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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

Walking on eggshells at home because of partner's underlying anger

22 replies

Mamaoftwo73 · 30/07/2026 20:27

I feel like I’m going crazy. My other half is making me really anxious in our home, I feel like I’m walking on eggshells all the time and I have no one to talk to about it. Everyone thinks he is really kind, really thoughtful but actually is bad tempered, negative, swears. For example, I called him on his way home from work today to tell him that I hadn’t done any chores at home because I was worried how he’d react when he got home, and that he would be annoyed or in a bad mood or asked me what I’ve been doing all day.

he came in from work this evening, having said we would go for food when he got home, so I haven’t done tea. He barely spoke to me or the children and then called me downstairs and asked me what happened to the blind in the kitchen. I told him I didn’t know, it looked fine to me, then proceeded to swear and say that nobody else cared about the house apart from him and then told me that unless it was to let the dog out, I was not allowed to open the back door during the day and it needed to stay closed. I did really get cross with him then and I did swear because who is he to tell me that I’m not allowed to open the door in my own house? This kind of thing is happening more and more, the kids are saying to me don’t tell Dad if they spill something etc. I need to clean that up. I need to do that before he gets home. He’s making me really nervous. Don’t get me wrong he’s never been physical towards me or the children and he can be very kind but he has this underlying anger all the time. The whole house is constantly walking on eggshells and I’ve tried to speak to him about it and he doesn’t see that there’s a problem.

We were supposed to be going out for tea this evening but all of this happened so I just said I’m not gonna go, you just take the kids because I haven’t cooked because we were supposed to be going out. He then said if I wasn’t going, he wasn’t gonna take them which would then mean they missed out. It feels as though I’m not allowed to say that I don’t wanna go, because I don’t think I wanna be around him at the moment, then it feels like he takes that out on the kids then by saying he won’t take them. This then makes me feel bad and tries to make me feel like I’ve done something wrong.

Am I overreacting? Am I just being sensitive? We are neurodivergent household and he almost certainly has ADHD undiagnosed along with a son and we also have an autistic daughter, so things are not always calm but he is usually the reason things are not calm.

I feel that I’m lowering the bar and allowing his behaviour more and more and feel like I just need to ask him to leave. On the other hand, I know that I won’t do that. I don’t work at the moment and he’s the main bread winner. I don’t wanna disrupt the family. I don’t want to split up the family. We’ve recently moved to a new house with a bigger mortgage and I feel trapped when he behaves like this.

Sorry if it sounds like I’m ranting, but I genuinely don’t have anyone to talk t that isn’t also friends with him and I can’t cope with the embarrassment of talking to people about the way that he behaves behind closed doors.

OP posts:
tfu · 30/07/2026 20:36

I had an ex like this. Do you have anyone to confide in? Hopefully someone you trust and make a plan to leave. Believe me this does not get better and you and the children deserve better.

slughater · 30/07/2026 20:43

you aren't being over sensitive or over reacting
when women say they are walking on eggshells its because they are living with someone abusive
you need to talk to someone IRL who will give you a reality check and help you find a way for you and your children to be safe
https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/
these people can talk to you and put you in touch with a local service

if you think your OH might be able to access your devices then clear your search history

I'm sorry you are going through this but you aren't alone- and there are people who can help you.

Homepage - National Domestic Abuse Helpline

Are you experiencing domestic abuse? You are not alone. Find out how the National Domestic Abuse helpline can support you.

https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk

donotgettheangst · 30/07/2026 20:51

No way to live. Hope you get some help.

Funchythesnowwoman · 30/07/2026 20:53

You and your children are living with an abuser. You have to get out. Can you tell family or friends what is going on?

TheeNotoriousPIG · 30/07/2026 20:54

I appreciate that it's not an easy thing to do, or even comprehend, but... please leave, OP.

I was one of the children in that kind of situation. My so-called dad was seen as a wonderful person by the rest of the world. At home, living with him was a case of walking on eggshells and waiting for a bomb to explode. For a long time, I resented my mother for not leaving him, or letting me live with relatives elsewhere. When he diagnosed with cancer, I prayed that he would die, because I couldn't cope anymore, and if I couldn't, how was my mother managing? When he died, it was like a breath of fresh air... as if we were allowed to be happy, and we were. Life was much better without him, for all of us.

