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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Relationship gone sour

17 replies

Proudnan48 · 13/08/2023 23:13

I don't no what to do been with partner since 15 now 48 so very long time 4 beautiful children and 1 grandchild , loves of my life , but just can't cope with partner anymore , I look at the tree in my back garden and see a rope with me hanging there , I'd never do it I love my family to much BUT I can't cope with him anymore not physical abuse as my kids say he mentally abusive, controling ,nasty , they love him for the dad he is for the person he is they can't stand him , I did want to marry him once to have same name as my children not because I love him anymore, but my oldest son has asked me not to do it , I just don't no how to escape or where to turn

OP posts:
ThinWomansBrain · 13/08/2023 23:17

Get out - leave him and make a new life for yourself.
Your children are presumably adults or late teens - and sounds like they understand how abusive he is towards you, if they've not all moved out yet, presumably they will soon. The two of you on your own, presumably his behaviour will get worse.

Finlesswonder · 13/08/2023 23:19

Leave.

You have another 40 years left of this shit if you don't.

He is an abuser.

UpaladderwatchingTV · 13/08/2023 23:19

You don't actually mention the ages of your kids OP, but if I'm right in assuming that they're all grown up and possibly have left home, then I think it's really time to put an end to this relationship. I'm afraid I wasn't quite clear as to whether there is physical abuse or whether it is mainly mental abuse, but either way, you're ONLY 48! You have years left ahead of you. Possibly even another 20 working years, so lots of time to meet other people, make new friends, etc. It sounds like your kids are quite supportive, so having done what most Mums do for them, then maybe let them help you to leave and set up on your own again. You also don't say if you own property together or anything like that, but you may need to get some legal advise, if you decide to leave. Just bear in mind, the longer you leave it, the less time you'll have to start enjoying your life again, and believe me, being in my 60's, I can tell you, those years will fly by, so please don't waste them on someone who you no longer love.

Hankunamatata · 13/08/2023 23:21

Leave. Your children will reach the point where they won't respect you if you stay

Proudnan48 · 13/08/2023 23:28

I have 2 sons 2 daughters , eldest 25 youngest 14, joint mortgage with my partner , only allowed to work part time but still have to pay all the bills apart from mortgage and council tax , my wage is 900 a month bills are 495 a month , then 150 towards food , my eldest still lives at home pays his way keeps out the way until his dad goes to bed second moved out has family third moved out to boyfriends , my baby still at home , how can I afford to find somewhere to go I've been dependent on him for so long I've only been allowed to work for last 5 years , I don't no where to start

OP posts:
Finlesswonder · 13/08/2023 23:32

You go full time, and you and your eldest split the rent on a place together to live along with your youngest.

What would happen if you told your husband "I've decided to go full time now". What would he do about it?

Proudnan48 · 13/08/2023 23:37

He would argue call me pathetic degrade me I'm useless I've no hope on my own I could go on for ever with the things he says , but it never in public the sun shines out his arse to other people , but behind closed doors they never see they never see 😔

OP posts:
user1471459761 · 13/08/2023 23:38

What do you mean you are only allowed to work part time? You are allowed to do whatever you want 🤷‍♀️

Finlesswonder · 13/08/2023 23:39

Well luckily for you, you're in a very strong situation. As I said, you have a child you can split the rent with on a place of your own and you already have a job. You don't need to listen to this shit anymore.

Would you be able to go full time at your current work?

Dolores87 · 13/08/2023 23:44

Make plans to leave. Contact womens aid. Get your stuff in order. Find a place to rent with your child, or you will be able to get rent help through UC until you can up your hours. Do not tell your husband you are going until you have gone that way he cant control you into staying..

This man is an abuser. Even your kids see it. Leave.

BingoBastards · 13/08/2023 23:45

It doesn't sound like things will get better with him.

It is utterly possible to escape. Try to detach emotionally and sit down and work out the basics.

Things can get much, much better.

