Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

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

I need some help in biting my tongue and being supportive.

14 replies

TheFeministsWife · 09/03/2012 14:22

I started a thread about a month ago, about my 19 year old DSD's relationship with her boyfriend. Well not much has changed TBH, I tried to talk to her, but TBH didn't push it too much as I didn't want to push her away and her to stop talking to me.

Yesterday she passed her driving test. Yay! Smile So incredibly proud of her, after everything she's been through this is such a big positive achievement for her. She didn't tell anyone it was yesterday as she's already failed once about 3 weeks ago and she'd told everyone. She didn't even tell the boyf. It was early yesterday morning and when I'd gotten back from the school run she was waiting for me with the news. She'd already rang DH in work and he was chuffed and proud, as was I. Gave her a card and little present we had stashed away for when she passed (we knew she would eventually).

She had rang the boyf to tell him, he was in work. His reaction? TO have a go at her because she'd kept it from him! ShockHmm Then cut her off because he was in work in a really abrupt way. (Fair enough he was in work, but he could have said a quick "well done babe, I'm in work got to go but will ring you when I'm on my break"). She was gutted. Sad

Her grandad is giving her his car (lucky girl). So we were looking at price comparison sites as she's desperate to get insured and out on the road. We found the cheapest one but there was a £250 deposit which she doesn't have till payday. So she first rang her grandad to ask to borrow the money - he didn't have it, and then rang the boyf. She asked if she could borrow it, (he has it, earns 3 times what she does), and she'd be able to pay him back in 2 weeks (she's good on her word), she wanted to be able to go and pick him up from work. His response? She should stop being a spoilt brat and she can't always have everything as instantly as she wants. Sad

Now I'll admit she was super hyper because she had just passed her test and she may have gone overboard in trying to persuade him to lend her the money. And if he didn't have it then fair enough, but he could have said it much more nicely to her, let her enjoy her high, and let her down gently. It was almost as if he was jealous (he can't drive) and couldn't stand that she could actually do something he can't, and of course she's going to be a lot more independent now. He just completely shit on her day. Sad She ended up going to bed for about 5 hours as she felt so shit after the way he'd spoken to her. He eventually apologised to her last night and started crying on the phone to her. Hmm But again it was all about him.

The state she was in last night I haven't seen her like that in a very long time. It should have been one of the happiest days of her life and completely ruined it. Angry I told her he was being an absolute fucking shit, and she knew and she said "Oh he's got a lot of making up to do now". But this is just something else to add to the list isn't it. It's emotional abuse. I can't doing anything about it except mop up her tears.

It's driving me nuts TBH. He's supposed to be staying over tonight. (Oh fucking joy Hmm). I HAVE to stop myself saying something to him when he comes as it'll just fall back on DSD in some way. HOW can I support her and still stay sane? As right now I want to kick the little twat in the fucking nuts! Angry

OP posts:
CailinDana · 09/03/2012 14:32

Nightmare situation :( As you say, even if push there is a big danger that she'll stop confiding in you. It is incredibly frustrating to see someone being treated this way, but ultimately she has to realise for herself that it's wrong before anything will change.

Would it be possible for you to sit down with her some evening with a bottle of wine and have a frank talk with her about relationships in general? Perhaps make it a girly evening where you reveal a little bit about what you were like as a teenager (with some gory details, if you can stomach it) so that she feels she can open up to you and you can help her see that a good relationship is a world away from what she's going through at the moment?

janelikesjam · 09/03/2012 21:24

Agree with Cailin, and also a supportive mother-daughter chat might be helpful. I feel sorry (and alarmed) though that you have to have this man staying overnight in your house.

foolonthehill · 09/03/2012 21:33

how about watching Bridget Jones together and talking about the way she's treated by the men...who's in it for himself, who's in it for the longer haul. (there are probably a hundred better films but I am ignorant Blush) ...I have often found it is easier to get come round from the non-personal angle than full on.

