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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

Silent Treatment

71 replies

SuddenlyISee · 21/09/2023 15:54

My husband hasn't spoken to me properly for two days. We went to bed absolutely fine on Tuesday but since he woke up yesterday morning, has barely said two words to me. I've asked if he's ok, if I've done something wrong, if he wants to talk about anything and he's either just said no or he walks off. I've spent the day trying to work out if there's anything I could have done to upset him but I'm stumped. I'm now sitting here absolutely dreading him coming home from work and getting the same treatment. It's so true what they say about feeling lonely in your own home.

OP posts:
wildwestpioneer · 22/09/2023 07:19

So he's sulking because you did EXACTLY the same thing HE did when you were split up some 10 years ago!

Can you see just how unreasonable and the double standards are eye wateringly spectacular..

I'd offer to pack him a bag personally, he was giving you the silent treatment to punish you, not because he was 'processing stuff'. He brought you back to bed so he could wake you up at 6am which seems like another punishment to me. He's not a nice man!

SavBlancTonight · 22/09/2023 07:28

It's like a bloody script with these men. Have you been feeling happier and more in co trol recently since your therapy? I bet he just can't bear it.

He won't leave. He wants you to beg his forgiveness and dance around doing the "pick me" dance. You will have to kick him.out. please do. This isn't Good for you and its certainly not good for any dc you have.

IncognitoMam · 22/09/2023 07:37

Wow he's shocking.

Really hope you have people in real life to support you? Keep posting here. I'm so sorry he's doing this to you. Especially knowing your history 😡

IncognitoMam · 22/09/2023 07:38

wildwestpioneer · 22/09/2023 07:19

So he's sulking because you did EXACTLY the same thing HE did when you were split up some 10 years ago!

Can you see just how unreasonable and the double standards are eye wateringly spectacular..

I'd offer to pack him a bag personally, he was giving you the silent treatment to punish you, not because he was 'processing stuff'. He brought you back to bed so he could wake you up at 6am which seems like another punishment to me. He's not a nice man!

Totally agree. He's wicked!

LoudAndSqueaky · 22/09/2023 07:50

What is it with men? Why are so many of them so stupid and unkind.

OP, I'm sorry you are having to deal with this. His behaviour is totally unacceptable.

What do you want to happen? It looks like a LTB situation but what do you want? Is LTB a realistic option?

Have you other real life support?

SuddenlyISee · 22/09/2023 08:22

You're all so right. This has to be it this time. Normally I would end up apologising for something I haven't done just to make the peace but he has pushed me too far this time. And as PP said, I'm a lot stronger than I have been in previous episodes.
I have support and the house is essentially mine so don't think that will be an issue. Children will obviously stay with me.
I'm so done with this bullying. He does it all the time.

OP posts:
SuddenlyISee · 22/09/2023 08:27

Annoyingly I have to go into the office today and I'm worried he's going to come home and do something stupid while I'm out.

OP posts:
IncognitoMam · 22/09/2023 08:30

SuddenlyISee · 22/09/2023 08:27

Annoyingly I have to go into the office today and I'm worried he's going to come home and do something stupid while I'm out.

What do you mean?
Try to stop worrying about him. He's obviously not worried about you.

SuddenlyISee · 22/09/2023 08:34

I mean like change the locks or trash the place or something.

OP posts:
wildwestpioneer · 22/09/2023 08:50

SuddenlyISee · 22/09/2023 08:34

I mean like change the locks or trash the place or something.

If this happens call the police. He can't lock you out of your own home

SavBlancTonight · 22/09/2023 08:57

V unlikely. He is used to the silent treatment working to control you. He won't be ramping it up yet... he is still expecting you to roll over and beg forgiveness. The subtle threats re what he will do are just another control factor. Not to say he won't actually follow through at some point, but not yet.

IncognitoMam · 22/09/2023 09:18

Definitely ring the police if he does?
What makes that a worry?

