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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

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WIBU to forgive him?

51 replies

SuperLovefuzz · 12/02/2014 02:24

Have been with my partner just over a year. We have a 2 month old DD. We've had lots of problems but I always made excuses, things will be better when X happens etc, etc.
There was wrong on both sides throughout. He kept losing jobs. I would obsess over small things and create huge dramas by screaming and crying. I was having counselling as my issues stemmed from being raped when I was 13.

We had a huge fight when I was 8 months pregnant. He had just lost the second job and was making no effort to find a new one. Asked him to leave, he refused for 4 days. Eventually I had to call the police to have him removed as could no longer take it. He went back to him hometown 200 miles away and we spoke about a week later. Had a frank discussion and promises were made and kept. He returned, got a new job and has been an amazing father and partner.

Until tonight I couldn't believe we'd even had problems. Yes, we've had the 'I'm more tired than you' argument a fair few times but nothing more than your average couple.

Over the past 2 nights I've been getting up at night with DD (I generally do when he is working as he needs to get up at 6) and she has been extremely unsettled. Up every 30 mins to an hour. She is fine in herself other than this and sleeps plenty during the day. I have been unable to catch up with sleep properly during the day because even though I'm shattered, I'm feeling so stressed and anxious that I can't shut down properly. Partner knows this but doesn't seem to fully understand as he keeps saying 'just sleep when she sleeps'.

(Anxious thoughts for example - thinking a murderer is hiding in the cupboard, waking up in a panic that I have fallen asleep on DD when we don't even co sleep, imagining what would happen if I accidentally put dd in the tumble dryer, scared that I will drop her down the stairs to the point that I almost can't leave the house alone because we live in a first floor flat, thinking that every person on the street wants to attack me or kidnap DD when we do go out.). I've never had thoughts like this before, only since Dd has been born.

So earlier on this afternoon partner announces he is not happy that I seem to be spending all our money. This is certainly not the case. I bought one dress for £25 which is the first item of clothing I have bought in the past year. I tried to explain this but there was just no reasoning with him. He then says he thinks the only fair way is to pay half of essential bills each and keep the rest of spare money. I am outraged at this suggestion considering I have subsidised him during his periods of not working and we have always shared money since the start. I think it is the only workable solution when you have children. Also I am currently on SMP. Although he only earns about 800 per month as he works part time so we do get tax credits. These are paid to me so if we did agree to do this I would be keeping them and would actually be better off. I still find it unfair and unworkable for many reasons though, especially as we have DD.

So I completely blew up about this and we had a massive argument. I was shouting and crying and made the situation 10 times worse than it needed to be. I phoned my mum and asked if she could pick us up (me and Dd) and stay at her house. She said she thought it best to stay at home and not fight and we could stay tomorrow if necessary. So fast forward a few hours, partner takes dd and says I should get some sleep. Slept for 30 mins then was woken by partner asking for a shot of my phone. Couldn't get back to sleep so eventually got up an hour and a half later.

Soon after this, partner went to bed and about an hour later I had settled Dd so went to bed too. We had a cuddle and had made up although the money issue was still outstanding. I had decided to talk about this after I return from my mums house on Thursday, when we had both had thinking time. Couldn't sleep in bed and DD woke an hourish later, so I brought her to living room, fed and changed her and got her back down. Fell asleep on couch. Woke up to dd crying about an hour later (1am) and felt extremely hot and sick. Went to the bathroom and was sick for about 5 minutes. All the while DD still screaming in the living room. Went to bedroom and asked partner to please settle Dd as I was being sick and feeling unwell. He refused saying he is working in the morning. Now I know this, but I am outraged he would leave DD crying just so he isn't tired at work. So I continue being sick, then clean myself up and pick up DD to settle her. While doing this I keep opening the bedroom door so that partner can't sleep either because I am so angry with him. I know this is also out of order and petty and that I shouldn't be feeding this negative environment with DD around. After a few times of this partner gets up shouting and swearing and slaps me hard on the head while I'm holding DD. so I have phoned my mum and asked her to pick me up because I'm now afraid of how far he might go if I'm not holding DD.

I know that I am also in the wrong and that I goaded my partner to an unfair extent. WIBU to try to fix things?

OP posts:
JourneyToThePlacentaOfTheEarth · 12/02/2014 07:38

Op I'm so sorry.

Your anxious thoughts do sound like a symptom of depression. I had the same after my mum passed away and after some months of hell I was prescribed citalopram. Now feeling better. Your gp needs to help you

As for your dick of a partner, please believe me, you're better off alone. I left my ex while pregnant and was a single Mum until I met current lovely dh. He worked long hours and still got up at nite with dd so . Could sleep. He has hit You twice. It can only Get worse. He is scum. Some men only show their true colours once you're vulnerable e.g pregnant or a new mum

Slutbucket · 12/02/2014 07:38

Your health visitor is a place to start for PND. It sounds like you have it to me. Also you sound that you have post traumatic stress syndrome. You went through a trauma and you are worried about your daughter. Perfectly understandable please please be kind to yourself. X

Fairy1303 · 12/02/2014 08:02

OP, I could be you.

