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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

Don't know what to do with myself, on the verge of tears :(

161 replies

littlejolee · 13/02/2016 14:33

Sorry in advance if this is a long post. I'm not even sure where to begin.

In the last few days, dp has accused me of lying/ hiding something from him because my libido has tanked and I've been crabby the last month (three weeks of viral bronchitis and nasty heavy painful period). Thursday night he said he had booked the next day off but was in a horrible mood and said that the nice thing he had planned was off.
DS goes to nursery on a Friday afternoon so as he was off we would have had a bit of baby free time. I'm a sahm and he said to me to just carry on with my day as usual. So I tried my best to carry on as normal, despite him still being very cold with me, turning the heating off when I have it on (to dry clothes and keep ds warm). Me and DS usually walk to nursery, so leave at 12 to get there for one giving plenty of time for DS to explore along the way.
Dp said I'll take him on the bus and I said OK I normally leave at half past (meaning whenever we get the bus, like if the weather is awful or he's woken up late from his morning nap, so not a very common occurrence). Dp turns around and questions how often I don't walk because I know when to leave to catch the bus.
So we all catch the bus to nursery and I usually pay them on a Tuesday (DS goes Tuesday and Friday) but had forgotten to last week, still had the money in a separate part of my purse. They said they needed payment for three sessions not two. Dp gets very angry, asks for a breakdown of all payments etc and to have a word with me in private. He then storms off and is livid, basically accused me of stealing the money. He was so angry I was crying in the street. (All I could think was the only time I've seen him this angry he got into a huge fist fight with his sister in front of me and DS in the middle of the night, they were both drunk, he put his around both our throats she called the police and he was arrested, this was just before Christmas. That whole incident put the fear of God into him -or so I thought--)
He tells me to wait where I am and storms off to the bank to get the money for nursery. When he comes back I go to follow him in and he tells me to wait where I am, won't let come into the nursery with him. I say no trying to stand up for myself and he storms away again. Came back a few minutes later and says he thinks I need to go and stay in my mum's for the weekend and sort my head out. I'm still in tears at this point and say fine but I'm taking DS with me to which he replied no.
We go home and I start up the stairs to pack a bag thinking I don't want to stay here right now anyway, I'll call my mum and dad and get DS from nursery etc, all kinds of crazy things going through my head.
Dp tells me to stay downstairs and make us both a drink, he goes through all the paperwork etc and tells me to get on with my day. Again I try my best.
We leave early to pick up DS from nursery because I needed to go shopping for food, and going past all the v day roses dp says don't think you're getting flowers (he's literally never bought me flowers before). I took today off because I was going to take you out for lunch while DS is in nursery and order flowers online for them to arrive on v day but none of that is happening now you've pissed me off.
So we get something for dinner, pick up DS and go home, give him a snack (he has tea in nursery) and put him to bed.
Make our dinner and watch something we've meaning to for a couple of days (lucha underground wrestling, cheesy but good fun). He's in a much nicer mood now and sits next to me on the couch offering to snuggle in so I do because it's comfy.
He headed off to bed and I said I'll be up in a bit as I wasn't ready to go to sleep yet. Dp is asleep when I go up.
He left me to sleep this morning and got up with DS, woke me up around 8 (about. 2 hours later than our usual wake up time). We have a fairly peaceful morning.
Then he asks if I mind if he meets up with his female friend (know each other for years, she has SO) and I said yes that's fine, because I would never stop him seeing his friends. He got a shower, put a smart shirt and pants on, generally tidied himself up quite a bit, polished shoes, aftershave etc, even though he was only going to a pub in the day to have a couple of drinks with his friend (though I do have some probably unfounded reservations about her, she has fancied him in the past, on his birthday he danced with her but not me and it's just the two of them going for a drink now).
He left about an hour ago, DS who is two was distraught as he thought he was going with him and obvs wasn't. I checked his fb and it was him inviting her out. She asked if everything was OK and he said everything is fine just missing people (his bf birthday soon, she thought he would just wait until then to catch up with everyone hence asking if everything was OK)/

I just don't know what to make of the whole situation or what to do with myself tbh.

OP posts:
VinceNoirLovesHowardMoon · 13/02/2016 17:43

He's not the person you want him to be though, is he? Sure, he can turn it on sometimes but he can also be vile, controlling, bullying and violent. You can't pick and choose bits of people - he's not that nice sweet guy, he's a guy who is abusive and violent, and also sometimes nice.
If you stay with him you're choosing more of the same. I guarantee it.

