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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

should I leave him?

95 replies

lpoolgirl44 · 07/03/2017 11:59

please be patient...first, and long, post! I have been with my fiancé just over 2 years, first 18 months were great but past 6 months can only be described as an emotional rollercoaster. ill go back to September, sadly I miscarried our baby which was dreadful and I ended up off work for 3 weeks feeling very low. I didn't feel like he was as affected as me, perhaps that started breeding resentment, but like lots of men he isn't one to show/discuss emotions openly.

then we had a family holiday n October with his teenage kids and mine which was disastrous, we just all didn't get along, and my kids (17 and 20) relationship with him, which was never great, deteriorated even further. we had a nightmare trip to Amsterdam over Christmas which involved more bickering than anything else. he was brought up by a very hard man in a large family, his dad used to beat him and there was little love. his dad is now dead but his mums alive, however he has no relationship with her. he can be very verbally aggressive at times, huffing, puffing, eye rolling etc too, which makes me nervous and often scared of doing the 'wrong thing'. I find myself constantly trying to please.

after new year I decided enough was enough, after more upset and silent treatments etc so I left him. we still have our own houses as our kids live with us (separately), we tend me lve in mine during week and his at weekends. I only have my daughter whos 21 now living with me, my son lives with his dad. 2 days after I called it a day he 'got me back' with offers of change/take it slow/promises of counselling. at first taking it slow worked and we just 'dated' January, not living with each other.

come February we had a weekend away and things just took a turn for the worse. I have another older son whos autistic and he lives in supported accommodation, he had some serious problems whilst we were away and I was upset by this, not sure if to head home or not, but I stayed. I had to communicate with my ex husband by phone a few times over this which resulted in snidey comments and silent treatment from fiancé. this leaves me sad and emotionally drained, riddled with anxiety.

the final straw was about 10 days ago on the Friday, we went for a night away to try and make up for the disastrous weekend. however just as we are chatting before dinner we get on to topic of my anxiety (currently signed off work with it) and I told him id talked about it at dinner with a friend that week, who had asked if my partner is supportive and understands me. all I said was that I didn't think he quite 'got it' as many who haven't had it don't, well he hit the roof! stormed back to the hotel with me running behind...this was before dinner! once in the room I got told how i'm a silly bitch, dickhead, awful shag, I stink, he's had better, i'm fat, i'm a moose, i'm an easy lay!!! he was so angry and in my face, calling me a fucking slag, all unfounded as I've never looked at anyone else whilst with him. I was scared and I slapped him, very wrong I know and something I don't do. well he hit me back, knocked me across the room, next day I had a whopping black eye and bruised cheekbone. at this point I decide i'm leaving him.

Next day he's remorseful but i'm just biding my time. on Tuesday I removed all his clothes from my house and went to his knowing he was in work/kids in school, and left his stuff in his with his key and took my stuff. all last week I felt I had done right thing and felt...until yesterday! the expected phone call eventually arrived asking to take me to dinner which I refused. I did agree to meet for a drink to tie up lose ends (got some holidays etc booked) but now I feel so mixed up. I told him how he's scared me recently and is indeed contributing to my anxiety. he seemed so sad and sorry, he offered to go to counselling or anger management (which he offered last time we split but never followed through). he asked could he please take me for dinner tonight but I just feel im not ready as I don't know what to do. what I realised is I do love him, I think he is a very emotionally scarred man, his last wife and gf both cheated on him, is this why I get labelled a slag/slut too I wonder? also my family especially mum are delighted I have left him and don't want me going back, just feel in such a mess and wanted bit of advice from people un associated with us. sorry for the ramble x

OP posts:
HerOtherHalf · 07/03/2017 14:53

Can I just clarify, I was not calling you stupid so please don't take it like that.
You are in an abusive relationship. One of the first things to go is the victim's confidence and self-esteem. That is why you are doubting yourself. He has done that to you. If you go back it will only get worse. Your self-esteem will continue to be eroded and his abuse will escalate because he is learning that you will let him away with it. Look at what you've told us so far. Every time he persuades you to go back he gets worse, not better. That is the reality of abusive relationships. It will never get better, only worse.

