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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think we can't carry on like this

92 replies

mrlistersgelfbride · 12/11/2023 23:54

I should say in advance this may be triggering to some. I promise I'm not a troll and it isn't a reverse. I've posted on here under different guises over the years.

Tonight my partner (after an afternoon in the pub) said to DD (5) who is our only child "How does it feel to know you'll never have a sibling?"
When I protested ('don't say that') he said "Well your mum (meaning me) killed your only chance of one" I was astounded. DD kept saying "What , what?" and he said aside (to me) "Well what can I tell her when she's older when she asks? That's what I'll tell her, it's the truth".

Context ( I'll keep this as brief as I can):
Together 11 years. DD unexpected. We aren't married. I had post partum psychosis, struggled a lot. Lots of problems, arguements between our families, I got resentful of partner drinking and going out too much and not parenting (which he still does). Found out I was pregnant again when DD was 18-20months. I still had moderate depression (it's lingered for years). Both partner and I agreed on a termination. I went ahead with that.

Partner never got over it. It was 4 years ago and he's brought it up in arguements. He's called me a baby killer (I also had termination at 20 before I met him). He's played ther terminator music when I walk into a room...im not making this up. He's been really horrible. I would have considered another child with him later if we'd been able to sort things out. We've talked and talked, he will never see my side. Counseling didn't work. He spends his time at work, asleep, drinking and arguing with me.

Why have I stayed? Fear, nowhere to go, money, don't want DD missing out. Not all days are bad. We still go on days out and holidays together to try and give DD a good life. DD adores her dad, she tells me often. He's her favourite and she's rather live with him than me. Told me that too.

But there's no coming back from that is there? It's genuinely the worst thing he's ever said to me. Oh apart from the fact he's wished I'd rot in a mental asylum with my post partum psychosis.

He's drinking tonight keeping me awake, Monday morning is looming. He does this most weekends.
I've tried all sorts of tactics with him. He's a classical narc and the more I protest, the more he'll continue to wind me up. I tend to go driving the streets in my car to get away from the loud music , singing and wailing insults which is what I'll do later probably. Not for long, I don't want to leave DD with him at all. She always sleeps through everything.

I've spoken to my family, and whilst they hate him, they don't want to know. They don't take me and DD even for a night. Neither can any friends. When I've opened up to friends they just say kick him out, but he's 18 stone and a bully. It's not that simple.

I know AIBU will give me honesty.
I don't know what to do but I'm determined this will be my last miserable year living like this.

OP posts:
Isthisreallydoable · 13/11/2023 00:05

He sounds absolutely horrible. It's your body and its YOUR choice. You are not a baby killer and it's extremely cruel of him to weaponise something that was an incredibly hard decision for you, especially when he clearly wasn't supportive during your post partum psychosis. I know you already know that you should leave him, but feeling trapped is holding you back. You say that you have no friends or family that will help you out, I get that but you are not married to this guy so surely there is some government support that you could get to help you out until you build yourself up again? The bottom line is that your life will be miserable with him. Even if you can play happy families every now and then, the core of your relationship is rotten because of his abuse. You don't deserve that. You and your daughter deserve soo much better than him and the horrendous environment he creates in your home. I hope you have the strength to believe in yourself and leave that horrible human. Sending you hugs and support x

mrlistersgelfbride · 13/11/2023 00:06

@Isthisreallydoable Thank you for your kind words x

OP posts:
minipie · 13/11/2023 00:09

Wow. I cannot believe he said that to your 5 year old.

Not sure there’s any coming back from that.

Maybe he needs therapy about the termination (and the drinking) but he can’t be doing such damage in the meantime.

hoobanoobie · 13/11/2023 00:21

If he's started in on your 5 year old now then it will only carry on. It's absolutely disgusting of him. Imagine putting a little girl through that. Her little mind won't be able to grasp what he's pushing on to her. This is where it turns into child abuse.
What is your housing situation? Your need to get your daughter away from this as fast as you can.
Do not let him into your bed tonight. He's crossed a huge line now, there's no going back from this.
We can help you get your ducks in a row if you want us to Flowers

mrlistersgelfbride · 13/11/2023 00:25

@hoobanoobie Thank you.
No we sleep separately, I'm on the sofa.
I don't mind I get peace there.

Do you think what he sais is abusive to her?
I didn't think of it like that, he's trying go get her to turn against me.
We live together joint mortgage in both our names.

OP posts:
Alissia · 13/11/2023 00:28

Anything has to be better than this, OP. Draw your deadline before NYE.

MrsClausno27 · 13/11/2023 00:28

I don't mean to upset you and I say this in the gentlest way possible, but are you sure your dd sleeps through everything?

I thought that, until I realised I was wrong Sad

mrlistersgelfbride · 13/11/2023 00:30

@MrsClausno27 I thought she did...but can't be sure. Can you explain what happened to you?
Feel free to PM me.

OP posts:
mrlistersgelfbride · 13/11/2023 00:32

@Alissia I do agree. The problem is he won't leave the house, and I'd struggle financially...although I'm getting to the stage where I want to leave before this time next year.

