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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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Being heard: Sure's journey (thread 3)

925 replies

surereadyforchange · 19/11/2014 14:46

previous (2nd) thread

What to say? Abusive rapist ex reported, Police Statement given over a month ago and he is still blissfully unaware, still messaging, and nothing has happened.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
surereadyforchange · 27/11/2014 16:00

Jux it's Devon and Cornwall police that are handling my case! Says it all really.
So disillusioned.

OP posts:
surereadyforchange · 27/11/2014 16:03

It was only the PO from where I live's phonecall to them that actually escalated it for them to start working on it- apparently when my PO rang them they said they had been busy, with "a spate of burglaries". I think D&C PO had a very stern talking to

OP posts:
Jux · 27/11/2014 18:49

I should bloody well hope so. It's just been on Spotlight again, it's the Peel Report which is a new thing and gathers info about each year's crime handling for each force. The D&C chief of police (I think) was saying that he was a child who grew up with DV so it's something he's very concerned about. But he also says that the data was taken from July so things have improved since then (I sat there saying "oh yeah? really?" to the tv). This is making me very very cross on your behalf.

ptumbi · 28/11/2014 08:28

Pacific - re lavender; if you use too much it can counteract the effect you want, ie sleep, by keeping you awake! Sure - you could try Valerian - dp used to use it (now on sleeping pills Sad) that makes you drowsy.

I'm not surprised you are being ground down, sure. the poilice are def failing you. Things are out of your hands now, so don't worry too much about it all. Worry about court when it happens. Worry about his arrest when it comes. Concentrate on other things that need your attention and that you can control - uni, ds, christmas!

And do keep posting.

Flowers
Jux · 28/11/2014 19:00

Hops are meant to be soporific Grin - no I wasn't thinking of when fermented! The hop-pickers used to go out in 3s so they could keep an eye on each other and catch each other when one fell asleep on top of the ladder and fell off. That's what I read somewhere or other in the dim and distant past. We made hop pillows to help dd sleep when my mum died.

surereadyforchange · 30/11/2014 11:25

Have just realised this is mammoth, but i need some perspective.
Hello,
I'm at home, alone.
On Friday, DS had an "insect day", I had planned to take him to the Lego brickfest in London, when i told his dad he said he would come and we could stay with his parents (who live in London) on Thursday night to get a good start on Friday.
I was dubious but he promised to be nice, DS likes it when we do things together. On thurs night his mum says oh i'll take the day off and come as well. Great, fine.

Gets about halfway through the day and he starts to do what he usually does, bossing everyone around, making a fuss out of everything ie DS not allowed treats, picking at his mum for wanting to give him her biscuit from coffee etc, only letting him have half of something ie cake/sweet, making him feel bad for wanting toys etc. He does this thing ( that my dad and his wife also do) where he gradually stops talking to me. He starts ignoring what I say, wont make eye contact with me, turns away when I start to speak etc.

There was a really little boy on the go karts who drove straight at the inflatable wall and the wall was going across the hall, he was really cute and it was quite funny (he wasn't in danger) and everyone was giggling. It was behind DS dad and I said( smiling)" look at that, DS dad, bless him" or something and he wouldn't even look at me. I said "look behind you" (smiling). Ignored.
I sort of just stood there and then he turned round and said "I'm trying to focus on my son". DS was doing an activity with a guy showing the kids what to do.
I said I just thought it was funny. He said no one wants to hear what you have to say, its not relevant, stop distracting me. Then turned round to continue staring intently at DS making a torch.

I said quietly why do you always have to be so rude to me?
"Stop distracting me"
"Cant you just afford me some common courtesy? You don't flat out ignore your mum when she speaks to you, so why me?"
At this point DS gran takes DS to next table for different activity as I think she didn't want DS hearing.
He follows them. I say his name. He turns round and says
"Why is it always about you? You are so IGNORANT and self-obsessed"

I then say how do you hold down a job if you ignore people all day, he says I tell them to leave me a message that's relevant, why do you think you're so special etc

Then walks over to DS making something at a table with the activity leader and literally crouches down next to him in the crowd of kids, pushing some out of being able to stand at the table and puts his face about 2 handspans from what he's doing, says nothing and just stares intently at what DS is making. REALLY creepy.
Bosses everyone around rest of day while no eye contact/ignoring what I say/ interrupting when I speak with something else completely.

He slept on floor in DS' room at his parents, confusing his cousins who were staying, who for some reason thought we were TOGETHER ( we haven't been for over 5 yrs)
I came down in the morning when I heard him get up to find DS hunched on the sofa moaning he was "freezing" and shivering. He was burning to the touch. I said how was he overnight, DS dad says it was too hot so I turned the heating off(for the whole house!) and he looked a bit sweaty so I took his pyjamas off. Weird.

