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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

Not sure I can / should forgive DH

29 replies

timewontfly · 31/07/2024 10:18

I am holding a lot of resentment to my husband and I don't know if I can get over it. In the last few years all of the issues I raise are either met with "Well you do that too" or that I did XYZ thing and that's why he is doing what I am upset about. It makes me feel crazy and somehow he says that he walks on eggshells with me and that he cannot raise any issues without me being defensive. He has also talked to me like a child on occasion - will shout at me to sit up straight or tell me off for mumbling.

I have also had a troubled past as was sexually abused by a family member as a young teen and I think he has at times used this against me when we have an argument. He constantly says I love playing a victim - he thinks I have enjoyed being the victim all of my life so now I interpret his behaviour as being abusive or controlling when its not. He has also said to me you are going to turn in to a person who treated me quite badly after SA and I am now NC with - she's very selfish/ bitter and he says I am turning into her. I'm struggling to think of other things like this he has said. But things similar to this and also that I will just never be happy no matter what. He really gets to me as part of me believes him but all I want is to be happy. Despite this, he tells me he loves me and I am his best friend. I feel some of his comments are hurtful and hard to forget. AIBU to find these hard to forget?

OP posts:
TonyeKnausgaard · 31/07/2024 14:40

timewontfly · 31/07/2024 14:30

This is so true about what he is entitled to do as often we will have arguments where he's been totally out of line but then I raise my voice and I'm the abusive one or the one speaking to him like shit. It's all very twisted and I know it probably seems so obvious from my post but I feel like I'm in a literal washing machine when these things happen. It's so hard to understand what's true when my behaviour is not perfect either but I definitely feel like Im the one suffering with no power. I feel like maybe I could leave him eventually but I'd probably have to leave without speaking to him so he doesn't manipulate me as that's what always happens

Yes, it does mess with your head. You're right that it's very clear to outsiders, but it's awful when you're trapped in it. Those illogical arguments that go round and round in circles can leave you feeling like you've just gone a few rounds with Mike Tyson.

I definitely agree with you that you would need to leave without discussing it with him. He's manipulative to the point that it is counterproductive to try and get your point across.

In the meantime, have you heard of grey rock? It's a really effective technique for keeping these people out of your head. You stay neutral and uninteresting. If he accuses you of something, you reply something like, "Oh right, if you say so."

It really is a complete waste of time trying to explain to someone that you deserve to be treated fairly. Either they want to do it already or they don't.

And please remember - you don't have to be perfect and never make any mistakes in order to not deserve to be abused. You don't deserve this.

timewontfly · 31/07/2024 15:08

TonyeKnausgaard · 31/07/2024 14:40

Yes, it does mess with your head. You're right that it's very clear to outsiders, but it's awful when you're trapped in it. Those illogical arguments that go round and round in circles can leave you feeling like you've just gone a few rounds with Mike Tyson.

I definitely agree with you that you would need to leave without discussing it with him. He's manipulative to the point that it is counterproductive to try and get your point across.

In the meantime, have you heard of grey rock? It's a really effective technique for keeping these people out of your head. You stay neutral and uninteresting. If he accuses you of something, you reply something like, "Oh right, if you say so."

It really is a complete waste of time trying to explain to someone that you deserve to be treated fairly. Either they want to do it already or they don't.

And please remember - you don't have to be perfect and never make any mistakes in order to not deserve to be abused. You don't deserve this.

So true it does go round in circles and you wonder how the hell you got there in the end which is why it's so effective to blame me. I havent' but I should try that and just switch off from him. I always get wound up by him and that gives him more fuel for the fire and makes it worse. Thank you - it does feel like I have to be perfect for him to treat me well as he genuinely justifies all the bad things he does by using my behaviour.

OP posts:
TonyeKnausgaard · 31/07/2024 15:37

timewontfly · 31/07/2024 15:08

So true it does go round in circles and you wonder how the hell you got there in the end which is why it's so effective to blame me. I havent' but I should try that and just switch off from him. I always get wound up by him and that gives him more fuel for the fire and makes it worse. Thank you - it does feel like I have to be perfect for him to treat me well as he genuinely justifies all the bad things he does by using my behaviour.

He's trying to twist logic to evade any responsibility for his actions. If you do something wrong, that's your fault. If he does something wrong, again that's your fault because you made him do it.

He's talking rubbish. You don't make him treat you badly. He wants to treat you badly.

The fact that you've come here for advice shows that you don't really believe him. You have correctly identified that something is very wrong here.

I can confirm that you're not going crazy. Using your past against you like that to win arguments is appalling and disgusting behaviour.

timewontfly · 02/08/2024 16:51

TonyeKnausgaard · 31/07/2024 15:37

He's trying to twist logic to evade any responsibility for his actions. If you do something wrong, that's your fault. If he does something wrong, again that's your fault because you made him do it.

He's talking rubbish. You don't make him treat you badly. He wants to treat you badly.

The fact that you've come here for advice shows that you don't really believe him. You have correctly identified that something is very wrong here.

I can confirm that you're not going crazy. Using your past against you like that to win arguments is appalling and disgusting behaviour.

Sorry I missed this last reply but I really appreciate your advice. Helpful to know that I'm not just being unreasonable and trying to be a victim. I have been having a good think about how to approach things over the last few days and feel quite confident it's not all my fault after posting here

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