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Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

My Dad strikes again, actually upset me this time

92 replies

SpikyCoconut · 19/05/2018 16:08

Maybe more shaken than upset.

My Dad offered to put a washing line up for me and DP some time ago and has kept saying he'd do it soon. We never mentioned it again, didn't ask him to,wasn't a problem.

A few weeks ago he sent me a msg asking if we could dig some holes for the posts to go in, giving measurements. I showed DP the measurements, and DP dug the holes. My Dad saw the holes when he came round for a drink and a bbq last bank hol (you may remember my previous thread).

ANYWAY. I was at fault today because this morning I had a text at around 8 am from my Dad, and I didn't hear it, didn't see it. My fault, I accept this totally.

There was a festival in a neighbouring town today and my friend had a stall so we decided to go to that. We'd just arrived there at lunchtime ish when my 'phone rang, my Dad asking did I get his message.

I said 'no sorry', he said 'where are you'? I said at *** festival. I then said 'Sorry, had you called I'd have answered I just didn't hear the notification for the mesg' he then had a massive go at me again, shouting that I never answer my bloody phone and It's always same and don't give him that etc etc (I do answer my phone, not always but who can say they always do if at work/out somewhere noisy etc etc)?

(He turned up to my BBQ 3 hours later than I had sent the invitation txt, because he didn't see it.. I'm digressing.)

His text had said he wanted our help with shifting some flags this morning as he didn't have time to do it but it would only take about ten mins.

I absolutely would have done this had I known about it, I am cursing myself for not seeing that text message.

Remembering the advice from the last thread, when he began shouting and balling at me I put the phone down.

I then replied to his text saying 'Sorry, didn't hear the message, if you'd have called I'd have answered, we'll do it when we get back?xx'

But I couldn't relax at the festival so we came back after about an hour. It was a half hour walk to the car then 25 mins drive, if relevant.

We got back and he was in the garden digging the holes. He started having a go at me because the holes weren't dug right. I originally thought he was talking to DP as he knew I hadn't' dug the holes but he wasn't, he was having a go at me. He was shouting loudly and aggressively, very obviously angry..DP didn't say anything at first, I was really confused-I said well DP did them how you asked?

He then shouted that I just wanted to blame someone else and I said 'Dad but, I didn't dig the holes?' DP then said 'yes I dug them'.

Apparently they weren't the right size but then, he'd looked at them at the BBQ and could have said something then.

Anyway he then shouted in a really threatening manner that if I EVER put the phone down on him again he'll be' down the 'phone'.

I tried to stay calm,was shaking (still am)! and said 'And if you do I'll call the police' (I feel bad about this, but he was implying he'd go for me as he has before albeit not for a very long time).

He said 'And see what I'll do if you do!'

Then, Me: 'You don't reply to your text messages!'

Him: 'I don't deal in text messages I deal in face to face me!!'

Me:'Why didn't you ring or come round then?'

Him: 'Cause you dont' answer your phone!'
Me: 'I don't answer it if it doesn't' ring'!

I then went into the house and hid and cried, very proud I didn't break in front of him (I have before).

I am pretty shaken up stil but glad I stood my ground. He's always been this way.

I am upset my day's been ruined, don't understand why he couldn't have rang or knocked on the door, don't see what the big deal is at all, and I really really don't think its right that he threatened me or spoke to me like this in my garden (I am sure the neighbours would have heard, he's a VERY loud person).

DP didn't measure the holes, not realising how particular my Dad is about these things so I told DP that's my fault for not emphasising it. Sorry if this is a bit jumbled. DP said my Dad did look as if he'd go for me any minute. I just remember from the last thread someone saying 'he sees you as a child he can tell off', and this, I am definitely seeing now. Not that I'd ever speak to a child like that (or anyone)! anyway.

OP posts:
bonnyshide · 19/05/2018 17:28

Don't ask anything from him, not sure why he's putting up your washing line?

He has this 'power over you' when he's doing stuff for you.

Be independent from him.

fc301 · 19/05/2018 17:33

BTW he's a narcissist. Attacking you, projecting onto you, manipulating events, scapegoating you.
As the scapegoat you can do no right. By standing up to him you have triggered a nasty narcissistic rage.
You will not be able to resolve this as he is not rational and won't be reasoned with.
Limit contact.
Reinforce your boundaries, keep him out.
Unfortunately I speak from experience. You have my sympathy as it is absolutely devastating when a parent turns on you like this 💐

DragonMummy1418 · 19/05/2018 17:37

W T F !

Get him out of your life!

I would never ever allow anyone to stay in my life who threatened me or spoke to me like that, no matter if they're related or not!

Brunsdon1 · 19/05/2018 17:47

Agreed with other posters...OP why do you keep him in your life? I completely understand after living with psychological and emotional abuse it can be hard to see it or accept it but you need to think about looking at it

I tend to also agree that whilst I don't agree that you need someone to fight your corner I'm surprised at your DP response....i can honestly say my DP would have kicked him out at the beginning of the shouting or at the very least said something

HeebieJeebies456 · 19/05/2018 17:50

why are you letting him bully you - and in your own home too?

stop accepting 'favours' from him, he's a nasty aggressive bastard.

Birdsgottafly · 19/05/2018 18:18

OP, you can only continue to put boundaries up and stick to them.

You've started with the ranting over the phone, now it needs to extend to shouting at you face-to-face.