DS went downhill all morning, I got bitched at for cuddling him as "he's fine, he's strong, he doesnt get ill" I insisted on phoning doctor and got had a go at for "being negative" and "making him feel ill by telling him he's ill".
I asked DS "How are you?". He said "not good, my throat feels like its got cuts in it, and electricity is zapping it, and I am freeeeeezing" every now and then he would double up with abdominal pain.
Long story short we drove back to where DS dad lives, DS dad has electric car so had to stop for 2 x 45 min charges on way, so DS and I went with his mum who was coming for the weekend.

We met at local pub for lunch, DS couldn't eat anything and just wanted to lie on the bench seat, his dad had a go at me for cuddling him and sympathising when he said he felt ill. "He needs to sit up and eat something, he's fine". Then when I said maybe we should ring NHS direct he started picking at me saying DS is only playing up because I was being negative and telling him he doesn't look well.
I said NO why are you insisting he suffer by saying no to doctors looking at him?
His mum had a go saying not in front of DS, I agreed, she then got pissed off and went to sit in the car.
I went 5 min journey back to DS dads in the back of his car so we could discuss not in front of DS, he then went mad and said some awful things.. I kind of snapped and starting hysterically crying at what he said. he said a lot, but the main things I remember are that I said about how I don't trust him because he has put DS at risk so many times before (Many long stories but if he was solely responsible for DS he'd be dead).

He said that "Have you ever wondered, Sure, why you don't have any friends? I suppose you wonder why you don't have any family you're in contact with?"
I started crying and said "yes, because my family were abusive and its self preservation" he then said " No you have no one because of who you are, that's why you're on your own".
I sort of stopped breathing and said that he doesn't know me he has no idea what is going on in my life, he said "your problem is that you just cant let anything go. Just let it go". I kept sayng "you have no idea, you have no idea, please stop" but he kept on, he told me I am ignorant, up myself, self-obsessed, pathetic, and more that really set me off not being able to breathe, and my vision sort of went funny and my heart was racing, I cant remember what he kept saying (blocked it out?) but it was cutting to the core.

At this point I lost it, screamed that sometimes i wish i'd never met him and started scrabbling for the handle, we pulled up and I just wanted to get my stuff, get DS and go, his mum wouldn't let Ds out the car, DS dad following me around keeping on at me.
I eventually opened the boot and starting trying to grab my stuff out of the back seat through the boot while having this weird breathing where I couldn't catch my breath. I just kept saying "no thank you" really quietly every time he started trying to talk to me - he was still going on.

Eventually I realised that I couldn't carry all my stuff plus ill DS, and my car was five and a half miles away and it was getting dark. I put my things neatly in a pile, said that I needed to get my car. DS dad, laughing, said he'd give me a lift. I said thank you but I wouldn't be getting in a car with him, and walked off up the road with my handbag.
DS dad lives in a rural village on top of a hill, no buses, no taxis will come up. I walked, still struggling to breathe and crying hysterically, 2 miles down country roads to the next village, no buses going where I needed, no taxis would come out. I had thin coat, no scarf/hat and it was beginning to freeze, I walked crying for 2 hrs to get my car.

Went back to see DS, DS dad wouldn't acknowledge me, I sat with DS and DS said he thought he needed to see doctor, I rang NHS direct and waited for ringback til he had an appointment.
DS said he wanted me to take him (when I said dad and gran would take him), he said that "daddy always tells me i'm fine when i'm not fine". DS dad said he would take him and gran said best if only one of us goes with her and DS.
So I ended up having to leave because I can't handle more arguing.
I drove 1.5 hrs home crying, woke up crying.
DS dad wont reply as to when he is bringing him home and hangs up phone when I ring.

Really feeling pretty fucking awful.
Thanks if you got through this post!
Thoughts?

OP posts:
IPokeBadgers · 30/11/2014 12:35

Hi Sure

Am heading out but didn't want to read and run. From what you have told us, your abusive upbringing set the tone for your future relationships.....and the dynamic with DS' father sounds dreadful....he doesnt respect you as either a person or as a mum. Get DS medical and advice/treatment when he gets back if needs be, but before that, if at all possible try to find some calm and regroup. You poss need to be icy cold and disengaged when ex brings D's back....he has written you off as histrionic drama queen and is feeding that anxiety by pushing your buttons. Don't give him the satisfaction.

