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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

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Dp and Ds 8th birthday yesterday.

941 replies

Fedupofitnow123 · 28/10/2019 12:30

It was ds's birthday yesterday, on Friday I went and got his gifts while doing the weekly shop, Saturday went into town to get his cake twice! as Ds was with me and decided on one that needed to be made so we collected later in the evening.

DP had promised DS to go to softplay on Sunday (his birthday), Sunday comes around and I'm finding DS something to wear and say about "when we come back...." and DP shouts through, "We're not going" I ignored it...

Next I'm in the kitchen and DP comes in "We don't really have to go do we?" I said yes as DS has been looking forward to it and he promised DS.

The DP comes up with a genius plan wherby we invite some of DS friends (a family 5 minutes walk away) and then DP can stay at home, so I agree, I know if he comes now he'll be extremely moody and ruin it. This has happened before with a planned bike ride, DP promised it, didn't want to go on the actual day (as always) and then had a MASSIVE tantrum, he refused to talk to me for the entire bike ride.

So I agreed, I phoned my friend and she said they'd love to go. The plan was to go to her house, then to lidl and catch the bus together.
When I got to her house she wasn't ready, ended up making all the kids lunch and we left after 2 hours. Got to softplay, left softplay and then my oyster wasn't working so we all walked home.

It took a bit longer than expected and we reached home at 5pm. I asked DP if he had started the roast dinner (DS requested birthday meal) and he said no, later adding "Why should I slave around in the kitchen while you and DS have a day out" (I'd already prepared it all in the morning, he just needed to turn it on) Before we left for softplay, he had told DS that he wasn't going as he was going to the shop to buy DS his gifts (Lie as I'd already got and wrapped them). When we came back DP had got the gifts and the cake and set them up nicely. It was lovely. DS was excited as only asked for 1 toy but got 3. All the way through DS was saying "Thanks dad, thanks dad for the gifts" DP said nothing.

I was cooking the meal and asked DP to make fresh gravy (I am rubbish at it) He did and said you can make gravy from water or milk, I made a comment that from milk sounds disgusting, he gave me an absolutely filthy look and started having a go saying I never try new foods, (not true). The led on to I always finish what he is saying and I'm obviously not interested onto how I am not "here" in my head, and always floating away somewhere. (Because he'd made me cry and I wasn't completely over everything instantly) At one point he even said "That's what happened, accept it", he told me how I behave and then when I disagreed he later said that "we had agreed that I was behaving in such a way" I asked him to stop numerous times as it was DS's birthday.

He wouldn't. He then had a go at me for taking DS out with another family on his birthday, and when I said "Maybe you should have come then!" He flew off the handle saying I had said he was a bad dad! He would not stop shouting, I tried to DS's cake, asked him if he wanted to sing "happy birthday" with us, he accused me of asking him if he wants to have cake with us, thus calling him a bad dad again. No amount of "I never said that" mattered. I relented, cut DS his cake, apologised to him and we tried to play xbox while DP was still going on.

He eventually stopped, and then never spoke to me at all for the rest of the evening (so from 8pm onwards) Went to bed alone (unusual for us) Refused to touch me in the night.

Then today, he sends me a message saying "we had to buy ds presents on credit" as if that's an excuse.

I am utterly fed up of this now. I did so much yet it still wasn't enough. He tried to hug me this morning (after he came back from work because it was cold) and I'm just sick of it. AIBU in any of this?

OP posts:
NettleTea · 03/11/2019 11:47

I agree, the best for your DC is seeing very concrete evidence (in the form of the law, a universally accepted 'right' in the eyes of a child) that his fathers behaviour is very very wrong. Dont forget that he is absorbing everything about your relationship like a sponge and will subconciously base his expectations of how relationships work on that normal.
Plus as others say, you need evidence of his dangerous control.
Rather than try to minimise and hide his behaviour, you need the door flung open and exposed on it. Women always seem to pussy foot round, thinking about the childrens view of frankly abhorrent men. Men dont give a shit and he will bad mouth you in an instant if he thinks it will give him an inch

Quartz2208 · 03/11/2019 11:49

Your DS is as trapped by this (you have never answered the home school question) so definitely police
The game thing as well is chilling

dontcallmeduck · 03/11/2019 11:50

The impact on your DS will be worse if you don’t get the police involved. Please tell them tonight.

