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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

Have made a desicion ????

76 replies

nutcracker · 10/02/2006 08:46

I know nobody will think it is a good idea but let me explain.

I have told XP he can move back in here until he finds somewhere to go. I will help him apply for housing with anyone and everyone.

I know you are all going to be shouting NO NO NO at the screen right now but I just cannot stand by and watch his family destroy him. 3 seperate memebers of his family rang him yesterday ranting and raving at him, calling him for everything and basically saying that unless he does as he's told they will not help him and he cannot use the flat he is staying in now.

His family are truley awful, and before this he had had no contact with them for about 4 years.
If he stays there they will control his life forever and he will end up topping himself.

I know I am not responsible for him, but I am responsible for my kids, and do not want to watch them crying at his funeral because his family bullied him to death and i didn't help him.

At least whilst he is here I can take over the applying for housing stuff which is better because I know more about it than him and can push harder than he can.

I know it will be hard, i feel like i have taken 1000 steps backwards, but it's not all just about me.

OP posts:
Mascaraohara · 10/02/2006 11:24

I've not read the entire thread so apologies if I am repeating anybody but there are a couple of things that jump out at me...

Firstly - the council have no obligation to house single adult men unless they are considered a 'vulnerable adult' (at least not in this council area) I know as my friend is a council housing officer.

Secondly - his behaviour towards you reflects his families behaviour towards him. If you really want to make the relationship work you would be able to work on this in counselling. I know at the moment you don't but perhaps deep down you might - you are prepared to let him move back in after all!

To be blunt I think you really need to have a good hard think about what you want. If you really don't want to be with him you should not start sharing a house with him again - if he is not happy at the moment he might even read this as a sign of hope or that he can manipulate you into giving it another go. If he needs to move into yours is there anywhere you and the children could go? contact the council and say you can't live with him and he won't leave.

Sorry seems to have got rather long, hope you don't take offence to anything I've said and hope it all works out for you either way!

tiredemma · 10/02/2006 11:24

nutty, if both you and dp think that they are going to physically remove you from the house then you need to contact the police.

Mascaraohara · 10/02/2006 11:25

Whoops, lots more posts since I started reading and writing - things have moved on - ignore me!!

doormat · 10/02/2006 11:27

nutty
you still have my support too
why not set a time limit on the live-in situation so you can both move on
xxx

NomDePlume · 10/02/2006 11:33

freshstart is right. Don't back off and put the guards up when people try to give you different points of view from which to see your situation. There is a huge amount of support on this thread. MNers CARE about you and what you and your kids go through, we just want to try to open your eyes to all the options available to you. No one wants to see you be emotionally blackmailed into making the worng decision for you and your children.

totallyinlove · 10/02/2006 11:48

Nutty.

I can see both sides of the coin here. I can totally understand why you have said you will do this. You have spent 10 years with this man. Had 3 children with him. Thats a long time to be comitted to someone, and I can totally see why you don't want to just 'chuck him on the streets'. I do think that you will find it hard living under the same roof as him with things being strained, regardless of how sorry you feel for him.

I am also worried that he might become reluctant to leave once he gets back in. It IS YOUR choice at the end of the day. Nobody elses. He needs to be actively trying to find somewhere else to live while he is staying with you. Make sure you continue with any plans you had to sort out finances etc. Make it very clear that you mean to carry on without him (if this is what you really want) You need to write to the housing place and make sure they know the situation. Get him on the housing list ASAP. Tell them that as of he will have to leave the house. That way, he hasn't made himself homeless, the housing place have had warning and will hopefully come up with something for him if he doesnt find something himself.

If a permanent split is really what you want then you need to stay strong. Don't let him fool you into thinking things can be different between you. After 10 years, you should know that they can't.

The threat of physical violence worries me. Especially with the children around, and I would really like to think that you would contact the police to try and prevent this happening rather than, as you said, 'explain the alternative' to the children. If his family really are that bad, please please please make sure you tell the police and get an injunction or something. I don't know how it works legally but I am sure there is something you can do. If you feel threatened, they must do something to help you.

RE the phone calls, if it continues, make sure you get your number changed. Ring BT/phone provider and say you've had malicious calls and they will change it sooner rather than later for you.

I really do think though that you need to keep this all as simple as possible. Especially for the children, but I'm sure you don't need me to tell you that. Whatever happens, it needs to be HIM NOT YOU and the children to leave the house.

Stay strong. Good luck whatever you decide. x

Freckle · 10/02/2006 11:48

To be fair, Nutty, you started your OP by saying you knew nobody would think it a good idea, so you can hardly be surprised when no one does!

If you feel you are in real danger from his family, contact the police to alert them. Then, if you do need to call in an emergency, they will be aware of your situation and respond much more quickly.