Others will be along with better advice, I'm sorry your weekend has turned so totally turned to shit. Hugs xx

surereadyforchange · 30/11/2014 13:01

Thank you IPokeBadgers, thanks for the hugs, hope you have a nice day out Flowers

I can see that everything from childhood feeds into my present day life - but I cant see how to stop the flow.
Am I actually this awful woman that no one wants anything to do with?

That's what I am thinking. Had suicidal thoughts yesterday driving home. Focused on what it would do to DS and cried through it. Tried desperately to control my breath. I cant see the future at all, I just hear everyone throughout my life as one voice telling me how shit I am. I read the words people used to write to me at school - "Do the world a favour and kill yourself".

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PacificDogwood · 30/11/2014 15:38

Oh, sure Sad

You poor thing - what a horrible, abusive twat your Ex is Angry

How is your DS now? I hope he feels a bit better or that at least the magic of Calpol has kicked in a bit?

Somebody on MN wrote a while back and I'll always remember it because it's so true (and sorry if I've already quoted it on your thread): "Why do those closest to us press our buttons? Because they installed them".

Your upbringing has sadly set you up to accept and expect all sorts of abusive shit from all sorts of people because you have been taught that you are worth nothing and need to be grateful for any attention you get.
You are NOT shit.
You are as worthy of love and respect as the next person, and, judging by how and what you write in these threads, probably more so.

The only way to become less vulnerable to horrible, abusive emotional vampires is to work on your self-esteem, your confidence and your self-'love'.

I am so sorry to read that you have suicidal thoughts Sad - please reassure me that your have no real intention or plans?
You are your son's sun and moon, the centre of his universe. Please seek RL help and be as honest there as you have been here.

Have you managed to eat or drink anything today? Something warm? Hot chocolate? Soup? Melted cheese on toast?

surereadyforchange · 30/11/2014 17:10

Well he brought DS home, telling me he's been fine all day. I took one look at DS (he CARRIED him from the car- that's not a well 6yo) and kicked myself for trusting him.
DS said that he didn't want to go back to dads, he said he refused him calpol all day despite me buying it and leaving it with him.
DS just wanted to lie on sofa, saying he was freezing. I just took his temp, 39.9.
This situation repeats itself over and over. I had to go to college one day a few yrs ago - DS had chickenpox and couldn't go to nursery, he was dealing with it well, just a bit itchy, eating fine etc. left him with his dad, at mine, 'working from home'.
I came home to a bright red DS, lethargic and breathing fast, wearing two jumpers, wrapped in a couple of blankets and clutching a HOT WATER BOTTLE - one look again tells me he's really ill. I asked him what the hell he was thinking, began unwrapping DS who started screaming.
"He said he was cold" riiiight didn't you take his temp? "No why would I? He's fine just a bit cold". I took his temp, 40!!
Rushed him to out of hours - he went majorly downhill despite antibiotics and developed Pneumonia as a secondary infection.

I guess I am sounding like a histrionic drama queen right?

OP posts:
surereadyforchange · 30/11/2014 17:15

Pacific thank you for what you've said.
This: "Why do those closest to us press our buttons? Because they installed them"
resonates with me.
I feel like every time I get so far I push myself back again. I am struggling at the moment so much, dreading Monday where I have to do uni and deal with police. I just wish they would arrest him and get it over and done with.
I don't have any plans to hurt myself, I think about it and fend off urges, but DS really is the centre of my world, and just thinking about him being left with his absolute TWAT of a dad looking after him is enough to make my blood run cold. I have to stay here for him, I cannot condemn him to having to live with that bastard.
So that sort of serves to curb the urges.

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PacificDogwood · 30/11/2014 18:12

Good.
V glad to hear it.
DS can be your 'anchor' Smile

That's madness, not giving a feverish child Calpol or whatever Shock - hope DS is a bit more comfy now.

Do you have a formal visitation arrangement with his dad? Is there anywhere (?SW ?a lawyer) who you should log this incident with?
Is staying with his dad is your DS's 'best interests'?
I truly don't know and I know there are sounds reasons for children to have access to both parents, but this just sounds… I dunno.

How much more uni have you got to get through before the Christmas break?
I just really think you need to take great care to not burn yourself out fighting as you do on so many fronts.
Thanks

surereadyforchange · 30/11/2014 18:29

I break up on the 12th but unfortunately I have a lot of work to do over the holidays, I need to think of a research theme for my dissertation and do a lit review...cant think of anything!
I have had concerns before about him seeing his dad, too many to list here. There is no formal visitation order in place. I've considered starting a thread about it all.
It is another battle to fight, yeah..

OP posts:
surereadyforchange · 30/11/2014 18:31

PS - DS is Calpolled up and on the sofa with one of those cooling things on his forehead, a massive drink and a Thomas DVD on :) so glad to have him home.

