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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Help - have I behaved terribly or not?

407 replies

dollfin · 29/09/2014 09:45

I am having a horrible time (again) with my partner and I need some sensible advice.

I went to the UK part of a wedding on Friday night (overseas part was in Italy) with my partner, his son and my son. When I arrived there I had no issue whatsoever but my partners family kept asking if I was ok, probably around 20 or 30 times. In the end I asked what they were talking about and it emerged that 2 of my partners exes were going to be at the party. One lady who he has an 18 daughter with and I get on with well and one girl who he was with for 8 years but has no children with. Now if i'm completely honest, I have no problem with the ex who he has kids with, thats his family and she has a special place in his life. I am always friendly with her and we get on fine. The other girl I have a bit of a problem with. The family seem to favour her over everyone in some way, she was invited to the hen do and I wasn't. She is always with my DPs sister as they are still very good friends and I know that she was devastated when she and my DP split up. They split up over 5 years ago now and she hasn't had a boyfriend since. I think she still has feelings for him but I don't know for sure.

Anyway, I tried to put all this aside at the party and have a nice time. It was made very hard because when I wandered up to my partner having a chat with someone, he was also talking about his other ex, DS's Mum. It was all getting a bit much and to be honest, normally I'm so secure and self confident but I was starting to feel unimportant and horrible.

I know that his sister is not very keen on me and when I was having a dance she started asking whether I was ok that my son was with someone he didn't know upstairs (he was with a babysitter i use regularly, he is 3 and she arrived to look after him at 9pm because he was tired and had a full day at school). I told her he wasn't with someone he didn't know, he was with a regular babysitter and he was fine). But this pissed me off a bit. Then she started on with the 'was I ok?' again and at this point I just told her what I thought. I said that I was confused at why Emma hasn't really moved on, I felt a bit sorry for my DP that she was invited to all family gatherings and that our relationship hasn't really had the space to grow and be accepted by his family. She then responded my saying the girl is a family member and I basically should just get over it because shes always going to be around.

She then asked me to go outside with her and used the whole thing as an opportunity to rake up an incident that had happened a long time ago when she had looked after my DS (6months old at the time) and she had taken him out in an unsafe car, past his bedtime and not called me to let me know. At the time I was angry about this and we fell out but I had since thought it was all forgotten about. She brought this up again and made wild accusations about the evening, accusing me of all sorts of things that hand on my heart, I didn't do or say. I got more and more upset outside, kept telling her that I wasn't going to agree with her as those things didn't happen and then my DP came over. He heard the things she was saying and he took her side. We went back to the room and he called me the worst names ever, I'm not even writing them they make me feel so horrible. Everytime I tried to explain to him what had happened he screamed at me and he told me to go home first thing in the morning so I didn't see anyone. I've since had the silent treatment since then and it shows no sign of stopping. I sent him a long email yesterday and he replied saying 'if you contact me again I will be forced to take matters out of your hands'.

I feel completely bewildered and hugely upset. I probably could have dealt with the whole ex thing better but I feel pushed out and like an outcast in his family. The fact i wasn't invited to the hen do and me and my son were not invited to the wedding in Italy was really difficult to deal with. I had had enough of people asking me if I was ok and I didn't have a go at the sister, I just explained how I felt. I feel pretty sure if she was in my situation she would feel the same. She then used that to dredge up something from the past that I have tried so hard to put right, she has made no effort at all.

My DP and I are in the middle of buying a house together, we were meant to be going to Blackpool with my family later this week and I feel dreadful. I haven't eaten anything for 3 days and he will not speak to me. I feel like his sister totally set out to do this and I feel like she is having a really good laugh at me behind my back. She has also posted a picture on facebook captioned 'my favourite photo of the night' and it is her with all of his exes dancing on the dancefloor. I feel in my heart of hearts like she is purposefully trying to be a bitch and make me miserable. I don't know what to do. Help.

OP posts:
Aeroflotgirl · 29/09/2014 20:28

May or may not take, doh

ImperialBlether · 29/09/2014 20:29

If a man treats you like this, it makes you feel MUCH better if you are the one who decides to end it. You feel great afterwards, as though you've taken that power from him. Imagine him treating you like this and then dumping you? You'd feel awful, because you'd know he's not worthy of you and you've let him affect you like that. Regain control and dump him.

magoria · 29/09/2014 20:29

Your DS deserves better than the miserable life you are going to have if you move in with this man.

