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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 jokingly calling me a bitch

117 replies

GrootGroot · 27/12/2024 09:01

DH has recently begun jokingly referring to me as a bitch (biii-ach) multiple times now. Yesterday I made a breakfast of bagels, bacon and eggs for everyone and DH asked if I had toasted a stack of bagels? I said no, I could only do one at a time in the toaster. He then said “well you could have used the grill but you are a lazy biiii-ach” DS heard him and told him don’t call me that. DH told everyone not to be so serious etc.

He also whispers (bitch) but again with a smile on his face (it’s cos you’re a bitch) and tickles me or tries to play fight.

Seeking opinions please? There has been historical verbal abuse (very bad stuff) and historical emotional abuse but in arguments he has stopped saying the worst, most dreadful stuff he used to say but seeking opinions on him jokingly calling me a bitch? He says I’m being sensitive.

OP posts:
GrootGroot · 27/12/2024 10:12

HardenYourHeart · 27/12/2024 10:03

Good on you. It must be very difficult to leave such a horrible situation without any support from family. Glad you got a plan. Your son also sounds awesome. I think 2025 will see improvements for you both once you leave him. In the meantime you have something to look forward to.

Ignore the family. They should want the best for you.

Edited

Thanks ☺️ It wasn’t quite a guilt trip from my parents but they were actually annoyed that DH was being looked after in his mums whilst I struggled on my own with young children, looking after the house and dealing with sleepless nights (kids) etc. He should be home helping you with the children etc. so I took him back! (Stupidly)

OP posts:
AlertCat · 27/12/2024 10:12

GrootGroot · 27/12/2024 10:07

This has put it into perspective for me, thank you so much. I’m so worried about my family’s reaction and his (his family will hate my guts) but you are right, it will become old news and eventually people will forget. I’m so scared of initially telling people, even just acquaintances and neighbours as ill be the one to leave I’ve decided, I know it’ll all blow over but the idea of having to explain to everyone is daunting.

Don’t worry about their reaction- your son’s reaction is the one to focus on and he may well tell his GPs exactly why you needed to leave. They won’t want to hear it but look, they brought your H up so of course they’ll think he is fine- if they admit he’s an abusive arse they have to admit they fucked up his upbringing.

Stay strong, grey rock as much as you can, take the moral high ground. I’m cheering you on across the miles.

Paul2023 · 27/12/2024 10:13

How old is your husband? 12? FFS..

Tinselskirt · 27/12/2024 10:16

Sounds like he's still abusing you but now he's doing it in plain sight to see what he can get away with. Doing it in front of your children is awful and could be termed as abusing them too.

Pumpkincozynights · 27/12/2024 10:16

Op- you seriously think that if you said to someone I left my dh when he wouldn’t stop calling me vile names, even our son told him to stop it and he carried on. He also kept putting his hands on me inappropriately and would not respect me when I told him to stop. You seriously believe that anyone would think that’s an overreaction?
If they do then they really are not worth caring about.

tinydynamine · 27/12/2024 10:16

I've just been reading the thread about the bf, his messy house, and the frying pan as a Christmas present. Now this. To put it like the Americans: Are you guys for real?!

ZippyDoodle · 27/12/2024 10:16

It's abusive and it's to do with power and control. He's making comments and doing things to keep you in your place.

Read Lundy Bancroft's Why Does He Do That book. It will make sense.

This won't improve. Please make a plan to leave.

StrawberryDream24 · 27/12/2024 10:18

had huge guilt trips from his family and mine too

Just to add, always keep in mind parents decidedly selfish motives for wanting couples not to break up;

When your partner becomes single & a single Dad, he potentially becomes much more your in-laws "problem".

They often end up being housed back in their parents home for at least a while, they often require their parents to get more involved in grand child care, hosting it, doing it. If they're not particularly into looking after themselves (chore wise) they're now their parents/mother's burden in terms of meals, cleaning, laundry etc. If they have any lazy, addictive, dysfunctional sides that affect them keeping work etc., they're now their parents problem again....as opposed to their partner's.

On the other side - your family - parents often think they'll become responsible for (at worst) burdened with extra time, financial, support etc etc demands if you become a single Mum.

Then there's the "respectability" and image factors. A lot of parents don't particularly want to have to tell wider family, friends etc that their child's marriage/ltr has failed and they're now a single parent.

Then there's the belief that their grand kids will be adversely affected. People are very good at seeing adverse things in break ups/divorces/single parenthood. Not so good at recognising adverse things in dysfunctional, abusive households. As long as the household is intact, they conveniently think it's preferable.

These are the sorts of things your family and his family are probably thinking about/motivated by ..... They're not thinking about you. About what's best for you and your son. They're also probably conveniently blind to the effects of your partner's abusive behaviour. If he's not battering you back and blue, it's no doubt minor/not significant in their minds.

DinDjarin1 · 27/12/2024 10:22

I'd have a strong word with him, tell him you don't like being spoken to that way and it's not a joke for you and sets a bad example for your kids. Also tell him if carries on calling you that you'll have to start calling him something in return just so he can see how it feels. Don't let him disrespect you.

StrawberryDream24 · 27/12/2024 10:27

I’m so scared of initially telling people, even just acquaintances and neighbours as ill be the one to leave I’ve decided, I know it’ll all blow over but the idea of having to explain to everyone is daunting.

Acquaintances and neighbours are owed no details.

If they're nice people, they won't expect details
They'll understand that it's embarrassing and painful and awkward to give them.

