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Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

DP and his DD are in for one hell of a shock. Have I gone too far?

264 replies

BlackBirdSinging · 02/05/2011 17:21

I have namechanged but am a regular (cod, gregs etc) I frequent the step parent forum so if you recognise me pls don't out me. Brief background - DP and I got together 4 years ago, I moved in with him at first but found it hard to make the house feel like my home so we eventually moved to a mutual house (me, DP DSD and DS). He is a true disney dad, hands her everything on a plate, she does no wrong, she's misunderstood etc. It has caused no end of arguments but its not just this, he constantly lies to me and keeps things from me, goes against my wishes, does whatever he wants and doesn't factor in my feelings on anything. The gist of it is that I feel I have been taken entirely for a ride. I earn double what he does which isn't a problem, I would have been willing to say what's mine is yours but they have been taking the piss for years. The original plan was that we split all income (mine and his wage) and then pay half the bills each, put a bit into savings and then split whatever is left so we each have "an equal amount of personal money". This worked well at first until he stopped paying his half of the savings. He'd blow all his money and then expect me to give him some of mine. He insisted that DSd's pocket money be doubled but still insisted on us paying for everything for her so she never had to spend it. He agreed to expensive horse riding lessons without consulting me about it despite the fact that I'd be the one that had to pay for them. Last april we booked a holiday abroad, we decided to lay down £1000 deposit. When it came to booking it DP said he had no money but if I laid it out he'd give me £100 towards it and then paid me the rest when he got paid. I was furious but did it. Needless to say I never saw the rest of it so I personally have laid out £900 on the holiday. He's put £100 on it. (remember the household income is split so it's not as if I have more money than him, we both have the same). There was always a lot of whispering etc going on between him and DSD, they'd go in the kitchen and shut the door and I'd hear them whispering etc. One night I read his text messages and she'd sent him one saying "just tell her your using her car, you pay for it too". He replied "but she'll be using it then" and she replied "she can use the old one, dont let her boss you around. I'm seriously not going in the crappy old car, we are using hers. Just dont even tell her, just take it x" and he replied with "lol I'll see what I can do".

This was basically a discussion on him using my car to take her to a party. We have two cars, a 10 year old rover and a 2010 Focus. The focus is mine. I was planning to use it this particular night to visit friends (in which I'd also be driving friends in it). He went outside that night, came in said his car wouldn't start and he'd have to take mine or DD would be late. I said he couldn't use it as I also had plans. He said I was being selfish making his dd miss a party just so I could visit friends for an hour. I backed down. I saw them pull away laughing in my car. I didn't want to cancel so tried the rover myself. It was fine. When I saw the texts I realised what had happened.

Things like this happen all the time. I checked his phone often after this and noticed they had given me a rather cruel nickname which they referred to me in their texts. They were also laughing about my DS being bullied on facebook and I came across a text in which she was trying to convince him to take my credit card to buy her a laptop. (He was considering it, I could tell by his responses).

I checked her phone once too and came across messages between her and a friend in which she told her friend that I was a horrible bitch and really selfish and her dad hated me and only stayed with me for money etc. They had a good laugh about me and towards the end she told her friend "I hope he kicks the shit out of her cos I know he wants to and shed never be able to prove it was him lol"

So, nail on the coffin - she came home from horse-riding one day with a leaflet about a pony camp. He asked me if I'd lend him the money to let her go. I said no, simply because he still owed me £400 for the holiday PLUS we still needed to find another £2k to pay OFF the holiday which was blatently going to be left to me to pay. We ended up having a massive row, I told him I was sick of him and wanted to split up. He said he couldn't wait to see the back of me. Stupidly we did make up but he told her she could go on the pony camp. I told him that if she went on the pony camp, not only would I refuse to pay a penny towards it but I'd also take both of their names off the holiday booking. When I checked his phone later that night she'd sent a text saying "what if she really does take us off the hol?" and he replied "don't worry, she won't x" Another text read "if you do split up, make sure we get the focus" and he replied "lol I definately would".