If you can't do it for you. Do it for him.

He doesn't deserve to live in a house where his mum is treated like this by the person supposed to love her, his family and to see her upset all the time.

You don't want him growing up either thinking this is the way relationships should be or being treated by shit by them as well.

TheCraicDealer · 29/09/2014 20:34

So he treats you so badly you think you're finished on a regular basis? Am I right in thinking that he then magnanimously pops up and "forgives" you? He does that because one day he knows you'll just stops putting up a fight and you'll just go along with whatever he says in order to avoid that horrible, crushing feeling when you think it's over. Do you want your DS to watch you slowly crumble into a scared, cowed woman? No? Then do something about it now.

emotionsecho · 29/09/2014 20:35

Enjoy your wine and Eastenders dollfin and congratulate yourself that you are way too smart to have your life end up like an episode of that soap which it will if you don't get away from him and his faaaaamily!

His success and good looks are nothing when set against his character.

You, on the other hand, have way more going for you someone out there is waiting to love and treat you with the respect you deserve.

Good luck.

Blu · 29/09/2014 20:49

"This is the thing though, it always sounds like he has finished with me but he never has, its like he wants to torture me but actually can't leave me alone in the end. If he says he never wants to speak to me again, he doesn't mean it, he just says it hurt me. "

And he DOES hurt you. Actually hurt you. He waltzes off to Italy without talking to you about it and blames you and is unpleasant when you talk about it.

He spends a family wedding talking to and about his exes.

He shouts horrible abuse at you at a wedding.

He sides with his sister when she is being horrible to you.

He uses unspeakably horrible language to you

He tells you not to contact him.

he THREATENS you - as in his response after the wedding.

Why, WHY, is finishing his decision to make? Will you just dangle helplessly on his string while he decides whether to reel you back in again, or not? Are you waiting to see if he will 'leave you alone' this time?

And what do you mean 'always' sounds s if he will finish? Buying a house together is something couples do full of hope and teamwork, not couples where one is constantly threatening to break up before you even have your own joint home!

His whole family know about all this now and have you painted as the baddie. Will he apologise to you, tell his family that he is a git and owes you an apology, and demand that they treat you with some sensitivity and respect?

No.

honeysucklejasmine · 29/09/2014 20:49

Just read through the thread. OP, you are getting some really excellent advice from many people here and I think you see that. I hope that when you update tomorrow its to say that you've called your solicitor and the house sales are cancelled. Then you and your DS are going to unpack anything you might have packed, throw out anything that belongs to "D" P, and are going on a brilliant fun day out, just the two of you. You deserve some fun and to reestablish your life together, without him.

You do deserve the best. And you are going to get it, for yourself, because you are a strong, sensible woman who can do it.

Blu · 29/09/2014 20:54

Oh dear dollfin, sorry, all that sounded as if I was shouting at you - sorry! I know you are hurting, and I don't blame you - I am frustrated and angry at HIM!

He doesn't deserve you, he really doesn't.

I can't believe he was so nasty as to insist you go home. That is just awful behaviour. No decent person treats someone they love like that.

So sorry.

Grieving for a dream of happiness you thought you had is tough and rough. Get your friends and family to gather round you.

Evabeaversprotege · 29/09/2014 21:10

Walk away from this man.

technosausage · 29/09/2014 21:14
Thanks
NancyCracker · 29/09/2014 21:16

OP. Listen to the advice of others. Pull out of the sale of your house and move bCk to your house with your wee boy. It's you and your boy for now.

Please don't let yourself be treated so badly by this man, or let your little boy see you being treated so appallingly.

It's hard to let go of a dream. But that's all it was, was a dream, as the reality was something quite different.

If he loved you, then he would never have treated you as he did.

paddlenorapaddle · 29/09/2014 21:18

How awful you're stuck with an abuser and it sounds like you were set up a beaut.

All the questions when you first arrived and then the verbal attack from the sister outside

He then sent you away so you can imagine the story he told.

