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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:
dizzy174 · 07/02/2018 16:57

good afternoon linzi, just here to let you know I am thinking of you and wishing you good luck x

beyondthesky · 07/02/2018 18:14

Hi Linzi just found this thread and have read it in one sitting. You have put up with so much crap and I am in awe of your courage.

You have already achieved so much and are on the home straight now.

Good luck for this week. It will be tough but once he's gone you will be able to focus on starting a new, happier chapter in all your lives.

Thanks
Mrstobe90 · 07/02/2018 22:25

Good luck for the next couple of days! Don't be afraid to get the police involved if you need to xx

Dragongirl10 · 08/02/2018 07:25

Hi LINZI...i hope you are feeling calm and strong for today and tomorrow, you are nearly there, please keep your eye on the goal, a happy, peaceful home where YOU make the rules, and yopu never have to be bullied again.

Cheering you on from here...go girl!

linziluv123 · 08/02/2018 09:14

I'm feeling sick at the very thought of tomorrow 😫 I just feel so bad for him! Yes I know, I absolutely 100% know I shouldn't feel that way, he has caused all of this, I just can't help how I feel! I'm just so afraid of the unknown now. I've wrote out the text I'm to send tomorrow night, I think I've covered everything and I'm yet to run it by Mum. I've not gone for a soft approach but I've also not gone all out to hurt him. It's factual and to the point I think. Going to go and meet my friend for coffee soon hopefully she can cheer me up!

OP posts:
whateveryouknow · 08/02/2018 09:35

Linzi, you are fantastic. You've done everything and more than ready for tomorrow. we all are here for you. Just relax and take a deep breath. You are a very strong woman and you can do it. 👍👍👍

Granville72 · 08/02/2018 09:41

You are doing marvelously, you should be proud of yourself.

As for what to tell the children - I would firstly tell them that you are all off to visit your parents for the weekend for a little holiday and that you have something very important to tell them. Once you are all safely there, you can then sit them down and explain what is happening and why.

I think this would work best if you think either of the children will react badly, and at least you will be safely out of the house should your ex inadvertently come back sooner or you have trouble getting the children to leave.

Mywifenow · 08/02/2018 10:22

Linzi you're doing great and regards to guilt remember you have no choice now. SS are involved and because of his appaling treatment of you all you have one comply with them.
HE HAS BROUGHT THIS ON HIMSELF AND LEFT YOU WITH NO CHOICE BUT TO PROTECT YOUR DCS.

good luck love..stay strong xx

Dragongirl10 · 08/02/2018 11:23

Hi LINZI,

Well done, you are doing the ONLY thing you can as Mywife said now SS are involved, but that is a GOOD thing as it is pushing you to do the best thing for you and the DCs.

They will be so relieved to not have their Father, shouting at them and being spiteful on a daily basis.

Have you booked the locksmith? this is very important he must NOT have access to your house under ANY circumstances. Please , please do this straight away.

Remember the guilt is misplaced and is something he has conditioned you to feel, it is not justified at all so just ignore and let it go, it will eventually fade once you are away from his control.

Granville is right about the Dcs, they will be fine you know, and you are setting them a good example by saying, we do NOT allow abusive behaviour towards us, it is never acceptable.

By leaving him you are breaking the cycle of acceptance of abuse, and that is a powerful message to your children, they will know it is wrong and they will not be victims as they grow up.

Once again stay strong, l think if we here could walk beside you we would, so imagine us doing just that.

elisenbrunnen · 08/02/2018 20:00

Good luck tomorrow Linzi.

linziluv123 · 08/02/2018 20:26

He's been a total arse towards my daughter again tonight 😫 she really is playing up at the moment which is totally understandable! She seems so angry and is directing it at her brother but I really don't think it's meant for him. To me it's anger she feels towards her dad. She's gone from being golden girl one minute to nothing the next. He bought them toys today Hmm he kept saying he was taking hers back! Can't believe it's happening in 24 hrs time 😫 so nervous 😫

OP posts:
Mary1935 · 08/02/2018 20:29

Stay strong linziluv123 your doing really well. Keep posting for support.

