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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

Don't know who's in the wrong

20 replies

shf1010 · 30/03/2026 14:58

Last night when I was in bed with my husband, he was tickling me to sleep, as he often does. We had had a rough day as we had had a serious falling out the night before about a decision he made that really hurt me. Anyway, as he was tickling me I thought it was obvious that I was becoming a bit aroused. When he then made it clear he was done he could see I looked surprised and he got annoyed. Again, we had a bit of an argument as he likes things spelt out and I would prefer things were more natural and just flowed. No right or wrong there. The argument seemed to take a really bad turn when he said the he was close to divorcing me. In a bit of shock I said that was ok and I wanted it too. I don't know why I said this as I don't(or at that point didn't) feel that way. He then started calling me a horrible bitch amongst many other things. I didn't reply much by this stage as it was clear he was getting very wound up. He stood up out the bed and put his dressing gown on and said he wouldn't be back in the room till I left. However, he kept calling me names and then, very very suddenly, he jumped on top of me trapping me between his arms and his face was only a few inches from mine. I was lying in my side so one arm was stuck and the other was free. He shouted(but in a quiet evil way) at me for what seemed like over a minute but then something he said made me snap and I pushed him off of me and tried to slap him. I missed but he used this as an opportunity to start grabbing my wrists(which he knows I hate) and I kept trying to fight him off. I tried to bite him several times but didn't manage to. He was relentless. Eventually he got off and left abs I sat there in shock. Initially the only pain I felt was what felt like a burst lip, but when I looked at it it looks ok. Today though both my wrists are bruised.
I am angry that I was the first to try to hit and I know this is how he will see it. I have told him before that if he traps me or shouts in my face that this is the very likely reaction that I would have. For this reason the shame involved on my part, I cannot tell anyone. I doubt I would anyway. But this is not normal, is it? I have forgiven him for similar things quite a few times before because he cannot handle his emotions. He blames ADHD. However, he manages to control himself around everyone else so I just don't accept this. He is not an easy person and will not move out even if that is beat for me and our child. Our child(late teens) was in bed and didn't hear anything as our house is fairly big. I locked myself in another bedroom and left for work. Without seeing him. He has not been int ouch with any apology and has also blocked me on what's app. Probably not relevent but be have been married 20 years, both professionals and to the outside world a very reserved couple. Please give me honest advice as I value what I read on here. I am struggling and done have anyone.

OP posts:
GoldDuster · 30/03/2026 15:05

Womens Aid can offer you some professional advice about how to move forward. Which is something you do need to do, as next time you might not get away with bruised wrists and a bust lip.

You need to leave him. This won't go away or get better. Take their advice on the safest way to do it.

Titlecredits · 30/03/2026 15:06

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

CowTown · 30/03/2026 15:07

Has he done this before? Your post implies that he has.

A man kills his partner in the UK at the rate of one every 3 days. Remember that.

RosesAndHellebores · 30/03/2026 15:08

Tickling
Got annoyed
Said wanted a divorce
Jumped on top of you, pinning you down
Shouted relwntlessly for a minute
Grabbed and bruised wrists
Relentless
Caused pain
Cannot control emotions
Emotional games
Provokes you and turns it onto you.

Photograph the bruises, report him to the police, contact women's aid.

There is only one party here who needs to feel shame and it isn't you. You are modelling acceptance for abuse to your son.

He needs to be arrested, it needs reporting to SS and imo he needs a restraint order and to be banned from your home.

Do you have your own money? If so, you and your son could just fucking leave and you can fight out the money side later.

pikkumyy77 · 30/03/2026 15:11

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

You really need to fuck right off.

shf1010 · 30/03/2026 15:19

He has done this before. Roughly twice a year I would estimate. I always end up feeling guilty that I said or did the wrong thing. He has a very bad temper but at other times appears to be the most easy going person. He is usually ok but when this happens it's as though he just cannot physically stop himself. When he sees he has said or done something that could make me leave him he just decides that he may as well make it as bad as possible. I know I need to leave and I'll be making plans to do so. If I keep away from him I don't think he will come near me..

OP posts:
murasaki · 30/03/2026 15:24

It's pretty clear who's in the wrong, and it isn't you. For your own safety, especially as he does this regularly , and the safety of your child, he needs to go.

Mammmmmmmy · 30/03/2026 15:36

Does it really matter who is at fault? You don’t need a fault for a divorce.

Two big fights in two nights, this level of aggression and violence happening at regular intervals. That’s not normal, but seeking justification that one party is right and the other is wrong is pointless- it doesn’t matter, it doesn’t change what happened, and it doesn’t alter the only outcome that will result in changes.

