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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

Support thread for those of us having to 'co-parent' with a narc or very difficult exh thread 4

913 replies

Lilacpink40 · 13/12/2016 21:15

Hi allSmile

OP posts:
KenzieBoosMummy · 11/01/2017 22:34

Natsku HOW do you record calls? I use an iPhone that doesn't have that feature and I can't find an App that actually works! X

Froginapan · 11/01/2017 22:48

TapeACall Pro, Kenzie.

KenzieBoosMummy · 11/01/2017 22:59

Thanks FroginaPan! Does it record incoming calls at all? X

Natsku · 12/01/2017 07:38

I use ACR but don't know if its available on iPhone but it records all calls.

Just bloody typical dusters Grin definitely time for you to start exercising a lot more, around his house.

PurpleThursday · 12/01/2017 08:26

Hmmmm dusters. I think we need to step this up a gear (remember we are only aiming for the odd giggle on a night out and a bit of company- not marriage!) Is he due round to do some more work soon then?

Natsku · 12/01/2017 12:01

Have an "accident" outside his house so he swoops out to help you?

GMB want me to do it on Monday! Really short notice, kinda shitting myself now!

PurpleThursday · 12/01/2017 15:18

OMG Monday! I guess it is topical. And maybe best for you to just get it over and done with.

Natsku · 12/01/2017 16:00

Makes sense. Trying to figure out travel arrangements now.

Namechanger2015 · 12/01/2017 18:49

I had a read of your brothers story Natsku sending you good vibes and strength to deal with this. Monday sounds great, in that it would have been stressful whenever it happens but this way it will be done and dusted before you know it.

My dramas continue as ex hired a crap cheap barrister for our case on Monday, who has spent today emailing the judge directly and arguing with the judge about some decisions they made in court, and trying to overturn these.

Stressful for me as I have no idea whether the court orders will now stand or not, and no doubt very annoying for the judge as well. Solicitor things his and his barrister ma crappy behaviour works in our favour but none of it is logical thinking which scares me. He is always going to believe he is right and above the laws that us mere human beings adhere to.

Natsku · 12/01/2017 18:52

Pretty common I reckon with WNs, the law is for other, lesser people and not such wonderful godlike men such as them.

nicenewdusters · 12/01/2017 20:13

Monday sounds good Nats Less time to think about it, just hope you can beat the snow.

I like your phrase about me exercising a lot more around his house. That gave me visions of doing star jumps in his sitting room.... "Oh hi HJM, don't mind me, just my New Year fitness regime." We've had quite a lot of snow today, so I could engineer a sledging mishap. If I take a run up I could end up in his porch ! Likely to be no school tomorrow so may see him out and about in the snow.

To answer your question Purple. He is due to finish something off work wise but it's all weather dependent, and not urgent. I meant to ask yesterday if you got your car fixed after the accident. Was it anything major?

Name I didn't realise a barrister could contact the judge afterwards. Hope it does go in your favour, but it's just more stress in the meantime as you say.

PurpleThursday · 12/01/2017 21:48

Hi dusters, car was ok after that mishap but has now developed a stream of other issues. Been in the garage for days and is going to cost a fortune - arguably more than it is worth but I don't have enough to buy a new one so no choice.

V hard day today. DS continues to have no contact with WN and frustrations are building for him being left out. I have just been called a shit mother and told to F Off amongst other things after asking him to eat some of his salad with his pizza. So currently having some time out (me). So hard to discipline him as I just get a load of abuse, but obviously I can't let him get away with talking to me like dirt (years of watching WN call me names doesn't help) I'm not at all convinced I can succeed at this single parenting malarkey.

PurpleThursday · 12/01/2017 21:49

Hi dusters, car was ok after that mishap but has now developed a stream of other issues. Been in the garage for days and is going to cost a fortune - arguably more than it is worth but I don't have enough to buy a new one so no choice.

V hard day today. DS continues to have no contact with WN and frustrations are building for him being left out. I have just been called a shit mother and told to F Off amongst other things after asking him to eat some of his salad with his pizza. So currently having some time out (me). So hard to discipline him as I just get a load of abuse, but obviously I can't let him get away with talking to me like dirt (years of watching WN call me names doesn't help) I'm not at all convinced I can succeed at this single parenting malarkey.

Natsku · 13/01/2017 06:53

Oh Purple that sounds rough. I forget, how old is your DS? Tough to discipline especially when you know he's feeling hurt but can't let him take it out on you either.

PurpleThursday · 13/01/2017 08:04

12 nats

Natsku · 13/01/2017 08:05

Ah, difficult age, 12 year olds can be horrible at times even in the best of circumstances.

PurpleThursday · 13/01/2017 08:27

It's not going to get any easier though is it? 13, 14, 15, 16 it's just going to get harder and harder. If he's treating me with such disrespect now while he is small (physically) still. Where will this end? A friend was putting the fear of God in me last night saying that he was going to end up giving me a nervous breakdown and this was all unfair on other DC and I should look at putting him in care as his F wouldn't have him. I can't do that! I just don't seem to have any options, he's been offered Counselling at school and outside and refuses, I can't force him. SS were useless. Nobody wants to know as his behaviour isn't 'extreme'. I can't do this alone for years.

Natsku · 13/01/2017 10:49

Could you make the counselling a condition of getting something that he really wants? So if he goes to counselling for a certain number of sessions he gets new game/phone/something that he really really wants? Perhaps family counselling as well? That's a shame that SS are no help, that's exactly the kind of thing they help with over here.

