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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

What to do? (EA? SA?) Legal advice needed as well please - warning, it is extremely long!

493 replies

StickorFold · 25/04/2012 10:57

This is going to be long and warbled, and might not make too much sense, maybe a bit bitty, but will try and put as much as much detail in as I can so I'm not adding to it after.

Firstly, I am an old MN'er, used to be a prolific poster, so it may be that the odd one of you may work out who I am, I would really appreciate it if anyone that suspects just keeps it to themselves please.

Secondly, think it goes against MN rules to have two accounts, though I hope for this one occasion we can over look this, as it is the only way I feel safe enough to get this out and hopefully gain some advice.

Thirdly, I may not be able to reply as ofter as I'd like, but will try my best to get on when I can.

OK, so, background: H and I have been married for 11 and a half years, three children, he is a good, loving dad, he works extremely hard (60hrs a month), he is ace at helping out around the house, he does most of the cooking, involved in bath times/bedtimes (when he is here), he does put the kids first in everything, and that reason, and that reason alone, is the only reason we are still together now.

I also work, of sorts, I have two failed/failing businesses under my belt, and am now working part time while youngest is at nursery and the older two are in school, plus evenings/weekends (17-20 hrs a week). I will be coming back to my 'job' in a bit.

His 13 years older than me, we met when I was 17, moved into a flat together, got engaged, got married, and (planned) DC within 3 months of us meeting. At the time, I thought he really must have loved me, now realise he pushed us both into it, nearly losing my family along the way (didn't speak to my lovely mum for over a year, she missed my eledest's pregnancy/birth/first xmas etc.), I lost all of my friends, he didn't have any as he had moved from a different part of the country to be with me, because he loved me soooo much Hmm

He told me about a week before we got married that he had two children, by different women, that were only 5 and 6 years younger than me (the children!). He said he was young and stupid and that he'd never seen either of them, though he did pay a very small amount of CSA (big of him, eh? WHY couldn't I see it at the time? Angry) I have since found out that actually he did live with the mother of the second child for a while after she was born, but that it didn't work out, so all the 'firsts' we were doing to gether with our first child, weren't actually his firsts at all Sad.

He'd had a long term relationship with someone who he said he never wanted to marry, or have children with, even though she wanted to desperately, he apparently just left her one day, and then met me within 4/5 months and declaired his undying love ("I didn't love her enough, she was nothing like you, didn't I prove that when I married you and not her?")

He had a difficult upbringing, don't want to go into too much detail as I don't feel that would be fair of me, but, very quickly, his mum left him, his older siblings and his dad when H was very young, and by the time he was a young teen, his siblings had all moved out, and his dad had practically moved in with a new lady, H was fending for himself from 14yo.

Over the course of our marriage, I have obviously matured from being a 17yo girl (in essence), and over the last 3-4 years I have come to realise that H is (subtly) EA. He was very controlling over a friendship I had with a girl, to the point where we ended up moving 30 miles away, which was very convieniant for him. And it was the turning point in my mind, I could see as clear as day what was going on, what he was doing to me, and I told him we were over, neither of us could afford to move out, so we carried on staying under the same roof, big mistake, within a month, you'd never know we were going to split. I have now 'lost touch' with my friend, and have no others.

Since then, I have done a fair amount of burying my head in the sand, trying to 'tune in' to when he was preasuring me in any way etc. couple of times I known for sure and talked to him about it, he always wormed his way out of it, and after a few days of uncomfortableness (for me) I'd get over it and it was placed under that very lumpy carpet, with all the rest of the shit.

