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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, I'm crumbling

20 replies

Tropicalchancer · 07/09/2014 09:06

On Tuesday, I discussed with my gf how I would like to one day hopefully be able to have a friendly relationship with my exh. I'd hope he is comfy to talk to me about all things, relationships and so on for the benefit of our children.
This really upset my gf. She became quite agitated about it, and speant a few hours being cross with me, saying how is made her jealous, been insensitive etc. she also bought up that she no longer chats to her ex gf as she knows it would make me uncomfy (this has for more to do with the fact that her exgf came on to her the last time she saw her a few months ago when I was away for the night) however she has mentioned to me that she no longer wants to chat to her ex because her ex wants to confide in her about her various
affairs and this makes my gf uncomfortable and conflicted due to being friends with her exgfs wife.

Whenever we argue she is irrational, brings all sorts of other stuff into it and then says she can no longer cope with things as they are, she's a failure etc etc. it's exhausting and I've stopped pandering to it.
The following morning-so Wednesday. I explained that I have done nothing wrong in my wish to be friendly with my exh for the children's sake. That each time she does the it's to hard she can't cope thing that she makes me feel that she views our relationship as disposable.

She rang me that morning to have another go at me and I explained it all again and then just got sad-it wasn't really resolved.

Whilst I was at work she texted to say that her ex gf had been in touch to let her know she had split from her wife.
Anyway. We both went to work, I got home first which is super unusual and got on with sorting the puppies out, I was upset about things still from the night before.

So we sit down and are having a cuppa and I ask generally how her day went and so on, I'm muted and not myself. I ask about her exgf and she starts to tell me but I can't follow so I ask if I can just see the texts ( we do this) and she tells me that it was via a phone call. I read the texts anyway, her fully ok with this and I can see that after her exgf text her originally to tell her the news my gf must have phoned her straight away as the reply via text back was "sorry in a meeting call you later" Anyway I get the kids to bed and it's niggling me that she has had this intimate chat about her exgfs split after giving me so much grief about my own hopes for a friendly relationship with my own exh.
So I get downstairs and ask her why she called her exgf after everything she had said the night before and she lied, said she hadn't that her exgf had called her. When I explained that I know she was lying she admitted it and then flipped. Started screaming at me and making no sense, she was like a corned animal, started screaming that I was chucking her out over and over again-I laughed from shock as it was so bizarre and basically shocking behaviour and she called me a c**t with real venom twice, spat it at me. I asked her it be quiet because the children might hear-she said "what do I fucking care if they hear, I'm leaving now they won't ever see me again" I asked her to leave, this is about 8pm and at 11.30 she still hadn't gone, wouldn't leave, she has a house of her own to go to. Just refused, begging me to not throw our relationship away as I had told her I needed time to process what had just happened. We had meant to be opening a new business in a few weeks and I called time on it as I just don't trust her to not do this again. She couldn't understand why I wasn't accepting her appology, kept trying to kiss me. I was asking her to go and she wouldn't, she even said that I can forgive my children for saying hurtful things so why can't I for give her! she was lying on the floor of my/our room and I said what if the boys come in and see her there! So to get into bed, she did. She left the next morning and I had the locks changed. I informed all my family and neighbours and had my best friend and her dh come stay with me that day and night. She bombarded me with over 100 calls texts and messages, just begging me to not throw it all away. That she was angry and hadn't meant it, wouldn't do it again, loves me etc. this isn't the first time she has done this. This is a regular thing, we've been together 2 years but this is the first time my children have been around. They heard her abusing me. They lay alone in their beds scared and I wasn't there for them. Since all this I remained no contact for 1 day and have had a little contact since then. She won't leave me alone. Has turned up at work with handfuls of pictures of us together in happy times making promises of having changed. She asked if I wanted breakfast bought to me at work test and I said i didn't as I would crumble and I have been such a wreck at work lately but she still turned up with coffee and some bits. She sent me a huge bunch of flower and left breakfast in my back garden seeing as she couldn't get in the porch.
She's been to counselling, she spoken to her mother about this which is a huge step.

