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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Would you be in a relationship with someone if your dc refused to have anything to do with them?

119 replies

Brunocatmon · 04/04/2025 21:12

I met my partner in 2022, we started off as long distance then broke up because of the distance ( she doesn't drive ), her jealousy, insecurities, some background stuff that I found out she'd lied about.

When we broke up she was vile to me, called me all the names under the sun, sent me pics of her and some bloke she met in a pub saying she was on a date with someone who knew how to treat a woman. I had to block her eventually.

A few months later she got in touch through a mutual as she heard that one of my close family members had cancer.

Long story short we got back together and 3 months later she relocated to my city. Not living with me.

Things were fine mostly except she'd give me the silent treatment if something pissed her off. She was insanely jealous of my past and anyone I had any contact with.

Over Christmas and new year I had to rearrange some plans because of my adult dd visiting from overseas.
On the day before nye I had to go to hers later than we'd planned ( I still wrnt with the plan to stay overnight ) and when I got there she was really drunk and started verbally assaulting me saying she hated me, calling me over and over a c*nt. I tried to leave and she wouldn't let me leave and she carried on.
She threw some small items at me and was screaming in my face.

Eventually I managed to get put and she attacked my car so I couldn't drive off, banging on the windows and screaming abuse and kicking it.

After I managed to drive away she called me threatening to cut herself then again saying she'd cut herself and if she bled to death it would be my fault, that she was going to call my dd ( 16, autistic ) saying when I'd made her do.

Next thing dd calls me in a panic saying where are you cos X has said I need to call you. This is midnight. I said I'm fine I'm coming home.

I got home and the dc were up scared about what had happened, my phone rang and it was x sating I'm bleeding and she'd sent me photos of her arms that she'd cut ( lightly, she was not bleeding ) and a picture of her arm with a knife lying beside it with no marks on.

I broke up with her and dc said she's never welcome here again.

Again I had to block because of her behaviour.

Fast forward another couple of months and we'd started talking. She agreed to therapy, she agreed to counselling, aline and together, she got a job, a new flat and pulled herself together. This was the beginning of 2024.

Mid way through the year my eldest dd got engaged and it suddenly dawned on me that I'll never be able to bring my partner to my dc weddings, I wasn't able to bring her to my grandsons christening, to a big family gathering that I organised so I broke it off with her and told her why.

During that time we'd been to counselling and on the first visit she lied to the counsellor about a really significant thing.

After a few months after us talking and me thinking about things I decided to make a go of it with her. My dc will all be off living their own lives and then what?

Currently we are in a relationship. We don't live together and won't be doing in the next couple of years as my daughter and her family are moving back from overseas and are staying with me whilst they look for and move into their own place.

I can't bring my partner round to my house because my dc don't want anything to do with her and this is their safe space and I always told then I would respect that. I can and do go to her place in the same small city.

I just think about it all the time. People say the dc will come around but what if they don't? I'm a huge family person, it's all I ever wanted. But I want my partner with me.

We'd?

OP posts:
GinToBegin · 05/04/2025 11:30

Brunocatmon · 05/04/2025 11:22

My eldest dd (30) said exactly that to me " it's sad that your bar is set so low "

I will change this.

She wants better for you, as do your friends, as does everyone on this thread. Take strength for that and use it to make a permanent break.

bored1234 · 05/04/2025 11:53

She definitely has EUPD/BPD - interested if you Google symptoms you’ll see more?

Mochudubh · 05/04/2025 11:54

I came on to say:

Get out. Block her. Change your number. It is your responsibility in a relationship to be kind and respectful - her reaction is not your responsibility. If she tries to get back in touch you need to shut it down immediately.

But @JustAMum31 said it first.

Just to reiterate - Block, block, block. Do not re-engage.

StrikeForever · 05/04/2025 11:55

You have said several times that you are not staying in the relationship, but have you taken action to end it yet?

Theoldbird · 05/04/2025 11:59

Have you broken up with this abusive person @Brunocatmon ? the sooner you do it, the sooner you can move on with your life.

Good luck with it all.

Brunocatmon · 05/04/2025 12:15

I can't break up with her over text surely? She's at work today and we aren't seeing each other until next week now. I have a very nice weekend planned with my children tomorrow so I'm not going to do it before that because she'll just ruin it for us and I'll be stressed so I'll see her on Monday and do it in person.

OP posts:
Ohdearieme2025 · 05/04/2025 12:20

Brunocatmon · 05/04/2025 12:15

I can't break up with her over text surely? She's at work today and we aren't seeing each other until next week now. I have a very nice weekend planned with my children tomorrow so I'm not going to do it before that because she'll just ruin it for us and I'll be stressed so I'll see her on Monday and do it in person.

Of course you can, don't be daft. You could phone her if you like, or email her.

You absolutely DO NOT OWE HER AN IN PERSON CONVERSATION. In fact, it could be dangerous.

An abuser doesn't, in any way, deserve any consideration for their hurty feels when you finally dump them.

