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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

It's like mental torture, he's driving me insane

112 replies

Panscrubby · 28/08/2014 14:28

At the beginning of our relationship I was insecure and used to question whether he loved me or not. He once said to me "if ever I stopped loving you, you'd know. It would be obvious."

Well yes, I'm starting to see that.

4 weeks ago we went on holiday, just the two of us. It was a beautiful place full of beautiful people and scenery and we were having the most amazing time. We argued twice. First time because I was upset at the state of one of our hotels. It was a complete shit hole and I'm no diva. It was a concrete shanty shack with no working shower, no toilet, a padlock on a rotten wooden door for security and an old shitty mattress thrown on a concrete slab as a bed. Of course I was upset. But he went mental and said I was out of order for not being positive and he refused to talk to me for the rest of the day until I apologised (which I did, not sure why!) and begged for him to just drop it so we could get on with our holiday. This was the first time I looked at him and really thought "what a nasty piece of work you can be".

Second time we argued because he got drunk and decided to turn on me for something we'd both been laughing about 5 minutes previous.

So we got back from this holiday two weeks ago and he's been absolutely awful to me ever since. Keeps picking arguments with me, snapping at me, twisting everything I say into an argument - it's just driving me mad. I've done nothing to deserve all this, he just seems to have turned on me for no reason in the past month or so.

This past week has been torturous - so much so that I found myself opening a "post relationship savings account". I don't want us to break up but I can't understand why he's being so horrible to me.

On Tuesday we were on our way to shop and he said something about wanting to go on holiday to Canada. Normally he won't discuss future holidays until we've done our next planned one so, as we have Italy planned I became worried that he didn't want to go to Italy anymore (as he never shows any enthusiasm for it when I mention it yet all of a sudden was raving on about Canada) so I simply said "you do want to go to Italy still don't you?" This was said lightly, totally non-confrontational. He went mental and started really shouting at me, swearing, telling me to chill the fuck out and be fucking flexible and stop being so fucking self centered. Even if he was pissed off at me for saying the wrong thing (????) there was no need to shout and ball at me like this surely. I was upset but tried not to show it too much as that same day we had a 3 hour drive to a campsite for us and the kids and I didn't want the kids feeling an atmosphere.

When we got to the campsite all was going well - then he'd had a few drinks and started getting really arsey. His eldest son and I were laughing about the shape of a burger and we went mad at me, shouted me down in front of his kids, told me I was supposed to be sorting out the music (I had) and then made yawning gestures at his kids about me. His youngest scarpered and went to bed and his eldest just sat looking really uncomfortable (I was thankful they didn't join in actually! very mature of them I thought.)

After that he carried on making comments about me, ignoring me when I spoke, shaking his head at me, snapping at his eldest DS (who said to me "it's best not to react, it's safer" and then buggered off to bed!!!!!!) It was awful.

Next day, he was off with me all day until I made an effort to make the peace (just cos his kids are here all week and I feel awkward). Today he's just kicked off again. I realised we had saturday night to ourselves as my kids are at their dads and his kids will be going home, it's VERY rare that we have a saturday night to ourselves as his kids come EVERY weekend so I suggested we do something nice. Well he kicked off, said I'm trying to start an argument, said he'd rather I go to work and earn some money and basically said no and that I was ridiculous for even suggesting it. So here we are, not talking AGAIN because I dared to suggest we take the opportunity to do something nice Saturday night.

What the fuck is going on? it feels like mental torture. I feel like the kid that doesn't want to go to school because nobody likes her and she gets bullied for saying the wrong thing. All this started a month ago. I just don't understand it.

OP posts:
AntiDistinctlyMintyMunty · 29/08/2014 07:37

I've been following your thread and rooting for you panscrubby. Please stay strong! You've had such a clear head and you know completely what this guy is up to. You deserve so much better. As wally says, just ignore him whilst you formulate your plans to get out. We're all behind you Thanks

FacebookWillEatItself · 29/08/2014 07:37

What his son said is really sad.

And you should pay attention what it means.

^ This. In a nutshell.

Glad to see you are feeling less confused now than at the beginning of the thread. You know what you have to do, don't let him talk you round, which I have no doubt he will try.

Walkacrossthesand · 29/08/2014 07:41

Where is your son in all this, panscrubby - how old is he, does he have to be in the house with your STBEx while you're at work, will STBEx be picking on/needling him?