Proudnan48 · 13/08/2023 23:57

No unfortunately no full time places , and being allowed to do what I want is easier said than done when I've not done what I want since I was 15 , I couldn't even decide when to have children he decided when to visit my parents he decided , not allowed friends unless they his friends partners , speak to my siblings partners a no no cause we would be having an affair , speak to my nephew's no no affair , any male no talk to affair , my job is all females luckily or my job would be no no affair , I'm a slag slut bitch but only ever been with 1 person , no makeup no jewellery no perfume or it's to get attention , I'm only writing this as long as remember to delete all history or this would be attention or to attract for affair , he used to say he new everything I did on my phone as it was itemised I didn't no differently until recently , he installed ring doorbell so he can see I leave 5 minutes before my work starts and return 5 minutes after I clock off

OP posts:
monsteramunch · 14/08/2023 00:03

His behaviour is literally criminal OP.

This is an horrific case of coercive controlling spanning more than three decades.

What he's done is so bad that he could realistically be imprisoned for it.

It's important you understand that his behaviour is that abusive, even if he hasn't physically harmed you.

Your poor child has basically begged you to leave his dad. The courage it must have taken for him to tell you that is proof of how horrific this abuse is.

If you stay with him, on some level you are teaching your children that this dynamic is acceptable and not 'that' bad.

Free yourself OP. Leave him. Rent somewhere with your eldest and have your other one live with you too. If it's tiny, it's tiny. It's safe, that's what's important.

But before you do any of that, speak to women's aid. They will guide you when it comes to leaving him as safely as possible.

I say this to empower and safeguard you, not to scare you, but men as controlling as him are at their most dangerous when they realise they have lost control of you.

That's why it's so crucial you end the relationship, but as safely as possible.

If you feel able, with women's aid's support, that could involve reporting his behaviour to the police.

He is criminally abusive. You must try to realise that. His behaviour is so bad he could realistically be convicted if a conviction was pursued.

Proudnan48 · 14/08/2023 00:12

I thank you all for your replies , I see what I need to do , I no I just need to take that first step but god I'm so scared , and kids rely on there parents it shouldn't be the other way round

OP posts:
saltnlight · 14/08/2023 00:17

I know it's hard to leave, but you still have so much life to live. Unless he agrees to try couples therapy with you and you actually see change in him, he'll never change. My mom is in a verbally abusive relationship with her husband for 17 years now. I was 10 when they got married and my siblings and I never approved of him. Still not fond of him til this day. it's frustrating seeing her unhappy and putting up with his nonsense but at the same time it angers me that she doesn't have more respect for herself to leave, sometimes it makes me not want to talk to her. I encourage you to talk to your partner first and see if he's willing to try couples therapy.

monsteramunch · 14/08/2023 00:18

Next time you're out of the house please try to use one of the following resources to talk through what's bee happening and what your options are.

https://www.womensaid.org.uk/information-support/

You can do a live chat or email - I would avoid email if he checks up on you so maybe go for live chat on a device he can't access, such as a work computer or one of your older son's devices.

https://enough.campaign.gov.uk/get-support/ask-for-ani

Go to a pharmacy on your lunch break, ideally Boots as they are most widely trained in this, and do the following.

Use our postcode checker below to find your nearest participating pharmacy or jobcentre.
Go to the location, approach a member of staff and Ask for ANI (‘Please can I speak to ANI’) or ask to use a Safe Space (‘Do you have a Safe Space available?’).
You will be taken to a private space where a trained member of staff will support you and you can decide what to do next.

If you can't go to a pharmacy, go to your GP or a hospital and tell them what's been happening and ask for a safe space to make a call. Then call the police and explain you're being abused and need help to leave safely.

Good luck OP, we're all here to support you through the next steps too but it's important you get professional help to stay safe too Flowers

Proudnan48 · 14/08/2023 00:24

Thank you ❤️

OP posts:
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