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Disasterous relationship

8 replies

Pinemarten2 · 15/08/2021 05:03

DD has been been in what I consider an abusive relationship for over 3 years, through college and out the other side. I have never met him. Not aggressive but uses her when it is convenient and ignores her the rest of the time. Cancels dates, holidays etc. on a whim, sleeps with others, dumps her then gets in contact when she might possibly be getting over him. Middle of the night/when drunk is the preferred time for this. Doesn’t matter if he’s in another relationship. Absolutely selfish. But she lives in hope it will all end happily with him. How do I stop the madness? Call him up and tell him to get out of my daughter’s life? Does that actually work? Or ask his parents to tell him the same? D is too hung up on him to see how much she is being taken advantage of. Doesn’t want to discuss finally ending it as she’s reluctant to lose last thread of hope. I can’t bear to see how hopeful she gets from even a single phone call after months of nothing, never thought I’d see her self-regard and self-esteem drop so low. Received wisdom is not to interfere as you shouldn’t helicopter-parent an adult, and that in any case it would just make matters worse. But feel angry yet utterly helpless to see this thoughtless, selfish, arrogant young male wreak havoc in my daughter’s life any time he likes. Can’t see how it can end. Any advice?

OP posts:
Galassia · 15/08/2021 05:44

Interfering will only alienate your daughter and make things worse.

I don’t think you can or should be instrumental in trying to split them up but you can let your daughter know that you will support her but make it clear that the relationship she is in is not healthy and is one sided.

Encourage her to take up new hobbies and activities where she will meet other people and make new friends.

Seeing how other people are in relationships may make her understand how toxic her one is.

She obviously feels bad about herself in allowing herself to be treated so badly so you can help her find ways to build up herself self worth.

Unfortunately the desire to end the relationship has to come from her.

Pinemarten2 · 15/08/2021 11:09

Thanks, Galassia - I wish I had set her up with enough self-worth to have dumped him right at the start. And feel desperate to get him out of her life before he drags her down again.

He has wrecked her exams and risked her health and would leave her in the lurch at a moment's notice: so I can see him devastating her again and then just walking off. So very tempted to tell him a few facts and get him out of her life.

OP posts:
Auntienumber8 · 15/08/2021 11:16

I agree about encouraging her to get interests and friends away from him. Do you have any idea why her self esteem is so low she allows herself to be treated like that?

I’m afraid there is nothing you can do. One of my nieces was in an incredibly awful relationship for a few years. He was a financial parasite in every way and left her in debt. Not once but twice. She is a really academically clever woman with a really good career. She revealed something about her past to her Mum that explained her low self worth and is now having counselling.

Moonface123 · 15/08/2021 11:16

I can understand your anger but your daughter does need to take some responsibility here too. Where are her boundaries, self esteem and self respect ? This is what you should be encouraging her to work on, they she won't be so easily manipulated.

Listener2021 · 15/08/2021 13:40

I don't understand why people say don't interfere in these cases. If a son or daughter was destroying their life with drugs, alcohol or something like that, you'd interfere. Surely in 10 years time OP's daughter might be able to say 'you saw me with depression in an abusive destructive relationship and did nothing to help.'

crossstitchingnana · 15/08/2021 13:47

Ask her what she would say to a friend who was in a relationship like this. That'll be telling.

Pinemarten2 · 16/08/2021 12:48

Thank you, everyone - much appreciated. Listener2021's point is my worry in a nutshell.

OP posts:
Anordinarymum · 16/08/2021 12:54

If this were my daughter I would be going crazy. Can't you get someone to have a word with the guy OP

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