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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

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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Bumshkawahwah · 11/12/2017 12:59

If he were really a decent man and a good father, you’d know that he will help you with your son and do the best for him, whether he lives with you or not. His being a great dad is not dependent on geography.

Even if you were to forget the past (which I really din’t think you should), his present behaviour is enough to send even someone with pretty low standards running for the hills.

You are 24. You’re making something of yourself despite him. Bring him into your hime and you might as well lay down and give up. In my opinion you should be keeping away from this man and only communicating about your child. Cut him out, for your own sake!

One day, you will meet someone who treats you well and genuinely cares about you. Not this selfish, fucked-up, irresponsible, abusuve man.

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Velvetbee · 11/12/2017 13:01

Reading that made me feel sick. Do not let this person become your son's live-in role model. He has shown you repeatedly who he is, run like hell.

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ChinwagCharlieBear · 11/12/2017 13:01

I read the 1st point and didn't need to get any further. Run. Please do not get back with him.

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Aminuts23 · 11/12/2017 13:05

OP please listen to everyone. You are 24, you have a degree, you have brought up your DS for 7 years by yourself! You should be so so proud of yourself. You’re intelligent and hardworking. You deserve so much better for you and your child than this waste of space. You deserve someone who will love, respect and treasure you. Someone who will respect your education, your career and your motherhood. He must have quite some hold over you to even consider being with him. Don’t let him undo everything you’ve worked for. He’s abusive. He’ll do it again and when he does SS with be all over it for failing to protect your child. You are both happy and safe with your aunt. Please dump this scrote and give it time. The man that deserves you will be along in time, he really will Flowers

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RandomMess · 11/12/2017 13:05

Stop wasting your life living this limbo, he is still an abuser and has narcissistic tendencies.


Please, please, please run for the hills and cut all ties with this man bar court ordered contact.

Thanks

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piginthemiddle · 11/12/2017 13:13

Thank you all for your comments.

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 ?

I have taken the Freedom course but sometimes I thought “ really... he actually has been calculating in abusing me ?”.

OP posts:
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Aminuts23 · 11/12/2017 13:17

Focus on what you do have. Don’t be envious of others as their lives are rarely as perfect as they might seem. Concentrate on you and your little boy.
And yes they really are that calculating

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GrockleBocs · 11/12/2017 13:19

You can see he doesn't see a need to think of his child before his own interests.
There's no way your needs will ever come anything better than last with this man.

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coalit · 11/12/2017 13:23

I don't think he abuses you in a calculated way, I think he's just naturally abusive, doubt he puts much thought into it.

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PilarTernera · 11/12/2017 13:26

It doesn't really matter if he was calculating in abusing you or just did it accidentally. As the saying goes, the only acceptable amount of abuse in a relationship is none.

If you continue to waste time prevaricating about this selfish manchild who treats you badly, you will not be free to form a relationship with a decent man who will treat you well.

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ThisLittleKitty · 11/12/2017 13:29

Really all your friends are marrying at 24? My friends are in their late 20s early 30s and none of them are married or even engaged.

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BreakfastAtSquiffanys · 11/12/2017 13:32

You're young, obviously bright. You've done an excellent job as a single parent.
There could be a decent man waiting to meet you, but you'll never find him while you're living with the waste of space that is your child's father.

Why have a dreadful biological father when you could have a decent step father, if having a father at all is important to you?
Or let your son have one proper loving parent, rather than a useless father and a worn down mother

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happymumof4crazykids · 11/12/2017 13:40

Get this man out of your life right now! He is an abusive and arrogant idiot. Having a shit dad around will be worse for your son than no Dad. You are only 24 and you will meet someone else one day but only if you get this guy out of your life. By all means coparent with him but allow him access to your son without access to you. No one should ever be forced to have sex or put up with someone's drug habit for the sake of their children. That is beyond awful.
One day you will look back and think wtf was I thinking?
What do your family think of him?

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notapizzaeater · 11/12/2017 13:42

Do. Not. Move. In. With. This. Boychild.

You are worth so much more .....

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ToffeeUp · 11/12/2017 13:46

No, it is not your fault
No, you should not move in with him
Yes, you should end it once and for all

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RandomMess · 11/12/2017 13:51

He may not be calculating he may well just think he is entitled to treat you like shit because he only loves and cares for himself!!!

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Tighnabruaich · 11/12/2017 13:51

So because your friends are moving on, living together etc, you are willing to settle for this man? You have listed numerous negatives about him - are you able to list any positives? Wouldn't you rather be with someone who loved you, cherished you, looked after you, adored your son and shared activities with him? Why have you set the bar so low for you and your son's happiness?

