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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

Where do I start?

999 replies

skyyequake · 15/09/2016 16:34

I have no idea what I'm expecting to get from posting here, so I guess that I'll just tell the story and you can just shake me/comment whatever you think

When I met DP he was wonderful, we clicked straight away, had lots of laughs and he seemed really down to earth and wonderful. We quickly started spending most of out time together (I worked PT but with lots of overtime, he was unemployed) All my friends had gone off on their second year of uni around this time and so I wasn't spending time with anyone other than him. I was 20, he was 22.

Anyway, I guess I kind of got lost in that world without many outside influences and before I knew it (far too soon and before I really had time for my thoughts to catch up with me) we were engaged and I was pregnant. (I was happy about being pregnant and I wasn't forced into it)

The first time we had a disagreement was about me texting my friend (who was male) he said I was texting and felt like I was more engrossed in my phone than on our time together. I disagreed but compromised and agreed to text less. This quickly dwindled into not texting at all due to DPs sulking every time I sent a single text.

The next time I heard from my friend was when he sent out a mass Christmas text, I replied and we got talking. I mention I was pregnant and he congratulated me. It was at this point that DP went mental because I was smiling at my phone (because I was excited about pregnancy) and I apparently gave him a "look" which meant I must be flirting/cheating or something. I told him I could talk to whoever I liked and this just seemed to confirm to him that I was doing something dodgy. We had a massive argument. He told me I had no self-respect (I had been completely honest about my sexual history). This was the first time he pushed me to break down in tears.

Over my pregnancy, we had a ton of arguments where he would blow up and tell me I was lazy, stupid, naive, etc telling me that he was just trying to make me a "better person". I can't count the amount of times he left me in the bedroom balling my eyes out, cradling my bump and apologising for bringing her into such crap.

During my first trimester I had really bad morning sickness which left me feeling nauseous all of the time, I could barely sleep, and I was still working PT on a shop floor so on my feet all shift. It left me feeling depressed and exhausted. He would complain to me that we weren't having sex, because it made him feel like I didn't care about/love him anymore. One time we were in the middle of doing some sexual stuff and I suddenly had to dart out of the room to literally go and throw up in the toilet. When I got back he was sulking because "it didn't make him feel very wanted"

After DD was born, DP had to go away for a couple of days to paint up and move us into our new flat (we were in a shared house before). It was supposed to be a couple of days and I was in hospital for 3, when he still wasn't done I went to stay with my DGM. It took him (and family members) 3 weeks to complete it. When I would get frustrated that he would give me a "done by" date and then on that day say that they were nowhere near finished, he would yell down the phone at me that he was stressed and exhausted (I was looking after a newborn essentially on my own, whilst DGM did what she could she was nearly 80 at the time).

DGM overheard some of this, and when I told him that he was just stressed etc, she told me to never let him get up with the baby at night, as it only takes one time of anger for him to do something. He's never laid a hand on DD (now 14 months) but I always keep that in the back of my head.

Since we subsequently moved into our flat, DP has left basically everything up to me. He never did night feeds, rarely did nappies, hardly ever did any cleaning/housework. I was left with PND and when we argued he would corner me (although he denies this) and yell in my face whilst I was holding DD. Sometimes he would force me to give her to him, I would resist at first but then give in for fear he would try and snatch her off me and hurt her. Then he would continue screaming at me whilst he held her. He would continue to call me a lazy, naive little girl and would tell me that he had to break me down from what I was in order to build me back up again, and that at least now I had some self-respect.

In between all this he would be lovely. He would apologise for things he had said, citing anger problems as the reason. He said that he didn't mean anything he said during anger, even when I pointed out that that surely is what he's really thinking and he'd just done away with his filter. He denies this.

We broke up earlier this year for three months. It was always temporary, until he proved that he could step up and do his share of housework and childcare. After that amount of time he really seemed to have changed and so I (stupidly) let him back.

