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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

He abused the babysitter too... Feeling numb

160 replies

Cambridgechick · 05/03/2015 23:23

First I'll try to link my post from nearly 2 years ago :

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/relationships/1764751-Am-I-deluding-myself-long-sorry

Why am I still here, you may wonder? Fear, weakness, worn down by repeated abuse,all the usual reasons, even a warped sense of love.

But tonight I learned that 6 years ago he made a move on our 15/16?year old babysitter when he was dropping her home. My neighbour, who is friends with the mother, told me. I shook when I heard, it's the way I react to every revelation of his appalling behaviour. I feel ashamed that he did this. I have asked if the mother will speak to me when she's back from holiday. I want her to tell me what he did and then I want to tell him he is a shameful fucking sleazeball with no respect for women whatsoever. And then, finally, I will tell him I've had enough, no more. I just hope my sons are not too damaged, that he has not destroyed our lives, that the babysitter is ok (I always wondered why she suddenly stopped coming) and that has no influence in the way they grow up to treat women.

I'm going to live a pretence for the next week until the babysitters mum returns from holiday. My poor boys, how have I inflicted such a shit of a father on them? Sad

How should I handle this? I want to confront him, but how and when? Will this repeated abusive behaviour have a bearing in the divorce? I don't want him as a role model for the boys. I also think there are likely to be other young women, I think maybe he lost many jobs because of his sexual incontinence. You'll see what happened to one job if you read my old post.

Advice, handholding or a kick up the arse all appreciated. I can't speak to anyone in RL about this, except my neighbour

OP posts:
FantasticButtocks · 17/03/2015 09:21

He is insisting that we still talk tonight, doesn't see the need to discuss by email, we will talk and then confirm by email. he may not see the need, but if you do not want to discuss in person, and you refuse, then there will be a need to discuss by email. What a hideous bully Angry

Cambridgechick · 17/03/2015 18:05

Well, I've been a bit up and down since last night, but mostly on the up. In the end, he did not come home until 11pm (at his gym again).

He sent me an email which was at first upsetting, saying that he is too anxious and sad to see DSs on a regular basis but 'some Sundays' would be ok. He will take them away for a week in the summer but 'unfortunately' is not around for the other week he's got booked. Sent everything to solicitor and she say 'stay strong and sort it out with the mediator!' I'm making plans so I can still run and do things which are important for my sanity and general well being.

He ended his missive with 'I thought it would be useful to discuss heirlooms etc before the meeting' WTF?! I don't have any heirlooms; only my gran's clock she left me when she died and a few bits if jewellery.

Good to know that, despite bring so upset, he's still got his priorities right.....,,Wink

OP posts:
sleeponeday · 17/03/2015 18:11

I suspect "heirlooms etc" is his way of saying "all the money you'll inherit from your parents".

Really glad you refused to be bullied into a conversation you don't want. He can only bully you if you let him steamroller, and you didn't. Ha. Bet he loved that.

What an arse, using the kids as a weapon of manipulation like that.

AKnickerfulOfMenace · 17/03/2015 18:13

KOKO OP, you can do this

Who the hell says heirlooms? Are you Princess Eugenie??

DonkeysDontRideBicycles · 17/03/2015 18:31

Posted earlier in your thread, CC, so glad you have pressed on, it is draining but sounds like you have both rl and online support. Flowers

pocketsaviour · 17/03/2015 18:35

Heirlooms? Tell him the 1920s called and they want that grandfather clock back massive eyeroll

Cambridgechick · 17/03/2015 19:40

Who says 'heirlooms'? A pompous arse like my DH, that's who......

Knickerful - who told you of my royal connections?

Over the past week, I have reread your messages every time I have a wobble, it has helped me massively and stopped me 'slipping back' more than once.

Thank you all Flowers

OP posts:
RandomMess · 17/03/2015 22:08

He's such an arse.

Cambridgechick · 19/03/2015 22:42

Quick update - I've had my job offer confirmed verbally today, written offer to be confirmed tomorrow. So excited The salary is not quite as high as I originally thought, but still with Dec and Aug off, close to home and school hours, so I'll save a fortune in childcare and fuel costs.

