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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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skyyequake · 10/10/2016 19:21

Sixties thank you Grin and no he hasn't got a lot going on upstairs... He's about as dense as a neutron star Grin

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myfriendnigel · 10/10/2016 19:28

Smile you are doing so well Skye.

skyyequake · 10/10/2016 20:06

thank you nigel Smile

guess who just texted me!

"Can you let me know how my daughter is please"

Me- "She's fine"

"Thank you and has she got rid of the cold plus i think she was teething i miss her so much"

Me- "Cold is gone, no sign of teething"

"Thank you and im glad she's better and why are you always blunt about our daughter"

I ignored the last one

Anyone want to weigh in what they think of that?

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ayeokthen · 10/10/2016 20:31

He's in poor me mode because he sees you kicking ass and moving on and his pathetic little ego can't stand it!!! Grin well done (again!!!)

skyyequake · 10/10/2016 20:40

Thank you!

Forgot to mention, spoke to dad earlier and he's trying to organise something for my sister's birthday for next Saturday. He's not 100% sure if he can get it yet but asked if I wanted to come along. Now obviously Saturday is XPs day with DD so I told dad he would have to get back to me with times so I can sort it out with XP. Dad told me that if he plays me about to just bring DD with me to "show him what it's like to be messed around with"... Grin I love my dad sometimes

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SixtiesChildOfWildBlueSkies · 10/10/2016 20:56

Your dad's right skye . If you have arranged a time then xp should stick to it, not mess you around to suit himself. Otherwise he's still controlling you. If he's not there on the dot or even before as he's missing her sooo much then get on with your day and he can knock on an empty door. He'll soon learn you ain't to be messed around with! Grin

Agree with Aye too. His ego can't cope can it, as the boot is well and truly on the other foot. Also by commenting on you being 'blunt', he's trying to make out that he's doing all he can to show he cares about DD, but that you won't communicate with him. Arse that he is!

skyyequake · 10/10/2016 21:06

Oh I will Sixties don't worry, I'm definitely not going to get in the habit of waiting around for him!

And I know he's trying to make me out like the bad guy, only thing is that I don't care if he thinks I'm the bad guy anymore! And we don't share any friends so he has no influence there either! So he can bang on about how mean I'm being all he likes, it's not going to make a blind bit of difference Grin

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SixtiesChildOfWildBlueSkies · 10/10/2016 21:24

Hurrahhh!! Star Flowers Cake

GabsAlot · 10/10/2016 21:52

ignore the last one -very pa

youve toldhim how she is dont bite

ayeokthen · 11/10/2016 17:54

Hey Skyye how's it going? Xxx

skyyequake · 11/10/2016 18:13

hey aye been feeling pretty crap today. I just feel really lonely and down. The toddler group is on again tomorrow but I just feel so out of place there. The only thing I look forward to each week is Freedom, but even there I haven't made any friends...

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ayeokthen · 11/10/2016 18:47

Aw I'm sorry you're having a crap day Skyye, I know that feeling well! I chat and laugh with the other mums at nursery but I don't feel a connection to them, just like I'm outside looking in you know? I can't remember who said it on here or Capes thread but the phrase "fake it til you make it" popped into my head when I read your post, I know it's shit, I hated toddler groups, but you can tick it off your list of achievements and then come on here and chat to all of us. We're always here Grin have some Cake from me xxx

skyyequake · 11/10/2016 18:54

Thanks aye Flowers I think I might make friends at Freedom eventually but it takes me a long time because I have that anxiety in my head telling me that everyone thinks I'm annoying and would rather I wasn't there. Like last week I was having a rough time of it, and during the break someone came up to me and said "Are you ok, you seem like you're having a rough time this week?" and I almost burst into tears there and then because someone actually noticed. I generally just assume that I'm invisible most of the time.

Cake is very much appreciated! I am determined to make muffins on Thursday as part of my "good things I did this week".

