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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Missing my old life with DV husband.

10 replies

Imthefairyonthetree · 07/04/2024 02:39

I know that title sounds a bit crazy. I was married to my first bf that I got with at 15YO and with him 25 years. We have 2 dc, the first born after 14 years and the second after 16 years together.
May ex and I grew up together. He was a good person, he loved me but could be very moody. We had a great life pre children and did everything together. The moods were bad though, but after the dc were born he got worse and eventually cheated on me. He then was aggressive and sometimes with spit/throw things/lash out at me. This would happen once or twice a year, sometimes he would be so frightening towards me I’d have to call the police.

we split when the dc were 11 & 9.
we gave them both the best childhood we could. A nice home, they knew they were loved and we had lots of happy family times. I really miss those happy times and my children being small so badly. My kids little were just the sweetest children. I’d watch them in bed peaceful and be glad to hear them coming through in the mornings at weekends. They’d jump in bed with us and it was the best feeling with those two little happy people.

I’m now with someone else, my dc live with me and my ex is with someone else now too although he doesn’t live with his partner of 4 years. She had a 13yo daughter.

my ex was really horrible at times and it’s kinda scarred me towards men and how I think of them, eg I think most men have no respect for women, treat women badly and always have bad thoughts about women, it’s got my defences up and I come across cold to men. Particularly friends partners as most of my friends too have split and in new relationships due to their exes being similar to my ex. These new partners of my friends may turn out to be the same so I am suspicious of them. My friends partner is always saying to her I’m not friendly to him but I am, and I do like him so what do they think when I don’t like them? Tbh I don’t actually care. my feelings are coolness to men.
My current partner of 8 years is great but I feel like I’m waiting for him to go like my ex as he was nice for years too. Tonight my DP is at work and my DC now 18/20 year olds were out and staying at their dad’s house as he is away on holiday. I’m home alone crying at 2.30am wishing it was Circa 2009 with my small son and daughter in bed and my ex and I happy having had a nice evening watching film, bottle of wine with plans for a nice day on Sunday doing something with the kids. I’m looking back with rose tinted glasses I suppose. I just miss the really young family unit before things went bad and I wish it could just have been normal.

im all set off because I heard Kate bush woman’s work in Tik tok and was already sad and questioning my relationship in case my partner ends up like my ex did.

not looking for advice, just a wee rant and feeling frustrated that life never ends up how you set it off to be.

OP posts:
ThisNiftyMintCat · 07/04/2024 03:00

Aww OP you can look back fondly on those times without wishing your life away

Meadowfinch · 07/04/2024 03:01

That sounds like empty nest syndrome to me. Your dcs have grown up, and you're moving into a new phase of your life. It isn't easy. Feeling sad the childhood years are over isn't wrong.

Take it a day at a time. Look for things to enjoy in your 'new' life.

MiltonNorthern · 07/04/2024 05:37

Did you ever have therapy after your abusive relationship ended?

RichTea90 · 07/04/2024 07:00

I would also recommend therapy or counselling for the previous DV you experienced. It does sound more to me like you are missing the small family unit you had rather than missing your ex (empty nest syndrome). The previous abuse you experienced has changed your perceptions of men which is totally understandable. However, not all men are the same. I think working through all of this with a therapist could help you.

Hankunamatata · 07/04/2024 07:34

I'd say it's more empty nest than missing ex

thatsnotmynamethstsnotmyname · 07/04/2024 07:42

You want to live in a time before you were abused because you felt safe in that time.

We can't go back unfortunately you have to work on your life as it is now. Unless there's signs there's no reason to think your dp will become aggressive and if he did this time you know what you need to do becaus you have done it before

Quitelikeacatslife · 07/04/2024 08:07

My children are similar age, it probably is more empty nest . You need to focus on what you are going to do with your time now and plan for the next phase of your life. It's good that you feel like you gave your kids a happy childhood, and normal to have fond memories of that. It's also good that not every day was bad with your ex, but I'm thinking that the bad days were really awful for you. You have to go forward now , enjoy your DC being at home , build the relationship you will have with them as adults. And frankly we need to find things to do. Look to local area to see what's around, join a gym, a choir , pilates, evening class, look up friends and chat with them , arrange things , it's your only way out.

Doingmybest12 · 07/04/2024 08:23

It's understandable about feeling sad about things that were good and then didn't end as expected and about your children not needing you as much. Also to now feel suspicious of men in general. You sound world weary and it is depressing that adult life can be dull and feel purposeless and to know humans are flawed. Wonder if you have low level depression or need counselling around the DV?

Imthefairyonthetree · 07/04/2024 11:53

Thanks everyone for the replies.

i didn’t get counselling, I was busy working and looking after the children on my own. The dr have me anti depressants, they helped. I got offered CBT but the classes were a Friday which was the day I was busier at work and couldn’t afford to take time off. I wish I’d done it now but I really don’t want to dredge it all up.

OP posts:
financialcareerstuff · 07/04/2024 13:52

Ah Op, I think your sadness is totally understandable....

Some empty nest, sense of missing that innocent joy of your children.... and I think the the other poster is right... this is paralleled by missing the innocent joy, and lack of fear that you felt before being abused.

It must be terribly hard to feel the happiness you have now, and to accept your DP's love, if you are carrying the fear of it happening again.

I'm wondering if you are also around perimenopause stage... which for me, at least, also brought a slumping of energy, a grieving feeling....

I hope that you can find a way to let go of some of the trauma, so you can enjoy the happiness that is now in your life... sending hugs.

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