So the current situation is I HAVE taken them off the holiday booking. I have paid off the Focus so it is legally all mine and I have secured DS and I another house to move in to when we come back off our holiday. My brother will be collecting my belongings (almost everything in the house since he hasn't paid for sod all)

They have no idea about any of it. Why the hell am I starting to feel guilty/scared/nervous about the whole thing?? I know the shit is going to hit the fan because he can't afford to keep that house himself so he'll get thrown out. He'll be furious about the car (so will she) and they'll be gutted about the holiday. Have I royally cocked all this up? I feel like I'm doing the wrong thing somewhere. I'm gutted about the whole thing and just can't think straight.

OP posts:
seachange · 04/05/2011 15:45

Oooooh thumbwitch, haven't seen you around for aaaggges. :)

thumbwitch · 04/05/2011 16:04

I've been here seachange - where've you been?? Wink
Probably just not posting in the same places, hey. How are you anyway?

QuackQuackBoing · 04/05/2011 16:48

Wow! Good for you! They are treating you like a c*nt and sound so horrible. Does he know that you know the lied about the car etc or would that give the game away?

QuackQuackBoing · 04/05/2011 16:49

Woah just realised I've missed 10 pages!

prettyfly1 · 04/05/2011 19:50

I know who this person is and they are not a troll and there are rules about calling people that on this site.

OP I really hope for your sake you do it this time - the text thing happens a lot and I really dont want to see any more posts like this from you in the future - move on then go back to your usual name and fill us in.

Pancakeflipper · 04/05/2011 20:17

Please OP do update when you can. Wishing you all the best and sending you bravery vibes.

yoshiLunk · 04/05/2011 20:20

thank you, Prettyfly, I knew this all rang a bell as genuine, just haven't been around for a while and couldn't place it. I am under a new name since having an MN break, but regular on SP.

all the best from me too.

BecauseImWorthIt · 04/05/2011 20:31

I'm 'glad' this isn't a troll (but what an awful situation for the OP to be in).

It's a funny place, MN, at the moment.

Apologies for casting any aspersions, and good luck for a successful outcome to this story.

Anniegetyourgun · 04/05/2011 20:35

In that case, my apologies as well, and hope everything goes smoothly for the OP in ridding herself of a pair of unpleasant bloodsuckers.

(Still can't get my head round everybody fighting over a Focus though.)

MadameCastafiore · 04/05/2011 20:42

I think you are fucking brilliant - would love to see the shock on their faces when they realise what has happened - sounds like couldn't happen to nicer people either. They sound like they have been taking the piss for a long while and you don't deserve that. Surely he is not such a looker or so great in bed that you would pay him and effectively that is what you are doing!

DO NOT BACK DOWN OR TELL THEM BEFORE HAND.

manticlimactic · 04/05/2011 22:39

I recognise the back story from another thread a while back. Why is everyone calling troll? Confused

manticlimactic · 04/05/2011 22:42

didn't read xposted the last few posts. Blush

confuddledDOTcom · 04/05/2011 22:48

Nothing to add really just wanted to be another encouraging voice and want to keep updated on this one.

As others have said you may not be being physically abused but it is abuse. In some ways I think it's worse when you're not being hit. I remember saying to myself over and again when I was married I'd leave if he hit me, I put up with a lot because he never hit me, I'd have killed him if he had laid a finger on me! I once fell down the stairs when I was in the house alone. I was lying at the bottom of the stairs crying and shouting (right by the front door) hoping someone would hear me. I found out a lot later, after we split up, that my neighbour heard me but was too scared to come in because she knew I was being abused and thought it was physical and I was calling because he had hit me. She told Mum a lot later and Mum challenged me on it - not realising what it was she'd heard. I told her if he had she'd have known about it because I'd have half killed him (well... I'd have to leave some for her, my brother, my brother's mates, XH's mate who was rather protective of me...)