Xp can get alternative housing. If he is on a basic benefit, he can get housing benefit and council tax benefit. Look into hostels for single adult men in your area - there will be at least one. It will be a short-term measure, but it means he will have a roof over his head - and often meals - without having to rely on his family. It's amazing that his family feel they have the right to dictate what he does. And why did he contact them when he hasn't spoken to them for years?.

expatinscotland · 10/02/2006 11:58

Too right, NdP. From what you've told everyone here, many times, this man is emotionally abusive towards you. Personally, I don't like to see anyone w/a partner like that. Hence, why it may be that no one thinks it's a good idea you let him back.

There are lots of ways in which men act as fathers to their kids. One of those is as an example in how to treat a partner.

Kathlean · 10/02/2006 12:01

My neices dad split with his partner. As they were both named on the house he ended up sleeping on the couch for the best part of a year despite the fact that he had the responsibility of my neice who was at the time only 14/15 and she had no-where to live but did the round of friends.

I think he has finally got a place now as he got my poor neices 16 year old mate pregnant.

If he stays with you don't expect the housing people to be any sort of a hurry to get him a place. AS far as they will be concerned he has a roof over his head and they will deal with othe people before him.

If you let him stay and make him homeless in 8 weeks or whatever you will only have to deal with the fall out from his family then. Your children will be confused again and you will also have to sort out all your finances out again.

As you have said it is your choice and I don't envy you it one bit. I know what I would do though.

catsmother · 10/02/2006 16:36

Nutty, have just re-read your other recent post of the last few weeks. Please, if you get a moment, have a look at them again too ...... there's so much stuff in them you wrote which was heartbreaking and was enough to have a lot of "strangers" worrying.

Today, you're writing like a completely different person and if people here seem - to you - to be "unconcerned" (and they're most definitely not) because they think what you're planning is a bad idea, it's only because we believe - based on what we know of your XP - that he's capable of dragging you back down again very quickly, should he get his feet under the table again.

From a practical point of view, you say you're worried about him committing suicide, well, of course you are if he has a tendency to depression, yet you also say that he's not made any such threats yet. Please DON'T beat yourself up about what might happen ... what you're worried about might NOT happen too. Likewise, you say you're worried about his psycho family (and, must admit I don't quite understand what's going on there exactly) but, if you say he's moving back temporarily because - somehow - he's "at risk" on his own, then surely, when he does eventually move back out again, wouldn't his family be the same problem then? ....

.... in other words, you really have to try and draw a line somewhere here. It strikes me that XP is going to have the same problems re: family and depression whether he's with you or not, so what is the advantage to him coming back ?

I also think you're playing a dangerous game with the housing people. So long as he has a roof - no matter what the circumstances of that roof - he is always going to come way down the list, say, compared to someone on the streets. If he can get extra points because he's depressed, then surely he'll get those no matter where he's actually living ?? If, as you've intimated, he is hopeless at getting his arse in gear and organising all this (therefore needing your help), then isn't there a risk he's going to be just as laid back about it when it comes to the crunch of moving again ? That old saying - you can lead a horse to water but you can't amke it drink comes to mind ...... there will be a point where, with the best will in the world, you've done everything you can for him, but if he's not prepared to take the next step for himself, all your effort will have been in vain.

In your shoes, I would be terribly terribly worried that once back, I'd have a devil's won job shifting him again ........ and remember everything you've recently told us about how he's sucked the spirit out of you ever since you met, how he controls and scrutinises your every move ....

I don't need to repeat again the impact of this upon the kids, but I agree with most other posters. Children have by far the best chance of coping with and accepting their parents' separation if there are very clear boundaries set out from the start. They do not cope at all well if their hopes are raised and dashed all over again. Even if your kids were teenagers I don't think they'd fully understand however much the situation were fully explained to them. As yours are a lot younger, I think the potential for trauma is very high given what you're planning. And remember too, that this man's treatment of you is not a good role model for them to witness.

His family: if they are as dangerous as you say, your XP must tell the Police. If he chooses not to, that is his problem. If they are as dangerous as you say, I'd feel relieved that as one of the benefits of separating, I'd potentially have less connection to them myself. Again, you cannot fight his battles for him for ever more. You mentioned something about "them" trying to get you out of your house which I didn't understand .... how could that happen ? Whatever .... for goodness sake, get an injunction against them if you truly fear for yourself and your kids. And think on, if XP isn't there, surely that means less likelihood of his family causing trouble for you.

Please, please try and find that feisty woman who, just a few days ago was seething over her partner's treatment of her. You knew then that how he behaved was wrong - do you really want that again, even if for a short time ? And do you really want to run the risk of it somehow turning into a long time. You deserve so much better than that.

