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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:
clam · 02/05/2011 21:55

Why do people name-change, but then tell you who they used to be? Defeats the purpose, surely?
And didn't cod have her own trademark whacky spelling?
Hmm
Call me naive, but I just don't believe people (like the DP and DSD here) can be so vile. Actually, I'm glad to be naive if they really do exist.

caramelwaffle · 02/05/2011 22:17

This particular OP is a MNetter whose story is known to those who post on the Step Parents section of this site: if you suspect her of being a troll then, as MmeLindt suggests, report to MN then hide the thread.

atswimtwolengths · 02/05/2011 22:20

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Pancakeflipper · 02/05/2011 22:25

I usually can whiff a troll. I didn't with this. Thought it was extreme but it fitted in with previous posts I had read ( but could have been 'fooled' then).

Still clueless if troll or not.

But anyway, if there's anyone out there in a horrible similar situation please see the good advice and don't be afraid to post.

oldraver · 02/05/2011 23:38

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Pigglesworth · 03/05/2011 00:13

I have been accused of being a troll before when posting about a sensitive problem that was causing a lot of hurt for me/ family members, which was difficult to post about (under a namechange). It is extremely hurtful to be called a troll when you're not and you're exposing a vulnerable side to yourself, even if it is an unusual problem. Especially because the underlying message to the poster is, "Your problem is so unbelievable/ ridiculous that I don't believe you're telling the truth". No matter whether or not this person is a troll, I thought that as per Mumsnet protocol, if you suspect a poster is not genuine, you report the post, rather than accusing the poster in their thread, talking in code language for pages and telling everyone why you "never believed the poster anyway".

Even if someone is a troll, I think posters spending a few minutes typing out a considered response not knowing that the problem is actually fictitious, is not as bad as accusing people of being trolls without knowing for sure whether or not you're correct (however confident you might feel/ portray yourself).

amberleaf · 03/05/2011 01:41

I too recognise the back story from step parents section.

Re name change...maybe thats so the 'D'P doesnt see it under her usual name that he may know?

MollyMurphy · 03/05/2011 01:44

Its sounds like you've organized yourself very well to do what must be done. They deserve to be off the holiday no question in my mind. Your partners behaviour is beyond inmature - he sounds like his daughters school friend instead of a proper parent.

Stick to the plan hun is my advice - have everything arranged for a smooth transition so there is no need to have a face to face until things have cooled down.

MollyMurphy · 03/05/2011 01:47

Oh and I'd start taking important items out of the house NOW before you go - at every possible opportunity you have. You don't want items to go missing. I'd be worried about your partner refusing your brother entry to the home.

MollyMurphy · 03/05/2011 01:52

Okay wait, reading more I see you are the tenent at the place - why don't you just kick them out? If they trash the place you will lose your damage deposit. I see now your brothers coming the day before the trip when you can give authorization for him to get in. Don't hesitate to call the police if things escalate - they help keep the peace when people get their stuff all the time (here anyway).

seachange · 03/05/2011 01:53

My one thought was that you might want to give your DP back the money he paid for the holiday, just so he can't throw that in your face. I know the whole thing has been horribly unequal, but I just think that covers you, if you can bear it.

MmeLindt · 03/05/2011 07:34

I agree, Pigglesworth. If I give advice on one thread that was posted by a troll, then I have likely given advice on dozens of threads by real people who are in a difficult situation. The fact that occasionally I will have posted on a thread where the OP is not real, or has embellished her story does not bother me.

What does bother me is that posters like yourself will be less likely to ask for help and advice if they are worried that they may be called a troll.

MarioandLuigi · 03/05/2011 07:44

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BertieBasset · 03/05/2011 08:05

But other posters clearly recognise this poster from the step parents board? So leave the troll comments, it isn't fair and that is what the report button is for.

exhausted2011 · 03/05/2011 10:15

re the housing situation
The tenancy is in her name. She has given notice, end of.
she is leaving
Where does it say that the landlord should be or is interested in the DP or DSD?

yoshiLunk · 03/05/2011 10:28

I am sticking my neck out here but the troll yellers amongst you are barking under the wrong bridge, - this isn't BRT or any of her alter egos.

Like amberleaf I recognise her back story as a long standing regular on the SP board, sometimes people change details so as not to be identified and this results in the story sounding 'iffy'.

Good luck op, your situation hasn't be right for some time, time to get out.

StayingDavidTennantsGirl · 03/05/2011 10:42

I read your OP here yesterday, and I hope that things go well for you when you move out - I think what you are doing takes courage, and it certainly sounds like you are doing the right thing - your oh and his dd sound frightful.

mathanxiety · 03/05/2011 16:45

I've seen at least one other thread too. Glad things will soon be resolved because this has been sucking the life out of you for a while OP. Still amazed you haven't had a good blub about the sheer nastiness of the P and the SD towards you.

2rebecca · 03/05/2011 23:27

I still don't feel the first paragraph "we eventually moved into a mutual house" fits with the OP's idea she can make her partner of 4 years and his daughter homeless just because only her name is on the tennancy agreement. I would have a low opinion of a man who could do that to a woman and child.
This isn't her house that the bloke just moved into. This is a house they all decided to move to together.
He is now behaving appallingly and taking advantage of her and behaving like an entitled cocklodger, but his daughter no matter how obnoxious doesn't deserve to be made homeless as her father has encouraged her entitled demander type behaviour.
They need to be told the freeloading has come to an end and given time to find a new home.

Northernlurker · 03/05/2011 23:41

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BettyBloomfield · 04/05/2011 07:18

I hope the troll callers feel proud of their work because tbh if this is genuine your work must be destroying her self confidence and frankly other posters (in similar situations) looking in will feel that.

If it's not genuine so I've wasted two posts. Just don't post if you feel it's unlikely???

My situation was similar with a man draining me dry financially and I did find a lot of money to get shot of him and run.

Maelstrom · 04/05/2011 07:18

FWIW, I know a 28 year old that sends texts like those to his father. Her mum left the house years ago empty handed as she couldn't bear the wait and fight to try to get her share of the marriage assets any longer. This woman even rings her dad to bring her other shoes to work if the ones she is using are not comfortable enough. Her dad, a high ranking police officer, goes home for the shoes and delivers them to the office in less than an hour.

I recognise being totally baffled at that, but sometimes reality is stranger than fiction. Does talking about this woman makes me a troll? I don't think so.

MrsSchadenfreude · 04/05/2011 08:34

NL - surely it would depend on how much she earned, as to how quickly she could pay off the car. If she's spending 3K on a holiday, she's not exactly hard up.

"Supporting useless men and children" - apart from the fact that he seems to be a nasty piece of work, surely no different from a high earning man supporting a SAHM and kids?

BsshBossh · 04/05/2011 09:48

Where did the OP go?

thumbwitch · 04/05/2011 15:36

Having managed quite successfully to lend a far-larger-than-I-could-afford sum of money to a lowlife boyfriend I was with for 6m, I can quite easily see how one can get suckered in to the financial imbalance that the OP is describing, whether troll or not.

It's not hard - the emotional blackmail level, the constant pressure - I even funded the fucker's holiday money, so he could go away with his buddy on a shagfest week in Corfu or somesuch place. Idiot that I am - but he was very plausible and just didn't let up until I gave in.
The only saving grace I can be thankful for is that I wasn't quite daft enough to take out a loan for him. I nearly did though - I ended up refusing to take it, thus earning myself a black mark on my credit rating.

In any kind of emotionally abusive relationship (which this appears to be) the abused partner will give in to any amount of seemingly unbelievable shit, just to try and regain some equilibrium, IME. :(