I'm also feeling happy ALL the time - it's crazy, I don't remember feeling this way in years. I'm surprised at how easy it feels this time - last time I was tormented by guilt and pity for him, this time I've managed to detach pretty quickly. I hope I carry on feeling this way - I don't want the bubble to burst. It's like I'm experiencing everything more vividly. Tonight I went to a work do (nearly missed it because DH decided he was going to tennis match as I 'hadn't confirmed' I needed childcare.) Parents stepped in - I'm rather glad it worked out that way because every time he helps out with them we still get all the usual tears and arguments....,

At dinner, I sat with with a younger man I know through work. We had one of those intense discussions I remember from when I was single and going to parties. He told me his engagement has broken off. I told him my marriage has broken down. Nothing will happen, but I felt 'alive' for the first time in ages. I've finally got a future I'm looking forward to Smile

OP posts:
AnyFucker · 19/03/2015 22:44

Wine Thanks

YonicScrewdriver · 19/03/2015 22:56
Smile
Whereisegg · 20/03/2015 07:32
Smile
ImpossibleGirl · 20/03/2015 10:50

Flowers Grin

Cambridgechick · 20/03/2015 19:44

Ok, feeling really Angry now. He's gone away til tomorrow night;.i checked him out on 'find my iPhone' to discover he's staying at a f*ing country house hotel. WTF?! My solicitor is having to write asking him to provide me with money for groceries for our children and he's living the f**ing highlife.

Any ideas of how I can find out who he's staying with?

What a prize wanker

OP posts:
AnyFucker · 20/03/2015 20:43

Are you surprised ? Confused

Cambridgechick · 20/03/2015 21:17

Nope Smile Bloody typical. Just annoyed that he thinks he can cut off money for groceries for kids, whilst treating himself.

The only surprising thing is that he's too stupid to deactivate 'find my iPhone'.....

OP posts:
YonicScrewdriver · 20/03/2015 21:36

Blimey, what a bell end.

AnyFucker · 20/03/2015 21:36

stop trying to think you can sort this amicably

you are getting the piss ripped out of you Sad

Cambridgechick · 24/03/2015 06:40

Ok, the war is starting now, he's trying everything to get to me. On Sunday morning I picked up a text telling me he is 'broken' without his family. I felt awful, struggled to pull myself together and ran terribly in the event I was doing that morning. My DM thinks that he does this is a tactic to ruin my day/evening whenever I'm doing anything for myself.

I stayed out of the house all day, as requested. Arrived home at 5pm to find him 'resting' in bed as he felt 'poorly'. DSs playing on X-box. He looked dreadful and was speaking in hushed tones in a very 'poor me' voice. I said he should have called me but he didn't want to spoil my day, apparently. I then had to tidy up toys, get stuff ready for school, baths etc as he remained in bed. He did emerge for tea, but walked out because DSs started winding him up and he got cross. They never do this when we eat alone.

Yesterday my solicitor wrote asking him to make regular payments for food/essentials for DSs and to maintain the joint account so the mortgage and bills get paid. He phoned me up on his way to gym from work, clearly very cross and disputed that i was struggling to pay for groceries - apparently the overdraft facility on the account is sufficient, in his view. He kept talking about contributing 'whilst he's in the house'. I pointed out the children will still need feeding/clothing when he leaves and he said that was 'a different matter' because then he'll have rent to pay (on his expensive flat, I guess. Plus David Lloyd membership must take a big chunk of his earnings). I'm off to see the mediator tomorrow.

You were right, AnyFucker; something tells me I'm going to have to battle every step of the way.

Positive steps: I've got a start date for my new job and a weeks leave in between. I've also made arrangements to go to a friends 40th; will leave DSs with my parents (1.5 hours away) and stay overnight with a friend locally before travelling back to parents for a couple of days' break Smile

OP posts:
YonicScrewdriver · 24/03/2015 06:50

Strap on your armour for the battle, OP.

Enjoy your leave.

Whereisegg · 24/03/2015 11:22

Reply to any phone call referring to finances with a text or e-mail?
"Just so I understood your phone call earlier, you are happy to contribute x amount whilst living in the house but when you move out (name date or time scale if you have one) you will be paying much less due to your increased outgoings" type thing.

Even if he doesn't respond it will act as a diary/time line for you and help you stay strong in the face of any denials he may make.

Cambridgechick · 24/03/2015 19:14

I did email my solicitor, but an email to him would be a much cheaper option. Don't know why I didn't think of it Confused.

Today he played the 'I'm so stressed I may lose my job' card. That doesn't work on me any more because I've created my own job security. With my new job, I won't need help with childcare or holiday cover and I'll be on my 3rd promotion in 2 years, whereas he has lost 2 jobs in that time! I'm still not on mega bucks, but I'm inching closer to what I used to earn pre-kids (what did I do with it all??)

I remember him saying to me recently 'you're disorganised and that's why I'm on £x,000 p.a. And you're in a low-paid admin role.' Not any more, mate... The thing I'm proudest of is that I've reduced my eldest DS anxiety about Dad being out of work -he knows he can count on me to hold down a job, and I've delivered on everything I promised him, including getting my professional career restarted. That's worth more to me than a high salary.

OP posts:
YonicScrewdriver · 24/03/2015 19:25

Wow, you go OP!!

Gfplux · 24/03/2015 19:42

Keep strong, well done.

Gfplux · 24/03/2015 19:42

Well done, keep strong.