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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

Help re exh and contact - long post!! sorry

8 replies

kitkatchunky · 13/01/2014 13:35

Hi all, I'm a long time lurker needing some rational advise/opinions.

A bit of background;
I split with my husband nearly 3 years ago (we were on off 18 months prior to final split), we had a very emotional and mental abusive relationship for 7 years, which then turned phyiscal this being the last straw and me leaving with our then 2 year old DS. My exh was/is a alcholic in denial, who I believe still thinks he can have control over me.

Fast forward to now - I met my current DP not long after I split with exh who adores me and my DS taking him on as his own, my son chose to call my partner dad, we (me and DP) would correct him but as time as gone on thought that my son will call DP what ever he feels comfortable with. My exh moved back to his home county in Northern Ireland, I helped him get a flat and kept him in regular contact with our son, even to the point where me and DP were paying for flights for DS to see him!!!

Physical contact stopped February last year (the last flights I paid for) on this last visit my DS said he didnt want to see his Father as he shouted all the time - I approached exh about this but he is a compulsive liar and denied all knowledge (I saw through him a long time ago) - I just want to add all through this time I encouraged (even to the point of punishment (no T.V etc) if he did'nt) my son to speak to his dad to build a relationship as I feel it is important he remains contact - however threats and abusive phonecalls to me have still been happening the latest being yesterday evening!!!

My son is very volatile and increasingly insecure, which is quite understandable considering one minute Daddy is there the next his gone! Our mutual friend (exh and I) thought it would be a great idea to pay for Exh to come over and see his son, without discussing this with me first, over the Xmas period. As you can imagine I was not happy with this and as my DS is settled I did'nt want him to feel he had to see him - in my sons words 'I don't know what my father looks like'. Anyway I said he could spend a few hours with him on the days he was here (reluctantly) and IF my DS wanted to spend the evening at his 'uncles' house with exh it was his choice - luckily enough my ds wanted to come home.

I told my exh this is his last chance, no more abuse, threats and to ensure he is over every 8 weeks to see our DS - if he does not stick to this then contact stops. Last night exh phoned my DS on his mobile (I bought a top up crappy one for his calls), my DS mentioned something about him and his Daddy (being my DP) to which exh was shouting and upsetting son - son gave me the phone as he was upset so I spoke to him explained that DS will call DP whatever he chooses too and more to the point he is more of a Dad than he will ever be (exh has not provided financially, emotionally etc towards DS) - I told exh enough is enough, contact is stopped DS phone will no longer be reachable and my phone number changed, I recently moved and have not given my address to him (he does still have my parents address) to take me to court if he wishes to see DS, after this call threats of killing me again and abuse towards my family were texted to me which I ignored.

There is soooo much more that has gone on over the past couple of years, as this is a long post I will answer anything needing answering!! my real question is do you think I have done the right thing? (If when my DS is old enough and he wants contact I would not stop it but feel at 5 years old I have to do what is best for my child, my DS continues to tell me he does'nt want to see or speak to exh that his a nasty man) - In my mind I know he is trying to scare me and still have that element of control (also to add me and DP are expecting our first child together) - I have not reported this to the police as I feel it is probably a waste of their time.

I'm fearful he will try and get access but am pretty sure he would'nt be able to, but as with anything you never know.

Just to add Exh was recently in court for threatning to kill and assault to his exgf - he managed to get off with a suspended sentance!!!

OP posts:
IAmNotAPrincessIAmAKaleesi · 13/01/2014 13:41

It think you have done exactly the right thing and have handled an awful situation brilliantly

I believe parents should always be equal and that fathers should have as much input and contact with children as mothers, that they are equally as important. But that is only the case with a good parent, a bad abusive parent of ether gender should not be afforded the same 'rights' because all that really matters is what's best for the child

IAmNotAPrincessIAmAKaleesi · 13/01/2014 13:44

Also if your ex is genuinely wanting contact then he has the option of sorting it all out in court and perhaps having supervised contact in a centre if that is what's best for your ds. If he doesn't do that then it is him stopping contact not you.

Mabelface · 13/01/2014 13:45

Tell the police about threats to kill as they will take it seriously and not a waste of their time. As his sentence is suspended, if he gets into trouble again, and this will include threatening behaviour towards anyone, he might just find himself with a nice, cosy prison cell. Reporting also shows him that he doesn't have and never will have any control over you.

kitkatchunky · 13/01/2014 13:52

Hi IAmNot - thank you so much for taking the time to read my past and respond.

I know I am doing the right thing but still have that doubt of what if he did carry out his threat...I read on here so often how women just stop contact and always wonder how they have managed to do it without any repercussions and no fear.

OP posts:
kitkatchunky · 13/01/2014 13:58

Hi Madlizzy - Thank you for responding, perhaps a call to 101 won't hurt - I had reported a previous threat to kill around 2 years ago, but it was over the phone so had no hard evidence and nothing was done...this maybe the reason why I'm reluctant.

IAmNot - I think this will be the testing time, if he genuinely wants to see DS he will do all in his power to do so (legally I hope) however I think he just wanted to have the control over me and son as a trophy.

OP posts:
petalsandstars · 13/01/2014 14:09

Definitely report the threats to the police. He has given you the evidence this time and if he is on a suspended sentence with this further criminal action he deserves to go to prison.

In the future this may help you re contact if he takes you to court and there is a trail proving he is abusive and has previous for threats to harm.

Mabelface · 13/01/2014 14:22

Hard evidence just means he's sealed the deal, really.

kitkatchunky · 13/01/2014 14:27

Thank you petal

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