Is your Mum on side, in regards to you not putting up with this? I think you should make it clear to her that you are not putting up with it anymore

Eastcoastmost · 19/05/2018 18:23

Just go NC.

zebrano · 19/05/2018 18:26

You sound like me. A lifetime of tolerating my father's abuse and manipulation has caused me to be programmed from childhood to be a 'people pleaser' and sometimes doormat. I'm now NC with my father and whilst it was/is hard (us people pleasers feel a lot of guilt even when we shouldn't) life is more peaceful and I'm glad I finally set boundaries. I'm now starting to be able to set boundaries elsewhere in my life too!

YouTheCat · 19/05/2018 18:27

This man is an abusive arsehole. The fact that he's your dad doesn't matter.

SpikyCoconut · 19/05/2018 18:38

Thank you so much for all replies. I've read and 'digested' them all and I'm working shortly but will reply as soon as I can. Really appreciated. A lot of you are spot on, I've become a lot better over the last few years at dealing with him and asking non-biased strangers is much more helpful than asking people who know him and/or me.

OP posts:
Seabreeze18 · 19/05/2018 18:46

The thing to be aware of is he has the problem of anger not you.
You behaved perfectly normally and any normal person without issues, would not have had a problem with you missing a message or digging the hole the wrong size. Let him wallow in his anger and leave him to it.

Aeroflotgirl · 19/05/2018 18:55

Just go non contact, he is a nasty and vile bully.

WrongOnTheInternet · 19/05/2018 19:13

He sounds a bit like my father. I wish Mumsnet had been around back then to help me see what he was. I didn't go NC as they say now, I didn't want the aggro that would cause - but he and my birth family got pushed a very very long way away. I made sure I was never dependent on them, refused all offers of 'help' because I wasn't paying the price. Fortunately I physically moved, for Uni, and made sure I wasn't in the vicinity again. Once I had kids (10-15 years later) there is no way I would have left them alone with him and I was prepared to kick him out if need be.

You also need to withdraw. It sounds like he's threatened you with violence before. You could try the 'positively assertive' route of sending him text messages saying that his anger, aggression and threats are in no way appropriate behaviour and need to stop. Or you could just quietly withdraw as I did. Either way you do not need to put up with it. It is hard sometimes Flowers.

SandAndSea · 19/05/2018 19:58

Your father sounds awful, no wonder you're upset. Flowers

I have to say that I'm disappointed that your dp wasn't able to defend you more in this situation. (I'm quite sure that my dp would have confronted him and moved him out.)

I also don't think you should be letting your dad do these jobs for you - it's creating a feeling of indebtedness which is inappropriate and unhealthy for you. Personally, I wouldn't even be in touch with him.

Waggingmyginger · 19/05/2018 20:29

He's handed you a great big pair of scissors. Cut him off. Don't look back. Your life will be calmer without him in it.

nocoolnamesleft · 19/05/2018 20:31

Your dad is a nasty abusive fucker. You are worth at least a hundred of him.

Ohyesiam · 19/05/2018 20:39

The archetype of a dad is to protect you, and introduce you to the world and be proud of you. Ok so no one has an archetype, but your dad is the opposite.
He does nothing to earn your love or respect. He makes you feel unsafe and unhappy. Op I so sorry this is the case Flowers.
Why does this destructive toxic man have a place in your life? No dad would be better than a shit one.

Hold your head up high ( you have every right to) and block him.

lhastingsmua · 19/05/2018 20:43

Tell him to fuck off and take his disgusting ass home, you want nothing more to do with him.

Honestly I would go NC over less

lhastingsmua · 19/05/2018 20:45

Cant believe your partner thought he could attack you any minute, but didn’t step inHmm

Would definitely be worth calling 101 if this escalates again and you feel unsafe. The police may at the least attend to keep the peace even if he doesn’t physically harm you

lhastingsmua · 19/05/2018 20:47

The fact that you were so shaken after the phone exchange that you left your party/stall and went home really breaks my heart. He really took over your thoughts to the point that you had to stop enjoying yourself to deal with his unreasonableness

Juells · 19/05/2018 20:54

I am upset my day's been ruined, don't understand why he couldn't have rang or knocked on the door, don't see what the big deal is at all, and I really really don't think its right that he threatened me or spoke to me like this in my garden (I am sure the neighbours would have heard, he's a VERY loud person).

Sounds to me like he set the whole thing up so he could have a go at you. He knows exactly what he's doing when he texts at 8am then doesn't follow up with a phone call if there's no reply, then blames you for not being there. He probably gets some emotional fillip from shouting and threatening and ruining your day. You'd really be better off without him in your life, bullying both you and your DP.

Fuckwithnosensesauce · 19/05/2018 21:03

Recognise your Dad is abusive. That is not your fault. Stop apologising for not seeing a text. You haven’t done anything wrong. Certainly don’t let him spoil your day.

DragonMummy1418 · 20/05/2018 13:05

Hope you manage to break free!

Dustysparrow · 20/05/2018 13:31

I am absolutely disgusted that your dad has treated you like this, how dare he! You are a grown adult and he is being threatening and abusive to you, treating you like a child. And wtf is your partner just standing there for twiddling his thumbs whilst your dad is screaming at you like that? Your partner should have stepped in a defended you! If I was you I would be hugely unimpressed with the behaviour of both men. I would refuse contact with your dad until he realises you are an adult and treats you with some respect, and your partner needs to grow a spine. You have done NOTHING wrong here - you didn't hear a text message on your phone... AND??? I don't hear every message on my phone, I check it from time to time and get back to people when I can. Your dad has anger issues. The fact you went and hid from him in tears is just awful, you sound scared of him and that is wrong on every level. Don't ever accept another favour from him, he will see it as you not being able to do things without a 'grown up' and will hold it against you. I feel really sad for you.Flowers

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