Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

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

Telling yourself it's fine is one thing but believing it is another :-(

7 replies

Wishyouwould · 28/08/2014 11:01

It's nearly 2 years ago since I split from my abusive STBXH. It's been a rocky road and I've posted a few times along the way.

My Ex started dating a mutual friend of ours around 9 months ago - although she has since denied being friends with me and defriended me off Facebook almost immediately. This hurt but I dug deep and got on with it.

My DC now spend time with her and it's painful for me to hear. I feel like saying 'well I guess your Dad hasn't called her a cnt or fcuking b*tch yet'. Of course I never would, it's just the anger in me thinking it.

I put on a smile and wish my DC a wonderful time while in reality it's hard to take. I keep myself busy, have wonderful supportive RL friends, have read every book going and have seen a counsellor but I still can't shift these feelings of 'it's not fair'.

I've been on a few dates and had a couple of short term relationships since our break but it has been more out of the feeling that's what I should be doing than really wanting to do it.

Anyone been through similar - could really do with some advice on how to accept it.

OP posts:
FrootLoopy · 28/08/2014 11:09

Fake it until you make it.

That's pretty much all you can do I'm afraid.

And get out there and do things that make you happy.

FreudianGymSlip · 28/08/2014 11:14

Oh don't date because you think you should be if it isn't what you want. Do other things that give you pleasure no matter how small or insignificant they might seem to other people.

I agree with PP who said fake it. What other choice do you have that maintains some equilibrium?

And the 'friend'? Well, she wasn't was she?

Good luck.

Coffeethrowtrampbitch · 28/08/2014 11:15

I'm so sorry, I don't have any advice but couldn't read and run.

It isn't fair for him to be happy, when he spent so long making you unhappy. But is he really happy? He might seem it, but any man who can call the mother of his child such vile names sounds like a deeply unhappy, vindictive person. It is very unlikely he has completely changed, and I'm sure your former friend will find out just what he is like if she hasn't already.

They are not living happily ever after, because no one does. They might appear to be, but if your ex has been an abusive twat to you, it is very unlikely he has changed. Don't envy his partner for getting the booby prize, just be sorry she hasn't realised yet.

You, on the other hand, are free from living with an abuser, you have been to the worst place and clawed yourself free. Keep remembering all you have achieved, it is difficult to find happiness after all you have been through, but you will do it, you have done much harder things already.

RedCherry · 28/08/2014 11:19

I am in a similar position. Split with the ex 2 years ago. He's moved on and I haven't met anyone yet. Probably because I'm too busy bringing up my wonderful dc than going on the pull!
In my opinion men physically move on quicker than women. But that doesn't mean he has moved on emotionally. If it was the other way round he would also feel the same.
My advice is to stop comparing. Thank your lucky stars you don't have to put up with him anymore. When the dc go out with them you need to use the time to do things you like. It can be anything as long as it makes you happy and takes your mind off him & his relationship. Which by the way will not be as good as it looks on the outside...

Fontella · 28/08/2014 11:36

What you need to do is look at it from a completely different perspective.

He was abusive, he called your disgusting names, you got rid!

Now someone else has got him and good luck to her! She's having to put up with him now, not you. You are FREE! Just keep telling yourself that - FREE, FREE, FREE .... whereas she is now lumbered with him.

He's the same person. He's not going to change miraculously overnight into the perfect partner. Sooner or later (if it hasn't happened already) she'll do something 'wrong' and she'll be on the receiving end of his abuse. Leopards don't change their spots - they just don't. It's early days still for them, and you can bet your life savings, it isn't all wine and roses, no matter what front they may put on.

I'm not sure why you're angry - you split and how he's with her. So what if she was 'a friend' - she's not anymore and neither is he and sounds like you are well rid of both. He's your abusive foul mouthed STBXH and you quite rightly got rid of him. Now he's her problem, not yours, and she is his. I'd be cheering from the roof tops if it was me.

Time passes, kids grow up, everything changes and one day your kids make decisions for themselves and make up their own minds about things. But right now, the deal is the kids go off to their dad's, and while they are there they are his responsibility. By stewing and seething while they are there and thinking 'it's not fair' ... the only person you are hurting is yourself. Your thoughts are hurting you - no-one else - not her, not him, not your kids .... none of them are bothered. No-one is doing anything to you - you are doing it to yourself by seeing things from your current attitude and perspective.

Try looking at it a different way entirely. You split up - tick. He's got a new partner - tick. Your kids go to theirs - tick. That's how it is. It's the same for millions of people the world over when marriages/relationships break down. There's absolutely no point in making yourself so unhappy over it - fuck him, fuck her - you've got good supportive RL friends you say, you don't have to put up with his abusive shit anymore, you are getting some child free time while he has the kids - so please don't waste it being unhappy and angry!

Use it for you. Go out, have fun, see friends, pamper yourself, go for a hike, go see a film, read a book, have a facial, meet a friend for dinner ... do things for you ... and just enjoy the freedom you have gained for yourself by getting free of of this nasty abusive man.

And as for the whole dating thing - if you don't want to do it, don't do it. Just because your ex is in a new relationship doesn't mean you have to be. Take some time out for YOU for a while. Relationships are not the be all and end all, and we don't need to define ourselves by them. There are thousands and thousands of women who are quite happily being single. I'm one of them, and there's plenty more here on MN. Focus on yourself for a bit and fuck the ex and his partner. They are not your problem and certainly not worth you making yourself unhappy over.

x

Wishyouwould · 28/08/2014 11:48

Thank you for your quick replies.

She defriended me only 3 weeks into their relationship because he told her to. He then told me they both agreed that her and I had never been friends (not true) so I know he is already controlling her. He has continued to be abusive to me and vindictive where the DC are concerned so I went NC a couple of months ago but he has still continued to text me to criticize me and try to control me, I'm sure she won't know about this.

I know he won't change because he won't he accept he was abusive in the first place. And not just to me. He has called our DS names and smacked him in the face shortly before we separated.

Now he is playing Father of the Year for all it's worth and the DC come home with new gadgets/clothes/toys every week. It's like he is living a lie.

My DC are wonderful and have coped with everything really well, I'm so proud of them. I guess I just feel I took the decision to split the family up and he has moved on while I'm still in limbo. I know for absolute certainty that nobody knows what goes on behind closed doors and sometimes happy smiling faces are just an illusion.

OP posts:
Wishyouwould · 28/08/2014 11:52

Thank you Fontella your wonderful post made me cry - in a good way!

You are so right. I'm gong to print it off and stick it on the fridge x

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page