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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'm not sure if I'm being manipulated, abused, or if I'm crazy. Lately I don't enjoy being around him

135 replies

Dorsetmama · 07/12/2015 09:20

I'll try to keep to the relevant information here.... Some back story is needed.

Years ago, 15 to be exact, I suffered a trauma. My mental health was affected and nothing was ever resolved relating to the trauma. I self harmed for years since then. I was also physically and emotionally abused by my mother and stepfather. More so from my stepfather.
I met the father of my children when i was 20, shortly fell pregnant so I finally had a good reason to move out. I was with my ex for 6 years and we had 4 children - sadly he was abusive in other ways. No respect for me, wasted all of our money to the point of eviction and then almost a second eviction before i finally got rid of him, after he cheated on me with a school mum.

A year later, i met my DP. convinced i had finally found the one. He wasn't phased by my 4 unruly kids, all 6 and under, and he seemed to adore me.

He accepted my self harm and mental health problems. Coaxed me to open up to him, tell him all. I did. Then he said the problems were too big and i needed professional help. I sought it, only to get let down by the system... Long story short my paperwork was lost. I waited a year from then for treatment to start. In the meantime things got quite bad. He was continuously wanting to know my every thought, the reason behind every mood. He knew I suffered badly with PMT but could never let me be. He would go into these long sulks where he would disappear into the bedroom for days just leaving me to suddenly cope on my own. He became really strict and controlling over my kids. Which i tried to believe they needed a firm hand... But when it got to him making them pick up lentils from the floor as a punishment i knew it had gone too far.

He smoked too much weed.

We booked a holiday to Italy his home country, for the following summer. And then i fell pregnant. I was quite happy. In the good moments, we had talked about a baby and he said i was the only woman he'd ever wanted to have a baby with in his life, so not even his ex wife! But he was devastated by the news. He said we werent ready. He assumed i would think the same. Then when i expressed i didn't, after alot of arguing he told me if i had the baby he probably wouldn't leave, but he would pretend it didnt exist. He wouldn't help me through the pregnancy. I saw no option. I couldn't be a mother of 4 boys, on my own, with a pregnancy to cope with... And then a baby. It wasn't how i wanted it. So i agreed to abort. But i had to wait until after the holiday. So i had to spend 3 more weeks pregnant getting all the symptoms. It was hell. He came with me to the abortion which i thought was quite supportive. But he complained that the women working there were looking at him badly.

6 months later we moved to a new town. It was hard on everyone. I have one child who is autistic and it was most hard on him.

Things hit rock bottom. We argued every single day. Things got violent though not at each other. Apart from one day. I accidentally hit him when flailing my arms during another heated argument when he was in my face, and he called the police. Then i ended up almost arrested. I think they could tell he lied to them... As he told them i punched him. Walked over to him and punched him.

It all seems to stupid now. He left for a bit after that. Social services got involved but they were satisfied i was okay and the kids were fine.
He was gone 3 months. He stopped the smoking just before he left as i stopped letting him have money for it.

He didn't work you see. As soon as he moved in with me (6 months after we had met) he stopped working.
But he got a job when he moved out. He went 300 miles away. We talked alot and agreed some things needed to change. He came back after 3 months. Promises of no more smoking and getting a job. So far, 6 months later, he smokes again and theres no job. We just live on benefits.

I still want the baby. Some days. I sometimes think it will make me happy enough to not care about the stuff he does.

He is not as strict with the kids now, but some stuff still happens that i dont like. But he says i need to treat him as if the kids are his own, otherwise its not fair. He says i can't just pick and choose when i want his help or advice. He says he doesn't have to check on me so why should I check on him?

He says he wants a baby lots now, we talk about names and everything, but we have to wait. I feel like he uses it as a bargaining tool. Every time i have a bad moment, we have to wait longer for it.

I finally got treatment for my problems, a great psychologist really helped me since we moved, and i feel much better.
But my DP met my psychologist and doesn't like him. Doesn't like the suggestions he made about our relationship problems, and even accused him of fancying me.

I must admit lately, i have been less patient with his moods. Less patient with his lack of activity, and lack of motivation. I get exasperated that he naps every day. I get annoyed that he never does much around here.

I'd like to change my lifestyle, I'd like to drive. I've always wanted to drive. And he never has. Until i express the desire to and now he wants to learn simultaneously... Making it almost impossible to pay for both of us and save for a car.... Maybe it seems trivial?

