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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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Hidingtonothing · 21/09/2016 16:33

It's understandable you're on edge but once his stuff is all gone he has no excuse to keep coming round. You've done so well at keeping that brave face on, just hold your nerve a little longer and things will start to get easier. Any joy with arranging for your locks to be changed? He will probably use wanting to see DD as an excuse to harass you for a little longer but that's where your legal processes come into play, once they're in place he will have no choice but to do things by the book. Just hang in there Skye, we'll hold your hand if you need it but you are most definitely strong enough to get through this Flowers

skyyequake · 21/09/2016 16:35

Thank you both. I have the tv on for DD so I can turn that up of he starts kicking off.

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skyyequake · 21/09/2016 16:36

And no I haven't sorted out the locks yet but I will do I promise

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Hidingtonothing · 21/09/2016 16:41

Yy to turning TV up if he kicks up but also, call the police. They have a record already and (and I hate to sound scheming but...) it won't hurt your case for non mol/supervised contact arrangement etc to have further incidents on record. Any shouting, banging on your door or trying to force his way in is enough reason to call them, the second you feel the slightest bit intimidated, don't hesitate.

Hidingtonothing · 21/09/2016 16:42

kicks off, not up!

ManaFleet · 21/09/2016 16:55

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

skyyequake · 21/09/2016 17:03

Well its 5 and he still hasn't picked up his stuff and I haven't heard anything from him... I'm suspicious he's up to something Hmm

I'll continue to leave it out each evening until NDN comes back and then I'll ask her if we can drop it down to the police station.

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Hidingtonothing · 21/09/2016 17:09

Good plan, you're very level headed even when he's making you feel on edge Skye, it's impressive Flowers

skyyequake · 21/09/2016 17:11

Thank you Hiding unfortunately I have a lot of experience in having to survive whilst being on edge...

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skyyequake · 21/09/2016 17:25

You know what's really pissing me off? That the whole "I'll be round to see DD every day" thing was not only a blatant attempt to intimidate and control be, but he was also talking out of his arse.

Last time i had to try and try and try to get him to come and see DD the first weekend after we broke up. He only came around when I didn't reply to texts (the 10pm doorbell incident!) He just wants to be able to breeze in and see DD whenever the fuck it suits him regardless of what me or DD are doing.

He's the fucking waste of space in all of this.

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Hidingtonothing · 21/09/2016 17:58

Yes! It's all about him, that's where his controlling behaviour comes from, no one is more important than him in his mind and once he realises he can't make you fall into line and allow him to dictate how things will be he will lose interest, even in DD. I don't think people like him are even capable of love as the rest of us understand it, even for their own children, other people only exist for them in terms of the purpose they serve so as soon as they stop serving that purpose they pretty much don't exist as far as he's concerned. What you'll probably find is that he will sporadically show intense interest in DD, probably when he has no one else around to control and wants to prove he can still interfere with/have some control over your life but in between times he will barely bother with her. And it won't be about DD when he does bother, it will be about you and the fact that you've dared to move on with your life without him. Please don't make the mistake of feeling sad for DD that she won't have a proper relationship with her dad, he's not capable of having a healthy relationship with anyone, not even her. You're protecting her from that, not robbing her of her father and she is better off without him than growing up with him controlling both her and you.

HuckfromScandal · 21/09/2016 18:03

Sky

Keep you chin up and keep going
You are doing amazingly well.

skyyequake · 21/09/2016 18:34

Thank you! Still no word from him yet...

Funnily enough Hiding, in one of the arguments we had yesterday (was that really only yesterday??) I said to him "I don't think you even know what love is! Because this ain't it!"

So I will share with you my first taste of positivity from him not being here!

Normally I give DD baby jars for dinner. I would have loved to have her eat with us but CuntMonkey insisted that he couldn't eat that early as he just wasn't hungry so we never had dinner until some time after half 8. Due to pure exhaustion from already doing everything else in the house/with DD, I didn't have the energy/time to cook two dinners in one day. So she had jars.

Fast forward to today and it hits me. I can make dinner for us both now!! So we just had a lovely dinner of veggie burgers and chips (I'm vegetarian - a couple of weeks ago XP offered me a sausage roll.....) she scoffed it down, including two big bits of mushroom and spinach burger Grin It was so nice and it helped me to relax about eating as well. So now we've both had something as simple as a nice dinner together, because TwatFace has finally gone Grin

Can't thank you guys enough for helping me achieve this Flowers

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buckingfrolicks · 21/09/2016 18:42

That is such a lovely picture, you and DD eating a meal like civilised people together.