Tbh you could do better take control it's your life don't waste it on an arsehole like this

Ruralretreating · 29/09/2014 21:41

OP, although you may want to take time to deal with the emotional fallout, please act promptly on the practicalities of ensuring your money is secure, getting your house back and stopping the purchase of the new one. You sound lovely and he sounds horrid, you and your son deserve better.

Deathraystare · 29/09/2014 21:42

This is the thing though, it always sounds like he has finished with me but he never has, its like he wants to torture me but actually can't leave me alone in the end. If he says he never wants to speak to me again, he doesn't mean it, he just says it hurt me. and I let him.

He is a very weak man. But also a bully and a coward who hides behind his toxic family. One that should you stay with him you will not be free of.

You already know he has comtempt for you. He plays hot and cold when it suits him. He has ex wives and partners for a reason!!!!

DO NOT BUY A HOUSE WITH HIM. GO away from him. Do not discuss with him - he told you not to speak to him remember???? Save your child from being like him and thinking that is how men should be.

He never supported you because his whole family are toxic and horrible!!

wanttosqueezeyou · 29/09/2014 21:47

Please send him this
m.youtube.com/watch?v=0doSWS0Fj24

hormonalandneedingcheese · 29/09/2014 21:59

OP there's nothing wrong and everything write in walking away when something is too broken to be repaired. Better then trying to force it back together and ending up with it more broken.

Better to lose £1000, then lose chunks of your life to this prick. He sounds as toxic as his family, you know where he gets it from!

Sounds like he's trying to erode your self-esteem and confidence.

hormonalandneedingcheese · 29/09/2014 22:01

Also there are over 200 replies and all are YANBU and many 'he's a wanker' - take note

wotoodoo · 29/09/2014 22:13

Wow brilliant advice from everyone.

Dollfin you pinned your hopes on a fantasy. The reality is not what you wanted at all. You put your best efforts into achieving your fantasy. Unfortunately your sociopathic partner is straight out of a horror movie and is never going to give you your happily ever after.

My huge concern is your poor innocent son. You have been badly abused by this charmer and you are an adult yet find it hard to stomach.

How can you even contemplate sharing your son's safe, peaceful haven with this monster?

What is your little boy going to learn from this role model of a man?

  1. It's ok to threaten and abuse mummy (think all women: including his potential girlfriends/wives)
  1. Mummy gets upset but mummy won't leave so it must be mummy's fault
  1. Mummy doesn't think I notice but I do so I have to pretend
  1. I am really scared of this man when he's angry but I can't tell anyone because mummy loves him

FFS DOLLFIN THINK AHEAD. PUT YOUR SON FIRST. DO NOT HAVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH MEN UNTIL YOU HAVE DONE THE FREEDOM PROGRAMME. PUT YOUR SON FIRST. PUT YOUR SON FIRST. PUT YOUR SON FIRST.

wotoodoo · 29/09/2014 22:21

May be you could put your son first and see it from his angle?

OraProNobis · 29/09/2014 22:22

Just got done reading this. You've had some superb advice and fantastic support. I just want to add that you really are too good for this shit. One life - that's what you have and it's not all that long either. Time goes fast and before you know it it will be much harder to start over. Your lovely DS will be grown up and will have witnessed your slow destruction at the hands of a pig.
Please - walk away now. Disempower this horrid man and save your future. You are so much better than this. Good luck.

wotoodoo · 29/09/2014 22:23

I really really hope you are brave enough, strong enough and intelligent enough to put your son first x

PiggyontheRailway · 29/09/2014 22:43

I think you also have to put yourself first. Everybody deserves to be happy and you need to ask yourself are you truly happy in this relationship?

Bouttimeforwine · 29/09/2014 23:50

Just be careful he doesn't pay all the fees and sign things whilst you are hesitating. Pull out quickly before he ties you in, then tries to get the money back from you.

Stay strong.

LiquidCosh · 30/09/2014 00:06

That's good advice there Bouttimeforwine OP have you answered the calls from the solicitor yet? Make sure you let them know ASAP that you want out of both the sale of your old house and purchase of the new one. £1000 lost in fees is money well spent imo if it rids you of this abusive twat.

musicalendorphins2 · 30/09/2014 04:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.