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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

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

OP posts:
meredeux · 17/03/2012 07:59

are you ok?

springydaffs · 17/03/2012 08:04

oh tulip, bless you. I've scratched a car before for much much less. I'm not proud of it either. It wasn't even the vile ex's car but someone who had flagrantly nicked my parking space and cocked a snook at me when I approached her, thinking she hadn't realised what she'd done. I scratched the car the entire length. It was an estate.

What it did tell me is that I was in a baaad place to have done that and it was a wake-up call: I knew I had to get some help. You must get to a counsellor, talk to friends. Is your GP any good? Make an appt and spell out what is happening - you need to get people on your side to support you through this.

They (ex and OW) were very cruel yesterday. As you have been passive all your life re 'always been at everyone's beck and call, never stood up for myself, always done as was expected/told', maybe the worm is turning and this could be the making of you (hollow words to you at the moment, I expect). They goaded you and you snapped. There's no excuse but there is a reason.

Please please please stop talking to him! I know it's hard but he is being unbelievably cruel and you can't afford to.

Can you stay with your friend for a bit?

springydaffs · 17/03/2012 08:10

did you scratch 'cunt' on the car?

redtulip68 · 17/03/2012 09:06

no I was bought up not to swear!

OP posts:
springydaffs · 17/03/2012 14:18

you're not a child now! Being passive and compliant has fed you to the wolves, wouldn't you say? I'm not suggesting that the way to break out of that is to scratch 'cunt' on your ex's car: there is a good middle ground between passive and aggressive but you'll need some professional support to get there: it's a process, you can't do it overnight, particularly with your training by the sound of it Sad

ThePinkPussycat · 17/03/2012 14:33

You have done something to express your anger. You don't have much practice in this. So it came out extreme. I doubt you will ever act in a similar way again.

Now you know what anger feels like, you will be able to channel it into more productive activities Wink

captainmummy · 17/03/2012 14:34

I really think you could do with some professional help --don't know which professional tho! Counselling, money manager, your ds's helper... I think you are so fearful and in despair that you don't know what to do next. There are people out there to help. Talk to the GP, teachers, CAB.

It's a good thing to get angry. Scratching his car is not going to help, or hurt him, but it probably made you feel better!

ThePinkPussycat · 17/03/2012 14:34

Though I imagine it would be pretty satisfying at the time...

ThePinkPussycat · 17/03/2012 14:36

Mean to say, it also came out extreme because you are very very angry Grin [anger] Brew

ThePinkPussycat · 17/03/2012 14:36

Angry Blush

redtulip68 · 17/03/2012 18:12

I've had a really calm day - park with DC and lots and lots of laughing then lunch with family. DC were really well behaved with family. We didnt really see much of the family previously because DH didnt like visiting them and they werent keen on him. Also amazed at the excellent bahviour of DC. Usually DH would have been shouting at them to be quite the entire time and this time they played, laughed, played and laughed some more. Not a raised voice needed. On the journey home the DC said they really enjoyed themselves and that they wanted to stay longer. They also meantioned that noone told them off for being noisy (for noisy read for being children which usually meant DH demanded they sat still for an hour!).

Feeling alot happier despite threating emails from DH. This whole weekend situation is new to me as usually we are doing what DH wants. Tomorrow will be a little odd given the fact that its Mother's Day and no one offered to take them to get a gift although they have made cards which will be more then I could have wished for. In all honesty it isnt about a gift, its about being appreciated but I know they love me and they know beyond a shadow of a doubt I love them.

I have told them about my behaviour. I thought that they need to understand that as an adult I make mistakes that I'm sorry for and that I realise now that actions that occur as a result of anger aren't' really a good idea. I was really impressed at their attitude - they explained that they knew I made a mistake but they said they understood that I was angry because of what Daddy had been saying to them (last Saturday he told the DC that he had left because of me arguing with them, then having to back track on Sunday and admit that he was living with OW). Some might say that I shouldnt have told them but I really needed to be honest with them (as much as I could to two young children) as I know that in the future this could be used as an area of conflict and if I lied to them then I could be behaving in extactly the same way as DH.

I love my DC, they are truely amazing! :o

OP posts:
springydaffs · 17/03/2012 19:50

aw that's fabulous tulip Smile

You're going to be getting into having your own life not dictated to by H . See? This is how good it can be!

FidgetPie · 17/03/2012 20:21

So glad today has been so much better - have a wonderful mother's day tomorrow doing whatever makes you and the DC happy.

