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I'm so sad tonight

17 replies

ImSoSadTonight · 19/02/2020 20:49

I'm not a troll, I have name changed for this.

It's a long story, and not one I can easily explain.. Not one that everyone will understand but some might.

Quite prepared to be criticised, so go for it.

I come from a very dysfunctional and abusive family. Long story short but my mother and father hated each other (only married because I was born). Fought constantly, awful physical fights. Mother alcoholic and extremely mentally ill, but never diagnosed or treated. Father hot tempered and violent. Mother scared of Father so basically took it all out on me - physically, emotionally, verbally, sexually. Father must have realised that I had a bad time, but no real idea as I didn't tell - I was warned not to because of consequences to Mother. Estranged from Mother as a teenager (she threw me out). Went to live with Father. Very difficult relationship - he thought me a "miserable bitch" - his actual words. Never asked why I was miserable though . I married (horrifically difficult and painful time with Father) and we became estranged. I cut off contact. I couldn't cope with his attitude etc. I wanted to forget everything that had happened. Selfish? Yes. He wrote me letters. I never replied. Until my mother died (in horrendous circumstances). I wrote him a letter saying that what was done was done and it wasn't his fault. I sent it to the address I found for him, but I don't know it was the right address, or if he ever got it. No reply.

Fast forward, much therapy, but no desire to resume relationship (I honestly don't know if I could cope).

Tonight I saw a picture of him on Facebook (looking at a cousins FB page, his new wife's profile came up).

He's just an old, frail man now, and I feel so very sad.

I don't even know if I am asking a question here. I just feel overwhelming sadness.

OP posts:
MrsJonesAndMe · 19/02/2020 20:55

Just sending you a (((hug))) that sounds like a very tough start to life. Do you have anyone in real life to talk to? Do you feel like you want to try and reach out again or leave well enough alone now?

something2say · 19/02/2020 21:01

Aww I am sorry. What an intrusion of a picture to see.

What will you do now do you think? Make contact?

I too am estranged. My mother was the abusive one, I couldn't give a hoot about her. My father ....well he was absent, uninterested, off hand. ' what do you WANT child for goodness sake!' We have been out of contract for 14 years. He too is old, 81 I think. I write to him to thank him for the few good things he did but I have no intention of seeing him again.

So I get where you're coming from..x

ImSoSadTonight · 19/02/2020 21:07

I don't think I could cope with the pain making contact would bring up. I only just feel as though I have got my life back from the black hole that was my past. But I feel so sad and guilty seeing him. I think most people (those who know, not many) think I am some kind of monster. Not knowing what the whole experience did to me.

Thanks for your kind words. They are not deserved, for sure.

OP posts:
YakkityYakYakYak · 19/02/2020 21:12

I wish I could provide some really useful advice but I think the best I can offer is a big hug, and to say please don’t blame yourself. Your parents are supposed to look after you, you are the child, you are not in the wrong for setting boundaries and for cutting them out of your life if that’s what you needed to do to be happy. So sorry that you are feeling sad and that this has brought back so much pain for you, I hope you have some good real life support too xx

ShesGotBetteDavisEyes · 19/02/2020 21:13

Why on earth would anyone criticise you? You did the right thing breaking contact - just because someone is blood doesn’t mean you have to have a relationship with them if it is negatively affecting you.

I think seeing he is old and frail is tugging at your heartstrings - it’s natural you will wonder whether to get in touch if you feel he hasn’t long left in this world. Your childhood sounds awful. Don’t worry about what others must think of you - you know the truth of the abuse you suffered and why it was necessary to protect yourself Flowers

Mammatino · 19/02/2020 21:14

I just wanted to say I'm sorry you are having such a hard time. You don't owe anyone anything except yourself. You had a traumatic childhood and the adults in your life hurt you very very badly indeed. Take your time to decide how you want to proceed and try to remember, just because you saw that picture, it means nothing. It's stirred up terribly upsetting and unresolved feelings for you but you don't have to do anything about it. If you want to make contact you have time to plan that out, how do you want to? What do you want to ask? What do you want to hear? Realistically what are you likely to hear and if it's not what you want can you cope with it? If you decide you're better off as you are then that's fine too. You poor poor thing. I know you are sad tonight but you make sure you find one good thing to smile about tomorrow... Even if its a picture of a kitten in a hat or a whole bar of galaxy just for you. Good luck with it and bless you x