But I was terrified, this smacks of abuse and I can't have her near me or my children. Why then when I talk to her do I start to crumble and believe that she might change? I have no back bone.
I don't want to be in a relationship like this, I love her and want to see the best in her and the good times are amazing, it's like I'm her queen-but when this happens it's as tho a red mist descends and she is un reachable. I feel like I'm being manipulated, I know she loves me-but she isn't thinking about me here is she, she is thinking about her-she is panicking and that's why she can't leave me be.
Sorry if it's garbled and disjointed, that's kinda how my head feels ATM.

OP posts:
YouAreMyRain · 07/09/2014 09:18

So, she's jealous, paranoid, volatile, verbally abusive, lying and now she's stalking you.

I think she sounds a nightmare and quite unstable.

Do not respond to her at all. Go completely non contact. You and your dc are better off without her.

Yes you miss the good times but after a couple of weeks of NC you will have a clearer head. Stay strong.

EllaFitzgerald · 07/09/2014 09:19

If you feel yourself starting to crumble, remember that your children were laying in their beds listening to her screaming vile names at you.

Then think about how she said she didn't care that they could hear it (or, presumably, the effect it would have on them). She isn't listening to you when you say you don't want breakfast brought to you and is turning up at your work to emotionally blackmail you with photographs.

Being someone's Queen sometimes isn't worth being their victim the rest of the time. If she's got you to the stage where she's scaring you and your children, you have to cut ties completely.

CogitoErgoSometimes · 07/09/2014 09:26

If you don't want to be in the relationship you have to do everything in your power to keep your distance and not engage in this drama - all of which she has created, if you notice. If she continues to harass you at home and work, despite having been asked to stay away, then report her to the police - serious as that.

Her behaviour as described is unstable, aggressive, bullying and probably emotionally abusive. You're not her 'queen' and I seriously doubt that she loves you, I'm afraid. You are someone she likes to antagonise, provoke and 'test' as a way to manipulate your behaviour. 'If you really loved me, you'd do X' is not love, it's coercion. The technical term is 'a head fuck' and you shouldn't let anyone like that within five miles of either yourself or your DCs.

Stay strong.

sunshinemeg · 07/09/2014 09:36

Ella summed it up brilliantly. Being someone's queen isn't worth being a victim the rest of the time.

Your post sounds in so many ways similar to the relationship I had with my ex. He could be wonderful, kind, loving and shower me in affection. He could also flip and shower me in pure venom. Throwing him out was so difficult, but I did it. I told friends and family what he was really like, and that kept me strong in not taking him back. I knew what they would think of me if I took him back. I kept repeating what he was like to stop myself caving.

It's a challenge, but your children deserve so much more than having that person in their lives. Keep a picture of them to hand and look at that when you want to crumble. You are doing this not only for yourself but for them too.

HappySmileyPeople · 07/09/2014 09:39

Agree with Ella. Don't put your children through this. Don't put yourself through this.

She is a nutter, unstable at best, stay away.

GlowWithLight · 07/09/2014 09:40

"She's been to counselling, she spoken to her mother about this which is a huge step."

Don't get involved in this way, thinking that she has made a 'huge step' or might change. Her behaviour has been terrible, she has scared the heck out of you and been very intimidating and abusive. If you need to, don't hesitate to involve the police as she is bothering you at work and staking out your house. This is abuse and the fact it is coming from a woman doesn't change that.
No contact is the way to go, and if you feel like you are wobbling, as others have said do it for the kids if not for yourself. After a while you will get your strength back and be so glad she is out of your life.

DonkeysDontRideBicycles · 07/09/2014 09:45

Your children lay upstairs frightened. That should be enough to put distance between you and this woman.

You are right - never mind what matters to you, she goes off on one expecting you to placate and acquiesce - "it's all about her".

Shelving the plan to start a business together was a smart move.

Sounds as if her exgf will be available to comfort her anyway so don't worry about her, concentrate on your own peace of mind.

Now be strong, keep your distance.

CromerSutra · 07/09/2014 09:47

I really don't think this is a good relationship for you at all. She sounds really unstable and actually quite scarey. This is bad enough for you but since you have kids you really cannot allow her back into your life. If you feel like you are going to cave in, think of them.

Sunna · 07/09/2014 09:48

This sounds like a very unhealthy relationship. Your children deserve better. Get rid of her and move on.

