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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To be terrified now that it's over?

64 replies

Flappypants · 07/05/2018 22:06

Posting for traffic and also because I've has some awesome advice from.this board and on Relationships. I was postng under the name MissCommunication but I deleted my account because my DH was clearly accessing my devices and he's techie enough to get access renpteky through my Google account and passwords.

Anyway today I took the first step. It's over. I'm calm yet terrified. This is a man who has controlled and gaslighted me for years. We have two DC nearly 6 and nearly 2.

I don't even know where to begin with my terror because he's told me he wants me to move out, that he wants shared care (I am primary carer SAHM not a bean to my name etc etc) and that he will fight tooth and nail to get maximum access.

The things tgat have happened over the years have been so hard and he is now saying it's so sad that I believe he has tried to drive me insane and that he has trusted me with the children despite his concerns about me.

I have asked my solicitor to contact him and for the petition to go out asap.

The children have never been away from me for a night yet which I know some might think odd. I breastfeed the youngest still and eldest has medical issues and needs a little more support. DH has his own business but reckons he's going to give up working FT so he can look after the children. It's laughable because he's been disengaged over the years yet blames me for blocking him from his children. He practically gave up his DD from his first marriage in his pursuit of me and his physical contact with her has waned although he says he is in very frequent contact with her on text etc and hides it from me. I have the fact that I allowed him to lure me in at the cost of his child on my conscience until the day I die.

It's a completely toxic and awful situation and I have broken free. Although I am scared I feel a relief that I don't have to worry about offending him or what I'm going to do next. This year alone I have been told that I am rude, aggressive, nasty, abusive, controlling, manipulative, lazy, greedy for money (!) selfish, lacking in effort or care or consideration for him...the list goes on.

My AIBU is to be terrified that this will destroy me? I'm so scared. My mind is going 500 miles an hour. He will break me. He knows how to play everything. Surely he won't get 50%?? The children are not used to it (And I know they are resilient...I have been through a lot as a child myself but I think that's how I got into this mess and I don't want my DC to grow up thinking this relationship was normal) and it isn't in their best interests. He is really laying it on thick about wanting to be with them. He should have thought about that years ago.

Help me!! It's only the first day and I'm floundering.

OP posts:
Addy2 · 07/05/2018 22:12

Didn't want to read and run, but don't know much about the legal aspects of this. Stay strong. Flowers for you. I'm sure someone more useful will be along shortly. x

Echobelly · 07/05/2018 22:18

First off, well done, you are amazing and you've done the best thing you could for your kids.

Lots of abusive men think they can win, lots of them can convince women that they will always win, but they don't.

In the first instance, I suggest you try to find quick ways to turn away anxieties about what he will do and what he might or might not 'win', maybe just a short phrase like 'Worry won't help' or 'We're going to be OK' every time an anxiety appears. It might take a while for this to be effective, but it can be surprisingly helpful. It is natural to try to think of every awful eventuality because your anxiety is telling you it helps prepare for the worst-case scenario, but it doesn't help - I saw a great saying about 'If the worst really does happen, all anxiety will do is make you live through it multiple times'.

Wishing you lots of strength - right will be on your side.

damekindness · 07/05/2018 22:22

Sorry to hear your feeling like this...but hang on in there and it will get better. I had an exh like this and there were lots and lots of ridiculous threats about custody and what he was and wasn't going to do. They came to nothing in the end because it's really easy to talk but sustaining any follow through action proved more of a challenge. Grit your teeth and imagine a future life where you get autonomy, independence and happiness - it's worth it!

Flappypants · 07/05/2018 22:27

Thank you so much for the prompt replies. I have been feeling more and more anxious recently, mainly because I never know when something might blow up. Today's catalyst was over something so ridiculous. I'll try the technique you suggest.

I thought it would be useful to paste a link to one my threads so there's a back story...i deffo don't think you have time to trawl through all 277 posts but it'll give an idea. He's also financially secretive...i found bank statements while looking for some medical notes of DSs and I was shocked. Felt guilty for snooping but the wise MN posse corrected my guilt pronto!

