Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

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

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Handhold - Told H I want a divorce, the fallout and rise again - hopefully

943 replies

awesmum · 12/03/2019 19:00

Part 2

Well I never thought I would have to make a follow up page.

Thank you all lovely people for the handholds, if you've read the previous thread you know what I have been through, and I can't begin to explain how wonderful I found the support on here. So Thank you ... on I go!

OP posts:
justilou1 · 25/04/2019 11:53

I honestly think it's a logical response to living in a war zone, OP.... You are unaccustomed to the silence and the peace. You are waiting for the next bomb to hit.

Weenurse · 27/04/2019 01:49

Trip to the GP, and possibly relaxation exercises.
Glad you had a good Easter

Mrsmummy90 · 30/04/2019 22:16

Glad you had a nice Easter!

It must be wonderful to have your family in your life again.

I hope the horrible pos is leaving you alone xx

HazelBite · 30/04/2019 22:37

Nice to hear things are slowly improving for you.

Disfordarkchocolate · 01/05/2019 14:22

Just checking in @awesmum and hoping you are all ok.

MotherOfDragonite · 01/05/2019 15:51

Yep, another one saying hello and hoping all is well with you and your family :-)

CanuckBC · 01/05/2019 18:05

Just popping in to say hello and hoping things are going as smoothly as possible:).

Mitzimaybe · 03/05/2019 11:37

Hope you are ok, OP.

awesmum · 06/05/2019 07:49

Hello, I hope you're all having a wonderful if rainy bank holiday weekend. DD is with her father and I get her back this morning.

I am doing ok. I had an issue with an appliance at home during the week, with resorted to me bursting into tears and being unable to stop, despite me telling myself how ridiculous I was being and to stop it, I wasn't physically able to for a bit. I had to pull it together to figure out a solution to get myself out of trouble for a petty issue and I had a mini meltdown. Utterly utterly ridiculous. I think to be fair I was struggling as for the past 8+ years I had attempted to keep my emotions and feelings in check that this was a bit of a release / the first time I had let go and having started to relax myself emotionally recently. I was unable to rein myself in for a bit. My rational thinking was all there just the physical act of blubbering uncontrollably was too. Anyway I sorted everything out and was fine. I know these things will happen.

I am trying to be kind and a bit gentle with myself but it is hard when these emotions are so backed up that they will spill out up sometimes.

I have had a few more reminders of the good of being out of the relationship in the last few weeks. I had to give an example of 3 things I was proud of of myself- not including my kids. One was getting my job, with no references and the major one was getting out of that relationship. I did get damp eyed when saying that to a group but held it together - because I am proud and yes it was terrible. I know most people don't see it and most people don't know or understand how horrible it was and that does make it difficult.

I made a stupid mistake at work in the week, I am talking daft thing, and I was so apologetic expecting an absolute bollocking as 'he' would do for hours and it didn't come. My boss was like 'it's fine'. I also am so scared that I have made a mistake on a report/ filing / email that it almost consumes me as I would daily get picked at and lectured for putting a comma in the wrong place or miss-spelling something. Even when I am fairly certain that I have things right I worry that it will come back that I have done something wrong. I know that in time this too will ease. It has made me think the huge effect his belittling has had on the children too, I did speak to my DS about it, how I felt about the picking at me and how it affected me and how he was feeling. He understood where I was coming from of the panic and dread. He seems so much brighter and happier as do the girls.

I had some lovely compliments from DC's friends this last week, how they love coming to our house and how nice it is and that they can relax and spend time with their friend.

I have started meditating to help with sleep or lack there of, and to help with the anxiety of him still being on my shoulder making me panic. I have an appointment with my doctor too.

I am getting there. I am doing ok. I feel a lot happier most of the time. I am having now to learn to undo the harm in myself he did. I think I have been so focused on the kids, the court, the house, our physical safety, supporting us, that my emotional well being is now in need of tlc.

OP posts:
pog100 · 06/05/2019 08:06

You are going to be just fine. Anyone with that level of self awareness and care for others is well placed to steer through life. It's horrible that that man was able to have that level of control over you but you are out. I'm full of admiration!

Disfordarkchocolate · 06/05/2019 09:18

Hello @Awesmum, I use the Calm app and it's really helping me deal with my busy and very negative brain. I think it may be worth doing some work on your self-esteem when you feel up to it. Our local mental health provider does group courses, there may be something in your area too? It can be quite hard but it may make you realise why you put up with your X for so long and stop blaming yourself.

awesmum · 06/05/2019 10:00

@Disfordarkchocolate I am also using the calm app, and doing the 7 days of self esteem at the moment. Thank you for the tip about a local group I will look it up.

@pog100 thank you.

OP posts:
Mrsmummy90 · 06/05/2019 10:04

You have come so far and you should be so so proud of yourself.
You have been a pillar of strength for your children and yourself throughout this whole ordeal.
It's ok to crumble sometimes. In fact, you'll probably need the release. Just make sure that you build yourself back up and keep your head high.

You are doing great!

Soverytiredofeverythinggoingon · 06/05/2019 13:04

You are doing great! Have you signed up to The Freedom Programme?

lololove · 06/05/2019 18:09

I can't believe everything you have had to go through. . I'm so sorry ❤️

I've just found your thread and read through. I love that he's just dropping himself in it everytime without you having to do anything. He's clearly not as clever as he truly believes he is. Thankfully he's playing into your hands by just being himself.