This then makes me feel bad and tries to make me feel like I’ve done something wrong.
You haven't overreacted or done something wrong. He is putting you down and eroding your confidence. Don't let him do this for years, otherwise you won't be able to scrape your confidence up off the floor with a fish slice.

Asking him to leave might be a financial disaster, but please don't say with him for the sake of the family. If he's making you miserable, and your children live in fear of him finding that they spilt something, then that is not a healthy place for them to grow up in- or for you to stay in. Please don't enable him to ruin your lives. You and your children deserve better.

Funchythesnowwoman · 30/07/2026 20:56

You have posted about him before. Your children are being caused life long emotional harm. They will leave as soon as they can.

Ponderingwindow · 30/07/2026 20:57

This is abuse. Your children are learning to feel responsible for another person’s emotional state. This is hugely damaging and will have implications in their adult relationships.

If you leave you may have to share custody, but your children will gain an example of a healthy household. They will learn what it feels like to relax at home.

ScorpionLioness79 · 30/07/2026 21:39

Regular anger like this can be a symptom of depression. Depression doesn't just present in one singular way. I know because my ex-husband acted like this with depression. He got on meds and went to a psychiatrist after he knew I was serious about divorce if he didn't. It worked for several years and things would then slide off his back easily which in the past, he'd take offense. But then after several years he stopped treatment for no good reason and became worse. After some time, I really did divorce him.

I'd first ask him to attend couples counseling, but when you speak to the therapist in private, share your concerns it could be depression so that the advice that your husband needs psychiatric treatment will come from a professional and not you. If he refuses to go to a marital counselor or psychiatrist, you really should consider divorce. In the meantime, if your children are in school, could you seek employment during school hours? Because relying on a spouse's income only, as you can see, makes you feel dependent on him for food and shelter. Not a good place to be stuck in.

Mamaoftwo73 · 30/07/2026 21:59

I think he is depressed, also low testosterone and a v stressful job. Does not deal with his emotions and feelings. Gets angry with himself for poor behaviour but unconsciously takes it out on us. I get so torn. X

OP posts:
Gamerlady · 31/07/2026 00:30

This is not normal, your home supposed be your safe place for you and your family . You shouldn't be walking on eggshells or feeling worried. Sounds abusive and controlling and will only get worse.

Purplerubberducky · 31/07/2026 00:40

This is not ok or normal. Please confide in family or friends and seek help from DV organisations. This will not get better and depression is not an excuse. You and your children deserve much better.

Xanhi · 31/07/2026 01:05

This isn't normal. Everyone gets grumpy and cross sometimes but not so their partner has to tiptoe around them or can't bring it up because they are afraid of the consequences.

Darragon · 31/07/2026 03:38

I think the bigger issue here is that you’re both so preoccupied with winning an argument over a blind or a back door that you’re both willing to weaponise feeding your children. Did they actually get any dinner? I think you need some support from SS and, yes, to leave, because this is toxic and neglectful for the kids and neither of you are putting them first.

INeedAnotherName · 31/07/2026 07:06

Contact Women's Aid and talk this through with them, they will have heard it all before unfortunately.

Your children are being emotionally and mentally harmed by this man and it's down to you to protect them. It's time to seek support in leaving him.

I don’t wanna disrupt the family. I don’t want to split up the family.
Why? It's already broken but even worse is you are allowing someone to hurt and/or terrify the children. They've told you they are scared of him. Step up.

KookyMoose · 31/07/2026 07:12

I was a child in a house with a father like this. Walking on egg shells. Him constantly in a bad mood. Flying off the handle at nothing. Giving everyone the silent treatment for a week if one of us had "upset" him. Explosive anger and shouting a lot. I look back and realise it was emotional abuse. I was a very anxious child as a result. It was incredibly damaging and I've had therapy to deal with it. Still not over it. It's just made me determined that my child will never grow up in a home environment like I did.

