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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

Advice about X getting nasty (sorry its long)

231 replies

Festivefly · 21/12/2003 14:58

I need some advice about what to do. Three weeks ago i decided i couldn't have contact with my x anymore. Seeing him was tearing me apart. The final straw was when he rang constantly throughout the night to tell me how much he missed me. At first i'd put the phone down and tell him to ring his girlfriend not me. In the end i fell for it and started to listen. He told me what a legend i was, remembered wonderful things we did together. It opened up a healing wound. He said please babe come and see me, you can stay the night, we'll put our kids to bed, and then have a drink and a chat. I told him that i couldn't handle seeing him as a friend, if i got on with him i wouldn't want to leave, and it woild take all my strength to hold myself back from kissing him. To that he said it doesn't matter just come.He told me that he hardly saw his girlfriend it had only been a month it was nothing serious. I couldn't resist it, my heart lifted, and i thought thank god this nightmare is over. I went on the train with my heart beating for joy. I thought finally the man i love has seen sense and gone back to his old self.
I got to his flat there were candles everywhere a hairdryer plugged in, flowers, a make up bag, her post, her art work.......... I felt like vomiting, i screamed what the hell are you trying to do to me, i didn't want to see this. He said what were you expecting to happen, i asked you to come here so you could see where our boys would be sleeping. I started to shake shouted a bit and left. It was the final straw i got on the train home and had a panic attack. Then i went numb. All i could imagine was them together doing what we used to do. A week later i went on anti-depressants. They didn't agree with me so i stopped. He'd done it finally i was going to have my nervous break down.
My family found out about the state of me and took over. I didn't know what i was doing anymore, i'd stopped feeling. They rang him up and said if you want to see the kids you will have to meet them at our house. They changed my telephone no. The immense relief that i gained really brought me back to life. I haven't spoken to him for three weeks. I haven't been called a victim, a whore,lazy.......He would constantly tell me that i loved that he had gone because i could act like a martr and attention seek. I do nothing with my life except watch the kids and i was pathetic for going nowhere, while he is doing a degree.
Anyway he didn't get in touch with my parents so my gorgeous calm kind father rang up and said are you going to see the kids when do you want to, we need to know when to be in because its christmas. He told my dad to go f**k himself. He will not be dictated to by anyone. He will not be seeing them until i stop being stupid and ring him. He said there no way on this earth you are going to call the shots. Nobody has told him when or for how long he can see them. Thats up to him i would never stop him. I just don't want to see him as i nearly lost my mind. He has said that he will ring back, we've all ruined it, hes getting a solicitor, and things are going to change. Im scared, what can he achieve???????
Thankyou to anyone who has managed to read to the end of this without falling asleep sorry its so long, and sorry for repeating some stuff if you know it already. Thanks

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Loobie · 21/12/2003 15:05

FF so sorry to hear you are still going through the mill, what a bas*d he is still being and at this time of year they really know where to hurt,just keep away from as much as you can hunny and thank god for having such a great supportive family,sometimes we just really need someone to step in and take over for a while, it seems they have done just that for you and he doesn't like it as he cant get at you.
Take care and enjoy your xmas with the kids as much as you can and go back to your g.p about trying different a'ds if you think they may help.

Love Loobie xxx

Festivefly · 21/12/2003 15:09

Thanks loobie xx

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Followthatstar · 21/12/2003 15:34

I had no idea things had been so bad, I knew he was being spiteful and hurtful to you, but all this indicates that he is cruel and manipulative. He sounds terribly like my ex so I can really understand what you are going through. Men like this are experts at blaming all their problems on other people, finding their own strength by bullying others, tormenting them. They are the type who would have pulled the wings off insects when they were little boys. Now he is doing it to you.

I spent years of my life trying to be fair to my ex, trying to encourage him to be a good father even though he had been a terrible partner, hoping that he would have qualities for my children that he hadn't found for me.

At the end of the day he was no different to the children, a nasty bullying person is a nasty bullying person. When you told us a couple of weeks ago what he said to you when you told him you were on ADs that did it for me. He really revealed himself with those remarks.

