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Relationships

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At rock bottom- 2 years thrown away on a text

428 replies

yestocarrots · 11/12/2016 22:05

Just hoping for a bit of a hand hold. Sorry this is so long. I'm feeling very bleak right now and have no one to talk to. Please, someone, sanity check me. I am reeling from a turn of events that has put me into a depression worse than any I've experienced in a while.

My ex partner was an army guy. We lived quite separate lives because he was posted the other side of the country to my city, but we saw each other most weekends. He has known my dd since she was tiny (she's now 2). Been a dad to her in every way, it was like we were a family. We argued quite a lot always about the same things- he didn't communicate much at all during the week, often would only text, and would get angry and belligerent if I expressed a wish for this to change. I wasn't perfect- I had bad PND and would get very emotional in conflicts which seemed to frustrate him. I was working full time in a demanding job and running a home and being a single parent and I know I took shit out on him. But I also loved him deeply. Showed it in any ways I could. Keeping the house lovely for when he came, making plans for days out and little holidays, putting on Xmas for him including a stocking and a sack of gifts, sending him packages, kept myself available for him basically every weekend and never asked for more than just more contact in the week (which frankly he never made the effort to change.) Earlier this year he was posted abroad at very short notice. I was devastated and scared but we both mutually agreed we would not let it break us. Both of us were in bits the day he left.
Then it all fell apart. While he was away I got so used to us not being able to communicate at all, I just sort of shut down. But my eating disorder and depression came back with a vengeance. My periods stopped entirely and I nearly lost my job through stress. I found it impossible coping with work, health and my toddler, I missed my best friend and partner so much. I sent him packages but it was all I could do. I had bought him special notepaper to write to me and he never did, when I asked him to once he snapped and ridiculed me as he thought it was such a trivial thing for me to want. When I finally confessed I wasn't coping and didn't know how to deal, told him my health was deteriorating and I just needed to know a rough time of when he would be back, or needed some more support (I don't really have any IRL and I didn't get support from the army as we weren't married.) he was furious when I said all this. Accused me of breaking up with him, saying I had no empathy for the stressful situation he was in, was so angry it shocked and hurt me to the core. It was like the more upset I was the more angry he was. After a week or so of this I suggested we go on a break til he got back as the miscommunication seemed tto be so damaging (I now deeply regret this as feel it was selfish but literally at the time I couldn't stand this anger coming from him and the fact that in fact he had no empathy for me.)
Within a month he had a date to return to the UK. I asked how/when I could come and meet him off the plane at the base. He never got round to letting me know- he was too busy apparently. He didn't let me know he was back in the UK til he had been there almost a week. He then asked on the Wednesday if I was free on the Friday to meet and talk. I had a work commitment I couldn't get out of and said I couldn't, but asked how he was and how the journey was. His response- "Are you serious?! All that bullshit about priorities and you won't meet me. Bye then". I immediately replied asking why we couldn't do the weekend instead. He simply replied "don't bother contacting me again." All by text. I couldn't believe it. I still can't believe he did that. A month later he still hadnt come to his sense. I was missing him terribly but so hurt from his text I hadn't contacted him. Finally got up the courage and texted him. He responded so furiously and verbally abusively and yet we ended up sleeping together twice, him telling me one minute that I had hurt him so much and was a shit person with no empathy, then next that he loved me and was sorry i suffered so much when he was away. I was so confused about how he twisted it into me having done something unforgivable by not being able to see him when he decided I should. After 2 weeks of hell he texted me to tel me he would be no worse off if he ever saw me again. I've been bereft all over again. Calling him in tears- sometimes he answers and is reassuring, sometimes he won't answer but sends angry texts. Texting him how much I love and miss him, how sorry I am for what I did and begging him to see me. He has stopped responding altogether. I just don't know what to do. My dd calls him daddy- he said in a year it would be like he had never existed to her. I miss him so much, I can't bear how this has played out. I feel racked with guilt. I just want him to understand why I shut him out. I'm still having tests for my lack of periods, I'm still suffering terribly with my bulimia but he just accuses me of having no empathy and making his life hell. I feel so guilty I want to just hurt myself.

Sorry- I know it was long. I just need someone to tell me I didn't deserve this. He slept with me and told me he loved me just 2 weeks ago. I just want to curl up and cry. 2 years meant nothing to him in the end.

OP posts:
Lucked · 14/12/2016 23:08

There is no going back from were this relationship is. Never ever. You are never going to be a happy family and walk off holding hands into the sunset. If this relationship limps on it will anger and recriminations, fights and breaking up. All of which will have a detrimental effect on you and your daughter.

I don't know who you love but it isn't him, not the real him, you are projecting a fantasy onto him and got your blinkers in place and not seeing him. Why would you want this unreliable arsehole to be any sort of father to your dd. He doesn't love you, that is clear. Please stop begging him for crumbs from his table. You need to stop.

