it started that way with my ex but i loved him so i stayed with him he had smacked me a few times but was going to counceling so i stayed thinking it would get better i wound up moving in with him cus he "needed" me well the abuse got more severe i almost didnt finish highschool he would lock me in the apt. it got to the point he attempted to kill me and thankfully he went outside to buy pills and forgot to lock the door and i got neighbors attention then he came back n saw i had moved and started choking me my neighbor called the police and helped me break loose. if he can hit his own mother it will not stop at that trust me it will just get worse get out while your still capable of moving