Almost immediately he began to fall backwards and has become more and more difficult to try and talk to about it. Telling me I'm nagging/moaning/"the only one who hasn't changed is you". This culminated last night when he accused me of not cleaning to "the same standard he can" and that when I was on my own with DD my "standard of hygiene was unlivable" (I spoke to my NDN today, who was around a lot during that time, she said there was nothing wrong with the cleanliness of my home)

He has also told me on occasion that I'm not really Bi, because you can only be gay and straight, and that it doesn't matter anyway because I'm with him so sexuality is irrelevant. He's also suggested that I'm more likely to cheat on him because I'm Bi.

I have no friends left, I don't know if my dad will understand how bad it is (he usually has excuses for him), and my DGM died in June. I'm NC with my mum, and I have no one left except my NDN who is lovely and probably the only reason I haven't gone insane.

I don't know if I can get him to leave again. The only reason he left before was because I got him to think it was his idea, he won't make that mistake again.

I keep telling him that I want the person I met back, but I don't think that person exists anymore, if they ever did.

Sorry for any typos and that this is so long.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
51
ZestyMaximus · 22/09/2016 17:47

Ignore. Do not engage. He's just trying to come across as caring and is hoping to get an insight into how your mind is working.

ayeokthen · 22/09/2016 17:48

I'd blank the text, he's working through the "she'll let me back if I do....." handbook.

ayeokthen · 22/09/2016 17:50

Did you get the locks changed?

Mix56 · 22/09/2016 17:57

Ignore...
Your day has been fantastic, without him

skyyequake · 22/09/2016 18:32

I text him back, purely because I want his shit out of my home.

Here's how the conversation went (hoping to get an MN seal of approval)

Hay hope your okay miss u and hows dd

DD is fine. I've packed some more of your stuff if you can collect it without a repeat of Tuesday?

What stuff

And im glad dd is okay

**

Okay and when can i see my daughter

You have a day off Sunday so you can pick her up after lunch and bring her back by 6 so I can get her ready for bed.

Okay can i see her for a hour tomuz when i pick my stuff up please

You can take her down the park if you want but she needs to be back by half 5 for dinner. From then on you can do Saturdays and every third Wednesday and Sunday. You won't be able to have her over night as she's too young and you haven't got your own place or a suitable place for her to sleep.

Clearly he was trying to wheedle his way into the flat by asking to see her tomorrow... The every third Wed and Sun thing is because of his work schedule. Hopefully I did ok? I haven't heard anything back from him regarding that last text... I'm also going to get the address of where he is staying (and places I know he's likely to go). I'm going to state that it's "in case of emergency" but in reality it's so if he doesn't bring her back I know where she's likely to be.

OP posts:
Hidingtonothing · 22/09/2016 18:33

When you do speak to the police ask them about changing the locks, a couple of possibilities spring to mind, they should have a crime prevention team who will give help and advice about beefing up home security, not sure if that would extend to actually changing locks but it's worth asking. I know Victim Support also offer these sort of services in some circumstances so the police may be able to refer you on to them. If you happened to live close to me my DH would do it for you, will PM you my area just in case but realise it's a long shot! And yes, ignore the text and if he carries on and/or gets abusive make sure you save the texts to show the police and advisors at one-stop.

skyyequake · 22/09/2016 18:41

He just asked if he'd had any post Confused

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GabsAlot · 22/09/2016 18:42

i think u should ring 101 then before tomorrow to see if its been logged

u want some back up if he kicks off-not that u cant ring them anyway

dont let him in under any circumstances

ayeokthen · 22/09/2016 18:44

Well done, he's clearly getting rattled that you're not putting up with his shit anymore. 👏🏼 is there some way you could get help to change the locks? Could the one stop place help?

skyyequake · 22/09/2016 18:49

I am definitely not letting him in no way!!

I'm gonna be ballsy and ask for the keys back. If he refuses I will get the locks changed.

And will definitely ring 101 to get my number before then!

I think he'll behave as he's playing the "just want to see my daughter" card to try and worm his way back in. It's the same thing he did last time, only last time I let him in to see her. This time I know his game!

OP posts:
ayeokthen · 22/09/2016 18:51

Skyye you rock, he's still trying everything but you know you're strong enough to deflect his bullshit! He's had his chances, it's your time to shine now.