Keep it up you're doing fab

GabsAlot · 21/09/2016 18:45

lovely sky what a nice moment for u both even just a dinner can be a normal experience now

if i lived near u i would offer to take u to the station-althought i might)

defintiely try 101 an ask if its been logged yet

skyyequake · 21/09/2016 18:46

Well DD is 14 months so less civilised and more stuffing chips in her mouth with fists but it was still very lovely Grin

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NoCapes · 21/09/2016 18:54

sky you're doing so well
The felling that you're making a fuss about nothing comes from years of him not allowing you to have feelings, telling you they were stupid and you're being ridiculous and over reacting
My ExP was exactly the same, in fact he still is telling me I'm over reacting and all of this is unnecessary
It's not, you are not over reacting or making a fuss about nothing, you know you deserve better than this
Think of all the times you've told me that - well we are in very very similar boats right now, so right back at you lady!

You and DD having dinner sounds lovely and is just one of the many positive changes you'll start to see now
In your low moments remember them!

So so impressed with you Grin

NotNob · 21/09/2016 19:30

Sky - I've read your thread throughout the day and I've nothing to add other than I'm in awe of you - you're doing great, keep it up!!

skyyequake · 21/09/2016 19:32

That means so much coming from you!! You were honestly my inspiration to be like "no, I don't have to put up with this bullshit"

I'm not going to give in. It really is true that you can feel the support from MN at your back when you're facing them. It's like an invisible force behind you making you keep your back straight and refusing to let you back down.

He still hasn't contacted me. I'm definitely not opening the door if he turns up tonight. I'm not having a repeat of last night!

I can't believe your XP just seems so dismissive of the whole thing, is he permanently stoned or something? Grin

I'm never going to forget the look in my XPs eyes last night. It was like I suddenly saw the real him and its nasty and venomous. Its burned into my memory.

Locks will be changed tomorrow so I can have a bit of breathing room. And I'll be seeing the solicitor at One-Stop Shop tomorrow about access and possibly a prohibited steps order to limit what he can do with DD without court approval should he move on to unsupervised access when she's older.

Impressed with you too NoCapes Flowers Wine

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GiddyOnZackHunt · 21/09/2016 19:50

Skyye that sounds like a great plan all round to be honest. Dd will get a chance to try new foods with you and make one less thing for you to do of an evening.

FantasticButtocks · 21/09/2016 19:50

Hi sky - I'm late to the thread but have just read it all. Don't have energy right now to write all I'd like to say so I'll just be brief.

  1. Well bloody done Grin you are doing brilliantly!
  1. Does your phone voice record? I know an iPhone does...If he knocks start recording. Have a phrase ready eg 'please leave, I'm not letting you in' and just repeat it whatever he says. You'll be recording yourself as well as him, so just stick to a clear, calm request and don't engage in any other way - any abuse he throws your way, banging, shouting, threats etc are being recorded, as well as you calling the police, and may be useful even if they can't be used in a court.

Wishing you a peaceful evening though Wine Flowers

overthehillandroundthemountain · 21/09/2016 20:30

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

skyyequake · 21/09/2016 20:43

Awww thanks all Smile Grin Flowers

Giddy It is so nice to just be able to sit down now (after doing the housework dancing to now thats what I call twunts Grin) and nothing else needs to be done! I don't need to cook, I don't then have another load of washing up to do in the morning, I can now choose between more me time, or going to bed earlier (guess which it's going to be today!) and then I'll be more refreshed tomorrow. My god he was holding me back so much!

FantasticButtocks Fantastic username!! Welcome have Wine and Cake! I don't have voice record (shitty windows phone not a pretty iphone Sad) but I can do a video which picks up sound quite well!

Thanks for the support, I have extremes of exhaustion/on edge to blissful happiness that he's gone! I haven't heard a single thing from him today! It would be too much to ask for, to just never hear from him again wouldn't it? Grin

over Thank you!!! It's taken a lot out of me, but I did the right thing and he's gone!!! [confetti] Hope you're holding up ok Flowers

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GiddyOnZackHunt · 21/09/2016 22:36

Exactly. And you will need that time for your OU course. Hope you're tucked up and going to get a good night's sleep :)

FeckTheMagicDragon · 21/09/2016 22:39

It's been a hell of a day for you Sky, but I'm so pleased that you are already seeing the positives in not having him in your home. And that you've seen him for what he really is. Hopefully he will stay away until you can get the locks changed - and if he does come round late at night kicking off, don't let him in and call the police - even if it's 101 for advice and to let them know.