You have spent so long being controlled and bullied, in fact systematically broken down by this man that you now feel helpless to resist him - he beckons and you go running even though he has hurt you again and again.

If you can't challenge him with your emotions, then you have to get a firm grip mentally and let your head rule your heart. When your heart wants to give in to him, overrule it and do what you know is a favour to yourself. Continue to refuse to see him. He could see his kids if he wanted to, and after the way he has treated you you have every right to allow your father to mediate. If he truly wanted to see those kids he would arrange it with your father. He is using every situation to try and manipulate you and to make you feel like you are the one causing problems. You're not.

If he now doesn't see the kids that is no one's fault but his own. Stick to your guns. If he wants to go to court, let him. If the court hears all the evidence they will probably grant him contact but it will be laid out for certain times and days, and he will have to obey the court order or lose the right to see them. That would be much better for you, it would stop him from messing you about all the time.

How dare he say you are doing nothing! Looking after your kids is the most important job of the lot. I know you are studying too, and that is great, but make sure you are doing it because you want to and not because he has made you feel worthless.

Forestfly my friend. You have to hack this without a partner and recover from all the damage he has done for you before you go looking for another relationship. If you find a man now you will gravitate towards another one who will not treat you well. You need to expect more from someone to whom you are going to give everything. You need someone who is going to do the same for you. Do not entertain anything less for five minutes. Believe me, it will be better to be alone for ever than to have another man who bullies you. You have to get it into your head that you deserve someone kind, loving, someone who will return what you give in equal measure, or do not give them a thing of yourself. Your confidence has been crushed by this man, your needs have been ignored and you are now at the point where you think you don't matter. Never give another man the time of day until you find one who wants to take care of your needs. If you don't think you matter, no one else will.

Anytime you want to email me, go ahead. You have your parents and friends and all of us here on mumsnet who love you and want to help you heal. Don't ever consider going back to him even for one second. He is scum, and you are going to wash him off you and rebuild yourself.

Festivefly · 21/12/2003 16:46

Thankyou so much for your kind words follow that star, you made me cry. I will stick to my guns i have crossed over now and won't back down again. I certainly won't be emotionally blackmailed into ringing him. Its pathetic really as he has nothing to bargain with, i would get nothing out of speaking to him. Sometimes i get a little carried away and imagine what would happen if he died. I don't like the thought of not being at peace with him, and him not knowing how much i love and worry about him. This is the fuel behind putting up with a lot. I won't make the mistake again though, as going to see him was one of he most painful days of my life. Of course you are right about other men, its just that time of year when you want a cuddle. I find it hard that he is spending his first christmas with a new love, and i am spending my first one alone. It seems he gets everything he wants. There is a big need in me now for someone to look after me for a while, and help mend me. But i suppose that has to be me! I was mainly concerned with what power he has in court, i'm afraid he would lie and tell them i was an alchoholic or abusive, i don't know anymore what he will do. I do think though they won't be as generous as i've been, letting him pick and choose when he wants to come. Also i'm sure they encourage a "moderator" if your not getting on well. I still can't work out why he finds it so important to see me, he left me! Thanks again follow that star, your words have deeply helped. There inspiring, its amasing really how much mumsnet sorts your thoughts out. I would have been a lot worse off without it.
I hope you had a fantastic dinner party

OP posts:
Followthatstar · 21/12/2003 16:54

Two things...

I think he has gone into a relationship way too soon after a marriage ended. IMO these rebound relationships rarely last. Perhaps he doesn't have the integrity to be alone. Your enforced period of solitude will make you stronger and more self-reliant.

Secondly, he can say anything he likes in court, but they are not going to believe it unless he can back it up in some way. Anyone can walk into a court and say anything they like, but courts look for facts, not opinions.

Festivefly · 21/12/2003 17:06

Thanks, i'm also glad things worked out for you

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FairyLou · 21/12/2003 17:21

He can achieve nothing FF, but is trying to make you miserable. Don't let him, you have been doing so fantastically well. I'm sure everyone on mumsnet are really proud of you, I am. Email me via the link at the top if you want, my new found friend. Much love!

