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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.

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ayeokthen · 26/09/2016 09:11

Aw bless her, my youngest still needs a nappy change sometimes in the night. He shat last night and I am now the master of changing shitty nappy in the dark (Thomas go glow light thingy) without waking him or his big brother! Just call me ninja Mum Smile you'll settle into a routine, you're just enjoying your newfound freedom just now, mornings are shit whatever time I go to bed! I hate mornings.

skyyequake · 26/09/2016 09:19

Luckily she doesn't poo at night! She usually does one first thing in the morning normally right after I've done her nappy or just before bed...

Sometimes she sleeps through but then she ends up having leaked everywhere and that can't be comfortable for her (although she never cries when she wakes up!) But I have to time the nappy change just right else she'll fill that one up to leaking point too! It doesn't help that she still needs a night time bottle, she's on cows milk but I think she likes the comfort... She seems to be trying to drop it, but what with everything that's been going on now is obviously not going to be the right time for that! Hopefully she'll drop it over the next few weeks as things hopefully settle back into a routine!

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ayeokthen · 26/09/2016 09:23

Mine still had a drink at night until after they were 2 (yes I know that's not what you're "supposed" to do, but fuck it), if it helps her then why change it? Have you tried pampers baby dry? I found them to be the best ones for overnight, even on a skint week I'd save them for nights Smile

skyyequake · 26/09/2016 09:43

She has the Pampers baby-dry pants at the moment, the pull up ones... I've just moved her up a size to see if the extra absorption would help but it didn't...

I would love for her to have it in a Sippy cup or something but she will only drink water out of them! If I give her milk she has a few sips and then looks at me like I've betrayed her Grin

Another good thing about XP not being here is that I can find the willpower to implement routines or changes, without him holding us back by his lack of interest or trying to be the good guy all the time!

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ayeokthen · 26/09/2016 11:26

I've never used the pants, mine hated them Smile the + ones of baby dry have extra absorption. Ach if she wants it in a bottle I don't see the harm, mine all did (just milk) and their teeth are fine! It's great getting into a solid routine, feels like a real achievement, especially when you're not being undermined every 5 minutes!

skyyequake · 26/09/2016 11:44

The pants don't come in + which is a pain as she was in 4+ when I switched her, but they're honestly so practical and she's never minded them, it makes nappy changes 10x easier for both of us!

I have pretty much given up trying to move off of bottles for now. She only has one before bed and one in the night so I'm not too worried!

It is so nice to not have to battle both DD and XP when trying to put in a routine!

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ayeokthen · 26/09/2016 11:55

Sounds like you're doing a great job! I love routines, DP laughs at me because I'm so rigid but how else can I organise 3 bairns and myself to go anywhere if I'm not organised! He doesn't laugh in a horrible way, just chuckles at my obsessiveness Grin

skyyequake · 26/09/2016 12:03

Haha I'm actually really laid back about that kind of stuff! Which made me really go Confused when XP would accuse me of being uptight or too rigid on housework or something! I think if he met someone who was really organised they would probably end up murdering him!

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ayeokthen · 26/09/2016 12:06

Haha, DP is the most disorganised messy person I've ever met. In fairness he's bloody perfect in every other way, and since I'm manically organised and tidy we cancel each other out Grin he and I get up at 5am, he leaves at 6 and me and the bairns need to be showered, dressed, breakfasted and out by 8am. I'm like a regimental sergeant major in the mornings, the rest of the day I chill out a bit.

skyyequake · 26/09/2016 12:31

5am??? you have far more willpower than me Grin I think this is exactly why I wouldn't cope with more than one DC! I have enough trouble getting myself ready in the mornings!

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ayeokthen · 26/09/2016 12:47

I only get up at that time because I like spending a wee hour being sociable with DP and shovelling obscene amounts of coffee down my throat before I get the kids up. Caffeine = happy mum Grin

Rachel0Greep · 26/09/2016 13:04

Just hopping in skye to say well done you!

skyyequake · 26/09/2016 13:09

aye I would love to spend time to myself before DD wakes up, I manage it on the odd occasion but have never extended it to a regular thing... I am really really really bad at mornings Grin

Rachel thank you!! Hopefully I can keep it up!

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Rachel0Greep · 26/09/2016 13:13

So delighted for you. I saw you made reference to Xp on another thread and I just had to come over and say well done! Flowers

skyyequake · 26/09/2016 13:28

Thank you! I've mentioned him on a few threads... There seem to be an influx of posters with crappy DHs/DPs at the moment Confused so I'm trying to dole out some moral support and empathy!

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ayeokthen · 26/09/2016 13:33

It's a real shame CM is used for childminder, I'd love a cuntmonkey acronym Grin

skyyequake · 26/09/2016 13:42

haha yeah that would get confusing!! In a way it's sad that we're suddenly seeing all these women bringing up their useless OHs, but then you think - it would have been happening anyway, it IS happening, and it's better that people can bring it up and feel confident enough to find support. So depressing that so many are in these crappy relationships though Sad

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Rachel0Greep · 26/09/2016 14:49

skyy what I meant ti say was I noticed you referred to him as 'x', that's how I copped that you had got rid of him. Well done, I am sure it can't be easy. Onwards and upwards, you sound really strong.

skyyequake · 26/09/2016 14:59

Oh wow that happened almost a week ago now (has it really been that long holy shit Shock ) Thank you! It was very rough to begin with, lots of ups and downs in my emotions, but things seem to have settled for now at least.

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ElspethFlashman · 26/09/2016 16:26

Just popping in re: nappies. Totally on board with the pull ups but we found we eventually stopped using them at night cos they may be fab during the day but they don't cut the mustard at night.

We would buy one pack of the + green Pampers and keep them for the last nappy change and it totally saved our sanity! Dry nights every night! But we kept with the pill ups during the day definitely. Mix and match, that's my recommendation.

So that's my glorious contribution to your thread! Blush

skyyequake · 26/09/2016 17:14

That's a good idea Elspeth I wish I'd checked my thread earlier as I just went down the supermarket and could have got some! Never mind... I've got to go into town tomorrow to get DD a winter coat before it gets too cold so I'll get a little pack then! Hopefully they've still got them on sale in boots Wink

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overthehillandroundthemountain · 26/09/2016 22:03

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ayeokthen · 26/09/2016 22:24

Skyye look what I found while looking up childish memes with DP and chuckling like naughty toddlers

Where do I start?
GiddyOnZackHunt · 26/09/2016 22:36

Liking the memes Aye :)

ayeokthen · 26/09/2016 22:38

GiddyOnZackHunt I've got loads Grin they make me giggle