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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

update with EA OH

46 replies

vanilla01 · 12/06/2012 18:06

if you have already read my post from sunday "i have just realised i not mad" you will know that it suddenly dawned on me after 20 years that i am living with an EA.
i spent most of sunday and monday battling with myself, one minute i decided i had imagined it all the next i was pretty definite that he was. i was quite confused about it all especially after he come home being super nice. i was almost wishing he would be horrible just so i could confirm he defiantly was.

then i spent most of monday night thinking about things in the past that have happend in our relationship that i put down at the time to "being me" or "my fault" or "i must of imagined it"- OMG it was all falling into place. he has been playing with my mind from day one!

like the time i walked into a pub he was in and he completely ignored me all night - not even a hello or acknowledgement nothing, then turned up at my flat about an hour after i got home as if nothing had happened and it was all in my head.
or the time when i phoned his flat and a girl answered, he said his uncle had taken a girl back to his flat that night and because his uncle was married i wasnt allowed to say anything - i fell for it hook line and sinker.

so many more stories - my god i should have MUG stamped on my forehead.

today i have woken up a different person - i have somehow dis-engaged myself from everything he is saying to me - how i did that overnight i do not know. So everything that comes out of his mouth i am seeing it with a different meaning.

so when he came home from work again being super nice - im thinking hes trying to reel me in, i wasnt particularly paying much attention to what he was saying when he just flipped - he said out of the blue why havent you paid this cheque in its been sitting in this house for a week (voice raising), then he went marching into the garage and started shouting from there - have you seen the mess in here look at it, you cant even be bothered to keep it tidy, (as he is frantically lobbing things out the garage door like a nutter), then he goes back in doors and starts cleaning, cursing me for not washing 2 plates up and having a few crumbs on the floor (my kitchen whilst he is doing this is already very clean and tidy)!, i just sat down in the living room didnt move or say a word almost sniggering at him. now normally when this happens i am running behind him like a nervous wreck trying to clean and tidy before he starts going into one.

i think im getting there - i cant quite get my head around leaving just yet im still scared to - but i will and im in a place today that i have never ever been before and i like it.

xxxxxxx

OP posts:
AnyFucker · 12/06/2012 19:48

that's lovely to hear, hervana Smile

TheHappyHissy · 12/06/2012 20:29

Huge hugs for Hervana! Well done!

bogeyface · 12/06/2012 20:59

I am so pleased that you are making progress, BUT....and it is a big but.

As has been mentioned earlier, he may well up his game now you are not playing along and in some men that can lead to violence. I am not saying this because I think he necessarily will or to frighten you but because I want you to be be prepared for the worst case scenario.

I know you are still edging about leaving but please, pack a back that you can keep somewhere (in the car? at a friends?) with a change of clothes for you and the kids, your passports, paperwork etc and if possible some money. That way if you need to leave in a hurry you are ready to go. Also, if he frightens you, threatens you or lays ONE FINGER on you, then call the police straight away. And call 999 not the non emergency number. You #1 priority must be to keep you and your DC safe. Perhaps it would be good if you could talk to one of your friends that live close to you and ask if, should the worst come to the worst, can you and kids go there in an emergency just to keep safe. That will prevent the 2am "I cant leave now, my friends will be in bed and they have kids...." thought that we have all had. Your friends sound lovely and if they are anything like me then they would say that could go to them at any time, day or night.

Take care, I am thinking of you.

claudedebussy · 12/06/2012 21:05

what bogeyface said.

Jux · 12/06/2012 21:20

Good on you, Vanilla. Will keep an eye out for you, when baking has made you rich and famous!

Do be careful for the moment though, and do not hesitate to call the cops and land on someone's doorstep without a word in advance. You've got a couple of mates who sound like they wouldn't care what time you arrived, they'd just be glad you had. (If you were my mate, I know I wouldn't care, just as long as you got away from him.)

Get that emergency bag packed while you've got the chance - pc's of his bank statements, salary etc, passports for you and dc, change of clothes if poss.

