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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

Why is my life continually going down the pan/don't know how much more I can take..PLEASE help.

101 replies

Flammingstar · 03/09/2017 22:52

First of all I am sorry for the long post. It is rather complicated and I do have a tendency to waffle!

It's been one thing after another for most of my life, I feel that I am so close to breaking point and I don't know what to do or how to cope.
I was born in a small valleys community when my mother was very young. As a consequence, my mother had to give up her party lifestyle and her opportunity to go to Uni which was rare in a small community during the 70's.
I can not remember much of my childhood except that I was always scared and I tried my best to be invisible because I always felt like a nuisance. I do remember several occasions where I huddled in a corner while she screamed at me till my ears rang and times where I bolted up the stairs to my room or the bathroom before she hit me. I remember one occasion where she slapped me across the face so hard my face stung for hours. I was always made to feel like I didn't matter and wasn't important.
When I became an adult, she criticized me continually. Everything I did was wrong. I did my best to distance myself and at 16 I moved in with my Grandparents. I don't know what I would have done without my wonderful Grandmother. She tried to defend me, but I think that even she was scared of her. I never, ever remember feeling loved or wanted, apart from by my lovely Grandmother who did what she could and was my saviour bless her.
.
When I was 17 I met my first bf. He was 2 years older than me and when he finished at uni he was offered a Grad position with a good company a long way from home..we discussed it and decided that he would move to the new location, see how it goes and in 2 months I would join him.
I joined him and for a while we were happy, but he was homesick. A year or so later we returned home when he received a job offer with a fab wage he could not refuse.
We moved back home, got engaged and bought a home. I hoped that this was the start of our lives together, good jobs, a move house, marriage and eventually children. Everything most people dream of.
However that was not to be.....we'd been together over 7 years when he went on a course with work, met 'her' and had an affair. When I found out, we had a massive row and split up.
I had to move out of the home I loved and I was devastated. Unfortunately it also meant that I had to go back to my mother because i had no one else to turn to.
I again moved out as soon as I was able. Unlike a normal/loving mother. The parent I craved, she was not there for me at all. It was always about her. I was desperate for support and for someone to cuddle me, but this was never forthcoming. It was like she never gave a damn if I was upset or hurting.
It is worth me adding here that I did not have any siblings, nor did she or my Grandparents so we were a very small family.
Soon as I could get enough money together I again moved out and got a little flat and a reasonably well paid job.... however i lost my job when my (abusive) bf threw me down the stairs causing very bad injuries inc a broken wrist and a very badly damaged knee. This meant that I had to take a lot of time off sick and inable to fulfil the contract.
I then again moved back to my hometown and had to go back home.. I then decided that I wanted to pursue a degree and started a access course at the local college. I then started at Uni and lived in student accomodation for a while.
During the tough, stressful university years I had no support, financial or otherwise. I'm fact she rarely even got in touch..
By this time both my dear Grandparents were in their 80's and in a poor state of health and unable to be there for me.

I once said to my mother why do you hate me so much?? I am a good person, I work hard, do my best etc, I can't do anymore. I could be a prostitute, thief, murderer etc, why? I don't get it.
I did not receive any real response apart from a mumbled "i don't hate you" and she made me feel even more of a failure as usual. I don't ever remember hearing the words I love you.

When I finished the degree, I started work and met what I thought was a nice guy it was initially a fling fora few months and I really liked him. I later found out that he was sleeping with multiple other women. This was roughly around the time that I discovered I was pregnant.
He didn't want to know and made it clear that he would not support me. I was 36 at this point and i had always desperately wanted children but doubted it would happen.
When I had a heavy bleed at 3/4 weeks and they thought I was miscarrying, I was devastated and i rang him because I had no one else to turn to. He said that he would be at the hospital in 15 mins but failed to turn up.
I had an horrendous 25hr wait to find out whether my beautiful baby was safe or not.
At 19/20 weeks I then had a very late amnoicentecis procedure because some test results had flagged up something unusual.
Two weeks later I had a call at work from a consultant at anti natal saying that I need to see her urgently.
I went to see her and it materialised that the baby had a chromosomal disorder which was very rare.
They were unable to deternine whether the baby was male or female at this stage. The 'disorder" was very difficult to get my head around, but it affected the sex chromosomes that determined determines whether the baby is male/female. For that reason, the female of the disorder is badly affected with a long list of horrendous issues.... known as 'Turners syndrome'.
I was offered a termination at this stage.
If the baby is male it could be that he is severely affected or not at all. It was therefore essential to determine that the baby I was carrying was male. This was established and I decided to go ahead with the pregnancy.
When my gorgeous boy was born, my mother forced herself into being my birthing partner because I did not have anyone else and as I was vulnerable I felt I need what kotrle support she offered.

