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Relationships

Partners relationship with my child

195 replies

Namechanging2 · 03/09/2019 04:10

I have been with my partner for 2 years and he's just recently moved in. The relationship has always been a bit rocky, with issues around our very different parenting styles. I have been a lone parent for years and am set in my ways, but it works for me and my child. OH thinks I'm too soft and steps in now and again, but he's too harsh as far as I'm concerned. He's like that with his own children too. By harsh I mean shouting at them aggressively and suddenly like he just loses it now and again.

Since he's moved in he's stepped in over my child staying in his own bed. I've always been happy to cosleep but obviously lately with my partner moving in my lb has had to sleep in his own bed. There's been a lot of getting up in the night to see to him and oh thinks I'm too soft and spend half my night sat in there with him, which is true. Oh decided he would take over and has been successful in getting my lb to stay in bed, but I've been suspicious about how he's doing it. I've heard him talking gently to him, and he tells me that he reassures him but firmly tells him that he has to stay in his own bed. But now and again I can really hear my lb sobbing and I can tell he doesn't get up in the night any more because he's too scared. He's becoming withdrawn around my partner and seems to be losing his confidence. He's definitely less secure than he was an glances over at my partner before he moves/speaks. He seems to be on eggshells and tells me that my partner doesn't like him and is always mad at him. Yesterday my lb wandered off to sit by himself looking sad and when I asked him what was wrong he said he'd been told off, but I had been in the room and hadn't heard anything. My lb said oh had made angry faces and waggled his finger at him for something, clearly when I wasn't looking.

My partner takes my lb out and goes out of his way to make an effort with him, but this relationship obviously isn't right. Yesterday my lb told my eldest that my partner hits him at night when I'm not there. When asked for a demonstration he put his hand on his cheek. I've asked my lb a few times what happens when oh goes in at night but he clams up and won't tell me anything. I need to address this today. Opinions?

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JoxerGoesToStuttgart · 03/09/2019 09:29

because she got pregnant.

You can be pregnant and live apart. It’s called putting your child(ren) first. A man impregnating you does not give him new rights to abuse your existing children. Far too many women seem to think it does.

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AmIThough · 03/09/2019 09:34

@JoxerGoesToStuttgart of course you can live apart but OP chose not to and now regrets her decision.

NOBODY thinks a man impregnating you gives him the right to abuse your children, don't be ridiculous.

OP needs support. If you can't offer that, go back to AIBU.

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Namechanging2 · 03/09/2019 09:37

He only moved in at the start of August, if I'd thought this was a possibility I would have ended the relationship/not started it in the first place. At the start it was me settling my lb at night, this change happened over the last 3 weeks.

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JoxerGoesToStuttgart · 03/09/2019 09:43

of course you can live apart but OP chose not to and now regrets her decision.

The warnings were already there before. That was my point.


NOBODY thinks a man impregnating you gives him the right to abuse your children, don't be ridiculous.


Very clearly, some do. OP already had concerns he was too harsh, shouting etc- but because she got pregnant ignored these concerns.

if I'd thought this was a possibility I would have ended the relationship/not started it in the first place.

But you did already know he was a harsh parent and didn’t parent the way you wanted to before you moved him in. Why would you go ahead and give him more access to your child?

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Oceanbliss · 03/09/2019 09:43

Good luck Namechanging2 I'm glad you have a friend to stay with. Stay safe with your children and I hope you get the right support. Flowers

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Lahlahfizzyfizzydoda · 03/09/2019 09:43

have you registered the baby yet? If you haven’t then don’t put him the certificate.

Sending you strength, bolstering and a hand hold

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Gloopy · 03/09/2019 09:49

Good luck OP. You're doing absolutely the right thing and protecting your children. Stay strong. Flowers

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JoxerGoesToStuttgart · 03/09/2019 09:54

Yes, thank goodness, you are now protecting them. Well done for taking that decision. Please work on your assertiveness and learn to spot signs of abusive men before having their children. It’s far too important to just put this down as a bad relationship. There were signs that you ignored and probably some you missed too. Do some work there. Keep your children safe. Your relationship don’t come before them.

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Windydaysuponus · 03/09/2019 09:55

Remember your dc needs him gone more than the baby needs him to stay.
Focus on the one in danger. A solicitor can help you after he has left. Don't be afraid to ring the police if he won't go.
You can do this.

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Prawnofthepatriarchy · 03/09/2019 09:56

Congratulations on your decision, OP.

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user1493494961 · 03/09/2019 10:04

Yes, what have you done.

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LorelaiRoryEmily · 03/09/2019 10:05

Good luck OP. I hope he goes quietly. Your poor little boy.

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Scorpiovenus · 03/09/2019 10:13

Tbh I think you should stay a lone parent as a proper adult relationship is not for you, and you are one of the kids is my life people. So you got to make the sacrifice and not make anyone else have to do what you want to do. Its basically as simple as that.

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GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 03/09/2019 10:15

Are you for real?

The relationship has always been a bit rocky, with issues around our very different parenting styles

Well, he hits your son and you don't, so yes, those are quite different styles.

Why on earth did you ask him to move in? He needs to go TODAY.

Your poor son.

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GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 03/09/2019 10:17

Sorry, just saw your update. Good decision; hope it goes OK. Please call the police if he won't go quietly.

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SittingAround1 · 03/09/2019 10:18

Have you ever read David Copperfield by Charles Dickens ?
Your first two posts reminded me of the mother in it.
At least you're getting out, she was living in Victorian times and couldn't do anything.

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user1498854363 · 03/09/2019 10:19

Op, it’s such a touch time for you, please do keep putting your dc first. Have you got support around? Someone to be with you or for you to go to if you want/need to?
Is it your home?
Can u change the locks?
Be safe and strong 💐

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ImNotYourGranny · 03/09/2019 10:38

I think you should report him to the police or NSPCC because if you just chuck him out it won't be long until he's doing it to the baby and you won't be there to protect them.

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thethoughtfox · 03/09/2019 11:22

I'm not sure what you want opinions on. Do you think this is OK?

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thethoughtfox · 03/09/2019 11:25

Read your updates. You are brave. Good luck xx

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Coyoacan · 03/09/2019 13:13

have you registered the baby yet? If you haven’t then don’t put him the certificate

I'm so glad you are getting rid of him, OP.

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expatinspain · 03/09/2019 13:14

Is everything ok, OP? I hope things didn't turn nasty with him.

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aintnutinchanged · 03/09/2019 14:33

Hope everything is ok op

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whattodowith · 03/09/2019 15:02

Agreed RE birth cert, give baby your surname and don’t put him on it.

The baby was a ginormous drip feed, before you mentioned that I just thought why the fuck did the move in and why are you even still with him?! Guessing pregnancy was unplanned and you wanted to give it a go... It won’t work though, you sound like a lovely caring Mother and he’s an abusive arsehole.

Leaving is the best thing for all involved.

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Namechanging2 · 03/09/2019 15:15

I'm okay, thank you. I'll update properly later, I'm still at my friend's but he has gone.

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