Crazydaisy11 · 19/02/2020 21:35

He didn't protect you as a child so really you owe him nothing. I doubt seeing him would bring you any peace or help you. I wonder though if he was to die soon would you feel that you missed your chance to say what you needed to say to him?
Maybe you could connect with his wife and send a letter to him or something but only if you need some form of closure for yourself and if you may regret not doing it. Look after yourself first, like your parents should have when you were a child Flowers

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe · 19/02/2020 21:36

I understand why you're sad. He moved on, left you behind really, and it's as if you were by the by almost. But he exists in your wider family, just not for you anymore,

It must have been a shock for you to have that picture pop up. You didn't facilitate or enable his treatment of you, nor do anything to deserve it. He's the only parent left too and that can carry its own pain. I'm sorry. Thanks

gavisconismyfriend · 19/02/2020 21:43

How painful to suddenly see his photo, unsolicited. You poor thing. I’m so sorry that your parents hurt you so badly. Your well-being is the most important thing so do whatever it is you need to do - see him if you want to, grieve him again if you need to, do nothing at all but just sit with it for a while before deciding. The only person to consider is yourself - don’t feel guilty for doing so. Be the parent to yourself now that your father failed to be then.

LonnyVonnyWilsonFrickett · 19/02/2020 21:48

Oh lass. The fact that you feel sad shows how much you've recovered from your childhood. You are obviously a very loving person, and I think you're probably still mourning 'what might have been' - ie the childhood you want and deserve.

My father abandoned me when I was 3, there was no cruelty or anything like you had, he just walked out of the door and never came back, so I KNOW that what you've experienced is in my future at some point and it's something I think about a lot. I could get in contact with him, but I won't because he doesn't deserve me. And it's more important for me to honour that wee bewildered girl I used to be.

So I don't have any advice for you , but I do have tons of love and empathy. It's OK to feel sad.

something2say · 19/02/2020 21:54

I'm a bit worried about your language xxx
You are not a monster and compassion is deserved. This indicates pain turned inwards, a bit of anger and low esteem for the self I think? All the usual fallout from child abuse.

Don't hurt yourself. Don't call yourself names. You didnt deserve it then and you don't deserve it now.

ImSoSadTonight · 19/02/2020 21:54

I'm very grateful for the kind words, thank you all.

OP posts:
AmelieTaylor · 19/02/2020 21:59

Oh god, you poor thing. I don’t understand how anyone can hurt a child, but to hurt your own child is just beyond any comprehension

He wasn’t as bad as your mother, but he wasn’t a whole lot better. On top of his own bad treatment of you, he didn’t stop abuse that he should have - don't minimise how awful he was

How much do your extended family know? Maybe you need to detach from some of them as well?

I understand that seeing a frail old man tugs at your heart strings - so ‘sad’ I can understand.

Guilt. Guilt has NO PLACE in your life NONE. YOU OWE HIM NOTHING!! Certainly
Not guilt

It must be very hard to accept that your parents are not the parents you deserve & I suspect you don’t ever stop wanting them to be better people and maybe come to realise how dreadful they were and to try to make it up to you

I’m not sure what you need to hear (maybe nothing - maybe you just needed to put it out there?!)

The only person you owe anything to us -YOU 🌷. Sit quietly with it and do what you need to do, for you x

Oh & you definitely do deserve ‘kind words’ - you have done incredibly well to clawed your way out of the black hole ☀️

What is your DH like? Is he a good man?

Nodressrehearsal · 19/02/2020 22:16

I’m sorry you had such a rubbish start in life. There is another support thread on here “But we took you to Stately Homes” that gives equally good support for survivors of abusive relationships. Sorry not sure how to link.

TiddlestheCat · 19/02/2020 22:54

Sorry, posted too soon....

....it sounds to me like this is something that you would find helpful. It might also ultimately bring you closure. I say this as someone who also had a tricky childhood (although did not suffer any physical abuse). I felt a mixture of anger/hurt, and anxiety etc. Then my father got cancer and died quickly. I think that it was harder dealing with my mixed emotions rather than straight fwd grief. It's ok to be sad! It sounds pretty 'normal' to imo. However, do open up to friends or family and ensure that you get the support that you need going fwd.xx

TiddlestheCat · 19/02/2020 22:56

Now the first part of my post has vanished! Balls. My phone has been playing up. Sorry OP.

MrsJonesAndMe · 20/02/2020 06:41

You absolutely deserve kind words and sympathy/empathy. Please reach out to someone in real life for some support too.

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