Thanks, Mumsnet.

[JarlBalgruuf]

I just wanted to say thanks to all the people on here who help out women in abusive relationships. It was because of reading threads on here that I realised my husband had been controlling and manipulating my our entire relationship.

I eventually found the strength to lock the door and not let him back in, and now, a few months down the line, I'm living in a flat that's just mine with my beautiful baby who I get all to myself, and I'm more confident and sure of myself than I ever have been.

Its been a wild ride emotionally but I know in my heart I've done the right thing. No matter how sad I get about what should have been, I know that my son being exposed to those toxic behaviours would only have affected him badly.

I'm very nervous because I haven't spoken to my mum in about three years because my husband said he would never speak to me again if I did, and convinced me that she and my family were the problems in my life. I will be seeing her at Christmas and she will be meeting her grandson for the first time, which is a huge milestone for me given that up until recently I thought I would never see her again.

So thanks to all the women on here who call out abusive behaviour, and help people to get out and stay out. If it weren't for reading about others' experiences on here I would never have made the connections with my relationship.

Good for you. You did this.

You're a star.

And it only gets easier.

I know this sounds silly, but look up a song called Landed by Ben Folds. After mine ended, that song made me feel awesome.

I'm so happy for you!

Have a wonderful Christmas.

Bloody well done for finding the courage to do this.

I'm very much aware of how easy it is to tell someone on a forum that they need to leave an abusive relationship, but being the recipient of such as message and furthermore acting on it is often incredibly hard - especially where women have been cut off from their support network and had their sense of confidence and self esteem deliberately eroded.

It's heartwarming to see someone coming out the other side of such a toxic relationship with the obvious hope for the future and optimism your post conveys and I hope it inspires other women to come to the realisation that they too can break free of such abuse.

Thanks everyone! I'm trying to stay positive and in some ways things have been going right since I made the decision which only reaffirms it :)

You never think it will be you until you're in the middle of it, but the only way from rock bottom is up!

what a lovely post OP and well done at making contact with you rmum.
I really hope that it is a lovely moment for both of you as you were both victims to this horrible man.
Hopefully you will find support and love in your new relationship with your mum and your ds will get a wonderful granny in his life.
I am having a bit of a flat day today and your post has really cheered me up.

Well done OP, very brave of you. Hope this gives strength to others in similar positions xx

Really happy for you OP

Thanks for sharing your story, OP. You will help others to realise there really is light at the end of the tunnel.

I'm sure your mam will be overjoyed to have you, and your little one, back in her life. Sending you very best wishes for Xmas, and for a wonderful 2019 & beyond.

That's exactly it. This has been the hardest thing I've ever done but I'm a much stronger person than I was before. And now I know how to look out for abusive bell ends.

To anyone in this situation, it really does get better. Once you start remembering who you are and realising how you've been treated theres no looking back.

Happy Christmas everyone!!

Well done you!

Mumsnet helped me get away from my abusive relationship as well.

Thanks for landed.

I owe mn a huge thank you too. Helped save me and my family too.

Landed still makes me feel like a bad ass, even many many years later.

For a physically abusive relationship, Pearl Jam's Rearviewmirror is a good one.

There are some incredible lines in that one:

• it wasn't my surface most defiled
• forced to endure what i could not forgive
• saw things so much clearer, once you were in my rearview mirror

Well done you. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas

Aw that is lovely of you to post this and I hope for lovely things to come.

I often wonder how women are doing who have posted on these boards, so good to know that you are thriving OP. Have a great Chrstmas.

I've name changed a few times now but there are some incredible people giving support on these boards AnyFucker is one I recognise. Thanks AF and all.

MN did this for me too. It took months but my god this place is amazing

Happy Christmas, Jarl.