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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

This is getting harder and I don't know what to do

120 replies

TrafficJunkie · 15/02/2016 07:28

I posted a while back about my partner and our relationship. Things hadn't neen going well, and I hadn't felt right for a long time. Upon posting on here, and with some red flags put up by my psychologist, I realised very quickly he is an emotional abuser.
For a bit of background, I will add some details....
He coerced me into an abortion 2 years ago
He sinks into depressive states where everyone else is blamed for it, and he spends days locked in the bedroom
He was a heavy weed user
He was unpleasant to my children, and imposed his rules on things, despite them not being his kids
He made me feel like I wouldn't be able to cope without him
He talked so badly about my family that. He almost convinced me they were scum and not to be trusted
He doesn't understand my autistic son, and calls our relationship weird
If I'm unhappy one day, or got pmt he follows me around, probing my every thought until I explode
He always seems to be able to make me look like the unreasonable one

And more. He did some things to my kids that should not have happened. He used to make them pick up lentils from the floor if they were too noisy in the morning. He used to empty one sons bedroom of all his belongings if ever his tantrum escalated. He rants at them sometimes, and can be a little rough sometimes if they aren't going where he asked them to.
A few weeks ago he proudly informed me that he had loosened the stair Gate (there for my dog, my kids are all over 5) to stop the kids from jumping over it (they lean on it with two hands and then swing through sometimes) and when I asked how that will stop them, he said "well, it will fall over when they lean on it" and three times I tightened it again, he kept loosening it, before he gave up.

I had a whole plan. I've been saving money, with a view to kicking him out.
It has not been easy.
He senses my moods well despite having no real emotion of his own, and has not left me alone.
I've actually told him 4 times its over.
First two times he just put it down to pmt.
That was over a month ago.
Third time, he took me seriously, ish, and started trying to sort out where he would go. But he's a clever man, and convinced me to let him stay. Made such great promises, of changing and admitting his faults and promising to get a job, and being nicer to the kids.
I foolishly agreed.
The fourth time, i told him, and i made some practical steps towards making him see it is real. I wrote a letter for us both to sign to our landlord. I wrote a list of any joint things needing to be sorted out. I even put a bunch of his stuff into a box for him to start packing. This time he accused me of sleeping with a man we both know.
Trouble was, his Mother was coming to stay. And, my period was late which he knew.
He tried everything. But i stood strong. I was quite proud. But then he fired back. Tried the suicide card. First, it was hints. Rifling through the medicine cupboard, and being cagey about what he was looking for. Then, directly telling me that he felt that way. I knew he had been sectioned before we met for this reason so I was wary and worried. He held me and said in my ear "dont worry, when i do it, I'll make sure you dont have to see it" which im sure was a reference to my trauma as a teenger, finding my friend hanged on my way to school. He knows I had PTSD from this which has only just been resolved.

But I caved. His Mother was coming, he made these threats.... I GAVE HIM A WEEK. I said when his mother has gone, he has to go too.
But the late period was hanging over my head. I did a test. It was positive.
Because of the abortion 2 years ago, I was scared but happy and not even considering telling him. But he found the test, and asked why I didn't tell him.
Then he worked his magic again. Again, I went from wary woman into head over heels lovesick puppy. He said all the right things. He was so happy about it.
A day later, and I've started my period. I don't even want to think whether it is miscarriage or not, it obviously is, but I'm trying not to think about that part.
And last night, he made my autistic son cry in front of his mum and the rest of us. I left the room because I was annoyed by it, he claims i was being weird. Im so confused again i dont know if i was? He has been struggling to cope with an extra person in the house these past two days. It has thrown off routines and he doesnt know how to cope. My partner is also quite insistent that he stays around everyone, when he would prefer periods of solitude. I found him in his room before dinner, which was really late (italians always eat late, something else he can't cope with) and he was a little upset. We talked and I managed to make him feel ok about coming to dinner. Nobody knew he was upset, and tbh I didn't think to tell anyone as all he had to do was eat dinner and then he could go to bed. He told off one of his brothers st the dinner table, a little bit taking out his mood on him I guess, but it was minor and I let it go: however my partner didnt. He told him to leave his brother alone and to take off his hood. This instantly brought my autistic son to tears and he left the table. I tried talking calmly to my partner about being more sensitive to my DS because he's feeling bad, and all he could say was thst he didn't do anything wrong. What he doesn't get, is that whilst he sounds polite and calm, there is something in his tone and facial expression that is upsetting. We argued about it, and I ended up practically putting my head down and he made me apologise to his mother for creating tension and leaving the table.

The part that is stark, is that my head was in the clouds again and I've been brought back down to earth.

What do i do?? Is it fair to change my mind again? Am i now being awful because i keep telling him to go and then changing my mind?

I just want him to go.... But he always convinces me :(

OP posts:
goddessofsmallthings · 17/02/2016 21:52

It had become sickening the way I felt I could never be without him

To use Darwin's theory of evolution, our species adapts to survive and I have no doubt that you will adapt to his absence and survive perfectly well without him.

The process of adaptation will be as painful or as painless as you make it and, far from feeling or believing that part of you has been 'ripped off', you will come to realise that you have survived intact and the experience has caused you to grow exponentially.

I'm immensely relieved that the abusive blight of your dcs lives has gone and sincerely hope that you won't allow sentimentality to cloud clear thinking and sound judgement when he attempts to charm his way back into your life.

