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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

Need some perspective

31 replies

Alittlebitlost · 02/05/2012 13:58

Have name changed for this.

I have been doing a lot of reading on here lately, mostly about EA but I still feel I need to get out what is in my head iyswim.

I split up with my P of 12 years around 18 months ago. It happened very quickly following a lot of unreasonable behaviour from him, but it came out of the blue for which I still feel very guilty.

We met when I was 16 and he was 24, had our first dc when I was 19. He is all I know. He was always one of those 'treat em mean keep em keen' types, which I suppose was part of the attraction for me back then.

To cut a very long story short he was basically never there for me or the dc. He ran his own business which was the priority over everything. He would stay out late drinking and often expect sex when he came home and would get moody with me if he didn't get it.

He was always a heavy cannabis smoker, often used to promise me he'd give up but never happened.

He did very little around the house, with the dc, all finances were left to me to sort out.

I became a very emotional person, the slightest thing would upset me. I can remember going to bed a lot on my own and cry myself to sleep. He would quite often ignore me when I was upset. When I tried to talk to him he was very reluctant to listen or even look up from the tv. Our 'chats' would result in either him telling me to F off if I could find something better or making promises that never happened.

He would ignore me when I was ill, even after having to go into hospital. And there was always pressure to have sex.

I was also accused of cheating.

One night he asked me if I was happy and when I said no he basically told me to pack his bags, tell the kids and he'd go. I think it was a test or he was bluffing, but looking back I was at the end of my wits and I did it. Initially it was to be some time apart, but I have never felt like I want him to move back in.

But here's the thing I don't understand about myself, he still very much wants to get back together and I have half heartedly said I will try. I did tell him back in November that it was finally over to which replied he wouldn't give up and I suppose I have been worn down to trying again. I feel guilty about the way we split up, I feel I maybe should've tried harder and given him the chance to change. I seem to have this irrational fear of making him upset or angry, so I just go along with what he wants. I feel I need some justification for the split. I am pathetic.

I am waffling now because there is so much in my head from the past and from things he has said and done since we split that I can't get it out in words.

OP posts:
foolonthehill · 04/05/2012 16:47

I think it is a mixture...they are a bit like toddlers, they try tactics that have worked in the past for them, if that doesn't work they try another. They are culpable because they choose to do the behaviour, they are pitiable because they are so "entitled" that they feel justified in doing the behaviours...ie they don't see others as individual, reasonable, entitled human beings in the way that they see themselves.

Does that make sense??

Some choice and some conditioning.

The point is that (excepting personality disorders...which is a whole other debate) if they choose to change they CAN but it is hard and most don't choose to.

Interesting that they are "sensitive souls" who are in touch with their feelings...sadly they fail to engage with OUR feelings at all.

CogitoErgoSometimes · 04/05/2012 18:21

It's learned behaviour that comes from supreme selfishness. Prime concern for these people is that they have to get their own way. They believe they are the most important person in the world and everyone else exists purely for their benefit. They will do what it takes to get their own way - cajoling, persuasion, immense charm - but equally have no scruples about hurting others, physically or mentally. They are bullies so they pick on people who seem weak as they are easier to control. They are cowardly so they would never take on a strong person... too risky. Those who stand up to them or don't give in to them are dismissed as being a bit strange. 'Attitude problem', 'nutter', 'got problems'

So your exp saying that 'all he wants is to be with his family' is consistent. He tells you what he wants, clicks his fingers and you are supposed to provide it. Don't talk to him except when absolutely necessary .... stay strong and he will give up eventually. Show weakness, keep communicating and he'll keep trying to chip away.

foolonthehill · 04/05/2012 21:33

and what cog said so much better than me!

Alittlebitlost · 06/05/2012 12:55

You have both described traits of his personality perfectly. He is incredibly selfish and has always been unable to see things from an others point of view. I suppose what I feel so bad about in my situation is that he has finally realised what he had (so he says) and wants it back.

But I think it is too late, there is so much hurt and resentment on my side and I am always waiting for him to revert back to form, which he regularly does.

At the moment he being extra nice, even offered to make the dcs tea yesterday when I wasn't feeling well, (i realise this isn't a lot but for him it is) so I guess I am wobbling a bit.

OP posts:
CogitoErgoSometimes · 06/05/2012 13:01

It's OK to wobble... con-artists are very good at what they do. But keep reminding yourself that he's showing you 'good cop' now and see it for the big pretence it actually is. If you start believing it's genuine and accept him back in your life, you'll find you're back with 'bad cop' again.

What he wants is not important at all. What you want takes #1 priority. You're wise to his games so eyes wide open. Eyes wide open.

foolonthehill · 06/05/2012 21:44

without the "nice" you would never have looked at him twice. But he can't keep it up...and he almost certainly won't want to! Keep on going and don't look back. there are good people out there and you deserve to be spending time with them.

A normal nice person would make the DCs tea without needing it to be a big deal for their OH......

onwards and upwards alittlebit

oooh I feel another name change coming on for you...maybe "theonlywayisup" or "Icanseeclearlynow".. or..."noobstacles"

Note to self must stop listening to cringe-worthy charts from yesteryear!

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