I hope i didnt jump around too much... Does this all make sense?

OP posts:
Dorsetmama · 15/12/2015 17:17

He wont really get angry, but he will use guilt to make me feel bad, and also be awkward on purpose about anything related to money.... He makes purchases on Amazon and out and about. Also his Netflix subscription which is in his name uses my bank card. I could get a new card, and try to delay him having use of it.
He can't see whats in the bank, unless he uses a cashpoint as i dont let him access online banking, so i can try to put a bit of money aside, but it won't be much as he knows the amounts we get and when, plus what gets paid out.

Wrt benefits, last time he left he demanded i give him his share of what is technically 'his' for example, the share of income support they would allocate per person, and part of the tax credits. He was also angry he ended up owing tax credits when the switch was made.....
Do i have to give him money?

OP posts:
Dorsetmama · 15/12/2015 17:19

I feel so stupid for all of this Blush and guilty cos this past week he's been all sunshine towards me, even where he's made me realise I'm not so nice

OP posts:
NameChange30 · 15/12/2015 17:19

No, you don't have to give him money Sad

You might want to look up financial abuse. That's what he is doing.

Flowers
NameChange30 · 15/12/2015 17:23

Cross post. You're not stupid, love. You're in a very difficult situation.

His "sunshine" behaviour is part of the cycle of abuse, it's meant to make your forget the abusive behaviour and feel guilty. But you have nothing to feel guilty about. There is nothing wrong with you. This is not your fault.

Sorry to go on about it, but please do call Women's Aid!

Dorsetmama · 15/12/2015 17:25

I will as soon as i can. There's barely a moment he isn't in the house.

OP posts:
Dorsetmama · 15/12/2015 17:26

What about every day life until the day he is gone? Should i stop letting him take the kids to school? Should I basically act like a single mum? He'll think it weird if i suddenly dont 'let him' do stuff. He doesn't do much though.

OP posts:
NameChange30 · 15/12/2015 17:40

I think you should try and carry on as normally as possible. If you need to do anything differently, focus on the essentials such as making sure you have money in an account he can't access.

If/when you ask him to leave, do you think he will definitely go? Or will he make a fuss, try and guilt trip you, etc? Do you think there's a risk he could be violent?

There is advice on the Women's Aid website, some bits might be more relevant/useful than others but it's definitely worth a look:
www.womensaid.org.uk/the-survivors-handbook/making-a-safety-plan/#1447926965137-d1ebb2d0-ef20

Dorsetmama · 15/12/2015 19:54

No i dont think he will be violent. But he will make things difficult. The tenancy is joint, for a start. He saved a load of money when he went away temporarily before, which was meant to be a fall back for him, but he has spent it all. So he won't have any money, and last time despite how terribly awful everything was, he wouldn't even return to his mother's in Italy despite me offering to pay the ticket, because it's too hard to find work, was his reason.
Eventually he found an old friend he hadn't spoken to in years where he went to stay up near wales....he kind of made a good rep for himself work wise when he was there, so i expect he'd find work easily.

OP posts:
NameChange30 · 15/12/2015 19:56

OK. Don't give him any money or offer to. He has stolen taken enough from you already.

Dorsetmama · 15/12/2015 19:56

It's the fuss im worried about. Its the staying around for weeks 'sorting himself out' it's the silent treatment of the kids, of me. And i honestly couldn't uproot the kids, even temporarily because it would be too hard on my autistic kid.

OP posts:
Dorsetmama · 15/12/2015 19:57

You don't think he is entitled to any?

OP posts:
NameChange30 · 15/12/2015 19:58

I think you should give him a short deadline to get out. Preferably a few days but definitely no more than a week.

Last time did you get the landlord to take his name off the tenancy agreement? Will you do the same again?

NameChange30 · 15/12/2015 19:59

"You don't think he is entitled to any?"
No, I don't think he is entitled to any money from you. Of course, he thinks he is. But he's an adult. He is not entitled to any financial support from you.

Dorsetmama · 15/12/2015 20:01

No i didnt as it was not set in stone he wouldn't be returning.

I will this time, and it's a council property so easily done.

