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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

I don't know whether to continue in this relationship - please be blunt!

96 replies

NicolaLesley123 · 01/09/2014 22:52

Hi everyone
I am 40 and my boyfriend is 44. I live in my own place with my 9 year old son, and pretty much it has been me and him since he was about 2 years old. I dated (unbeknown to my son) and then started a relationship with my current boyfriend in December 2012. My bf has lots of positive qualities in that he is very affectionate, always massaging my feet, stroking my hair, telling me that he loves me etc. I am not the most affectionate person in the world (particularly when I have pmt for a week) and it has caused some arguments. When I am not in the mood to be affectionate I am also not in the mood for sex, which again has caused some rows. There have been other stresses from day one which have added to some of our difficulties, namely my bf trying to organise contact with his children through Court. His ex gf has been very difficult (just to point out I met him a year after they split up)

Anyway, we have had 20 months of bickering, some of which has been witnessed by my little boy. When he is around I tell my bf to calm down (which he hates) or I tell him not to swear (it's fucking this and that when he is annoyed) and he continues to do so, saying that my son will hear worse in the playground. I have called the Police twice to our property, both times my son was there. The first time was due to my bf being extremely drunk and more agitating than anything, but his demeanour was upsetting to my son so I had the Police remove him. The second time, we argued and he pushed me onto the floor - though denied it immediately given that he was drunk (he simply couldn't recall it). He then would not let me get out of the property for fear I would call the Police. My son witnessed him standing in the way of the front door and he panicked. I got us out and called the Police. I believed that was it however the next morning when I talked it through with my son he said he felt sorry for him and that we should give him another chance. So we did.

I'm now getting to the crux of one of the issues. Our bickering continued (as you probably expected) mostly about his ex, the kids, my lack of affection and not enough sex. I explained that I didn't have 2 hours a night for sex (he likes to make a meal of it) as I have a full time job which is stressful. Anyway, to cut a long story short, he used my computer to go on Facebook. When he was out watching the match I went on my computer to fin his facebook account still logged in. So I did what any nosy gf would do and looked at it. I saw in the notifications that there were photos synced from his phone. This basically means that he took photos on his iphone which were saved to facebook but not shown publicly. I looked to see what they were and found a screenshot of his email address and hidden membership number for a dating site called "Genuine Affairs", a dating website for married people. I went sick. I then accessed his googlemail account and looked at his emails (I knew his password as he had given it to me previously and I think he forgot that I would have remembered it). Anyway, saved under his personal emails was confirmation of his membership to fuckbook.net and password and user name. I accessed fuckbook using both and found a half hearted profile set up which simply ha his D.O.B, height (2 inches out) and a strap line saying "I love sex". He swore blind that it was his ex that created the profiles and that he has had similar things through before.

We met on a dating site so there is every chance he gets junk mail from them, as I still do, however I have never received something thanking me for joining and my membership number. Anyway, his argument (and tears) was so persuasive I bought it. However, 2 months later it has come back to me as I believe he may be a better liar than I gave him credit for. That brings me onto the second part of my dilemma.

We booked a family holiday to go to Haven just a couple of weeks ago. We bickered leading up to it, so much so that I considered travelling up separately. Anyway, my bf reassured me that he wouldn't argue and that he wouldn't spoil the holiday for my 9 year old son. Anyway, the first night we got there, we went to the club. He got drunk by 10.30pm and I decided to take my son home to the caravan as he said he was bored anyway. My bf followed and started giving me grief for leaving early, for doing everything my son tells me to, and for being a "fucking tight cunt" for not buying him a drink (when he was doing perfectly well getting drunk without my help). In hi anger, as he was calling e all the cunts under the son, he shoved my son. It was an accident and done as he was trying to get to me but nevertheless, I was fuming. I went to bed with my son and the next day me and my son packed and left. We hung around the caravan park for the day (as I wanted to give my son at least one day there) and my bf sent me loads of texts and calls begging for my forgiveness, saying he wouldn't drink again. In the end, he was so distraught he threatened to commit suicide and therefore I called the Police, who removed him from the caravan and took him to the nearest train station where he got a train home. Me and my son remained on holiday for the remainder of the week and my intention was that it was over with my b.

However, I met up with him when I got back and we talked things through. I said I would see him away from my son (once a week when he goes to his dad's) to see if we can have an argument free relationship. He seems calmer and has not drank for over a week. However, my son does not want me to be back with him. Even though he said he is not scared of him, he has no faith that we won't argue in the future. I am so confused at the moment as my bf has lots of good qualities, and sticks with me when I am going through the worst pmt moods possible, and I believe him when he says he won't drink to keep us. But then, the doubts re the dating sites resurface and I wonder how we will have an argument free relationship when all that doesn't add up, and my son feels the way he does. I'm waffling now but would really appreciate your comments on any aspect of what I have said.
x

OP posts:
FacebookWillEatItself · 02/09/2014 06:53

Ok I'll be blunt.

He sounds like a total and utter dick and you sound weak and desperate for staying in a relationship that is clearly a fucking nightmare.

Is this really better than being on your own? Confused

Your son is going to be very screwed up if you don't get a backbone and ditch this man immediately.

Oh, and is it any wonder that his ex has been 'difficult' about him seeing his children? Hmm do you still buy that story, even though you've seen first hand, virtually front he beginning of the relationship exactly how he handles stress and confrontation?