Windthebloodybobbinup · 31/07/2026 07:19

Mamaoftwo73 · 30/07/2026 21:59

I think he is depressed, also low testosterone and a v stressful job. Does not deal with his emotions and feelings. Gets angry with himself for poor behaviour but unconsciously takes it out on us. I get so torn. X

Think about how his needs and his issues dominate over everyone else. These things may all be true, do they mean that you and especially your children have to prioritise his needs and moods over yourselves? Think about what you are forcing your children to sacrifice in terms of being allowed to express themselves and what you are teaching them- their needs are not important, or as important, as the big angry man in the house. Is that a pattern of behaviour you really want them to grow up with?

AttilaTheMeerkat · 31/07/2026 07:57

The only acceptable level of abuse in a relationship is none. It’s over between you and he. Put the house on the market and sell it. It’s not a home your kids or you should now reside in.

What did you learn about relationships when you were growing up?. Did your dad act like this man does?.

Better to be from a so called broken hime than to remain in one. You can think up all the excuses you like re him re depression, undiagnosed adhd etc (he is abusive, not depressed nor diagnosed because he likely does not have adhd) but there is still no excuse or justification for him acting like this towards you. He can and does control himself around other people, his abuses of you is for you and in turn your kids.

Make no mistake here Op, you are indeed being abused by him. Indirectly your kids are being abused by him too. Your children are telling you they are scared of him. Listen to them. You have to be seen here to protect them.

You have a choice re this man and your children do not. Contact Womens aid and get their support too. Your kids will thank you because abuse also thrives on secrecy.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 31/07/2026 08:02

And a hard no to couples counselling. It is never recommended where there is abuse of any type within the relationship.

Abuse is not a relationship issue , it’s about power and control and you are not emotionally safe enough to undergo any such joint counselling with him. Talking on your own will be of far more use to you.

Gengha · 31/07/2026 08:07

Mamaoftwo73 · 30/07/2026 21:59

I think he is depressed, also low testosterone and a v stressful job. Does not deal with his emotions and feelings. Gets angry with himself for poor behaviour but unconsciously takes it out on us. I get so torn. X

I bet he doesn’t act like this at work. Hence he’s choosing to bully and terrorise his family. ADHD, depression, no these are not reasons for someone to be an abusive, controlling cunt. You should leave, but I’m sure you won’t. Your poor kids.

PetulaGordeno · 31/07/2026 09:00

I had a look at your other threads as your name felt familiar.
You were married to this man and broke up with him due to his insufferable behaviour.
You found out then that he had been cheating.
You bought your own house which you moved into.
You describe this man as an awful father who treats you and the children terribly.
You have let this man move back into your home, knowing what he’s like.
You are now in a bigger house and he is the main breadwinner making you and your children vulnerable.
Your children have now had years of this abuse and now it’s ramping up.
Why are you saying you are torn? You know who he is. He is saying you can’t open a door, or the children are scared to drop things.
These kids have been subjected to this for years. Years of it and it’s getting worse.
It doesn’t matter that he’s not hitting them. He is causing them psychological harm which has been going on for years.
This causes long term health and wellbeing damage.
It is not a blame game - he is causing the damage - but you have known for many years it’s not okay.
I am sorry for how you are being treated but at some point you need to protect your children from this abuse, as you did when you left last time.
You have that courage in you somewhere. Find it again.

Pinkissmart · 31/07/2026 10:45

ScorpionLioness79 · 30/07/2026 21:39

Regular anger like this can be a symptom of depression. Depression doesn't just present in one singular way. I know because my ex-husband acted like this with depression. He got on meds and went to a psychiatrist after he knew I was serious about divorce if he didn't. It worked for several years and things would then slide off his back easily which in the past, he'd take offense. But then after several years he stopped treatment for no good reason and became worse. After some time, I really did divorce him.

I'd first ask him to attend couples counseling, but when you speak to the therapist in private, share your concerns it could be depression so that the advice that your husband needs psychiatric treatment will come from a professional and not you. If he refuses to go to a marital counselor or psychiatrist, you really should consider divorce. In the meantime, if your children are in school, could you seek employment during school hours? Because relying on a spouse's income only, as you can see, makes you feel dependent on him for food and shelter. Not a good place to be stuck in.

Cut this shit out.

OP’s husband is abusive. She shouldn’t be going to counselling with an abuser. If he was ‘depressed’ he would be horrified by his behaviour and he would do something about it. This man is doing neither

LizandDerekGoals · 31/07/2026 10:48

Op, do you work!

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