NameChange30 · 07/03/2017 14:54

Obviously you need to end it.
Do the Freedom Programme and/or get some counselling. You really really need to work on your boundaries and self-esteem.

Stormtreader · 07/03/2017 15:02

Hes crying because he liked having you to push around and sleep with, and now youve taken that away. Dont get reeled back in.

lpoolgirl44 · 07/03/2017 15:07

ah no don't worry, no offence taken

OP posts:
PoochiePie · 07/03/2017 15:17

First of all, I'm really sorry you've been going through all of this.

I do however have to say, I think you should leave him.

My mum is in a very similar sounding relationship, and has been in it now for 9 years. Continually breaking up then back together, verbal and physical abuse at times, cycle of remorse/repeat behaviour. She is a shell of her former self - a lady I once felt was strong and brave, and now a timid creature that bends to the will of this man - who honestly can not love her like she loves him - otherwise he would not do these things to her. They had a whirlwind marriage, engaged in 6m, married within a year. The things you describe are almost identical, and they have only gotten worse. I think it would have been easier for her to leave early on, but now they are married and have a house together and a dog together, there are so many ties that she never manages to break free before he put on the good behaviour and she goes back.

Have you thought about seeing a counsellor together? If you are adamant that you want this to work, then you (and him especially) sound like there are issues that need to be worked through in order to have a healthy relationship? X

AttilaTheMeerkat · 07/03/2017 15:20

Poochie

OP needs to leave this man immediately and never let him back into her life under any circumstances.

Joint counselling is NEVER recommended where there is abuse of any type within the relationship.

hellsbellsmelons · 07/03/2017 15:20

I would also look into Clare's Law and see if he has any previous abuse on record.
Can you get in contact with his Ex's?
I think that would be a real eye opener for you as well.
But you already have the 'proof' you need to stop this abusive relationship in it's tracks.
Block, ignore, delete.
He is bringing you and your DC nothing but misery.
So why oh why aren't you just ending it?
Stop taking his calls. If he manages to get through then just hand up immediately.
Sounds easy I know! I also realise it might not be that easy for you.
But it should be.

InTheMoodForLove · 07/03/2017 15:33

OP please do not see him " to discuss the loose ends "

gosh... overtime I read of a woman thinking to meet their ex "one last time" it sends shiver to my back, as so often it turns into a total nightmare if not worse

lpoolgirl44 · 07/03/2017 15:34

I've had him checked under Clare's law and nothing came up...another story how that arose. But someone had make serious allegations hence police involvement

OP posts:
hellsbellsmelons · 07/03/2017 15:47

Oh dear - so he has a history of violence.
Run away!!!!
Seriously.

lpoolgirl44 · 07/03/2017 16:05

His last gf who he was with 18 years (2 kids) had told her partner he was violent, even so far as to cause rape. Her ex partner anonymously message me on fb so I reported to police. Obviously only found out afterwards who had sent message

OP posts:
HumpMeBogart · 07/03/2017 16:19

A shit childhood, or any other kind of abusive relationship is no excuse to abuse another.

This. I had a shit childhood. I've never abused anyone. I'd hate to make anyone feel the way I felt as a kid. I've had counselling to sort out my issues because I'm responsible for my choices and my happiness and I want things to get better for me. That's what adults do. This violent piece of shit is not an adult. He's currently incapable of kindness or love or understanding - it's all about him. He needs help - but not your help.