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ClareB83 · 11/12/2017 13:51

Oh my God, do not move in with this man. And stop sleeping with him. Stop having any relationship with him beyond what's required by him being your DS's father.

He abused you. You don't need to go beyond this first item in your list to know the answer is don't move in with him, but you still had a load more reasons!

The past is not to be forgotten. It's to be learnt from.

Do not do this.

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phoenix1973 · 11/12/2017 14:01

Right now you're a lucky person because you have choices. Youre also a smart person.Deep down you know what the right way is. Your doubts are there for a reason.
You can have a good life you deserve it and are capable.
If you move in with him, the above no longer applies and you just end up another sad lonely broke worn out ground down husk of a lovely lady. It really is up to you. X x x

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FreshStartToday · 11/12/2017 14:02

You don't have to be on your own in the future OP, looking after your son. This man is not the only possible source of support in the world. You have done amazingly well to get a degree, raising your son, and supporting his father for much of that time too.

You think that living in a family unit could make life easier but it could also make life much much harder. Your son could/will mimic the behaviour he saw around him - cannabis smoking for example. What happens at home becomes normalised.

It sounds as if you are panicking a little, and that leads us to rash decisions. Take your time. You have the degree (and a job?) now build up support around you; do the freedom programme online (best £10 you will spend); make new friends - perhaps people who are also single parents - organise a social life for yourself too, with positive people, whose values you share.

Best of luck

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Nanny0gg · 11/12/2017 14:05

You are a 24 year-old intelligent women.

He is a 24 year-old abusive loser.

Do you have family? If you were my daughter I would definitely steer you away.

I'd reduce contact. He's not interested in his child

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nigelschristmasham · 11/12/2017 14:07

I beg of you not to move in with this man.In no way is it a good idea. In no way is the reason for this anything to do with you.
Want better for yourself and for your kid. Believe you deserve it. Don't sell yourself short like that...

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AndTheBandPlayedOn · 11/12/2017 14:08

Stop worrying about keeping up with your friendship group. If progressing an unmitigated disastrous relationship is required for their friendship, then they are not friends. Have you talked to them about your son's dad's new ideas?

He is manipulating you. Shaming you and blaming you. What Annie said is spot on:
What he's after is a live-in mum and housekeeper, hopefully one who will also earn a decent whack so he doesn't have to, and a ready-made son he regards as a little clone of himself rather than a human being with needs and preferences of his own. It's all about what he wants rather than what is good for you and DS. Do not be guilt tripped into this.

He resents paying his own bills and will have you carrying that load as soon as you move in. Don't do it.

Why On earth do you care so much what he thinks? You can stop caring what he thinks. You can stop listening to him. He has proven, time and again, to not be credible, not responsible, not compassionate, not empathetic, not kind, etc etc etc.
Yes, finally end it, finally.

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Fiere · 11/12/2017 14:09

Goodness, OP - I'm sorry you are even considering a future with this man. Unsurprisingly, I'm with everyone else - definitely never ever ever move in with this man or pursue any kind of relationship with him.

He sounds like absolute pond scum and a bottom feeder of the worst kind. You, on the other hand, sound like a great mum and you have a degree that you've worked hard for!

Be kind to yourself, aspire to great things in life and realize that you deserve so much more than this dreadful man.

As you get older, you'll care less and less what your friends are doing. There's no point moving in with an abusive man just because your friends are all settled down. You'll just trap yourself in a miserable life, one that will certainly not live up to the idealized image of family life that you might get from looking at your friends.

Hold out for someone who is truly a good, kind person - and in the meantime, learn to love your own company.

Good luck and stay strong!

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QueenAravisOfArchenland · 11/12/2017 14:14

I read your thread title and was like "nope, ditch him".

Then I read your actual post and was like "GOOD GOD WOMAN RUN RUN LIKE THE WIND DON'T LOOK BACK HE WILL DESTROY EVERYTHING YOU HAVE BUILT".

Seriously. Please please please listen to your better judgement and end this once and for all. The point at which you "give him a chance" is the point AFTER he has quit weed and started supporting his child and doing his share of parenting and admitting his behaviour to you in the past was heinous and treating you well AND keeping all of the above up for at least a year.

Seriously, unless you are magical, why would you moving in do ANYTHING to cause him to step up and grow up, apart from reduce his incentives to do so and in fact make it nice and easy for him to start abusing you again and maybe get you pregnant too so it's even easier? You are obviously a pretty great person, but unless you have a magic wand, I don't think that's gonna do it. Like PPs said, if he was ever going to step up and be a dad, it would have been easier to do it when you lived apart, if anything.

You cannot afford to dice with your child's security and happiness by giving this loser "a chance". He needs one functional, secure parent. Don't take that away from him by letting this "man" pressure you back into a situation that will blatantly be terrible for you.

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