Throughout the whole time we have been a family, he has always (and I believe will always) love the kids wholely, and properly, there are a couple of very small odd things that have become sticking points over the years (e.g. he insists that when we all eat dinner, we don't cut into a boiled potato (or whatever) and just eat the potato, we also cut a bit of the fish (or whatever!) and eat the fish and potato at the same time, I know that is really odd, but it is just one of the tiny things that sticks in my head) He also can never seem to manage the small things we ask of him, e.g. I have two sugars in my cup of tea, he never ever puts two in, why not? Hmm

About two-ish years ago, I got very drunk, with him at home, saturday night, overdid the wine, not a regular occurance. When I woke up in the morning I thought I could remember him having sex with me in the middle of the night, I asked him and he denied it, I questioned myself (was I that drunk/dreaming?) but (sorry for TMI) I found the 'evidence' as I went to the bathroom, if you follow my drift? So I knew he had, I thought maybe he was drunk as well and couldn't remember. Wrote it off as a strange night.

Since then I have woken up to feeling him ejaculating on me, or wiping me with his t-shirt after he has ejaculated on me, or woken up just as he has tried to actually put his willy in me, sometimes I have asked him what the bloody hell he thinks he's doing, sometimes I just pretend I'm still asleep. Any time I bring it up, I apparently should feel lucky that he still wants me after so long, and after the children, and if I was more willing he wouldn't have to resort to these measures. Now I am the first one to admit, our sex life has suffered over the years, we tend to go in spits and spats, sometimes it can be two or three weeks, sometimes 5 or 6 times a week, no pattern to it, sometimes it is when I am most angry/hurt that we have more sex, not sure if that is me trying to regain some control?

Money has always been a problem, we've never seemed to have enough(!) (though TBF we have never been as tight as it is right now, now we are struggling for food at times, whereas, whilst there might not have been much left over 12 months ago, there was some) I was a SAHM until 2 years ago, I have tried and failed two different businesses (trying to work around child care etc.) neither of which had big outlays, but both of which really needed money for advertising that we just didn't/haven't got.

H point blank refused for me to get a part-time evening job, either in a bar/shop/etc. Saying that we'd never see each other, I'd miss the kid's bedtimes etc. But we were desperate for money. That stupid bloody program came on the telly about the phone sex line girls, H jumped on it, said it was be perfect for me, I could do it while the kids were out, and maybe some evenings to get extra money in, and that it might open my mind a bit and give us a boost in our sex lives. So for the past 4 weeks I have spent many evenings, in and out of the garage conversion, to deal with bedtimes etc. while trying to take/dodge calls from people. He will say things like "Did you touch yourself for any of them?" "Have you made much on your wank line?" "Oooo, bet you're all turned on now, talking to those other men". He sits in the living room watching the phone to know exactly when I'm on the phone and when I'm not, watching porn, sending me pictures of his errect penis over a photo of me, sending videos of himself wanking over pictures of me on the laptop etc. This is all supposed to get me in the mood... Hmm and Sad and Angry.

So, after a shit week last week, and having made some extra money, I went and bought us some wine on Saturday, I drank nearly two bottles (again, I like wine, but not usually that much!) H actually poured the last glass of the second bottle but I said I'd had enough and was going to bed, we had sex and I went to sleep. Next thing I remember waking up, he was on top of me, having sex with me, my legs were closed underneath him, he was completely squashing me, I was whimpering, actually whimpering (makes my bloody boil when I think how I was), I was saying no, ow, no, but strangely, I wasn't screaming and shouting it, or trying to move away or anything, I was just a pathetic whimpering heap, why didn't I try to stop him? He ejeculated in me and gave me an extra tight squeeze, and rolled off me. I asked him why he just carried on when I was saying no, and he said he thought I was moaning in pleasure Hmm He asked if we were ok, I said yes, rolled over and went to sleep.

He spent Sunday morning walking on egg shells, being extra nice, I didn't say a word about it and just acted normal, thinking I needed time to work out what I was going to do, and it was best to keep my cards to my chest as it were.

