How Much is Too Much

My husband has always been what I considered abusive although he’ll say he is not at all, it’s all in my mind or that I provoke him. Along time ago he’d hit me, never a punch put more of the pushing or shoving, grabbing and that type of thing, just enough to be abusive and mean. As long as it wasn’t a punch he insisted it wasn’t abusive.

Well, I finally left him and swore I’d never go back. He was a very good father and after a few months of seeing him change, listening to his promises and a lot of heart to hearts I went back. Here it is five years later and things are worse than ever. I guess I can’t say worse because he has never again laid a hand on me but the verbal abuse is sooo bad I sometimes feel like I can’t take it and I will implode. The name calling, being told I can’t do anything right, trying to speak and being told to shut up, having f___ you screamed at me—these all happen on a continuous basis. Sometimes I am awoken at 5:00 a.m. with his screaming and calling me names if he can’t find something or if something he wanted done isn’t done or if he just doesn’t want to go to work. This also wakes the kids and they lay in their beds just listening but too afraid to get up. They just ask me about it later and tell my how scared they were. He recently took a new job and anytime anything goes wrong it is my fault. I’m told I ruined his life, his life sucks and its all my fault, I f___ed him by “making” him take this job.

Needless to say being a very good father isn’t in the mix anymore. He yells at the kids pretty much anytime they are near him, he tells them they are lazy, slobs, and that they can’t do anything right. He also uses the f word to them on a daily basis. The kids beg me to leave pretty much a couple times a week. Keep in mind my kids are only fifteen, thirteen and nine. They are wonderful kids and so don’t deserve to be talked to like this or treated this way. It breaks my heart when he freaks on them and starts screaming the f word to them and they walk away and cry, crushed that this man who used to love them now treats them like pieces of shit. It is so sad and I’m at a loss as to what to do. I need help and I need it fast.

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From Around the Web:
07.07.2008
Abbigail
Dani, if you have to ask weather or not it is time to leave him, I seriously question your judgement as a mother. Him talking to you that way is one thing, your a grown woman, and if you choose to put with it, then that's on you. I hope that you know you are worth more than that, and will want to leave him immediatly.But those children have no say so in the matter. They have to put up with it and don't have the choice to leave. He is not a good father, so don't try and play that card. If you choose to stay, then you are just as responsible as he is for the damage that will be done to those children, you mind as well being the ones saying those things to them. And as they get older they will wonder why you did nothing and just let it happen. Love yourself, but more importantly love your children and never let harm come to them.
05.14.2008
Amy Richards
hey,Dani i know im only 17 and dont understand what im talkin bout but hear me out. i read your story and i feel for you and your kids! you may ask how or why but i was in this situation with the verbual abuse with your husban. Honestly i think you need to leave him again. you did it once you can do it again! THis isnt healthy for your kids or you. your husban is complety wrong, rude and has no right to treat you or your kids this way. He is completly out of line. I think you already realiz that. But you cant think of what he wants or how he has changed you need to think of what is best for you and your kids now! I know its hard to move out or move on i know it is! but its for the best. And i will tell you it will be hard to pretend that it never happens or forget it. And let me tell you thats is the worst thing to do cuz that is what i did and now i am struggling in life. Talk to your kids about it tell them your srry that they went through this and try to move on! It wil get better!!
12.30.2007
Defend
You are wrong, he is not a good father and he was not a good father. You wanted to believe he was a good father because he was not attacking the children, just you. Well being abusive to the mother particularly around children is abuse. Pushing, shoving, slappin are all physical abuse as is twisting an arm etc. yelling, name calling are all verbal and long lasting abuse imbedded i9n one's memories. He is abusive. You know what to do. Get a restraining order for you anad the kids to make him leave the house and to have supervised visits with the children. get a faulted divorce--do not agree to an unfaulted divorce. Than get on with your life. Don't feel sorry for him. Love him enought to make him leave. He needs help and you are not helping him or the kids allowing him to stay. If you need to go to a shelter than do it but try to get him out. He is a violent and controlling bully.
12.18.2007
Leigh
hello, i'm just responding to let you know that any abuse is to much! i know first hand i have my own story but, it got worse before the place i am today! today my head is held high! i hope you find that place soon. p.s. don't wait for him to change you have to change the way you let yourself be treated! i hope you find self happiness!
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