OP posts:
Dorsetmama · 15/12/2015 20:03

The money thing... Last time he said that as we get X amount per week as a couple, he is entitled to half of that. Until i change the benefit claim, and i can't change that until he's gone.

I know youre right really.

OP posts:
NameChange30 · 15/12/2015 20:06

Ah, I see what you mean about the benefits thing. Maybe you could ask CAB for advice? Or the benefits people will let you know when you tell them about the split.

Dorsetmama · 15/12/2015 20:08

I could ask CAB.... And im perfectly fine with giving him the cash.... But almost not when he spends so much on weed, AND knowing he will earn pretty quickly and also stay rent free with his friend until he finds his feet

OP posts:
NameChange30 · 15/12/2015 21:18

The thing is, those benefits are supposed to pay for essentials like rent, bills and food. It sounds like you're the responsible one when it comes to money (and not being a pothead!) is it you who pays for essentials like that? Because his share of the benefits should be his contribution really.

Dorsetmama · 15/12/2015 21:40

Well, all the income goes into one account. Including anything "meant" for him.
The rent is paid directly to the landlord, which I set up myself so I would never get into a predicament. (I learnt this after my children's father left us with 3 months of private rental arrears)
what is left is meant for everything else.

OP posts:
Dorsetmama · 15/12/2015 21:44

Gosh, do you think he is just here for the cash??!

I mean...when we met, he was working. When we got to know each other quite a bit, 6months later, and I mentioned how much I get in benefits, a look did cross his face....and he started asking me questions about the rules of benefits...he had been talking about us moving in together but was worried he didn't earn enough.
As soon as I told him that at least for a while he would be covered he seemed eager to move in. So we did it.
Not long after everything was applied for and he had an interview at the Jobcentre, he was told as long as I'm still claiming as a Carer he can tag onto that claim indefinitely.....

But I wouldn't have thought it was worth it though?! All the stress he seems under at times from the kids, or my ex...all the bloody arguing between us....and it's not like I'm flush here, it's just enough.

OP posts:
Dorsetmama · 19/12/2015 20:50

Well, i think he is suspicious as he can tell i am distant. He won't be the first one to suggest we split though, so i guess i still have time.

My family are going to help me, and my support worker is being great.

OP posts:
NameChange30 · 20/12/2015 00:41

So glad you have support from your family and a professional, that's the best combo. Hang on in there! Do you have a plan?

Dorsetmama · 20/12/2015 08:23

Kind of... Its been really hard to get practical advice, i still haven't been able to call womens aid.

I plan after Christmas to start putting a little money aside. I plan to have £250 saved which covers 4 weeks of tightly budgeted food shopping, for the duration of the financial switchover. If i put away £30 a week i can tell him to leave at the end of February.
I will contact my housing officer about the rental contract in January to check if he has to sign out or not.
I will time it the best way I can so that it suits financially for me and the children.... But the savings will help.
I need to get him a cheap mobile phone because the one he has is in my name on a contract and its brand new. I don't want him to keep that unfairly as i will be paying for it for another 18 months, and i have no way to terminate the contract without hefty fees.
Otherwise practically speaking there isn't much to sort out upon his departure.

How do i approach this with the children though?
When he went away for a few months he left little "inspiring" notes in their bedrooms, just saying nice stuff.
Should I allow goodbyes? Is it better they aren't around on the day he leaves?

I don't know what it will be like once ive told him and he's got his weeks notice.... Last time he left he was really difficult to be around, he made everything my problem, lamenting his lack of money, saying he had nowhere to go snd refusing to go to his mother's.
He spent most of the time ignoring the kids even if they spoke directly to him.

OP posts:
Dorsetmama · 20/12/2015 08:26

I was considering leaving the house with the kids for his last week, like go and stay in a travelodge close by, as I can't stay with parents... But it would be too hard to get to and from school with my lack of personal transportation, plus if i wasn't there he probably wouldn't leave. Plus really that's far too disrupting for the children. They can't go and stay with their Dad as i have just had to rethink all the contact they have with him due to neglect issues, so it really wouldn't be an option.

OP posts:
Creampastry · 20/12/2015 08:42

When I first saw this thread and your post I thought why the hell are you with him, wake up! But then I read on and saw you are planning to leave so want to say well done, stay strong, and I think you will get through this, even if you don't think you can. You sound pretty tough, more so than you realise, so focus on a happier future without your awful disgusting dh.