Yesturday we got into bed, he asked, actually asked, out of the blue, "can I cum on you?" I said no in a lighttone and pointed to the bathroom, he seemed to shrug it off, gave me a kiss on my cheek, turned over and started to fall asleep, I turned over and led there with my eyes open, he obviously presumed I was asleep, he started wanking, I purposefully moved to see what he would do, he just carried straight on, I heard/felt him get his t-shirt to clean up (it is always his t-shirts) and then he was asleep, I came downstairs and cried. He has absolutely no respect for me, I think the porn thing is playing a part in this, he never (seemed to) used it before a couple of years ago, and slowly but steadily, he has been using it more, and in the same time frame I am becoming more and more of his object to do with as he pleases, when he pleases.

So, for anyone that has got this far (and bloody well done if you did!) firstly, am I being unfair on the kids to take them away from their dad when he is brilliant with them? They love him to bits, it will break their hearts and I don't want to risk being the cause of the that.

Secondly, we rent our house (both names on tenancy), he owns the car but I drive it 99% of the time, we have no savings etc. My mum lives 200 miles away and it is the only place I could go. The only way I can get away from him, with some money in my pocket to get us there and a means of getting us there is if when he next get's paid (last working day of each month) to move some money from our joint account to my own, (this will leave bills here unpaid), take the car, pack up everything I can get in it, and take the kids and I to my mums. He will know exactly where I am, I'm not scared of him, but the fact I have cut all ties (except the kids obv.), will show him that we are over. He will hate it, he will hate me for doing it, but he will calm down fairly quickly, and realise he's pushed it too far, for the sake of seeing the kids.

Would I be facing any legal repercussions in taking the car/money? I just dont know how else to do it.

Right, this is humongous, I am sure I still haven't given all the details, but I really just wanted to get as much as I could down. Thanks to anyone who has made it to the end, and if anyone has any advice, I am all eyes ears.

OP posts:
Dee03 · 30/04/2012 20:21

Hope all ok OP.
Xx

MrsMcEnroe · 30/04/2012 21:06

Hope you're OK SoF.

StickorFold · 30/04/2012 21:31

So sorry thought i'd posted earlier, must have lost it?

Don't even know where I got to now, we're at mums, safe and sound. Spoke to H, he is (sounding) gutted, though still after 5 mins he managed to fit something in about that I must tell him if I meet a new man. Told him to f off Blush

I have told ds1, he is in bits which is hard, he doesn't want to speak to h today, will wait till tomorrow.

I can't say it enough but thank you to everyone, the support has been incredible.

I am going to sit with ds1 and have a cuddle, and let him stay up till he's no more questions. Then get into bed, and sleep for England! X

OP posts:
UnexpectedItemInShaggingArea · 30/04/2012 21:40

Delurking.

Great news that you are safe and no reprisals from H.

Look after yourself and your DCs, you are one very very brave lady.

TheLaineyWayIsEssex · 30/04/2012 22:04

Just read your entire thread. Just wanted to say WOW
You have been truly brave, and am full of admiration for what you have done for you and your boys!

LaVitaBellissima · 30/04/2012 22:27

Be strong, I feel so proud for you, it is such an achievement after 12 years and I am sure you will feel better every coming day!
Enjoy that sleep Smile

coppertop · 30/04/2012 22:30

Well done, SoF. I'm so glad you're safely away from it all.

Your family sound amazing too. :)

Sallyingforth · 30/04/2012 23:20

SoF, If you can bear to, it would be good for this thread to stay available in some way as an example to other ladies who have suffered from the same horrible experiences.
Not everyone has your courage to get away, but you have shown that it can be done. I admire you.

GingerBlondecat · 01/05/2012 05:07

Gosh, now I've got something in both eyes. Gosh darn you immaginary dust.

AMJ3 · 01/05/2012 07:19

I've been following this from the day of ur first post. Glad u made it safely. Just look fwd to the future and never look back. Good luck. xxx

mistlethrush · 01/05/2012 10:14

SoF I hope that you've had a really good night's sleep!

Teebeexxx · 01/05/2012 15:47

SoF will know who I am if she thinks about it! She is the most lovely, brave person and I wish I'd been able to help her more throughout the last few years.