Seriously, open your eyes. Get rid.

Humansatnav · 02/09/2014 06:55

Don't walk away from this relationship......RUN!

LuckySaint · 02/09/2014 06:58

Get rid and start putting your son first.

NacMacFeeglie · 02/09/2014 07:00

He shoved your son? Why are you asking whether to continue this relationship. Anyone that upset my child with arguing and shoving would be long long long gone. Do you normally have so little respect for yourself?

EhricLovesTheBhrothers · 02/09/2014 07:03

Blunt reply?
He's an utter pig. A violent, rude, selfish, drunken, aggressive pig. You're debasing yourself by continuing in this relationship, and what's worse, you are both exposing your son to this vile pig's abusive treatment and also teaching him that this is what relationships are like. He will go on to treat his partners the way this charmer does if you aren't careful.
My advice - grow up and put your child first for once.

goingloombandcrazy · 02/09/2014 07:07

I'd have left him by paragraph two. Your son has been subjected to further abuse. Leave him now. I'm surprised the police haven't done a 121a referal to social care. 121a are generated when a child is present at an incident.

Lweji · 02/09/2014 07:08

Go with your son on this one

You only seem to take his advice to be with the man. Why go with it the first time and not now?
He seems like a sensible boy.

And you shouldn't inflict this twat on him anymore.
Nor on yourself.

He will keep up the pretence only for as long as you have a short leash. As soon as he feels safe he'll go back to how he has always been.
.

goingloombandcrazy · 02/09/2014 07:09

I agree too get advice from women's aid. Ending a relationship where there is domestic abuse is hard and also the most risky time. Google dulcath power and control wheel. How many of those behaviours do you recognise? Is this good role modelling for your son?

AttilaTheMeerkat · 02/09/2014 07:10

Are you really that afraid of being on your own that you would even want to continue with such a dysfunctional relationship at all?.

Love your own self for a change along with protecting your son from such malign influences.

I am wondering what you learnt yourself about relationships when growing up because I think you have learnt an awful lot of crap from childhood that needs to be unlearnt. Your own low self worth set you up good and proper for such a man to exploit, you were targeted by this predator who knows how to manipulate you all too well.

See this for what this really is. This man is a violent, abusive drunkard and it goes without saying he brings nothing at all positive into your life.

Lweji · 02/09/2014 07:12

And this:

is it any wonder that his ex has been 'difficult' about him seeing his children?

FacebookWillEatItself · 02/09/2014 07:18

I am trying to imagine what kind of hell I must have to be in, to actually want to spend a week on a Haven holiday park with a drunken, abusive, emotionally unstable, manipulative, fuckwit loser of a man who insults me and argues with me at every opportunity and gets heavy handed with my child, and call it a 'holiday.'

Is this what really counts as normal for some people? Confused

antimatter · 02/09/2014 07:19

he is an alcoholic using all typical ways to threaten you

you need to understand what makes you want to be treated like that and carry on seeing him even though he is mistreating you

I would delete person like that from my live after first argument where he used foul language. It's not on!

Finola1step · 02/09/2014 07:20

Good grief.

It is very simple. Look at your son. How would you feel if in 30 years time your son was behaving as your bf does now?

I'd be bloody devastated if my ds turned out like your bf. I want better for my dc. Your ds wants better. Listen to him and dump this nasty, cheating pain in the arse.

FatewiththeLeadPiping · 02/09/2014 07:25

This reply has been deleted

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mydoorisalwaysopen · 02/09/2014 07:25

Don't let this man back into your life. By the time your OP got to the crux of the matter that much was clear. I too am confused why you'd be in any doubt. He's a violent drunk.

Pinkje · 02/09/2014 07:26

Yes leave him, please.

Did he cause the last marriage to fail?

Orangeisthenewbanana · 02/09/2014 07:27

He has assaulted both you and your child.

That is more than enough reason to get rid of him.

Ohwhatfuckeryisthis · 02/09/2014 07:34

I was convinced by paragraph 2. You don't need this vile man in your life.

Flossiex2 · 02/09/2014 07:34

What a holiday for your poor son.

Fairylea · 02/09/2014 07:37

The minute I reached the part about him bullying you over sex I thought that's it, he's an arse. And then when you said you'd rang the police twice. ....!!! - well that confirms it! He should have been gone there and then.

All the rest - the Facebook stuff etc pales in comparison. Get him OUT of your life.

Singsongmama · 02/09/2014 07:43

Blunt reply...he is a horrible person and you shouldn't give him the time of day. I'd cut all contact immediately. He will not change. Your son deserves to grow up without worrying about having him around swearing, drinking, pushing (or worse....) that's not a happy, stable environment for a child to grow up in.

Kick him to he kerb. Good luck.

gamerchick · 02/09/2014 07:55

I think it's pretty obvious you're going to take him back. Just remember your child depends on you to protect him and keep him safe and so far you're not really up to the job. Maybe your son should go and stay with his dad while you get the backwards and forwards police thing out of your system?

LineRunner · 02/09/2014 07:55

I'm really surprised you haven't been referred by the police to social services.

Kerberos · 02/09/2014 08:01

You need to get out of this relationship. It is damaging you and your son. Even a qtr of the behaviour you describe would be enough for me to call it a day.

Pippidoeswhatshewants · 02/09/2014 08:02

3 letters: LTB!