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Relationships

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:
Prunnhilda · 02/05/2011 17:35

I'm a bit confused though: if you've taken them off the holiday booking, what will they do while you and your ds are away?

WorzselMaamage · 02/05/2011 17:35

Good for you! You go girl! Xx

boodles · 02/05/2011 17:35

I also agree about getting your stuff out before the holiday. I would also make sure you have all keys to the car, make sure it is in your name and he is not insured to drive it and put it somewhere he cannot find it while you are away.

Naetha · 02/05/2011 17:35

You're doing the right thing, no question about it. Five years down the line you'll look back on it and wonder why you didn't get out sooner.

Get ready for the fact that his DD will hate you forever and ever and ever though, and hate you like nobody but a rebuffed teenager can. But it shouldn't bother you.

bellavita · 02/05/2011 17:36

They sound like a right pair. You have done the right thing.

bronze · 02/05/2011 17:36

Well done, stay strong

Prunnhilda · 02/05/2011 17:36

Oops, X posts.
As for her feeling bad, yes she will and it's a shame as she's been badly brought up by her dad - all the same, you can't carry on as things are so tell her you read the texts and to ask her dad to teach her right from wrong.

EvenLessNarkyPuffin · 02/05/2011 17:36

I've seen other posts from you about this. I think you're doing absolutely the right thing. He is treating you with a complete lack of respect. He is encouraging his daughter to treat you as a cash machine.

Make sure that you have all the relevant documents/receipts for the items your brother will be removing and the car. Also make sure that your bank/card details are not around or saved on any on line accounts eg Amazon.

GwendolineMaryLacey · 02/05/2011 17:36

F-u-c-k-i-n-g- h-e-l-l... I don't know what to say other than I don't know how you haven't nailed his balls to a tree before now. No way have you gone too far, they have asked for every second of the pissed-offness that's coming.

Be strong, good luck, keep us posted. And if possible take a picture of their faces.

NoseyNooNoo · 02/05/2011 17:36

I think you need to give notice on the tenancy so it's not your problem if they won't leave. You may of course forfeit your deposit.

MumInBeds · 02/05/2011 17:37

Are you going to make sure they don't know your new address at least until you return from holiday?

belgo · 02/05/2011 17:37

Yes get your stuff out before you leave for holiday, and put your car somewhere safe.

Of course you feel nervous and upset, you trusted this man and hoped to have a happy future, but it's turned out that he is using you.

Good luck.

Prunnhilda · 02/05/2011 17:37

What will happen to the house if the tenancy is in your name? Won't you be responsible for the rent?

millie30 · 02/05/2011 17:37

Don't feel sorry for her! You are teaching her a valuable life lesson, which is not to treat people like shit, one that her father clearly never bothered to teach her!

MumInBeds · 02/05/2011 17:38

Oh, and don't forget to organise whatever you need to in terms of joint bank accounts/credit cards and getting your name off any utility bills and tenancy agreement.

Hardandsleazy · 02/05/2011 17:38

You have done the right thing- I suppose it's natural to be nervous but nothing in what you post hints at any good reason why you or ds would stay in such a relationship.

When is the holiday? Does dp know any of
Your passwords, have access to any bank accounts or credit cards? I would block all access , take half cash out etc before you get back.

Reality · 02/05/2011 17:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

hocuspontas · 02/05/2011 17:38

Remember to sever all links to joint accounts, take what's yours and make sure your salary is paid into your personal account.

VivaLeBeaver · 02/05/2011 17:38

And make sure the car is at your brothers along with any spare keys before you go. They may try and damge it/take it.

GwendolineMaryLacey · 02/05/2011 17:39

Are they going to be able to get all your things safely before you go? I'd have been almost tempted to take them on the holiday, get your brother to clear the house while you're away and then say "see ya!" at the airport when you get back. :o

crystalglasses · 02/05/2011 17:40

The only problem I can see is that if the tenecy is in your name you will be liable for the rent and so they will live rent free. If you want to hand back the tenency you will have to evict them both from the property first.

SkipToTheEnd · 02/05/2011 17:40

You have put up with enough already - you and your DS deserve better and you've taken seps to make that happen so don't feel guilty at all.

He needs to realise he can't behave like this. What a horrible example he's showing his daughter. I really hope hell have to turn himself around and work to get everything you've given him for free so that she may see you don't get something for nothing.

Enjoy your holiday and god luck for your fresh start.

activate · 02/05/2011 17:41

don't forget to open new sole banking accounts and transfer your savings back into it and your salary of course

also end your household bills - take your name off them

I think you're doing brilliantly - and any time you feel sorry for the DSD remember she is hoping her dad beats you up and she wants your money

MrsKwazii · 02/05/2011 17:42

No you are not going too far, in fact you probably aren't going far enough. Before you go on holiday, make sure you have spoken to landlord to take you off the tenancy, and for all services and utilities, give final readings and give notice on the accounts. As other posters have said, you don't want to be liable for any costs that he will inevitably run up.

You are doing the right thing for you and your child, don't let worries set in. You sound amazing, good luck!

ShoutyHamster · 02/05/2011 17:43

WELL DONE.

What a scummy pair.

Apple doesn't fall far from the tree does it!

I'd just be handing over a letter detailing everything you know about their shitty behaviour when they ask what the hell is going on- save you the trouble of saying it all and give him something nice to re-read and let sink in during his booked leave that he won't be needing.

Make sure all joint stuff is dealt with - but of course you'll have that in hand - you sound awesome.

Please don't waste a second feeling guilty. They are poison.

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