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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Manipulative/abusive ex?

22 replies

jumpingmagicbeans · 10/02/2021 11:30

Have name changed for this.

Problems with my ex go back years, even when were were together.

We have a 2.5 yr old daughter between us who lives with me. He comes to visit on weekends, Saturday and Sunday.

So this weekend he arrived on Saturday morning only 2 minutes late, usually it can be up to an hour or more. All fine. We get on for the most part when there are no issues.

Saturday evening I decided to go shopping because I really needed a food shop. He and DD came with me as they always do, I am not comfortable leaving her with him.

Half way through, he asked me if we will be back by a certain time. I said I didn't know as I needed a full shop and had a lot to get, trying to formulate meal ideas in my head etc.

So he gets huffy, he's trying to hurry me up, having a go at me saying I am spending 10 minutes looking at cereal and not buying it. I didn't, I stopped and glanced for it for a second as I walked past. The reason he wanted to get back so quickly is because he does matched betting. So he had apparently put a bet on earlier in the day, and had until a certain time to bet against it or he would lose out on winning anything. I asked him how much he was going to 'lose', and he said 4 quid. 4 QUID!

We get back and he dives on his laptop, and says he was in time. All fine. My friend had called while I was shopping so I called her back and was chatting to her in the kitchen.

Baby goes to bed soon after we get back and he leaves. He dictates what time he will arrive on a Sunday. Said he would be down at half 11.

Sunday morning arrives, half 11 comes and goes and he turns up at 10 to 12. I would't mind this on the odd occasion but he is always constantly late. Before telling him he needed to come down earlier, he could turn up anywhere between 1pm - 3pm.

So as soon as he arrives he rips into me. Really nasty tone. Saying that he heard me cackling to my friend on the phone the previous night about him rushing me from the shop to get back just so he could put a bet on. We did not even mention him. I was baffled and asked what he meant. He was adamant I was talking about him and said that I can call her back and cackle some more as in the end it turned out he lost £50. What? He never would have lost £50, he never bets that much, he may mean that he lost out on winning £50 but so what? So he carries on bashing me, I am getting really annoyed at this point and tell him that I will not having him talking to me like this in my house in front of our daughter and told him to leave. He refused and said it is his day to see his daughter and starts playing with her. I admit I did swear at him because I was angry and upset, as far as I knew, there was no issue, and said that if he wouldn't leave I would call the police. He told me to call them then and also said that if I did he would tell the police that I swore at him and also tell social services.

I explained that days aren't set in stone (no court order) and that if I feel I am being abused in my own home he will be leaving as I won't tolerate it. He then gets out his phone and starts recording me. I asked him not to but he wouldn't. He accused me of using the baby against him when I asked him to leave. I said that he isn't entitled to be in my house with this attitude just because we have a child together. He then admitted that this all stemmed from earlier in the week. She goes to nursery two days. Every day I get a text from him, same old stuff, how's she today? It gets on my nerves a bit but I always answer. Then on the night she had been to nursery he text to ask how her day was in nursery. I told him and said that I had been told she was talking non stop and coping everything that anyone was saying. The then replied with, did they think it was funny? I must have been busy at this point as I didn't answer then forgot about it. because he had such a go at me for not answering that text, I told him to stop texting me. He said he would and to only ring him if it was an emergency. Monday I had a text asking how she was, I ignored it. Tuesday I had three texts calling me a disgrace and asking for the nursery number so he can call them himself to ask how she was. Ignored then he said he'll find the number himself. I doubt he even knows the name of the nursery, he takes that little interest in things. I don't see why I should have to answer someone who has abused me in this way. Funnily enough, when he is annoyed at me, he will go around three days without inquiring how our daughter is.

I left the room and went into the kitchen to clean. I will also mention, that he was coughing and sniffling. When I asked him if he was ill, he said that he has a bit of a blocked nose. Now yesterday, I woke up with a terrible cold which is obviously from him. He has turned up ill many times in the past (before pandemic), I have always asked him not to, but he still does and says that it would be no different if I had a cold, the baby would catch it because she lives with me!

