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Dealing with dad continuing with domestic abuse after mum’s death

9 replies

wlv12 · 28/01/2021 16:55

My mum died last month as a result of covid 😢.
She was in her 70s and divorced from my dad after years of domestic abuse approx 25 years ago. He’s a fairly controlling man and our relationship has been fractured because of it.

Yesterday he sent a message to a family what’s app group asking where her engagement ring from him was. He became enraged when we said we didn’t know and has sent two messages talking about what a horrible person she was, how she ruined his life and made comments about something we had mentioned at her funeral as a fond memory but he talked about it bitterly and angrily. He told us she was shit and made his life shit.
For reference, we all grew up exposed to the domestic abuse he subjected her to, both physical
and mental. My first memories of being a child are of trying the lay on her to protect her from the beatings. His emotional abuse has continued on and off to us as his daughters and I went NC with him for years and will be doing so again now.
Like a typical narcissist he is blaming me for being ‘too emotional’ after mum’s death for his comments rather than blaming himself.

But how do I work through this and get over the devastation not just of her death but the thoughts of him being so mean and abusive even after she’s dead?! I couldn’t sleep last night as I was so upset.

OP posts:
MaizeBlouse · 28/01/2021 17:01

He sounds truly awful OP and I am so so sorry at the loss of your mum.

Going NC sounds like the best thing here. And, whilst anyone would naturally hope for remorse and fond memories from him, it seems like you have to accept that he will not change and will continue to be a nasty bully for the rest of his life. You are in control of how much you let him hurt you though, so block him in every way you can.

My condolences again Flowers

Sisterlove · 28/01/2021 18:25

I'm so sorry for the loss of your mum. I know your pain as I also lost my mum (covid) 2.5 weeks ago.

I would simply block your dad out of your life. Go NC, don't entertain him in any way, shape or form.

Aquamarine1029 · 28/01/2021 18:29

I'm very sorry, op. The only way forward is to remove this man from your life, permanently.

Shehasadiamondinthesky · 28/01/2021 18:36

I would literally let rip on the phone and tell him he's a disgusting abusive pig and then tell him you are cutting contact with him forever because he was a shit husband, a shit father and not a man and put the phone down.

mylaptopismylapdog · 28/01/2021 18:41

That is very tough for you. You don’t own him anything as basically he neglected and your Mum. Please concentrate on looking after yourself and enjoy life without him.

Rightleftupdown · 28/01/2021 18:43

Stately homesthread relationships board may help uou

UrsulaVdL · 29/01/2021 23:15

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LouiseTrees · 29/01/2021 23:19

@UrsulaVdL

You can block him, or leave the WhatsApp group. alternatively, “You disgust me.” on WhatsApp?
Or get the organiser to kick him out? But in all seriousness look at it this way he can never hurt her physically or emotionally again. He can disrespect her memory yes but no one believes him, they see through him. Yes he can still hurt you emotionally but if you remember what he says is irrelevant to everyone and he has no right to say it then that should help you to see him as a stupid man who needs no attention.
CrotchetyQuaver · 29/01/2021 23:23

He sounds a horrible horrible man. Cut him out of your life and don't look back.
Trying to get the engagement ring back after all these years and a divorce. Wow. I hope it got flung in the sea years ago.

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