Natsku · 13/01/2017 11:47

Phew, my tv thing has been postponed because of your weather crisis and NHS crisis breathes a sigh of relief Grin

nicenewdusters · 13/01/2017 13:06

Purple My dd is almost 12. She's a gentle soul but every now and again I see a flash of the (angry?) teenager to come. It's really hard. Like you, although I can usually see what's upset her, I too refuse to be spoken to harshly. I usually let her stew for a bit, then give her a hug. I can feel her sighing with relief, and she's usually trying not to cry.

We've had several chats about how I understand that it's difficult for her that me and dad aren't together. I've stressed however that I also have to live with the consequences, and that she doesn't get to take out her anger on me. I've told her it's alright to be cross, but that I won't accept attitude or sarcasm.

I know your situation is different though because DS doesn't want to see WN. I remember when you were posting last year, and after the court case, that you were so upset that now your dc would be split. It's such a horrible position for your DS to be in, the feeling of rejection must be great. That's just the kind of thing a good counsellor could work with, such a shame he won't go.

FWIW I can't believe your friend suggested putting him in care ! Yes, just what he needs, to be totally ousted from his family. As they say on MN, is she on glue? Are your parents in a position to have a gentle chat with him? I don't mean a face-to-face sit down, more of a casual "accidental" chat about how things are etc. Sorry if that sounds idealistic.

PurpleThursday · 13/01/2017 13:48

Thanks dusters. Wonderful support as always. There really isn't anyone for him to talk to, that's what is so hard. But he won't open up anyway. He is becoming more and more withdrawn inside himself and I worry where it will end or how he will face even harder teenage years ahead of him.

That friend in particular is generally so supportive of me but I think got worried because I was just in floods of tears saying I didn't know what to do or who to ask for help.

I'm hoping that this is all a phase and I feel so rocked and damaged by all of the court bullshit that my confidence in myself is zero. Also hoping this is a phase for my DS and things will level out as our lives settle down. It just feels this 'phase' has gone on for quite a while - although Court was recent WN moved out 18mths ago. The problem at the moment is if he is rude and I, for example, ban him from his iPad for x time, what then? He was shouting at me that I 'go on' at him to cause a row just to give him a ban (I asked him once to try and eat some salad) and then he says he has nothing to lose now as he is banned anyway. He also sneaked into my room last night and took his iPad back. He's never done that before. Normal teenager pushing boundaries maybe but what is my next level of 'punishment' ? I have no one to back me up or support me, when he tells me I'm a shit Mum and I have ruined his life (although he apologises later) it really hurts me. How am I going to cope with even worse teenage behaviour if he won't show me any respect? It seems so hopeless.

nicenewdusters · 13/01/2017 20:32

Purple, I've been thinking about your last post since I read it.

Firstly, that was an insensitive thing to say about your friend, apologies.

All I keep thinking is that, ironically, the only person who can really say to your DS that it's not him, he's done nothing wrong etc, is WN. From everything you've posted it seems pointless to think he could say anything constructive or positive to your DS. Yet it would seem that it's his apparent rejection by WN that is possibly causing him so much trouble.

Hopefully it's just a phase, bound up with the usual teenage angst. But you don't need it in your life, nobody does. Does your DS belong to any groups or organisations, such as scouts or a sports team for example. Might he find some sort of outlet there, some positive male role models? I know they'd all be a poor substitute for a father figure, but perhaps as part of a bigger picture it might help.

PurpleThursday · 13/01/2017 21:20

Thanks dusters - don't worry about friend comment, I met my best friend this afternoon who I haven't seen for ages and really needed some support from but that's another thred and she said the exact same thing as you! I had to defend other friend a bit too because I know they were shocked to see me so upset and having known me for most of my life I really think they said it to try and find a way to spare me the stress - they also know how utterly appallingly WN x 2 have behaved to my DS

I am so concerned about positive male role models in his life. He does do a couple of sporting clubs run by men, they don't know our personal situation though but they do know how sensitive he can be and have been lovely if I have asked them. I was crying to BF (best friend ) today about the loss of father role for DS and how damaging that would be especially at his age and she convinced me in 10 seconds that he really did not need that kind of WN role model in his life.

It was a bad day I guess, I have been quite ill in bed for first time in years, work pressures, money issues, constant WN worries, maybe I just needed a huge wet cheek session to let all the emotion out.

DS is very calm and polite today. It's always the way when he has had a little storm, it obviously needs to come out. I am going to watch something quickly with him he is desperate to see on my iPad in a sec, bit of 1-1 and lay down some new house rules that are simpler and on a 5 point system that don't lead to 'You Are Banned From Every Piece Of Electrical Equipment For Life!!' Scenarios in the heat of the moment Grin

Thank you for thinking of me Dusters Wine

greencarbluecar · 13/01/2017 21:35

purple (((hugs))) I'm so exhausted with it all I can't think of anything to say, and I can't add anything to the usual wisdom from dusters anyway, but wanted to send you virtual support.

Thank you everyone for your kind words. He's outdone himself in the WN stakes. Can't say too much in case it's outing.

Hope everyone is coping.

Nat that is the best DM sad face I've ever seen. If there was an award, you'd get it. Live replication on GMB when the time comes please. Fingers crossed it helps your brother Flowers

nicenewdusters · 13/01/2017 22:34

Green wish things were better for you. Do you have RL support?