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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:
boringoldc · 12/01/2014 09:55

Thank you Tea I am calling that number tomorrow, though I think I'll end up at my Nan's. I am sticking with blank responses today and taking DS out later. I'll stash a bag at work.

OP posts:
CogitoErgoSometimes · 12/01/2014 09:56

I'm sorry you had another round of bullying from him but, in a way, it's good to see him in his true colours again if it helps you make up your mind.

But you have to start preparing for independence in the truest sense of the word. Means you are 100% responsible for your life going forward and not dependent on him now for anything. Assume he won't help you out or be cooperative at all (Collecting wood? No... ) Assume he's going to be unreasonable at every step because he's already unreasonable. Assume he's going to be aggressive for similar reasons. Assume a bad reaction and prepare for it. No guessing.

Allergictoironing · 12/01/2014 09:57

Hi OP, I've been lurking here but not posted as everything I would want to say, has been said.

I'm currently in a pretty bad way financially so can't really offer much help (filling the car with petrol is expensive!) but if things escalate & get really really nasty or if he gets violent again I can probably manage to pick you up & get you across the river into Essex - I'm in Kent too, not too far from the tunnel.

boringoldc · 12/01/2014 10:03

cogito you are right, I will have to start putting money aside and get wood delivered for me and DS (no idea how much it is as usually free) so will have to start shopping around.

Thank you allergic i will keep this updated. I will definitely do my driving lessons here, the roads are so much easier than back home, where I live it's pretty much Essex/London border and really busy so I think I'd find it easier doing them here as it's pretty dead, he has taken me through most of the test routes when we have discussed it before and it feels a lot easier to me. DS nursery currently full but I'll have to start asking round at others, see if they have space even once a week so I can do a lesson a week.

OP posts:
financialwizard · 12/01/2014 10:05

At one point I could describe my ex husband exactly the same as you have described your partner. It took me having my son to realise that I needed out as soon as possible. The day I had him the fog was lifted and I needed to get out, still took me 6 months mind.

This man is emotionally abusing you. For your own sanity get out.

FaerieBells · 12/01/2014 10:06

Listen, OP, I think you are starting to get your head around this but it needs spelling out:

This man doesn't just 'not love' you - he actively HATES you. All of his words and deeds demonstrate this very clearly. He is not in any way your friend. He is not in any way on your side. He is devoting his life to making you feel awful because he LIKES it when you feel awful.

Please get away from him as soon as you can.

CogitoErgoSometimes · 12/01/2014 10:08

Am I reading it right that you're delaying leaving until you've learned to drive? Please tell me I've got the wrong end of the stick. Nothing should delay you.

boringoldc · 12/01/2014 10:11

No cogito I'm going to go to my Nan's tomorrow and let him know the score and he has to leave, I'll return here (I have no doubts he will not fight for me and just slag me off to everyone who will listen) if the key isn't here like I ask, I will leave the house again and ask the landlord to change the locks. BUT the one thing about his mood swings is he goes along with what I say at first THEN the begging for another chance comes later. But I am thinking ahead already. I've changed my e-mail address and login to facebook and am not going to use my phone, I'll get a Pay as you go sim and stick it in my phone temporarily so people have a way of texting me etc.

Anything else I can do?

OP posts:
boringoldc · 12/01/2014 10:13

Landlord is lovely to, but he thinks the sun shines out his arse as he often mends things round the house for the landlord so he doesn't have to call in his handyman to save money and he has improved the house since we moved in, he will be surprised but I have no doubts he will be very supportive.

OP posts:
CogitoErgoSometimes · 12/01/2014 10:21

Never mind the landlord. As long as you have a clear objective and keep working towards it, you'll get past the smaller obstacles and not be distracted by begging for more chances and other irrelevances. Glad I was wrong about the driving lessons. Eye on the prize at all times.

Allergictoironing · 12/01/2014 10:24

I have no doubts he will not fight for me and just slag me off to everyone who will listen

Just because he doesn't love you, doesn't mean he won't fight in every way he can to keep his victim controlled and miserable I'm afraid - if you leave, it will take him years to get someone else he can be that nasty to. Most abusers act that way because they enjoy it (the feeling of power over another person it gives them), not because they can't help themselves.

If nothing else, he is likely to make things as hard for you as he can to punish you for defying his wishes. So please don't bank on him giving up quickly or easily.

boringoldc · 12/01/2014 10:28

I'm going to keep my wits about me allergic I have no fear calling the police on him, none at all, and if he turns up after I've ended it and given him the chance to get his bits I will call it. I have called the police on him before in about 2011, I had a black eye and some bruises, they took photos and everything of it but I'm an idiot and withdrew the statement and gave him another chance. He got a caution for assault. I know he has other cautions on his record from a teenager when he used to get into fights (affray, things like that)

Will all that stuff be on record?

No definitely not cogito I was thinking ahead in regards to how will I fit driving lessons in as don't have family down here? Once I speak to my friend actually I'm pretty sure she will help out as much as she can round her work hours as she loves my DS.

OP posts:
boringoldc · 12/01/2014 10:31

I know you all probably think I'm such an idiot for giving him all these chances and I know I am but thank you so much for your messages. I doubt I would of had the strength to stick up for myself last night or make plans like I am now if it wasn't for them messages.

OP posts:
ZorbaTheHoarder · 12/01/2014 10:38

Hi OP, I just wanted to say that no one thinks you are an idiot.
Everyone can see that you are being very brave and determined.
All the blame must go on him for being such a complete wanker to you.

He beats you black and blue and then claims you are boring?

Once you get away from him, just erase him from your life, which will get infinitely better overnight.

boringoldc · 12/01/2014 10:44

Thank you.