GruntledOne · 13/02/2016 17:43

I just want him to be the sweet supportive and caring man I know he can be

That's just an act, and you're hardly going to see it at all, because it just doesn't come naturally to him. The real him is the man who claims to have arranged "nice things" for you and your child and then just cancels them arbitrarily because he's in a mood; who makes ridiculous accusations against you just because you don't feel well; won't let you and your baby have heating on one of the coldest days this winter; who storms and rants and raves about money in public and doesn't care that he's upset you; accuses you of stealing; gets drunk and resorts to physical violence; orders you around; and only makes an effort when he's going out to meet another woman.

OP, please prove to him that he can't get away with this, and that you will put your children before his selfish wants every time. Please get out, and experience the fantastic freedom which goes with not having this sort of abuse in your life.

Hissy · 13/02/2016 17:43

I don't want to leave though, I just want him to be the sweet supportive and caring man I know he can be :'(

That nice was him pretending. He did this to get you, he's got you, now he doesn't need to be nice, unless to tweak the scenario when he's overstepped it a bit and you make motions to escape.

It won't ever get better, only worse. Trust me X 1,000,000

ShmooBooMoo · 13/02/2016 17:43

He was never 'sweet, caring and supportive' even if he was giving the appearance of being so. It was an act. Bullies can be very charming, then when they have you their true colours show!
You and your son deserve so much more!

AcrossthePond55 · 13/02/2016 17:43

You need to pack up and leave. He's squeezing the life out of you.

A very important thing I learnt in my long life is that sometimes love is just not enough. You can love someone to distraction, they can love you too but that doesn't mean the relationship is healthy or supportive. And if it isn't, you need to leave even if you think it will break your heart.

What would you say to your son if you found he'd treated his wife like his father treats you? What would you say to your DiL if she asked you what she should do? Because your son is growing up with a very poor example of a marriage and there is truth to the saying 'like father, like son'. You need to break that cycle.

WombOfOnesOwn · 13/02/2016 17:44

PLEASE leave this man.

He put his hands around your throat and the throat of your sister. Domestic violence experts say being choked by an abuser is one of the single biggest signs the abuser may KILL you someday.

You are 10 times more likely to be killed by a partner who would put his hands around your throat than even a run-of-the-mill domestic abuser. Choking is considered one of the single most severe things a man can do to a woman, and is often a prelude to permanent harm.

Please leave. My best friend from childhood had a man like this, and she tried to stay with him because afterward he would be loving and sweet. He shot her dead while their five year old DS watched. Is that the life you want for yourself? For your child? Don't let the cycle continue.

BolshierAryaStark · 13/02/2016 17:45

Seriously OP, he's an abusive bully who has you right where he wants you. He punished you yesterday for daring to piss him off & he's continued it today by sprucing himself up & pissing off out with another woman. Where is your self respect? Open your eyes & shake off the brainwashing he's clearly being doing to you
He's a wanker of the highest order & you would be so well fucking shot of him.

BolshierAryaStark · 13/02/2016 17:47

Oh & yes, no doubt he'll be in a shitty mood when he gets back-something else to look forward to Hmm

Mrskeats · 13/02/2016 17:48

Please consider what you son is seeing
This isn't a normal relationship
He got mad because you forgot to pay? So what? You forgot it's not a crime
I put up with this for a while and it only ever gets worse. Please believe me
Leave

chillycurtains · 13/02/2016 17:50

I think you know you are being abused and that is why you posted. But if you don't actually do anything about it then you are just attention seeking. You are in an abusive relationship. Your son will grow up with this influence in his life everyday. What would you think if you saw your adult son doing this to his partner? You need to strong and move on from this relationship. He won't become the 'sweet' man you said he has been. It was called bait. You were the fish. You need to unhook and get out. Seek help from trusted friends or a charity that deals with abuse.

liberatedwine · 13/02/2016 17:51

Leave him, take your son and go to your mum's - do it now. Tell your mum why you've left him. Build yourself a support network and don't allow this man to destroy your confidence and self-esteem. You and your son deserve better.

NanaNina · 13/02/2016 17:52

OK Jolee - so you don't want to leave, and it's your decision, your life. Can I ask how old you are - you somehow sound like you're very young. Was what happened yesterday out of character for your bf or is he often moody and controlling. How long have you been together?