I feel he has no respect for my home. He is constantly leaving rubbish everywhere, empty cans and bottles on my coffee table. He is constantly putting wet wet wipes on the wood of the table, I have asked him repeatedly not to, he doesn't even acknowledge what I have said to him more of the time, just kind of huffs it off. He did this again on Sunday while I was out the kitchen and also put one on some of my solicitors paperwork.

In the evening I gave my daughter a bath and he came along. I left him watching her whilst I quickly changed the bed, hoovered and polished the bedroom. Went back to wash her hair and body, put my hand in the water and it was absolutely freezing. He knew this because he had his hands in there getting toys for her. I was livid but kept my mouth shut, I find I am doing this more and more.

Downstairs the baby was sat on his lap in a towel, I came in after about 5 minutes to finish drying her and put her pajamas on ready for bed, and he said, I don't know if she has done a poo in the towel, still sat there. I thought WELL CHECK then.

Taking her up to bed, I have only recently just managed to get her into a bedtime routine of going to bed around 7/8. The one time he came up she played up no end, wouldn't get into bed etc. He kept picking her up cuddling her from bed, and I told him to put her down. So I explained to him that he needs to leave before she does to bed as it really disrupts it. Wasn't happy with that but agreed to do it for a few weeks while she settled more into the routine.

He walked holding her hand to the bottom of the stairs, I expected him to stop and put his coat on to leave, but no, starts walking up the stairs. I said calmly, we have talked about this, and he basically ignored me saying that she's not that bad when he's there (she is).

I'm just so beaten down with it all. This is just the tip of the iceberg of what he has been like. It's getting to the point where he is questioning everything I say, ignoring rules I have in place for her such as throwing balls in the house. Wanting to give her chocolate before her dinner, so so much more. I am finding now when trying to stand my ground he twists what I am saying, to the point I'm getting anxious, tongue tied and I am the one who shuts up.

Sorry it is so long, just wanted to get it all out.

OP posts:
jumpingmagicbeans · 10/02/2021 11:32

In addition, I am sick to the back teeth of him turning up with his laptop placing bets all the time when it's the only two days he sees her. It's really annoying when she is trying to tell him sometime but he has his head stuck in his laptop. So I turned the WIFI off.

OP posts:
Mummypigisalwaysright · 10/02/2021 11:39

Why do you let him in your house? If he wants to see her he needs to arrange to take her to a suitable place (warm, able to feed her, etc) then bring her back. If you don't trust him to have her on his own why let him see her at all? just stop. Stop letting him in, stop facilitating. You are still in an abusive relationship. Don't let him blackmail you. Be firm. People like this will always push boundaries of you let them.

Shadysback · 10/02/2021 11:41

Him coming to your house to see your DD is clearly not sustainable. Why do you not trust him alone with her. If he is actually dangerous, then you need to arrange contact formally through a contact centre. If it is just that you disagree on how to parent, then you may need to accept that he is allowed to do things differently, and let him have her on his own. Either way he should not be coming to your house, and interfering with your life and routine.

jumpingmagicbeans · 10/02/2021 12:07

I don't trust him with her for lots of reasons.

The first being that when she was 4 weeks old, I allowed him to take her to his parents for me to have a breather and walk my dog. He was meant to bring her back here but instead took her to his own house. When he brought her back home, he told me that something had happened. that something was that she rolled off his sofa only a hard laminate floor while she was asleep. I was furious obviously. And because I was going mad he said don't have a go, I didn't HAVE to tell you. He didn't tell me until about 3 hours after it happened. I rang NHS direct for advice and they advised to take her in, they kept us overnight. He was questioned repeatedly by several different people. They didn't believe him stating babies don't roll.at that age, plus she would have had to roll upwards as there is an incline on the sofa. I believe he fell asleep with her and dropped her. He was told not to do that at the hospital, yet I caught him doing it time and time again afterwards with evidence.

Despite step by step instructions on how to make a bottle for her, he ignored that and used unboiled cold tap water to top it up. Another call to NHS direct.

He's been playing on the floor with her, not realising his change had fallen out of his pocket. I came in from the kitchen and saw she had something in her mouth, it was a pound coin.

She's fallen down my hard front steps unnecessarily as he wasn't holding her properly and bruised her back while I was gardening.

At Christmas, he shut her hand in the door because he didn't realise she was there, kept pulling the door shut wondering why it wouldn't close.