Please try and avoid all contact with DH for a bit - it doesn't seem to do any of you any good.

You are doing really well and being such a strong mum to your children (despite the occasional car-scratching related set-back!)

redtulip68 · 18/03/2012 11:16

Strange telephone call from DH last night. Sounded very different to the calls he has previously made to me - more curtious and polite. anyway i obviously apologised for my behaviour re:scratching the car. I explained that I had told the children and that they had been very mature and understanding. He said that understood why I had done it - although he didnt apologise for the horrid mental toruture he has put myself and my children through over the last two weeks, hopefully they will come in time, although i'm not holding my breath!

Said coming to parents evening and will see children after that next week lets just wait and see what happens.

Feeling ok in myself and the children are being great.

Happy Mother's Day everyone!

OP posts:
meredeux · 18/03/2012 11:32

was he taping the call?

redtulip68 · 18/03/2012 15:28

Thanks Meredeux! Now I'm paranoid!

OP posts:
springydaffs · 18/03/2012 19:01

Maybe you are feeling paranoid but you can't be too careful with these types. You can't think that because they're being nice it means they've turned a corner and have regrets... because the opposite is often the case

ah we may sound bitter and twisted but it comes from experience. The best thing you can do is be on your guard. And never let your guard down.

I hope you're continuing to enjoy your new-found freedom tulip. It gets ever better as the days slip blissfully by Smile

meredeux · 18/03/2012 19:47

I don't want to add to your upset but I did want to make you aware that you need to be vigilant. If you think of everything you say, write and do being presented to a judge, then you'll be careful to limit what you say down to just the essentials.

Given the sudden turnaround, I am guessing your h has already thought of that.

redtulip68 · 18/03/2012 21:05

Two steps forward, three steps back. DH originally agreed to pay me and the children three months full wages to sort the house, bills etc. Now saying you've had a month and I'm going to give you some money for Mar/Apr but nothing after that. I explained that the money we received in Feb payday was all allocated the day after payday (as nearly all our bills are paid on the day we get paid) and the fact that he left on 4th March really is the issue to him.

Anyway 'I've been on the internet' he said and..........I mean he gets all his useless info from the net, even meeting OW on the internet for god sake on some stupid dungeons and dragons game. yes I know he left for a women he met once two days before he left me because she asked him to. A great basis for a future life together but I digress!

So now that he is living rent/rates/bills free in a hotel (thats where she has got a new job) and I've got everything to pay! I've yet to tell him that the children will never be going to stay at his new 'home' because of child protection reasons, plus the fact that its not a permanant address. Its a DSS B&B in what can only be described as a choice area - this is his new life! I'm beginning to think he is welcome to it. Sols said he will have to pay 20% of gross wages for DC, half mortgage, spouse maintance and contribution to child care costs, now I'm going to enjoy telling him that or maybe I'll just get the sols to do it for me! Bitter? Me? No more of a G&T girl really!

OP posts:
springydaffs · 18/03/2012 23:15
Grin

Let the sol tell him - I wouldn't get into a spat with him if I were you - he'll be waaaaay more vicious than you could ever be. Meredeux gives good advice about keeping all comms as clean as possible.

I'm lost for words about what he's jumped into. Do you think he got so into that game that he thinks he's jumped into it and is living it, like, for real Confused

captainmummy · 19/03/2012 08:39

Def let the solicitor tell him - it will carry much more weight and he cannot argue then.

And look again into your benefits - i can't believe it's only £10 a week! People round here seem to get money thrown at them.

redtulip68 · 19/03/2012 17:46

Saw the counsellor this morning then met a friend, who just happens to also be a counsellor! Everything I thought was true - I'm not mad, I'm ok and ever feeling I have been feeling is ok!

Doesnt make things feel better though. During lunch with a friend 'our song' came on in the bar. Yes there were tears, yes I felt sad and yes I tried really hard to hold it together. Still really sad but things are getting better.

OP posts:
tadjennyp · 19/03/2012 20:23

Ah, but now you will never cry at 'your song' again. You've done that and leaped one more hurdle. Does he genuinely think he won't have to pay for his dcs, or is going to lie about what he earns so he doesn't have to pay anything. You are definitely better off without him.

redtulip68 · 19/03/2012 21:04

fortunately he cant lie about his earnings as he is a civil servant - his wages are known nationally!

OP posts:
springydaffs · 19/03/2012 21:25

YAY!! My shit ex was self-employed = managed to make a whole load of eye-watering wealth VANISH into thin air.

Ah well Wink

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