TrafficJunkie · 18/02/2016 06:12

Thing is, I had never done anything to him which made him dislike me. Yesh we argued, but thats all. But recently, especially the last few blows to make him go, I've done some stuff which to him, is unforgivable.
Making him leave on short notice.
Making his Mother also leave.
Alienating him from the children on the last few days.
Not letting him keep the phone.
Not giving him any money.
Talking to his ex girlfriend about him.
Organising his departure behind his back.
Not crying in front of him.

He isn't a man who forgives easily judging by the way he talks about all of his ex girlfriends and friends, so I highly doubt he would try to get back in.

And, now that he's gone, and its a new day, I don't feel nearly as cut up as I did yesterday. I am free. At last.

I can't wait for my life to start again. For me and my wonderful children.

We deserve better.

OP posts:
RubyChewsDay · 18/02/2016 07:39

He did unforgivable things to your children OP with the lentils & stair gate.

You and your children are free.

RubyChewsDay · 18/02/2016 07:46

gro.co.uk/grobag-nursery-stay-on-bedding

Argos do the 'gro to bed' range as well. I wait until its reduced to get bits.

Lottapianos · 18/02/2016 08:07

HUGE well done to you OP! You have done a very brave thing. I remember getting rid of my own abusive partner and how much better life became almost immediately - it felt like coming out of prison. Take it easy - you've been through quite an ordeal. Be very proud of yourself x

FantasticButtocks · 18/02/2016 09:27

Well done. You've done the right thing Thanks

CooPie10 · 18/02/2016 09:34

Massive well done to you. I'm sure it's going to be hard at first, very hard BUT all good things start of hard. You are right in that you and your dc deserve the best. Once you see them happier, more relaxed, and just being kids you will be thankful you ended it.
They will look back and remember that you did the right thing for them.
Try to keep busy this weekend while they are at their dad's. Visit your mum, invite a friend over, go for a walk, anything to keep you distracted. It will get easier over time. Thanks

TrafficJunkie · 19/02/2016 08:23

Thanks everyone :)

I feel much better today. I know it's early days and I'll probably feel crap again, but I'm glad today is good.

I've blocked him on fb, I've deleted photos from my phone, including ones with him and the kids. I think all round I'd prefer to try to wipe him from existence so that they only have their memories, which will fade with time.
They are coming out with more negative stuff about him now, negative feelings I guess they've always held but not had a choice in.

When finances settle, I'm also going to repaint the house! Everything will be fresh and lovely.

OP posts:
Lottapianos · 19/02/2016 12:30

Brilliant OP, well done. Yes you may very well have more days and moments of feeling crap. There's a certain amount of grieving to be done at the end of any relationship, even one where you were miserable. It's perfectly normal to feel a bit all over the place at times.

You're looking forward to the future and that's fantastic. Enjoy it!

movpov · 19/02/2016 13:06

You need to kick him out. He is controlling and abusive and doesn't care about you or your children. The suicide threat is emotional blackmail. Get rid of him and the whole family will be much happier

Resilience16 · 19/02/2016 15:53

Well done Traffic, for realising this abusive relationship was crap and getting out. You and your kids deserve much much better.
You will have good days and bad days as you get over this, be kind to yourself and remember it was not your fault that relationship failed, it failed because he was an abusive man.
No contact is probably the best way forward as I know from experience that abusers can be very persuasive at trying to wriggle their way back in.
Hug for you and good luck xx

TrafficJunkie · 19/02/2016 17:45

Thanks :)

A question to ask-
How did anyone handle the kids reactions? My kids miss him, and are proactive in writing letters, making things etc that they want to send him.
I'm happy to pick up any pieces and console grief, talk out anger, smooth over resentments and provide the happier alternatives to whatever he brought to the table...but I don't know how to handle it when they want to do nice stuff for him. He doesn't deserve their love.

Also...I can't be too harsh because I don't want them to think they weren't worth anything because it's too complex a process to understand that it was his problem.

And, I feel I ought to tell the school about the change, but how much detail should I provide?

OP posts:
RubyChewsDay · 19/02/2016 21:17

Re nice stuff, maybe put it to one side and say, thats very kind, lets put it up here for now. Then distract them.

With school, I would probably say "Its just me & the children now at home and I am the only person that will ever be collecting them from school"

TrafficJunkie · 19/02/2016 22:28

That sound sensible enough.
But, what if the school question me, would they be concerned at all? Especially if the kids start to talk about how he was sometimes....

I guess they wouldn't have concerns now that he is gone.

OP posts:
TrafficJunkie · 19/02/2016 22:29

Today was a really good day. We all chilled at home, enjoyed each other's company, and the kids relished in the relaxing of the "rules" and feeling like they had some control. It was great to see them so happy.
Also sad to then realise that perhaps they were unhappier than I first realised, especially when it came down to daily stuff...but HES GONE and that's what's important now :)

OP posts:
ConkersDontScareSpiders · 19/02/2016 22:38

Glad you had a better day op

TrafficJunkie · 29/02/2016 13:46

UPDATE:
ive not heard a peep from him. The tenancy was officially mine last week.
Ive got to go through the house and get rid of any last bits of his debris... And thats it really.
Kids are adjusting really well and surprisingly quickly.

So glad hes gone.

OP posts:
nicenewdusters · 29/02/2016 13:57

Great news OP. Be prepared for the peaks and troughs, especially the first time you go through an event without him - thinking of Mother's Day coming up and Easter etc. You'll be fine, just think how those occasions would be if he was still with you ? So pleased your kids are doing well.

ConkersDontScareSpiders · 29/02/2016 13:58

Good stuff op...you have very much done the right thing.

TrafficJunkie · 29/02/2016 20:57

I know I did.
But he was always with me so much that I honestly haven't known what to do without him.

OP posts:
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