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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 · 07/10/2016 17:20

Aw sounds like a heavy emotional day for you today, hopefully it helps in the long run though. Glad she ate some of your cooking though! What did you make? Aw thanks, he's a wee soul, just been snuggled up to me or DP all day.

skyyequake · 07/10/2016 17:25

Yeah it was, next week we're doing the effects abuse has on the children so I think a fair few of us will be emotional!

I made spaghetti bolognaise with Quorn mince... She seems to like the mince but not the spaghetti Confused

Awww that's so sweet! Cake for him when he gets better!

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ayeokthen · 07/10/2016 17:37

Just remember when you cover that next week, you got your DD out of that situation, you did that, you freed her and yourself! So be proud of yourself.
Haha, all mine are like that, one likes mince and no spaghetti, one likes spaghetti no mince and the other likes all of it!
He's my cuddly boy, the other two aren't cuddly but he's a wee tree frog especially when he's poorly. It's not like him to be so flat, we kept him off nursery for the first time ever today! He seems to have perked up a little, made sausage casserole for tea which he loves 😀 Cake for him and Chocolate for me Grin

skyyequake · 07/10/2016 18:16

Sorry was giving DD a bath did not go well

I know I got her out but I feel so crappy that she was ever in that situation to begin with.

There's just no winning with tea times is there?! Grin your DS sounds very sweet, I'm glad he's feeling a bit better the poor thing! Lets hope he's well enough for Cake tomorrow (and you can have your Chocolate now Grin)

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ayeokthen · 07/10/2016 18:39

Oh dear bath time is carnage in our house most nights! Don't feel bad, you didn't put her in that situation, HE did. You rescued her! You're such a positive role model for your DD, the way you've taken control and are looking for the positives and going out and finding ways to make your life better is bloody inspiring! I never managed half what you have achieved in 4 years!!! You really are amazing, I'll keep telling you until you believe me Grin
Aw he's a wee sweetie, my wee baby boy, full of love and cuddles. It almost makes me broody again for about 5 seconds

skyyequake · 07/10/2016 19:16

you might be telling me for a long time

I just feel so bloody stupid! Like, looking back there are so many red flags waving madly at me and I just didn't see them. I tried so hard to be open-minded and sympathetic (we come from different backgrounds/upbringing) and I feel so used.

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GabsAlot · 07/10/2016 19:19

sorry im late to reply

cant belive they never rung back an the officer never even came back to check on you

not good enough really-anything could have happened

ayeokthen · 07/10/2016 19:30

I'll tell you for as long as it takes until you believe me!!!! If that's 5 threads later then that's what I'll do! Don't feel stupid, the biggest part of an emotional abuser is manipulating their partner into always believing they're wrong/stupid/worthless/useless. It's how they make us stay, make us second guess ourselves and question everything we do. But you got free, you realised you are worth more and you got rid! That takes guts!!!! It will take a while before you believe in yourself, but that's what we're all here for. To keep reminding you, ten times a day if that's what you need, how abso-fucking-lutely awesome and strong you are Grin because you are!!! Grin

0SometimesIWonder · 07/10/2016 19:58

I feel so crappy that she was ever in that situation to begin with

Bloody Hell Skye, none of this was ever your fault; and you did the best thing any mum could by getting DD out of there.,

skyyequake · 07/10/2016 19:58

You're too nice to me! I'm not all that Blush Most of the time I'm a hot mess Grin

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NoCapes · 07/10/2016 20:02

Hush up sky you're all that and a bag of chips...with ketchup Grin

skyyequake · 07/10/2016 20:16

lol wow with ketchup??? I'm honoured Grin

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ayeokthen · 07/10/2016 20:31

I'm a hot mess on a good day 😂😂😂

skyyequake · 07/10/2016 21:02

Hahaha now I know that's not true!!

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ayeokthen · 07/10/2016 21:09

Oh aye it is! Our eldest's school took photos at parents evening and stuck them on Twitter. I nearly died when I saw myself Confused

facepainterwatford · 07/10/2016 21:11

Hi there just moved to hailsham and hate driving on fast roads had no idea it was all fast roads here any one tell me can I get to b polegate Eastbourne and pevensey b on slower roads thanks in n advance

skyyequake · 07/10/2016 21:14

um facepainter I think you might be lost Confused

aye I'm sure you looked fine don't be a drama llama Grin

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Whendoigetadayoff · 07/10/2016 21:21

You're DGM knew he was abusive and was concerned enough to make sure you kept DC safe. You know it too.
Get out and get out now. Don't go back.
Women's Aid can help if you feel you can't stay with family member. They can also help with advice and child access.
Phone them find out what to do, pack up and get away.

skyyequake · 07/10/2016 21:36

Hi Whendoigetadayoff you'll be happy to know that I left him over 2 weeks ago now! I'm keeping this thread going for some moral support in the tough times ahead

Thanks for your concern Flowers

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ayeokthen · 07/10/2016 22:00

Haha it didn't help that dp and I were deep in conversation and looked really pissed off! We were, but not with each other, with the school.

Whendoigetadayoff · 07/10/2016 22:12

OP so pleased. I hope you're ok. Take care of you and baby.

skyyequake · 07/10/2016 22:16

oh dear aye Confused

Whendoi Thank you! I'm surviving so far... And I will!

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skyyequake · 08/10/2016 09:52

So I'm thinking of dyeing my hair a cool colour. Its been something I've wanted to do for a while but XP out me off by implying that it would look stupid and unattractive Hmm and I found this picture and would like your opinions? For reference I'm naturally a brunette, very fair skin and blue eyes... Do you think this would work?

Where do I start?
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ayeokthen · 08/10/2016 09:56

I think it would be stunning! It takes a fair bit of upkeep (my wee pal owns a salon and does these all the time) but done right it's beautiful! I think with your colouring it would be lovely, and if it makes you feel good then that's a bonus!

skyyequake · 08/10/2016 10:03

Thank you! How much upkeep does it need? I'm a bit new to all this Grin

It does make me quite nervous but 20 seconds of courage and all that! I think its good to just dive in to some things! I did get an ombre the last time I had my hair done but it was a deep red to a lighter ginger so not quite so drastic....

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