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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

please help me to help my daughter

17 replies

looksee · 21/02/2012 23:04

DD was happily married to a lovely man we all adored... WRONG he was a bastard who made her life hell. We knew nothing until she reached the end of her tether and threw him out. DH and I were shocked to the core and have spent many tearful sleepless nights wondering why we let her down so badly by not seeing through him. She is proud, brave and strong and is coping well I think! because she refuses to discuss anything with us, all enquires are met with "mind your own business" or "I'm fine" so we visit regularlly take her and the children out talk about anything but the situation. I so want to help but I don't know what to do! we love her dearly and totally accept she has done the right thing and will support her in the future. please advise me.. what should I do?

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ImperialBlether · 21/02/2012 23:06

God, what a difficult situation.

It must have been very painful for her to be married to a man who ill-treated her but fooled everyone else into thinking he was great. Really awful.

She had a responsibility, though, to talk to you about it earlier. You were fooled by him and she shouldn't have let that happen.

Do you think you thought he was so great that you would have argued with her if she'd suggested he wasn't in fact so great?

oikopolis · 21/02/2012 23:10

Just be there for her in whatever way she allows you to. Hug her, care for the children, take her shopping, or leave her alone if she asks. What matters is respecting her boundaries. After all her H has eroded her self-respect by violating her boundaries... so it's your job to help her build those back up, by listening to her when she says "no" (or "yes").

And please don't blame yourself. You sound like you love your DD dearly and want to do right by her, and nothing else could be more important.

looksee · 21/02/2012 23:12

I would have been shocked but my DD is a private soul if she had told me something as monumental as that I would not have doubted her.

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LoopyElly · 21/02/2012 23:15

I was in a similar situation to your daughter and I should imagine my mum felt as bad as you do. The important thing to remember is that you haven't failed her or let her down. She could have told you at any point but she chose not to, and if you try to make her talk about it the chances are she will clam up. Just let her know you are always going to be there for her no matter what then if she chooses to she can talk it over with you. I still haven't told my mum all that went on, she is amazingly supportive but to tell other people somehow makes it more real when it's something I'd rather forget. Of course, everyone is different but I hope that will help you xXx

why5am · 21/02/2012 23:15

I'd tell her exactly what you just posted here in a written form (e-mail or letter) that gives her time to respond/so she's not put on the spot. Then raise it with her gently, if she doesn't and ask her if there's anything else at all you can do to support her or help her.. Perhaps for her, just knowing that she has your support and offer of help will be helpful in itself and may be something she comes back to you for if/when she's feeling differently about accepting help..

mjawch · 21/02/2012 23:22

I am in the same situtation as your daughter. I was married to a man who I loved dearly although he abused me. For him to turn around and tell me is hasnt loved me for 3 years and hates me. Everyone sees him as a happy go lucky kinda guy. He loves to be liked so changes his persona so fit with others.
He made a fool of me.
Perhaps your daughter is extremely embrassed, feels like shes failed and let everyone down... I know I do.
My mum has struggled with it all, is wide awake at night trying to understand it.
I think giving her some space is good. I dont wish to talk about my situation all the time. Its nice to have something else going on.
Could you take her out once a week with the kids? plan a coffee morning every week? You have to talk over coffee, she may open up in her own time.
I hid alot from my family, I didnt want them worrying or seeing my fat lips and black eyes. Perhaps theres more to it and shes too upset and isnt ready to open up.
If you are around enough, in time, she will talk to you xxx

looksee · 22/02/2012 00:22

I would never expect her to tell me everything I can understand why that would be painful, it is the "now" that I would like to help with, she was with him for a long time it must be so lonely for her now but she won't let me comfort her.We feel so angry and betrayed by her EXH we trusted him completly I can't imagine how awful it must be for her but she seems to regard my pity as an insult and bawls at me if I say anything against him.
I am proud of her independance and strength and her courage

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tallwivglasses · 22/02/2012 01:09

Then tell her that Smile

She's lucky to have such a cool mum.

looksee · 22/02/2012 01:58

I have! and told her the whole family is shocked and appalled by his behaviour and are on her side! I was told not to be melodramatic.