You’ve been married a long time, have a career and it sounds like decent equity. You also don’t have the issue of trying to co-parent a small child with this man. Ring a solicitor, start divorce proceedings, and get away from him asap.

Pearlstillsinging · 30/03/2026 15:43

Apart from anything else whoever thought that tickling someone to sleep would work?
I would divorce him for that nonsense tbh.
As PP, photograph your injuries, speak to women's aid and if they agree (they will) report to the police. You really need to have him removed from your home, for your own safety.
You have nothing to be ashamed of, when something has been done to you, whatever that was.
To answer your question husband was in the wrong, you acted in self-defense.

GoldDuster · 30/03/2026 16:38

Once would be too many times. Twice a year his temper becomes so out of control that he cannot physically stop himself and he seems to want to make it as bad as possible. You are in real danger OP.

Do not tell him what you are doing, get support from Women's Aid who will advise you on the best way to do this as safely as possible, and get legal advice about a divorce. You're really on borrowed time before this escalates and your child will be more than aware of what is going on.

Do it for them, if not for yourself.

RoseField1 · 30/03/2026 16:43

Pearlstillsinging · 30/03/2026 15:43

Apart from anything else whoever thought that tickling someone to sleep would work?
I would divorce him for that nonsense tbh.
As PP, photograph your injuries, speak to women's aid and if they agree (they will) report to the police. You really need to have him removed from your home, for your own safety.
You have nothing to be ashamed of, when something has been done to you, whatever that was.
To answer your question husband was in the wrong, you acted in self-defense.

Edited

I assume she means gently stroking not actual tickling, hence why OP started to feel like she wanted to be intimate.

Chetchy · 30/03/2026 16:49

So you have been assaulted many many times throughout your marriage.
This needs to be reported to the police.
He is a horror.
A nasty bully.
Your poor child.
Of course they know their father is a violent thug.
Get out of this relationship by going to the police.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 30/03/2026 16:50

The only acceptable level of abuse in a relationship is none and this is repeated behaviour from him. ADHD is no excuse nor justification for his abuses of you and he would never speak to his work colleagues like that.

He is nice sometimes and that is really the nice part of the nice/nasty cycle of abuse which is a continuous one.

Plan to leave your abuser with due care and attention and get your injuries documented via the Gp. Also call Women’s Aid. Do not be afraid to call the police either, they can remove him. It matters not that your dc did not in your view hear him, chances are he or she did and sound travels. He will certainly notice the bruises on your wrists. Do not continue to model this as normal to your child. You have a choice re this man and your child does not.

LittleCrumblyBiscuit · 30/03/2026 16:51

He physically attacked and pinned you down. You know this is not normal or remotely acceptable in any circumstance. You are not safe and need to leave him.

OneShyQuail · 30/03/2026 17:01

shf1010 · 30/03/2026 14:58

Last night when I was in bed with my husband, he was tickling me to sleep, as he often does. We had had a rough day as we had had a serious falling out the night before about a decision he made that really hurt me. Anyway, as he was tickling me I thought it was obvious that I was becoming a bit aroused. When he then made it clear he was done he could see I looked surprised and he got annoyed. Again, we had a bit of an argument as he likes things spelt out and I would prefer things were more natural and just flowed. No right or wrong there. The argument seemed to take a really bad turn when he said the he was close to divorcing me. In a bit of shock I said that was ok and I wanted it too. I don't know why I said this as I don't(or at that point didn't) feel that way. He then started calling me a horrible bitch amongst many other things. I didn't reply much by this stage as it was clear he was getting very wound up. He stood up out the bed and put his dressing gown on and said he wouldn't be back in the room till I left. However, he kept calling me names and then, very very suddenly, he jumped on top of me trapping me between his arms and his face was only a few inches from mine. I was lying in my side so one arm was stuck and the other was free. He shouted(but in a quiet evil way) at me for what seemed like over a minute but then something he said made me snap and I pushed him off of me and tried to slap him. I missed but he used this as an opportunity to start grabbing my wrists(which he knows I hate) and I kept trying to fight him off. I tried to bite him several times but didn't manage to. He was relentless. Eventually he got off and left abs I sat there in shock. Initially the only pain I felt was what felt like a burst lip, but when I looked at it it looks ok. Today though both my wrists are bruised.
I am angry that I was the first to try to hit and I know this is how he will see it. I have told him before that if he traps me or shouts in my face that this is the very likely reaction that I would have. For this reason the shame involved on my part, I cannot tell anyone. I doubt I would anyway. But this is not normal, is it? I have forgiven him for similar things quite a few times before because he cannot handle his emotions. He blames ADHD. However, he manages to control himself around everyone else so I just don't accept this. He is not an easy person and will not move out even if that is beat for me and our child. Our child(late teens) was in bed and didn't hear anything as our house is fairly big. I locked myself in another bedroom and left for work. Without seeing him. He has not been int ouch with any apology and has also blocked me on what's app. Probably not relevent but be have been married 20 years, both professionals and to the outside world a very reserved couple. Please give me honest advice as I value what I read on here. I am struggling and done have anyone.