Sorry ..... I'm rambling on now and I know you don't know me from Adam, but maybe this will convince you that people do care about you, so much so they spend ages typing because they're fearful of the situation you're putting yourself in. To start making plans for life without him was very brave, don't let that get destroyed by guilt and "what ifs". Look, please don't think I'm speaking out of turn here but you come across - to me anyweay, can't speak for anyone else - as a typical, cliched "victim". These are people who've been put down, bulied, belittled, used, scared etc for so long that even though they know deep down what their partner's doing is wrong, they make excuses for them and/or shoulder the blame/responsibility for the bad stuff themselves. This is because their own personality is so deeply buried beneath a pile of crap, that they've lost sight of who they are and they find it impossible to see the wood for the trees. You recently wrote of your recognition for how things were between you and him ....... you are absolutely entitled to feel scared, disappointed and upset at the thought of starting over again on your on, and it's to your credit that you can remember the good stuff about him you once fell in love with, but please ask yourself this: what is most scary ? ..... starting over without him, or letting him sneak back into your lives and carrying on living as you were before (which you hated) ???

ponygirl · 10/02/2006 16:46

Nutty, are you OK? It's only 'cos we care, you know...

lou33 · 10/02/2006 17:03

I only read your initial post here nutty, but from what i can see, he is playing you . He wants you to feel bad for him, and of course you will, as you feel guilty for asking him to leave in the first place. He's a grown man, he chooses to ignore his family or deal with them. Tell him to suck it up and deal with it. He will cope.

LIZS · 10/02/2006 17:04

Agree with Fio - can he look at a hostel or b and b in the short term. All the time he is under your roof he won't have the same need to find an alternative - remember he has to do it, not you - nor would he be officially "homeless". Is it possible he is exaggerating his family's aggression, to manipulate you and get some sympathy . How did they react when his previous relationship broke down, did they make threats and behave aggressively then ?

Lastly I know you say you'll explain to the kids but it may get their hopes up nonetheless. I can see why it may seem the most natural thing to do but wory about the consequences for you and the kids.

lou33 · 10/02/2006 17:07

Letting him move back in from the kid pov is a bad move. I relauctantly let mine stay with me from 17 dec - 9th jan, as his accommodation fell through when he was away on holiday, and he didnt know, or have time to sort more out before he went away. The kids of course hoped we would stay together , despite me saying it was only for a while, and they were doubly upset when he finally went again. Also xh i think was hoping we would sort things out too, and that was hard.

FioFio · 10/02/2006 17:21

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rickman · 10/02/2006 21:36

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rickman · 11/02/2006 13:03

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coppertop · 11/02/2006 18:45

Are you okay, Nutty?

freeatlast · 11/02/2006 18:49

hi cant tell you what to do ,,,but i split with h 2 years ago and he theatend loads of htings so i let him back and it was rosey for 3 months! [if you ignore the fact he was a control freak andthat he raped me]today i had enough and am going myself ,,,then he cant come back!! good luck whatever youchoose

nutcracker · 11/02/2006 19:46

Just wanted to say I am ok but will no longer be posting about my relationship on here and am trying to steer clear of mn full stop.

OP posts:
littlerach · 11/02/2006 20:02

Nutty, don't ;leave, people xcare about you and just want to make sure that you are reallr thinking ti through.

mistressmiggins · 11/02/2006 20:10

dont leave
if you dont like the advice people have given you...well thats life isnt it

people only said what they thought - thats what I LOVE about MN - you ask - you get an honest opinion

IF you have chosen to let H back, although I dont think it will help any of you in the long run, I do understand.

dont leave though - take a break but come back - everyone means well

charliecat · 11/02/2006 20:10

From your posts nutty I guess your thinking or staying with him.
You wrote this not so long ago.
I hope he has the personality transplants he needs to deserve you...
On the first day when you thought you wouldnt have to put up with it anymore you couldnt stop grinning..

"Ok, more often than not he makes me feel like i wish i'd never met him. He is selfish, rude, racist, sizeist (all the ists you can think of), and obsessed with sex.

I cannot ever have a normal conversation with him because he makes sexual comments from nothing, words i say, numbers, situations etc etc. I can't bend over without him grabbing me, or making vulgar comments. He makes me feel like such a slapper it's untrue.
I stopped giving him affection long ago because he can't leave it at that. I haven't had a full nights sleep in years because he wakes me up at least once and night to try it on.

I am what everyone said I was to him when we first met, a trophy. Whatever is wrong in his life he can always turn round and say he's got me, a woman half his age etc etc and thats all that matters to him.

The day I met him was the day my life pretty much ended. I never even fancied him he was just there and was having a bad time of it and got swept along in someone being there for me.

Now i wish he was dead"

charliecat · 11/02/2006 20:12

I hope you having the strenght to throw him out gives him the kick up the arse he needs to change BTW. Thats post of your made me cry on your behalf though..hope he does.

LIZS · 11/02/2006 20:33

Nutty , sorry if you feel unsupported - really don't think that was anyone's intention just responding to your original post and the strength it took to get to that point last week. It is your choice in the end.