I can see what's going on with the car. They want it because it's nicer than his, your son has probably picked up on that and doesn't want you to be diddled by them. I don't think he's worried about the car as such, just you. Has your brother got a friend who can look after the car? If your partner knows where your brother lives it would be a good idea not to have it outside his house.

Ignore the people who are skeptical, you're doing the right thing keep strong.

EightiesChick · 04/05/2011 22:49

You're only doing what you said you would re the holiday and the pony thing so don't wobble. They both need to learn a lesson. How has your poor DS coped being stuck living with a pair like this? The sooner you and he move on the better.

kalo12 · 04/05/2011 23:00

omg!!!

The only thing I would say is that if you feel you have gone too far then it may mean that you will be more inclined to cave in and back down because you will feel guilty. I think for your own sanity you have to bahave in a fair manner so that you can feel in control and justified. He sounds like a spineless idiot, the dsd sounds damaged.

you are well rid so just keep your sanity and dignity intact.

I would tell him that you have read all the texts and you are leaving him, and get a lawyer. The end! good luck

kalo12 · 04/05/2011 23:13

I think you need to tell him that you have given notice on the house - say one/ two months - and he can renew house contract in his name if he wants but you are moving out straight away. Then you will not feel you are making them homeless, you are giving the responsibility back to him. He can stay if he can afford it or move out to somewhere he can afford.

Then go on hol and move out. If you tell him you are leaving him then you have no obligation to go on hols with him. alternatively just cancel the holiday and book somewhere else with just you and your ds.

I now you fell you want revenge, but really the best thing is just to get out of this relationship. The best revenge is for you to go off and have a happy and fulfilled life

braidedsilver · 04/05/2011 23:19

Stick to your guns girl. Don't let them walk all over you. I'd also slap them both with a restraining order, just in case.

Feelsolonely · 05/05/2011 16:54

Hey I just wanted to say I hope it all goes ok, Im in the same financial situation as you and Im thinking of leaving DP and his DD(5yo) because basically I just cant cope with it anymore (even tho im 25 weeks pregnant :()

I really hope things work out for you and your DC - as others have said stick to your guns

Oh and Re the namechange im a regular too on Step-Parent and Pregnancy etc but DP knows my usual MN name so I changed it for advice today! So any help I need re leaving him/finances etc I use a different name.

BecauseImWorthIt · 07/05/2011 00:26

I just wanted to let you know that I reported myself for troll-hunting. I did, however, as is the etiquette of the forum, also report my doubts about the veracity of this thread. That is why so many posts have been deleted.

MNHQ have taken the view that they will let the thread stay, as there is so much sympathetic, empathetic and - above all - helpful advice given, that might help anyone else who happens to be in this situation.

Again - apologies to the OP if this is a genuine post, and apologies for the troll hunting.

FirstTimeMum1 · 07/05/2011 05:06

What a pair of arse holes! don't feel sorry for her not going on holiday, sounds like they'd just spoil it for you and your son anyway! At least the 2 of you can go away and relax properly (you deserve a break!!)

If the tenancy is in your name won't you have to end it? Otherwise you could be paying for it of he decides he doesn't want to pay.

It's men like him that give guys a bad name and thanks to karma he (and his brat of a daughter) will get what they deserve...

iscream · 07/05/2011 13:28

I'd leave too if I were in that situation. Good luck.

neuroticmumof3 · 07/05/2011 20:19

what's trolling and troll hunting? sorry if i'm being really dense

confuddledDOTcom · 07/05/2011 21:41

A troll is someone who posts on a forum deliberately to inflame, troll hunting is calling out a troll on the thread. MumsNet discourage it because if it's a real troll you're feeding them and if it's not you can hurt someone who is genuinely looking for help.

complimentary · 07/05/2011 21:51

Why are you with him? and what about your DS how old is he, is he happy in this situation. Sounds horrible to me, I would want out.

EllieG · 07/05/2011 22:00

Brilliant. You stay strong.