OP posts:
whitsernam · 30/11/2014 18:34

I don't have any advice for you today, but I'm reading, and so sad to hear how your DS got treated by his dad. We all know what a good mum YOU are!! And I think eventually you'll get it all sorted out. It must be overwhelming at times, but somehow you keep on. When do you get pampered? It's overdue, IMHO. Flowers

surereadyforchange · 30/11/2014 18:46

I would do anything for a massage right now! :) thanks Whitsernam. I am just putting one foot iin front of the other right now. I am considering a glass of wine, just finishing off some uni work and I may pour myself one Wine
Just knowing someone is there that gives a shit is amazing, thank you. xx

OP posts:
Jux · 30/11/2014 19:37

Sure, there are a lot of us here who give a shit Thanks

Can I suggest no more playing happy families? Tempting though it is, that man will always use it to get at you once he thinks he has you at a disadvantage - ie, a long way from home, in amongst strangers, dependent on his car. Always make sure you have the means to get yourself and ds away.

You have a dated and detailed note of what happened this weekend. When you decide to get access ordered by the Courts, or officially by a solicitor, (and I think you will at somepoint) it will be very helpful.

For now, keep those feet moving, concentrate on the immediate things, and give yourself some Wine when you've done your Uni stuff (good priorities btw!).

Letsgoforawalk · 30/11/2014 20:29

De lurking to say I too give a shit Flowers
Glad DS has some pain relief/ anti pyretic on board and has had some Thomas the tank engine distraction therapy. Wink
Now, this dissertation. Do you need any ideas? Smile

whitsernam · 30/11/2014 20:29

Jux has some great advice just above here; I hope you can keep taking notes of what happens with DS's dad. Notes that are dated, and quite descriptive (using quotes of what is said, etc.) kept over time, are one of the best tools in many situations when someone needs to make a decision, like in court.

I think of you every day, Sure, even when I don't post. I admire what you are doing and how far you have come, and I do give a shit. It's not possible to be right there and be physically helpful, but sending you lots of good thoughts and virtual hugs.

surereadyforchange · 30/11/2014 21:23

Wow, thank you so much. Overwhelmed. Thanks

There is a really long list of why I wish DS dad would just go away. but he is something I have to deal with.
When I post about things, will they link here? EG what I would like to look at for my dissertation, can it be searchable?
Would hate for anyone I know to be able to identify me, could I add numbers to make it non- searchable

OP posts:
Letsgoforawalk · 30/11/2014 21:42

I have no idea. Also IT clueless. Confused Sorry. Pm me about the dissertation if you like. I can't promise I'd be any help or that I'd even respond quickly (don't always get on mn every day ) but I have a suspicion you might be studying in my area so feel free to bounce ideas around. Your lecturers should also be working with you to come up with and refine research ideas. ( that's what you pay your tuition fees for! )
I also thought, after reading your epic post today, that the physical symptoms you were experiencing on being subjected to the ridiculous rant by your ex (DS dad) were very understandable. They were not unreasonable or histrionic or an overreaction. His behaviour was similar to the "ranting" that you have described previously which your dangerous and terrifyingly unpleasant ex 'him' has repeatedly subjected you to.
You are doing incredibly well. Brew Smile

PacificDogwood · 30/11/2014 21:50

No IT help from me either, sorry. But I am sure that PMs are not searchable, are they? So that should be ok.

Would it help at all to start a thread in Legal or Relationship specifically about DS's dad and his dysfunctional behaviour? Or not, if you feel you have enough on your plate just now.

surereadyforchange · 30/11/2014 21:55

I thought about starting a thread re DS dad. I did start writing it, but it too was of epic proportions! I think it is a thread of its own though, definitely.

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PacificDogwood · 30/11/2014 22:09

I just get the impression you could do with some advice on how to handle him - advice from people with experience of similar shit or even with some legal knowledge.

I totally agree re never agreeing again to undertake anything together again - no matter how much DS would like you to be a family, you are NOT and I'd argue that Ex's involvement does not sound very much like it is in DS's best interest. Make a point of not leaving yourself vulnerable to having to rely on Ex in the future. What a twat! Just thinking about your day gets me riled again.

Over-invested, moi? Grin

TeenyfTroon · 30/11/2014 22:35

Sure, maybe it would be better to deal with your (bastard) ex AFTER you've sorted 'him' out. Perhaps just avoid him and blank as much as possible. You've got enough to deal with at the moment. Your physical symptoms show how much stress you're under.

You say your childhood is feeding into your present day. It sounds to me that it's only happening because you have similar people in your life. In other words, it's them, not you. When you're life is full of normal people, things will be different. (Sorry, can't think of a better word!)