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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

Abusive partner....please help

580 replies

linziluv123 · 14/01/2018 11:51

Hi, I really need some advice. My partner is abusing me and has done for 10 years. I’m finally at the point where I can’t go on anymore.
He’s simply horrible to me everyday, says unkind things to me in front of the kids all the time. He blames me for everything that goes wrong. A recent example is Friday, he wanted to put a bid on something on eBay, I asked him his maximum bid. I entered his maximum bid seconds before the end. He didn’t win it so went absolutely mental at me calling me all sorts of nasty things. Basically he didn’t understand how ebay works. Kept telling me the item was worth X amount. He told my 6 year old I’m a druggy too during his rant. (I smoke maybe half a spliff in the garden of an evening, don’t touch anything else, alcohol included. I have give up completely now though so he can’t use it against against me). He said he was leaving but never did. Just sat there with bags packed and coat on sniping at me all night.
I could give you examples of this of about 3-4 times a week from him.
He threatens to leave me and live with his mum, but says he’s taking my 6yo daughter, splitting her up from her 9yo autistic brother (both his children). He’s done it before so I know it’s not just talk.
I’ve had police and SS involvement over the years but it’s only ever me expected to jump through hoops, never him. He’s been allowed to act in this way all his life just cuz he’s bigger and louder than most people.
My mental health has been shocking for 10 years with multiple admissions and medication regimes. My dad hated him but sadly died in August. Around the time he died I just got shouted at and made to feel like shit then too. He even brings it up now saying my dad would be ashamed of me. It hurts so much.
I work full time, he hasn’t worked in 15 years. He’s “disabled” you see. When I finish work I literally have to do everything in the house. He sits at home either sleeping or gaming all day whilst I’m at work. At weekends he has to lie in until 11 and I have to constantly try and keep the kids quiet else he gets up shouting at us all.
I wanted to visit a friend who really needed me yesterday but he wouldn’t allow it. He went to his mates interest.
He’s been violent before but hasn’t been for a while. I admit that I did something bad last year, think financial infidelity. No excuses but my mental health was exceptionally poor and I made some shocking decisions. On the front of it he forgave me but realistically he absolutely loves having yet another stick to beat me with.
I make it easy for him to be awful to me really by doing stupid things but I honestly feel he sets me up for failure. I’m desperate to go to uni and complete my Nurse training but he won’t allow it as we would lose £5000 a year. I’ve suggested he got a job but he won’t.
People think he’s a great hands on Dad but they don’t hear the way he shouts at them. Tells them to shut up then shouts at them for repeating it! He makes it clear he prefers our daughter and I know this is because my son will only ever try and stick up for me. He blames me for my son being autistic, says it’s because of my mental health. I honestly don’t think I’d have mental health problems if it wasn’t for him!
He knows I’m terrible with the finances, yet won’t take over them, he’d rather let me fuck them up so he can shout at me more.
I dread finishing work everyday. I never know if he’s going to have a go at me. He demands to drive a fast boy racer type car despite having no job, but I’m responsible for paying for it, so it’s my fault when things start to go wrong with the car.
He threatens to tell his mum what I did last year and that keeps me “in check” I really would be mortified if she found out as I’m so ashamed. He doesn’t even show remorse or apologise anymore. There are literally no redeeming features anymore. It’s my fault by default every time.
So why don’t I leave? I’m terrified. He will try and ruin my life. The flat is in my name only so could kick him out but he will take everything his mum has bought, which is more or less everything. He’d leave me without a sofa or bed, even said he’d rip up the carpets. He’d make going to Work a nightmare. I rely on him to take the kids to school and pick them up. I had 6 months off sick last year so don’t want to take the piss at work.
I’m scared as I’ve no real evidence of the abuse. It’s all emotional although there will be past reports about it as SS banned him from seeing our children for 3 months back in 2012. He convinced me and SS that he’d changed, I really believed he had. I think I’m ashamed to ask for help this time as I chose to go back to him. I’m just so afraid of the alternative.
I’m sorry this is so long, I really could go on forever about how he treats me but you get the gist.
Please can anybody advise on what to do. I’m scared he will get full custody as he is technically their main carer as I work. I can’t have my children brought up by him and my son would hate to be away from me. I feel so trapped.

OP posts:
Dragongirl10 · 05/02/2018 07:19

Hand hold for today op.....

Mrstobe90 · 05/02/2018 07:30

You're doing the right thing! Hope it all goes well today! Stay strong - you can do this xx

whateveryouknow · 05/02/2018 08:25

Good luck Linzi, God bless you and your little ones. 👍🙏🏻🙏🏻

Mywifenow · 05/02/2018 10:57

Good luck linzi. I've been willing you on from the start and you have been so very amazing. I tear up thinking of the peace and happiness ahead for you and your little ones and hope it comes to you without any further heartache. You're very inspirational indeed x

Gemini69 · 05/02/2018 11:02

your doing fantastic OP... you will get through this Flowers

zigzagbetty · 05/02/2018 11:58

Ive been reading since the start of this thread and you have done amazing in a short time! Cheering you on op Flowers

Granville72 · 05/02/2018 15:03

Good luck ,you are all being incredibly brave.

linziluv123 · 05/02/2018 16:52

Aww thanks you lot. It gives me so much strength coming back to this thread ❤️.
So the social worker and school are aware he knows, they told me to tell him that it was part of my sons autism assessments and I'd consented previously when signing paperwork. He seems to buy that anyway. At occupational health tomorrow to see what more support I can get for myself.
So I'm off work Thursday and Friday so I plan to do it then, my head is just spinning thinking about the best way to do it 😫

OP posts:
Dragongirl10 · 05/02/2018 17:26

So glad your day went well LINZI..it sounds like the school are being helpful and supportive as well as the social worker...

As you are off on Thursday, how about ( just ideas)

Book a locksmith for when you know he will be out, stress to them how important the timing is..Is there a time he will be out of the house or will you have to fabricate a reason?

Drop as much of his stuff as you can get out easily at his mums, after locks are changed, or get someone else to do this for you if there is any chance he could come after you. Then he will have no excuse to immediately come knocking on the door.

Get a message to him after this has been done, by text.Plan the message in advance. Do not speak to him. send then turn phone off.

In your message tell him the day and time he can collect the rest of his stuff next week and make sure you are not there but someone you trust, brother or step father? to let him in.

Go and stay somewhere with Dcs immediately on Thursday so he cannot get near you whilst he processes this. ( school will not have a problem with this), and it will give you all time to talk and be reassuring for Dcs.

I know you said earlier you did not like being away, so how about asking a family member to come away with you for a few days? Or can you stay with a family member if you really cannot face being away?
The risk is there, that he will come looking for you so consider carefully. ( if l were you l would go to a B and B with a friend, or family member, spoil the Dcs with time and attention, and explain the new situation to them, not coming back until Sunday night.

Hope you can work it out as you don't have a lot of time, but l know you have been preparing for some weeks now, well done! He is nearly gone.

linziluv123 · 05/02/2018 17:51

That all sounds like a good plan. I'd love to book somewhere for me and
Kids that's what my original thoughts were it's just that they're forcing me to do it before payday so I'm really limited with what I can do! I've got something planned when I do get paid so will still go with them then.
My mum wants me to go to her. We are thinking of the Friday, he goes to his friends at 7pm, I can sneakily take his key off his massive bunch of keys, he won't notice unless he came to use it. When he gets the text I'll already be en route to mums with dog to go to my sisters, and me and kids will stay at mums. If I get the opportunity on Thursday then I'll do it then I just know he's defo our Friday.

OP posts:
FinallyFree123456789 · 05/02/2018 19:15

@linziluv123 that sounds like a good plan. Do the Friday - it won’t look suspicious and you can book a locksmith. The Thursday may be a rush and if you don’t have enough time he may come back before it’s all completed.
Could you use a credit card / borrow some money from your mum Just to get everything done on Friday and give it back to her after payday? X

linziluv123 · 05/02/2018 19:37

My mum and stepdad have only just moved back to this area so are both jobless and not in a position to help financially unfortunately! I'm not totally potless so with some careful budgeting I will be ok, bills are paid till 26th anyway. It just would have been nice if I could have treated the kids over the weekend to try and have a bit of normality.
It does mean though when I finally do get paid it's all mine and the kids!
Something will come up it always does!
I'm amazed how I'm keeping up this pretence. I'm a really good actress!
I'm actually feeling a little bit excited...adrenaline is starting to pump. I just need to go over my plan with the professionals and make sure they're happy with it.

OP posts:
FinallyFree123456789 · 05/02/2018 19:43

I’m sure the kids will enjoy being with you / spending time with nanny. Sometimes a film day indoors / going for a walk doing things together is just as fun as an expensive day out :-)
I’m not surprised you feel excited - the beginning of a new life is waiting for you! X

Dragongirl10 · 05/02/2018 19:56

Well done LINZI, you have a plan!

I agree that Friday sounds ideal as you know his routine, how long is he out for?
Please don't be there at any time he may come back, you really don't know how he will react.

You have every right to be excited, your new and peaceful life is just about to start..

linziluv123 · 05/02/2018 20:04

I know my kids will just be happy spending time with us in a calm stress free atmosphere. I've always put stupid pressure on myself to spend lots of money on them. Probably my way of trying to make it up to them. Obviously I do know that there are far more meaningful ways of making it up to them!
He's out from 7pm until about 10:30pm so plenty of time to get sorted. Also his friend he's going to is pretty normal, sane and intelligent....he might talk him out of going in all guns blazing. We will see, I was chatting I Mum before and we agree that the ball is entirely in his court now I've done all I possibly can for him, I'm concentrating on me and my babies!

OP posts:
Gemini69 · 05/02/2018 20:08

your managing to get through these nights and your motivated and focused because you know there is a beautiful bright light at the end of this tunnel .... for you and your kids Flowers

Dragongirl10 · 06/02/2018 20:26

Hi LINZI,

how are you doing today?

linziluv123 · 06/02/2018 20:50

Hi @Dragongirl10 I'm doing ok surprisingly! I get a twinge if guilt every now and again but nothing compared to even a week ago!
I just want it over with now as much as I'm dreading it 😩 he's being extra nice on the whole but god he shouts a lot. It gives me a headache now 😩.
I hate it that the kids won't have him being so awful fresh in their minds, they might not understand! Why oh why can't he just be his normal twatty self and make it easier for everyone!

OP posts:
Dragongirl10 · 06/02/2018 21:35

Believe me OP the Dcs will remember every awful thing he has said to them...even if he is being nice now....although l suspect from your account of the shouting what you view as 'nice' from him is still pretty awful by most standards.

Just think how peaceful and happy your house will be very soon!

Do not doubt your kids, they have told you, as you have relayed here, how upsetting they have found his behaviour, and they will be overjoyed to have a loving happy home with no shouting or bullying.

Nearly there, l will be willing you on ....

linziluv123 · 07/02/2018 05:59

I imagine you are so right dragon....I can't see how I could ever have a relationship again.....my view is so warped on what is normal and acceptable behaviour!
So, practical stuff, on Friday when I'm getting stuff together when he's gone out, what do I tell the kids as they are going to start asking questions. I'm leaning towards mostly the truth but the kid version. I really think my daughter is going to find this so hard 😫

OP posts:
RainyUmbrella · 07/02/2018 06:35

Keep going Linux, you're doing so well

ragmayo · 07/02/2018 06:45

@linziluv123 You're stronger than you believe and you'll see that one day. I've been in your shoes, and can honestly say that things will look up as soon as you/he leaves. Nothing he does to you will be as bad as living with him day in and day out. My ex threatened me with all sorts, saying I was an unfit mother, when I was not coping with his treatment of me/dv.
You know the truth, your children do, your family do. The truth will always out.
Wishing you all the very best, take care x

lovescarbs · 07/02/2018 07:43

Good luck Linzi- you’re doing so well Flowers

Dragongirl10 · 07/02/2018 08:22

Hi LINZI, hand holding from me today....nearly there,
l would make some cover up story for the Dcs for the first day, then calmly sit them down and tell them the truth without obvoius criticism of their dad, but don't sugar coat either as they have seen the behaviour, and if you seem to be condoning it, what does that tell them about how they should expect to be treated in relationships?

You have to say how he has treated you all is wrong, and that he has to learn that by himself.

That is all minor compared to how much better their lives will be, they will take their cue from you, if you are calm and in control they will feel safe and secure, we know you can do it well.

whateveryouknow · 07/02/2018 08:23

Good morning Linzi, you are doing amazing and I keep my fingers crossed that all goes smoothly on Friday. I think once you are at your mother's house tell the kids that due to disagreements and Daddy not being nice lately, you guys are having a break to recharge your batteries. You can at a later stage in this process tell them that this arrangement is permanent but right now it can be too much for them to handle.
Linzi just take it one day at the time, I promise it will only get easier once you are out of this situation. Best of luck to you all. 🤞

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