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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

Husband called me a retard

24 replies

Changedname23 · 18/06/2023 10:13

Name changed but am a regular here. Without being too outing I suffered an unexpected loss a few days ago so am feeling very vulnerable/emotional anyway.

Last night my daughter had a show we had to attend. I really wasn't in the mood but gathered myself and went and put a brave face on. On the way there we parked across the road and OH mentioned that there was a short cut to where we were going. On the way home from the show I started walking in that direction and he said the other way (original route we took) was quicker. I kept walking as it was difference of seconds. He kept repeating it and was getting more agitated. I said does it really matter and he called me a retard in front of the kids.

He gave a half hearted apology in the car and I told him what he said was disgusting and backward. Usually I'd accept the apology for peace. He kept badgering me for an apology and saying I was sulking. This went on to the point where the kids were telling him to drop it and leave it. He eventually did.

This morning he has apologised but I told him I've no doubt he is sorry but that his behaviour and reaction were extreme and that he needs to think about what he can do to prevent this happening again. I don't think he has the capacity to reflect. He kept saying I never listen to him. The decision to take the short cut was a 2 second decision on my part and I think it should have been a non event.

For context. He has ADHD and is always quick to anger but he can control his anger in work or social situations so I think he uses it as an excuse to behave badly.

OP posts:
Fiddlechops82 · 18/06/2023 10:16

Context not needed

It was appalling

why did you name change. This is nothing for you to feel ashamed about

7Worfs · 18/06/2023 10:18

He needs to sort his shit out. One more outburst in front of the children and I’d ask him to move out.

Changedname23 · 18/06/2023 10:21

Fiddlechops82 · 18/06/2023 10:16

Context not needed

It was appalling

why did you name change. This is nothing for you to feel ashamed about

I don't know why I namechanged. I'm just so upset about the loss anyway. I'm all over the place. Husband was very supportive for two days and then yesterday was snapping at me all day.

Everyone thinks he's amazing and it clouds my judgement so I don't feel I know what is normal and what isn't. He can't seem to see that this was a massive extreme over reaction. This is normal behaviour for him, not a one-off.

OP posts:
Changedname23 · 18/06/2023 10:22

7Worfs · 18/06/2023 10:18

He needs to sort his shit out. One more outburst in front of the children and I’d ask him to move out.

He won't do it. He has acted like this for years seems unable to reflect on his behaviour.

OP posts:
7Worfs · 18/06/2023 10:24

If your children are old enough (sounds like it) and your financial position is ok, you are better off moving on.

ThursdayFreedom · 18/06/2023 10:28

I'm sorry for your loss 💐

i don't think right now is a great time to deal with his general behaviour.

I can't quite understand if calling you names was the issue or using the word 'retard'?

be clear with him which was the issue & then tell him you are too sad & too fragile right now to deal with his behaviour & to just drop it.

How old are your kids? Do they understand 'retard' is a word we don't use? That it's worse than swearing?

ElizabethZott1961 · 18/06/2023 10:28

My ex husband was like that. Every day I was called names. Guttersnipe was one, idiot, moron and simpleton are others. He didn't ever change.

Changedname23 · 18/06/2023 10:29

7Worfs · 18/06/2023 10:24

If your children are old enough (sounds like it) and your financial position is ok, you are better off moving on.

Kids are pre-teen. Financial position isn't wonderful but I have good earning potential if I went full time

OP posts:
Changedname23 · 18/06/2023 10:31

ThursdayFreedom · 18/06/2023 10:28

I'm sorry for your loss 💐

i don't think right now is a great time to deal with his general behaviour.

I can't quite understand if calling you names was the issue or using the word 'retard'?

be clear with him which was the issue & then tell him you are too sad & too fragile right now to deal with his behaviour & to just drop it.

How old are your kids? Do they understand 'retard' is a word we don't use? That it's worse than swearing?

The issue was his extreme over reaction and the name calling. My background is working in the disability sector and my DD has extra support needs (dyslexia, ADHD) so the kids have been brought up to be very aware and open to people with extra needs. They would never use the word.

OP posts:
AttilaTheMeerkat · 18/06/2023 10:53

How can you be helped into leaving your (and in turn your kids) abuser?.

He does not have an anger management problem because he can and does control this around people in the outside world, he’s probably all sweetness and light to them.

He has a problem with anger, your anger, when you call him out on his unreasonable behaviour. His ADHD (has he been formally diagnosed) is no justification or excuse for this abusive of you either.

I would urge you to contact Women’s Aid as they can also help and advise here. Your children cannot continue to remain in such a toxic environment as this will further affect them in adulthood when they form their own relationships.

Changedname23 · 18/06/2023 11:14

AttilaTheMeerkat · 18/06/2023 10:53

How can you be helped into leaving your (and in turn your kids) abuser?.

He does not have an anger management problem because he can and does control this around people in the outside world, he’s probably all sweetness and light to them.

He has a problem with anger, your anger, when you call him out on his unreasonable behaviour. His ADHD (has he been formally diagnosed) is no justification or excuse for this abusive of you either.

I would urge you to contact Women’s Aid as they can also help and advise here. Your children cannot continue to remain in such a toxic environment as this will further affect them in adulthood when they form their own relationships.

Thanks for your sound advice. Yes he has a formal diagnosis and I believe he uses it as an excuse.

