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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

Devastated is an understatement

556 replies

redtulip68 · 11/03/2012 10:26

I'm so sorry to hear about your situation Starling. Unfortunately I'm in a very similiar position at the moment. My husband of 12 years left the marital home at 10.05pm last Sunday when myself and our two children were in bed. Not warning, nothing ran out in the night the coward he obviously is. The last week has been hell. i've had to tell the children because he only wanted to do it over the phone or in a pub, not in the safe environment of their home.

Apparently he had met some3one on line that he had connected with emotional - nothig sexual had occurred until after he left, or so he is saying. Over the last week I've heard nothing but lies and more lies. He has left the home in in such a state that part is uninhabitable. Environmental Health have been in contact due to the number of vehicles is has left in the garden, carport and other areas that we own surrounding the property. Since leaving I have found out that my wiring is condemned, the oven and hob are a danger to myself and my children. Cant have a bath unless a plunger is used to get plugs out. Had no hot water, could only have heating on for 30 minutes at a time, only flush toilets if someone contorlled the stop cock. Its been a nightmare. But he is living with someone and 'needing time to think what he needs over' whlst I live with two children in disarray.

Found we didnt have any contents or buildings insurance because he hadnt got round to setting up a new policy, bills were out of control because he hadnt got round to getting new quotes - I would have done it but evey bill was in his name at the time, obviously they arent now! Joint mortgage so thats ok.

Apparently will leave his income in my account for the next three months so I can arrange reapirs - what makes him think I can afford them now he has done? Then I'm to live off benefits - I've already established I'm only entitled to 10.43 per month. This is just so unfair, I really dont understand what I've done. he doesnt understand that our children deserve the truth rather than his web of lies which he now stating - I left beuuase we were arguing, 1 argument one night last week.

Visited children after I arranged it - 1 hour, then spoke to me for 2.5 hours, mean at the state but got better. I asked him to come back explained I still loved him and he said he would seriously think about it. He said that he still loved me but didnt think we could work it out because he has left.

Cant tell my family that I want him home bacuse they cant stand him, but I cant help the way I feel. its been made worse becauseof comments he keeps making on facebook which mean I then have to fiedl emails, messages and calls from joint friends and work colleagues. I know I'm having to do all his dirty work, clearing his stuff because he told me to, making calls left right and centre because that's what I'm expected to do.

refuses to give contactable address and often truns mobile phone off - so even in an emergancy I wouldnt be able to contact him.

cant sleep, havent eaten since our initial argument on 2nd march. i know deep down he isnt coming back but my children are young and own has AS. One hates their father, the other is in limbo becuase of promises father has made and subsequently not kept.

Nothing in my world is the same. I just dont know what I should be saying or feeling. Sick to the stomach of crying on my own. the pain is unbearable.

Please excuse the mistakes its just that really cant think straight. spoke this morning and asked if the comments he made yesterday about coming back were true or yet another one of the catelogue of lies he has told this week. Chidlren are lashing out at each other. But its not helped by their father telling them that he left because I was arguing rather than the truth that he was having an affair. There were several incidents this morning and I made him tell the truth but its still only part - now telling the children he is sharing a house with another woman. I just want to know where we all stand. Not lie after lie

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redtulip68 · 08/04/2012 06:43

I dont think he is being cruel to involve me, I've spoken to one of his family members earlier in the week and I wasnt in a good place at the time. She told him about me and what had happened and he called to check I was ok - which I thought was nice.

No he said that after all these years, her affairs, her debts and her drinking he will never take her back again and he has suggested that when my STBX comes crawling back that I honestly consider whether I could ever trust him again. I know the answer would be no and I have too much self respect now to take him back.

What was interesting was how everything STBX has told me about her is untrue and especially that the cancelling of seeing his own children this week is because of the fact that the OW is travelling back up north to have a meeting with her H to discuss finances. He is meeting her at the exact same time that my STX is supposed to be seeing a sols - bearing in mind she refuses to use public transport and cant drive the chances are pretty strong that he is taking her at the cost of him seeing his children. This is all about priorities!

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midwife99 · 08/04/2012 06:48

I'm glad you're still feeling strong & this hasn't knocked you for six Tulip. It'd be a shame when you've come so far towards independence. Sad

redtulip68 · 08/04/2012 06:51

In all honesty I have just thought that maybe her STBX could text the names to my H and step back for the fall out. Maybe I could suggest that to him!

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midwife99 · 08/04/2012 07:11

I still don't think he should involve you! Shoot the messenger & all that! Your ex will just think you're jealous & stirring up trouble for the innocent lovebirds! He won't believe anything you or OW ex say so why bother? I think you should rise above it all & get on with your own soon to be better than it was before life.

