Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

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

Is it actually me?

69 replies

LithuanianDogfi5h · 11/04/2016 06:53

I've been wondering if I should post for a while now, but after another incident this morning, I've bitten the bullet.

For background - married 5 years, 1 child age 15months. I pretty much feel like I hate my husband Blush there are a few reasons, just around the time I got pregnant with dd we bought out first house together, long story short, I found out from the mortgage application summary that he has a child with someone else and is paying maintenance via an attachment of earnings order. I've tried to talk to him about this as obviously my dd has a brother and I don't want her to grow up with family secrets... Every time I bring the subject of this up he shuts me down, I'm not even allowed to mention anything to do with why he didn't tell me, or anything about the boy. He just will not enter into discussion at all. All he will say is he 'is not the child's father, because he doesn't want the child' Hmm

He insists on getting up in the night and won't allow me to go to our dd. He says this is because when I do I just shout Confused FYI I'm not a shouty person, I concede in the early days of dd I may have spoken sharply to him the next day after being up all night with her (reflux, cmpa), especially if he expecting me to wait on him hand and foot as he played PlayStation...

Anyway, he works during the week and I was made redundant just before maternity leave so I'm still at home (I am looking for work but there is a huge downturn in my industry just now, it's not easy!) Also I have no income but I do have savings and I use my savings to pay half the bills and buy all the food. So every weekend he wants to spend time with dd, I barely get a look in, but ok I scrub the house, washing, ironing etc, prepare breakfast and lunch for him during the week make nice meals for us all...I know he wants to spend time with her. But all he does is moan about how he does all the childcare when he's at home. He makes out that I'm lazy and can't be bothered looking after dd Blush As he gets up during the night, maybe once or twice, he is tired in the morning, so he just doesn't leave for work until 8:30 it's and hour commute and he's supposed to start at 8, he thinks this is perfectly acceptable (he also comes home and tells me what to programmes he managed to sneak watching and what computer games he played at work...) I'm sure his colleagues must think I'm awful, he really does make out I'm a horrendous lazy bitch. He hates me trying to take over if my dd has been upset for some time (he doesn't seem to get she is 15m and shoving a bottle in her mouth is not what she needs) the incident this morning was he went to the loo and left her crying in her room, so I went through, changed her nappy, put clean clothes on, as I was doing this he came back through, tried to grab her off the floor, I pushed his arm away (wrong I know) just gentle because I was in the middle of dressing her, he then grabbed my arm, pushed me back into the radiator and punched me in the side of the head, yelling don't you dare hit me. I'm so confused.

He is a 'Daddy Martyr' in my opinion but he is convinced all the problems are down to me and that I am lazy and don't parent / look after myself / / the house properly. The thing is I'm not sure if it is me or not. The thing is I'm not really sure what a normal relationship is like, maybe this is it? I hate him when he does things like this, but I had a dysfunctional upbringing and I don't want my dd to be from a broken home. So, anyway I'm sorry for the long, indulgent post, but is it me, do I sound lazy and entitled, perfectly willing to be told it is me! Just feel like I've lost all perspective and I don't have a clue about anything anymoreBlush thanks if you managed to get to the end of my navel gazing rantBlush

OP posts:
summerwinterton · 11/04/2016 11:42

You would be entitled to maintenance from him to help support you. Please also see a doctor - I am worried you are hurt. Plus getting it recorded that he is violent, that will be useful when he applies for contact with your daughter.

And look at the Freedom Programme too.

wallywobbles · 11/04/2016 14:55

While you are waiting for a call back, pack up an emergency bag for you and baby. I kept mine in my car in a changing bag so l could just walk out.

Get your paperwork together and keep it somewhere safe out of the house. You can take loads of baby steps today to help you on to the path to safety.

Look at rentals you could go to in the next week. Or holiday rentals for a month or so depending where you are. Tell the bank.

Jan45 · 11/04/2016 15:28

Jesus, the man is evil, and imagining snacking you in the head like that, in front of your child - so wrong I can't even begin.

You simply have to leave him, this won't get better and it will damage your daughter immensely, you wont be able to take that back.

He's a controlling coward who uses violence to keep you in check.

If I was you I'd stop doing anything for him, nada, he's assaulted you OP, can you imagine if your daughter was in that position, what would you tell her?

Sad weak individual who has to reign his strength over a woman in order to make himself feel big, there's no help for him but there is for you and your child if you go seek it out.

bakeoffcake · 11/04/2016 17:39

Well done Lith I hope you get some good advice.

Funko · 11/04/2016 20:49

Hope everything ok this evening OP 💐

PrincessBooBoo · 11/04/2016 21:48

Whoa, Id hate him too. LTB.

LithuanianDogfi5h · 12/04/2016 08:35

So, thanks for everyone's advice. Women's Aid were very helpful, police were fairly helpful also. I've applied through Clare's Law.

Yesterday morning was the straw that broke the camel's back. I don't really want to go into details for obvious reasons but dd and I are safe just now and plans are afoot for a life with just the two of us. He has no idea, but things are hidden away and we are getting ready to leave in the near future.

When I first posted I thought everyone would tell me I was unreasonable and it was all my fault, but I think deep down I knew it was him. So thanks again. Obviously I feel a name change coming on again Smile

OP posts:
hellsbellsmelons · 12/04/2016 08:53

I'm glad you got help from WA and the police.
That's very big steps and you did it.
Planning to leave is good and absolutely do not give any details out on the internet.
You're doing great and you are doing everything right here.
Keep going and keep strong.
Just keep thinking about the happy abuse free life that awaits you and your DD.

Costacoffeeplease · 12/04/2016 08:59

Great to hear you sounding so positive, glad you're getting help and making plans to stay safe. Best of luck

Luc28 · 12/04/2016 08:59

Really glad all OK for you! You've made the biggest step! Stay strong' Flowers

bakeoffcake · 12/04/2016 09:02

So pleased you are getting help.

And thank you for updatingFlowers

tipsytrifle · 12/04/2016 09:13

I agree with what everyone has said about this man being an abuser. I suspect he has been banned from seeing his other child too. He isn't paying voluntarily either. He has a new child with you and may well be laying the ground for claiming he is the main carer to keep her if/when you finally rebel against him. Sounds like he might be further along the deception/manipulation scale than just being a "daddy martyr" Please don't underestimate the harm this man intends towards you.

You've reclaimed your life from awful circumstances and now you need to find your strength again to escape a new enemy.

wonkylampshade · 12/04/2016 11:19

Well done Thanks

tipsytrifle · 12/04/2016 12:32

Think I must have missed reading some posts this morning when I posted - I realise now that you've rebelled, good and proper! Bloody brilliant!! Chocolate

Flisspaps · 12/04/2016 20:29

Well done. You've done a brave thing :)

britmodgirl · 12/04/2016 22:21

Get. Out. Now.

Vile creature. He will not change.

britmodgirl · 12/04/2016 22:22

Sorry missed update. Well done, good choice. Good luck xxx

AugustMoon · 12/04/2016 22:36

RedMapleLeaf OP probably thought she needed to justify herself to the bastard, refers to him for his moral judgment seeing as he has her thinking he's got all the authority.

AugustMoon · 12/04/2016 22:39

Sorry also missed update. Excellent OP. Dont stop what you're doing, you must see it through. Cards close to your chest and all that. Good luck

New posts on this thread. Refresh page