Festivefly · 21/12/2003 17:26

Cheers Lou, lots of love to all

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FairyLou · 21/12/2003 17:27

Make sure you mail me or I will be mortally offended, and pull out your hair extensions .

Festivefly · 21/12/2003 17:29

I will, and don't be so jealous of my naturally pink hair

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FairyLou · 21/12/2003 17:32
Grin
SenoraPostrophe · 21/12/2003 17:36

Festivefly: No advice (for once), but lots of sympathy. He sounds like a manipulative b*stard and as the others say, you are right to stand your ground.

Look after yourself.

JanH · 21/12/2003 17:41

Have just seen this, FF - I can't really add anything to what's been said already (except maybe BASTARD!!!) but I think you have been coping incredibly well with a terrible situation and you will come out on top. (It might be a good idea though to write down what you can remember of what has happened when, and the things he has said and done - could be useful later. And your Dad sounds ace.)

I am really looking forward to meeting you when we do our mooning under the water with brown paper bags in January (will you still have pink hair?)

Festivefly · 21/12/2003 17:57

Cheers jan, my dad has wrote down everything that has been happening lately. I'm just going to have to work out when he has seen them, its only been about five times! I'm looking forward to the mooning too,i may have rainbow hair, i'm buying one of those things off the fairy lou thread

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Festivefly · 21/12/2003 18:01

Cheers sp

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santafio2 · 21/12/2003 18:09

FF tell him to fuck off!!

sorry he has been and still is a bastard

sorry to lower the tone before christmas but it is true:*(

whymummy · 21/12/2003 18:22

sorry he's giving you a hard time again,i'm with fio,but i won't swear before xmas in case santa's watching
seriously tho,ignore him, don't let him hurt you anymore
xxx

verysadmum · 21/12/2003 18:31

I'm so sorry to hear this FestiveFly.

It's bad enough when things don't work out in a relationship without them making it harder. You really have my thoughts. What are you doing Christmas Day?

I need a Dad like yours!! Take care.

twiglett · 21/12/2003 18:31

message withdrawn

Festivefly · 21/12/2003 19:00

Thanks all and yes he is a W'''er.
Im going to be happy and i adore my boys, i've had what hes doing now, i never had all these experiences with kids before though.
Vsm, i am going to my parents will you be ok?

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verysadmum · 21/12/2003 19:08

Define ok?

'He' is coming over Xmas am then we'll go to my pparents 'together' for the afternoon. I'll be on my own after that (in theory). Quite worried about it but hopefully it will work it self out. Thanks for asking.

lyndsey66 · 21/12/2003 19:54

FF - What a nightmare this man playing mind games and messing with your head. You dont deserve this - and dont let him have all the power.
Use the support you have got and take courage in your children.
One of my friends was in a similar situation - her husband was very abusive and when he got visitation - he lost interest. It was almost like he was just using her ds and the threat if what he would tell the courts to get to her - but when it didnt work he lost interest.
I would go and get advise after christmas - if a solicitor is too scary go to the CAB and get some advise. Then when he makes all these threats you will know where you stand legally and that he cant have it his way.
It sounds like you should stay away from him and communicate thru your solicitor - then he cant screw with your head.
Big hugs to you and well done for staying soooo brave (())

Festivefly · 21/12/2003 22:36

Cheers Lyndsey

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FairyLou · 21/12/2003 23:45

I got yoir email FF, I will reply asap . Your extensions are safe for now .

buzzybee · 22/12/2003 02:41

FF - I'm so sorry to hear all this. You were sounding so strong a couple of weeks ago too! I haven't exorcised my own demons yet so don't have any advice to offer except that it helps me to think about the reasons you don't want to be with him, and feel pity for the girlfriend who has to put up with his pettyness.
Ex-h sent me an email today telling me his GF cries a lot because she imagines he is still thinking about me - that made me feel loads better!