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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:
FabbyChic · 02/05/2011 18:22

Please don't feel guilty you are being taken for a ride, you are doing the right thing.

He is taking you for a mug and so is his daughter.

Be strong you can do this, you deserve better than you are getting.

Don't tell him where you are going you owe this ponce and his daughter nothing.

JaxTellersOldLady · 02/05/2011 18:23

OP you have had some fantastic advice on this thread, just want to reiterate DO NOT back down. But do make sure you have everything important and money matters sorted out asap.

FabbyChic · 02/05/2011 18:24

Having re read the thread, I second the opinion that the day before your holiday you leave as your brother collects all your belongings and everything you own in the house, you don't do this on your own you need support.

YOU ARE DOING THE RIGHT THING.

ivykaty44 · 02/05/2011 18:25

Clear internet history each time you use the interent, just incase he snoops

NancyTwitford · 02/05/2011 18:26

Chinny reckon

cremeeggsbenedict · 02/05/2011 18:26

Re changing joint accounts - when I broke up with exDP I was told I couldn't take his name off accounts, I had to close the accounts and open new ones. I was, naturally, furious that they were allowing exDP access to my funds but they told me that I couldn't do anything about it.

Being very naughty, I called back and spoke to a different call centre bod and said DP had lost his card and it needed to be cancelled. They weren't happy about doing it, but when I said that the bank would be responsible for any funds taken without our consent they cancelled said card. ExDP was still named on the account but had no access - it might be a good short term plan to keep your money safe.

FabbyChic · 02/05/2011 18:28

get all your money paid into a new account, set up a new bank account and get your wages etc., paid into that.

AllOverIt · 02/05/2011 18:30

I agree. Sort your finances, don't leave ANYTHING in the house when you go, or it won't be there when you get back. Hide the car. Make sure that you are in no way liable for anything that crops up financially. Get what you need out of the savings, close any joint accounts and open fresh ones.

All power to you, I think they deserve everything they get.

WorzselMaamage · 02/05/2011 18:30

How old is the daughter ?

MmeLindt · 02/05/2011 18:33

Good for you.

Agree with others - get legal advice.

Sort out your bank accounts.

Don't feel guilty, not for a moment. Every time you feel yourself softening think about those horrid texts - if you can, take a photo of the worst of them.

Leave them a note saying, "Gone on holiday with DS, house lease cancelled, focus hidden, will not be back" and sign it with the horrible nickname so that they know that you have seen their texts.

Kirk1 · 02/05/2011 18:35

Oh to be a fly on the wall when they realise! I think they should be told "you reap what you sow" -as in, they've been asking for this to happen and they more than deserve it. You're not doing anything wrong, in fact WRT the holiday you are doing what you SAID you'd do, so they can't complain they weren't warned. Children don't learn if you never follow through with a threat. Or at least they learn they can continue to take advantage. This pair need the sharp lesson you're about to hand them.

Out of curiosity how does your soon-to-be-exP think he'll get your car if his name isn't on the registration anyway? Is he just thick or does he have a claim on it?

neuroticmumof3 · 02/05/2011 18:37

I think you're absolutely doing the right thing. They sound absolutely foul. Good luck with your new life.

Kirk1 · 02/05/2011 18:38

love MmeLindt's suggestion for the note :) Especially signing it with the nickname so they know why they're dumped :o

2rebecca · 02/05/2011 18:39

I'm not sure why you are waiting and not just telling him now that the relationship is over that you no longer love or respect each other and that you feel he is just using you for your money. He and his daughter need time to find somewhere else to live. The holiday is a minor part of the whole relationship thing, if he is more upset at the loss of a holiday than the break up of the relationship thenI would tell him his priorities are wrong. also tell him that you already told him that you were not going with him and his daughter, and if he didn't believe you that's not your fault he should have clarified it with you.
I agree that you should move half the money from the joint account into a personal account and then get the account blocked so he can't get it overdrawn and encur huge charges you would have to pay.
It sounds as though this relationship really ended along time ago. Not really sure why you got back together with him as he sounds horrid.

Bellebelicious · 02/05/2011 18:42

Blackbird - not only are they hideous - but I'm worried about you. You are making excuses for them. Please don't. The way they talked about you is beyond awful. Don't back down - if you tell them beforehand I am sure they will get revenge.

There is probably even more to this - such a horrible pair must have been horrible to your DS too. Get him out of that poisonous atmosphere and enjoy your life - it will be much easier without them.

Longtalljosie · 02/05/2011 18:46

Look at it this way. Your DSD will learn, possibly for the first time, that actions have consequences. You're doing her a favour.

thefatishistory · 02/05/2011 18:49

Please make sure he can't trash the house when he founds out what you're doing. If the tenancy is in your name you'll be held responsible for the damage. If you speak to your landlord he may agree to you changing the locks to protect your property and also his.

nometime · 02/05/2011 18:49

Make sure you take BOTH sets of car keys.

GatOwfMarLaaaandInnitBabe · 02/05/2011 18:50

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ZZZenAgain · 02/05/2011 18:51

why? Come back and explain yourself!

keepingupwiththejoneses · 02/05/2011 18:51

You have defiantly done the right thing, well thought out as well. Some advice from experience though, make sure you tell the landlord as soon as you can and get the logbook for the car transferred to your new address asap too. You just never know! Enjoy your holiday, it is a new beginning for you and your DS.

Melly19MummyToBe · 02/05/2011 18:52

Go you BlackBird! Hope you and your DS have a nice relaxing holiday :o

FabbyChic · 02/05/2011 18:53

You feel guilty becuase you are a good person, but it is because you are good that you are being taken the piss out of, they think of you as soft, manipulable.

They are taking you for a ride you deserve better.

BecauseImWorthIt · 02/05/2011 18:55

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bellavita · 02/05/2011 18:57

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