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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
51
TheGrumpySquirrel · 20/09/2016 20:46

Well done !!! We are all here rooting for you!!!!

ayeokthen · 20/09/2016 21:04

Well done standing your ground! Are you ok? Xxx

NoCapes · 20/09/2016 21:04

Oh sky I am so so proud of you - I honestly didn't think you were going to do it

Now - you must not let him back! You threw him out once, let him back, now you've thrown him out again, if you let him come back a second time any threats of ending it in the future will be completely ignored and he'll feel invincible then, like he can do whatever the fuck he wants because you can't live without him
Do not let him think you can't live without him - and do not let him make you think you can't live without him
You absolutely can

The first hurdle is the biggest and you've done it
You will be up an down for a while and you'll wobble and you'll think about changing your mind
Just offload on here to us and be calm when dealing with him - he'll jump on the first sign of weakness and you'll be back to square one

You can do this
You and your daughter deserve to live stress free and happily, not walking on eggshells for fear of being screamed at
You are a fab Mum and she will be so proud of you escaping this abusive arsehole and saving her from him when she's older

We're all here for you
Oh I could just squish you Grin really, well bloody done!! Flowers

GabsAlot · 20/09/2016 21:19

good girl get yourself a drink and calm down for a bit

Lynnm63 · 20/09/2016 21:37

Well done. Are you feeling ok now?

skyyequake · 20/09/2016 22:08

Hi everyone I am mostly calm now. I've put The Martian on. I'll be damned if he's completely ruining my evening.

He tried to let himself in first. The chain stopped him. I then went and undid it (had to or he would have really kicked off). I held the door ajar slightly but had my leg round the other side so he couldn't barge in. He asked me to let him in, I said no, he asked why, I said we've been through this. Cue lots of begging and pleading and "why are you doing this?"

Eventually he asked to get his stuff. I said to wait here and I would get it. We had a bit of backwards and forwards where I wouldn't let him in. In the end he backed off and I shut the door and locked it whilst I brought his stuff to the very tiny hall. When I unlocked it again to give him his stuff he managed to barge his way in.

Then started the whole barrage. Insulting me, telling me it was my fault "too", telling me it was all my fault. Demanding to see DD (she's asleep so he just wanted to sit in my bedroom and watch her sleep. I don't fucking think so), telling me it was his home too (um, no it's not), telling me I was throwing everything away, telling me I would "destroy" DD (Hmm). Said, when DDs older, if she asks him why we're not together he'll tell her I chucked him out and ruined everything. There was probably more which I'll remember later but you get the gist.

I stayed relatively calm. When he said I was throwing it away, not giving him a chance, etc. I said "Ok, but it doesn't change anything."

It took a while but he left. As he was going out the door he said he would see DD every day. I said no he could organise access through DD. He said again that he would see her every day. I said I would go through the courts if I had to. He called me a bitch. As soon as he got both feet out the door I shut the door in his face and locked it.

Aaand that's pretty much it. I expect to face more tomorrow but I'm not gonna open the door this time. The rest of his shit will be outside of the door for the time he usually gets back from work and if he decides to play silly buggers and come back early to throw me off then he'll have to wait till the next damn day to get his shit.

(Oh he also said "who's been telling you all this shit?" and in my head I was thinking "wise wise MNers" Grin)

And as I was typing this up for you who should knock at the door but a police officer! He was looking for my NDN because no one had heard from her (I've spoken to her, she's fine, police updated), but I seized the opportunity the universe presented to me and told him about XP. All logged with the police, did a set of questions with me, given me advice to go to CAB and one-stop shop for legal advice if I need it. Is going to ring me to give me my thingy number either tonight or tomorrow.

OP posts:
NoCapes · 20/09/2016 22:14

Oh God sky that sounds horrendous!
Well done for staying calm and not biting
You recognise the script now, just keep reminding yourself that it's just words, they mean nothing, nothing at all

Also - wowsers at the police officer just showing up at your door like a knight in bleeding armour!!
It was meant to be - the universe said so Grin

Seriously though what you've been through today was seriously intense, try to relax, have some sweet tea and breathe
One day at a time

skyyequake · 20/09/2016 22:24

It was intense, I'm bloody knackered!