MsRosley · 22/09/2023 09:19

Aquamarine1029 · 21/09/2023 17:28

Why on earth are you avoiding this and him? You need to walk right up to him and tell him this is the last fucking time you will ever give him a pass for this abusive behaviour. The silent treatment is cruel and it's emotional violence. You do not treat someone you supposedly love and respect like this, and there is no excuse for it. Never, ever tolerate this again.

Totally agree. Tell him he either talks to you about what is wrong like an adult or he can pack his bags.

MsRosley · 22/09/2023 09:22

Sorry, I missed your update, OP. I'm glad you have got to the bottom of it, but yes, it sounds like you'd be much better off out of this relationship than in.

SuddenlyISee · 22/09/2023 10:11

I keep reading all these messages back and it is becoming more and more clear that there has been years of abuse.
I've got so much to say but I can't articulate myself right now.
I'm so done.

OP posts:
IncognitoMam · 22/09/2023 10:41

SuddenlyISee · 22/09/2023 10:11

I keep reading all these messages back and it is becoming more and more clear that there has been years of abuse.
I've got so much to say but I can't articulate myself right now.
I'm so done.

Do you have anyone you can stay with?

SuddenlyISee · 22/09/2023 10:47

Not really and to be honest I don't want to leave him alone with the kids.

OP posts:
Catsafterme · 22/09/2023 10:53

@LoudAndSqueaky From my experience as a guy, it's the way we are raised and taught how to be in order to be a man. If you think all our role models are generally like this, especially older generations and then socially from a child you're all following these kind of examples set from an early age it gets amplified and history repeats.

I was slightly different because I was mostly raised by women and I've never seen things the same, I didn't and still don't really connect with men due to this. I've come across, witnessed and heard some awful things that's normalized and encouraged because that's the way of the world, how men are and should be. Also, a consistent case of when the men are alone a different version appears.

Again, this is kind of scenario is more than jealousy, it's almost like a claim. Forgiveness if they do it because that's what we do, you know, it's normal, natural but doesn't work the other way around. It's shameful, he feels humiliated, betrayed, you were supposed to stay loyal.

@SuddenlyISee Glad you are seeing things clearly and making progress. If he does do something stupid like that call the police. Likewise, should he ramp up and you feel threatened or in trouble, call the police and you can keep him away.

IncognitoMam · 22/09/2023 11:36

SuddenlyISee · 22/09/2023 10:47

Not really and to be honest I don't want to leave him alone with the kids.

No I meant with dcs

Mary46 · 22/09/2023 12:10

God op really feel for you. My mother used do this could go days. Very controlling. These people dont change.

Epidote · 22/09/2023 12:27

Silent treatment is designed to make people feel exactly how you are feeling now.
Shake it off and don't give him that pleasure.

SuddenlyISee · 22/09/2023 12:33

IncognitoMam · 22/09/2023 11:36

No I meant with dcs

Not really. He can leave.

OP posts:
Billybagpuss · 22/09/2023 12:33

So he can’t get over you doing exactly the same as he did over 10 years ago.

sending 💐 and if you need help getting those ducks lined up MN has always been brilliant at that

SuddenlyISee · 22/09/2023 13:03

I think his problem is the fact that I never told him but I had a lot of other stuff to deal with when we got back together and it didn't really cross my mind. I can honestly say I don't even remember his name which he thinks I'm lying about! I just think he is using this as his final way out without showing himself as the bad guy but he can think again if he thinks he can drag me down. I have evidence of years of abuse and I'm not afraid to share it.

Thank you, I really appreciate the support.

OP posts:
beastlyslumber · 22/09/2023 13:25

No, his problem is that he feels the need to control you, belittle you, isolate and abuse you. The thing with you seeing someone else (10 years ago!!!) is just an excuse for him to do those things. Silent treatment for days then waking you early to berate you for your past "crimes" - it's just abuse.

Don't worry about trying to understand him. You've done nothing wrong. This is just who he is.

You've got to get him out of the house but please be careful - leaving an abuser is considered a very dangerous time for the victim. The abuser senses he's losing control over you and can react in scary ways. So make sure you have some support - can a friend be with you? And I suggest you don't tell him anything at all about what you're planning until it's all in place and you're ready to go through with it.