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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

Please help.

289 replies

Loveyouthree · 10/02/2014 07:03

I'm no saint, but I've put up with a lot from DP the past 4 years. In fact I'm now having counselling - not because of things he's done; I had issues before that - but all I talk about is him, and how I need to sort myself out for him.

I have hideously low self esteem and acute anxiety, I'm a shadow of my teenage self (not that long ago!). He was seriously immature when we met, but I made excuses for him over and over. He has changed loads now - the things he used to do are in the past. They still affect me deeply though, and he knows this, hence the counselling. Then this weekend we fell out, I went out in the car for an hour to get some space, and when I got back he went out. And didn't come home until the next day. With no contact.

I just can't forgive this, he did it purely to hurt me. The other times he's done shit like that he was stupid and thoughtless and got carried away with friends, but this time he clearly did it to punish me. I spent the night crying and self harming.

Oh and he's violent sometimes. That is my fault though, I can be very annoying and don't shut up and recently have started it first, i.e. I grabbed his back the other day. He has strangled me, thrown me across the room when heavily pregnant, slapped me in the face, grabbed my head and pushed me down, cut the bottom of my ear with my own earring by doing that, I think he punched me once but it was pitch black and he said it was a slap and his hand slipped. Fucking hurt though and I bled. Forced me into sex a lot but I think that's kind of ok because I never want it anymore iyswim?

He's lied and taken drugs behind my back a few items. Even when I was heavily pregnant. Drugs as in class a if anyone cares.

The crazy bit? I can live with the violence, I can cope with that. My own mother was a violent bitch so I've no hope really. It's rejection I can't take. So even though I need to leave him, I just don't know how I'll do it.

I mAnaged to leave my previous abusive boyfriend, but we lived in separate towns, had separate houses, didnt have children and I shamefully met someone else who distracted me from it all. Now I have none of those things on my side, we're all but married (wedding booked for this year!).

I'm meant to be ringing all the right people today eg womens aid, shelter. But, knowing me, it'll come to nothing. He'll come back from work on Friday night and I'll be too much of a wimp to do anything. And anyway I don't think womens aid will help because he's not actually abusive. He's not controlling or jealous in the slightest. He'd never put me down or try to stop me going somewhere (not that he has do, I rarely do!). But he doesn't fit in that category.

But I can't forgive him for the other night. Thanks for reading :(

OP posts:
Quitelikely · 10/02/2014 11:07

You seem on the floor right now and very, very needy. It's good that you're getting counselling. Im sorry for the childhood you had but I do hope it is your motivation to provide your own children with a stable, loving, safe environment. Sometimes this means putting them before your own needs. This relationship your in will demonstrate to them what relationships and love are about, staying in this will certainly affect their future relationships as yous are setting a benchmark of normality.

You might need some meds to deal with your anxiety if its through the roof at the minute.

This is your life, you are in charge, you aren't happy and you have the power to change your situation until you are satisfied with your lot. All the best.

inthecloud · 10/02/2014 11:09

Seriously, you should get out of that relationship as it's not going to get any better. There is absolutely no upside being there, he hits you and and that is just some of it.

For your own sanity, your well being and your children just get rid of him and move on.

Loveyouthree · 10/02/2014 11:27

He does, he buys us takeaways and alcohol and will get me little treats like chocolates or flowers or magazines. He's more generous than me with money I think! But I like to save. Now I'm glad I did.

May have to ring the vicar and cancel our wedding :( so embarrassed. Luckily we haven't paid yet.

Rang womens aid :) they remembered me, and were just brilliant. I thought they'd be shocked at my revelation but it's as if they knew.

He text me. I think he might have spoken to his mum. He said " hey, you ok x" and she text 10 mins later basically asking the same thing. I replied to her (not him) and she said she wants to come over tomorrow!! For fucks sake.