OP posts:
asterel · 13/11/2023 00:33

Please try whatever safe way you can to get rid of this horrible man, OP. I wish you and your DD all the very best and a happy, free future Flowers

KellyJonesLeatherTrousers · 13/11/2023 00:37

He’s been mentally abusing you for years and has now started in your daughter. You can’t live like this for another year, is there no where else you can go whilst you sort finances out?

SomePosters · 13/11/2023 00:38

So you’re going to let him say things like that to your 5yo?

And when she grows up and allows her partner to treat her like she’s watching you be treated?

It’s your job to protect her from his abuse

I’m sorry your family aren’t more supportive. Please reach out to womens aid… you are not alone

Please, please, don’t let him twist her poor innocent mind any more

SplendidUtterly · 13/11/2023 00:39

What the fuck did I just read.
Your partner has played the terminator music when you walk into a room and calls you the "baby killer"?

LaurieStrode · 13/11/2023 00:39

You need to get this sociopath out of your life with massive urgency.

Wtf os wrong with someone who has that conversation with a child???

Why are you with him ?????????

RandomForest · 13/11/2023 00:39

Your daughter is probably siding with her father as she knows that's the safest route.

Even at 5, children opt for the best way to survive.

LaurieStrode · 13/11/2023 00:40

mrlistersgelfbride · 13/11/2023 00:32

@Alissia I do agree. The problem is he won't leave the house, and I'd struggle financially...although I'm getting to the stage where I want to leave before this time next year.

Sorry but you need to get out NOW. Or you are party to the child abuse.

QuitChewingMyPlectrum · 13/11/2023 00:41

Therapy for him or it's over. Seems like ultimatum time x I know you say you have no other support, but he is no support. Your mental health and well-being and your child's is more important.

Alissia · 13/11/2023 00:46

@Kelly and @Laurie are right, OP. Seek advice to get you and your daughter out of this nightmare.

mrlistersgelfbride · 13/11/2023 00:50

@KellyJonesLeatherTrousers I have nowhere to go unfortunately. I've text my parents tonight about it and they've ignored me. They don't want to put me up and are sick of hearing it

OP posts:
mrlistersgelfbride · 13/11/2023 00:52

@SplendidUtterly It's true I'm afraid. Sounds like a joke doesn't it? !
Yes he does or sometimes he sings the riff in my direction as I'm walking past. I'm honestly not making it up. It's almost funny if it wasn't absolutely appalling.
Apart from the counselor and here, I've told no one else.

OP posts:
Cappuccino17 · 13/11/2023 00:56

That sounds so hurtful. I can imagine it was such a painful decision for you to make and to be reminded of it is just heartbreaking.

I can only think he is going through some trauma from losing a child, he may be grieving his unborn child and is taking it out on you. The decision you made together he clearly wasn't content with it and he hasn't had closure. I think he is in a lot of pain internally and needs help. He's trying to cope in a harmful way by taking it out on you. But he's grieving and can't let it go until he gets help or you talk about this difficult moment from your past.

I understand with your history it has been difficult for you too, you made a decision that you felt was right but you got the outcome you wanted and he didn't. He will be the angry and resentful partner whilst you are taking the hit.

See it from his perspective too.

He should never have bought your 5 year old child into such a painful past event for you both.

You both need to get some closure together.

EliflurtleAndTheInfiniteMadness · 13/11/2023 00:59

mrlistersgelfbride · 13/11/2023 00:25

@hoobanoobie Thank you.
No we sleep separately, I'm on the sofa.
I don't mind I get peace there.

Do you think what he sais is abusive to her?
I didn't think of it like that, he's trying go get her to turn against me.
We live together joint mortgage in both our names.

Trying to turn your child against their other parent is abusive. He is damaging her to hurt you. He is not a good father. He's a lying, nasty alcoholic. Abortion is not killing a baby and even if you were a baby killer no good parent would ever say that to a 5 year old. He's abusing you both and you can't protect her from that by staying.

Blackandwhitemakesgrey · 13/11/2023 00:59

If you are on a low income e.g. work in a shop - can you move to a completely different area - a cheaper area - in another part of the country - where it might be possible to live alone with your daughter?

She is still young enough to change schools very easily. And taking her away from her father now is the right thing to do for her sake tbh.

sweetgingercat · 13/11/2023 01:00

I'm really so sorry this vile man has done this to you. I can only call it an utter relief that you didn't have another child with this monster.

I think he is trying to turn your daughter against you, to victimise you further and alienate you from your daughter. Of course this means he will manipulate and victimise her too. For you and your daughter's sakes you must get away from him, however you can.

Good luck OP... I am sure you will get some good help from ladies here...

mrlistersgelfbride · 13/11/2023 01:03

@Cappuccino17 I appreciate you giving a different perspective. I've really tried to talk to him calmly over the years. He needs closure and someone to talk to. I don't know now how he can get over it.
I have thought of solutions to our future but unfortunately I can't change the past.
Having a termination was the right thing for both of us at he time. I would have had another child later on if we had worked through things but he always just threw it back in my face in nasty ways. I know I should see it from his side and I do, but I believe he has behaved appallingly.

OP posts: