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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

Partner puts me down, what is wrong with me?

153 replies

boringoldc · 11/01/2014 14:29

Name changed for this, have been a regular poster here for a while.

I'm not sure where to start with this as it's long and I don't want to drip feed so I'll try my best. I have been with my partner since 2010, I have a DS from a previous marriage and am pregnant at the moment, though it is early days.

I'll be honest, I don't have any real hobbies as such but I am happy the way I am before anyone asks, I don't feel down about anything. In my own time especially after work I like to read books, watch the tv, go on mumsnet, I read the papers a lot and like to debate about things, when it's sunny I like to go for walks or take DS to the park and beach but my partner constantly says I am boring and have no hobbies. I get upset at this but he constantly says how much I bore him. He has what he says are "real" hobbies like he enjoys working on cars and gardening but he says mumsnetting, reading papers etc aren't real hobbies and I bore him to death, I've been called a "boring cunt" before. Sometimes I have questioned myself and convinced myself I am not normal and tried to get myself into things like running but I just don't like it, I am happy the way I am but he makes me feel like I am the most dull person on earth. I do have my own friends to, they often come over for drinks or like next week for an example, we take my DS out together for a meal and a shop etc. I don't even always buy anything but I have a keen interest in fashion (again, partner says this isn't a real hobby)

Sometimes he is so nice to me and things will be great for a while then suddenly he just turns on me and insults me about how boring I am and how I don't do anything. The other day he actually had a go at me because apparently I was on the laptop but "didn't look at him when he was talking to me" I knew EXACTLY what he was saying and was doing two things at once (applying for a job) he said I am extremly rude even though I can remember everything he said and my replies. It's just like he loves putting me down.

He is constantly critical of everything I do as well. Like I can't wash up properly apparently, I do things the "wrong way" like I eat with a knife and fork in the opposite hand to most as it's comfortable. If I chop things in a certain way he HAS to show me his way as it's better (and I try just to shut him up but I'm a grown woman for crying out loud, I know what is best for me!) It's like I am not allowed a personality of my own. Like when I am cooking I like to be alone (small kitchen, it's just my preferance) and start to get a a bit stroppy I won't lie if i have people crowding round me, he says I am rude and he "just wants to help" i always say thank you and I appreciate it but I just prefer to do that on my own.

He says I am never allowed to mention the past as it's the past and to be honest, I don't. Sometimes if he has upset me I will mention that he has done it before (like calling me the c word) and asked him to not do it as it upsets me but he does it again. He also had a lot of anger issues for the first while we were together, i.e, smashing things up, sometimes physical towards me, a lot of insults. I stood by him whilst he sought help for his issues and have tried my best to be supportive. But I am not allowed to ever mention it yet he can bring up my past. When I got with him I was honest in the fact I had suffered post natal depression with my son and responded badly, I was still a good mother but I did go out once or twice a week to nightclubs and I had a few one night stands. Well quite a lot. I do hugely regret the way I acted but I suppose I wanted to feel attractive and felt lonely and down about myself after my first marriage broke down. He says I am a slag and often brings this up for doing that even though I can't bring up anything that was even mentioned yesterday.

Also about two years ago he was messaging his childhood sweetheart (he was with her from about age 14 to nearly 16) and in the messages he called her "gorgeous" and they were talking about him picking her up late at night as she was drunk. He says nothing else happened and when I found out he did delete her, block her from all contact but it has stuck in my mind ever since. He says he only called her that as she was feeling down about herself and says I just make a big deal out of it. He had been hiding his phone for a while before that though so part of me wonders if he deleted more. If I say this though he just goes mad and storms off into another room and ignores me all night.

That is also what he does. If we argue he always has to storm off and sulk over night. I hate sleeping on rows, I don't tend to sleep well and just want to get it sorted but he will just sleep in another room huffing himself to sleep.

The thing is sometimes he is so nice, when I am home from work he will be there to cook dinner, he'll have cleaned the house or done things for me (but even then he says I don't show enough appreciation and he says my face says it all!) Sometimes we have these lovely evenings together and I can't deny he is a fantastic Father to my child. He is very attentitve to him and would never hurt him, that I trust, 100%. I don't know why I am writing this really. I just feel like I am the most boring, dull person on earth and feel like my confidence is being chipped away at.