OP posts:
Only1scoop · 10/02/2014 11:30

"May have to call the vicar to cancel our wedding"
Seriously Hmm

Loveyouthree · 10/02/2014 11:30

Quite likely - I'm very needy. I even get offended if I buy the kids a nice cereal for example and they don't like it. I'm so so needy with him.not sure how to get meds for anxiety?

I was prescribed beta blockers once but if anything they had the opposite effect cos if I forgot to take them then went out I would seriously panic!

I need to tell him what's going on soon. He needs to sign this stuff before I soften.

OP posts:
Quitelikely · 10/02/2014 14:56

Hey

Maybe your in a permanent state of defence because you see everything as an attack. This is a learned way of being when we feel that we are just not good enough. This might have developed as a consequence of your childhood.

I think it's a good thing you're talking on here but I'm not sure if you truly want to leave this person. You say you need him so much. Are you addicted to unhappiness? Maybe you don't know any different.

You can easily ring your gp and explain your suffering anxiety, say your previous meds didn't work and ask for something else. There's no need to be suffering like you are. You can get meds until your counselling helps you sort out your anxiety. Kids know anxiety. They pick up most things. How you deal with your problems sets a benchmark to them as well. Don't shy away from making yourself happy. Just take little baby steps if need be. One thing at a time. There doesn't have to be no rush, like doing it all in a oner.

Take your time do it right.

Loveyouthree · 10/02/2014 15:18

Hey,

You're probably right. If anyone is nice to me I immediately wonder what their ulterior motive is.

I'm gutted right now. I text him and told him what's happening. He's clearly upset but he's been so nice and understanding and has agreed to everything, I feel absolutely shit. Having to restrain myself from saying I've made a mistake.

OP posts:
Logg1e · 10/02/2014 16:18

The only mistake would be spending another minute with this cowardly, pathetic bully.

KatieScarlett2833 · 10/02/2014 16:40

Well done calling WA, etc. that took guts.
Please don't be fooled by the reasonableness, that's what they do, the nice/nasty cycle of abuse.
You really need to get out before he comes back as now he knows you are leaving you are in extreme danger.

Only1scoop · 10/02/2014 16:40

Have you phoned the Vicar?

Loveyouthree · 10/02/2014 18:39

Hey everyone,

Seriously, it's like the front he's put on for 4 years has gone. He's never really shown emotion but he keeps telling me how gutted he is. Though at the same time he's agreed to sign the papers, see the kids, pay maintenance, pay some benefit arrears (his fault but if I started claiming housing benefit they'd be taken off me). It's crazy seeing this side of him. He said he'll always be there for me and the kids.

I feel awful. And because I'm the one ending it, I bet I'll be the one on my own and miserable a year from now and he'll be happy with someone new. That part is killing me.

OP posts:
Loveyouthree · 10/02/2014 19:09

Not phoned the vicar, why?

OP posts:
Only1scoop · 10/02/2014 19:25

You made reference down thread to cancelling your wedding?
Unless I've read it wrong
Has been known Grin

SecretSix · 10/02/2014 19:31

You have done the right thing, you can't go on living with someone like that, I am horrified at what he's done to you. It is NOT ok ever for him to hurt you.

If he's being nice it's to get you back on side, it will not last.

Phoning the vicar to cancel the wedding means you mean it. You cannot marry this man.

dollius · 10/02/2014 19:45

LoveYouThree you have been really brave and you should be proud of yourself putting your children first like this.

But - please, please, please leave before he returns. He may escalate now and be keeping you sweet until he can get back. I don't want to scare you, but I will sleep a lot better tonight if you can just leave straightaway.

Can WA help with a refuge place at all?

Can you say what part of the country you are in?

Twinklestein · 10/02/2014 19:58

OP have you got your details logged with the local police dv unit? Please give them a call on the non emergency number and tell them you're in the process of leaving a violent man who has threatened to kill you in the past.

I find his current reasonableness alarming tbh, and I'm concerned for your physical safety.