Lol at the knight in bleeding armour!! Grin

DD woke up for a bottle just as I was finishing up calling 101 updating them about NDN so I've had a nice cuddle with her.

I am recognising the script! I kept on just watching him saying all this shit with my eyes finally opened thinking "my god you are such a class a cunt!"

Actually I did tell him he was a cunt. I told him that he was using our DD as a weapon and that made him a total cunt.

OP posts:
Lynnm63 · 20/09/2016 22:34

Well done. I am so proud of you, you stood your ground onwards and upwards.

GiddyOnZackHunt · 20/09/2016 22:36

Oh very well played Skyye. He did the abusive twat script and you did the dont mess with me sonny script perfectly.
Well done too for seizing the moment with the copper. Who didn't think you were unreasonable obviously :)

GabsAlot · 20/09/2016 22:43

oh well sky

and that copper turning up is fate so pleased u logged it with them

of course hes going to use dd thats his only weapon now

he has no right to barge in an see her every day it has to be organised and away from u-which he prob doesnt want nayway

i don think it will take him long to realise hewould have to spend alot of money in court

GabsAlot · 20/09/2016 22:46

remember youve done this before he hasnt changed and never will

Hidingtonothing · 20/09/2016 22:49

I'm literally cheering for you here Skye, bloody well done!

skyyequake · 20/09/2016 22:51

I honestly had all your advice swirling through my head at the time. Telling myself not to get into tit-for-tat or a debate and if he said I was a bitch, I said yes I'm a bitch but you're still leaving.

I also did tell him I was quite within my right to call the police if he didn't leave my home. That shut him up for a second!

The plan now is that I'm going to get my number from the police probably tomorrow morning. Then it's wait and see if he turns up tomorrow. Keep the chain on, and if he doesn't leave, call 999, quote my number and they'll come and make him leave. Police officer said if I want I can pack up his stuff and take it down to the police station for him to collect, again quoting my number so they know the situation. I haven't decided if I will do this, I don't even know if I can as I don't have a car Confused

If he persists in coming round and not leaving me alone then I can go down to CAB as apparently they're very good at sorting out restraining orders, non-molestation orders, etc so that if he comes over, even if he leaves before police can get here, they can go and arrest him.

One-Stop Shop apparently has a solicitor/lawyer at each one who knows about Family Court stuff if there is an issue with access.

Basically this police officer showed up as my "knight in bleeding armour" (©NoCapes Grin) and very fully stocked my arsenal.

Now I just have to find a way to let my dad know all that's been happening and that the police are involved without him going and committing murder and being arrested himself.... Why are men so emotional??

OP posts:
buckingfrolicks · 20/09/2016 22:53

Oh my god Skye you are inspirational! You sound so nice. Kind, loving, patient, intelligent, motivated and clear thinking. Your daughter is going to have a superb mum to learn from. Never forget you have rights, your needs are legitimate, you are no mans fool.

Well done. Star

skyyequake · 20/09/2016 22:57

If he carries on being like he was today I'm going to have to go for supervised access as I'm just so worried he won't bring DD back. That is my biggest fear right now.

OP posts:
Littlelostdinosaur · 20/09/2016 23:17

Amazing sky well done. What a shit he is. I'm so so happy you've got it reported, people are so reluctant but it opens so many doors for you. Also, if he gets arrested and charged with anything related the police can ask the court for a restraining order - much much easier than having to go through solicitors yourself and also it is free (bough I don't know about legal aid of you do it yourself).
Sorry about the uber Long post, I do waffle but just wanted to give you as much as I could so you could be practical if you felt a bit lost with it all. I can't advise much on anything else other than don't talk to the bastard. Well done on threatening him with the police-that's why you must keep your phone with you, and j would say now have 999 dialled in your pocket so you can phone without him knowing, he may try to take your phone if you end up with him back again tomorrow but if they get q call from your number now it will bring up your incident tonight and they can respond even if you don't say anything to them.
So so pleased he went through the 27questions, it'll open ip a lot more help for you.

If he carries on being a twat (all he's capable of it seems) report him for harassment and get him on their system. Sooner the better.

