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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

Being me. A goal. The good the bad and the ugly.

76 replies

WoodenTrees · 27/07/2016 10:36

This is long. I apologise. However, it's more for my benefit than that of anybody else. I want to be able to look back and tick things off. I have posted regularly under another name, but suspect that name may be monitored so if you recognise, please don't allude to the other name. Thank you.
I have been emotionally abused for many, many years. At the moment, and it's taken time; an exit plan is in place. It's not the exit plan I want (the ugly bit is I want my house to be left in a decent state and it won't be, I want some things that are mine, they will be deliberately destroyed or removed) I am learning to live with this. My sanity is more important.
He has been arrested and cautioned and goodness, and foolishly we let him come home. I paid for that big time, he somehow managed to be the victim in all of this. It was absolute torture for him (his words)! Me, I just quietly posted here, until one or two folk, quite understandably, said enough, do something for the sake of dds, I got worried and stopped posting because I couldn't tell if I was pissing people off! Dds do not want to move, but don't want to be left with him and have asked me to wait until they go off in September to uni. Fair enough. They each have disabilities that make life harder for them than your average teen.
Some days I feel as though I'm barely hanging onto my sanity. I know now that most of what he's told me about his past is a lie. I know that he believes the things he said did happen, equally, I know they didn't. I know how he messes with my head and the more I think about it the worse I get. There are things that have happened that occasionally I get a picture of in my head and I have to box it up immediately because I know, should I follow it, I will go under. (Just out of interest, can anyone tell me, is this what's called a 'flashback')? That's one of the worst bits. I can picture what was going on in every single detail. I have denied this to everybody, including myself for so many years.
I have been bullied, nagged, harassed and hassled for stuff over the years, I have given in. I do everything, I mean he will sometimes do the dishwasher three days in a row, meaning of course that he's been doing it forever! I still have to be grateful for jobs he did ten years ago. He has cooked maybe 30 meals in over 20 years. He doesn't know how to use the washing machine, cooker, tumble dryer, iron. He's never done a school run because he doesn't do mornings. I have lain in a hospital bed and heard him screaming at my daughters about what lazy cunts they are on the other end of the phone. This he 'tidies up' if that makes sense, he just wanted them to tidy up for when I got home. However, it was 7.30 in the morning and they'd not got to bed until 4 because they were waiting to hear whether or not it was a heart attack.(it wasn't, funnily enough, it was stress) Beside the point, apparently. Things are always 'tidied up' to fit his narrative, although he claims that in my police statement I re-wrote history, changed the narrative.
I want to go, I will go. I will be me. Me is someone who used to be funny, and clever and had friends and choices. I think I was nice, I think I was quite witty, I know I was intelligent and read a lot. Oh to read a book without interruption, without being forced to analyse it. Oh to watch a television programme that isn't intellectual, yes, I liked to watch rubbish on occasion, that was me.
I'd like to be able to sing again, without criticism. I'd like to play an instrument again without someone having to be better than me. Or cleverer than me, or more erudite than I. I'd like to not be scared. I'd like to know that when everything is alright, it will remain so, not just last a couple of weeks. I'd like things not thrown back in my face years and years later. I would like not to be blamed for everything that has gone wrong in his life, but I'd also like not to be responsible for his happiness. Does that make sense, I've tried finishing it, that resulted in threats of suicide because he can't manage without me, and threats to me, me calling the police again and the police being bloody useless in that instance. I'd like to be me, sitting quietly, looking out on a garden with a good book and a glass of wine. I have never written so much about what I want. I'm sorry, the pictures were in my head and I needed to get them out. This seemed like a way of doing it.

OP posts:
woodentrees · 22/08/2016 17:15

Silvery, things are on track. We are being kind and pleasant now, but again, we've a) been the centre of attention most of the day and b) our new toy has arrived. I have been quite firm that he is to at least attempt to regulate his mood swings, although apparently that's what the drugs are for. (Shucking responsibility, again). I accept he has Borderline Personality Disorder, but I've lived with the consequences of it for too long and it's destroying all of us.
Honestly though, if you did what I did today (too identifying if he ever sees it) you'd be dragging me out of the house by my hair! You couldn't bloody well make it up!

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WoodenTrees · 24/08/2016 14:42

Today he decided to lecture me about his needs. They are that he requires at least half of the house because he can't live in a semi somewhere, near people or next to people. He needs space and not to be on top of others and to be able to make a noise and his mental health needs are more important than those of dds because they'll be fine anyway.
Says it all really and just makes me sad.
Oh, and half of the house won't get him a nice detached anything, anywhere! Probably not even a shed!