Twinklestein · 10/02/2014 20:06

If a man threatens to kill you and explains that he's not trying to scare you but 'just letting you know.' Please believe him.

If he would kill you for cheating, what would he do to you for leaving?

IHateWinter · 10/02/2014 20:14

Please Please leave this man. Think about what your children are learning. Don't fool yourself that they are not aware of how volatile your relationship is. You've already said that you transfer your stress and frustration onto them by shouting at them.

To continue in this relationship is to subject your children to emotional abuse. Children should never be exposed to physical, or emotional violence and abuse. Seeing it. Hearing it. Being the targets of it.

You may try to protect them but it will not be enough to prevent them suffering damage in one form or another. Ring womens aid. For them.

NearTheWindmill · 10/02/2014 20:23

Why don't you tell the vicar what this man does when you cancel the wedding. You might be pleasantly surprised at the love and support extended to you.

I can't really advise you but I am sorry you are in this place and I am sure that you don't deserve to be; nobody deserves to live with violence. Please leave him and let yourself heal.

Loveyouthree · 10/02/2014 20:29

Thank you everyone, I didn't expect people to be so caring. I honestly think he's being nice because he's realised he's lost us. And he feels bad. I'm not scared of him. I'm scared of the upcoming weekend though, its going to be fucking hard. I need to ring the estate agents tomorrow so they can prep the paperwork, but there's no going back once I do that... I don't want to mess them around. Dreading it.

OP posts:
Logg1e · 10/02/2014 20:41

I honestly think he's being nice because he's realised he's lost us. And he feels bad

If you're right, then it won't be a pretence. He'll remain nice. If it's a ruse he'll have a different mood soon.

Loveyouthree · 10/02/2014 20:57

Yeh you're right Logg1e. He won't be able to keep this up if it's fake.

Still trying to convince myself of all the positives of not being with him. E.g. I can take the kids on fun days out without waiting for him to get out of bed, or being miserable about going. He said he'll take the kids on Sunday so will need to keep busy then or I'm at risk of crying all day!

OP posts:
NearTheWindmill · 10/02/2014 21:16

I've just noticed that your opening post says it all. You said your children are 5, 2 and 1. Your n/name is loveyouthree. Think about it OP and think also that those children love you to the extent they probably worship the ground you walk on. You are a lovely mummy; don't let them have a git of a daddy in their lives - you can rework history so they don't have to go through what you did as a child.

hugs

DeriArms · 10/02/2014 21:17

OP, please, please approach Women's Aid when you can and ask about a course called the Freedom Programme. Also when you have the opportunity google the 'duluth wheel of power and control' and see if you can recognise any of the behaviours you have described in it. I am a children's social worker and your description of what you and your children are going through on a regular basis absolutely horrifies me. You have described criminal acts (rape, criminal damage to property, physical assault, threats to kill) and emotional abuse. This is not normal, it is not acceptable and it is not right, and you and your children deserve better. You MUST protect them from this and you should be proud of yourself for having got to the stage where you have come on here to seek advice and support. Mumsnet is an excellent place to come to and the other ladies (and gentlemen) who post regularly will be able to share their wisdom with you. I hope you see this through and break the cycle. Thinking of you.

Loveyouthree · 11/02/2014 04:27

Womens aid are coming round on Thursday.

Pissed off cos the neighbours car woke me up at 3am and as everything is worse at night I'm now tossing and turning and starting to regret ending things. I don't want to ring the estate agents, I just want DP to beg me not to. This could be the shock that changes his behaviour... Although I have told him before I've had enough and I'm thinking of going, he's changed for the better but then goes back to how he is.

He's my best friend... When times are good they're incredible. Everything I'm self conscious about, he embraces eg stretchmarks... No man will want me after this! (Disclaimer: I am not interested in having a new relationship for a very long time). He's so popular round here and he's good looking too... Just keep imagining him fucking someone else and it's enough for me to want to stay with him.

Fuck fuck fuck

OP posts: