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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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CousinKrispy · 11/12/2017 14:16

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

I don't think all abusers are calculating and deliberate. I think some are coasting along acting in ways that are habitual or that soothe their own crazy emotions.

BUT ... what matters is that their behaviour hurts you. It doesn't matter if he does it out of cruelty or just because he can't be arsed learning to do better. You don't want your son growing up to perpetuate that kind of behavior, you don't want to be living in it.

Do you think you could find some new friends who have a more diverse set of lifestyles? Any single mum friends you know through school? You don't have to abandon your old friends, but it sounds a bit stifling if they are truly all doing the same thing and you are feeling that pressured to go along with the same set of life-changing decisions. It might be nice to open yourself up to some new friends.

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calyyypo · 11/12/2017 14:16

The thing is, the people your friends are settling down with aren't abusers. Their situation is nothing like yours.

Please don't just settle for this guy because that's what your friends are doing - you can do so, so much better. Flowers

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BabyOrSanta · 11/12/2017 14:26

I'm only a few years older than you so I sort of know where you're coming from.
But if you settle down with this man, apart from being abused and your son having a despicable role model, how do you know that The One isn't passing you by?
Most people our age haven't been with their DPs since they were teens. Most found them in their early-mid 20s. And most found them when they weren't really looking - it's grown naturally over the last few years.

This isn't your last or only chance at happiness.
If you stay with this man your happiness will deteriorate and your actual, true chance at happiness may pass you by while you're wasting time with this idiot.

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saladdays66 · 11/12/2017 14:39

What are his good points, OP???

Of course you shouldn't enter into a relationship with him again! Why on earth would you???

He's abusive, he smokes weed, he DOESN'T SUPPORT HIS SON FINANCIALLY, he's childish, he makes you feel guilty about things and doesn't take respononsibility for anything... Shock

It would be better being single for the rest of your life than being in a relatiopnship with this excuse for a man for a day. Honestly.

No, no, no, no, no. You deserve so much more.

You will be able to parent your son just fine. Even when he's a teen, honestly.

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Comekittykitty · 11/12/2017 14:55

You lost me at “smokes weed” and was “in every level abusive”..not necessarily in that order.

No way. You are putting your DS in harm’s way!!

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hellsbellsmelons · 11/12/2017 15:01

If you get involved with this deadbeat loser again then your son could well be removed from your care.
You HAVE to protect him.
He's 7 and needs you, as his mum, to keep him well away from his abusive father.
The fact you need to ask is extremely worrying.
Re-read your opening post.
If your DSis came to you and told you all this, what would you say to her????
Value yourself, protect your son!

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educatingarti · 11/12/2017 15:13

Can you look for other practical sources of help so that you don't feel so alone as a mum. I'm thinking of single parent support groups like gingerbread, groups for the survivors of domestic abuse or maybe there is a group for parents of children who have a similar condition/issues to your son.

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NeverDarkedOn · 11/12/2017 15:21

I was in a slightly similar situation to you OP and walking away and not having a relationship for the sake of my child was the best thing I ever done. I met my now DH and we have such a different life to what I could of had (I see my ExP now with his partner and thank my lucky stars) Do what is right for your son he will not be happy with his Dad. He might have him physically there but the emotional abuse will effect him the rest of his life

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PsychoPumpkin · 11/12/2017 15:35

I have a horrible feeling that in 6 mo the time we’ll be seeing a ‘help me escape from my abusive partner’ post from you, OP. Please take on board what everyone is saying and stay away from him. Better to be alone and happy than miserable with an abuser like him. For your son, please stay away from him.

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Desmondo2016 · 11/12/2017 15:54

You're never gonna have the family, the home, the 2.4 kids with this dick. You're gonna be an abuse victim for the rest of your life and probably damage your son in the process.

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JenniferYellowHat1980 · 11/12/2017 15:57

You’re in the best possible scenario as you are. He keeps his distance from your DS which, it reads to me, is in his best interests. Don’t do it.

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AcrossthePond55 · 11/12/2017 16:00

How do you not look at other people’s lives....

You don't. You look at your life, at your possibilities. Other people's lives don't 'matter' in the way you think they do. Don't measure your success or happiness by other people's lives. You don't know what goes on behind their closed doors and their happiness or lack thereof is no measure of what lies in store for you nor is it a yardstick to measure your 'success'.

I married my first H at 20 mainly because all my friends were getting married. A hellacious mistake and luckily I got out after only 4 years. Don't make that mistake.

Live your life. Be the best woman, mum, friend that you can be. Your life is full of infinite possibilities, but you are blind to them because you can't see any further than your fear of being a lone parent and your desire to have what you think your friends have.

And remember that you'll never meet Mr Right when you're entangled with Mr Wrong.

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NeilPetark · 11/12/2017 16:07

You’ve already had SS involved once, they will become involved again.

He isn’t going to change.

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BreakfastAtSquiffanys · 11/12/2017 16:17

Children pattern their behaviour on what they see around them in their own home.
You have a lovely son - do you want him to turn out the way his father has?

A boy growing up with a strong mother, coping on her own will develop a much healthier attitude to women than one growing up with a feckless father who abuses his mother.

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Glowerglass · 11/12/2017 16:20

Hell no. He's a triple sailed ocean going nightmare.

His actions belie his words. You are far better off on your own with your boy, making your own life.

Pretty much any ONE of your points would be enough to make me walk away.

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ThisLittleKitty · 11/12/2017 16:24

I have a horrible feeling that in 6 mo the time we’ll be seeing a ‘help me escape from my abusive partner’ post from you, OP.

Unfortunately I have the same feeling but with the op pregnant aswell.

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vwlphb · 11/12/2017 16:54

Nope nope nope nope nope nope and just for good measure nope.

If you are ever considering two options and one of them is “Shall I get out of this clusterfuck for good”, then you should always choose that option.

You’re so entrenched in this that you can’t even see that there are more possibilities for options.

A normal set of options for moving in with someone might be:

“Should I move in with my boyfriend who I love and am excited about or should I give it another six months to be sure?”

“Should I move in with my boyfriend who I love and am excited about or should I wait till we’re engaged?”

“Should I move in with my boyfriend who I love and am excited about, or should we keep looking for a better property?”

Those are the sort of options normal people consider. Not “Should I move in with my abusive, critical, manipulative drug-smoking ex who gives me a pit of dread deep in my stomach or should I end this torturous eggshell-walking charade forever?”

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Mix56 · 11/12/2017 17:00

When someone show you who they are, Believe them......

Egg shells,
All category of abuse
No help financing,
No effort re contact.
He is vain,
drug taking
sex pest..

Forget keeping up with the others, they do not have the same circumstances. Move ON, not back.

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SandAndSea · 11/12/2017 17:14

OP, your posts have reminded me of an ex of mine from many years ago. He was pretty bullying but I wasn't always able to see it as he was so good at blaming me. It got so that I barely knew what I wanted and I often felt confused. Several weeks after we had broken up and I had started to find my feet again, he called me up to ask me out as friends. I turned him down and he started shouting at me!! This is over 20 years ago and I can still remember it as it was such a turning point for me. He was shouting at me, accusing me of being "...so negative!" (shouting this repeatedly). And he shouted that I was (this is a classic!)... "Choosing fear and letting fear rule my life!" Well, this time, having found my feet, I replied that I didn't think that was the case at all, that he was a bully and I was standing up to him and choosing what I wanted to do! That was the last time I heard from him and the last time I was in a relationship with a bullying man.

Free yourself from this man's ties. Find your feet. You'll be surprised what can come to you when you're psychologically free of him.

Oh, and don't compare yourself to other people. You really don't know what's going on behind closed doors or what trials they might have coming up in the future. Focus on yourself and your own happiness.

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Queenofthedrivensnow · 11/12/2017 17:34

He's pathetic. Op you sound like a great Mum coping on your own. You will also risk ss involvement again if you let him back in.

Give yourself a chance to meet a real man!

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Lemonnaise · 11/12/2017 18:03

The reason you are not "moving on" like your friends is because you have this huge waste of space in your life

Whoever said this is spot on. He is holding you back. Please cut all contact with him and only communicate via e-mail about your son. You will meet someone else and realize how a 'proper' relationship should be.

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Gazelda · 11/12/2017 18:14

You're sound like a fab mum. You've done so much to give your ds the best possible life. You've worked hard to give yourself and DS the best possible future.
Please don't throw your achievements away on this man who has shown no inclination to do his best for his DS or you.
Don't feel you're getting left behind your friends. Hold your head high and continue to concentrate on raising a ds you can be proud of and being a woman who has made it and will be snapped up by the right man when the time is right.

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Moanyoldcow · 11/12/2017 18:27

How on earth does other people getting married make you moving in with this douche a good idea? Not a single thing you've writer suggests staying with him is a good idea. Literally nothing.

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saoirse31 · 11/12/2017 18:53

Don't move in with him. Your D's only respects him cos he's 7 and cos he doesn't spend much time with him. Picture ur D's as a teenager, do u seriously want him taking advice from his father? His father who can't be arsed to see him?

Crazy idea to move in with him... Walk away.

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NeilPetark · 11/12/2017 18:54

Being with an abusive bully of a man is not a better option than being single.

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