They'll understand if you want to talk about it in depth, you will, when you feel like it.

Ultimately, even if they're nice people, it's none of their business.

"X and I have separated, it wasn't working". (You don't even have to say as much as "it wasn't working", you can just move the convo on after the inevitable "sorry to hear that", "thank you".

End of.

GrootGroot · 27/12/2024 10:30

Pumpkincozynights · 27/12/2024 10:16

Op- you seriously think that if you said to someone I left my dh when he wouldn’t stop calling me vile names, even our son told him to stop it and he carried on. He also kept putting his hands on me inappropriately and would not respect me when I told him to stop. You seriously believe that anyone would think that’s an overreaction?
If they do then they really are not worth caring about.

Oh gosh, my husband also does that, constantly putting his hands on me inappropriately, groping, grabbing my boobs (roughly) slapping my arse, even grabbing me between the legs. Does this in front of the children, sulks when I tell him to stop and that I’m denying him physical affection.

OP posts:
StrawberryDream24 · 27/12/2024 10:34

GrootGroot · 27/12/2024 10:30

Oh gosh, my husband also does that, constantly putting his hands on me inappropriately, groping, grabbing my boobs (roughly) slapping my arse, even grabbing me between the legs. Does this in front of the children, sulks when I tell him to stop and that I’m denying him physical affection.

So he's a sexually inappropriate creep, sex pest and groper ... As well as verbally abusive.

And in front of kids.
That's considered a type of child sex abuse.

category12 · 27/12/2024 10:34

This isn't OK or normal, OP - it's really inappropriate in front of the kids and it's abusive.

StrawberryDream24 · 27/12/2024 10:39

groping, grabbing my boobs (roughly) slapping my arse, even grabbing me between the legs

In conjunction with the previously severe verbal abuse, the now sly verbal abuse, the name calling etc. your partner's head sounds like a quagmire inside.

He very clearly has what Lundy Bancroft termed "values issues" around women and relationships.

He seems to have a very high level of underlying objectification, disrespect, entitlement, boorishness, sleaziness, spite etc towards women.

The more you post, the more I think he'll never change.

StrawberryDream24 · 27/12/2024 10:42

DinDjarin1 · 27/12/2024 10:22

I'd have a strong word with him, tell him you don't like being spoken to that way and it's not a joke for you and sets a bad example for your kids. Also tell him if carries on calling you that you'll have to start calling him something in return just so he can see how it feels. Don't let him disrespect you.

The strong word with him has just changed outright aggressive verbal abuse into sly, whispered, "jokey" verbal abuse.

A strong word doesn't change a man who sees women as things, not people.

Comtesse · 27/12/2024 10:42

GrootGroot · 27/12/2024 10:30

Oh gosh, my husband also does that, constantly putting his hands on me inappropriately, groping, grabbing my boobs (roughly) slapping my arse, even grabbing me between the legs. Does this in front of the children, sulks when I tell him to stop and that I’m denying him physical affection.

Mate this is unsaveable. Get yourself free. You do not have to put up with this. Family guilt trips can do one!

Lurkingandlearning · 27/12/2024 10:42

GrootGroot · 27/12/2024 10:30

Oh gosh, my husband also does that, constantly putting his hands on me inappropriately, groping, grabbing my boobs (roughly) slapping my arse, even grabbing me between the legs. Does this in front of the children, sulks when I tell him to stop and that I’m denying him physical affection.

So it sounds like the only abuse he is holding back on is beating the shit out of you.

You are doing all the right things - setting money aside and seeking support from women aid and here. Keep working towards getting yourself and your children away from him ASAP and detach from anyone who thinks that is the life you and your children deserve. I hope you will get free soon 💐

jannier · 27/12/2024 10:44

They often pretend it's a joke when called out on it especially been abusive before and now

Chickenwing2 · 27/12/2024 10:48

My husband has never once called me a bitch (or any names for that matter). If he did I would address it immediately and tell him never to do it again.

Start calling him a c*nt and tell him he's too sensitive when he gets upset.

SugarPlumpFairyCakes · 27/12/2024 10:49

You made all that food and he calls you names? And he has a history for it?

I expect he was "only joking"?

He should try harder to be funny.

He's a creepy guy.

CocoapuffPuff · 27/12/2024 10:51

He's not joking, OP.

He's telling and showing you exactly what he believes.

Why don't you believe him?

Donttellempike · 27/12/2024 10:54

GrootGroot · 27/12/2024 09:29

Yes that’s what I think. That he says it with intent and means it. I get some couples have banter and he’s not screaming it in my face but it seems like he’s changed tactics.

This sounds right. He is saying this because he has absolute contempt for you.Plan your Happy New year without him 💐

Purplevelvetshoes · 27/12/2024 10:55

He’s actually a very angry man deep inside and this boundary pushing is it seeping out in ‘humour’

Its not funny in the slightest OP and probably the prelude to him bringing openly abusive again,

I hope your ok x

Incenseda · 27/12/2024 10:57

You are being seriously sexually assaulted in front of your children.

That means your children are being sexually abused.

This is so serious.

Contact Women's aid and tell them this.
Spell it out to them.
Tell them about the verbal abuse.

This is a very serious crime.
It really is sexual abuse of children for them to witness this.

He is a very bad man.
Start getting help to get him out of the house.
The damage to your children is huge.

You can do this.

Nothatgingerpirate · 27/12/2024 10:58

No fucking man would call me a bitch, let alone my husband - ever.
Sorry.

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