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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To expect more than a mumbled apology?

293 replies

Mamapuddlefluff · 30/12/2018 08:34

This is my first post, but I've been here for a long time. This may be rather long.

Yesterday was my daughters 8th birthday. She has been treated under CAMHS for the past year and a bit for anxiety and panic disirders and was discharged just before Christmas, which she is very proud of - it's been a tough year. Her birthday is the only thing she has looked forward to or been excited about in a very long time.

So all going well yesterday we take her out for lunch upon her request; me, my oh, ds and other dd plus my mum. Having a lovely time until my brother drops by as he's lost his key so wants to borrow my mums and drop it back. No problem. He comes back ans makes a snarky remark to my mum and is told to hold his whisht and carry on. My oh, however started a full blown argument in the restaurant with him. They do not get on, never have but there's no real reason except a clash of personality. My daughter starts crying as its her birthday and i tell my oh to stop as he's upsetting the kids.

My brother leaves and my oh is clearly fuming. The manager comes and asks is everything ok as my daughter is now v upset. I tell my oh calmly that whatever his issue is, now is not the time as its our girls birthday just calm down. I'm very quickly given a mouthful and told she is full of attitude she needs telling off not him - meaning our daughter who only told him to stop nothing else. He declares he may aswell go as he's clearly causing a problem.

We all leave and walk home, less than 10 minute walk. On this walk our daughter begs and pleads with her dad to not go anywhere, that she is sorry and she will do anything to resolve the argument. He gives her the front door keys and says I'll be back when I'm back. She literally crumples and is in bits as her main trigger for her anxiety is people leaving/dying. I tell him enough is enough and to stop can he not see what he's doing to her. I'm swiftly told to shut up and she wouldn't be like that but for me anyway and that i can take the kids and f**k off. He stalks off and thats that.

I talk the kids home and try my best to calm our daughter down and reassure her. My mum is aghast but busies herself helping with my other two kids. My oh turns up an hour or so later and goes to bed for a bit. I try to keep things as normal as possible for my daughter so play jigsaws with her until my oh comes down and demands i stop as he wanted to do it with her. My daughter tells him she wanted me to do it but he can help later. He gets all ragey and says that we're excluding him, but we weren't i just wanted my girl to have something to do to occupy her mind and give her something else to focus on. He then sits in a strop for the evening.

The evening carries on we have some party food. We have birthday cake and my mum gets ready to leave and he gives a general applogy for the way he acted. My mum tells him it should be more than that really and she leaves. My oh tells me my mum has no right in saying this its his house etc. He apologises to our daughter and the kids go to bed. He literally mumbles a sorry to me and goes to bed himself.

This isn't the first time he's acted like this. I think he owes us more than a mumbled sorry but more than that he needs to address his temper i think. Or AIBU?

If you've gotten to the end thankyou for reading. Xx

OP posts:
PositiveVibez · 30/12/2018 20:11

Oh wow OP, your last update has just nearly made me cry.

Well done for leaving that abusive twat. What an absolute shit excuse of a man, husband and mostly dad.

He's an evil bastard.

Stay strong and give your nana a big hug and let everyone give you the help you will need.

Keep that twat away from your kids.

I'm convinced your dad's mental health will improve in the long run 💐💐💐

MumW · 30/12/2018 20:23

I've read all the OPs posts and some, but not all of the replies.

He does threaten to leave fairly often, it used to upset me but now I'm almost numb to it now.
I was going to ask how many times he has to threaten before you were going to call his bluff and tell him to FO and whether the fact you are numb to it meant that you were had already gone way passed that point.

However, I see you have taken the brave, and I believe correct decision to leave.

Please make sure that your DD is under no illusion that she is to blame. It's an unfortunate coincidence that it happened to be his appalling behaviour at her birthday event that pushed you over the edge. Explain that this has been a long time coming and if it hadn't been today it wouldn't have been long before he did something else which would have resulted in you leaving.

Good luck, stay strong, you have your Nana and MN behind you. Flowers

NoShelfElf · 30/12/2018 20:26

Oh my word. What a huge positive move you have made for you and your daughter's future happiness. It's truly momentous. There will be difficult bits for sure, but you are truly amazing. Standby to have all sorts of friends and family admit they were uncomfortable with him. And to watch your daughter flourish in a safe environment where she is secure and loved unconditionally.
All the best for 2019 xx

MustShowDH · 30/12/2018 22:46

Proud of you!

ClemDanFango · 30/12/2018 23:14

You are a fucking legend for leaving! Stay strong and don’t go back, please please don’t ever go back to him.

nozbottheblue · 31/12/2018 00:40

Feeling for you, OP, and hope you're sleeping now at your lovely Nanna's.
I coped with similar behaviour for 13 years of my life, always believing he would eventually feel secure enough in my love to stop threatening that our relationship was over every time we had a difference of opinion. Never happened and I eventually realised it never would.
Glad you've made the break, and stick to your guns. Life is far better for you and your children without the constant uncertainty.
As my b-i-l said after he'd helped me move out- "some people are constant, some are not".
Flowers

Cel982 · 31/12/2018 08:50

FlowersFlowersFlowersFlowersFlowers
Oh, well done, OP! It's such a relief to read your updates and know you and the kids have broken away from him. I'd imagine a calm, settled future seems impossible right now, but it will happen - you've done the hardest bit now. Access all the help you can, and lean on your family as much as you need. Please keep posting here for support.

pjllama · 31/12/2018 09:12

Well done OP. Xxxx

MrsJane · 31/12/2018 09:29

Just read the FT. I'm in tears, your poor DD!

