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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

Trapped and alone

161 replies

PurpleStripes · 15/06/2019 14:57

Hi there, a little back story first (some details slightly altered to hide my identity from prying eyes).

I'm in my late 20's, married for a little over a year and I have a DS who is 9. My H is also around the same age and has no DC of his own. We have been together 4 years in total.
I am miserable!!

When we first got together it was a whirlwind, we fell in love quickly and pretty hard. We moved in together after around 6 months, more for financial reasons and because both of our leases were expiring. My son adores him. His DF has slowly been taking a back seat in his life over the last few years, since he remarried, and now for at least 6 months has not seen or spoken to him at all.
H works more than 60 hours a week most weeks away from home and also in the evening and weekends in his office. He has a professional job which has always been his first priority. He had a difficult childhood and has spent his adult years trying to move away emotionally and financially from it.
I work around 30 hours a week but for some months I have been off work with a chronic illness awaiting surgery which is imminent. This has obviously affected us financially as well as having a massive strain on our relationship. Things weren't great before, we haven't had a strong relationship since before we got married (I know that we shouldn't have but as many others before and no doubt since, we didn't want to waste the money and disappoint the guests).

So to now.. Our relationship is pretty much dead in the water but I can't leave. I've been attending a freedom program for a few weeks and I'm slowly learning that H has been emotionally abusing me. For those familiar with the program, he is a class A headworker, amongst others. I have been taking on the debts etc, any credit has been in my name, which has meant I've missed payments as I've been on SSP and H has still expected my full contribution to bills. All of this was with the for-thought of getting a mortgage at the end of this year. H (has extensive knowledge in the area) led me to believe that by doing so we would secure the best mortgage in his name only. He has told me now that this is not actually the case but it's going to be difficult for him to do so as long as I'm going to be living in the house..

The last 6 or so weeks have been the worst. He has been giving me the silent treatment, sleeping in the spare room, working until midnight some nights, not coming home without contact (although this is not new, he has always done this). I think this is because my beliefs have changed due to going to the program and he has sensed change in me. Gaslighting is his speciality and due to my ill mental health in the past, I struggle to understand when he is in the moment and only realise in hindsight which I can't then acknowledge because I'm then accused of 'dragging shit up from the past'. I highly doubt that there is an OW as his is really weird and doesn't like being touched, feels uncomfortable around more than a few people especially if he doesn't know them. He shows a lot of autistic traits (not that this is necessarily a bad thing as DS is diagnosed with asperger's).

I have no family, only a couple of friends, Im completely isolated since he moved me 2 hours from my home town last year for his work. I have no income or savings, only debt. I rely on him solely for help with childcare when I was at work and when I return to work after my surgery.

I'm sorry if you've got this far and you're bored.
Has anybody been in a similar circumstance and managed to dig their way out? Does anybody have any advice? I feel trapped and I don't know where to turn. He changes his mind almost hourly over whether he wants to continue the relationship, I really just don't know what to do anymore.

OP posts:
Whatisthisfuckery · 23/06/2019 10:39

My DS had a mother who had a nervous breakdown that is, he didn’t have one himself, although he’s had various issues caused by all the shit he’s been dragged through. You need to get him away. If you won’t do it for yourself then do it for him.

PurpleStripes · 23/06/2019 18:29

I know that domestic abuse is being recognised as not just being physical but does this warrant needing immediate help? I know I'm in a shit situation but I would hate to take resources away from someone who was in a worse place than myself.

I went out with a friend for a couple of hours today and I've come back to so much shit. He maintains he's happy I went and that it was good for me so why have I spent 2 hours crying??

DS asked to speak to me, spoke about Lego and then told me to continue...but without arguing.
It's his new normal and I feel so fucking guilty.

OP posts:
Whatisthisfuckery · 23/06/2019 22:02

Well what do you think Purple? Do you think the absence of black eyes means it’s not real abuse?

Don’t forget, you have been living with this for a long time. You’ve been trained and ground down for years to accept it without question. People looking in aren’t going to have the emotional investment that you have, they’re not going to minimise what’s going on because they haven’t been beaten down, and they will have seen it all many, many times before.

Look, I don’t know what WA or your local DV service will say to you, but neither will you until you call them. Come on, you can see what this is doing to your child, and it’s you who’re choosing to stay, he doesn’t have the choice.

Do you really want to still be in that house with him in a month’s time, or a year? There’s never a good time, and it’s not exactly sunshine and roses when you do leave, but if you get yourself through the shittiness of leaving then at least you can work towards a better future, where you aren’t a nervous wreck, and your DS isn’t living in an environment that will damage him for the rest of his life. He needs to see healthy relationships and love in his life, otherwise how will he know what that looks like?

Come on, stop making excuses and make those calls. They’re only telephone calls after all.