Advised by maxi cosi that the car he had for the car seat was unsuitable when she was a baby because of bucket seats. He was adamant it was fine. Told me to email them back and asked if he could prop the car seat with a rug or board. They said no. He then told me that he would still use the car seat in his car for 'short' journeys. NO.

Leaving for his nephews bday party once, I was driving. he put her in the car seat. Started the engine, realised her headband had slipped. Got out and discovered that he hadn't even clipped the car seat into the car.

I went to look at a carpet once, my phone had died. When I got back, he went mad asking me why my phone was off, was ringing to ask where the food was. She was screaming with hunger. All he had to do was go into the kitchen and get the baby food to feed her.

So so much more.

OP posts:
Oldraver · 10/02/2021 12:15

Way to much info

You asked him to leave said you would call the police and he was still there in the evening ?

Of course he will still keep on treating you like shit while you let him

Happycat1212 · 10/02/2021 12:28

I use to do this with my ex, so let him come to my house to see the kids (no safe guarding) just that he couldn’t/wouldn’t take them to his it became awful though and I had to stop it in the end, this doesn’t sound like it’s working for you either op, can’t you go shopping when he isn’t with you

dontdisturbmenow · 10/02/2021 12:39

Sorry OP but it sounds like you are both acting like kids, playing games, making a drama of everything.

It sounds like it's time to agree for him to have her at his place and reduce contact between the two of you to the minimum.

KnobblyWand · 10/02/2021 12:41

At Christmas, he shut her hand in the door because he didn't realise she was there, kept pulling the door shut wondering why it wouldn't close.

This made me gasp out loud, that is horrible. That alongside everything else is absolute proof why your instincts are spot on with this.

It sounds as though he hasn't actually learned to be a parent. Being separated from you since she was a baby is no excuse for this, really. Yes, you get hands-on experience by living with your child and caring for them every day, but it sounds like he's had ample opportunity to learn the fucking basics, which he seems to be failing at.

He also sounds quite young. Also no excuse, he needs to grow up.

You need to set up some hard boundaries, if you can't trust him to take care of her on his own, he needs help. Do you trust his parents?

Happycat1212 · 10/02/2021 12:44

What would happen if you just stopped letting him come to yours? Bet he wouldn’t bother with her after
That? I know my ex couldn’t be bothered after I stopped accommodating him

jumpingmagicbeans · 10/02/2021 12:50

He isn't young, he is 44, with many nieces and nephews and 5 siblings, 4 of which much younger than him.

I really do dread to think what would happen if she stayed with him. He only has one bedroom so nowhere for her to sleep, plus he has a spiral staircase.

Not able to go into much detail about parents as it may be outing, but no.

OP posts:
Happycat1212 · 10/02/2021 12:51

She’s 2.5 she doesn’t need her own room?? My 3 year old is still in my room

jumpingmagicbeans · 10/02/2021 12:51

@Happycat1212

What would happen if you just stopped letting him come to yours? Bet he wouldn’t bother with her after That? I know my ex couldn’t be bothered after I stopped accommodating him
He plays the doting dad well. If he's thought to give her a drink he thinks he's father of the year. But I don't think he wouldn't bother with her. He has threatened to take me to court before.
OP posts:
jumpingmagicbeans · 10/02/2021 12:53

@Happycat1212

She’s 2.5 she doesn’t need her own room?? My 3 year old is still in my room
Sorry I meant when she was older, she sleeps with me in my bed. At her age I wouldn't let her have any kind of overnight.
OP posts:
KnobblyWand · 10/02/2021 16:32

He isn't young, he is 44

Honestly the way you described him, I thought he might be 20.

I'm no expert, but wouldn't it be better for you to be able to say, "this is not what we settled in court" and have proper recourse for him refusing to leave your house/stepping over your boundaries? Also, wouldn't you have the opportunity to present your evidence of his negligence/unsuitable living arrangements?

How long is this going to go on for? What if you enter a new relationship, for example? It's not sustainable for him to be spending two full days in your house every week, forever. It's not good for any of you.

It might be worth seeking legal advice.

Krampusnolongerbabysits · 10/02/2021 17:01

Let him take you to court for supervised access. Stop pandering to him.

