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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

DH threatened to punch my son

142 replies

FelinerefreshedDaisy · 14/12/2023 17:01

I need to get this out, I think I know what I am going to do but welcome opinions and people’s experiences of similar situation.
will try to get as much information in one go:
Married to my DH for 12 years, have a son with moderate MH issues from previous LTR. DS is 18 and living with us.
In general, DH and DS get on ok.
No other children.
Yesterday, DS and DH had a bad argument about a relatively minor thing. DS got upset and was almost crying and said ‘mum, divorce him!’
DH got absolutely furious and said to my son that if he ever says it again, he will punch him in the face.
DH is normally a v easygoing guy, never violent although will have ocasional temper flare-ups. But yesterday he was a completely different person, I was really concerned. He also made a v cruel comment to my son referring to his MH issues. That was not in the heat of the moment. It was calculated, cruel and below the belt. DS physically recoiled from it.
DH apologised to him later but the damage has been done. Today DS didn’t go to college as was feeling down and couldn’t focus.
DH has known DS since DS was 10, knows his med history and his challenges.
We’ve had a rough couple of years after I discovered he cheated on me (escorts while on business trips), and frankly I have been thinking about divorcing him more and more as 2 years on I still feel disgusted by him. I stayed in the immediate aftermath as didn’t want to cause disturbance for DS at the time.
And I get on really well with DH’s parents who treat DS like their own grandchild despite having 7 blood grandchildren.

I am financially independent so no concerns on this side.
Also DS spends half the week with his dad so it’s not like he’s a ‘burden’ on DH.
I’m in my mid 50s, generally healthy with a good group of friends around me. I know I would be happier without DH so why can’t I just leave?

OP posts:
Naptrappedmummy · 14/12/2023 17:02

Escorts and threatening to punch your kid? For gods sake leave him

KatBurglar · 14/12/2023 17:04

Get rid of the aggressive, cheating bloke.

Floopani · 14/12/2023 17:04

I think you already know this, but your DS is right, divorce him. If DP made this threat to my teenager, he would be out the door. I feel angry on your behalf right now. This isn't even a red flag, this is a red line he crossed.

ChateauDuMont · 14/12/2023 17:05

You can do better.

balzamico · 14/12/2023 17:05

If you can't do it for yourself then do it for your ds who's literally asked you to.

Valhalla17 · 14/12/2023 17:05

Get him out and divorce him. Escorts? Nope, you come first and your son too.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 14/12/2023 17:14

Staying for DS’s sake was a mistake.

Please leave this cheating man who has threatened to punch your son.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 14/12/2023 17:15

Your current husband’s parents can continue to have a relationship with your DS if they do choose.

oneflewoverthe · 14/12/2023 17:17

Your DH sounds disgusting. You will or probably already have done a lot of damage to your relationship with DS due to staying with this man

Dogknowsbest · 14/12/2023 17:18

You know you want and you will so just get on and do it. None of the benefits are worth sticking around for.

HappyHamsters · 14/12/2023 17:19

You can leave him or chuck him out. He has no place in your or your sons life. His parents would be appalled if they knew what he did and you can still have a relationship with them, what's the house situation and can you financial support yourself and your son.

furtivetussling · 14/12/2023 17:21

How could you possibly even contemplate staying with someone who could be so horribly cruel to a vulnerable young man, barely out of childhood? Your poor son. How do you think he will feel if you choose this despicable man over him?

Specso · 14/12/2023 17:21

Bullying your child AND cheating on you.

Is there honestly a dilemma here? I know someone married to a man who shouts and rows with her kids (they’re not his) and he had an affair for 2 years and she’s still with him. It genuinely baffles me.

Get a divorce and enjoy your life being single or find someone who makes your life better not worse.

Whatsgoingonwithmyhead · 14/12/2023 17:21

Escorts and threatening to punch your kid? For gods sake leave him

What she said

ObliviousCoalmine · 14/12/2023 17:22

He is constantly showing you who he is.

Believe him. Leave.

DidIMakeaMistake · 14/12/2023 17:24

Hope you got an STD test,

FelinerefreshedDaisy · 14/12/2023 17:26

Thanks everyone. Do I do it before Christmas??? DS flying out to visit his dad’s relatives abroad next Friday. I think I will wait till he’s away as don’t want to have the conversation with him around.
please help me with having the confidence to go through with it.
here what I think I will say ‘things have been shit since you cheated. I have tried - and you did everything I asked you to do but the relationship is not working for Me.’

I don’t want to mention yesterday’s situation as I don’t want my son to be blamed for us divorcing. I feel I will need to tell his family about escorts, dreading it.

I really need a handhold…

OP posts:
JaneyGee · 14/12/2023 17:26

He's cheated on you with prostitutes AND threatened to punch your son in the face! What on earth are you doing with this man?

If he's cheated on you with prostitutes once, I 100% guarantee he will do it again (and probably has).

MintJulia · 14/12/2023 17:26

In your circumstances, I'd leave.

It will make you and your ds happier, you have no concerns over income, you aren't reliant on him and he spends time and money on escorts.

What is good about him?

evenbarnyardanimals · 14/12/2023 17:27

What's your living situation OP? Do you own together?

ProjectsGalore · 14/12/2023 17:28

Christ what needs to happen for you to leave this poor excuse for a man.

ConfusedNoMore · 14/12/2023 17:29

Take your son's advice..I bet his MH improves.

FelinerefreshedDaisy · 14/12/2023 17:30

@HappyHamsters , thankfully I am ok financially. The house we bought together and I have a small 2 bedroom flat I’m renting out so could move there once tenants find something else. Thank you for caring.

OP posts:
Arghcantthinkofaname · 14/12/2023 17:34

Escorts give me the massive ick.

Husband cheating with a partner giving their active consent is bad enough.

Finding out you’ve been living with a creep who sees women as lumps of meat to be bought and sold for his own gratification, trafficked and abused. Pass me the puke bucket.

I know many won’t agree with me but I see men who use sex workers as the thin end of a wedge which at the thick end are rapists. Blokes who don’t care about consent.

Pookerrod · 14/12/2023 17:37

I agree with you, I would leave last night out of it. You don’t want your DH blaming your son and you don’t want your son feeling like he caused your split.

Sleeping with prostitutes is enough of a reason on its own and as you’ve said, you’ve tried to move on but are still disgusted by it (rightly so).

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