Theoldbird · 05/04/2025 12:21

Brunocatmon · 05/04/2025 12:15

I can't break up with her over text surely? She's at work today and we aren't seeing each other until next week now. I have a very nice weekend planned with my children tomorrow so I'm not going to do it before that because she'll just ruin it for us and I'll be stressed so I'll see her on Monday and do it in person.

yes you can break up over text for your own safety. and you should! Who knows what she'll throw/do if you do it in person? And you will end up getting sucked in again. You're still not seeing things clearly if you plan to break up with her in person, because you're not dealing with a balanced person here.

you also need to block her on every platform to avoid her hoovering you back in.

Swiftie1878 · 05/04/2025 12:36

Brunocatmon · 05/04/2025 12:15

I can't break up with her over text surely? She's at work today and we aren't seeing each other until next week now. I have a very nice weekend planned with my children tomorrow so I'm not going to do it before that because she'll just ruin it for us and I'll be stressed so I'll see her on Monday and do it in person.

You absolutely can (and probably should) break up with her from a distance.
Also inform your children about what you’re doing and why. Thank them for being amazing and helping you through your confusion.

TwistedWonder · 05/04/2025 12:49

Brunocatmon · 05/04/2025 12:15

I can't break up with her over text surely? She's at work today and we aren't seeing each other until next week now. I have a very nice weekend planned with my children tomorrow so I'm not going to do it before that because she'll just ruin it for us and I'll be stressed so I'll see her on Monday and do it in person.

You absolutely can and in your should break up by text. You owe your abuser nothing.

End it, say it’s not open for discussion and block if necessary.

You and your DC are what’s important not this vile person

spicemaiden · 05/04/2025 16:14

Brunocatmon · 05/04/2025 12:15

I can't break up with her over text surely? She's at work today and we aren't seeing each other until next week now. I have a very nice weekend planned with my children tomorrow so I'm not going to do it before that because she'll just ruin it for us and I'll be stressed so I'll see her on Monday and do it in person.

In this instance I’d say that gif your safety, you can and you should.

I work in mental health.

This person is displaying behaviours that are alarming. I would not be surprised if she ends up detained in a forensic mental health unit at some point in the future.

This lady makes ‘batshit’ look perfectly normal.

She is unhinged.

If you’ve ever heard of Alice Ruggles (and if not go and have a look) you are involved with the female version of her killer.

I do not say this lightly

OliveWah · 05/04/2025 17:04

I agree with PPs that it's definitely "OK" to split up with her over text/phone, and in this case, probably safer too.

I understand you wanting to put it off until after the weekend so that you can enjoy your plans with your DC, and I think I would want to do the same, for fear of her ruining things. You could use some of the time to let your DC know what you're planning, and they can all block her from their phones in advance.

Best of luck @Brunocatmon, I'm sure she won't make it easy, but it's absolutely the right thing to do.

noctilucentcloud · 05/04/2025 17:15

You said "If I'm brutally honest I'm a bit worried about how she'll react if I break up with her. She a bit unpredictable." You can absolutely break up with her via text or a phone call. If you feel you must do it face-to-face, do it somewhere public like a cafe or busy street. Other than your safety, doing it now via text means you can't falter in your decision or have her talk you round. Your children and friends are right, she's abusive, you deserve someone who treats you with respect and makes you genuinely happy.

Pinkissmart · 05/04/2025 18:08

Ffs op, I couldn't get through the whole thing.
She's not your problem to solve. Prioritise your children, and your own well being and remove this woman from your life for good.

She will never, and can never be who you want her to be.

SunshineAndFizz · 05/04/2025 18:15

You can do this.

Give your children a role model -how to manage a tough situation and hold high standards for yourself. It’ll impact them more than you know to see you being strong.

springbringshope · 05/04/2025 18:16

Break up. Block her. Remove all her contact details. Move on. There is nothing good here

Nanny0gg · 05/04/2025 18:26

And if she threatens suicide or cutting tell her you'll have to phone the police

That'll stop her

Then block

Createausername1970 · 05/04/2025 18:37

springbringshope · 05/04/2025 18:16

Break up. Block her. Remove all her contact details. Move on. There is nothing good here

This. Plus change your locks if she has a key. Change them anyway.

Please do not break up in person, she sounds very unhinged.

The alternative is to not actually break up with her right now. Make up some excuse for not meeting next week, don't contact her and keep responses to a minimum. Get yourself emotionally distanced, sort things out in your head, run through what you will say. Then do it next weekend. You could even book you and daughter into a b&B in another town if you think she might come round and you are not ready to deal with her face to face.

FondantFancyFan · 06/04/2025 06:14

Send the text on Monday and block her from everything, do not meet her in person. Change your locks today & tell work not to let her in if she turns up. They should call the police because she is dangerous.

I know someone like your girlfriend and she tried to stab her boyfriend when their relationship broke down.

Please do not underestimate how dangerous she can be when she feels threatened & losing control.

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