And please please please do call the cops if he starts making you feel scared, don't wait.

nutellaontoast · 12/06/2012 21:35

LOL!

That said, entertaining though sticking around may be, what bogeyface said. Great paperwork list earlier too.

And actually I think you need to consult a solicitor and family asap and just leave, really. While he's out.

I think you will too Grin.

CrystalsAreCool · 12/06/2012 21:40

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

CogitoErgoSometimes · 12/06/2012 21:43

I particularly liked the fact that you giggled. Reminded me of that Harry Potter spell to get rid of the Boggart that assumes the shape of the thing you're most frightened of .... RIDDIKULUS!!

I agree to watch out for him upping his game and think you've had some very good practical suggestions above. Keep smiling and good luck

NicNocJnr · 13/06/2012 06:27

Yay! Grin

Welcome to life Vanilla - it's so lovely over here Smile

Please bear in mind what Bogeyface said, it's is very sensible advice and if you pack it the worst that will happen is you don't need it.

As boggling as it seems that it was anything to fall for, as idiotic and pathetic as these little rages seem when the scales fall they are not controllable in this situation. Best just go. If he feels threatened that you have copped on and are strong again...well, that they do not like. Use your strength to come over here and see how very green the grass can be!

WillowTheWhispers · 13/06/2012 10:41

Well done! Grin

Well Im doing what you're doing atm because without saying too much, I have to play the waiting game atm so if you feel the wobbles we can keep each other strong - you up for that?

Please do as others have suggested and have an emergency bag somewhere. There's nothing worse than finding you need to flee and are in no way organised or that he has hidden your important documents etc.

The more you stay disengaged the more EA tactics he will use and the more it will confirm that he is EA. Be on your guard for signs that he is escalating and keep posting.

ElephantsAndMiasmas · 13/06/2012 14:52

Good for you Vanilla! :)

My favourite bit is that you weren't giving him the attention he demands!

TheWizardsWife · 13/06/2012 19:13

Please be careful. Sorry to stick my nose in here, but I'm just worried he will up his game.
I have no experience and am no expert, please just take note of what bogeyface said.
Good luck, I wish you all the best.

BerylStreep · 13/06/2012 19:22

He seems to think he is doing you such a big favour, going out to work, and that you should be unreservedly grateful and at his beck and call.

He doesn't seem to realise that you are:
raising 2 children under 6
Being an unpaid book-keeper
Being an unpaid cleaner
and dear knows what else.

I know it is liberating for the lightbulb to have switched on for you, and to see his behaviour for what it is, but be careful and keep yourself safe. If he thinks he can't control you any more, he could become unpredictable.

Jux · 13/06/2012 20:07

Vanilla, you OK?

I am worried as op hasn't returned that her lovely h did indeed up his game when he returned last night.

Or is she posting on the other thread?

bogeyface · 13/06/2012 20:46

Hmm, I have been wondering too Jux.

mathanxiety · 13/06/2012 21:00

Well done, but stay safe as Bogeyface says. I hope you will plan to leave and also plan to call the police if you feel afraid. Trust your instincts when you feel fear.

Did you see how quickly he sensed the change in you and threw the tantrum? He is finely tuned to your demeanour because having you subservient and downcast and timid is like oxygen to him (i.e. extremely important -- it sustains him). As soon as he sensed you were limiting the oxygen available he started throwing things out of the garage, and shouting and blustering into your turf all angry and critical and presenting a physical presence that brooked no other presence; that anger and physicality is worrying.

solidgoldbrass · 14/06/2012 01:17

It is a bit worrying that he is going for the increased-tantrum method of bringing you back into line so quickly. Hopefully his next move will be to switch to mega-niceness instead, giving you time to organise your exit, but as others have said, do be on the alert for major aggression and don't be frightened to call the police if you need to.

ElephantsAndMiasmas · 14/06/2012 14:51

Hope everyone's seen the other thread!

Jux · 14/06/2012 16:47

No I haven't - can't find the original one. Will search a little deeper.

mathanxiety · 14/06/2012 16:51

Other thread?

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