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Relationships

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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GiddyOnZackHunt · 20/09/2016 17:39

Oh God I'm as old as your dad Grin
Course is a great idea.
Keep saying Nope to the phone!

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skyyequake · 20/09/2016 18:01

He's tried to call me from another number... I didn't pick up!

He's not very old Giddy! But my dad had me at 23 and I had DD when I'd just turned 21 (only 8 days after my bday!) so now I've ruined his reputation with the girls because he's a Granddad at 45 Grin I also tell every girl he meets who's under 30 that he's a granddad

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Lynnm63 · 20/09/2016 18:14

The Martian is an excellent film. I shall be thinking of you watching it and eating ice cream you deserve it.

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skyyequake · 20/09/2016 18:21

Aww thank you Smile he still hasn't been round. I'm getting nervous that he's going to wait and interrupt my movie night Angry

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GiddyOnZackHunt · 20/09/2016 18:22

Grin That'll keep the young ones at bay!

I wonder if reality is starting to dawn on xp?

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Funko · 20/09/2016 18:23

Well done skye, very proud of you!

Your daughter has an awesome kickass mummyGrin

Enjoy the Martian .... Mmm Matt Damon 😍

Also, I hear Brad Pitt is now single.... Just sayin 😄

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skyyequake · 20/09/2016 18:27

I hope so but I doubt it... He's probably decided to "give me some time" which is fine by me! Grin

Now I'm getting further into adulthood I'm getting legitimately worried that dad will end up dating someone younger than me Confused so I'm definitely trying to keep young ones at bay!

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skyyequake · 20/09/2016 18:29

Thank you Funko!

I remember having a tween crush on Brad Pitt when he was in Troy Grin Him and Orlando Bloom [happy sigh] Wink

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GiddyOnZackHunt · 20/09/2016 18:32

Shock eew that would be wrong!!

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skyyequake · 20/09/2016 18:34

I know!! I made him promise me he wouldn't but you never know Confused

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40somethingwonderful · 20/09/2016 18:50

You did the right thing 🙂

Please don't let him worm his way back in. Stay strong.

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Littlelostdinosaur · 20/09/2016 18:53

I still have a fraud on Brad Pitt and I'm in my thirties!
Sky, I've just caught up what a big day you've had. Well done. Seriously you're so strong.

Now, I'm going into work mode here and The following is what I would say to you if I met you in my job, which I would.

Please call 101 and ask the police to log the fact that you've kicked him out from an abusive relationship and expect trouble. They can create an incident which in case you have to call for help will show the context immediately rather than you trying to explain in the midst of a problem.

Charge your phone and keep it in your pocket/bra/pants/mouth 😂Wherever just do not put it down. Of you need help dial 999 and lock yourself in the bathroom with your daughter.

Please change your phone number. It sounds like he is going to harass you until you cave and speak to him which immediately gives him power to change your mind. If you can change it then only give it to people you know will not pass it on. There are plenty of other ways you can arrange access for dd.

Delete him and block him and any mutual friends in Facebook Nd other social media. Any access to you he will manipulate.

If he becomes threatening it harassing please call police, there are enough offences already that he could be dealt With for but harassment gives police quite a bit f power and options and it helps to build a picture down the line if you need to support a case for custody or restraining orders etc.

Speak with close friends etc and make sure they know what's going on. If you live in a block of flats make sure noone will buzz him in for you to get to your front door. This is really key and offers you a great level of protection if he can't get to your flat door.

Speak to women's aid for support

Do you have a personal alarm, if so please carry it everywhere with you in case he tries to speak to you when you are out and becomes threatening etc. Do not be afraid to use it.

Ca your landlord and ask for new locks. Tell them why if you feel that they won't be concerned (I know some landlords don't like "trouble" but it's not you who is the problem) and get some extra deadlocks for the doors.

If you are going out and you think he knows where you will be at a given time then let someone know where you are going and when you get there. Maybe your ndn as long as she can reliably check on you. That way if he turns up and causes you a problem anywhere there is someone who can help you out or call help for you if he turns nasty.

Sorry if any of this sounds harsh or alarming etc, it's just precautions to keep you safe and I'd rather you took them unnecesarily than have him cause you trouble because you didn't get the advice.

