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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

WWYD? need advice on insecure husband.

25 replies

whattodowhattodo1 · 02/08/2026 15:04

Me (36) and my husband (47) have been together 5 years, married for 2 and have 2 young children. We were due to move into a new house in a few weeks, but I’m seriously thinking of leaving.
For nearly 5 years he’s repeatedly accused me of cheating despite never having any evidence. I’ve shown him my phone, blocked my ex, reassured him constantly, but it never stops. He questions me over normal things like going to the shops, collecting parcels, smoking outside or being on my phone after he’s gone to bed.
During arguments he’s got angry and aggressive, got in my face, grabbed my arm and smashed household items. On one occasion a glass smashed and I was cut.
The other night he accused me of having an affair because I stayed up late online shopping instead of coming to bed. When I tried to walk away, he shouted, followed me, blocked the doorway, refused to move and insulted my family. Afterwards he blamed it on his anxiety.
I did leave him once when our eldest was young because of his behaviour, but he promised to change so I went back. Now we’re here again.
He’s asking for marriage counselling and says we owe it to our children. Part of me thinks I should give it 3-6 months, but another part wonders if I’m just delaying the inevitable. He’s also threatened to “go nuclear” in court over the children if we separate.
I’m not saying I’m perfect. I’ve said hurtful things in arguments too, but usually after being accused or shouted at.
WWYD? Would you move into the new house and try counselling, or leave now? As we’re married but I’m not on the mortgage yet, do I have any rights. im so drained and angry right now.

OP posts:
pinkandwhiteroses · 02/08/2026 15:04

He's abusive. You leave. Now.

Sasha07 · 02/08/2026 15:05

First post said what I was going to say.

If he hasn't got a handle on it by now, he never will.

GrannyTeapot · 02/08/2026 15:10

Does he behave aggressively to his boss or the bus driver? No? He can control it, he just chooses not to. He chooses to frighten the mother of his children. He choose behaviours that can injure you. He chooses. You can choose to say never again will this happen to me, and leave.

If you are your children have not been enough up to now to make him behave like a decent human, he’s not going to suddenly start.
Life is so damn short, and men like him escalate. Ring Women’s Aid, ring your Mum, tell your best friends and get their help to leave.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 02/08/2026 15:10

I would seek legal advice asap with a view to all aspects of you divorcing him. Do not wait another 3-6 months. He is abusive towards you and in turn the dc so your relationship to him is over anyway. This is who he is and such men do not change. Pregnancy and birth are often flashpoints for abusers like your man to show their true colours.

Couples counselling is never recommended where there is abuse of any type within the relationship. Abuse also is not a relationship issue, it’s about power and control. He’s already not above threatening to go nuclear on you re the kids and court, he is more than happy to use them to get back at you. He’s a big abusive bully of a man and you all need to be well away from him. Plan your exit with due care and also seek help to leave safely from women’s aid.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 02/08/2026 15:14

It is not your fault nor your dcs that he has decided to embark on his own private based war against you. And what you are describing is domestic violence and your children are being subjected to this from him
too. Your marriage to him should come to an end.

IAmTheNormalOne · 02/08/2026 15:14

Relationship counselling when one partner is abusive isn't recommended as they are less interested in resolving and working through issues and more interested in controlling the narrative and having someone else validate their position.

If he were serious about this, he would have sought counselling when you ended it with him the first time rather than just make his empty promises.

He needs to seek therapy for himself so that this destructive behaviour doesn't impact on his relationship with the children but, for me, it would be over.

Namechangetheyarewatching · 02/08/2026 15:16

Please leave him

Vroomfondleswaistcoat · 02/08/2026 15:18

When I read the title I thought 'yes, and I bet he's abusive with it', and I was right. There's insecure and there's insecure and abusive and he is the latter. He is making HIS insecurity your problem to solve. Leave and divorce, he won't improve.

whippersnapper55 · 02/08/2026 15:24

Jesus wept 🤦‍♀️ this is not about his insecurity or anxiety but about his obsessive and controlling abusive behaviour. You won't be able to placate him or convince him and your world will shrink as he isolates you from friends and family. It's a trap and you need to break out of it.

My honest advice is - just leave. Don't move into a new house with him, don't go to counselling with him. His anger is out of control and escalating, he is dangerous and you need to get away from him ASAP. Speak to Women's Aid and make a plan to leave safely. You need to get yourself and your children away from him.

singthing · 02/08/2026 15:25

He’s not insecure. He’s a nasty violent man.

Stop excusing him and focus on getting you and your children out of this abusive relationship.

cordeliavorkosigan · 02/08/2026 15:26

That is not his insecurity. That's his interest and determination to control you. It's abuse. Do not move into a new house with him. Leave him instead. How can you have any sort of social or independent life in these circumstances? You and your dc deserve to live as full people not just accessories to him that he hounds and controls, stepping on eggshells around his temper.

aliasfrog · 02/08/2026 15:26

Insecurity doesnt make you cut your wife with glass(!!!)
LEAVE.

OhFeyreDarling · 02/08/2026 15:34

As all have said OP he's just a violent abuser, don't get sucked into the counselling route either. He's just suggesting it to either prolong things or he thinks it will highlight all YOUR faults and see that you're the one in the wrong (you're not btw) It'll just be another stick to beat you with.