Keep being you, you incredible mum ❤️

awesmum · 09/05/2019 19:01

@Soverytiredofeverythinggoingon I have had a lot of suggestions to do the freedom Programme, and was on the waiting list. But I have finally bitten the bullet and bought the online version. It's very insightful. I can't get past the 'bully' chapter- it him to a 't'.

I was having a conversation with my sister yesterday, we don't speak too much. We are very different people. But she was asking me, as I had been seeing Women's Aid and been in contact with DV teams what it was he did, because he didn't hit me. What do I mean it's DV? It's so frustrating having to justify what he did and the affect. This isn't the first time I have had this, but it's so debilitating to have to explain. And with the explanation I feel like it's inconsequential and I am being petty or dramatic- which is how he made me feel. Every time I have to justify it I start to question whether I am doing the right thing. It's so tough. I shut the conversation down, I know what I went through. I know the affect it had on me on and on the children. I know how much better we are all feeling now we are out. I know I have cried twice this year rather than every day with him.

I saw my solicitor to talk about the next steps and when they read through my reasons for divorce- baring in mind I was told by my previous solicitor that I could only include things that happened in the 6 months up to the separation (bs by the way Hmm) they were shocked at the length of the list but said I have quiet a very good and clear reasoning to put before the court.

OP posts:
Mrsmummy90 · 09/05/2019 20:05

Ignore the people that are questioning it. They are lucky enough to not understand what it means to live with an abuser and they never will.
What you went through was horrendous and you have done so well! We are all so proud of you and rooting for you.
It's not petty or dramatic to want freedom and happiness.

I'm so glad your solicitor is better than the last.
Have you thought about putting a formal complaint in about the shitty one? She was beyond useless xx

longtimelurkerhelen · 09/05/2019 21:58

You don’t need to justify yourself to anyone. I think I would rather have a black eye and broken bones than suffer years and years of physiological and emotional abuse and I have read that many others that have unfortunately suffered both say the same. It’s the constant drip (water torture) and the second guessing that really takes a toll.

No one other than you can ever know how bad it was (and people really shouldn’t ask) and for your own Sister to say that to you must be really hurtful. If she asks again, just say you don’t want to go over it all again and to look up emotional abuse.

From what you have said on here, it was intolerable for many different reasons. The fact is you don’t need a reason to leave someone, it is up to you how you choose to live your life.

Hope you are doing okay, it sounds like you are getting there. Flowers

MotherOfDragonite · 09/05/2019 22:29

Attitudes are only just beginning to change as things like coercive control get recognised in law. People still don't know about other types of domestic abuse. It's not your fault at all -- but neither is it your responsibility to educate others if it doesn't feel good for you!

Glad to hear that your new solicitor seems so much better.

How is your little DD doing now? Have your routines improved?

Mrsmummy90 · 16/05/2019 09:54

How are you getting on OP? Xx

awesmum · 16/05/2019 22:50

Do you always know when I am having a wobble? Someone always seems to ask just at the right time.
I am ok. Getting there. Had a wobble today. Dreamed about ex last night. It is hard. But I remind myself what is better now, how much better life is, how much more relaxed and calm we all feel. It's just the dreams of ' what was meant to be' which hurts the most.

I had to ask (all via email) if he would allow DD to go to her best friends party on his access day for 2 hours - I would take her he said yes if I give him an extra day in return- that sort of thing makes it easier to get over him it really does. He also asked to see Dd11 - I said she's been told she would be fully supported if she choose to go and it would be entirely her choice. I reminded him he has bothered with her for months and that the last few times they had contact it was very negative- him having a go at her on her birthday and telling her how he was the victim in all this - in November last year. I suggested that he sent a note home to her to gently ease in if he wanted to open the door to a relationship with her but it's down to her. But if he was interested I would happily keep him updated as to what she's up to etc. We shall see.

I also went to the dr's just to say how sometimes it is a real struggle. They were very supportive. I know I just have to get through this.

It is bloody hard sometimes though.

OP posts:
pog100 · 16/05/2019 22:57

What comes through to me is that you are now able to react to him in a way that a reasonable person with some perspective would. This is great. Sounds like you are handling things very well, considering what a bullying idiot he is. You've got this.

Mrsmummy90 · 16/05/2019 23:36

I second what @pog100 says.

You sound much more headstrong about the whole situation.
You have come so far and hopefully he is starting to realise that he can't mess with you anymore.

You really have got this!

awesmum · 17/05/2019 18:10

Situation normality has resumed- glad I am not with him - and all it took was 1 email from him. Basically he said if I wanted to take DD to her best friends birthday party for 2 hours I must in return give him a full day the next day. That he only get to see her 2 full days EOW and that the separation was all my fault and DD11 not seeing him is down to my influence. He went on to say how mean I was etc. Didn't mention wanting to see the others.

I read the email at work and have been chuckling every since.

I did respond saying if he wants her a full day the following day he can give me the full day on the weekend in return. I did respond to the other sh*t because quite frankly there is no point. But 'Thank you STBXH you consistently remind me whenever we have contact why I am not with you.'

OP posts:
BeUpStanding · 17/05/2019 21:47

You are doing brilliantly Awesmum. You should be very, very, very proud of yourself. I'm so sorry that your sister didn't understand - some people just don't get it, but you're right that the important thing is you and your DC know the truth, and all of us here on your thread know what you suffered.

Keep putting one foot in front of the other, and come back here as often as you like. There are many women looking out for your updates.

Have a unMumsnetty (((hug)))