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nightmare ex!!

10 replies

Eclaire7891 · 03/02/2015 21:26

Hi, I don't really even know where to start with this....
I split up with my very short term bf at the time as he was abusive, mostly verbal but boardline physical. I had only just found out I was pregnant at the time. He rarely paid maintenance until dd was 2 and this was through mediation.
Due to exs attitude I have struggled enormously to trust him. Dd is now 4 and I am finding through talking with her things are ok (I otherwise know absolutely nothing of get time with him).
He currently sees dd every other weekend Fri 5pm-5pm Sunday and every Monday in the middle, she also phones him on his request (we both work fulltime and with school this is the most agreeable arrangement and more than he requested at mediation).
He is a volatile and vulgar person. The easiest description would be a male Vicky Pollard but worse. It is like dealing with a spoilt child. He has started what he frequently does which is pushing my buttons and doing what he can to provoke a reaction - sending multiple abusive and insulting messages (often mocking me and any message I do send like a bully) and he has now started deducting maintenance like a punishment to me over silly things. I.e she goes to him in older clothes as they come back from him stained or torn and he buys her clothes despite having plenty and sends her home with receipts and takes the cost from maintenance. That money goes into dd savings account so I don't know why he bothers.
Some things he does are petty and I ignore it as best I can but I've had five years of it now and I cant do it anymore. I'm really trying to allow my daughter to make up her own mind but the only way I can see this getting better is by cutting contact.
I have contacted CSA to make arrangements so the example problem should end but it js one of many. He has what he wants but continues to try and argue and I'm not interested. I don't know what else I can do. The law is against mothers like me and don't seem to care what damage he does provided he gets access.

Please help!!! ??????

OP posts:
LaurieFairyCake · 03/02/2015 21:30

Do the CMS thing and get your maintenance sorted.

And never respond to messages. Don't read them. Send his email to spam. If he tries to
Hassle in person have someone else with you. Look bored and disinterested, never look at him. If he wants to change arrangements he can be polite. If he doesn't turn up on time ignore it and don't answer the door. Or go out.

LaurieFairyCake · 03/02/2015 21:31

Make sure you keep all the messages so if he does go to court for contact you can
Use them to put sensible boundaries in place.

tickertyboo · 03/02/2015 23:04

You are not alone. I've been through a similar situation. My ex was angry with me all the time, despite attending mediation twice. After four years of non stop shit from him, he has now disappeared from my little boy's life; but continues to pay maintenance.

Abusive, angry men do not make good fathers. I suspect he will drop out of your daughter's life too at some point. In the meantime, you will just have to deal with him calmly and be the adult that he clearly cannot be. Hang on in there and do not rise to his anger. He just wants a reaction. Don't give him one. Best of luck.

Eclaire7891 · 04/02/2015 07:27

It is good to know I'm not alone because I don't know anyone in this situation. She's 4 now and to be fair to him he is staying interested but more so now I have a partner who he is jealous of being in her life (proven in his behaviour).
This recent bout of s* seems to be since he saw her giving my partner a big goodbye so he started trying to cause problems.
He's got this thing that when I speak to him I'm looking down my nose at him "feeding my ego" need to get off my high horse....when actually I'm just being a mature adult rather than argumentative child.
I don't care what he thinks about me but receiving a ridiculous amount of insulting messages in the space of 5 minutes when I'm trying to spend time with my daughter is getting extremely tiring.
Part of me wonders if i wasn't there how interested he'd be because he'd loose the fight. He also has a child with a woman he got pregnant when dd was 5 months old who wont allow him access and he's made next to know effort. I believe some sort of family protection approached her after his behaviour at the 20 week scan was deemed as threatening by the midwives....

OP posts:
FushandChups · 04/02/2015 20:28

I can't copy and paste but that whole 'he's got this thing where he thinks I'm talking down to him' - totally get this! My stbxh is exactly the same but because I no longer rise to the bait, I am patronising and talk down to him. .

The only thing that works for me is to keep calm and just ignore. I no longer try & fight my corner, so to speak, because I can't win so it's a wasted effort.

Also - it really gets to him which does make me Grin

BlackDaisies · 05/02/2015 22:58

How do you know about the other mum and the threatening behaviour? Is there any way you could contact her? If there are child protection issues, this will be relevant to you and your dd too.

makemineapinot · 05/02/2015 23:20

Exactly - if there are child protection issues you need to know. I know how you feel - my xh was the same unfortunately. Best thing I did was pay £2.99 for the 'pratmobile' which got my usual number. I then changed the number for my 'real' phone! Oh the relief at being able to switch him off and put him in a cupboard!! But still had contact when he had dc - and also had tons of evidence for court which was used against him.

Eclaire7891 · 07/03/2015 07:28

I will definitely look into pratmobile! Is it an app? I've debated buying another phone and switching it off when she's not there.
He's got this thing of being honest so tells me things that actually go against him! So he called and said this girl he'd been with and didn't even like had fallen pregnant then continued to tell me all about everything when she was pregnant and even showed me her solicitors letter to him confirming his behaviour!
At the moment he's gone quiet, which is generally what happens but it'll undoubtedly kick off again when he finds something to complain about. Then it'll be back looking for answers on what to do!!

OP posts:
Eclaire7891 · 07/03/2015 07:32

Just realised the dumb comment at the start.... Hmm ignore that!!!

OP posts:
sheena76 · 17/03/2015 16:25

Can anyone help? My ex has contact with my six year and it's always got to be on his terms or nothing, my ex is abusive and puts me down and my six year old has started exhibiting the same behaviour and I have been to the school as my son told the headmistress he wants me dead and the baby that I am carrying, I am so upset, I want to stop contact but don't want to make my son worse, we having a support worker to help him through this anger but please does anybody have any advice? X

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