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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

The ignoring....gaaaa

1001 replies

jellybean2000 · 25/03/2016 19:24

That is all.
Yes, I'm divorcing him.
He will continue to stoop to whatever method he can to control, upset and anger me.
Delay, delay, delay.

I've been here for a while but NC a while ago.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
8
FV45 · 20/04/2016 07:50

Really struggling today. Can't stop crying.

DS1 committed to a concert on Saturday. stbx then added that he was working and needs the car (or I collect him...and I'm not doing that).
DS1 also needs a DJ. The only time we could buy one is Sat, but I won't have the car.

I need to tell his school, but I just don't know how to, or how much to say. DS1 is fine, this is not about his welfare. It's me who can't meet his needs (the concert) due to stbx's behaviour.

hellsbellsmelons · 20/04/2016 09:42

I know you really really don't want to but can you collect him on this one occasion so your son can go be in the concert?
How far away is his work?
Could he get a taxi?
I realise I'm thinking like a person who has to deal with rational people so I don't how workable this is with your twat for a STBXH?

RunRabbitRunRabbit · 20/04/2016 10:25

Don't give him the car. Say no, you need it all day Saturday. You get priority because yours involves multiple trips, multiple people and a special child-based event. He will have to get a taxi or a lift or the bus. He can work it out.

Are you too scared of him to say no in advance (then take the car out in the morning so he can't take it himself)?

FV45 · 20/04/2016 10:36

hells A friend has offered to help me out. It's something she can actively do to help me right now, so I have accepted.

run the last time I asserted myself in this way, I ended up calling the police. I am too scared to put myself in that position again.

Even if I did, he would move onto another way to get to me. I'm just so worn out with it all.

FV45 · 20/04/2016 10:37

But thank you for the suggestions. If he could be reasoned with or he responded to me showing him I'm not putting up with it, I would not be in the position I am now.

RandomMess · 20/04/2016 13:21

If he behaves in a such a way you need to call the police then you can get an occupation order or is it an injunction, erm anyway you can legally stop him residing in the house immediately.

FV45 · 20/04/2016 14:28

random do you speak with authority, or just what you think to be true?

I have had extensive legal advice and getting an immediate occupation order (which is a type of injunction) is not that simple in cases of EA. Sure, if I called 999 it might be a different matter, but this was non emergency police.

I don't have grounds to apply for an ex parte occ-order, but probably do for a non-mol order.

FV45 · 20/04/2016 14:37

Actually I probably do have grounds, but the fear is that the judge would not agree and I fail in my application. It happens. Where would I be then, eh?

RandomMess · 20/04/2016 21:12

If he is acting in such a threatening way that you scared enough to dial 999 that the police come then you can ask him to be removed from the property - that is when you have grounds to ask to press charges and go ahead and apply for an order etc. That is my understanding.

I would suggest you speak to the "domestic-violence unit" and explain that although he is currently only EA that if it escalates again what would happen etc. I get the impression that you are doing everything you can and tolerate his abuse to stop it escalating - whereas perhaps you should just stop trying so hard and let him suffer the consequences both in terms of legally and your DC seeing who really is.

FV45 · 21/04/2016 08:26

I spent years tolerating his abuse (I didn't even realise it was abuse much of the time). I started to fight back over a year ago. It's not working. I am mentally exhausted by being "strong" by "keep fighting" by "standing up to him".
I'm exhausted by chasing solicitors, reaching out for help and being asked "are you safe?"...yes, oh OK then, or "what do you want us to do?".

The abuse escalates when I try and stand up to it, not when I accept it.

I just don't think I have the energy to apply for an injunction.

WarmSound · 21/04/2016 10:05

OP I've just read your entire thread, and I just wanted to send massive hugs and lots of strength to you. I have been in your exact position and reading it I got a reminder of the overwhelming anxiety that I felt when I was there.

I am now 10 years down the line married again with two more kids, to a wonderful man who respects me and loves me. When I was in your situation it felt like it was going to go on for ever. I just want to say to you please don't be afraid of calling the police, I had a similar aversion to calling them but as it turned out that gave me the evidence that I needed and in hindsight it was the best thing I could have done. I remember the fear and the anxiety and being so scared of pissing him off, In the end I ended up packing myself and my daughter into the car and going to my sisters house where we lived for two weeks just before Christmas until the solicitor got him to leave the house where I moved back in until it was sold.

I understand that this may not be an option for you though. I would recommend talking to your children, particularly your eldest, about the reality of the situation. Perhaps letting him know that his dad's behaviour is unacceptable. You can pretty much guarantee that his dad will be filling his head with shit and it is worth thinking about the countering that in an age-appropriate way. I don't know if you are on Facebook but Lundy Bancroft has got a page on their where he talks extensively about the problems women face and it may have useful information on there.

I had similar power games about the car except I had no car because one of the reasons why I ended up splitting up from him was because he crashed the car with both of us in it whilst in a rage. I ended up buying a little run about that was just mine and the relief was immense that I had freedom that he had no hold over.

Hang on in there, you can do this, you are far stronger than you realise and you will rise again stronger, wiser and this will all be a distant bad dream.

Create an image or a movie in your mind of what your future will look like and hold tightly to that. I remember the day when I got the keys to the little rented house that I ended up in with my daughter and amazing feeling of knowing that he could never come in.

