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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

Marital arguments

28 replies

Dalmationlover · 31/03/2025 09:06

Had an argument the other day with OH about our parenting strategies. We normally have quite reasonable discussions but this one escalated we were both angry, and he started yelling at me towering over , getting in my face. We ended the discussion and said let talk about it later. The argument was definitely both of our faults.
I asked him where this was coming from and he said it’s just an argument and when asked why he was doing that he insisted it’s just an argument. Then he said this was regularly how his parents argued , my FIL would yell a lot, punch and smash things, shout at my MIL for manipulating him, she would make snippy and defensive comments and (from his point of view) try to manipulate FIL into yelling again. We have been married over 6 years and I have never seen this side of him or my in laws so it shocked me. He has agreed it’s not a healthy way to argue etc but I am worrried that these were his role models and he has actually witnessed domestic abuse. He does not want to discuss it any further and I don’t think I really discussed it enough at the time he said it. I didn’t say I think that was domestic abuse. Would you bring this up again or wait for him to? In laws occasionally mind our children (although haven’t recently and live a while away, no plans to imminently but him and the older kids are visiting without me in a few weeks) so I’m concerned about that.

OP posts:
Dalmationlover · 01/04/2025 11:54

Thank you. I will have a look into this. He definitely doesn’t see what he did as abuse though so might be tricky. I suggested therapy etc when we spoke yesterday and he was shocked / found it insulting that I thought our relationship was that bad. He definitely not caught onto the seriousness of it

OP posts:
Maitri108 · 01/04/2025 13:10

It's completely understandable that you don't want to up and leave. The next step would be to contact a domestic abuse organisation and they will assess you and can help you come up with a safety plan.

It's impossible to answer your questions because no one knows how aggressive he'll be next time - and there will be a next time.

Next time he could punch a hole in the door or throw things at you, like his dad. Ultimately an abuser wants power and control. By arguing with him you're challenging his dominance.

However, even if you stop arguing, he could move the goal posts. Either way you end up walking on eggshells.

UpMyself · 01/04/2025 13:43

When I had said to him if that happens again I’m going,
That's an ultimatum - if it happens again, you leave.

he kind of shrugged and said well don’t make sarcastic comments again and don’t provoke me.
He does not accept responsibility that it was him who was at fault. He never will.

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