When gorgeous son was born she interfered and even prevented the midwife from placing him skin to skin. It was.like she owned us both.. the following morning early when I was trying to get my boy to breastfeed, one of the HCA's that was trying to help noticed some breathing issues and my son was placed in special care.
He remained there for 48 hr and was eventually deemed to be ok though with a minor heart prob that needed to be observed.
We were released from hospital and that is when my probs really began.
At this point I was renting a lovely home that was actually owned by my mother. One of 5 buy to let properties that she owned. She had a set of keys and let herself in whenever she wanted..
In the meantime I was exhausted, struggling in all ways, no support or help whatsoever, financial difficulties and in hindsight prob PND too.
I was really struggling, it was overwhelming but I did not want to ask for help because I did not want to be judged and I did not want to be a failure. That is how she always made me feel

However, bit by bit she was undermining me. Everytime she was near us, everything I did was wrong. I was useless/hopeless/a bad mother/a stupid Bitch/a did not care about my son/didn't know what was best for him. She wore me down and made me feel like crap.
I started to resent her and we had arguments. I told her that if she came to my home to have a go she was not welcome and could stay away.. Any breaches of this would result in changing the locks and she would not be allowed to see her Grandson.
After this I received 4 anon calls to social services with accusations that I was abusing my child.
Social services were absolute Bastards
....indtead of offering the support that I was desperate for, they lies and said that they would protect me.and my son

During this time, my mother was not allowed any contact with my son but that didn't stop her following us everywhere, attemping to collect my son from nursery when she was not allowed and even trtomg to get in on a medical appointment and s mothef/toddler group that I was taking part in.
She even paid one of the other mothers to report back what was said..apparently because I said that my son was not sleeping, I was exhausted and i could kill him that meant that I was a danger to him
I even tried to get the police to slap an harassmnt order on her but as it was my own mother apparently it was not true.

Out of the blue, I suddenly received solicitors papers notifying me that she had made a court app to obtain residence (custody) of my son shortly followed by papers for possession of my home/eviction.. The hearings for both were within 2 days.. I had to borrow thousands for a solicitor/ barrister while she had the best and I lost. I lost my precoius, wonderful, only son and my lovely home in the same week..i almost lost it and sadly I did attempt at this point to take my life..i spent 3 days in hospital feeling like shit and I never felt so alone and isolated or low in my entire life.
Fast forward 5 years and things have not got any better. I have been continually prevented from seeing my son.....even attempts to see school pics or reports have been stopped (he goes to private school and she pays the fees)
In the meantime I am struggling working part time on min wage with depression and a severe bad back (2.proplapsed.discs) and it seems like it's one thing after another. Everything is a continual, constant struggle...i don't have anyone and 8 feel so isolated alone and totally empty.
I am so desperate to be loved and wsnged. I am '43, I have fuck all.to offer anyone and I am going to be alone and lonely forever..
No one wants this depressed, sad Bitch and they never will..
All men ever want is to shag and nothing else

Ps. I am not on medication as I hate the side effects and I have had counselling.
I have also recently lost a job I loved and had been at for 8 years or more. I am devastated...i am pursuing a case of unfair dismissal through employment tribunal. Its one thing after another with nooooooo let up in my life ever. I feel likeI need to be cut a fucking break.
I've really had enough big time.

Any help would be so appreciated. I feel like I am just a short step away from breakdown atm.
.

OP posts:
Flammingstar · 03/09/2017 23:05

So sorry for the errors/typos. I am crying typing the post. How much more so I have to deal with ffs
I can not see any change to the situation ay all and it's too much.

OP posts:
chewiecat · 03/09/2017 23:15

I am so sorry for what your mother has done to you. It must be so hard to have to go through this. Please stay strong Flowers

Flammingstar · 03/09/2017 23:26

Thank you Chewie
I don't feel very strong atm to be honest. I feel alone and isolated

OP posts:
MopedManiac · 03/09/2017 23:28

Hi hon. I am so sorry you have been through all this! It shows how strong you are though that you keep going. x
It might be worth looking at the forum on the Women's Aid site as there are boards for women who are survivors of familial abuse not only partner abuse; it is a very supportive place where you can talk through things with women who've been / or going through similar situations.
Big hugs n hang in there x

Flammingstar · 03/09/2017 23:46

During the court hearing for my precious son she has the blind cheek to say that I had a good childhood and was not abused. Her costly barrister then made great efforts to tear me apart and make out that because when I was a child social services were not involved it didn't happen.
Ohhhhhh yessssss like in the early 70's social services actually gave a crap..
If the child looked ok to ss during this time, they prob were.

OP posts:
ItsAllAboutThePace · 03/09/2017 23:48

Sorry, I don't understand how a court can remove a child.....within 2 days?

Flammingstar · 03/09/2017 23:50

As a result I am really worried about my son being brought up by the cold evil Bitch..My only saving grace is that ss are involved and although they are still useless bastards, they are now a lot more switched on and he goes to a fantastic school with small class sizes and if there was anything wrong they would notice.

OP posts:
Flammingstar · 03/09/2017 23:54

It's all about the pace
I didn't say that....i was not able to post the whole story on the thread as it would have been 2 pages long. If you read the post I said that I lost my home and son in the same week. Prior to the 'final' hearing where the barristers were involved there were 2 very brief but very stressful and awful court hearings.
Does it matter??

OP posts:
ItsAllAboutThePace · 03/09/2017 23:59

I'm just thinking there must be more to it that's all ( having been through court system/cafcass etc, and a good friend has also just lost her child through courts)

It's never a quick process without extenuating circa really

I'm sorry you are going through this. My friend is lost. It's horrible

Do you have any contact?

Flammingstar · 04/09/2017 00:08

The court system is a fucking joke. I was a mess but was there any support from any source, was there hell

OP posts:
Flammingstar · 04/09/2017 00:18

No contact.... which was my choice sort of. I was ordered to attend mediation with the Bitch but she continually made it impossible for me. For example when I arrived to collect my belongings from my former home, she only allowed me to take some selected things then proceeded to call me a "bitch/parasite/wish I had died when I tried to top myself/useless/the world would have been better without me
/my son is happy and thriving withiut his stupid mother who doesn't give a shit etc.
After I had not long been discharged from hospital these comments nearly broke me.

...........after i collected the few belongings she allowed me to have, she then called the police on allegations that I had stolen her mobile while I was collecting my belongings (another disgusting lie)

Hie the hell is it possible to mediate with this?????

OP posts:
Violet111 · 04/09/2017 00:31

My God you have been through hell, I am so sorry, why did she go from Grandmother to getting custody of your son, how did she manage that?! I'm assuming she had a "good" barrister who used your exhaustion and possible pnd somehow to justify it?! So she rejected you but wanted her Grandson from you and then took him from you, how much more can one person crush you, I'm so sorry you've been through so much, I wish I knew more about the courts and custody to help somehow. I'm sure someone here can help advise you on these, and also on any places where you can get some help and support right now, sorry I wish I could help more myself, I really really feel for you and admire your bravery in everything you've been through xx

Flammingstar · 04/09/2017 00:45

Thank you soooooo much violet111 your support and care means the world..
I often wonder how I have got through it myself tbh, it's nearly killed me.
Aside from anything else my local council were useless when she made me homeless.
I was housed in b&b for 6 weeks and then told to leave because I was not 'priority'.
If it had not been for a friend allowing me to sleep on her sofa I would have been on the street.

OP posts:
GriefLeavesItsMark · 04/09/2017 00:50

This sounds like a very difficult situation.

Flammingstar · 04/09/2017 00:54

I am wondering if I need anti depressants at the moment tbh. I have resisted the temptation to take what I personally.consider to be the 'easy' option (not.taking away the need for those who feel they are necessary) and I hate the enotionless/robotic/unfeeling-ness that they give as well as the horrible side effects and having to be on them for 6 months at least, but at the same time I feel like I am not coping and the loss of the job is the final straw.
I feel like a zombie at the moment. I am continually.going round and round trying not to burst into tears so I hold it back and 'act' which doesn't make me feel real if that makes any sense

OP posts:
Totallyconfused2 · 04/09/2017 01:34

Oh my gosh poor you. Can you consider reapplying to the court for your son back?

Flammingstar · 04/09/2017 01:42

I don't have a job and barely have a home atm (renting a shared house) and as I don't pay for exceptional private school fees and have not seen him for 3 years I would say.that the court awarding me custody is not a chance in hell to be honest.
Plus the process nearly killed me. I ended up in hospital. I am not strong enough to go through that again plus it's not affordable

OP posts:
Flammingstar · 04/09/2017 01:43

Whatever happens I can't win, everything is against me

OP posts:
Whyiseverynameinuse · 04/09/2017 03:00

OP this is horrific. I'm so sorry for all that has happened in your life. It sounds like anti-depressants and some kind of therapy could be a good starting point. You need lots of support to even attempt to turn this round. Have you posted on the Stately Homes thread at all? Lots of posters there will understand you. And maybe on legal thread they can point you in right direction for advice support with regard to your son? Keep strong OP. Hopefully you hear from posters who have come through similar or can give better advice and supportFlowers

SkylarFalls · 04/09/2017 03:50

Op, all these things that happened to you, they all have a common denominator: her!

You're not unlovable or unlucky or un-anything else xx

DoIDontIhavethetalk · 04/09/2017 06:38

O
I am so so sorry. My background is similar in lots of ways and I ended up with abusive men too and a transient life. As a result I'm probably going to lose my children.

It is horrific having your history being completely rewritten by abusers and the system continues to fail survivors (who are mainly women) because they end up crumbling and are painted as crazy and incapable. It is appalling. I've spent a lot of time talking to other survivors, DV support charities etc and the same stories come out again and again - the system supports the abusers due to ignorance and a lack of joined up services.

Perhaps this may come across as controversial, but you have already been through so much and these people are so hard to fight: have you thought about walking away? Some battles you cannot win without it being of great cost: if you walk away before there is completely nothing left of you, build yourself a new life, then one day - when your child is older - you can find each other and explain and rebuild then?

Flammingstar · 04/09/2017 11:44

DoIDontIhavethetalk

That is exactly what it is like. Social services initially said that they would support me and help me to overcome her "intimidation" (their words) and then everything changed when she manipulated them too. She was an expert at manipulation. My friend even mentioned that she was paying (bribing) them.
Things would have been so different if ss had actually supported me and helped me to escape her clutches.
Obviously when she started eviction proceedings it was inevitable that I was going to lose my son because I did not have a secure home.
I wrote letter after letter to my MP, head of social services, the minister for children and families and head of the NSPCC and others and none of them cared enough to even reply. I was so let down by those that are there to protect children. It's shameful.

I have unfortunately had to walk away. I was emotionally drained and at breaking point. I couldn't take anymore.
The guilt that I now feel for abandoning my precious boy is completely unbearable though and it kills me. I miss him desperately.
It's one trauma after another in my life continually and I don't know how many more times I can pick myself up and get on with things.

OP posts:
NothingRhymesWithOrange · 04/09/2017 13:51

Other posters have given some great advice (post on legal board, read stately homes thread, remember that she is the common denominator in all of the horror you've been through) so won't repeat that. Just two suggestions / questions:

  1. Have you thought about trying to get regular access rather than full custody (apologies if I've missed this in your posts)? Would SURELY be far harder for her / a court to deny you one evening a week or whatever than full custody? And would mean you could begin to build a gradual relationship with your DS again.

  2. You're very articulate and clearly very intelligent. I wonder if it would help you to write down what happened - partly because you might find it cathartic, and partly because when your son asks why his grandmother brought him up / what happened to you - you'd have something to give him that tells him how things really were, how much you've always loved him, and how you never wanted to lose him - regardless of what your 'mother' has told him.

Very very best of luck. I'm so sorry you and your son have been through so much Flowers

Flammingstar · 04/09/2017 14:08

NothingRhymesWithOrange
Thank you so much for your advice and support. Everyone that posts that gives advice or reassurance helps pick me up just a little so thank you.
In relation to your questions, I have kept everything in relation to the case to show my son when he is old enough to be able to process it with no emotional harm.
I also send cards and presents to him regularly although I am unsure if he received them.
Financially things are extremely difficult and I have bought presents etc for him only to discover afterwards that they are listed on her eBay selling page.
In terms of re-establishing contact. I don't feel that I can just walk back into his life after 3 years without causing harm.
Also I am really not in a good place in any way at the moment and I don't feel strong enough emotionally to deal with her. She frightens me. Plus financially I am only just keeping a roof over my head (housing issues ongoing too) so it is not affordable to go back to court and all the expense that entails.
I walked away because all the arguments and dysfunction around us and all the upset was causing my son harm. I did it because I thought that it was the right thing to do at the time.

OP posts:
SomeBerryJam · 04/09/2017 16:22

I literally am lost for words op. I cannot believe you have had to go through all of that. I honestly don't know what to say NothingRhymesWithOrange has suggested some really good points. Other pp have said some good things too. I just can't believe that social services won't do more to help you. I thought they were there to support parents/ carers with children. I also thought that they tried their best to help the child stay with the parents...clearly not in your case. You read these things about children who have suffered awful abuse and violence only for the child to have died before anything was done, yet in your case it doesn't sound like that, it just sounds like your mother has been doing all the talking and manipulating and SS just going along with it.

I'm so sorry op. Not sure what advice I can give you except keep fighting as hard as you can. Harass social services everyday to get regular contact. Don't make it so that when Your boy is older, your mom can tell him you didn't try. Write every birthday card, write every Christmas card. Don't let your mom ever get away with this. You keep trying to get contact. At least it will be down in record in years to come that you really tried.
Flowers Cake

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