SoF - think with your head not your heart. So many people go through a break-up with children and the majority of those say it was the best thing they have ever done for them and for the children. As difficult as it is, you really need to try to seperate your head from your heart. Write things down, a column for "head" thoughts and a column for "heart" thoughts and ignore the "heart" column!!!

DV comes in many guises, what you have experienced is DV. I'm not an expert but many stories come out about this getting worse and eventually involving children and I'm not saying that's what would happen, just that it could.

You have been incredibly brave, what you have gone through would topple most normal people but you are so strong. When that strength seems to be waivering use our strength and the MN strength and know we are all here for you all and always will be.

We love you so much.

Txxx

StickorFold · 01/05/2012 21:25

Blush thank you x

I still don't know what to say. Just completely blown away.

Had a good day today, made a start on our new wardrobes, really stupid because money etc. but I just don't want anything from him.

He came to see the boys, ds1 didn't want to go with him, think he just wasn't ready, ds2&3 went no problem. H is trying to push for him to have them for the weekend, I've said he can come, book a hotel and see them all weekend, take them out or whatever, he's agreed to that but is now asking for them to go next weekend, AIBU to say no? Chances are they will have started school and I think it will be too much to go "home" and then come back to it all again.

I have been invited to a 'girls' night away, only at Alton Towers, and it's not till July, but I am really focussing on that, mum will have the boys, and it is far enough away to not be another thing to think about, but close enough to look forward to IYKWIM? I have never done anything like it before, so feel like a bloody teenager! Even just to have an invite somewhere, sounds really sad but it's another great big fuck off to the old me! I don't know exactly who/what the new me is yet, but I am going to bloody enjoy finding it!

Oh btw, I am just going to let the thread stay. Other than my sisters, no one knows it's me, and I do hope it may help someone else.

I am going to go and get in the bath, have a glass of wine, put my new pyjamas and slippers on and carry on enjoying being safe and free. Grin.

(also, as an aside, I have been driving all over the town today, I've not once felt like I couldn't do it, and even negotiated loads of roundabouts, and I actually think they are quite fun now! Confidence in myself is shooting through the roof!)

OP posts:
foolonthehill · 01/05/2012 21:29

Grin at you whizzing round the roundabouts in your new get-up!

careful with the DCs, make sure they feel stable and safe and try to get a good balance between time with you and DF. Perhaps every other weekend would be kinder to them or they will never establish themselves with you and new friends??

catsrus · 01/05/2012 21:30

well done you Grin

FashionEaster · 01/05/2012 22:03

Perhaps let the dust settle with your new lives a bit, and then see what works re access. Does every other weekend sit well with you, for instance? You don't want to do all the hard work in the week and find that you don't get to do fun things with your boys at the weekend, but equally you will need a break from being a LP to 3 dcs. Plus, thinking about it from the boys' pov, obviously they will want to see their dad but also there will be parties they want to go to, friends to meet up with out of school, clubs that they might join. And then of course there is the holidays. I had some excellent hand-holding advice on here about what might work and also how to deal with ExH when he breached the access arrangements (he didn't skedaddle with them or anything, was just being an arse)

And interesting that dc1 doesn't want to see his dad yet...did he say why?

IvanaNap · 01/05/2012 22:04

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn as this poster has privacy concerns.

NicNocJnr · 01/05/2012 22:35

You have no idea how happy I am to read how it's gone - I was beside myself at the beggining and now here you are - you and your children safe and free.

If I may advise caution with access rights -
Can you do it with a 3rd party present?
Can you hold off until DS1 has had a chat with you about his feelings and if it's this new situation or something you need to be pricking your mummy ears up on?
I am a child of abuse - I was made to go and see the man who abusd me because it was his right as my father. I find out many moons later he did all the same things to my mother but he was such a good dad and he had rights and, and, and. Please don't misconstrue me I'm not accusing but keep your ears open.