Thankfully my medical issues have been pretty stable since November 2009. Hormones can effect it though so I have a few concerns about postnatally whether they will effect my meds looking after two kids but I am waiting for a referal to see an obs/neuro doctor so hopefully he can give me some advice in regards to that. If he has given me anything out this "relationship" hopefully it is a healthy baby. I will try my best for them that's all I can do. I have never had a c section before though, I'm assuming I can't be alone for a while? It's barmy I am thinking so ahead and I haven't even had a scan yet! I just want to be prepared for everything now.

OP posts:
boringoldc · 12/01/2014 10:59

I am just about to take ds for a mcdonalds (no fruit shoots he said, they make me naughty!) Grin and to the arcades so i will be back later. Think a nice walk will clear my head.

OP posts:
Allergictoironing · 12/01/2014 11:05

Wow that's a massive turnaround! 2pm yesterday you were asking what YOU had done wrong, & unable to see clearly for all the crap going on around you. 11am today & you're already planning the logistics of your baby's birth in 7 months time - not in a negative "there's a potential problem, waaah can't cope" way, but "OK there's a potential problem, now what method will I employ to resolve it" way.

I don't know if you realise just how amazing you are, being so strong and being able to think this way after all the abuse and denigration you've received from your so-called partner. You deserve Wine, Cake, Thanks and more.

TeaMakesItAllPossible · 12/01/2014 11:17

I don't think you're an idiot. I put up with the same thing for 10 years Shock enjoy your walk.

pertempsnooo · 12/01/2014 12:54

OP it's good that the police photographed your injuries, that will still be on file. If you have further trouble a solicitor will be able to give you legal aid ( I think / hope this is still correct!? Anyone?). Sorry to say but it sounds like unless you break off all contact and are able to sever all links to this controlling bully now you will probably need legal help at some point....
Sorry I haven't read all the pages but I had a great book recommendation on mn: 'Lundy Bancroft - why does he do that? Inside the minds of angry and controlling men' as someone who had an emotionally abusive relationship for 8 years I was always confused and wanted to get my head round his behaviour and why I had succumbed to it. I felt stupid and I am not at all. This book among others helps to shed light.

boringoldc · 12/01/2014 15:48

Thank you all Thanks I am going to download that book tonight on my kindle pert

Me and DS are home now. We got the bus to town, played on the arcades, wondered round the shops and got a cbeebies magazine, he won lots of sweets on the machine! Then we got the bus again and had a mcdonalds lunch. I'm absolutely shattered! Forgot how tired early pregnancy makes me.

HE (I refuse to refer to him as DP anymore, he isn't my darling/dear partner at all) has been acting normal with me which just makes me Angry inside but I've stayed very boring, barely answering any questions. I said hello when I got in and he asked how DS was for me, I just replied, "He has been very good." then he asked what I'd like for dinner, I said nothing as I am still full up from the McDonalds. He asked again and I said really I am fine. He has gone to the shops now and asked DS if he wanted to go with him and ds said no so he is with me. Hopefully he stays out for hours (with a bit of luck eh) Not really engaged with any conversation with him at all. If he wants boring, I'll give him boring. Smile

A good thing happened when I was out though, i bumped into an old friend of both of ours (that HE fell out with) and said hello. I said earlier on in the thread I have a mini thats in bits (an old auto mini to) so naturally asked this guy I know how he is getting along with his as he was restoring one. He told me he isn't doing it anymore and is building a car for race track days and he has plenty of spare parts and he said he could sell them for cheap and help restore my car if I wanted to. I thought that was really nice of him. I am not sure what the car needs but once HE has gone, I can get him to look at it and tell me how much work it needs. I know it needs a new front end as it's a bit rusty and he said he has this which will fit my model to and it needs a window in the back. Pretty sure HE said it needs a new battery but the engine etc is all fine. It will be perfect when it's fixed, the insurance is dead cheap on it and the parts are cheap to get hold of for it to. (Plus I really love old mini's so i'm happy)

I am meant to be back to work on Tuesday but am calling them tomorrow, might even just walk down there with DS and explain I won't be in for the week. It will probably be easier face to face.

Also meant to have a scan this week. I really don't want him to come, should I just keep quiet about it?

OP posts:
TeaMakesItAllPossible · 12/01/2014 16:46

I wouldn't mention it. If he makes a big fuss about it later on (when he knows there are scans) you can send him a picture of the scans after the event (if you want to).

TweenageAngst · 12/01/2014 19:06

Stay safe x

captainmummy · 12/01/2014 19:28

I wouldnt mention it either - your body, your business. He does not have the right to attend any of your ante-natal visits.

nickeldonkeyonadustyroad · 12/01/2014 21:00

i'd be happy to drive you over the border too. I have a spare car seat.

boringoldc · 12/01/2014 23:04

Hi all, just updating before I sign off.

Thank you for all the kind offers of taking me over back home, it's lovely and reassuring. :-)

I won't be mentioning to him when it comes through, I'll get the bus to the hospital, the bus is outside my house that goes to that hospital anyway.

He came back from the shops with some cheesecake for me (knows I love cheesecake) very sorry, randomly coming to hug me, touch my hand, apologized for the way he was yesterday, usual stuff really. I did good - just went along as I used to, saying it's ok, i understand, usual blurb really. Don't think he thinks anything odd.

On other non related news, I seem to have massive cravings for orange juice! Shamefully got through a litre of the stuff today Blush don't think I'll be off the toilet tomorrow Grin When I was PG with DS it was milkshake I was made for, any dairy products really. Maybe it's the opposite sex. As much as I am scared of being alone feeling very anxious about the scan and hoping all is OK. Hoping my stress levels haven't done anything.

Night all Thanks

OP posts:
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