HollyLM · 23/06/2019 22:18

You have to go do this! You have the strength deep down believe me, and everything will be ok in the end. It may just be a bit of a journey until then....

Use everyone you can around you for help (friends?) and don't be afraid of ashamed to do so!

Please call Women's Aid and seek some advice.

Come on, be brave and believe in yourself! Sometimes being thrown into shitty situations, gives us the strength and determination to succeed and become more than we ever have been!

This is yours and your sons lives and future.

It's you two against the world. You've got this and you can do this. You've got everyone on here to offer help and advice when you need it.

You'll be ok xxxxxxx

PurpleStripes · 23/06/2019 23:39

Thank you so much. Really thank you.
I have read every inch of the women's aid website and every external link in each part too.
I will call them tomorrow if H doesn't work from home.

What do I do in the mean time? I'm having surgery in two days and I'm going to be so dependant on him. I'm so scared that he won't be there for me and DS 😔

I've let the cat out of the bag earlier and told him that I'll be leaving him as soon as I can, I don't think I should have done that.
I'm going to pack an emergency bag before my surgery just in case. I've been pretty honest with my sister in law so she is now aware and would be able to help get me out of here but she also works really long shifts as a doctor and isn't always contactable.

OP posts:
granadagirl · 24/06/2019 00:00

Just use him, like he uses you.
The l’ll be leaving you after surgery, if he mentions it “ just say you annoyed me, or I was angry with you, I was in pain”. Anything of those.

Firstly and paramount is you need to get through the op and recover to the best you can in the circumstances
Whilst your doing that, you can get your ducks in a row.
Your son is not a baby, so he can get himself in the shower/bath and pj’s on, can get cold drink and biscuit or even make sandwich doesn’t matter if not the way you make it.

Don’t play into husbands hands, you need to keep your thoughts to yourself. Just be careful of sil after all she is HIS flesh and blood
Bloods thicker than water.

How long are you going to be in hospital for?

PurpleStripes · 24/06/2019 00:00

When I go what do I do with DS fish and hamster? He would probably feed and clean the hamster but he hates the fish and caused a huge uproar when my DM paid for the tank. He had the fish on advice from his therapist as a calming technique..

OP posts:
Whatisthisfuckery · 24/06/2019 00:01

Yes, emergency bag with things for you, DS, important documents, anything you can’t bare to be without, within reason of course.

Call in the morning, as soon as he leaves. WA can be quite a long wait so hang on. Have you googled your local domestic abuse service? Being local to you they may be able to act quicker, but try both. If you have to leave a message tell them you’re not safe and need a call back asap. Drop the pride, and stop thinking you aren’t badly off enough. You are, and every day putting up with his abuse is doing you and your DS harm.You’re at the event horizon now, keep going. There’s a massive sigh of relief just ahead, I promise you.

Beyond that I can’t offer you anymore practical advice. Like I said up thread, try and carry on as if he’s not there. He’s going to ramp up the lovely now you’ve said you’re off, so don’t get sucked in. You know it’s only temporary and he’ll be back to normal once he’s weathered the storm. Keep your rascional head on, play the game if you must, but try to separate the emotion. Humans are great at survival, that’s what we do, so just survive in the mean time and focus your mind on your goal.

Good luck, and check in tomorrow if you can. I want to read that you’ve reached out for help.

Come on, square those shoulders. You’re worth more than this. How dare he do this to you.

PurpleStripes · 24/06/2019 00:03

My SIL is my DB exWife.
I'm only in until Friday but I'm not going to be able to even get to the toilet without assistance.
Do I tell him that unprovoked or wait for him to bring it up. He's, I assume, sleeping in the spare room tonight, do I tomorrow somewhat apologise and use the excuse of being angry?

OP posts:
granadagirl · 24/06/2019 00:17

I’d wait till he brings it up, I’m sure he will. Otherwise he will think your back tracking and you need him only because off your op and recovery.
When he does, then just say one of the above excuses

PurpleStripes · 24/06/2019 00:31

I keep thinking of all of the good times. Is it normal to feel so torn. I'm almost certain I'm going to leave but deep down I still live him. I married him because I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him.

OP posts:
Whatisthisfuckery · 24/06/2019 09:46

Well yeah, otherwise we’d all be out the door without a backward look wouldn’t we? Abusive men would be out of business within the week.

I’d just play dumb if I were you. Keep your mouth shut about it and if he asks just be like, ‘don’t be silly dear, what a thing to say,’ and change the subject.

PurpleStripes · 24/06/2019 22:43

I'm sorry to say but I didn't call today. I've been so wrapped up in getting prepared and my son that I just haven't had the headspace. I promise I will next week when H returns to work and I have my surgery out of the way and hopefully positive results from DS's tests.