OnTheRise · 08/02/2018 20:48

Linzi, what ever you do don't go soft at the last minute. You are only doing this because he has bullied and abused you to the point where you have no choice. You aren't doing something awful, you're protecting your children. You're good.

I suspect that once you're away from him your daughter's behaviour will improve no end. She'll be able to relax and be happy. It's going to be wonderful.

Dragongirl10 · 08/02/2018 20:48

Just breathe LINZI, today just reiterates why you are doing this, he really is a vile father.

The relief will be so wonderful, and the feeling of being able to come home and lock your own front door know its just you and the kids will be amazing.

When you feel nervous just take a few deep breaths and visualise how lovely your life will be with no bullying, abuse, unkindness to your kids....... keep the future in your mind.

Have you organised a locksmith ?

dizzy174 · 08/02/2018 20:52

hang in there linzi, new life in less than 24 hours. you and your dc deserve it.

Mrstobe90 · 09/02/2018 00:30

You're so strong!
I've never even met you but I'm so proud of you for making this step for you and your children!
You have an incredible life ahead of you, away from the abuse and you so deserve to be happy!!
Good luck for tomorrow xxxxxx

drinkswineoutofamug · 09/02/2018 06:24

Good luck for today Linz , we are behind you. Keep strong and keep safe xx

linziluv123 · 09/02/2018 06:35

Thank you all so much. I won't be going soft I can assure you. This is happening. Tonight. I'm very determined when I set my mind to something! I'm absolutely dreading it and my anxiety is crippling me.
I have a funny feeling my daughter won't want to leave tonight to go to Nanna's but I'm hoping a McDonald's may bribe them out 😫.
Somewhere hidden in my bedroom somewhere is £400, money that was given to him for doing a 'favour' (involving hiding something in my flat! (Not drugs). I had no idea obviously!
Do you feel I should take any of that money if I can find it? We could really do with it!
I'm going to keep busy today. I need to do a good clean really as I know social worker will want to see my flat at some point.
I'm extremely confident I can remove his key without him noticing at all. Council have said they can organise asap if for some reason I can't get it so will ring them early if that happens.
I'm scared 😫

OP posts:
Mrstobe90 · 09/02/2018 06:39

Personally, I wouldn't take any of the money. You don't want him to have any ammunition against you and he could charge you for theft.

I'm so glad you have so much support behind you!
Good idea in keeping yourself busy today! Do what you can to distract yourself and don't forget to look after yourself xxx

linziluv123 · 09/02/2018 06:42

How would anybody ever know it wasn't family money though?! It's literally just a wad of £10 notes in my bedroom!

OP posts:
toastyarmadillo · 09/02/2018 06:44

Another poster rooting for you! Good luck today hopefully it won't be too emotionally draining and painful xx

FrancisCrawford · 09/02/2018 06:49

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

whateveryouknow · 09/02/2018 06:50

Good morning Linzi, I believe you are better off not taking the money as this will make him more angry and gives him ammunition to try and get you in trouble.
As Dragongirl was saying last night, the best thing would've been changing the locks altogether. What if he has a spare key at his mother's house. You absolutely do NOT want him to get access to the flat. This is really crucial in the process of getting him out for good. Wishing you best of luck. You will be finally free. 🙏🏻🤞👍

rollingonariver · 09/02/2018 07:09

I doubt he could prove the money isn't yours, I'd take it. He probably won't be paying maintenance will he? He's put you in this position I'd take the money !
That may not be the best advice though.

linziluv123 · 09/02/2018 07:13

There's no spare key anywhere else I absolutely know that. He only has 1 key for the back door anyway. He will never expect this so he wouldn't have got keys cut just in case.
I still don't see why he gets 400 in his pocket and I'm left with nothing, especially ill gotten gain he's used my flat for! I have to buy weekly bus passes for 3 and food for a week I've never had to budget all by myself I'm really scared!

OP posts:
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