Botanicbaby · 14/12/2016 23:15

OP I thought you'd posted about him before or someone else who used to drop everything & spend weekends with army guy always at his bidding.

Agree with PPs he's done you a favour. You & your DD deserve better.

He sounds manipulative, selfish, cruel and a nasty piece of work. A total head fuck. (These types can appear charming when it suits them).

Get help from GP for eating disorder, seek counselling, please block him. Keep posting on here for virtual support if none IRL.

Take care of yourself and your DD and put yourselves above him in list of priorities. I really feel for you & wish you better Flowers

vonny81 · 14/12/2016 23:15

I've not read the other replies, and I'm sure I am not the first person to say this but.... I reckon he wasn't even abroad or where ever he was saying, it sounds like you were his bit on the side and he has kept you dangling till he's finished playing with you.
I'm also guilty of the next point- all you talk about is everything you have done to please him. What has he done to please you. I almost feel like you are having to excuse yourself for contacting him!
This guy has made it clear he doesn't care about you and it must be so hard to hear. I'm going through the same thing myself. It's actually refreshing to try and help someone else having problems instead of wallowing on my own self pity!
He's draining all the good bits from you and now he's spitting you out, concentrate on being a good mum, I have found it so difficult getting my Christmas cheer on, singing decorating etc but the look on my little baby's face is the best medicine

Codeybear2015 · 14/12/2016 23:20

My 16month old constantly throwing things about , any advice on how to try and stop this , hell swipe things off tables sideboards open cupboards...the ones he can get into....swipes the things out there ..throws his bottle and then looks up at you smiling as if hes done something fantastic lol , little monkey but woukd like some advice any please how we can try and stop it xxx

vonny81 · 14/12/2016 23:20

Just read some of the latest comments from you.
He was consoling you, reeling you in, he doesn't give a fuck. It's hurt his ego that you weren't available at his beckon call! Yet it was totally fine for him to not tell you for a week he was in the country!!
All he's trying to do it make you feel like a failure at everything you do, so you will always need him. And you bloody don't. I've had it said to me and I'm saying it to you, find your fight, when you nearly lost your hob did you fight for it. Hell yes! Block the bastard and tell him to use his other spunk bucket

Codeybear2015 · 14/12/2016 23:32

Sorry guys i was trying to post a topic new to rhis sorry again

Nanny0gg · 15/12/2016 00:29

but when we got round to why it ended he returned to the fury he felt at me not meeting him that Friday. It obviously really touches a nerve for him. He cannot forgive me.

Or he is very good at play-acting. Doesn't touch a nerve at all. He's just putting it all on to make you feel responsible.

Don't engage. Ever again.

pklme · 15/12/2016 06:24

You haven't hurt him. No need to feel guilty. You knew than he probably didn't love you. People who love you don't behave like this.

Time to focus on other things. Stop worrying about him, looking after him, trying to please him. Worry about yourself, look after yourself, please yourself. You and DD will be better, safer, happier without him.

Satisfactorylemon · 15/12/2016 06:31

Sorry to be harsh but you need to fucking pull yourself together and focus on your daughter. No more playing families with random dickheads.

ITCouldBeWorse · 15/12/2016 07:43

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

winkywinkola · 15/12/2016 09:10

Of course he was very angry when you didn't meet him.

You weren't at his beck and call like the good little girl you used to be.

You had the guts to say no to this bully.

Block him.

llangennith · 15/12/2016 09:51

OP I'm so sorry for the way you're feeling. None of this is your fault. Sounds like he took up 100% of your head space but you only took up 5% of his. It was easy for him to cut you out of his life by text and want to move on because you were such a small of his life.
Please stop going over the 'what ifs' and 'if onlys'. As others have said, however painful it seems you really must delete all his texts and his number from your phone.
Can you reestablish contact with your mother and spend Christmas with her? If you do, please don't talk nonstop about this vile man.

yestocarrots · 15/12/2016 13:44

Thank you everyone for all your replies this thread has been keeping me going. So much to process. I know he is a good liar (or just a practiced one) as evidenced by small lies in the past as well as the big lie of not breaking up with his ex while starting to see me, he was lying to us both for a while. But he made out that he felt so guilty etc about that so I didn't judge him for it, also I was quite vulnerable and really wanted him to stay with me. But anyway... While I don't think it was so far as him not going on deployment, I think he may have lied about a lot since coming back. and someone who lies cannot necessarily be trusted to be giving an accurate view of what has happened so I am trying to get my head round what you have all pointed out, that he is deliberately trying to turn things round on me. He even said after he had ended it with his ex that he wished she had cheated on him so he had an "excuse" to dump her as they never argued their reltionship was jjst stale. I never really knew why he wanted to be with me if he had had a seemingly rosy relationship, as j had a daughter etc, but I think he may have seen me as an easily manipulated target who was a safe bet.

