof of the extent of the abuse.

That is such dangerous advice, controlling men often check their partners phones, if he found recordings he would first delete them , then probably turn on the OP.

ChrisTrepidation · 27/08/2022 10:06

Adding to everyone else...

This man is telling you with no shame that you are in danger around him. You MUST act accordingly. Please tell your family/friends what is happening and get out now. Just leave. Everything else can be sorted later.

He could kill you or your children (or both) It really is that serious. Aside from that the damage your children will experience seeing his abuse will scar them forever if you do not remove them.

You do not deserve this, your children do not deserve this. Please get yourselves away from this unhinged man to safety.