After I left with my daughter I went back one day to collect some stuff with my brother-in-law to find my ex emptying the house of anything of value. Whilst trying to stop him leaving with an item of mine, he pushed me over and I rang the police. It went to court and he was convicted of assault. The funny thing was he had never hit me, but he was quite fond of pushing me over, or out of the way, when he felt that he wanted to assert himself. He is now alone, bitter and twisted while I have a wonderful life and I'm happier than I ever thought possible 10 years ago when I was in the shit things like you are. Also my daughter now knows what her dad is like and her relationship with him has dwindled as the scales have fallen from her eyes. This brings me no joy but her life is better the less time she spends with him.

I will be thinking about you and sending all my strength.

FV45 · 21/04/2016 12:17

My solicitor is on compassionate leave (fine, I understand that of course I do).
She had planned to call me yesterday. Her assistant called to explain, and at that stage didn't know whether solicitor would be back or not, but "I will call you in the afternoon". No call.

I received a call from one of her colleagues an hour ago explaining that she will take over my case for now and "I'm just calling to let you know I'll be sending you an email. I'm just putting the files together which will take a few minutes".

An hour later. Nothing. There is a lot at stake right now (has he submitted enough Form E docs to start negotiations, do I have enough evidence to proceed with injunction)...it's all I can think about, though I am trying so hard not to.

I sit at a computer for my work all day so it's hard to be distracted.

AIBU to find this really hard to deal with? I am the sort to not suffer fools gladly at the best of times.
But these are solicitors...they know what stress I'm living under. Is it too much to ask that they (who I am paying) deliver when they say they will...or at least contact me to say they can't.

I'm off for a run. Sad

hellsbellsmelons · 21/04/2016 13:15

Oh no - not what you need right now.
I'm sorry. I'd call and explain the situation to the new solicitor and ensure they now exactly why it is so urgent.
I hope you enjoyed your run.

FV45 · 21/04/2016 15:58

Email arrived. Minimal Form E stuff from stbx. The reason for him not finding better employment are a bloody joke. I knew they would be, but to see it formally written down....well.

I emailed the person who has been handed my case to ask if we could talk over the phone. Not until Monday apparently. The divorce Gods are against me.

On and on and on.

FV45 · 22/04/2016 09:15

Ha ha ha ha ha.

He's not working today. DS2 home poorly. I am working and need to go to campus. He's gone out on his bike and won't be back before I need to leave. Ha ha ha at SAHD who gave up work to mind the kids. Laughable. Have asked a friend to sit with DS2 until he gets back. I don't know what goes through his head, I really don't.

LisaMed · 22/04/2016 09:22

No advice, but sending hugs and good vibes.

DoreenLethal · 22/04/2016 09:23

Apart from on here, are you writing all this down?

LisaMed · 22/04/2016 09:24

Also, it might be a good idea to have a journal of some sort in a safe place (locked down online blog or google docs, paper journal kept where he can't get it) to document all the times where he has acted to the detriment of the children. It will be proof that they are better with you.

More hugs and good vibes.

LisaMed · 22/04/2016 09:25

x posts.

FV45 · 22/04/2016 09:30

Lisa I am pumped with anger today. Better than the tearful desperation, but people had better beware of me!

Doreen Oh yes.... currently a 36 page Word doc. Makes for some lovely reading.

It's on my work laptop which he can't access. My solicitor also has a copy up to last week.

He's txt me to check whether I've managed to get someone to watch him.
I hope he feels bloody uncomfortable when he gets back. He knows I've got great support from her (a neighbour who has not missed a thing - think strong Coronation St type woman).

Poor DS2, he's sitting in bed with his Panini Euro 2016 sticker book copying down all the teams or something, I cannot pretend to share his interest

hellsbellsmelons · 22/04/2016 09:33

Yeah - we like angry FV45
Keep the anger.

FV45 · 22/04/2016 09:49

warm thank you for sharing your experience. I'm sorry it was so awful for you.

I will respond in full later.

WarmSound · 23/04/2016 01:02

Keep the anger, anger kept me going for a long time. I managed to perfect my 'bored/not arsed/bland' expression when dealing with him while inside was a fucking white hot volcano that spurred me on to get through it. I have been thinking of you FV, you can do this.

I know it's a cliche but my god am I stronger for it now. I used to be such a timid people pleaser. Now people don't fuck with me and I don't give endless chances anymore. I'm still me, and a kind person (I think) but I have a massive twat radar and can spot one at 50 paces. I volunteered for women's aid and have done workshops for them and other organisations and it's still a subject I feel passionate about.

My ex is still a loser and thinks I'm an evil witch who ran off with all his money, as he is fond of telling anyone who will listen. I actually gave him 50% (idiot move in hindsight, should have gone for a lot more) but he is deluded and bitter and always will be a twat. My life improved immeasurably once I got him out of it . This gives me much satisfaction. I barely even think about him nowadays. Wink Keep on keeping on.

FV45 · 23/04/2016 16:08

Thank you warm
I haven't had time to reply properly yet, but I am reading. I appreciate you sharing your experience.

Off to make cheese straws with DS2 now. We're off to watch the marathon tomorrow.

FV45 · 24/04/2016 22:53

Well, I haven't killed him over the weekend so I'll call that a win!

Nervous about the week ahead, with him mostly home while I'm working.

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