Thumbwitch · 29/08/2014 07:47

Just had a quick re-read of your OP - you say all this started a month ago - what else happened a month ago, apart from the arguments on holiday? Do you think that was the trigger for all this foul behaviour? Or is there a chance that something else is behind it?

I'm asking because it's quite a common ruse for men to use when they've decided they want out of a relationship, and often the reason for that is that they already have a replacement lined up. He may have already started a relationship with someone else - do you think that's a possibility?
Not that it really matters, all that should matter to you is that you need to get out of this appalling situation as soon as you can.

Still feeling very sad for his DC though - do you have a good enough relationship with them that you could tell them that they can come to you if they ever need to? Of course they might not ever need to, but it might be good for them to know they have someone who understands that their Dad is a nasty fucker.

winkywinkola · 29/08/2014 08:12

What a weird man you've ended up with.

Not to mention bullying and creepy.

Stonewall him! He is not worthy of even being spoken to. Get angry and only have contempt for him.

Those young men at work know he's weird and obsessive. They are able to use that to their advantage.

Get rid of him. He's a tosser.

EmpressOfBedlam · 29/08/2014 08:20

BE STRONG!!!! Don't text him........

Can you leave today? Do you have anywhere to go or is it your house?

MexicanSpringtime · 29/08/2014 08:41

Keep strong OP.

ravenmum · 29/08/2014 09:04

His poor kids, yes. They live mostly with their mother? Maybe it would be worth getting in touch with her and letting her know what her son said, in case the kids are not telling her about the atmosphere with their dad. Maybe she thinks he was just a shit with her. Obviously she might know very well how he is treating them, and be doing what she can to help them, but I'd definitely consider mentioning it, just in case, out of concern for his boys. I'd also tell her about the inappropriate relationships he is having with boys at work. The whole thing is quite worrying.

kaykayblue · 29/08/2014 09:21

Good luck and stay strong OP. I know that in the cold light of day, it's not easy to actually follow through on big decisions like this.

But the alternative is to live the rest of your life with this horrible man, whose own children recognise as very unstable. He has done this to one woman, and now he's doing it to you.

Everytime he tries to needle you into staying, or brings on the tears - think about what his son said. The fact he said that it's "safer" not to react, suggests that there is much worse to come if you stay.

Stupidhead · 29/08/2014 09:29

Oh good god! Hearts in my mouth here, I remember the sulks well. Glad you've woken up to him but expect a lot of 'sorry, it'll never happen again' bollox. Stick to your guns x

Justrestinginmyaccount · 29/08/2014 09:43

Just wanting to add to the chorus of get out now posts to say...GET OUT NOW!

You sound so lovely and intelligent OP, and this man is an abusive, unkind and frankly downright weird individual. His children are afraid of him, his work colleagues take advantage of him because they realise that there is something deeply wrong about him, and he makes your life a misery.

Please just get out as quickly as you can. We are all rooting for you!

LividofLondon · 29/08/2014 09:47

Glad you're planning your exit Panscrubby as it sounds like he will do what he can to make your final year at uni unbearable to the point you fail your course. This will mean you're still in your minimum wage job and he still has the upper hand. He sounds awful.

I agree with the PPs who suggest stonewalling him right back; don't make him tea, don't do his washing etc. If he's going to treat you like shit or ignore you, you can ignore him right back. Horrible way to live though, so hope you get out soon.

Frogisatwat · 29/08/2014 09:49

Another one hoping you go very very soon.

hellsbellsmelons · 29/08/2014 09:53

You know how upset you feel when HE is stonewalling you, so your best bet is to counter with exactly the same treatment.
He'll be waiting for your apologetic text.
Let him wait and wait and wait.
It will be driving him insane having no contact from you.
Let him sweat it out and make him wait until the end of eternity.

Keep going and keep strong.
We are all routing for you.

mrsbrownsgirls · 29/08/2014 10:04

what a terrible situation.
Good luck with the exit. Are you physically safe?

Zazzles007 · 29/08/2014 12:12

OP, I've just read your thread, and am glad that you moving towards leaving this sad, dysfunctional weirdo. The abusive behaviour, the weird obsession with his younger work colleagues, and the dysfunctional dynamics of the 'family' are only going to get worse. The way the abuse started with the onset of uni reminds me of an ex of mine, who started a fight on the night before an important job interview Hmm, amongst a pattern of other abusive behaviour. Men who abuse like this don't like their women to 'get above their station in life'.