I am so...blargh, have no words - you should be so proud of who you are, you're amazing.

BustersOfDoom · 01/05/2012 23:03

So pleased to hear you are back home, happy and looking positively towards the future. I can't offer any advice on access as I've never been in that situation and I can see that more experienced posters are giving excellent advice but the thought of you nipping across roundabouts without worrying yourself into a state and looking forward to going to Alton Towers makes me smile! The hotel there is fab, you'll have a great time.

But more importantly, the rest of your life will be great. You sound as if an enormous weight has been lifted from your shoulders. Am so pleased for you and impressed by your and your lovely family's determination to make a better life for you and your DC. Just go easy on yourself x

BertieBotts · 01/05/2012 23:36

Definitely caution with the visits.

Although it is a relief to get away and it is the breathing space you all need, unfortunately his attempts to control, manipulate, worm his way in and get his own way will not end just because you have left. At the moment, if you're being strict with no contact, access with the children is all he has to bargain with. And he will, at least his version of bargaining, which isn't about working out what's best for everyone, but about him getting one over on you.

My advice to you is to have a really good think about what you feel would be acceptable with access visits, think up a plan for regular visits, send it to him in writing (via email or something) and then STICK to it. Cover every single eventuality, illness, special occasions, school trips, the boys refusing to go. This will reduce the possibility for arguments later, especially if he agrees to it. Don't budge on it - not yet, anyway. Not until he's proven he can be reasonable.

Teebeexxx · 02/05/2012 09:05

Don't be rushed into making decisions, there is no need to do that this minute. Personally, I'd let the children settle in and get used to being in their new place for a few weeks. Their dad should understand that and of course he can visit them but it will be less confusing for the children than taking them on that journey home.

Glad to hear you're settling and enjoying your new freedom but even better that you are still being positive and recognising the new start as a positive thing. The hardest bit is done, it is only going to get better from here on in.

Txxx

mistlethrush · 05/05/2012 21:44

SoF

Hoping all is well with you during your first weekend of freedom

FashionEaster · 05/05/2012 21:45

Just checking in too, to see how you are. Hope you are all well xx

WMDinthekitchen · 10/05/2012 17:51

Hi Stick, just hoping you and the DC are OK!!

StickorFold · 10/05/2012 21:38

Hello, sorry haven't got time to answer everyone individually, just doing a quick update on my phone.

Thank you once again for the well wishes. x

We are nearly two weeks in, I am feeling absolutely great, unbelievably well, kids are fine when kept busy, when it gets quiet you can almost see the cogs turning, which is hard but still somewhere between me and my fab family we are getting them through it. I think they will feel better when they start back at school, finally got a form I was waiting for today so can go to the schools tomorrow and hopefully find out when they can start. Smile

We have had a surprise visit from MoK and her DH last weekend, and we spent the day today with Teebee and her gorgeous DD's (hello gorgeous! WinkGrin)

H has swung from seeming reasonable to having tantrums, tried to insist I tell him what we do in the day he knows when to expect a reply to his 100's of texts which I have mostly been ignoring! I think he thought I'd be back by now begging for forgiveness. I think he is only just starting to think that it is for real and that we're not going back.

I can't tell you how different I feel, it is like I have shaken off a great big heavy load and can finally breathe. I have just sent my friend (the one I lost touch with) a huge message, I know we can't ever have the same sort of relationship, but I wanted to explain and fill in missing gaps she had.

So much for a quick update! Anyway, point is, we are all fine, still lots to sort and do, haven't even got as far as seeing a solicitor yet, but, I tackled The (much less complicated than I thought) Bastarding Roundabout on the way to and from Teebee's today and we made it!

Last thing, anyone reading this thinking they couldn't do it for one reason or another, seriously, do it. My only regret is not doing it much sooner before his abuse went to the next level.

Grin Am off for the BGT results, how nice it is to watch it without someone saying how crap they all are, breath of fresh air number 100064378743! x

OP posts:
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