Watchingbehindmyhands · 10/02/2021 17:09

You need to tell him he is no longer allowed in your home and that he will need to find a suitable place to take your child for his contact time. I would hazard a guess he will huff and puff a bit and then not bother.

Nearlythere1 · 10/02/2021 17:40

I wouldnt let him near her after everything you've said. What a deadbeat. Get a court contact order and do it through a contact centre.

GoodQueenAlysanne · 10/02/2021 18:02

My first thought is why are you letting this fuck wit, who doesn't respect you or your home, in in the the first place?

Imagine how different your home and mental well being would be, without him there? Honestly it sounds like you might as well not have broken up with him, for all the difference it made to how he treats you. You don't just have to not tolerate sex with him if you don't want to, you don't have to tolerate him in general, if you don't want to. Why go above and beyond for someone, who doesn't care about you, or your feelings? He sounds like he's all take take take, with no give.

"Tuesday I had three texts calling me a disgrace and asking for the nursery number so he can call them himself to ask how she was. Ignored then he said he'll find the number himself. I doubt he even knows the name of the nursery, he takes that little interest in things."

"He told me to call them then and also said that if I did he would tell the police that I swore at him and also tell social services."

^He also sounds totally deluded/thick as shit and immature to boot, but you come across as having your head screwed on, are you older? I would have told him to go ahead and call the nursery/police/social services, you wouldn't mind having a chat with them yourself actually, about things like harassment, refusal to leave your property, knowingly bathing a child in freezing cold water etc...

Are you afraid of him?

Tiktaktoe · 10/02/2021 18:16

At Christmas, he shut her hand in the door because he didn't realise she was there, kept pulling the door shut wondering why it wouldn't close.
And your 2.5 year old just stood there passively while he shut the door on her hand repeatedly? Hmm

ItsJackieWeaverBitch · 10/02/2021 18:17

He’s a piece of work. Good for you for telling him to leave your house when he started being a dick. Next time though, do call the police and have him removed if he refuses to go, don’t let him intimidate you- assuming you’ve not totally downplayed your behaviour the video he has of you just backs up your side of things that you told him to leave because of his behaviour and he wouldn’t go. Police and social services would most likely just view it as evidence that he’s a cunt which he is.

As for him seeing your child at your home this really can’t continue- even if he wasn’t a dick he’s an ex for a reason so you shouldn’t have to put up with his company all that time. You and he need to find an alternative. If you feel he can’t manage the baby on his own (fair enough judging by the bath example) then is there a relative on his side who can facilitate contact even if it’s only once a week, who you trust? I know it’s not always that easy though.

ItsJackieWeaverBitch · 10/02/2021 18:22

Honestly though he sounds more and more useless.

He plays the doting dad well. If he's thought to give her a drink he thinks he's father of the year. But I don't think he wouldn't bother with her. He has threatened to take me to court before.

Meh, let him take you to court see how far he’ll get then. Write down all examples of his useless/worrying behaviour around your daughter and if you have texts or anything including you discussing it with other people screenshot them.

GoodQueenAlysanne · 10/02/2021 18:35

Sorry I hadn't read the full thread/your second post.

He sounds like my ex. No common sense, but thinks he's always right. Mine was treating me like that too, treating my house like a hotel, and me like a skivvy he could talk down to however he pleased, while I was stupidly facilitating access (because he's an incompetent arsehole), because ds adored his dad at one point, (not that he deserved it), and I'd hoped they could still have some sort of positive bond/relationship. So there I was trying to fucking help him, (a relative of his he doesn't get on with, offered to supervise his access, but I stupidly offered to do it, to save the awkwardness that would have caused).

I eventually wised up/cracked and put a stop to it, and ds and I haven't seen him at all for a long time. We're so much happier without him. I didn't realise just how much him being here was getting us down, until I put my foot down. If he insists on seeing ds again, I'm insisting on a contact centre or similar this time, organised with his relative (who I get along okay with), as go between. I don't want to set eyes on him again, if possible.

It sounds like your ex still has a hold on you, mentally? Mine still does, I still can't even type things like "he's a useless bastard" without feeling traitorous and guilty Confused, (though I know it's not logical to feel that way, and that it would actually be perfectly reasonable to feel the opposite).

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