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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

Is it possible to forgive and forget?-Long one

34 replies

beckysays · 09/12/2014 06:46

So, I've been married to my dh just under a year, been with him for 3 and we have a lovely 3month dd. A few weeks ago I was up in the living room doing the early morning feed and his phone went off-he'd put it under the arm of the chair. I checked it-he's police and often gets called in and it was a what's app message from a woman saying 'where you gonna do it tonight'. I scrolled back through the messages and it contained explicit messages and photos of the both of them, asking each other to masturbate ect and then sending photos. He'd done this all after I'd gone to bed with dd, shattered because the day before had been his birthday so I'd had her all day, baked him a cake, had obligatory birthday sex. I confronted him of course because this is the 2nd time its happened and he said he didn't know why he did it, was in tears because I threatened to leave. I love him so we decided to give counselling a go, well last night was our last session before January and I don't feel any better about the whole situation. I think about it nearly all the time and feel like I've hit rock bottom, my dd is the only thing keeping me going at the moment. To top it all off his mother has been sending him horrible messages about me on Facebook and he's not said one word in my defence. I guess what I'm asking is what would you do? Stay because you love him and he makes you happy when he's not pulling stunts like this, or leave because it's destroying you?

OP posts:
Puzzledandpissedoff · 09/12/2014 14:00

He is relying on your dependence on him to get away with treating you like shit

This ^^ Believe me I know how this feels, but staying with him because (at the moment) you can't imagine getting by without him will destroy you in the end; the drip-drip of doubt and mistrust will see to that

What you've got there is a Mummy's Little Prince who's doubtless been cossetted and told he's the best and completely beyond reproach. There isn't much to be done if he won't see this himself - all you can do is hand him right back to mummy and sort out a better life for yourself before he grinds you down any more

Jan45 · 09/12/2014 14:06

I don't understand how staying is going to make you happy, I'm afraid the guy you are with is a complete sleaze ball, this is twice now that you know about and he's still at it - he has zero respect for you or your relationship, I don't know how more obvious he could make that.

Surely you don't want to continue with a man that can treat you so shabbily, if you stay again then expect more shit behaviour from him, he won't change, we all make mistakes but this is his normal way of living, is it yours, I doubt it.

Windywenceslas · 09/12/2014 20:34

Let him spend Christmas with his precious mother and you spend it with people who love and respect you.

Do you have RL support or are you keeping his grubby secret for him? Don't, tell friends and family, they'd want to help you, I'm sure.

The explicit messages are bad enough, but your MIL calls his DC (and her DGC) a bastard and he doesn't go ballistic? He sounds like mummy's little prince, who has always got what he wanted and is continuing to behave selfishly because he'll still get what he wants by telling you everything you want to hear. Life doesn't have to be this hard.

beckysays · 11/12/2014 11:07

No, all my family know what's happening. I think I definatly need some distance at the moment, we are going home for New Years so I might stay with my parents for a few weeks and work things out in my head. I'm just very aware of how dependant I am on him. I feel guilty that my daughter won't have the traditional upbringing I had, some of my earliest memories were with my dad. I know you're all right and that staying with him is bad for me but it's all so terrifying

OP posts:
Vivacia · 11/12/2014 14:00

I feel guilty that my daughter won't have the traditional upbringing I had

What were the kind of things you valued about your childhood?

lauren42 · 11/12/2014 14:25

OP - I really feel for you here!!

I can identify with the mother issues - I would say that now you have a daughter together he should be cutting her off completely as soon as ANYTHING derogatory is said about her. That is his obligation to do so as her father.

For what it's worth, I am in the legal profession and would strongly advise you to call a law firm and simply get preliminary advice on what would happen if you wanted to leave. Alot of places will give you this initial advice free of charge (just call round until you find one that does, a lot do). I know that won't change the fact you will be a single mum, BUT it might make you think more independently and take awa some potentially financial worries you have.

Secondly, I'd say that even if now you feel you can't cope without him - you will be able to. I would suggest telling him you are struggling to move past it all - he may offer to do more to help with this, and if he dosn't, and leaves, at least you can see him for what he's worth. You have every right to be confused as to whether you can move on from it.

Jan45 · 11/12/2014 15:19

Staying with him is more terrifying. Bring your daughter up alone and away form him and his toxic mother, you will both be happier in the long run.

KLago10 · 13/12/2014 09:23

Hi there,

Just wanted to send hugs and say I'm so sorry you're going through this.

You say this relationship is destroying you, and you've had counselling but still feel this way.
Have you discussed with your partner if he feels counselling has helped him at all? That might give some insight into where he is right now, and if he is likely to ever break this pattern. It's good that your partner is having counselling to address the issues with his mother, we are going through similar at the moment and counselling is definitely helping.

What I would say is that everybody has the fundamental right to feel safe and secure in their relationships, and if you feel unsure about your future then it is probably better to end your relationship now rather than let it drag on and cause more damage. You deserve much better than this, so does your dd.

Do you have a good support network, a family member you could stay with or friend if you did decide to leave? I completely understand that you are scared of being alone, but it sounds as if you're in a pretty lonely place right now. What is worse?

Whatever you do, make sure that the end result has the aim of ensuring yours and dd's happiness and security. The journey will be tough, whatever you decide to do, please don't let money/financial situation play a deciding factor in this.

You sound like a lovely Mum. You need to be happy in your life, and you deserve happiness Smile

Xx

beckysays · 16/12/2014 22:53

What power would I have to stop him taking my dd to his mothers? At the moment I can control it,I can stop my daughter being in her toxic presence, could I do anything to keep it that way once we've separated?

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