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ExH is so awful I just can't cope anymore

85 replies

Chadvalley · 17/01/2021 15:20

I'm sure he has a personality disorder. We have small DDs and share their care so we have to co-parent. I don't know if I can do it. In the last year since we split he has reported me to children's services about 8 times (they are, I think, quite sick of him but they have to investigate), he has reported me to the police, he has been awful about handing over DDs, going back on his word and keeping them for longer than agreed (this has now stopped due to a recent court order). I am starting to see how abusive our marriage was, how he totally fucked with my mental health. He tried to convince me that I had a personality disorder, then tried to convince me that I was autistic. He never actively stopped me seeing my friends but he would engineer situations to make it impossible (e.g. always flake on the childcare at the last minute and I would have to cancel or bring DC along). Financially he was completely in control of everything and very mean with it. Since splitting he has been financially abusive towards me. Since we have split he has damaged my things, hidden them, said he doesn't have them when I know he does (he has remained at what was the family home). He is just awful. How do I move forward and co-parent with someone like this for the next 13 years? Without going totally crazy in the process? Any decision we have to agree on, he disagrees with me on principle. He would argue that the sky is green just for the sake of it. He writes long, rambling emails when just a few lines would do. He keeps me deliberately out of the loop for e.g. dentist appointments then delights in telling me I have missed a check up. He refuses to use mutual friends or family as intermediaries. He refuses to use a communication book, I tried this and he ended up refusing to give it back. I am just so overwhelmed and feel very despondant 😭 I almost feel like letting the DDs live with him all the time, because then I wouldn't have to see him or interract with him (I wouldn't actually do this). Please tell me it gets easier??

OP posts:
Chadvalley · 19/01/2021 18:19

@jellybellydancer

Yep don’t give him a reason why you’ve changed your email address. You don’t owe him any details about any aspect of your life.

I had a shared calendar via google so could add appointments, handover dates and times etc. I had the control over it so he couldn’t amend it.

Just ignore the crap and respond to salient points regarding the children only. Read the emails and wait at least a day before responding. Train him to only bother contacting you if needed rather than replying straight away and getting into an conversation.

It does get easier the older the children are. My DS deals with his dad directly now and has done for the last few years. Made easier by him moving away. 👍

I can't wait till DC are older, it will be another link with him that is severed.
OP posts:
Pebbledashery · 19/01/2021 18:23

@Chadvalley i pm'd you xx

FourTurnings · 19/01/2021 18:29

You may not believe this OP but I could have written your post - my experience was so very similar. And you have all my sympathy. Do not cave in and have the kids live with him full time. It’s tempting because it seems that then you might feel free but from my experience, my DS would really never have wanted that and from the sounds of your ex, your kids need your stability, perspective and love more than anything. Please try and avoid getting drawn into his games and try not to react. That is what he wants. It will pass, I promise you.

NooNooMummy · 20/01/2021 09:34

Yes, the courts and CAFCAS are hugely flawed. Totally failing to protect women from coercive control. (Yes, I know it’s about the best interests of the child...)

I’m so sorry that you’re going through this. I’m another who’s been there and gone through all this nonsense with horrible ex.

I was advised to minimise communication to minimise his ability to hurt me. Never react. It seemed illogical but does help. And, fortunately, things do calm down a bit - I’m a few years down the line now.

It still shocks me though that the father of my child behaves this way. And that I was so controlled by it when I was with him...

Good luck. Keep you and your little ones safe. Focus on live

NooNooMummy · 20/01/2021 10:56

*love. And life

Chadvalley · 20/01/2021 14:53

@NooNooMummy

Yes, the courts and CAFCAS are hugely flawed. Totally failing to protect women from coercive control. (Yes, I know it’s about the best interests of the child...)

I’m so sorry that you’re going through this. I’m another who’s been there and gone through all this nonsense with horrible ex.

I was advised to minimise communication to minimise his ability to hurt me. Never react. It seemed illogical but does help. And, fortunately, things do calm down a bit - I’m a few years down the line now.

It still shocks me though that the father of my child behaves this way. And that I was so controlled by it when I was with him...

Good luck. Keep you and your little ones safe. Focus on live

Thank you xx

Sorry you went through that too Flowers
Yes it is weird. I sometimes find myself going "this is the same man I was with for years, he was their when DC were born". There is a website called "out of the fog" which is for survivors of relationships of people with PD and I think it is a good name because looking back it is all one big horrible blur. (Though as PP said - wether exH has a PD or not is immaterial in a way as it doesn't change anything)

I don't know if Cafcass have always been like that but I thought the worker we had was quite lacking in people skills given the job she was doing

OP posts:
Chadvalley · 20/01/2021 14:56

@Miramour

First of all I am so sorry for what you're going through, his behaviour is dreadful and anyone would struggle to cope with that level of incessant aggravation.

Whether or not he has a PD is neither here nor there, your focus needs to be your own well-being and also that of your children.

At all cost, you need to focus on maintaining good physical health(eating/exercise/sleeping) and mental health (set up an inbox "rule" to redirect email to a folder. Only look at them once a week, or get someone else to do it for you. My sister dealt with mine (she loved it!)

Consider trying meditation, there are lots of apps that are v simple and effective. Eventually you will be able to switch off every time you start to get intrusive thoughts about him.

This will help you stay strong and focused.

Practicalities: others have mentioned the mail redirect and letting all your contacts know your new address.

Also about alerting school to the difficulties re. homework and that the children come back unsettled so that they can supoort if need be.

Honestly his behaviour is so dreadful that it is difficult to understand why it is legal.

I think you would probably benefit from doing the Freedom programme or at least reading up on boundaries.
I appreciate you have a heck of a lot to contend with though so perhaps just focus on keeping things as simple as possible and maintaining your well-being for now.

Thank you. I have heard of the freedom program and it is definitely something I am interested in as I always seem to attract a very specific "type" and I want to stop myself from ever doing that again!
OP posts:
Pebbledashery · 20/01/2021 15:08

Cafcass is unfortunately luck of the draw. We had an amazing cafcass officer who did the safeguarding letter.. But im not sure who we'll have to do the section 7 and hope they are just as good.

Bluemaid3 · 31/01/2021 00:59

I had a similar experience with Cafcass and courts, my ex's abuse and control was ignored, even though I had reported it to police, he lied and charmed his way through courts, and he was given shared care AND ordered to live close to me for contact! No consideration to the fact I had tried to escape him to another country, all I got was an order for him not to harass me (can you get that?). Luckily things did calm down and we have been able to share care ok for the most part, but sometimes his old behaviour flares up and I get worried again. I'm 4,5 years from split and 3 years from divorce coming through.

Light11 · 05/02/2021 17:46

What a clown, he is clearly not moved on.

Do not for the love of god entertain his long ramblings this is going to take a lot of strength on your side.

I would consider to take this back to court on the grounds that the children are at risk of emotional harm being in the middle of you two arguing and place yourself as the more able and sensible (and available parent ) if you can.

Gather your evidence because it sounds like you will need it

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