Aside from the obvious...neither of you are happy. You don't need fault for a divorce. There are children involved. Life is too short. Leave

shf1010 · 30/03/2026 17:08

It takes writing it down and seeing these replies to not feel mad. I keep telling myself that I somehow deserve this. Tar I'm twisted and no doubt annoying. But I also know that if someone else told me these stories I'd be telling them to leave, that life will get better. For various reasons I have very low self confidence and I often just resign myself to this being my life. I cannot leave over the next two months but I know I will be leaving. I can work out how to progress financially as I'm better than he is at all that. I will need to find the strength. It cannot be worse than some other things I've coped with over recent years and I suppose being alone and not getting a fright when I know he's angry will be worth the sacrifice of spending my life alone. I don't think I can call the police as I just know that he will claim that I hit him first which I guess would have been true had I managed to hit him off me. But as a previous poster said who is right and who is wrong is actually irrelevant and I feel stupid for doubting myself. It's been years of making excuses for his aggression. Tbh though, the thing I'll be glad to live without the most is the verbal abuse. The things he says are hard to forget and it's affected my feelings about him anyway. This will not be easy and I need to try very hard to not let him say things to get a rise out of me. I can avoid him most of the day and sleep in a different room. As long as he leaves me alone, I think I'll be ok. Thank you everyone. I harsh dose of reality is helpful when you've spent years making excuses and feeling sorry for someone.

OP posts:
Zoec1975 · 30/03/2026 17:23

shf1010 · 30/03/2026 14:58

Last night when I was in bed with my husband, he was tickling me to sleep, as he often does. We had had a rough day as we had had a serious falling out the night before about a decision he made that really hurt me. Anyway, as he was tickling me I thought it was obvious that I was becoming a bit aroused. When he then made it clear he was done he could see I looked surprised and he got annoyed. Again, we had a bit of an argument as he likes things spelt out and I would prefer things were more natural and just flowed. No right or wrong there. The argument seemed to take a really bad turn when he said the he was close to divorcing me. In a bit of shock I said that was ok and I wanted it too. I don't know why I said this as I don't(or at that point didn't) feel that way. He then started calling me a horrible bitch amongst many other things. I didn't reply much by this stage as it was clear he was getting very wound up. He stood up out the bed and put his dressing gown on and said he wouldn't be back in the room till I left. However, he kept calling me names and then, very very suddenly, he jumped on top of me trapping me between his arms and his face was only a few inches from mine. I was lying in my side so one arm was stuck and the other was free. He shouted(but in a quiet evil way) at me for what seemed like over a minute but then something he said made me snap and I pushed him off of me and tried to slap him. I missed but he used this as an opportunity to start grabbing my wrists(which he knows I hate) and I kept trying to fight him off. I tried to bite him several times but didn't manage to. He was relentless. Eventually he got off and left abs I sat there in shock. Initially the only pain I felt was what felt like a burst lip, but when I looked at it it looks ok. Today though both my wrists are bruised.
I am angry that I was the first to try to hit and I know this is how he will see it. I have told him before that if he traps me or shouts in my face that this is the very likely reaction that I would have. For this reason the shame involved on my part, I cannot tell anyone. I doubt I would anyway. But this is not normal, is it? I have forgiven him for similar things quite a few times before because he cannot handle his emotions. He blames ADHD. However, he manages to control himself around everyone else so I just don't accept this. He is not an easy person and will not move out even if that is beat for me and our child. Our child(late teens) was in bed and didn't hear anything as our house is fairly big. I locked myself in another bedroom and left for work. Without seeing him. He has not been int ouch with any apology and has also blocked me on what's app. Probably not relevent but be have been married 20 years, both professionals and to the outside world a very reserved couple. Please give me honest advice as I value what I read on here. I am struggling and done have anyone.

Take pictures document everything and get out with your teen.

PineConeOrDogPoo · 31/03/2026 13:29

OP, You need 3rd party advice. Trusted experienced therapist/counsellor and request space from your partner while you figure out what you want. You need someone on your side.

InWithPeaceOutWithStress · 31/03/2026 13:36

He’s really volatile. Pinning you down and talking to you like that is really scary and abusive. He started it. He is 100% to blame and will have you walking on eggshells.

AnneLovesGilbert · 31/03/2026 13:38

I wouldn’t be at all sure your child hasn’t overheard this or similar incidents in the past. Children always know a lot more than their parents like to think.

Use that as motivation to divorce him asap.

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