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Elderly parents

to what level should I continue confiding in DM

11 replies

aromatherapyactive · 26/01/2025 19:41

My DM (83) still very capable lives in another country. I am in the UK living in an abusive relationship. Known my DP for over a decade, living together, age gap (16years). When we met he promised me the world (he has DCs, I don't). First 4 years were good. He was talking about marriage but only after we join our assests. I refused until we get married. After my refusal he started being more and more pushy. I still resisted. What I observed is - when we met I had a 6 figure salary and great prospects in my career. I lost that job within a year of meeting him. I had a good cv and was part of a great network so I was not worried and lived off my savings. I thought it will be max 3-6 months before I get back on track. I depleted all my savings, never got back, pandemic hit, I became his maid, he started treating me worse and worse. I never recovered. I have two degrees, my DM is very proud of me yet I am a shell of a person I was with confidence literally below 0 because of my DP. I work minimum wage and earn not enough even to rent a room (London area). My elderly DM is in dispair about my situation as I can not afford to leave this man. He gets laundry, cleaning, cooking, shopping done. He does nothing at home and if I ask for any help it is always a problem or argument around it. We are not intimate for past 6 years. I feel stuck and do not know how to get out at such low income. He earns 6 figures and makes sure all works for him, is all about ego and I feel I am just an accessory. He works in circles where he could help me get a job at my level but deliberately avoids topic as he wants me at home. I feel the age gap is too big and I could still do much better. I have been here (UK) since my univeristy years but have not got many friends, people left UK or moved far away, have families. I have been sharing with DM the situation but I started feeling it affects her too much and because she can be a bit toxic sometimes she says things (confused) that my situation will literally kill her, why am I still with him and I keep explaining to her that I can not currently afford to move out. I think that I should try and withdraw the details of some of the arguments DP raises and not tell my DM so she doesnt get upset. I can not live with DM and move to where she lives (abroad). She pressurises me to share with her my long term life plans as she thinks I am being useless not taking actions. My current work is self employed, in new field that I only started 6 months ago. Bless her I know she wants to help but going on about 'but why can you not do this or that' is not helping, the asking me for my long term plans is also for me intrusive and when I say I do not know the answer, she gets annoyed saying that I will never leave DP and she is just as she was when I was little - taking over my decisons, pressing me for answers, where what I need is just a sounding board for now. I have my plans but a) they may change b) I do not need to share with anyone. Just wonder if you think I should keep more to myself? My mistake for confiding I think but I do not have anyone else.

OP posts:
MissMoneyFairy · 26/01/2025 19:46

Can you start divorce proceedings, you will be entitled to a financial assessment, I'd stop talking about it with mum and maybe look at local support groups.

aromatherapyactive · 26/01/2025 19:52

@MissMoneyFairy sorry maybe I was not clear - we are not married. He was talking marriage but he wanted me to join finances first (before marriage). I refused as I had no guaantee we would get married and it made him angry. Wedding chat stopped long ago as he doesn't want his DCs inheritance to be affected by me in the picture. He has all the benefits of having 'a wife' without the legal responsibility. I am stuck due to very low income. My DM is in dispair how an intelligent woman can get herself under so much control from one man.

OP posts:
aromatherapyactive · 26/01/2025 19:54

@MissMoneyFairy support groups - good idea - how do I find them? (I actually thought that I can not be the only person in such situation)

OP posts:
MissMoneyFairy · 26/01/2025 19:58

Have you looked into what benefits you might be entitled to if you're a low earner so that you can move out, can you supplement your income.

Crikeyalmighty · 26/01/2025 19:59

@aromatherapyactive I hate to ask OP but if you had great prospects and six figure salary , how come you suddenly didn't ?? Because whilst I can see that getting an identical role may not be possible - there's a massive middle ground between that and a minimum wage job - what age are you ??

Crikeyalmighty · 26/01/2025 20:01

Also does he own or rent the home or is it joint??

MissMoneyFairy · 26/01/2025 20:01

Women's aid if you're suffering an abusive relationship, local women's groups, your GP, faith groups, where in London are you. Do you own or rent the house.

aromatherapyactive · 26/01/2025 20:17

it is a rental so I am dependant on DP
most of mid level jobs I applied for, I would get through all interview stages seamlessly but end up with being overqualified, too experienced, or I was even told I am 'too professional', my salary expectations were always realistic and within the range of what was on offer for the job post and that was 50-70% of what i used to earn.
I toned down my CV as I was desperate to get any job. I then went for a professional training in the new field and started from scratch. It is not that I am not trying or not flexible. Age 47.

OP posts:
Crikeyalmighty · 26/01/2025 23:28

@aromatherapyactive I feel for you - I would keep applying though - I know it's hard when you've had some knockbacks -

FictionalCharacter · 03/02/2025 21:11

aromatherapyactive · 26/01/2025 20:17

it is a rental so I am dependant on DP
most of mid level jobs I applied for, I would get through all interview stages seamlessly but end up with being overqualified, too experienced, or I was even told I am 'too professional', my salary expectations were always realistic and within the range of what was on offer for the job post and that was 50-70% of what i used to earn.
I toned down my CV as I was desperate to get any job. I then went for a professional training in the new field and started from scratch. It is not that I am not trying or not flexible. Age 47.

Keep going. Every time you have an interview planned, post on the relevant board here and ask for advice on preparation for that specific type of interview. The job market is tough but you have to persevere. I know how difficult it is to either undersell or oversell yourself.

Stop talking to your mother about this. In saying your situation will literally kill her she’s made it all about herself and her feelings about it. She isn’t helping, just carping at you. As PPs suggested, find support groups.

Logglow · 03/02/2025 23:10

I will stick with answering the question about your mother, you may find it helpful to post on one of the other boards for help with your abusive partner as you need to find some other support who can help you work towards a solution or just to rant.
While useful for you to be able to offload, it must be very hard for your mother having to hear this and be unable to either help you or help you to help yourself so yes cut back on what you tell her find an alternative to leaning on her in this way

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