I had already started to make plans to leave. I have an excellent therapist and have started to record his behaviour as I backed down before.

I'm feeling extremely vulnerable now due to the loss I experienced the other day so I think I need to balance myself a bit more before making any moves.

I just can't believe he would act like that when he knows what happened a few days ago.

OP posts:
pikkumyy77 · 18/06/2023 11:23

Just a huge hug. I am so sorry for your loss. It is perhaps because you have experienced this loss that you are able to see how intolerable his behavior has become. You are shocked and hurt because he can’t be kind, calm, and supportive for more than five minutes. In a way your grief and exhaustion has given you a gift: the gift of impatience and insight.

He hasn’t changed, this is who he is. That isn't said to excuse him! It is meant to encourage you to put down a firm boundary and set a timetable for improvement.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 18/06/2023 12:18

You need both time and space to grieve for the loss you had. Take your time and at this time make no snap decisions.

I would not have a timetable for improvement, I’d be using one of those instead to leave him. You are not a rehab centre for such a badly raise man.

Tiddlypomtiddlypom · 18/06/2023 15:13

Glad to read you’re planning to leave the awful twat.

Iamkitty · 18/06/2023 15:18

This is abusive, and you do need to leave. The adhd is an excuse.

Twisting what you say, making you doubt yourself, let alone the abusive language.. all types of abuse. Record this, keep a diary of it, and discuss with your therapist. You need to identify it before you can deal with it.

EarthSight · 18/06/2023 17:05

It's not the name calling that the only problem. It's the fact he said that in front of your kids, something they shouldn't have to witness, and the fact that he has these thoughts and regards you in the first place. Even if he kept it all in, would you think everything was fine if you could tell he was calling you this or that behind his eyes?

We all let our guard down in front of those closest to us, and we don't behave the same way in front of our partner as we do in front of a boss. It would be strange and guarded behaviour if we did. However, it does show he's capable of controlling his behaviour in a way that he doesn't want to apply to you. As I said, that's not really the only point though is it?

porridgeisbae · 18/06/2023 17:45

'We all let our guard down in front of loved ones' - yes but that'd be things like sometimes telling them if we were not feeling 100% well one day.

Letting one's guard down doesn't mean verbal abuse of a partner, let alone doing it when they've suffered a loss.

HostaLuago · 18/06/2023 18:28

It just shows his level of respect for you, I honestly feel trying to make him understand how this made you feel is pointless, his views are fixed and the only way he's going to treat you with a repectable level of civility is if you are apart and he becomes an aquaintance.

I doubt you would use such derogatory language towards him especially for such a minor event.

He's no gentleman, he has no manners and he is unkind, why would you want to be in his company, no one should speak to you like that, let alone your lover.

ThursdayFreedom · 18/06/2023 20:10

@Changedname23

It's a shame you backed down from
leaving before. Are you able to see what happened and build resilience into that aspect now?

you & your kids deserve to live free of this bellend gaslighting you & over reacting to minor shit.

just think how much more relaxed you'd all be. No tension.

is there anything other than the kids stopping you working full time?

If you can't record his reactions, make sure you keep a note of them.

but right now, look after yourself. Tell him to fuck off if he keeps on about you apologising to him. Just tell him YOU have nothing to apologise for & if he can't support you with your loss, the least he can do, is leave you the fuck alone.

Lecoqdor · 18/06/2023 20:17

Oh FFS. I have ADHD and I don't use it as an excuse to be vile.

He is the one who needs to apologise, though you'd be better off without him.

TheTellTaleHeart · 18/06/2023 21:46

Hi @Changedname23 thats not adhd it’s controlling behaviour.

My abusive ex was exactly the same. Used to blow his top if I crossed the road at “the wrong place” because now we had to wait for a car to pass and I was an idiot 🙄
it’s got nothing to do with quickness and everything to do with not being able to accept or tolerate you acting with autonomy.
you say he’s quick to anger at home, but not everywhere else- 🚩

If you need any further convincing, get yourself a copy if “why does he do that?” and I guarantee you’ll find him in there, under the 7 different types of abuser. “Mr Always Right” or “The Drill Sargeant” I would guess.

Call Refuge, it’s not like Samaritans or anything, it’s practical, legal advice. Get your ducks in a row and leave this soul sucking asshole. But do it asap.

Changedname23 · 19/06/2023 15:09

pikkumyy77 · 18/06/2023 11:23

Just a huge hug. I am so sorry for your loss. It is perhaps because you have experienced this loss that you are able to see how intolerable his behavior has become. You are shocked and hurt because he can’t be kind, calm, and supportive for more than five minutes. In a way your grief and exhaustion has given you a gift: the gift of impatience and insight.

He hasn’t changed, this is who he is. That isn't said to excuse him! It is meant to encourage you to put down a firm boundary and set a timetable for improvement.

Thank you. Yes I agree it has highlighted his behaviour, especially that he can't be supportive beyond a few days

OP posts:
afaloren · 19/06/2023 15:18

Is he always an abusive, ableist twat?

Lwrenagain · 19/06/2023 15:47

I'm really sorry to read about your loss and bellend of a husband.

I hate those kind of words and I remember the nastiest row I ever had with an ex, to hurt me he called me a "fat mong", 2 years we'd been together and I just blocked him and never spoke to him again.

He'd called me every cunt under the sun before then and it hadn't bothered me, but the M word did.

We all have limits don't we 💐

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