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ayeokthen · 11/10/2016 19:01

It's a horrible sickening feeling, I struggle with that a lot. I micro analyse conversations I've had, trying to work out if I'd said something wrong or stupid. It sounds like they're really nice at freedom, and they'll fully understand that you feel that way because of the way XP treated you. It's a symptom of abuse, especially emotional abuse and completely normal. For what it's worth I think you're amazing! Everything you've said on here makes me think you're a funny, kind, intelligent, strong, brave and very special woman. At your stage of leaving XH I couldn't even leave the house! Be kind to yourself, and believe in yourself!
Ooh pics of the muffins! I bet they'll be lovely Grin
We're really excited here, after 6 months of grieving for our wee cat who was run over, we rehomed 2 lovely cats and the kids are loving it! Our house felt wrong without a cat!

skyyequake · 11/10/2016 19:34

It is horrible isn't it? I do exactly that, and over analyse people's expressions to try and see if they hate me but are too polite to say anything!

This one isn't actually XPs doing (although he didn't exactly help) but something I've had since childhood thanks to my mum and stepdad. I so didn't want to be that person where childhood abuse leads to domestic abuse, but here I am! A walking stereotype Grin

I guess it does help that I've been through it before, it means I know the general road to recovery, even if I've never made it the whole distance before. At least I know the vague direction to point myself in this time around!

I will take pics although they won't look half as nice as your cakes Grin

Sorry about your cat! Sad but glad you've got some new pets to love Smile

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harrypoooter · 11/10/2016 19:55

I guess you should start with the practical things, while he is out. Make that call to women's aid. Start the process of claiming benefits, contact friends and family to let them know about the situation. Get a friend to be there when you do it. Or do it in a neutral place. Plan plan plan. Good luck x

ayeokthen · 11/10/2016 20:09

You are NOT a walking stereotype, you're a bloody inspiration! You've been through so much shit and still you've got the capacity to be so caring! You're fab!!
Aw thanks, I was broken hearted when he died but feel ready to love another one (two!) now, and the kids are delighted! DP not so much, he's not a cat person 😂

skyyequake · 11/10/2016 20:44

Thank you Flowers I've been and had a bath now and I feel a bit better still wish we had a shower but a bath'll do I don't feel like an inspiration I feel like I should be on a warning poster Grin

Haha I'm more of a dog person, but I still love cats! What colour(s) are they?

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ayeokthen · 11/10/2016 20:57

You are an inspiration, let's make posters of how far you've come in such a short time! Ooh I love a shower, DP put one in last year, I can't remember the last time I had a bath! Might have one tonight tho, it's getting chilly.
We've got a dog too, she's mental Grin

Where do I start?
Where do I start?
Lynnm63 · 11/10/2016 21:05

I'm more a dog person too, we have a St. Bernard, but your cats are lovely.

skyyequake · 11/10/2016 21:10

ooh they're gorgeous !! i love black cats! If I ever get a cat I'm getting a black one because they're the least adopted due to the silly superstition... But they're both beautiful cats Smile

I much prefer showers, I feel cleaner than when I have a bath. It feels like it's washing off all the mental crap too. When I was at the height of my depression, I could make myself feel marginally better by having a shower and washing my hair about 3 times... I had hair almost down to my waist then and washing it in the shower was therapeutic to me Grin

ooooh show me the dog!!!

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skyyequake · 11/10/2016 21:12

that came across a bit rude sorry

can I see the dog please? Grin

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ayeokthen · 11/10/2016 21:16

Lynnm63 I love St Bernards! I went to the St Bernards pass in Switzerland when I was a kid, there were pups everywhere!
Skyye my first cats were completely black, two beautiful boys, they were adorable!! This one is mostly black but a bit tortoiseshell, she looks like she's sticking her tongue out Grin
I know what you mean, I love a good scrub in the shower. I got one of those abrasive foot scrubbers with suction pads and it's awesome!!!
This is our wee pup with my cat that died 😭 They were best pals, she pined so badly for him when he died, she was in bits!

ayeokthen · 11/10/2016 21:16

No it didn't at all sound rude! Grin

skyyequake · 11/10/2016 21:24

awww they both look lovely!! What breed is she? I would love a dog like that, hopefully in the future I'll have the space and money to care for one properly

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