Doha · 08/04/2012 09:53

Red please stay out of it.

It is the OWTBXH's problem, you will just enrage your ex and seem like a woman scorned,

What will be will be with their relationship, you can stand back and watch it implode with your head held high.

Move on with your DC's and make them proud that they were brought up by their mother who retained her dignity throughtout, and did not fall apart when their DF walked out on them all.

redtulip68 · 08/04/2012 11:19

My DS asked if his father could have Easter lunch with us and I reluctantly agreed. Well guess what I've changed my mind! I'll explain it to my DS and I know he will understand especially given yesterday's conversations. He can sit and watch his children eat.

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midwife99 · 08/04/2012 11:55

Why do you want him with you at all?! Can't he take the DCs out instead?

redtulip68 · 08/04/2012 16:00

I really dont want him here but I cant trust him not to shout or hurt the DC without me being present. Before he arrived I received a text from him that was really strange. When he arrived I asked him about it, apparently it was a copy of the one the OW H had sent to her this morning. STBX isnt happy that OW H has spoken to me nor her daughter. Said that I must stop all communication with him. I said I didnt call him and anyway its none of his business who calls me and who I speak to!

didnt do him any lunch, he sat and watched the children eat a roast lamb dinner - yes I'm horrible I know [bugrin]. Every few minutes he was finding reasons to leave, all I said was this was arranged weeks ago surely your children should be your priority - seemingly not! To cut a long story short she has called and text'd him several times. DC are constantly complaining that he is on his phone. got to go his back!!!!

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redtulip68 · 08/04/2012 16:20

He's gone - thank the lord. Throughout the visit to the DC all I could think was, to quote my DD 'What an arse hole!' Lots of shouting from him about who I can and cant talk to! I told him he cant tell me what to do, he lost any rights to express an opinion five weeks ago.

Goodbye and good riddance!

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midwife99 · 08/04/2012 16:40

I wouldn't let him in the house again if I were you love. Angry

redtulip68 · 09/04/2012 08:16

Well we went out after he left and had a nice famly afternoon. I've been trying really hard to make us a family - seeing people, doing things together, singing 'our' song, dancing in the kitchen all the things usual people have always done but STBX thought were silly to do!

I'm just waiting for some negative feedback from him today, it usually takes the form of an email or two which I keep for the sols. Each one is littered with threats of what he will do if I dont comply with his wishes but I have just started to ignore him because that way he doesnt get under my skin.

We have quite a busy week planned before returning to school so we are just going to get on with it. I would like to point out if STBX had still been here we wouldnt have done anything because he would have just complained that things cost money, interrupt his interests, dont see why we did to go anywhere etc.

The DC have continually mentioned how things have improved without him being here which is lovely. This morning when we were sitting in my bed we told each other why we love eachother. My DS said that he loves me because I make him feel safe, I'm always here for him and he knows that I will always love him. What more can I need? [bugrin]

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midwife99 · 09/04/2012 09:01

I'm so glad you're getting such clear evidence that life is better for you & DCs without ex & that they're so much happier too. He CANNOT keep coming to the house & shouting at you like that or sending nasty texts & emails. That is harassment. All you need to do is contact the local police & make a complaint about harassment. An officer will contact him & warn him that he will be charged with harassment if he does it even once more. I had to do that - my ex was still sending nasty emails & texts 3 years after he divorced me!! Do it now - don't spend the next 3 years being his emotional punchbag!! Also it sends a clear signal to your DC that men are NOT allowed to treat women like that so they can grow up & have healthy relationships. Have a lovely week - you sound like you're starting to enjoy life again Grin

springydaffs · 09/04/2012 10:57

did the shouting go on with the kids there? that would be one reason to never let him in the house again Sad

redtulip68 · 09/04/2012 11:59

Morning Daffs , yes he did shout at me in front of the children. i asked him not to shout. 'I'm not shouting' he shouted! To which both children turned around and said to him 'Yes you are!'. It was fine afterwards and I think he now realises that he can't behave like he has in my home.

I'm still a little nervious about what he will do next. you can never tell with him and in all honesty I know that if he going to send a threatening email he will do it when i dont have access to the internet. He is nothing more than a wimp and a bully, and now I know it!

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midwife99 · 09/04/2012 12:06

Twunt! You so sound strong now! Go back & read your first few posts - you are a different (the old you?) person already! Smile

redtulip68 · 09/04/2012 13:49

You are SSSSSSSSSSSSOOOOOOOOOOO right. I have come such a long way since that idiot thought that he could walk out and i wouldnt survive. [bugrin]

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Doha · 09/04/2012 17:07

you go girl..