I'm sorry but your only option is to leave him, for your sake and your childrens. Don't worry about his threats about court and custody either, abusers use this as another frightening tactic to get you to stay. Call women's aid ASAP and start removing him from your lives

OhFeyreDarling · 02/08/2026 15:36

Oh as for your mortgage and rights, it doesn't matter you're not on the mortgage, you are married all assets are treated 50/50. Maybe find a solicitor that will give you a free 30 mins and ask them in more detail

category12 · 02/08/2026 15:38

He's abusive. He's violent.

His so-called anxiety/insecurity is an excuse to control and abuse you. If he actually cared about your happiness and a healthy relationship, he would seek help and address his problems, but instead he expects you to limit yourself and shrink your world.

Don't move into the new house.

Don't go to relationship counselling with him - joint counselling is not recommended with abusive partners.

Mischance · 02/08/2026 15:39

Once again I am forced to puzzle why women feel they need these male persons in their lives .... what are they for?

Bonkers1966 · 02/08/2026 15:41

He is not insecure. He is abusive. You were very foolish to return to him after breaking free. They always double down when you go back. Do not go to counselling with your abuser. They manipulate and play the victim. Get yourself away from him. Yesterday.

Keepgettingolder81 · 02/08/2026 15:46

Leave. He is violent, controlling and a bully……

Lemonfrost · 02/08/2026 15:58

whippersnapper55 · 02/08/2026 15:24

Jesus wept 🤦‍♀️ this is not about his insecurity or anxiety but about his obsessive and controlling abusive behaviour. You won't be able to placate him or convince him and your world will shrink as he isolates you from friends and family. It's a trap and you need to break out of it.

My honest advice is - just leave. Don't move into a new house with him, don't go to counselling with him. His anger is out of control and escalating, he is dangerous and you need to get away from him ASAP. Speak to Women's Aid and make a plan to leave safely. You need to get yourself and your children away from him.

This post nails it. Your husband's behaviour is abusive, criminal and nothing to do with anxiety. You and your children 100% deserve better.

whattodowhattodo1 · 02/08/2026 18:53

i always was naive to think abuse was just DV. oh how i was so wrong. 😑 ive started to read the book why do he do that? by lucy bancroft, it’s highlighting alot to me. i cannot pretend that im perfect i have said some horrible things and also squared up to him when hes got in my face numerous times, once im ashamed to say he got so in my face i spat at him and ive never done anything like that. we have had some good moments and times hes not abusive with these outbursts daily its every few months when he is having an insecurity‘episode’. if my child was in this position i would tell her to leave immediately unfortunately its not that simple. financially i would be way worse off on benefits as i work part time and do i want to go through a nasty divorce right now, no. but im not blind to the fact that these men do not change and things do only escalate to get worse. whats worse for me is that i grew up in a abusive household where my stepfather was the devil himself. and i know i will not ever be able to bring my children up in that environment. i guess i thought ringing womens aid wouldn’t be any use as hes not violent to me and im not in any immediate danger.

OP posts:
Omgblueskys · 02/08/2026 18:57

Op yes contact WA because he is abusive, grabbing you/ smashing a glass, he's letting you know op
So ring them and get advice, you need to leave

category12 · 02/08/2026 19:01

That sounds like "reactive abuse" from you.

I think growing up in that environment with your stepdad probably made you vulnerable to abusive relationships yourself.

Which is why breaking the cycle for your own kids is the best thing you can possibly do for them.

whattodowhattodo1 · 02/08/2026 19:02

and i want to thankyou for all the support from everyone. the glass incident happened a few christmas’s ago when i said i wanted to take down the tree on boxin day as i hate the clutter it makes he told me not too , to wait. he went out that day got drunk came home saw that i had taken down the tree and he went very aggressive in his shouting and i had a wine glass on the table next to the sofa where i was sat he swiped the glass across the room and it cut my leg. it wasnt directly aimed at me.

OP posts:
Vulpini · 02/08/2026 19:28

This is similar to my experience. My ex always accused me of cheating. I couldn’t even look out the car window without him getting angry and accusing me of looking at men. Turns out he was projecting - he was actually cheating on me. He was also violent multiple times. I tried to leave but he told me it’s was best for our son if I stayed and that DS would have cr*ppy life if I left, so I stayed. Eventually, after yet another violet outburst, I left with DS2, and it was the best decision I ever made. 13 years later and my son has grown up in a safe, loving home and I’m married to an incredible man who loves my son as his own. Good luck OP and message me if you want to talk 🌷

whippersnapper55 · 02/08/2026 19:30

whattodowhattodo1 · 02/08/2026 19:02

and i want to thankyou for all the support from everyone. the glass incident happened a few christmas’s ago when i said i wanted to take down the tree on boxin day as i hate the clutter it makes he told me not too , to wait. he went out that day got drunk came home saw that i had taken down the tree and he went very aggressive in his shouting and i had a wine glass on the table next to the sofa where i was sat he swiped the glass across the room and it cut my leg. it wasnt directly aimed at me.

His temper is dangerous. What if one of your children had been hurt?

If you can't leave for yourself, do it for your children. They deserve to grow up in a safe, calm, happy home. If you stay with him, they won't. It's as simple as that.

Please call Women's Aid, they can offer you advice and support. https://womensaid.org.uk/

Home - Women's Aid

Women's Aid is a grassroots federation working together to provide life-saving services and build a future where domestic violence is not tolerated.

https://womensaid.org.uk

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