It's been fairly quiet again, H has been at work and has left me alone since he got back, although not with any venom just doing our own thing.

OP posts:
Whatisthisfuckery · 24/06/2019 23:51

Concentrate on your surgery and getting back on your feet. You’ve got a few nights in hospital now which will at least give you some sort of brake.

Good luck for tomorrow.

Do come back when you’re able and tell us how you’re doing. We’ll all still be here.

PurpleStripes · 25/06/2019 00:15

Thank you @Whatisthisfuckery From the bottom of my heart.

I didn't think I'd ever find solace in an anonymous poster on MN, I've been reading and lurking since I was pregnant but didn't ever think I could be concise enough to warrant a response.

OP posts:
EducatingArti · 25/06/2019 06:57

Hang on in there and use this thread for support vehicle you are recovering from surgery.

Doidontimmm · 25/06/2019 07:17

Could you contact DS dad or his family for emergency help (would DS go?) & tell the hospital you have no where to go to recover and no help? Do they then have to keep you in?

granadagirl · 25/06/2019 10:03

Good luck 😉 for today, everything will go fine . Rest up and get yourself stronger

Then if you feel it’s right for YOU deal with this shit, but only when you’ve recovered from op.

Let us know, when your upto it your ok
Best wishes 🌼🌺🌸

PurpleStripes · 25/06/2019 13:16

@Doidontimmm he has completely cut DS out of his life when he remarried a few months ago. His family weren't ever there to begin with so it's just us 🤷🏻‍♀️

OP posts:
LilMissRe · 25/06/2019 14:53

I am so sorry you are going through this. I left a 15 year relationship with an emotional abuser. I didn't even know he was an one until 13/14 years into our marriage. He has bankrupt me, and I'm sure I couldn't even conceive after our first child because of the stress he caused. I too would get so anxious when I see his car lights approaching the drive, and run to the kitchen so that he wouldn't question what I was doing all day. I used to feel guilty if I sat in front of the tv with a cup of tea, or if I wasn't cleaning or doing something physical. I had a full time job too, but he had a gift for making me feel worthless.

I can only say this: You deserve to live fulfilled and happy life, your kids would want a happy mum too. I stayed in my marriage only for my son but do you know what? My son has shown me how resilient he is. I was worried most about him but kids do much worse in unhealthy environments at home than in happy single parent homes. I wanted my son to know what a good relationship looks like, and what a bad one looks like, so that he knows for when he grows up. My son was the reason I left.

I had to start from scratch. I moved back with my Dad, and went back into education. Everyone around me my age were settling down and seemingly happy, and I felt like a failure- at first. Not now :)

I wish I left him earlier- I am so much happier now. Yes I am single, at 35, with loans, and a teenage son, but I have for the first a chance to write my own story as they say- freedom to create the life for me and my son that I want. It's very difficult, but I am so proud that I have come out of it on the other side.

And here is my point: Your partner wants to control you, and you staying is him winning. Speak to a solicitor and tell them about the emotional and financial abuse he has caused.

It honestly gets so much better. I have no regrets. You won't either.

PurpleStripes · 27/06/2019 10:26

I will read everyone's thoughtful replies properly over the next day or so.

Just wanted to quickly update that I've had my surgery, feeling like shit and apart from a couple of miscommunications I'm feeling mostly supported. I'm trying not to look for any signs of negativity (mostly because I've not got the fucking energy).

Let's see how it goes!

OP posts:
EducatingArti · 27/06/2019 13:42

Glad your surgery went ok. I hope you have a quick and easy recovery!

granadagirl · 27/06/2019 16:52

Exactly, think off yourself and your health. Bite your tongue and answer
Yes or no

Whatisthisfuckery · 30/06/2019 13:19

Hi Purple, sorry been busy the last few days so haven’t checked back.

I’m glad to hear your op went well and I hope your recovery is well underway now. Concentrate on yourself and try to ignore any negativity if it arises. I’m inclined to think he’ll be very nice while you’re getting better to mess with your head. Just keep your critical head on and be selfish. If he’s being nice then take it, doesn’t mean all is forgiven, it just means you’re looking out for yourself.

Good luck, and I hope you have a straight forward recovery and that you’re back on your feet soon. X

PurpleStripes · 30/06/2019 18:47

Everything has gone from bad to worse. All compassion has gone now. I'm fucking scared.

He left me earlier knowing I couldn't get up by myself and I needed the toilet. I need to leave right now.
I've managed to get a bag together but I can't physically get to my documents, he wouldn't think about the immediately so I could come back for them.
What can I do right now? I could go to a hotel but I wouldn't be able to look after DS on my own. I could leave him here for tonight maybe.
I'm so scared and tired and in extortionate pain 😔

OP posts:
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