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/relationships/3004114-Speeding-husband-our-problems-are-all-my-fault?pg=1&order=

OP posts:
Flappypants · 07/05/2018 22:32

How do I stop him messing with my head??? He's being Mr Reasonable but hinting every so often about how bad these things get. He is so good at this

OP posts:
Singlenotsingle · 07/05/2018 22:41

Have you not got parents who would be able to support you? Maybe let you move in with them temporarily? Alternatively, there are still women's refuges where you could ask for sanctuary. You may or may not be at risk physically, but certainly he is guilty of mental and emotional abuse which isn't healthy for either you or the children.

I'm sure he's just using these comments re shared care for the children as just another stick to beat you with (!) He wouldn't be able to cope and nor would he be able to go out and earn a salary. He doesn't sound like the sort of man who would have patience with children. You will have an opportunity to explain to the court the full reasoning behind your objections, and the judge will take it seriously and get social reports. What is important is who normally takes care of them, and not to disrupt their routine. This is a complicated matter but I'm sure you will get there in the end, and get free from this thoroughly unpleasant man. Good luck

Onlyoldontheoutside · 07/05/2018 22:43

Don't be afraid to see your GP if you need to.I did as I had that squeezed feeling offer and a knot in my stomach.I had antidepressants for a few months,not sure if they helped but confiding all the fears you don't want to share with friends/family did help.
Tell family and friends,you will be surprised at the support they can give and many more than you realise will have known something is wrong.
Be kind to yourself,you will have strong days,tearful days and very wobbly days that's all normal.also believe that whatever he does and even if he does get 50/50 you will NOT break because you are free and your children need you.
If he's self employed he will probably reduce his hours and make it financially difficult for you I'm afraid.
You are doing so well to take that first amazing step.Keep strong and keep reminding yourself each time he is vile to you that this is why you're leaving.

ohdearwhatcanthematterbee · 07/05/2018 22:45

Well done in making the decision! They all claim they are going to fight for custody.... but you know that’s the last thing he wants! So next time he brings that one up, respond enthusiastically and tell him how great that will be for you.... he’ll soon change his tune!

Standard advice is don’t leave the house- if you’re the primary caregiver you can often get a decree that you stay there until the kids are 18. And if he has his own business then be prepared for him fudging the accounts to avoid paying CM. Do you have any support that would let you get a part time job?

2018SoFarSoGreat · 07/05/2018 22:46

Flappy just sending you strength, and a virtual hug.

Missingstreetlife · 07/05/2018 22:51

You can get away, then he wont be able to mess with your head.
Look after yourself

Flappypants · 07/05/2018 22:56

Ah yes I see you are well versed in the fudgy accounting...he did this with his ex wife and I knew it. I know what he has been drawing for the past few years. The children have not generally been put to bed by him for example, he says I've blocked it but both were breastfed and I was very PND-ridden and lacking in sleep...maybe I did things wrong but he never pushed it and was quite happy to fuck about on his devices while i did it.

What next?? My family live 2 hours away and neither Mum nor Gran have room. DS needs to be in school. I could borrow money from family to get a place I suppose???

OP posts:
AntiHop · 07/05/2018 23:03

Many abusive men make threats about custody as they know it will make you scared. Based on how he interacts with your children and his first child, it seems unlikely that he'd follow through.

Where are you living now?

Flappypants · 07/05/2018 23:06

I am in the marital home. He is in spare room. Both our names are on the deeds. He said I should move out and I said I wouldn't and that if I did it would be the three of us. He said no he wants shared care. Where can I go??? What can he do if I go somewhere with them? Can he tie me up legally speaking? I've been to my GP. They knowwhat has been going on.

OP posts:
kesie123 · 07/05/2018 23:08

Well done - you have absolutely done the right thing for yourself and your children - hold on to that. Practically you need to be photographing any financial documents that you can find and remove ur passports etc out of the house for safe keeping. As much documentation that you can find will really help with the court case - unfortunately these types of men nearly always go to court. He won't get 50/50 custody so try not to worry about that. As someone else said don't leave the house - he needs to go. He will try everything to mess with your head but remember it's all lies - try yoga or anything else that works for you. You need to stay very strong to fight for your children - it won't be quick or easy but definitely will be worth it in the end. Sending you huge hugs.