OP posts:
TheSilveryPussycat · 24/08/2016 15:18

Oh dear - that is sad, in so many ways.

Stay strong.

WoodenTrees · 26/08/2016 20:59

Today's little dig is to 'fix' the television in such a manner that I can't watch it and go to bed so that I can't ask for it to be sorted.
So, netflix on my iPad will be employed for the foreseeable.

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WoodenTrees · 27/08/2016 22:02

Stop me wobbling!!!
He has been ok today, he wants something, I know that, I said no, initially, explained the finances, again, and still ended up saying maybe! So, he will be nice until he gets. He has spent half the week threatening me with this and that, and telling me his needs are paramount. So, why do I feel guilty as fuck. I know this being nice won't last, I've been up since half three this morning because he has the telly on as loud as he chooses and sod everyone. I feel like I'm the mean and horrible one though. It's ridiculous!

OP posts:
TheSilveryPussycat · 28/08/2016 00:10

You are Not, repeat Not the mean and horrible one.

It sounds like he has very little emotional or behavioural control. Why postpone his inevitable outburst? If it's to buy a few days peace which takes you nearer to the fulfilment of your plan, then OK. But don't feel guilty about it.

Why is it your decision?

What is the "this and that" that he's threatening?

WoodenTrees · 28/08/2016 09:55

It's all nonsense, Silvery he threatens to not see the children again, and claims he won't manage on his own and then threatens to sue me for historical abuse (can't work that one out)! He claims I'm the manipulative one and that the children only like me because I do stuff for them. That would be cooking, cleaning, lifts and generally, you know, being a parent! He tells me he's writing everything down so that he has evidence of my bad behaviour, there isn't any, but he twists and turns so much that now and again I panic in case somebody believes him. I've seen him twist mental health professionals round his little finger. He can be witty and charming and the intellect is like a bright streetlamp drawing moths at night, I have seen people bedazzled by it. He can be so manipulative, captivating, clever, that it terrifies me some days. That's part of the reason it's taken me so long to do anything.

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poppledopple · 28/08/2016 10:42

Wooden - read you OP. You need to keep your vision of you and your goals front of mind. You need to detach from his volatile moods by emotionally protecting yourself. You seem to be so in sync with where he is at, walking on egg shells, that it is occupying 100 of your head. This is trapping you.

You need to detach so that you can make plans and put those plans into action. Are you on count down now ? When are the DC leaving - do they know your plans?

WoodenTrees · 28/08/2016 11:05

poppledopple You are right, I am always treading on eggshells. I don't know how he's going to be one hour to the next, let alone one day.
I like this time of day, he's rarely up. Equally, I hate it, because I have time to worry about how he's going to be when he gets up. Dds and I have been known to take bets in the car, up/asleep, good/bad mood! That's awful isn't it!
I need to concentrate on sorting things though, as you say. I shall try and shift the head away from being full of dh and his stuff to dds and their stuff. They know the plans and are very supportive. They understand: I want to visit dd1 who is currently spending 99% of her time with her boyfriend as she doesn't want to spend the summer walking on glass (her words). I happened to say Dad had me up at half three in the morning with the television on ridiculously loud, the reply? Well Mum, bet you were daft enough to let him know you were out most of today, weren't you?
How sad that a young woman of 20 (with Asperger Syndrome) can know that that's the way her father operates.

OP posts:
WoodenTrees · 28/08/2016 11:06

Went to visit!

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WoodenTrees · 28/08/2016 14:34

Bugger, I went out for half an hour. Got back and he'd got up. Now he's lying on the sofa crying because he's so anxious about the future, but he's not having a go at anyone or anything.
Yes, I feel crap. I know it's to reel me in again, but doesn't stop me feeling shit.

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WoodenTrees · 29/08/2016 10:10

Okay, it struck me last night as he told me that I am an attention seeking narcissist and control freak that actually for my own safety he needs to go. His fantasist side is greater than his rational side, I assume through stress he is definitely losing grip on reality and past events. He tried to tell me I had used drugs to lure him into a trap some twenty odd years ago! Apparently I like to be the centre of attention and in complete control of everything. He also told me that I constantly lie about 'allowing' him to do this, that and the other and that every psychiatrist he's ever seen has told him that I am wrong and overly controlling. Apparently I like to dominate and frighten people..He is also forgetting more of the things he does day to day, he told me he wanted to do something yesterday because he hadn't done it, he had.