You've done great so far but it will be hard, especially as he sounds so manipulative. I've seen couples like this in my work kwhere he has had all the help he could get, made endless promises to change etc and six years later tt are still going round and round and the abuse gets worse and worse, physical emotional sexual etc. He will not change. He will not change. Keep that in your head. Even if he did appear to it would always be just under the surface.

You and your daughter deserve to be happy and safe. Enjoy your film night (not at all jealous currently have a 2.5 yr old and 3 month old-takes me a week to finish one film lol).
Get support wherever you can.

Enjoy your playgroup. One thing there too make sure that if he rocks up, he woll play the loving partner etc to undermine you - if there is someone there running it that you can confide in tell them you've just left an abusive relationship, if he turns up you've already pipped him to the post and they will know what's goingg on rather than h manipulating them and making you feel that you can't go back now. He sounds awful and like he will try anything so don't be ashamed, preempt him and take back the control.

As a pp said, a powerless man is a dangerous one so please take the precautions to keep yourself safe.

Well done on taking a huge first step. X

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Littlelostdinosaur · 20/09/2016 18:54

Fraud?! Crush!!

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skyyequake · 20/09/2016 19:17

Wow that's a lot to take in. I will have a look and definitely keep precautions... Luckily he works most of the time the playgroups are on, and has kept himself completely oblivious to any and all of that side of DDs care. I know it wouldn't be difficult for him to find out, so I will mention to whoever is running it, but I would be very surprised if he even managed to find out when/where it is let alone bother to show up!

From the way it played out today, I definitely think it's going to be a battle of wills rather than physical. At least for the moment. Like I say, I will take precautions but if he does get physical, it will be after I've had to fend off all the mind games...

I do truly wonder what goes through these guys heads sometimes... Whether it's all calculated or they sincerely believe that they're the good guy/victim dear god he loooves playing the victim

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Iflyaway · 20/09/2016 19:21

Great to see you getting stronger and more determined to get out of this relationship.

How dare he call you a "waste of space".

If you ever feel you are wavering, imagine your daughter picking up that kind of comment that her mum is "a waste of space". Shock

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Ladywithababy1 · 20/09/2016 19:23

Have just RTFT and wanted to say you're a badass OP, you should seriously be so proud of yourself for doing this for you and your DD.

You sound very clever and articulate and strong - I can definitely envisage you achieving a lot and being able to show him what a gem of a person he lost out on by being such a Grade A twat.

Enjoy The Martian and ice cream, you deserve it!

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skyyequake · 20/09/2016 19:26

I love you guys you're awesome Flowers Grin

Seriously, you've never met me and you've made me feel far better about myself than he has in almost two years !!

May you all have lots of Wine and Cake in your futures

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ayeokthen · 20/09/2016 19:30

To be fair Skyye, you're pretty fucking awesome yourself! I've been where you are, and believe me, after a few initial bumps in the road, the future is rosy!

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GabsAlot · 20/09/2016 19:34

hey skye

so proud of u honestly i think youre great the hardeest part is over now u just got to keep it goingand not fall for his crap about changing-u kn ow it wont last

u done a capes ;) she would be proud

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GabsAlot · 20/09/2016 19:38

and if u can get the lock changed that would be good can always say dp ha left and u wold rather he didnt have a key anymore

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skyyequake · 20/09/2016 19:39

Haha thank you both Grin

Dancing round my living room to my "NOW that's what I call twunts 1" playlist Grin

I know I've still got challenges ahead but for now I'm gonna enjoy the moment Wine

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GabsAlot · 20/09/2016 19:39

to the lanlord i mean

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tiredvommachine · 20/09/2016 19:39

Keep your resolve Skyye
If he turns up banging on the door, call 999 and get the fucker removed.

This happens a hell of a lot unfortunately but the officers will have no worries in making him leave, voluntarily or otherwise.

You're doing the best thing for you and your daughter x

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kaitlinktm · 20/09/2016 20:33

I am so glad you decided to start your own thread Skyye. I knew the wise MNers wouldn't let you down and that you would find your inner strength!

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skyyequake · 20/09/2016 20:45

He came. I had to open the door to give him his stuff. He threw every part of the Script at me. I'm shaking and I feel sick. Can't type it all out right now. But I stood my ground and now he's gone. Will type more later when calm.

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