As is often said on here (in a different context):

  • you didn't cause his problems
  • you can't cure him
  • you can't control this situation

Please cut him out of your life before he puts you in hospital or worse

thethoughtfox · 07/03/2017 17:12

He may feel sad but these feelings will likely turn to anger and blame pretty quickly. You don't want to be around when that happens again.

lpoolgirl44 · 07/03/2017 22:01

I know Sad. Had a delivery of flowers today too. Too little too late

OP posts:
SandyY2K · 07/03/2017 22:41

You shouldn't give him another chance. He's not going to change and even if he became Mr. Wonderful tomorrow, the damage is done.

He totally lost it for you to fly across the room like that.

Please be done with the relationship, before you end up dead or very seriously injured.

RandomMess · 07/03/2017 22:50

If you stay with this man he will cost you your relationship with your DC, run for the hills!

pillowcase6 · 07/03/2017 23:19

Please please please leave him.

He might be a good, kind person who's had a shit childhood. But that is utterly irrelevant. His behaviour is dangerous and abusive, and it's not your responsibility to endanger your physical and mental health just because he can't manage his issues.

He needs to sort out his own life, and you should not be in it. You absolutely do deserve to live in safety, health and with dignity.

buttercuphunny · 07/03/2017 23:27

Walk

RedastheRose · 07/03/2017 23:33

He is an abuser, he is manipulative and he lies to you. Go no contact with him. You will feel sad because the person you thought you were in love with doesn't exist. Unfortunately he is a bully who thinks he can treat you like crap then just say sorry and cry and you will forgive him. The abuse will only get worse! Your kids don't like him so you will never be able to have a proper family where you all live together and he is in no way a support to you. I would bet that both of his ex's suffered similar abuse and may well not have cheated on him either. He just had to have an excuse why it wasn't his fault that those relationships broke down.

lpoolgirl44 · 07/03/2017 23:44

Thank you for all the replies, they have really helped. I know it may seem mad I appeared to even question what to do...but when you have had good times you sometimes cling on with the last glimmer of hope Sad. Tomorrow I cut off all contact and step out on my own. Scary, but not as scary as what happened last week in that hotel room...

OP posts:
LineysRun · 08/03/2017 00:01

You'll have lots of support here, OP.

lpoolgirl44 · 08/03/2017 00:34

Thank you Smile

OP posts:
AnyFucker · 08/03/2017 05:31

You are doing the right thing

PreemptiveSalvageEngineer · 08/03/2017 06:27

Well done, Iooolgirl.

Wise women, can anybody send our lovely OP some links? I've got power and control wheel (finally!) here, as well as cycle of violence. Ahem, spot how textbook he is? Right down to the flowers (which, BTW, you need to get out of the house - bring them to a retirement home maybe?).

And spot, in the violence section, that a crime has been committed? Because it has. You would be well within your rights to call the police. Doesn't matter that you slapped him, from what I read. Huge difference between that and a punch that throws you across the room and gives you a black eye. You need protection, and crocodile tears and "I had a shit childhood" will not work with these guys. I do, however, highly recommend you speak directly with the domestic violence team, rather than just the first guy who picks up the phone - not everybody has had the right training.

Getting the police involved may well not get to court, for instance, but he would probably be arrested and put on bail conditions, one of which is to not contact you. You need this. Have you tried telling him to stop contacting you? If not, why not? If so, why is he ignoring this? You may need a non-mol order in the coming days, and police involvement will help fast-track this.

Calling the police will also help you with a paper trail, and will probably also flag up your address, if you need to make a 999 call in future.

Further, if the next woman (and there will be one) feels the need for a Clare's Law check, she'll be in a much better position to make an informed decision than you were.

BTW, anger management. >snort< They all say that. But if he doesn't bkacken the policeman's eye, or call his boss a fucking slag, or roll his eyes and huff and "hit the roof" at his mates? He can control himself, but he doesn't think you worthy of it. The nice guy of the first 18 months was a sham - who he really is is the last-6-months guy.

Stay strong!

should I leave him?
should I leave him?
hellsbellsmelons · 08/03/2017 08:27

I sincerely hope you do cut all contact with this......
When you have a wobble come on here and we can talk to you and help you through the wobble.