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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To Get Back Together with mt Previously Abusive Ex

323 replies

JustCause · 07/12/2009 17:59

I have namechanged for this because anyone reading the first few lines will probably think I have gone insane. But I am a regular and have posted about the relationship before.
Anyway.
My then DP left me for OW at the beginning of the year. Even though our relationship was barely-there, I thought it would work out. Our DD wasnt even a year old and I was very wrapped up in her and too exasperated/weary of his behaviour to really care about what he thought.
I knew it wouldnt work out with OW and it imploded spectacularly when during one of their fights he hit her twice and she called the police. After initially saying they would work it out, she then changed her mind and told him it was over.
He then contacted me 2 weeks later and told me it was over between them. I agreed to see him and was stunned that after all he'd done I still had feelings for him.
I hadnt expected to.
I hadnt seen him for months which was my doing.
We have a hell of a history so I have my reasons for wanting to give him another chance. He is hugely apologetic and
HERE IS THE IMPORTANT PART.
Has agreed to go on a Pat-Craven type course for abusive men. I wouldn't have agreed to us getting back together if he hadnt.

He is now several weeks into the course and attending every week and on time.

He has been a selfish, nasty, dangerous prick at times but I believe this has been a wake-up call for him.
For one thing he has faced three nights in a police cell and for another there have been other consequences. OW has exercised her right to press charges (after initially deciding not to) so that has led to other stuff I dont want to go into here.

I dont know what the future holds, but if there's a chance he wants to change, and does and we are able to be a family again, AIBU for wanting to be back with him?

OP posts:
JustCause · 08/12/2009 16:35

He does not live here.
SW has asked that he not come round while DD is here.
We have agreed, and that gives me a breathing space. I see him when she is at nursery.

OP posts:
FabIsVeryHappy · 08/12/2009 16:35

I have a feeling who this is but wouldn't risk saying.

When you are a parent, your kids have to come first and if this man can not treat his child 100% right first of all he shouldn't get the chance to treat his ex any which way.

Good look JC. I have a feeling you are going to need it.

KissingUnderTheMittsletoe · 08/12/2009 16:35

Very very good post NT.

And it is so sad and shit that decent people have their confidence and self esteem eroded to such a point that their boundaries of 'normality' are eroded.

And I struggle with the idea of ever trusting anybody again let alone a man who, by his own admission, doesn't know why he treated me (and the DC's) like he did for years.

Snorbs · 08/12/2009 16:40

"I saw Social Services today. It is likely DD will go on the Child Protection Register."

"I talked to him after SW had been. He was all "I'm being punished" I told him this was a consequence of what he did."

Am I reading this right? Your child is likely going on the CPR as a consequence of his actions? Yet you're trying to rekindle a relationship with this 'man'?

Crikey, that's a hell of a risk you're taking.

Northernlurker · 08/12/2009 16:41

Right this all seems very odd to me. Op you say ' feel like I am slowly climbing out of denial, that's a start. Until I fully accept the reality of the situation though, there's no point in telling him to go.' Eh? If you know this is a crappy, dangerous situation for you then you aren't in denial anymore. It's not something you gradually climb out of - you either know it or you don't. So - you know this is a bad situation. Stop making excuses and put yourself and your dd first. It's a horrible thing to face but he isn't living with you at the moment and the longer you prolong this the harder for everybody. Stop kidding yourself you need to know or feel more - this, right now is as good as it gets. Tell him to go.

expatinscotland · 08/12/2009 16:45

So you want to take back a lying, cheating bastard who now has a criminal record?

No, YANBU.

Downright stupid, more like.

Who cares about him, him, him?

What about your child?

I've been away for a while and man, coming back, the threads on here.

It's enough to break your heart.

All these women who a) don't care enough about themselves to stay away from shit men b) think it's in any way acceptable to be with a shit man c) all that would be fine and dandy but no, they bring their poor kids into it.

MrsMattie · 08/12/2009 16:49

Violent and unfaithful? Sounds like a right charmer.

I think you must have very low self esteem if you are still attracted to this man who has shat on you from a great height numerous times.

Blu · 08/12/2009 16:53

I canot imagine, ever, spending time with a man who was not safe, and not deemed officially safe by SS to be around my child.

That is a v sick situation to be in.

And - he came back to you because the OW threw him out. Not because he walked away from the relationship, to be with you, and ralising that he was in the wrong before he had this 'wake-up call' from external agencies.

Wake-up calls come when there is time to do something about it, before harm is done. he is on the run fm an emeergency services call-out.

dittany · 08/12/2009 16:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Flightattendant · 08/12/2009 16:54

By JustCause Tue 08-Dec-09 16:35:12
He does not live here.
SW has asked that he not come round while DD is here.
We have agreed, and that gives me a breathing space. I see him when she is at nursery.

OH FFS

I really fucking give up.I hope you are really proud that because you've decided to stay with this shithead, your daughter is officially 'at risk'

You stupid, stupid person.

AnyFuckerForAMincePie · 08/12/2009 16:55

flight, use the hide button, lovey

Flightattendant · 08/12/2009 16:56

Thanks AF

mathanxiety · 08/12/2009 17:01

"until he has proved he is capable of a healthy, respectful relationship."