And if you are worried about him not returning dd then don't let him have her. I've seen many children used as pawns to blackmail parents back into relationships, and unfortunately if he doesn't return her, as long as she isn't in any danger then the police will not be able to forcefully remove her and bring her to you unless there is a court order in place. Obviously you've got a lot going on but you're perfectly entitled to not let him have access until you're happy with the arrangements.

Well done for sticking to your guns. Your daughter is one very lucky girl to have a mummy like you X keep it up xx
(Sorry that was just as long!!)

skyyequake · 20/09/2016 23:17

Having ice cream and pom bears for a very late dinner Grin

OP posts:
Littlelostdinosaur · 20/09/2016 23:18

Ha perfect! Enjoy the Martian it's a great film! X

skyyequake · 20/09/2016 23:22

sorry x post!

thank you for all your advice. I'm not planning on letting him in if he comes around tomorrow.

The problem is I really don't have any idea what he's going to be like the next time I see him. Not saying I would take him back if he was nice btw! But I feel like I'm living in a limbo of not being able to predict his behaviour...

OP posts:
NoCapes · 20/09/2016 23:30

You are amazing!
I bet he didn't know which way was up when his bullshit wasn't working on you and you were so strong - to his face!!
You should be so proud of yourself Star

Definitely don't let DD go if you're really worried about him not returning her
Tbh given his temperament and unpredictability id be more inclined to say a contact centre would be the best way to go

Littlelostdinosaur · 20/09/2016 23:34

It must be horrible, and that is all part of the abuse and control. It's deliberate and designed purely to have you on edge so that he can manipulate you with ease. If you had time to mentally prepare for an argument or insults then he wouldn't be able to do it because you'd be strong enough to defend if. Just think of it like a boxing match (or anything physical really) - you can defend against what you know is coming, it's the punches that you aren't expecting that will weaken you and knock you out. That's exactly what he's doing.

You've done so well to stand up to him, he just sounds horrendous and I've dealt with plenty of men like him and watched them walk back into their lives because the partners are too scared to push through, and they never leave, and it carries on and on. It's so awful to see. I absolutely admire you for getting him out. Now that he's gone and when it calms down, don't minimise what he's done. Write it down so you have it there on black and white as your perception of it will change in the moments where you miss him or are feeling wobbly , it's easy to think you were over reacting /being unreasonable /maybe he will be better. you need to protect future you from that whilst you've got the fire in your belly.
Hope you get a good nights sleep (mine hasn't started too well Shock) x

skyyequake · 20/09/2016 23:54

NoCapes I'm sure you're right! I could almost see the "oh shit I'm losing control" flash across his face right before he turned nasty... It's amazing what you see once you're looking for it!!

Littlelost I'm not going to minimise. Everything could have been minimised, in fact I could easily have caved when he was begging me for one more chance. But once I stuck by my guns, he completely changed and I was just like "oh boy did I make the right choice getting rid of you"

He was absolutely horrible to me. Barely a pretense behind it, just pure venom. In a way he did me a favour by being an absolute fucknugget because it lifted that last little bit of cloud and doubt from my mind. Now I've really seen him as he truly is.

I'm struggling to go to bed too... And I know DD is going to be up around 6 and I'm going to hate myself for staying up so late Grin

OP posts:
Hidingtonothing · 21/09/2016 00:01

I would go and speak to CAB/one stop shop tomorrow if I was you Skye, you need to know exactly what your next steps should be so you're clear in your own mind how to respond to whatever he comes at you with, that's how you get rid of the 'limbo' feeling and stop worrying about predicting his behaviour.

If you play things by the book you will have the best chance of stopping him from harassing you with a restraining/non molestation order and that in turn will put you in the best position to ensure he doesn't get unsupervised access to DD.

The less you talk to him the better now, not at all would be preferable. Going the 'official' route might seem extreme but it's the best way to protect yourself and DD. Don't listen to him if he tries to tell you 'there's no need for all this, we can sort this out between us' (which he undoubtedly will), it's just another way of trying to stop you exposing him for the controlling, abusive arsehole he is. That 'not minimising' thing you're doing? Keep doing it.

GiddyOnZackHunt · 21/09/2016 00:03

Get to bed! Sleep diagonally. Sleep soundly. Try not to stay awake getting giddy on freedom.I bet he's not sleeping well :)