DH and I had problems all through our relationship, he was angry, violent, I would retaliate, I became angry too. Once I was so angry I scratched him.

He would constantly tell me I was 'goading' him - 'loved drama' was 'manipulative'.

I was exhausted. I did everything around the house, I did all night feeds, all childcare for his DD, all bills, EVERYTHING.

I had PND too - mostly because I was a) exhausted and b) felt so much guilt that I had planned a baby in this relationship.

I felt for a long time that we were both volatile
I can see now that it was emotional abuse over a long period of time and it made me snap. He was violent to me regularly, pushing me when I had DS, pinning me against a wall, strangling me etc etc,

Ultimately, I realised that even if we were both as bad as eachother, it is still not a relationship to have with a child involved.

Please get help for your PND.
And please leave.
I did it. You can do it too.

You need to do it for your DD.

bubblebabeuk · 12/02/2014 08:04

From your most recent update your other half is definately. Not showing any remorse for the first of DV and if anything the DV has escalated from slapping to punching. You need to report him and leave immediately. Please dont let yourself become yet another statistic, if nothing else you owe it to your DD to put her first and protect her from this unpleasant evil man.

Nanny0gg · 12/02/2014 08:53

You will not be wasting police resources.

As soon as you are at your mum's please report him.

You actually haven't really known this man for very long, and clearly his true colours are now showing. His most redeeming quality appears to be laziness and his worst may not have even shown yet.

Is your house rented? Whose name is it in? After speaking to the police, please get to your doctor and then ring Women's Aid.

If you ask for this to be moved to Relationships there will be lots of advice and support on there.

ISeeYouShiverWithAntici · 12/02/2014 09:09

He punched you in the head? I dont care how much you had been shouting or whatever, there is no excuse short of defending yourself from physical attack that justifies a punch to the head.

are you aware that a blow to the head can kill?

also, he tried to push you and the baby you were holding off the bed? What if he had succeeded and you had fallen off the bed and landed with all your weight on the baby? What do you think would have been the outcome for that infant?

you honestly need to leave.

shouting yelling weeping wailing worst case scenario exploring... none of it excuses punching the head or doing something that could result in harming a baby and anyone who tries to claim otherwise is a dick.

EirikurNoromaour · 12/02/2014 09:14

Omg I've just seen you have only known each other a year. You dont know each other. This is who he is! Please please call the police.

ohfourfoxache · 12/02/2014 09:23

Please, please listen to Fairy, she knows what she is talking about Thanks

Have you thought about getting this thread moved to relationships? You might want to - you'll find that you get a resounding yanbu on here and you'll get masses of support on relationships x

BrunoBrookesDinedAlone · 12/02/2014 09:32

Get this violent waster the fuck out of your life.

You can do it alone and I guarantee you will have a better life doing so. And so will your daughter.

If he can attack you while you are holding your child - game over.

REPORT THESE ATTACKS TO THE POLICE - because if you don't, in a years' time when he crawls back demanding contact, you want proof of his behaviour so that you can make contact safe for your child.

BrunoBrookesDinedAlone · 12/02/2014 09:33

*you won't have proof of his behaviour

Supercosy · 12/02/2014 09:40

You do need to leave op. I feel for you. You soind totally overwhelmed but just know that the incidents you have described are not trivial or forgivable even if only one of those had happened it wouldn't be ok. I really hope you can get sone support to move on. It sounds very hard indeed. Do it for ypur little Dd.

CoolaSchmoola · 12/02/2014 09:49

Witnessing domestic abuse, even at such a young age, is very damaging to a child. It actually changes the way their brain develops.

I'm sorry, but keeping your family together for the sake of your dd is the exact opposite of what is best for her.

She is already old enough to be affected by shouting, screaming, crying. She is already old enough to feel and be affected by stress.

Your dd needs you to take her out of this damaging environment permanently, now the impact is psychological but if he is attacking you whilst you are holding her he WILL hurt her physically at some point.

Please also be aware that him hitting or pushing you whilst you are holding her would be cause for social services to get involved as he is putting a child at risk of physical harm. She is already experiencing emotional harm.

I wish you lots of strength and luck. You CAN Do this, this isn't the life you or your daughter deserve, and you can choose to walk away to find the life you do deserve.

He has shown you who he is, he has shown you that he doesn't care if he hurts you or your child. She needs you to be strong.

Now run, and don't ever look back.

Applebloss · 12/02/2014 09:51

My OH was like this too. I left and even though it is hard alone it is so much better than when we were together.