OP posts:
AttilaTheMeerkat · 11/01/2014 18:19

What do you get out of this relationship now?.

You do realise of course that women in your situation more often than not write something along the lines of "he's a good dad". You did this in your initial post. You did that also because you yourself can write nothing positive about your man.

You have a choice re this person; your child does not

He is abusive and was not above cheating on you two years ago either.

You will never be happy or content so long as he is in your life and your children will become damaged emotionally by seeing you get abused by their emotionally abusive father.

There is nothing to save here and there is no other way forward for you here but to leave this man as soon as possible. You need support and help to leave and that is where Womens Aid comes in.

Another five-ten years of him will finish you off completely emotionally - if he does not kill you first.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 11/01/2014 18:22

Saving up 2K will take a long while and in the meantime you (and by turn your child I might add) are still being subjected to more abuse from him.

What do you think your child is learning about relationships here?.

Make plans now to leave; you can leave and WOmens Aid will help you to go asap. You'd be better off with your child in a refuge; at least you would be safe there.

CogitoErgoSometimes · 11/01/2014 18:23

If a stranger off the street walked into your home and spoke to you that way what would you do? Wonder what was wrong with you or call the police and show him the door?

AttilaTheMeerkat · 11/01/2014 18:24

And when you are free of this abuser of yours, please please put yourself onto Womens Aid Freedom Programme as this is designed specifically for those who have been in abusive relationships.

Such men like this one can take years to recover from and that process will not start until you leave this person.

The last thing you need longer term is to end up in yet another abusive relationship.

NigellasDealer · 11/01/2014 18:25

I want to start saving up for a deposit and rent advance to move. My home town is dear so will need around 2k. I just cant live like this anymore
no that will take ages.
go to a women's refuge and get your name on the housing list.

TeaMakesItAllPossible · 11/01/2014 18:26

You sound so very lovely. You really do deserve better. So does your DS. Can you leave sooner?

HollaAtMeBaby · 11/01/2014 18:28

Leave. This board is full of anguished posts from mothers of older children whose children have been turned against them and taught to treat them with contempt by abusive men just like your partner.

You say your pregnancy is early days... I would not have this man's baby, you will never be truly free of him I'd you do and he is likely to step up the abuse once you are more pregnant/have given birth as you will be more vulnerable then.

By the way you sound lovely and your interests are much better than stupid gardening! You sound like someone I would be friends with. :)

CogitoErgoSometimes · 11/01/2014 18:28

Agree with the PP. Also there is a baby imminent. Give birth and you'll have a whole lot of other mental barriers why you can't move out... including him giving you the big guilt-trip of separating him from his baby.

boringoldc · 11/01/2014 18:32

I am about 7 weeks. I couldnt get rid of the baby. I do totally respect other womens rights to have abortions etc but i couldnt. Thanks for your messages. He is out monday which is my day off work so i will be able to call womens aid then. My credit history is not so good im fighting to get a ccj set aside at the moment as i just stupidly havent stayed on top of things aside from rent (never been late) council tax electric etc. What are these refuges like?

OP posts:
boringoldc · 11/01/2014 18:33

I know my dad will be an enormous help with it all once i tell him in regards to him seeing his own baby.

OP posts:
MadIsTheNewNormal · 11/01/2014 18:33

God God, sometimes I could lose the will to live reading the Relationships board. It's surprising I've still got a head left, the number of times I've had to bang it on the keyboard.

Why on earth are you having a baby with this idiot? Seriously, WHY? Confused He sounds as though he doesn't like you very much at all.

I despair.

boringoldc · 11/01/2014 18:34

I am sorry mad i know i have acted stupidly.

OP posts:
CogitoErgoSometimes · 11/01/2014 18:37

Refuges are often a last resort for those in danger either physically or mentally. You'll find WA are very helpful otherwise pointing you in the direction of practical and useful help... legal, financial, mainstream accommodation. If your Dad would be helpful wouldn't it be a good idea to share this with him? Say you're desperately unhappy and need intervention?

CogitoErgoSometimes · 11/01/2014 18:37

MadistheNewNormal.... that wasn't very kind.

boringoldc · 11/01/2014 18:41

I probably will on monday cogito to while he isnt here. My dads always been the one i can turn to and he will help as much as he can even being as far as he is. Im wondering how helpful cab will be with regards to the housing thing?