Get your plans together and get out. Strength and courage to you OP.

Quitelikely · 29/08/2014 13:00

How about you text him telling him that you're calling time on the relationship!

And that stuff with the young employees is downright bizarre. When I read your first post about them I thought maybe he could fancy one of them. You have obviously ruled that out.

Castlemilk · 29/08/2014 13:18

Well, if he's waiting for the text, mentally kick his miserable little butt by not sending one.

Glad to see you have this twat worked out. It only remains to say, make sure you have everything in place and safe BEFORE you tell him it's over. You live together, yes? I would absolutely make sure you spend time putting ALL your valuable or sentimental stuff elsewhere, even storage, before you say a word. He left your laptop out to ruin just for a little thrill? This is the kind of guy who will delete all your photos/pour beer over your phone/ruin your best dresses.

tipsytrifle · 29/08/2014 13:21

Everyone has said it all beautifully, even down to wondering if you should/could mention concerns about his dc to their mother.

It's just as well that everything has been said because I'm speechless and aghast at your journey so far, Panscrubby. This creature is a shocking abuser. I wouldn't even want to know what's going on with "the lads" ... his mind is a no-go zone for anyone who values inner peace.

How soon can you leave or get him removed? Now, please??

Panscrubby · 29/08/2014 15:52

Thanks everyone. Back from work and I didn't text him :-D in fact, I went off that idea very early on in the day. Instead I spent the day thinking about what an utter bastard he has been to me since we got together - oh yeah it's all flooding back now. Fucking around on the internet chatting to other women behind my back. Messing with my head with a hot/cold approach to our relationship. Got me right where he wanted with that one didn't he? A paranoid, insecure mess. You know I should be qualified by now. I had just entered my final year when I dropped out due to all the arguments and stress at home. He once cancelled a cinema trip with me in favour of going to cinema with his mates on the same night. This was this year so not way back in the early days.

And to think our latest argument started because I dared to suggest we spent time together on Saturday night and have a night out. God what an awful bitch I am eh!! Feel sorry for the next poor bugger that has to put up with me trying to arrange time together, ironing their clothes and cooking packed lunches for them. Honestly I'm a nightmare.

Anyway. I got home and he's playing on a computer game. I then notice his son is stonewalling me too. Oh the fucking joys.

Well I made MYSELF a cup of coffee and came upstairs to relax before I go back out to kickboxing tonight. I've always wanted to try kickboxing.

Oh and that Saturday night where I selfishly tried to arrange a night out together? I pulled it off ... Only I swapped him for a mate.

Still - the practicalities of leaving are daunting. I'm about to start uni full time for a year, no landlord is going to want to know me.

OP posts:
AnyFucker · 29/08/2014 16:30

You sound fantastic, dude

But you have to find some way to offload the millstone and his mini-me progeny. There will be a way, if you want it enough.

hellsbellsmelons · 29/08/2014 16:40

Can you rent a room in someone's house?
Spareroom.co.uk
easyroommate.com
Do you have any family or friends you could move in with for a little while?
There's always a way.
Have a great time kickboxing.
It's great exercise and good fun.
Try to enjoy your weekend.
Just keep stonewalling them both!
Don't do anything for them at all. No cooking, washing, tidying, cleaning, ironing. Nothing.. NADA!!!

ladyme · 29/08/2014 16:44

I had a relationship with a very similar pattern, and in fact the beginning of the end was when we were on holiday, funnily enough. About a month later, I was where you are now and went to work, decided to leave and asked the handyman at work to come back to the flat with me to clear all my things in his van.

My advice to you is: ring round your friends. They will all think he's a total tosser as well and will be delighted you are leaving. They will want to help and someone will put you up while you sort yourself out. There are loads of student landlords and the welfare department in your uni will help you if you are really stuck -- a room in a shared house is better that this. You are not trapped!

If it follows the same pattern, you'll get 'good riddance' for a month or so, then when it dawns on him you really are leaving, you'll get angry calls that become abusive, then remorse, then you'll start ignoring his calls / emails and he'll eventually leave you alone.

But do it. As soon as you can.

Frogisatwat · 29/08/2014 16:55

Well done you. I am very proud and hoping to get some strength from you.

MexicanSpringtime · 29/08/2014 17:14

Brilliant, OP. Your poor stepson probably doesn't dare to be nice to someone his father is stonewalling.
Good luck with your studies and, yes, a room in a shared house would be much better.

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