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TheSilveryPussycat · 29/08/2016 10:19

If he won't go, should you leave now for your own safety? It sounds like he is massively projecting.

Woodentrees · 24/08/2018 17:41

Update
I live in a my own lovely house in a lovely part of the world a long way from him. My voice has not come back (conversion disorder) but it will and I get speech therapy. My children are happier than they've been for a long time. Four children, three don't speak to him and the one that does is so that we know what he's up to. He still spreads rubbish and lies about me but I'm hundreds of miles away, I'm not the one with a criminal record and I don't care.
I went out yesterday, I didn't panic about being out too long, I didn't have to worry about what was waiting for me at home (dd and a coffee, these days) I didn't have to frantically plan a back up meal in my head because to spite me he'd decide he wouldn't like what was on offer. I went out, had coffee, did some shopping, enjoyed myself. I have friends and they're coming to stay soon. I panic sometimes about the odd feeling that is 'being happy', but that's a tiny touch of self sabotage that will eventually go and I do have cPtsd, but am getting help. I will never really be quite the me I was but I'm me now and okay with that.

To those that helped thank you.
To those that are stuck in an abusive relationship, the other side is great!

OP posts:
InkyToesies · 24/08/2018 18:07

Hello Woodentrees

I’ve just read the whole thread, and it was only at your final message prefixed Update, that I realised it was a ‘zombie’ thread.

I am so pleased that you made it out the other side nearly two years later and are getting your life and peace of mind back. Congratulations - it must have been like you’d died and were in hell, but you made it! Well done and Wine and Flowers

VodkaLimeSoda27 · 24/08/2018 19:17

So glad to read your update OP Flowers the self-sabotage thing is entirely normal with c-PTSD and I'm sure if you're receiving help your therapist will be able to give you strategies on how to cope with that.

venusandmars · 24/08/2018 20:23

Well done! And ime it just keeps on getting better.

Strangely, after more than 20 years, something happened which triggered some of my old feelings.... it was good to notice how quickly they subsided, and how far I'd come since those days.

Well done woodentrees I hope your thread inspires others to take those brave steps.

DeegeeDee · 25/08/2018 08:37

Really good to hear from you again @WoodenTrees.

woodentrees · 26/08/2018 12:02

Thank you, all of you.

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milestoneBD · 26/08/2018 13:25

You strong, beautiful woman, you!

Updates like this give so much help & encouragement to others in similar situations. You are living and thriving, and so are your children. Well done, and I hope your future stays as wonderful as it sounds today.Flowers

Melliegrantfirstlady · 26/08/2018 13:39

Well don’t op

I am so happy to read your update!

What a nasty dysfunctional man he is. I do hope the child that is in touch with him is not on the end of his abuse!

I bet he never believed you would ever find the courage either

Can I ask how long it took you to finally escape? You posted in 2016

woodentrees · 26/08/2018 15:01

He was arrested the day after the last time I posted on the thread. I had been posting under various names for two years though.
The police were brilliant this time. Really helpful and supportive.
No, he never thought I'd do it and bad mouths me to anyone who will listen. He also reported me to the police for various forms of abuse all of which got investigated until he was told to stop wasting their time.
He had a new gf within three months, I wasn't surprised, fidelity hadn't been one of his strong points either!
The dc that keeps in touch is the strongest one. Takes no shit and he has learnt that said dc will just leave his flat when he plays up.
He's still an arse and always will be but as long as dc are fine, it doesn't matter.
I love it where I am, it's got amazing views, it's quiet, it's friendly. The house is mine and nobody can tell me what to do, when to do it, how to do it and how many people could do it better. I make noise if I want, I read, I watch crap on the box, I laugh, I eat things that smell funny. Dd and I laugh loads, make each other coffee and snuggle on the sofa together. We're safe. God, if anyone has doubts about leaving just do it. It's wonderful!

OP posts:
woodentrees · 26/08/2018 15:02

(Last time as in August 2016)

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Melliegrantfirstlady · 26/08/2018 15:22

Brilliant op. You’ve cheered me up. He sounds mentally unstable and is a definite threat to women everywhere.

There is also new legislation out that would have seen him prosecuted for the emotional abuse too

woodentrees · 26/08/2018 15:27

Mellie he was arrested (and charged) for assault and coercive and controlling behaviour. He is on the Clare's Law register.

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