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Amychanger · 22/02/2012 04:05

You could be my mum writing this. I am going through something similar right now and I know my mum means well but really I just want to be left alone to get on with things.

I don't want my mum to be overly concerned and I don't want her to be upset on my behalf and I don't want anybody's pity.

Yesterday, my mum tried to arrange for me to talk to a counsellor and I told her I didn't need to. (Truth is, I already am talking to a counsellor but I didn't tell her).

I don't know why I am reacting like this but I do know that I am showing the world that I am a big, strong girl and I can take care of myself.

I would take practical help like a home cooked meal so I didn't always need to think about stuff like this. Perhaps ring and say you've made something for dinner and you made extra so you're bringing some round for her and the kids?

Sorry to read you feel hurt but please understand she is hurting and just needs time and space to get over it.

SittingBull · 22/02/2012 06:59

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

joanofarchitrave · 22/02/2012 07:07

slightly different situation but one of the things that held me in my first marriage was fear of the massive emotional reactions that I thought leaving him would unleash in others. as it happened, when I left him there was nothing of the sort - my friends and family just spent time with me, listened if I said anything but barely commented, helped me get on with life. The marriage had been a kind of emotional storm, especially in the final months and to move beyond it into calm waters was an unbelievable relief.

try and deal with your own feelings in your own time - i think posting on here is a good idea. do what you are doing - be around for her, listen if she speaks. You are feeling that you should have done more in the past - I don't think that's the case, you accepted and loved a son in law who appeared to love your daughter, it's hardly a crime. Don't let the desire to change the past mean that you overwhelm her in the present.

glassandahalf · 22/02/2012 12:29

Having been in a similar situation, I agree with SittingBull - try not to let your DD be too aware of your feelings - your tearful, sleepless nights, your feelings of anger and betrayal. For whatever reasons, she chose not to tell anyone at the time that her husband was a bastard - for me it was a combination of embarrassment and shock that I was in that situation, it was not wanting anyone to know about it - and also the knowledge that if I told people how bad things were, the marriage would never be seen to be okay. All the time I kept the bad things hidden, there was a chance I could make it good again. Stupid, I know, but I was too proud to admit what a huge mistake I'd made.

Anyway, your DD coped with all the bad times on her own - for her, being married was the tough bit! However hard being a single parent may be, the joy of not being with a partner who is abusive, or a cheat, or whatever your DD's partner was, helps you to overcome most hurdles.

So instead of racking your brains worrying how you could have missed the warning signs, or why your DD didn't open up to you at the time, or feeling anger towards her ex, try to quietly celebrate the fact that, as you say, she is a strong and independent woman. She has been through the worst bit, but is back on the right track. Just be there for her if she needs you, you sound lovely by the way.

HotDAMNlifeisgood · 22/02/2012 14:42

It's not about you, it's about her.

If she doesn't want your help, accept that.

oldwomaninashoe · 22/02/2012 14:59

There are just some things you don't want your Mother to know. Accept that she may a long way down the line, open up to you when talking about it is not painful and it has been relegated to the "bitter experience" bin.
This could take a long time!
Just be there for her, help her out with the children and keep any opinions about your Son In Law to yourself, remember after all he is your GC's father!
Just admire the fact that she had the strength to get herself and her chidren out of a bad atmosphere and into a better place.
I'm sure she knows you care, and will ask for help when she needs it.

LizaTarbucksAuntie · 22/02/2012 15:05

Another one here who didn't 'fess up to her parents because she thought she'd let them down.

Mine was such a romantic and perfect situation....except it wasn't and I went from a gregarious confident woman to a frightened little girl.

I moved back in with my parents in the end. They were amazing.

They didn't ask me to tell them things, but they listened when I was ready to tell them things.

give her lots of time and space and let her know you love her unconditionally.

This isn't your fault in the same way it isn't hers. Leave the blame where it belongs and just love your little girl.

looksee · 22/02/2012 17:07

thanks to everyone who has replied I have read carefully all your comments.
I want to do the best I can for her so I will take all your suggestions on board.

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