OP posts:
ZorbaTheHoarder · 11/01/2014 18:43

Don't apologise to Mad for being pregnant. You have not done anything wrong. It is your pathetic arse of a DP who should be begging YOU for forgiveness for his disgusting treatment of you - but of course he never will, because he is a nasty piece of work who revels in destroying your self-confidence so you don't feel able to challenge him.

It is really good that you recognize you need to get out - for your sake and your son's. You simply don't deserve to be treated with this total lack of basic respect.

Good luck with getting away from him as soon as you can.

CogitoErgoSometimes · 11/01/2014 18:45

CAB can give you general advice on legal matters, benefits and other things. Womens Aid are more geared to women in abusive relationships so the advice might be a little more relevant. I'm so pleased your Dad is supportive. In the meantime, please don't give this horrible man so much as an inkling you're going to get out. Abusive men, especially one who has actually been violent quite recently, can be extremely dangerous when they think the game is up.

boringoldc · 11/01/2014 18:51

Thank you zorba and cogito i know i have made some silly mistakes. I cant excuse my poor self esteem for my bad choices really. I didnt want my life to be this way. I am just sitting normally talking to ds he hasnt a clue as he is glued to his phone. What will happen to my job? I wouls like to keep it. I work four days a week two of the days ds goes nursery but the other two i cant collect him. I dont get paid for time off. I work for a big company though so maybe they will help in this situation?

OP posts:
CogitoErgoSometimes · 11/01/2014 18:55

IME employer can often rise to the occasion if they know you need special help. But, in the order of priority, you have to put your safety & DS's wellbeing,... then job, money, housing etc. It really is as serious as that.

boringoldc · 11/01/2014 19:08

To be honest, i think if i left he wouldnt care. I can imagine he will cry to people about what a good father he was and make out i was a bunny boiler and throw in that i wont let him see his baby. He will thrive on the attention. I dont know where he would go to live. In an ideal world i would like to transfer to a job near home and go in temp housing. Staying with my nan could potentially be an option. Shes very lonely would be nice for her. Its getting the house im in now back to order i need to do i.e filling houses repainting general repair of wear and tear as i have lived here 3 years. Landlord is lovely guy so dont want to take the piss.

OP posts:
TeaMakesItAllPossible · 11/01/2014 19:17

I will add my voice to the "don't give an inkling that you're leaving" this includes doing too much to your home to get it in order.

Put your efforts into your plan. Talk to your manager, ask about a transfer, talk to CAB, make your plans. Get your papers (passport, birth certificates, NHS details, payslips, bank details) together and out of the house. Abusers often step up their behaviour, if you have to go then you have the papers to start out your new life. Can you keep an emergency bag of clothes for you and DS at work?

tallwivglasses · 11/01/2014 19:21

It's rare I shed a tear for posters, but OP, I've just lost it reading your thread! I want to scoop you and your son up and whisk you away to your dad's Sad

Please get out as soon as you can. The landlord can pay for repairs out of your deposit. Go on the sick. Go home to your friends and family and your nana.

And you're NOT BORING! You sound well-informed, eloquent and I've even seen some glimmers of humour there amidst the pain, so change your nickname too! I wish you the best of luck x

boringoldc · 11/01/2014 19:22

There are lockers at work most people dont use them so i can imagine it would be easy to store a bag there. I wont do much. I have mentioned repainting the doors a few times (paint could do with another coat) so dont think he will think anything of that. Obviously he will have to see his child but i am within my rights to not see ds see him as thats not his child?

OP posts:
Phineyj · 11/01/2014 19:25

Could you go and stay with your nan and then get 3 nights' accommodation near work and sort out childcare near your nan for those days (unless she'd be up to doing it herself?). If it's a big company they may even have access to accommodation and depending on your job they might let you work compressed hours/from home for a while to get the days down? That would get you out of this depressing situation and clear your head.

I think you said 70 miles - that's practical to do a round trip once a week.

Don't worry about your current house. You need to put yourself and DS first here. Landlords expect some wear and tear.

By the way you don't sound boring at all.

Phineyj · 11/01/2014 19:26

I am sure your partner would not have a right to see a non-related child - he's not adopted him has he?

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