OP, you have to let go of this dream. You are not so special that he will give up everything that has worked so far for him just for you. And everything he has done with his partners so far has worked, for him. The evidence that he thinks this way is all in your posts. He treated you terribly, he left you for someone else, he treated her terribly, he was accepted back by you. He has had relationships with at least two women, one of whom (you) has borne him a child. He has had a roof over his head, meals, laundry and sex. Everything he has wanted and needed, including the handy human punchbags, he has got, just by being himself. His ego needs are a bottomless pit that no course can hope to cover over, let alone fill.

You are in many ways behaving like a child, as Dittany and so many others have said, indulging in magical thinking about this man, depending on your RL circle of supporters to pick you up when things fall apart, not seeing that your responsibility to your DD outweighs every other consideration now, but only seeing your life in terms of your own ego. Yes, ego. You believe you can change or control this man, if not now, then somewhere down the road. You believe he will do things for you and for the sake of your relationship that he has not shown any willingness or ability to do in the past. You believe your faith in him and in the power of your love will be vindicated, if not today or tomorrow, then maybe two or twelve years hence. This is the approach of someone who does not take responsibility for herself, and does not take responsibility for her child as a result.

You simply have to take that responsibility, OP. It's much harder than crossing your fingers and hoping things will magically change, believing he will change when there is no evidence, and hoping others will jump to your aid when the s**t hits the fan instead of doing the hard slogging emotional work to make sure that situation is avoided. This will involve getting to the bottom of your childhood, and learning to think like an adult in relationships, and like a parent regarding your child. This will be very hard for you if your own childhood lacked the security and emotional sustenance that are so important, but it is your chance to shape your DD's future so that she won't end up in the same mess you are in right now.

It is very hard to accept that none of what he has said or done to you has been meant personally, not the good and not the bad. All you have been is a convenient punchbag and a set of orifices that suits his anatomy. If it wasn't you, it would be someone else -- you've already seen that happen. He swaps women like some people change their socks, OP. One is as good as the other to someone like him. He does not see anything special about either you or the OW. The good thing about having two of you is that he can play you off against each other, so you vie for his favour, like children trying to get in the good books of a feared teacher.

I hope the breakdown you had doesn't scare you into thinking the devil you know is better than the uncertain and rocky unknown. Growth and strength sometimes come from unexpected experiences, when we are vulnerable and off balance. Don't try to preserve what you know and are familiar with, bad and all as it is, because the unknown is more scary than the familiar. The easy path downhill with fingers crossed is hardly ever the right one.

biglips · 08/12/2009 17:03

i totally agree with Blu as he didnt walk out of the relationship to come back to you, he got thrown out...so in desperation and got no where to go, he comes running back to you! I be terrified incase the switch inside him is turned back on!!!! i wud be walking on eggshell and also i put my dd before your Dp.

HE'S NOT WORTH THE RISK!!!

Flightattendant · 08/12/2009 17:05

Brill post Math. He's not a dog. You can't train him.

dittany · 08/12/2009 17:07

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Flightattendant · 08/12/2009 17:13

Exactly Dittany...'until he's proved he's capable'...

well, does the fact he's already proved he's NOT capable of a respectful, healthy relationship not count then?

It's like they keep waiting and waiting and waiting, can't give up on such a valid human being, even if it takes their entire lifetime to see him change one iota.

It's your job, OP, to care for and nurture this man into someone reasonable and jolly.

Whatever it costs you and your child. You have a duty to him.

So does his OW! If either of you gives up on him, goodness, he might go and be nice to some other poor bird instead, and you'll have missed out on the wonderful side of him that is just, hmm, latent at present.

and how awful it would feel to miss out on that.
So you just keep waiting...let us know if anything changes...but I'm not holding my breath.

longwee · 08/12/2009 17:18

Wow, that's three times Flightattendant has said she's off, and she's still here. OP's obviously not the only one who has trouble leaving...

mathanxiety · 08/12/2009 17:21

OP, it's not you who has failed in any way with this man, and nobody expects you to hang in there. There are no medals being given out for perseverance.

He is like a drowning man -- do not jump in to try to save him, because he will only drag you under in order to save himself. It sounds counter-intuitive, but he has to work on saving himself while you focus on keeping yourself and DD out of danger.

TotalChaos · 08/12/2009 17:21

sounds like that so-called perpetrator course isn't working then....

Flightattendant · 08/12/2009 17:22

Shall I do it again Longwee...would you like that?

I'll admit my kids are being put at risk while I am on this thread. One is fairly peckish and the other is removing my papers from a drawer.

RealityIsHungover · 08/12/2009 17:26

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

pigletmania · 08/12/2009 17:27

I would not imo, it is too soon, he needs to finish the course and prove it to you and your dd over a long period of time. You have your dd to consider now, she is the important one in all this, and needs to be in a stable and loving environment with just you, away from abuse and violence.

pigletmania · 08/12/2009 17:29

Reading some more posts please dont do it, your dd comes first period, end of, not getting back with an abusive and violent man who is a risk to your dd.

Flightattendant · 08/12/2009 18:34

Longwee, it isn't you is it - I mean the OP?

I just can't figure out why you would want to have a go at me for coming back to this thread a few times after flouncing. Is that something you particularly can't stand among posters, or have you been trailing through my posts deliberately counting the times I said I'd had enough for some other odd reason?

It's a really strange thing to say that's all, and has made me feel quite uncomfortable...maybe that's what you wanted?