Italiangreyhound · 07/05/2018 23:11

@Flappypants

"My AIBU is to be terrified that this will destroy me?" YES, you are being unreasonable but I can easily see why!

"I'm so scared. My mind is going 500 miles an hour." That is all normal but he will not destroy you.

"I don't want my DC to grow up thinking this relationship was normal." focus on the next step, get good legal advice. Re housing, I do not see that he has the right to make you leave the house. Unless you are in danger, of course.

"He is really laying it on thick about wanting to be with them. He should have thought about that years ago." you know I would get some advice from Women's Aid.

www.womensaid.org.uk/

I don't know for sure but my feeling is that you should come across as reasonable, you be 'professional' about things, but you do not agree to anything unless you have to. The solicitor should work out all the details etc and that is a way off so for now, get advice on how to work out the details.

Please keep a record of everything he says, so he needs to communicate with you by text or email etc. Keep everything.

I don't personally think it will be in the children's best interests to be 50% of the time with a man who has shown very little interest in them in the past " he never pushed it and was quite happy to fuck about on his devices while i did it." But please do not worry too much, yet, it is a tough road but you can do it. You can do it.

AnathemaPulsifer · 07/05/2018 23:15

You need to talk to a solicitor and do not move out, even with the kids but definitely not without them.

FASH84 · 07/05/2018 23:20

OP don't go anywhere unless you feel you are in danger, contact the NCDV tomorrow your name is on the deeds they can talk to you about occupation and residency orders for the children.
www.ncdv.org.uk

FASH84 · 07/05/2018 23:24

Sorry that wasn't clear, occupation order is for the house residency order for the children. Gather as much evidence of his abusive behaviour as you can and make sure you have all of your documents and the children's eg birth certificates, passports, paperwork relating to the house, and his finances if you can get it without risk, any medicines too.

Flappypants · 07/05/2018 23:34

This might sound stupid but why gather passports and birth certs?

OP posts:
Ginkypig · 07/05/2018 23:42

I could write pages and pages of support but instead il just say this.

In the whole time you were with him after all he did to you he didn't manage to break you or drive you crazy, you proved that by ending it so nothing he could possibly think of to do to you could possibly break you now!

Fight for you and your children and one day this will be your past.

Flowers
YaBasic · 07/05/2018 23:43

So he cannot keep them from you as a control exercise or abscond with the kids or apply for new passports for them or refuse to let you take them on holiday etc etc less the latter as that requires £ accident in any case but yes, all documentation in a safe place/with someone you trust/safety deposit box etc Copies of bank statements, so on and so forth .Shamrock

YaBasic · 07/05/2018 23:44

£ and consent not accident, auto correct sorry

AcrossthePond55 · 08/05/2018 00:11

As far as dealing with him and his threats, every time he says something that scares you, repeat to yourself "He's a lying liar who lies" over and over. Because it's true. He's not God and he doesn't run the legal system. He's a liar who is trying to frighten you into running away in fear.

Have you seen a solicitor.

Flappypants · 08/05/2018 06:21

He has just sent me an email suggesting something called nesting...i can't agree to anything until I have taken advice. He is really going to try every angle he can here.

I think he's trying to demonstrate in writing that he is all about the children which he has on my started doing since things started to really deteriorate between us over the past few months.

Help help help

OP posts:
TryingToForgeAnewLife · 08/05/2018 06:29

Don't agree anything. Keep communication via email/text/ WhatsApp etc.

Apply for benefits. You can do this now even though you are still in the same house as you are not a couple anymore and so you're claiming as a single person.

Stop doing wifework - i.e his washing, ironing, cooking etc.

Gather paperwork so all pensions, wage slips, bank statements.

If you have joint accounts then you can get your own online access to those accounts.