SpudsAreLife84 · 03/11/2019 11:58

You are so brave OP and stronger than you know. You CAN do this, and you must. For your son, your baby and for you. He wont change, but you and your son can, into happier, more confident people. We are all with you Flowers

unfathomablefathoms · 03/11/2019 12:11

The impact on your DS will be worse if you don’t get the police involved

I would agree with this.

Abuse continues when it's given secrecy, bringing it into the open is what ends it and protects people.

Morporkia · 03/11/2019 12:20

www.womensaid.org.uk/

Please get the help you need.

DontCallMeDaisy · 03/11/2019 12:38

Women's Aid is fab but from my own experience and what I've read and heard from others, don't rely on the fact you can call them in your small window of opportunity and get through to somebody. It varies very much area to area whether there is someone on the phones at any given time. They have an online chat service during the week 10am-12pm which might be more convenient for you if you're working from home. Still try them tonight obviously as you could well get an answer.

But if you really want to speak to someone tonight, be prepared to call the police also.

And if you have the freedom to speak, how about reaching out to another relative or friend?

Raphael34 · 03/11/2019 18:33

How are you op?

Techway · 03/11/2019 23:22

So glad you updated. Just to let you know we are all rooting for you.

He is definitely afraid of you gaining independence but please call the police if he is intimidating you. It may feel excessive but it will definitely help you in any other other proceedings. You won't be judged for safeguarding yourself and your son.

atankofskunks · 04/11/2019 07:10

You can do this op. You have to do this. Get your ducks in a row and get going ASAP

Fedupofitnow123 · 04/11/2019 19:09

I am so sick tonight. He has pushed me again.

I'm leaving tomorrow when he is at work, I contacted my brother already. I feel so sick. And so sad.

OP posts:
atankofskunks · 04/11/2019 19:14

You can do this OP. Glad your brother is supporting you.

Butterymuffin · 04/11/2019 19:14

Good luck tomorrow OP. You're doing the best thing for you and the kids. Be careful and stay safe.

Fedupofitnow123 · 04/11/2019 19:15

What do I do about DS, I'm going so far away. Can I just hide from him? We're not married.

OP posts:
Fedupofitnow123 · 04/11/2019 19:16

What's sad is he went up for a shower and DS came in with the plan asking me . "please, please, we'll go when he's at work"

OP posts:
Fedupofitnow123 · 04/11/2019 19:17

DS saw him push me as it was right past DS, about 10cm

OP posts:
Dilkhush · 04/11/2019 19:18

Take three deep breaths. Hold each one before breathing out slowly. The oxygen will help you calm.
You can do this.

Fedupofitnow123 · 04/11/2019 19:20

@Dilkhush It's so hard right now to do that, thank you though, thank you! Please, I need a list of what to take.

OP posts:
Raphael34 · 04/11/2019 19:24

Thank god you’re finally leaving op, don’t let this escalate further. He’s abusing you in front of your child!

Dilkhush · 04/11/2019 19:24

Mainly you take yourself and DS. Other things are a bonus.

Passports. Bank cards. Your phone and iPad, or laptop, if you have one.

Any drugs you or DS take regularly.

Anything small and precious that you inherited from parents/grandparents.

Small valuables - jewellery etc.

pog100 · 04/11/2019 19:25

You can and will do this. Lean on your family and friends first, you will soon get on your feet. One thing at a time. You are great.

Dilkhush · 04/11/2019 19:27

Wear your strongest boots and winter coat.

DS's favourite comfort teddy.

I'm googling for other suggestions until people with more experience come back to this thread.
Are you packing now?

Dilkhush · 04/11/2019 19:32

Bank statements for the last 7 years.
Your social security number / pay slips.
Birth certificates for you and DS and immigration papers if you're not British.
Your phone charger.
A hairbrush and a bit of make up if it helps you face the world.

Dilkhush · 04/11/2019 19:35

Your tax returns for the last few years (I just realised you work from home).

Breathe deeply again. That oxygen to the brain will really help you manage your thoughts.

AnnaNimmity · 04/11/2019 19:36

Good luck OP. I've rarely read such horrendous situations on MN, and I've been here for 16 years. He sounds so awful.

Your poor son. (and poor you - I'm not putting any blame on you). Please stay strong for him..

Good luck.