Well done for leaving OP. Hope you're all ok.

Your OH sounds like a nasty bully. How could he do that to your poor DD on her birthday?! Beyond cruel, my heart is breaking for her.

Please stay strong op. If you go back, he's going to really mess her up emotionally.

Apileofballyhoo · 31/12/2018 22:09

Happy New Year, OP. You are amazing and so is your Nana. I hope 2019 is a great year for you.

NotANotMan · 31/12/2018 22:13

Well done for leaving.
You have an 8 year old child who was diagnosed with an anxiety disorder at 7 years old. That does not happen without some serious shit happening in the child's life. You need to protect your kids now, stay strong.

OlennasWimple · 01/01/2019 00:31

Well done OP - and what a great Nana Flowers

FuckNuggets · 01/01/2019 00:57

Is your 8 year old dd your eldest? I ask because as the eldest I took the brunt of the emotional support for my mum whenever her and my dad argued. I was very much like your dd sounds.

I'm so glad you've left him. In the long run it is by far the best decision for your kids, especially your dd. My mum didn't leave my dad until I was 17 and the effect it has had my anxiety and mental well being has been immense and life long unfortunately.

NoFucksImAQueen · 01/01/2019 01:00

happy New year puddle. I hope 2019 is good to you and your kids

CynthiaRothrock · 01/01/2019 10:24

Just read the ft hope you and your children are ok x

DangermousesSidekick · 01/01/2019 10:48

I've just read the ft too, hope you're ok. Possibly some of the 'evil, abusive' language pp's have used is overstated, possibly not. He's certainly a bully, and volatile. Was he drunk?

Just bear in mind that the most dangerous part of relationships can be leaving them and make sure you and your daughter are safe. I'd keep her away from him even if you do meet up later for arrangements.

Mamapuddlefluff · 01/01/2019 11:54

Thankyou for all the kind words and a Happy New Year to you all.

We are okay. My daughter is still v quiet an teary but i have explained this is nobodys fault but her dads and this has been reiterated by my Nana. My Nana is making a right fuss of her and my two younger kids which i think is why here is the best place for us right now, between me and my Nana they are secure, safe and its so calm. Thankfully we can stay for as long as it takes us to get sorted.

My oh or ex i suppose now spoke to me yesterday and was very apologetic but I'm not swayed. I've told him i will speak to him in a few days when he's simmered down but only to discuss practicalities (kids stuff at the house, toys, clothes etc).

I left a message with CAMHS to discuss any further help my daughter might need to access. I will speak to womens aid tomorrow. I just feel a bit overwhelmed by all the stuff i need to sort.

But, i feel the greatest sense of relief.

Thankyou all. Heres to a better 2019. Xx

OP posts:
GabriellaMontez · 01/01/2019 12:13

Wishing you and your children a peaceful 2019 x

ChristmasFlary · 01/01/2019 12:16

You are fabulous OP.

There is a lot to sort out but you are in a really good position as you are now in a safe and loving home.

Literally do one thing at a time. Make a list of what needs doing and prioritise it. You'll feel so much morein control as it will be in B&W and not clogging up your head as much.

AloneLonelyLoner · 01/01/2019 12:19

What an inspiring woman and mother you are! Sure there are a lot of things to sort out, but you’re a warrior. You have got this. Happy new year!!

ChristmasFlary · 01/01/2019 12:19

What is the set up with your ex? Do you own your own home or rent? Do you work? Are you married?

GroovieGazelloo · 01/01/2019 12:52

Well done for getting you and your little ones into such a great place for the start of this New Year ! Smile

About the overwhelming feelings, I'd suggest thinking and doing the first few tasks without focusing on the whole.

I'm going to have to put into practice myself about tidying and cleaning my house right now. Smile

Granted, I'm not sorting out a relationship with a person - but wow I've got lots of sorting out to do! And I'm not looking forward to it.

So, cup of tea and then I'll start with the easiest. All the best to you. SmileBrewThanks

Amallamard · 01/01/2019 13:01

But, i feel the greatest sense of relief.

Then you know you're doing the right thing. Keep strong. Well done.

LannieDuck · 01/01/2019 13:35

Well done, and good luck OP.

I can't get over how nasty someone has to be to deliberately ruin a child's birthday. As a PP said, he had no intention of leaving... yet he taunted her with it, knowing it was what she was most afraid of.

Apileofballyhoo · 01/01/2019 14:18

Just read your update. I'm so glad for you and your DC that you have spent all of 2019 feeling relieved, safe and secure. Flowers Long may it continue.