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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
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theansweris42 · 22/09/2016 21:49

So I'm just reading your inspirational thread!

skyyequake · 22/09/2016 22:01

Oh dear you've had a proper run of it! So this H isn't the DCs father? I guess that makes access easier, unless you think he'll try and go to court?

Have you tried the Freedom Programme (I remember it was you who said they were very happy I was going?) because the One-Stop advisor said they go over warning signs in potential partners. I know I'm going to be particularly interested in that as at the moment I feel so suspicious of everyone (and I haven't even been looking for anyone yet!)

OP posts:
theansweris42 · 22/09/2016 22:11

H is a nice person in grip of alcohol, it's different and as their step dad he's no "rights".
He and DC will maybe see each other.
Ex DP (father) is nasty and controlling and abusive and I STILL feel guilty and wonder whether if I had done X Y or Z it could've been OK. Even though I know this is bonkers!
sky defo spend this time on yourself for thinking and strengthening.

theansweris42 · 22/09/2016 22:13

Did Freedom online as the 2 DC and no course nearby, that's why I'm happy for you that it worked out so beautifully. It's good but I bet better face to face. And I read Lundy lots of times.

skyyequake · 22/09/2016 22:22

Your XP sounds like a CuntMonkey and you should not feel guilty. If there's one thing I've learnt it's that you can't do anything to make it better. I have tried every angle, nothing works! When you're in a relationship with someone who only cares about themselves, you can only make them happy by making yourself miserable... And even then it's not guaranteed to work!

I've read about someone who had just discovered the extent of her DH/DPs alcoholism. It's gone a bit dormant now but there was lots of good advice, I hope you read it! It's horrible how alcohol changes a person. Luckily I've never been personally affected. XP was though, he spent most of his childhood around alcoholics. He was taken into care because of it, and his DM died of liver/kidney failure when he was 18. It's probably what's fucked up his view of how decent people behave.

I hope your H gets the help he needs, and turns himself around. It is possible, but he really has to want it for himself. Maybe you leaving will be the push he finally needs! Although from what I gather you should prepare yourself for him to need to sink even lower before he hits rock bottom. Are you planning on staying in contact with your H?

OP posts:
theansweris42 · 22/09/2016 22:31

Yes I'll stay in touch, if he can address the booze we may even recover (though I think not and am not planning anything).
I love him he's a good person.
Yes there's so much influence from childhood and that's why you and I and so many other parents make changes needed to protect our DC.
You're very sweet to message me, when you've so much on.
FWiW, I think you're inspirational and have such clarity of thought.
I tell you what, all this illness and heartache and grief because of alcohol, is a flaming travesty.
Now. How are you?

GiddyOnZackHunt · 22/09/2016 22:39

Just swinging by to check you're doing ok and it looks like you've managed things well skyye.
Good luck 42

theansweris42 · 22/09/2016 22:40

Thanks giddy

skyyequake · 22/09/2016 22:41

Well I wish you the best of luck! Alcohol is a bitch.

I'm good! Completely knackered and I've got to be up early so I can get everything ready for Freedom tomorrow. Never left DD at a creche before and I'm trying to reign in my PFBness Grin

I'm going to get some sleep now. I hope you can manage some sleep too!

Flowers
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theansweris42 · 22/09/2016 22:45

Thanks sky sleep well.
If DD doesn't settle that's Ok, have another go the next time.

Mix56 · 23/09/2016 07:41

Another first, the first day is fretful, probably more for you. It is good for them to meet & interact.
Try & concentrate on the programme !

skyyequake · 23/09/2016 08:20

I will! I know it'll be harder for me than her, in the few social situations she has been in (the odd kid down the park, extended family she doesn't know well, etc) she has been wonderfully confident and social. Makes me very proud! Especially because I was achingly shy when young, so in that way she is thankfully not like me Grin

Really I know it's just my anxiety and teeny bit of PFB so I am pushing past it and repeating to myself that it will be fine!

I am looking forward to the Programme. Not least because I actually get to have adult conversation! There's also a "Family Funtime" tomorrow morning at the childrens centre and since I know XP is working on that day I might head down to that... Then I have my aunt and cousin visiting in the afternoon. Sunday is then the dreaded day when XP has DD all afternoon. I'm still going to ask dad to be with me, and he'll probably bring my DSis so that'll be nice (DSis is 9 soon and loves playing with DD)...

Hopefully Monday things will quieten down a bit!

OP posts:
skyyequake · 23/09/2016 13:04

So Freedom was great! Can't say much obviously, but I will say that it has 100% confirmed in my own head that XP is abusive. Like I knew, but hearing other people experiences and reading all the different types of abuser has just concreted it into my head.

Still dreading him seeing her tonight though. Must be strong for DD though.

DD was great in the creche! Not a peep out of her and the staff said she was wonderful to loom after Smile its made me so proud!

OP posts:
skyyequake · 23/09/2016 13:05

*look not loom Blush

OP posts:
hellsbellsmelons · 23/09/2016 13:40

Ahhh... bless your DD, but you always knew she was a little star anyway.
So glad you glad you some validation so you can move forward.
Well done OP.
Keep going.
Keep detaching and keep strong!

GabsAlot · 23/09/2016 15:40

nice one sky hope all goes ok later x

skyyequake · 23/09/2016 15:48

Me too. Got that sick feeling in the pit of my stomach as the time draws closer.

Thanks to both of you for the support Flowers

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skyyequake · 23/09/2016 16:55

We're in the park now. He's going with the hard-done-by act. What's the betting he's going to accuse me of texting someone? Grin

OP posts:
Funko · 23/09/2016 16:59

Keep 'texting' 😄

Hidingtonothing · 23/09/2016 17:00

You're doing it the safest possible way if you can observe from outside the park as you said and the second he steps out of line you have grounds to stop contact altogether and make him go to court. I actually think it would be better in your case to have it formalised but it's unlikely he will apply to court unless you stop him seeing DD. You can apply yourself but that means you would be liable for the majority of the costs. I just think it would be better if you had the protection of a court order stating when he has to return her etc and you could ask for a prohibited steps order so he can't take her out of the country or anything. I guess all you can do for now is give him a chance, with all the safeguards you've mentioned and just be prepared to stop contact if he does anything that worries you.

Lynnm63 · 23/09/2016 17:16

Keep texting OP it's no longer any of his business if you were texting the entire England rugby team as he is now an XP.

skyyequake · 23/09/2016 17:20

The solicitor at One-Stop said I wouldn't be liable for a court charge if I applied myself as long as I have evidence that I'm claiming Income Support so I can only do that once IS is sorted.

I am observing, but at the moment he's just playing the sad mopey act, so he's being very good with her. He's doing the "I don't deserve this look at how wonderful I am!"

OP posts:
skyyequake · 23/09/2016 17:39

I GOT THE KEYS BACK!!! He's gone. Played a very good sulky hard done by act. But I didn't let him in. Didn't engage.

He tried to invite me out with them on Sunday for a big day out. Hmm I declined. He said "well what are you going to do then?" I said I was thinking of inviting dad round. He went a bit quiet and then said "I was only trying to be nice" Hmm

Anyway he's gone, and I don't have to worry about him till Sunday now Grin

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Funko · 23/09/2016 18:03

Yaaaaaaaaaay!🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾

Well done!

FantasticButtocks · 23/09/2016 18:04

Well done! Wine Smile