I know everyone is telling you to leave and that's what always happens on these threads, but if you don't want to do that, what would help you? What can any of us do/say to support you. What help line were you phoning? Sorry I'm asking you so many questions! Is he home yet? Incidentally I wouldn't be happy about this going out with a woman friend and getting all spruced up - I think you're too trusting. He's told you he had the opportunity to sleep with her but didn't because of you - well that's big of him I must say! It does show that this "friendship" is probably not platonic.

choceclair123 · 13/02/2016 17:53

Sounds like he was looking for an excuse to cause an argument so he could storm off n go out with his bit on the side. That one is SO old. You're in an abusive relationship. You need to get out, now. If you won't do it for yourself do it for your child. It's your duty as his mum to protect him!

littlejolee · 13/02/2016 17:56

His sister had moved away for work and had come back to our city to catch up with old friends etc before Christmas. DS was quite poorly with a chest infection and given an inhaler to be taken every four hours which meant waking him up in the middle of the night, this made him cry obviously as it was a full face mask which he didn't like in the first place plus being wken up. Dp and his sister where on separate nights out (dp colleague leaving do, her catch up with uni friends) and decided to meet up as they were in the same part of town. They both came back to our house when DS was due medicine.
I was giving inhaler and dp took over. This made DS cry (I hadn't woken him up, but he wasn't getting a full dose) . dp sister then see baby crying and tries to take DS off him to return to me. He kicks off (says on instinct because someone was threatening to take son) and lost his rag. She retaliated and it ended up with her breaking his rib and him throwing her through DS baby gate givng her a nasty graze. They also fought in our bedroom which is adjacent to DS room and he got a cut on his head that needed gluing. She called the police and he was taken to a&e and were told he wasn't allowed in unless we gave the OK. I called my mum (who called my dad and aunt and uncle, all of whom came down to make sure me and DS were OK) . dp said he didn't want to lose either of us and I think got a bit of a shock. I can't remember all of the details properly tbh as it was at four in the morning and I was groggy and pretty ill myself (I had the same thing as DS and was coping with my own inhaler and painkillers, I'm asthmatic so didn't need to see Dr and knew what to do for myself) so it was all a bit of a blur

OP posts:
littlejolee · 13/02/2016 18:00

When he grabbed me he said he mistook me for his sister because it was dark

OP posts:
AttilaTheMeerkat · 13/02/2016 18:05

Yeah right. Please tell me you do not believe this from him.

The word liar can now be added to his long list of characteristics apart from being abusive towards you as well.

Does he really think you are that stupid?.

What did you learn about relationships when growing up, is this really what you envisaged for your own self. Why is your relationship bar so very low?.

inlectorecumbit · 13/02/2016 18:06

irrelevant who grabbed who--he was violent.

mrswishywashy1 · 13/02/2016 18:08

Dear God I have no words Sad

Potatoface2 · 13/02/2016 18:08

sorry to be harsh, but the flowers you 'dont deserve' and the lunch 'you dont deserve' because you pissed him off are now being given to his 'friend'....hes a nasty POS and you need to leave with your child and go back to your mums asap.....he is vile and will only get worse.....my heart breaks for you...you deserve so much better

AllOutOfNaiceHam · 13/02/2016 18:10

He sounds abusive and controlling, and, I'm sorry to say, everything you say sounds like statements of an abused spouse who can not quite see it for what it is yet. I am so very sorry.
Please make sure you are safe, and even if you are not quite ready to leave yet, have a look at the women's aid list of things you may want to take when you leave and see if you can get any of it ready.

Inertia · 13/02/2016 18:14

The fact that he probably is having an affair (hence creating the argument out of nothing) is secondary to the fact that he's a violent abuser who strangles women- this is widely regarded as one of the most dangerous forms of violence due to the very real threat of death.

He is never going to be a sweet supportive man.Don't throw away your life waiting for that to happen.

3WiseWomen · 13/02/2016 18:17

He was violent at Christmas. He was violent yesterday (domestic violence doesn't have to be physical! The way he treated you was unacceptable. You said yourself you were scared of him as it reminded you of how he was at Christmas!!!).

Do you really want to be living with someone always being careful not to upset him?

Right now, he has set everything up to have a go at you. Nice clothes. Going out in his own with someone he did fancie. Can you not see how he is setting everything up for either you getting upset and he can have a go at you or you having to swallow whatever he is telling you wo any grumble?

RB68 · 13/02/2016 18:18

I think you need to phone a help line for abused women and have a plan to get out - it will only be when you are out you will see him for what he is. He is mentally, financially, emotionally and physically abusive. Please get some help to deal with this.

EweAreHere · 13/02/2016 18:24

Dear God, please get out! Pack your bags, grab your child and go! This isn't going to end well if you stay.

Katedotness1963 · 13/02/2016 18:32

I feel quite teary myself after reading that. He sounds awful, absolutely, bloody awful! You do not deserve that kind of treatment. "Get on with your day"? What were you doing? Standing behind his chair like a naughty child? Please think very carefully about what you want to do next.