Tropicalchancer · 07/09/2014 09:49

Thankyou x I've typed this and was going to send-is this sending the right message?

This ok?

Hi
I can't get hold of my dad ATM-no idea why. I realise you need you stuff tho! I can drop it off at your place tomorrow once the kids are at breakfast club before I go to work. And I can leave your keys then too. I have done some thinking and I just don't think i can see you ATM. I can't get past what's happened. It was abusive. And that's a line that you crossed and that I can't come back from.
I have children to put first. And I always will.
I can't cope with contact from you, the repeated calls and texts feel like harassment. I know I talked about us going out in Thursday to talk but I really don't think I can. Please let me know all that I owe you for the shop, I will pay you back and if I can't then the stuff is yours to take. I know you will find this hard, I am too. I'm doing the best thing for my children tho. I had hoped that I could recover from this but I can't, I could never feel safe with you again. Please take care and keep making positive steps forward x

OP posts:
CalamityKate1 · 07/09/2014 09:52

"I have no backbone" - good that you recognise this. Grow one. For your children's sake. This person is choc full o'nuts.

CogitoErgoSometimes · 07/09/2014 09:53

I'd make it shorter, less ambiguous and drop the kisses...

  • Our relationship is over
  • I will drop your belongings at your place tomorrow
  • Any outstanding money I owe you will be paid back when I can afford it.
  • Do not contact me either by text, phone or in person
  • If you persist in contacting me I will treat it as harassment

This is not a person who is going to give up easily so you can't afford to be mealy-mouthed about it or they won't take it seriously.

CalamityKate1 · 07/09/2014 09:54

Too wordy. And why the kiss on the end?!

CromerSutra · 07/09/2014 09:54

Well done, I think that's a good text. How do you think she will behave when you take her things back though? Can you get someone to go with you?

Tropicalchancer · 07/09/2014 09:56

Because I'm pussy footing around, I don't want to provoke the shit storm I know is gonna happen anyway.
Back bone in place.

OP posts:
Annarose2014 · 07/09/2014 09:59

I would cut that down a bit tbh. You are trying to appease her, to plead with her why you need this.

She will probably see it as an opener to allowing her to send you more texts/emails as there are points in it she can try to refute or defend or apologise for, or manipulate.

Also, you are letting her know when you are going to visit her to give her back her stuff. She is going to make sure to be there and there will be a scene of epic proportions. Don't tell her when you'll be there - either dump the stuff on the doorstep and go, or get someone else to drop it off.

And also you are one the one hand telling her to stop contacting you and yet asking her to contact you how much you owe her. She won't - she knows you'll have to stay in touch until the shop is sorted.

I would be much balder. "Please stop harrassing me with calls and texts. The relationship is over. I will settle up about the shop in due course."

Yes, it sounds harsh, but this is someone who is plainly trying to find a chink in the armour. The only way to defend yourself is to make sure there is none.

CogitoErgoSometimes · 07/09/2014 10:03

I think, when you're already in the middle of a shit-storm, there's no use putting up an umbrella. Be as harsh as you have to be to get the message across, deal very firmly with the fall-out & you'll retain some self-respect. Keep tiptoeing the same way as it has gone the last two years and you'll hate yourself.

GlowWithLight · 07/09/2014 10:12

What Cogito said. I totally get why you are in the mindset you are, by the way. I have been there too. But you need to provoke her and be firm about this, or you are pandering to her, and thus she is still abusing you, and you are still in her thrall. I know it's hard. If you are scared she might kick off, could you have a friend stay for a few days?

MeMyselfAnd1 · 07/09/2014 10:22

Well... I would say that changing the locks shows a lot of backbone, so keep her out and do not engage with her, you can do it.

Tropicalchancer · 09/10/2014 09:42

A quick update.

I started seeing her again, without the kids being involved, her temper and emosh stuff was very controlled but it still felt all wrong. I realised my feelings had changed so much due to how she had treated me. So last night I ended it properly. She tried the I'm not leaving thing again, saying how she was fighting for me. But I stayed strong. And made her leave.

I love her, I know I will miss her. But it felt wrong and I need to trust my instinct.

Thankyou for all your advice x

OP posts:
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