FidgetPie · 09/04/2012 23:05

On the whole I think you are doing great, but I can't understand why you keep pushing to have him involved in your and the DCs lives - if he doesn't want to be phoning daily or coming round / staying for long, why do you keep reminding him / and saying he should?

Especially as he makes you all feel crap and shouts in front of the DCs. I really think you should stop so much contact. His behaviour isn't normal or right - maybe you all just got used to it, but at least think about reducing his involvement in your lives - especially as this is something he might do anyway given his focus on OW/bikes etc.

And steer well clear of anything to do with OW STBX

redtulip68 · 12/04/2012 16:30

Went away for a few days but the problems just followed but I'm not getting into that at the moment.

Have met up with lots a of friends, enjoyed myself no end and now realise that I have lots of people who really do care and love my little family. Grin
STBX has been a right royal pain - it would appear that ignoring him just adds fuel to the fire and now I just listen to his rubbish for a few minutes, not respond then hang up!At least that way I can watch tv/read abook/look on the internet whilst he is ranting - I just tune out!

I've come to the conclusion that everything he has done, said and attempted to do to my DC and myself are all attempts by him to refuse to take rresponsibility for the mess he has created. Let him moan and groan I dont care he cant do anything any moreWink.

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midwife99 · 12/04/2012 16:44

It's a shame he's still getting at you. I don't think you should have to listen to him ranting no matter how much ignoring him pisses him off. Ignore him in every way. Eventually he'll give up & leave you alone & if he doesn't then the police can warn him off.

redtulip68 · 14/04/2012 07:44

I've come to the grand decision that I want this all over with him, I want him out of my life and I want him to have as little contact with me as possible.

There have been periods over the last six weeks that I have hoped that my speaking, seeing me, speaking to the DC and seeing them that he would have woken up to what he has done to us and our extended famlies but that has all been a waste of time because he takes no responsibility for what he has done and I really know deep down that he never will.

He has a new voice telling him what to do, what to think and how to treat us all. This voice is very powerful and for his own sake I can only hope that he wakes up to that in the future.

As for our DC, he continues to make promises about what he will do when he spends time with them and he continues to lie. He made promises yesterday morning during his telephone call to them but when he turned up he said he wasnt going to do any of what he had promised. This is causing all sorts of fights between the DC and making them miserable.

Next week will see a new episode in my life when I start divorce proceedings and return to work. I know that the fallout from this is going to be enormous but I need to do this otherwise he is always going to control my life and that of my DC. He is continuing to try and control everything we do...wanting to know what money has been spent on, where we are during the day, who we are speaking to etc. I'm considering getting a cheap PAYG mobile that will be used for all future contact with the DC. That way he can leave me alone and not call my mobile or the house.

DC are my primary concern and if their behaviour is being adversely affected then this is something I need to address with the Solicitor. He's behaviour should not be allowed to affect them.

Anyway have plans for today, which includes returning the horrid item of clothing bought DD for her birthday for £8, seeing family and possibily going to the next city to go to a museum.

I hope everyone enjoys their day as much as I inted to enjoy mine Smile.

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midwife99 · 14/04/2012 09:29

Good for you tulip - I think you taking control is the only way forward & he has NO right to do any of the things he is doing. It may be an upheaval but selling the family home to buy something a bit cheaper that is all yours will make a massive difference - he will have no history there or have any say in anything about it either. I found that to be the breakthrough & the end of ex's sense of entitlement. Don't make the mistake of thinking he is being brainwashed by OW. He is 100% responsible for his actions. Good riddance & congratulations on being so wonderfully strong & an amazing mother Smile

sunshineandshowers · 14/04/2012 10:03

Hey redtulip,

I've just read your whole thread. You are an amazing, capable woman, who is a fab mum to your lucky DC's.

I just wanted to say one thing. When you apply for DLA for your son, make sure you fill in the forms and descirbe him symptoms as it it were his WORST day, not an average. You might seek advice on the money saving expert forum as well, they are v friendly (benefits board). forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.php?f=139

Hope you have a lovely day x

redtulip68 · 14/04/2012 19:34

You are right MidWife99 he is 100% responsible for his actions and he has provoked me to do things that I would never have done in my pre-seperation existance.

I still hope that he will take some responsibilty for he's DC but that is exactly whart it is now 'hope'. He hasnt called his DD today at all and she is fully aware of that. He has made the decision to break his children's heart but his ineptitude and his lack of love for them still hurts me.Sad

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redtulip68 · 14/04/2012 22:07

Just had a bit of a wobble.....sitting on my laptop doing so work with last weeks Eastenders on iplayerin the background when I turned to STBX's usual sitting place on the sofa and went to ask him if he wanted a drink and whether he was ok. Realised that the seat was empty and he is nolonger here. Felt really upset and alone, why did I do that?

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