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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:
linziluv123 · 18/01/2018 16:19

Thanks se7en I've pm'd you. Thought best not to give exact location away on here!

OP posts:
linziluv123 · 18/01/2018 16:19

Thanks se7en I've pm'd you. Thought best not to give exact location away on here!

OP posts:
linziluv123 · 18/01/2018 16:23

Oops double post 😫 mumsnet seems quite glitchy lately!

OP posts:
BibbleBabble777 · 18/01/2018 17:36

I've been following your story this last few days. Well done for being so strong. You've found lots of support IRL, so hope that will keep you going when things get tough.

And we're here for you too. Xx Flowers

linziluv123 · 18/01/2018 18:10

Ive realised today that I'm in quite an enviable position compared to most women faced with this situation. If I think about it I actually do hold all the cards.
There are women I meet through Work who are experiencing abuse whilst they are fighting a serious illness, I'm lucky I don't have that to contend with too.
I'm incredibly lucky my employer is so supportive. My family are amazing and don't live too far away. People genuinely like me and care about me. This thread has been amazing support for me. I know I've only told the entire truth so therefore not everybody on this thread can be wrong in their advice! It's made it clear that what I've put up with is unacceptable.
I've lived in a fog for so long and I can feel it clearing as I carry on with my plans. A part of me is quite excited at the prospect of a nice life with my children that we control.
I still feel sad and guilty and my anxiety is crippling but I won't feel like this forever.

OP posts:
Dragongirl10 · 18/01/2018 18:54

Op my heart lifts to hear you sound so positive, I am so glad you can see what we can...

OverTheParapet · 18/01/2018 20:18

You're doing so well @linziluv123 Thanks

linziluv123 · 18/01/2018 20:24

Ive been reading tonight. I'm adamant he has narcissistic personality disorder. This in no way means I want him in my life.....quite the opposite.....but it does help me to understand a lot and accept there really is nothing I can do to change him. It's impossible for a narcissist to recognise they're a narcissist in the first place due to them being perfect. It all makes so much sense now....they make you believe you are crazy!

OP posts:
Myheartbelongsto · 18/01/2018 21:59

Yes they do make you believe you're crazy. You'll look back on this one day and realise how fuckin nuts he is!

Keep going op!

Luckybe40 · 18/01/2018 22:40

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linziluv123 · 19/01/2018 05:25

LuckyBe (very apt username by the way) All I can say is you're exceptionally lucky you have never been in this situation. Obviously you're not as weak as me!
Go and educate yourself on domestic abuse, go on, you go see what a number these men do on us. You see, it's FOR the children we stay. In fact I'm not explaining myself to such an ignorant person.
You have really upset me with your comments, I can't feel any more guilt but go ahead, you stick the knife in further. Rest in peace knowing I'm sat her alone and crying because of YOU.

OP posts:
Hernameisdeborah · 19/01/2018 06:33

OP, please keep going, you are doing amazingly. Please don't lose heart due to the ignorant comments of others who haven't been in your situation and haven't a fucking clue. Most people on here know someone leaving such a terrifying and abusive situation need as much strength and support as they can gather, not to be kicked hard when they are already down. Keep focusing on your freedom and your future, don't be discouraged. Xx

linziluv123 · 19/01/2018 06:39

I woke up feeling ok but reading that last comment really got to me. I don't need any help feeling guilty! I'm probably being a little over sensitive it's just I've worked so hard all week to convince myself that none of this is my fault. Now I'm back to blaming myself for the kids. Worried I've ruined them for life 😥.
Thanks for your reassurance it's picked me up x

OP posts:
Hernameisdeborah · 19/01/2018 06:47

None of this is your fault, it is entirely your partner who created this situation, not you, the way you have kept things together for your children in those circumstances is awesome. Onward and upward xx

linziluv123 · 19/01/2018 06:49

Thank you @Hernameisdeborah I really appreciate that x

OP posts:
dumbolickous · 19/01/2018 07:03

Linzi you are amazing. You're kids are going to be so proud of you!

@luckybe40 ...... fuck off you righteous arsehole!

Hidingtonothing · 19/01/2018 07:42

Ffs! I'm so sorry you've had to read that pile of bollocks Linzi, please don't let it upset you and ruin what was a helpful, supportive thread. Can I gently suggest that you try to cherry pick what's helpful to you on here and ignore (hard though I know that is) the less helpful stuff? There is, unfortunately, pretty much 'always one'.

It's really annoyed me that you've been brought down from how positive you were feeling and sounding yesterday, what can we do to help you get back there?

linziluv123 · 19/01/2018 07:49

@Hidingtonothing (lol have only just realised I can tag people!) I'm ok I think. I've took a step back and realised out of this whole thread, just 2 posters have made me question myself. It'd be silly to assume that they were right and everybody else was wrong!
I was just quite shocked, I'm always highly anxious anyway when I first wake up so probably overreacted. I will do what you say and try and ignore people like that who don't have the slightest clue what it's like to be in this situation. X

OP posts:
Dragongirl10 · 19/01/2018 08:14

Hi LINZI,

Please keep going, sometimes it so easy for people to say 'just go'

But until you have walked a mile in someone else's shoes you really don't know how hard it can be, l know you are really scared of this horrible man, l know you are scared of what he may try and do...although l don't think he will do much as he like all bullies is essentially weak. But l understand your fear.

just keep focussed on going on with your plans to get him out of your home wherever that ends up being. Focus on the calm, loving, happy life ahead of you and Dcs with lovely family, friends, job, colleagues and hopefully one day a loving, kind partner.

Keep that vision in your head,

Hidingtonothing · 19/01/2018 08:23

That's exactly the way I was hoping you'd see it, still not ok that people can be so mind bogglingly ignorant though Angry Hats off to you for pulling it round yet again, you're way stronger than you realise to keep fighting the way you are. Hope you manage to have a good day but we'll be here if you need us Flowers

TheMamaYo · 19/01/2018 08:29

Linzi, you'll have to grow a skin as thick as a rhino's. It's all ok, you know where you're at, how you are taking steps to get in a better place for you and your kids, and the guts it takes to make it happen.

Truth is, it'll get harder before it gets better. You'll have to face people who speak their minds, with little understanding of the situation. You'll have to face your children maybe asking you not to go through with it. You'll have to face a barrage of emotions from your abuser once everything gets in motion.

And you know what? You can do it. I promise you, some of these things will seem never ending, but it does.

Grit those teeth, use your lovely family and colleague's support and march on.

I can not begin to tell you how much better life gets when you are on the other side. When you look back and see what you've left behind. When you start building up your children's confidence along your own. When you have the freedom to live a decent and normal life. It is all worth it, I promise.

ptumbi · 19/01/2018 10:41

LuckyBe - you are lucky in not understanding these people. Linzi didn't 'allow him to belittle her so severely and consistently in every way shape and form whilst she talks about feeling guilty.'!

Normal people cannot understand ow this happens, how someone can 'allow' it - well, normal people apply 'normal' rules. And can't understand how a person can do that TO them - therefore the OP must be at fault. The op willlook for a way to get back to 'normal', and bend over backwards, do anything she can - to apply 'normal' to her life. And it works for a while, because narcissists are clever, and know that if they are cunts 100% of the time, the partner will leave, no question. So they are only cunts for 89% of the time, and OP spends that time doing ALL she can to get back the 'nice' person he is 11% of the time!

Until suddenly, the scales fall. And she realises that the 89% person is HIM, not the nice 11% man. Therefore they are trapped with kids in a reality that they suddenly realise is NOT 'normal, like you or I find normal.

Then they need HELP to get out, not more abuse like you have dished out. It is NOT her fault - she had entered a relationship thinking it is 'normal'. With a man she thought was 'normal' - but he isn;t, and this realisation takes time. She hasn't knowingly married a cunt - she married a man she thought was normal. She hasn't knowingly brought kids into this mess - she thought she was doing a normal thing with normal rules.

Read up on DV - it can happen to anyone - educated, rich, celebrity, council house; it could happen to you. You wouldn't know it, it's insidious. You don't know it's happening.

Don't be ignorant your entire life, Lucky.

MaggieMay23 · 19/01/2018 14:12

@linziluv123 Don't let the ba¥+$^ds get you down. You're doing great. Your DCs sound lovely and they're a credit to you. So hold your head up high. 💕

Luckybe40 · 19/01/2018 14:22

Okay! It’s just SUCH a horrific situation for the OP and especially her childrenSadso many times OP you’ve stated different circumstances that you’re kids have been very negatively affected, ( father shouts at them, SS have been involved, DD is becoming like her dad,ect,ect...) I just felt bad for them. I guess it’s the endless question of when is it actually the responsibility of the parent to get the children out of the abusive environment. I guess I got my answer which is whenever OP can/is ready...I don’t know. But I’m obviously NOT being helpful so I wish you and your children all the best.

gta · 19/01/2018 15:01

Linzi I am north Manchester if you need any help or a hand to hold x

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