Thoughts are with you OP. At least she has you to fall back on!

coffeeinbed · 09/03/2012 21:48

Sorry if I'd missed it, but is he older?
Not that it matter's really, he ought not treat her that way.
Hard isn't it?
Agree about the film, or maybe book, mutual acquaintance in a similar position thing.
Don't go right in, but you have to find a way to talk to her.
Good luck.

TheFeministsWife · 10/03/2012 15:35

Thanks for the replies. Thanks

He's only 18 months older than her, (her 19, him 21). I like the Bridget Jones idea. DH is out tonight, so if she hopefully doesn't come home from work with him tonight I'll put it on.

He came last night and stayed, bastard didn't even get her a card. Angry

OP posts:
HoudiniHissy · 10/03/2012 16:48

Why is he being allowed to abuse her like this? at 21?

He will destroy her self esteem and that kind of shit man will be all that she ends up with.

Your challenge is to explain to her that NORMAL, decent blokes would be HAPPY for her, would be there for her no matter what and would bend over backwards to help her get on the road.

She needs to read Why Does He Do That FAST.

I think her Dad needs to take him out somewhere nobody can hear him scream and explain to him that either he bucks his ideas up, or FUCKS OFF. For good!

he's not good enough for her, she needs to see that if he's like this now, he will go on to hit her and possibly even kill her.

She is too young for this shit.

HoudiniHissy · 10/03/2012 16:50

Just in case for whatever reason my post is not as clear as it could be.

This 'man' is a domestic abuser. He doesn't get to stay over ANYWHERE. The only attention he'd get from me would be from the wheels of my 4x4. TWICE (i'd reverse)

tallwivglasses · 10/03/2012 19:15

Oh, OP, my heart goes out to you. You must feel utterly helpless. How aware is your DH about the situation? I'd be tempted as Houdini suggested, to get him to have a word with the git.

So much depends on your relationship with your dd but it sounds like you have a good one (she acknowledged he'd been a twat and didn't defend him). Keep talking, buy the Lundy book - all good advice above.

I was so scared of losing my dd that I let her abusive shit stay over. I hoped the relationship would fizzle out. I hated him. He seemed to taunt me with the power he had over me as well as my dd. it was probably the worst period in my life. Eventually she moved in with him. It's only now (some years later) I know the whole story and he's since landed some poor girl in hospital.

In the end I'd had enough. I banned him from the house and he was not welcome at Christmas. I knew that might mean that I'd not see her but I had faith she'd see sense one day. She screamed and yelled, vowed she'd stay away for Christmas, that was 'it' between her and me. I said I was prepared to take the risk.

She came back. The best Christmas present I've ever had. But I always have to live with the fact that I let it get to that stage.

I wish I'd had mn at that time so I could be aware of the 'script' these dire men follow. You're at an advantage OP in that you know what he's up to. Hell, even when she dumps him you'll be one step ahead. His begging/promises/suicide threats will ring a bit hollow if you predict them.

I wish you all the best. Feel free to PM me x

coffeeinbed · 10/03/2012 19:22

It won't be easy, but you have to find a way to make her realise what she's worth before he kills her confidence and so that she'll listen to you.
Good luck.

ilove · 10/03/2012 19:43

i agree with Houdini - if it were my DD (and me and her dad have already discussed this) he and her Uncles would be making very sure that the BF was absolutely in no doubt that he would treat her with nothing other than kid gloves, were we to see evdience of ANYTHING indicating abuse at all.

tallwivglasses · 10/03/2012 19:48

Do you know, ilove, I was so tempted to call on some friendly 'muscle' that would have put the little shit in his place once and for all...but no. Not the naice middle class way of doing things. Thought dd would hate me for ever more.

If I had my time again...

ilove · 10/03/2012 19:52

They did it to my exh when he was making death threats and the police couldn't do anything - not had an ounce of trouble since. And we're very naice middle class too.

ilove · 10/03/2012 19:52

And just to be totally clear, they didn't lay a finger on him

tallwivglasses · 10/03/2012 21:14

I love it when bullies get put in their place! There you go, OP - food for thought...

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread