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Relationships

Is it my fault ? Should I move in with him ? Or end it once and for all ?

220 replies

piginthemiddle · 11/12/2017 01:31

Need some things put into perspective Mumsnetters.

My DS dad really wants us to move in together. We are both 24. He wants us to settle down officially and make a go of it, to move on from the past, let go and look forward to the future. Sounds great ? My heart is telling me to go for it, give DS dad a proper chance to be a dad...be family and him taking a part, fully, in DS care. However, my head is telling me, no, that I might as well give up on life. He also mentioned to me that it's my fault that things are the way they now are...not living together, being stuck in the past. He even asked me "What good did you get from staying at your Aunty's house". I replied to him that "I got a degree ". Something I wouldn't achieve if I lived with him.

These are my reason why I'm cautious to make a go of things and "let go".

  1. DS dad and I got together in our early teens, not long after that DS was born. He was highly abusive, in every aspect. You name it, sexually, physically, emotionally. Social services were in and out of mine and, my then, young son's life. He asked me to move with him then but I couldn't. He was abusive, I knew I would make a huge mistake in living him. I also didn't want DS to grow up in that abusive environment. Thankfully, he is not like this anymore, social services were happy with the supervised visits, his allowed to see DS unsupervised and SS are no longer involved.


  1. He smokes weed. I know a few Mumsnetters on here who have no issues with weed. But DS dad smokes it too much. When we used to stay over at DS's dad in the past. I use to hate waking up in the morning to smell that foul weed smoke. I also don't want DS to be brought up in a house where he can smell or see his dad smoking a spliff.


  1. His not a "man" or a "father". I can't picture him when DS reaches his teenage years and giving him mature/ adult advice. Plus, his a bit childish... a minor example...DS really wants a Nintendo DS for Christmas, DS dad said he "will get him a PS4", I told him " Well DS wants other things for Christmas, he doesn't want a PS4". DS dad replied "Well..he will once I buy it for him". Can you see ? DS dad doesn't think about DS wants. He only wants to get PS4 for DS (which I highly doubt he will get anyway) as it's something he would want to buy for himself (even though he has one). ifyswim.


  1. We don't live together. But he doesn't support DS at all. Not financially, emotionally, doesn't see DS unless for special occasions..e.g. Birthdays, Christmas, Easter, School plays. He now has his own place..2 hours away, he tells me "DS can't stay over yet as he still has to sort out his house". DS has only stayed over there once. Makes many excuses not to support his child, such as "is on benefits and has bills to pay "...he's now working but again using the same excuse " I have bills to pay, when you live by yourself then you would know what I'm talking about". Due to us having DS young, he got kicked out from his parents house and was homeless for quite a few years ( I helped him tremendously during this period). He reckons that his done "all of this" for DS and doesn't want to give up everything for DS again Confused. DS is very into football and he hasn't taken DS to his football classes or even kicked around with a ball in the park. His excuse is " I'm not into football". Well neither am I, but I take DS to his football classes, tournaments because it's his interests.


  1. Makes me feel like shit. He came to an event, which DS was participating in. He told me that the receptionist flirted with him and said " I can't believe DS is your son, he's a very handsome boy" to which DS dad replied " Yes, he got it from me" and she said "Yes, I can see that". Sad.

We were in the store with DS and he eyed up this woman and turned his head to stare at her. When we walked out from the shop. He then proclaimed that " he forgot to buy something". Which the real reason was so that he can check out this woman some more, as she was in the store. He tells me that I dress too posh and act like it too.

  1. Wants to have sex too much. Honestly, if I officially moved in with him. He would want sex at least 3 times a day. As a result, I fear I may end up with loads of kids with little to no support.


All that being said. DS dad wants us to have another go for a relationship, but this time move in together. Sort of like.... I don't know if any of you watch Eastenders and seen the Lauren and Steven's story-line. But DS dad is like Steven, where he wants to settle down and like (Lauren) who isn't too sure.

What would you Mums netters do ? Should I forget what happened in the past ? Should I go for it ? Is it my fault, like DS dad had said, that the reason why the way things are is because of me?

In honesty. I think this is a bad idea. I'm 24, I really don't want to end up in this revolving cycle and not move on from DS dad till I'm about 50. But, I don't know what to do. Should we try again ? Should I accept his proposal ?
OP posts:
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Slipperqueen3 · 19/12/2017 18:42

Sorry I just have missed that.

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cestlavielife · 19/12/2017 18:23

She said d's was on the spectrum?
I understood that to mean ASD
Sorry if I mis read ?

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Slipperqueen3 · 19/12/2017 18:03

Why ASD support groups?

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cestlavielife · 19/12/2017 17:40

He showed his true colours again. He doesn't want to see ds for ds sake. If he cated about ds he would do what he could to see him.
So plan for life without your ex.
Get support from friends family ASD support groups.
Stick to your boundaries.

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Slipperqueen3 · 19/12/2017 17:35

I do love a unanimous thread!

OP, just visualise the thousands of women who read MN, all muttering the same thing. He’s a twat. Ditch him forever.

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CardinalCat · 19/12/2017 16:58

I'm sorry, but rarely have I seen something on here which has made me say the C word under my breath quite so much as I have just done, reading about this prick. He is a horrible, abusive, thick-as-fuck, layabout, full-of-himself, man-child, who will set a dreadful example for your child if you let him live with you

He sounds stonmach-churningly vile, why on earth would you want to be near this fucking tadger?? RUN. the hills are that way->.

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AcrossthePond55 · 19/12/2017 16:47

It’s just a part of me still thinks it’s my fault. I don’t know why I feel like this?

Because he's CONDITIONED you to feel this way


Maybe I shouldn’t of had a go at him when he rang me.

Yes. Yes you should have. You took a huge step in being true to yourself and your son. If by 'having a go' you mean you 'raised your voice' instead of calmly telling him, so what? You were probably scared of speaking your mind and that's what happens. We're so afraid of being talked over or argued with that we issue a 'preemptive strike' by shouting first. Believe me, I've done that before!

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WorkingBling · 19/12/2017 16:38

You think it's your fault because over many years he has somehow managed to convince you that his behaviour is because of you. It's not. No normal, loving father would punish their chid because of an argument with the child's mother. None. He clearly has no desire to be a father outside of the basic benefit that shared parenting keeps you in his world and under his control. Don't let him continue.

As for handling DS. If he's on a spectrum, you are already dealing with it and supporting him. As he grows up, you will learn new techniques and ways to support him. I know this because you're already doing it. You're just going to continue doing it. There is also no doubt that an unstable family life and an abusive father would not do DS any good and would make any challenges he already has that much harder.

Stick to your guns. Make it clear to your ex that you are not going to be in a relationship with him and that you are open to discussing his relationship with DS and how that works but you won't be playing happy families.

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Slipperqueen3 · 19/12/2017 16:30

If you were my daughter I’d have him shot.

“I’m not taking him, you disrespected me!” OMG he wants pasting!!!

OP this man is not good, and won’t ever be good.

You want to settle down and be a family? Getting this person out of your life forever is the SINGLE biggest step you can take towards that.

A man who won’t support his child and uses him to punish you, is beneath contempt. Please, see him for the utter loser he is.

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GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 19/12/2017 16:16

Good God woman, why do you think it's YOUR fault?

He has really done a number on you.

He has physically, emotionally and sexually abused you, and you think it's your fault that he has a tantrum when you call him out on his lack of support?

What a loser. (Him, not you!) and I am getting really angry on your behalf.

You sound like a lovely Mum and congrats on getting your degree. But that's where you need to be focusing your energies, on building a life for you and DS in the future.

You say DP is accusing you of not letting go of the past, but he is trying to force you back into it!!! I honestly think that moving in with him would be a TERRIBLE idea. For both you and your son. You have your independence now. If you lived with him, I have no doubt the abuse would start again and you would be stuck again. You got away from him before, please don't go back to that again.

So he let your son down because you made some honest comments that he didn't like? A real charmer. Your poor DS. And you. Flowers

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TheHoneyBadger · 19/12/2017 15:26

You know the idea of him being supportive if ds is difficult as a teen is a fantasy. He's never been supportive.

He only wants to see his son if he gets what he wants from you. That is not a father or even someone who gives a damn about your son sadly.

Honestly when you fully let go of this man and the idea that he is anything in your future you will be able to see how open the future is and be able to imagine and build better things for yourself and your son.

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hellsbellsmelons · 19/12/2017 15:05

I don’t know why I feel like this?
Because you've been 'conditioned' after years of shitty abusive behaviour.
It will take a lot to 'unlearn' all of this and trust yourself.
Please do contact Womens Aid and do their Freedom Programme as soon as you can.

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Maelstrop · 19/12/2017 14:58

This guy is an utter tosser. He's a narcissist and doesn't give a shit about his child or you. All he wants is sex on tap with no strings attached. He has previously physically abused you and emotionally abuses you now by acting in a pathetic childish manner.

Please go through the proper procedure to get financial support from him for your child. This 'man' sounds like a total loser.

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NotAChristmasCakePop · 19/12/2017 14:41

Glad that you gave him a piece of your mind. It was long overdue, but look at how he used that info - not to think about his actions or admit he is wrong, but to punish you and your DS.

Move on with your life and get CMS even if you save it for your son's future.

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Mulch · 19/12/2017 14:31

I didn't even get to the end of your post but for the love of christ and everything good in the world no don't do it

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AndTheBandPlayedOn · 19/12/2017 14:28

Bugger post button!
Your self advocacy is also looking out for your son. You are the best template for him to learn self respect and boundaries for his future.
Well done! The delivery in the moment may be messy or unsophisticated, but that is a very far and slight second (third, fourth?) to getting the business of your boundaries put in place.

I agree the 'baby daddy' is just that and has nothing positive to offer you or your son. The anticipated help from him in the future is a fantasy that will never materialize.

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GladysKnight · 19/12/2017 14:25

Just to backmup all the good advice. By deciding not to see your son he was hurting his son to punish and control someone else (you). Hardly the act of a loving father.

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piginthemiddle · 19/12/2017 14:25

Storm

Your correct. He always does this around the festive period. Especially when people are with their families, couples going out... He had a huge fallen out with his family so essentially, DS is all he has.

He wants to play “Happy families” around this period. But when December is done and dusted, reality sets in and he goes back to his old ways. Hardly visiting DS, creating extra excuses why he can’t financially support his child. I 100% predict, when it’s New Years Eve, he would want us to go out somewhere.

Lazy and Trap.. thank you for sharing your experiences with dealing with teenagers. This is something I’m worried about. But like you said, you grow with them, communicate with them etc. Hopefully that transitional period will be ok.

I also think your right, if his not there for DS now, I will be mad to think he would be there for DS in his teens. Which I originally wrote down in my post.

It’s just a part of me still thinks it’s my fault. I don’t know why I feel like this ? Maybe I shouldn’t of had a go at him when he rang me.

OP posts:
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AndTheBandPlayedOn · 19/12/2017 14:20

Never apologize for advocating for yourself. In looking out for yourself, you are also l

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rollingonariver · 19/12/2017 14:11

Make sure you contact CMS. He needs to provide financially for his child if nothing else.
He's a fucker and he's trying to manipulate you, don't let him. Take the maintenance money and take Ds out yourself Smile

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AcrossthePond55 · 19/12/2017 14:08

Good on you for 'letting it rip'! You didn't say anything that didn't need to be said, loudly and clearly!

His refusal to see DS is completely about him trying to use your DS to control you. He couldn't have said it more clearly.

He said "We're finished" because you refused to toe his line? Good!!! He's done your job for you. But just expect that you'll hear from him after he thinks he's 'punished' you with his absence. Instead, you use this time to realize how peaceful your home and your life is without him in it!

He would never, NEVER have been a source of support for you IF (not when, IF) your DS has 'troubles' as a teen. As a matter of fact, he would have blamed you for not being able to 'control' DS and would have fucked off anyway if the going gets rough. You don't need that. Far better to face any possible future 'troubles' knowing that you have to shoulder the load on your own than to think you have support only to have the rug pulled out from under you!

You'll be so much better without this waste of space in your life.

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TheSecondMrsAshwell · 19/12/2017 14:05

I know this came from further back in the thread:

How do you not look at other people’s lives... in my case... my friends lives who are settled, married, having more DC’s and focus on my life ?

Here is the news: there are other men out there. Men who will love you and treat you like the woman you are, not a meal ticket/housekeeper.

Men who will take your DS to football. Maybe the odd kickabout in the park (they might be rubbish at it, but they will do it).

Men who will have a family with you and muck in and do what a Dad needs to do for his children.

And men who will not exacerbate any MH problems your DS might have in future, like this flap of DNA will.

And in the meantime, you can bring your DS up to be all of the above.

Good luck.

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StormTreader · 19/12/2017 13:27

“I’m not taking DS out anymore, you disrespected me, I’m not taking it. Things between us are finished”.

And there it is, he was taking DS out purely to force you to play happy families and spend time with him. As soon as you said you wouldnt be, he refused to take your DS out because "things between us are finished."

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lazyleo · 19/12/2017 12:17

I know you are probably hurting on your son's behalf but see it for what it is - another spotlight showing what a utter insert word of choice he is. He doesn't deserve you or your son and believe me, whether your son is on the spectrum or not, you are better off without him. I know someone who's marriage ended primarly because he could not deal with their kids, especially their littlest with ADHD. The way he spoke to and belitted their kids was enough for her to end it. And she copes amazingly with three kids, one with ADHD. You've already proven how far you can go on your own. Throw off the hold he has on you. You are capable. You are strong. You are your son's mum, protector, guider and leader. And he will love you for it way more than for allowing this shitbag to mess up your lives.

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trappedinsuburbia · 19/12/2017 12:14

Your never going to get the support of this man EVER.
As for dealing with your ds as he becomes a teen, you just do, as they grow you grow as well, just keep talking to your ds and keep good communication between you and you won't go far wrong.
(Speaking as a single parent of a hormonal moody teen).

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