Honestly, if he loved you he would treat you with kindness and want to support you. The early months with a baby are so tiring - he should be ashamed of himself for his abuse. And it is abuse.

If you do leave you will be able to focus on yourself and your baby - you sound like a resourceful person and a good mother. You WILL be able to get through this and your daughter will be proud of you for having the courage to put her first.

BadSeedsAddict · 12/02/2014 09:56

My neighbour had these types of thoughts and ended up trying to commit suicide as it all got too much. Get as much support as you can and make sure to tell your GP details about your unreasonable fears as it sounds very much like what my neighbour had; she was diagnosed with psychosis (not an expert, just passing on what I've heard). PND can be very bad but the fears you have sound like the ones my neighbour had. Health worries about her baby etc. If your GP won't listen, go back again and again, or change GP. This is really important.

ohfourfoxache · 12/02/2014 10:01

Super I hope you're safe and with your mum and ds Thanks

ohfourfoxache · 12/02/2014 10:02

Sorry - dd

JoinYourPlayfellows · 12/02/2014 10:03

I keep thinking the best situation for DD would be for the family to stay together.

Sorry, but this is NOT a family.

You barely know this abusive, violent wanker and you have had problems from the very beginning.

I can't believe your mother left you there all night and you have been physically abused by him twice in that time.

Mia4 · 12/02/2014 10:17

You will not be wasting police time op I can tell youvthat as a fact. 1) you will be protecting yourself and your Dd 2) you will be protecting her more because when.it comes to access it will highlight that he should have supervised and not be left alone with her and 3) it flags him as abusive which may help any other poor sods who end up with him.

Op he hit and pushed you when holding your baby, he laughed in your face about it? Do you deserve this disrespect? Should you wait on.tenterhooks for him to.get home and possibly.be more violent or come bearing flowers of forgiveness so he can do worse next time. He is not a good person to do this, do you think heis good for you qnd your dde?

Call the police, if it's your place or joint then get another lock fitted and throw him out. If you take control now you can make a massive change. How much of your depression could indeed be caused by.living with this man?

Mia4 · 12/02/2014 10:27

And as someone with parents in a toxic relationship with ea I can tell you I actually really resented them both for staying together for me and sibs. I felt in the middle, used sometimes in the ea against my parent.

When I was told it was for our sake I was furious, I felt terribly guilty and angry. It's only.now through counselling that im coming to terms with it it.jot bring my fault. I would strongly urge anyone in an abusive or bad relationship to think twice about staying for.kids sake. Think more on what would be best, seeing such a thing again qnd again and being a part of the toxicity or breaking free of it. If a dp is a good dp then apart or together they will always be a good dp. I know my parents would have been better apart.

When dsis1 was in an ea relationship and finally got out we saw what a shit dad her ex is. She admits now that she suspected all along so stayed together for that sake too, she knew without them being together he would he gone.

Littlegreyauditor · 12/02/2014 10:40

He punched you in the head and tried to push you and your infant daughter out of bed. Then he laughed about it

In what sphere of what fucked up reality does that even begin to seem acceptable and worthy of "forgiveness"?

He is a waster and a wanker. That is why he can't hold down a job. Stop feeling sorry for, and making excuses for, this piss poor example of a man.

If you take him back he will escalate and he will hurt your daughter. If not physically then certainly psychologically.

Report the violence to the police so there is a record of it when it comes to contact negotiations and please, please get yourself some help. It may be that your outlook improves when you are out of this mess but if not you need to get yourself help .

You cannot do the best for your daughter when you are at such a low ebb. You are her mum, she needs you, you are her whole world. It is your job to protect her from this violent, useless, glorified sperm donor and the utter shambles he will make of your life and hers. Do your job.

I'm sorry OP, be safe.
Flowers

Mumoftwoyoungkids · 12/02/2014 11:17

He could have killed your dd today. He wanted to hurt you and didn't care if she got injured in the cross fire. The next step is for him to purposely hurt her in order to upset you.

Fecklessdizzy · 12/02/2014 12:29

Leave him.

He's a bastard.

Your daughter will be fine with a sensible, loving single parent ( that's you! ) She won't be anything like fine with a violent, irresponsible fuckwit of a father and a terrified, depressed mother. You need to protect her from that so go!

Good luck.

thegreylady · 12/02/2014 12:47

I am so sorry. I posted at 2.43 am suffering from insomnia and a bad stomach upset. Of course you don't forgive someone who slaps you, not ever! Would you believe I missed that part of the post. I should avoid sensitive threads while sleep deprived.

thegreylady · 12/02/2014 12:49

Oh and definitely get rid of him you and your dd deserve better.

ohfourfoxache · 12/02/2014 12:55

thegreylady I hope you're feeling better! didn't think your first post sounded quite like you! Thanks

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