I know how I felt when he first got back- it felt I was the one not prioritised and I was the one who had been victim of anger and harsh words. I certainly never was looking to see anyone else as he accused. I used to cover up quite a lot of stuff in my life like nights out or even trips away with my family even when he wasn't available, because I would worry he would take it badly. That is a sign he was more controlling than I realised.

When so upset on the phone last night I got him to agree to see me one more time tomorrow but now I think this may be the worst possible thing I could do.

OP posts:
gamerchick · 15/12/2016 14:21

It is but I think you'll do it anyway. He'll either stand you up or try to get you into bed.

In all honesty you really should cancel.

KnowOneNose · 15/12/2016 14:22

When so upset on the phone last night I got him to agree to see me one more time tomorrow but now I think this may be the worst possible thing I could do.

Yes that would absolutely be the worst thing you could do. Confused

Think of all the possible outcomes and tell me if any of them are good. If he is 'nice, to you then you will feel more guilty and you risk getting back with him which would, of course be a stupid thing to do and if he is mean to you then you risk further upset and humiliation.

I don't know why you are so hell bent on continuing with the drama. What do you hope to gain from it?

Try carefully re reading this thread. Continue to Ignore everyone's comments if you must Hmm but at least read what you have written about him. You have to take some responsibility for your own actions. You have a choice to make a stupid decision or a sensible decision. No one can do it for you. (I know that sounds 'victim blaming' but I can't see how else to phrase it - sorry)

If I were you I would cancel the meeting and block him, delete his details and never contact him again. It really is that simple.

yestocarrots · 15/12/2016 14:24

I am not ignoring the comments. I am trying to keep track of my thoughts. It does help to see it all written down.

OP posts:
KnowOneNose · 15/12/2016 14:38

Sorry, I'm being harsh again Blush. I'm finding it frustrating reading 😂 I hope you can understand. I bet you are frustrated with yourself!!

Allalonenow · 15/12/2016 14:58

For pity's sake woman, do not see him tonight! Hmm Confused

ShotsFired · 15/12/2016 15:00

Allalonenow For pity's sake woman, do not see him tonight!

Agreed. Turn your phone off, lock the front door and spend it chatting on here with us. We'll keep you steady!

Allalonenow · 15/12/2016 15:03

If you are determined to see him, which I suspect you are, get your house keys off him straight away, and don't let him fuck you!

HorridHenryrule · 15/12/2016 15:09

If you went to see him tonight what makes you think he won't be mean to you again. Do you trust him relationships is about trust. What you have with him is not a relationship he is using you until some one else comes along. Do you really want to put yourself through that. I would just focus on your daughter.

yestocarrots · 15/12/2016 15:16

I'm not determined to see him. I feel sick at the thought. I don't know why I asked- when he called me after i totally didn't expect him to as he had disappeared for a week, I just broke down and was so relieved and trying to tell him how much I missed him and how confused I was and jjst feeling so terrible. He said he wouldn't meet me at my house which he did last time because he said last time had "made him weak" hence why he said he loved me and slept with me which he "shouldn't have". So I don't think he is planning to try and get me into bed he isn't that much of a psycho. I think he would be relieved if I cancelled. I'm so sure that there is way more than meets the eye and that he is seeing someone else, as he has never before been so cold or refused to see me at home (which is much easier for me in the evenings because of dd). But I just think I would be a mess if I met him and saw how cold he was. Equally I am shocked that I would never see him again. It is all such a mess, I feel sick all the time. I haven't eaten in days really. I never never thought I would be discarded and vilified like this. That I would be having almost a panic attack on the phone and he would hang up in anger (not the first time for that I guess though). I'm struggling so much. I know I sound weak but that's because I am at the moment. The idea of being so used and so dispensable is so painful. It's like when my dd's dad left me pregnant and jobless and alone. I think my self worth died that day. God knows how I come across to this guy now he must think I am truly pathetic and have no dignity, he must know he's treated me badly, and can't believe I can't see it. Just keep thinking of Xmas last year when he was with me the whole period and I felt so happy and safe.

OP posts:
Lucked · 15/12/2016 15:17

Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

Grittlelayrabbit · 15/12/2016 16:43

So he was cheating on the ex girlfriend when he met you?

When someone shows you who they are, believe them.

Woody67 · 15/12/2016 16:45

You are acting like a complete doormat! I understand, I really do, as I behaved in much the same way when someone dumped me years ago. I allowed him to use me because I couldn't bear the thought of letting go.

I cringe now when I look back. Now I'm married to someone else with two lovely kids. You will get over him in time but not until you cut off all contact and stop allowing him to string you along. The relationship is over.