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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:
GatOwfMarLaaaandInnitBabe · 02/05/2011 18:57

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Kittytickle · 02/05/2011 18:58

Black bird, I really hope you enjoy your holiday with your boy. It sounds like you both need it. What you have done is brave: I hope the holiday lessens the emotional toll that this is taking on you and your son.

GwendolineMaryLacey · 02/05/2011 18:58

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BertieBasset · 02/05/2011 18:59

I don't know what BRT means?

Leverkusen · 02/05/2011 19:00

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bustersmummy · 02/05/2011 19:01

GML - I have pm'd you as I'm Confused

Anniegetyourgun · 02/05/2011 19:03

Hah, GetOrf has a point, I mean, imagine two adults and two children making all this fuss over a Focus! You'd think it was a... well, a real car maybe.

Rest of it could be true as horrible people like that do exist, but that bit I find hard to swallow.

HecateQueenOfTheNight · 02/05/2011 19:04

Why the hell do you care how people who laugh and sneer at you, who have a horrible nickname for you, who expect you to subsidise you, who take take take and are clearly using you, feel?

I mean, why?

They don't give a flying fuck about you. Clearly they are using you. Do what you have to do and don't feel guilty.

GatOwfMarLaaaandInnitBabe · 02/05/2011 19:05

EVEN if you take it at face value

Have a closer look at the story of the ford focus, bought new last year, 2 grand deposit, all paid off out of savings to 'ensure ownership?'. Just doesn't stand up.

Don't believe in a month of sundays that a landlord would let the named tenant leave and have 2 other people (one a child) stay in the property. It could take months to get them out, and they may not pay in the meantime. If the house is BTL mortgaged she would be in default of her mortgage agreement. And even if she owns it free and clear there is not a landlord in the land who would risk their property in this way.

And if you are a regular MNer, don't you think you would post a few snippets of your story along the way, rather than leave it all, post about the insane texts when you decide to LEAVE and then post a great big novella to get 800 'you go girlfriend' posts.

I could go on.

HecateQueenOfTheNight · 02/05/2011 19:05

to subsidise them, that should read.

either get out or don't. That's your choice, but if you stay, stay knowing that they will continue to take the piss, mock and use you. And don't moan about it because you allow it.

thefatishistory · 02/05/2011 19:06

Just a thought, but what about taking your ds and (d)p and (d)sd to a hotel for the night before you are due to fly on holiday.

You could suggest it as your treat to start the holiday off. In the meantime, this would give your brother an extra day to clear your house for your before you give them the news that they are not going any further with you. That way, if they go straight back to your home all your stuff will be long gone.

Your partner sounds awful btw, what your talking about is emotional and financial abuse and I don't use those terms lightly. I'd also remove all your valuable papers, passports, tickets etc to a safe place now in case he gets any idea of what is happening.

annh · 02/05/2011 19:08

Oh surely not! When I opened this thread, the first thing I thought of was BRT but then there was no reference to any inappropriate behaviours between the DP and DSD so I thought this must be a new situation?

HecateQueenOfTheNight · 02/05/2011 19:08

oh. BRT.

Again?

Well, if it's her, I actually do think she's in the situation she describes. sort of. maybe not totally true.

and so I say - get out or shut the hell up moaning.

Either allow people to walk all over you, or stand up and wash the word "welcome" off your back.

But don't take it up the arse and whinge about it.

Nobody can help someone who won't help themself.

I hope you mean it that you are walking away. It's about time.

ZZZenAgain · 02/05/2011 19:09

hmm well I don't know, really don't . What is BRT though? An MN nick?

ShoutyHamster · 02/05/2011 19:09

OP says they are a regular in step parents though - ?? Assume if so then some of this will ring a bell for posters there?

HecateQueenOfTheNight · 02/05/2011 19:09

help themselves.

tsk.

HattiFattner · 02/05/2011 19:10

I think you are going about this the wrong way.

You need to kick them out, tell them to be out before your hols - you should give them time to find alternative accomodation, and that means telling them now to get out.

This way might make you feel really good, but it leaves the door wide open for him to take you for the biggest financial ride of your life....The house, the bills, the car, the bank accounts - he will try and scam you on everything, so spend the next 2 days working out exactly where there are financial vulnerabilities. Also get legal advice on declaring yourself not responsible for his debts.

Stash all your valuables, including your spare car key, then give them a weeks notice. Take everything of value to your brothers before you tell them.

Clear out the joint account of half, and get him to sign the papers to release the rest into his own account. I love the idea of cancelling his card!

Then move your stuff out on schedule and make sure they leave the house the day your stuff gets moved out. While your brother is there.

Then hand over both sets of keys to the landlord, get her to do inventory while you are there. Get her to sign the deposit to you, not share it between you.

While revenge is a dish best served cold, leaving a young girl homeless is not really OK. Where do you expect them to sleep that night?

MigratingCoconuts · 02/05/2011 19:10

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2rebecca · 02/05/2011 19:14

Agree with the sceptics, just been thinking about this thread in the bath and the obsession of everyone with cars and holidays rather than properly ending a relationship and unentangling a joint tenancy and joint bank accounts properly doesn't compute.
If this thread is real forget the holidays and see a solicitor, protect your money and tell the bloke it is over.
Do some people really think leaving a girl homeless is a good idea just because her father has allowed her to behave obnoxiously?

Prunnhilda · 02/05/2011 19:17

What's BRT?
Hmm, I take my slight awe back Grin

RudeEnglishLady · 02/05/2011 19:18

It sounds familiar albeit a sad situation whichever way you look at it.

Maelstrom · 02/05/2011 19:18

I know there are people saying that you have to tell him about what you are planning before hand. My advice is DON"T DO IT!

... it just would make things far more difficult and nasty. In any case, they are not deserving of the courtesy to be let know they are being dumped. Your P is sick in acting in front of his DD as if you were the enemy. They have been taking advantage of you, don't give them the opportunity to talk you out of this/get more damaged in the process.

mathanxiety · 02/05/2011 19:20

It will be the father's responsibility to take care of his own DD. What could the OP possibly owe this girl or her father?

The only quibble I feel here is the tit for tat nature of the plans being hatched and the anxiety the OP feels that she is doing the right thing here -- this has to be the end of the relationship, and I agree she should leave no legal or financial stone unturned, never look back, make sure there will be no tie to bind this man to her in any way.It's not a game that will continue some time in the future. This man has absolutely no respect for the OP and has a seriously unhealthy relationship with his DD (which will hopefully bite him in the bum one day but the OP will never know about this because she will never again have anything to do with this man. Right, OP?)

BecauseImWorthIt · 02/05/2011 19:20

I don't really understand why you have had to namechange. Surely you were anonymous before, with whatever name you were using? What's so wrong about people from MN recognising you?

GatOwfMarLaaaandInnitBabe · 02/05/2011 19:20

I think someone has got a real crush on ford focuses focusses focus' foci CARS.

I have got a focus. It's not that clever.

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