GabsAlot · 22/09/2016 19:08

good for you sky

we're all here if u need a rant about it

hes definitely trying to worm his way in-dont be surprised if he wont give your keys back but then just say fine im changing the locks-sounds like youre not bothered either way

Funko · 22/09/2016 19:15

Ask on doorstep for keys don't forewarn incase he gets a set cut if he hasn't already

skyyequake · 22/09/2016 19:19

Funko already thought of that, gonna wait till tomorrow and ask him when he picks up his stuff.

Thanks all of you! I'm feeling a bit sick about handing her over to him actually. I don't know if I'm doing the right thing letting him have this access.

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beepbeeprichie · 22/09/2016 19:41

I've just rtft and I have to tell you- you're doing great. You're come through a lot of utter shit, but you are obviously a smart and resourceful young woman. You've got the rest of your life ahead of you to study and be a great mum and role model. Chin up, keep moving forward and remember you are better than that arsehole. You deserve better, your dd deserves better... And you're going to get there Wine

Hidingtonothing · 22/09/2016 19:53

Sorry if this has been covered before Sky but is his name on DD's birth certificate?

Horsegirl1 · 22/09/2016 20:05

I think you are amazing . Stay strong my lovely xxFlowers

skyyequake · 22/09/2016 20:30

Yes it is, so I know I have to give him access as he has parental responsibility. I'm just really worried about it. I've come up with a plan of action though.

Tomorrow I can go to the park with them. The park is set up so I can sit and observe from a distance, but he can't come and start talking to me without leaving DD or taking her away from the play area which she will fuss about that way I can make sure he's not taking her anywhere without having to interact with him, apart from the 2 minute walk from the flat.

Sunday I will ask my dad to be with me for pick up and drop off. If XP knows dad is here, he will NOT kick up a fuss. He's scared of dad, even if he would rather chop his own fingers off than admit it Grin

Like I mentioned before, I'm going to get his DB's address, or wherever he's staying. I need it anyway to make it easier to claim Income Support.

As always you guys are awesome and welcome to newcomers there's always Wine and Cake here! although tonight I'm having cider and popcorn as it's all I can find Grin

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Hidingtonothing · 22/09/2016 20:32

I love cider, straight from the can preferably, classy I ain't Grin

skyyequake · 22/09/2016 20:38

haha classiness is overrated Hiding! Mine is a bottle of Kopparberg Grin

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theansweris42 · 22/09/2016 21:06

Hey sky keep going you're doing what's right for you and DD.
I am moving out Tuesday with DC, have huge wobbles, Still have occasional imaginings that H will suddenly see the light and change(!) I feel all my life choices awful...then I read you and capes and I know we're right, it's emotionally massively challenging but we are doing the right thing Flowers

skyyequake · 22/09/2016 21:26

OMG answeris42 !!!!! I am so happy for you!

Have you made your own post about your circumstances? Or do you want to talk about it here? or not at all that's good too!

But I am definitely here if you need some empathy and support Flowers

I highly doubt your H will change, these men never do, as it would be admitting they were wrong! You're setting the right example for your DC by not putting up with crappy behaviour.

I'm sure you will do brilliantly, you've given me wonderful advice on here, it's much harder to follow it yourself, but you'll get there!

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theansweris42 · 22/09/2016 21:31

sky you seem absolutely lovely.
I've started a few threads in the last 6 months and had fab support.
Am dead busy packing boxes and at work and with two DC so at the moment just getting inspiration from you Smile

skyyequake · 22/09/2016 21:44

How old are your DC if you don't mind me asking? Are you getting any IRL support? It's so much better if you can get it, even through an organisation or counselling. Just some time to talk about you and get your head straight after your H has screwed with it. Because these men always fuck with our heads!

OP posts:
theansweris42 · 22/09/2016 21:48

They're 6 on Sunday (!) and 7.
And they're dad was/is emotionally and financially abusive and their stepdad has broken all his promises about drinking. Pah.
Have some rl support and have booked on with a counsellor, but MN has the collective experience and knowledge not available in real life Smile