Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

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

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:
nilcarborundum · 05/11/2019 12:32

Op, that was a very brave thing you did. I actually cried that your son was so excited about getting away! Stay strong and do not respond to any threats from ex. Think of your little boy. I too recommend Women's Aid, they will help you with practicalities.
Thanks xx

chocolatecheesecake · 05/11/2019 12:33

Well done! So relieved you and DS are safe. I agree with previous posters that you should report the emotional abuse, cameras and escalating physical abuse to the police (1) so that if he reports you missing/DS abducted it doesn't raise a search and (2) in case he tries to get custody of DS.

ProfessorPootle · 05/11/2019 12:34

I’m so pleased you’ve got out, you’ve been amazing. Never feel guilty or sorry for his feelings, he’s responsible for them not you, he’s programmed you to put him first in everything. You and ds have feelings too that are just as important as his, you’ve taken this step so you and ds can finally be happy, live without the fear of what he’s doing next, no more walking on eggshells. He’s a selfish, abusive twat and you don’t have to put up with it anymore. You can now concentrate on building a happy, safe and secure home life for you and your dc.

Please, please, phone your mw or gp and tell them you’ve left and tell them what’s happening. My sister is a mw, they’re trained to deal with domestic abuse as pregnancy in partner is a trigger for many men starting it or it worsening. Your mw will have access to a whole team of people who can help you from counselling, extra hv support once baby born, access to safestart resources and police support. Your mw can talk to all the different agencies, they can set you up in a safe house if needed and arrange for police to be at the hospital when you go for check ups if you’re worried your h might track you down. Good luck and well done for leaving, you’re an amazing mum Flowers

AnnaNimmity · 05/11/2019 12:39

Well done! You're so brave. And you've done the best thing for you and your ds.

PeterPumpkinEater · 05/11/2019 12:39

Fantastic! I hunted down this thread to find out how you did, as I never commented on it last night when I read it. I thought of you this morning while I was in work, a complete stranger on the internet, hoping you got out.

What a brilliant role model you are for your son. Yes there will be hard times ahead, there may be times when you doubt yourself but your son will grow up safe & secure and happy. It won't feel like it now but you WILL be happy again and the only regret you will have is that you didn't leave the shit sooner.

MrGsFancyNewVagina · 05/11/2019 13:00

You’ve saved your child from a childhood of misery, mental health problems and possibly from becoming an abusive partner in his adulthood. You should be very very proud of yourself, OP.

AfterSchoolWorry · 05/11/2019 13:05

I'm so glad you're out. Smile

isthismylifenow · 05/11/2019 13:08

No don't answer him Fedup. If you start communicating with him today he is going to try talk you around, anything to get you back there and his way.

Can you go out and get a different sim card and cheap phone? Or does your brother have an old one laying about. And then just give that number to your family or those that need to be in touch with you. I'm concerned he has trace on your phone, nothing will surprise me.

I just wanted to say how very brave you are. You are a such a good mum, don't forget that for a moment.

aHintOfPercy · 05/11/2019 13:09

Fantastic news! You have escaped your tormentor and jailer. You will feel guilty and you will miss him, but that's normal, you have been conditioned. Even a woman such as Natascha Kampusch, who was snatched from the street by a stranger and held captive for 8 years, has said she felt sorry for the monster who kidnapped her, and that she cared about him. It's classic Stockholm syndrome, but as long as you recognise it for what it is you can control it. I'm so relieved for you, I've been thinking about you and your little boy all morning Flowers

hoopdaloo · 05/11/2019 13:16

Wow. You are amazing and so brave. Keep strong. Thanks

StormTreader · 05/11/2019 13:21

I'm so glad you've got out!

Now you have to STAY out which seems simple and easy but might be tricky - he'll try and intimidate, guilt, plead, shame and coerce you into coming back and you'll probably be tempted because it's been your life for so long to make sure he's happy and get his permission for everything.
Stay strong. Lean on your family. Tell them what you've been through and what hes done, they will help you stay out and safe until his control fades enough for you to keep out on your own :) Remember your son begging to leave, stay strong for him as well as yourself!

Janus · 05/11/2019 13:23

I’m so happy for you. I truly wish you much happiness now.

Whiskers14 · 05/11/2019 13:27

If you didn't leave a note explaining you'd gone, would your brother text him back on your behalf from his phone? He could text to say you and your son are with him, he's keeping you both safe and that'll you'll be in touch when you're ready.

WineandLillies · 05/11/2019 13:46

You are so brave and have achieved so much from when you originally posted a week or so ago. You were in an abusive relationship but from today you are free. I think you should contact the police or get your brother to ring and briefly explain that he has helped you escape an abusive relationship in case your husband tries to report you missing etc and tries to play the part of worried partner or tries to make out you're mentally unstable. I don't think you or your family should interact with your ex partner on any level. Your ex partner has committed a crime and could be prosecuted for it. This is the start of a new and happier life for you and your family. I think what you've achieved in the last week proves you are an incredibley strong person. I think you do need to report this in order to have evidence going forward in order to protect yourself such as obtaining a restraining order. The police may arrest your partner over his abusive treatment of you if he is a threat or tries to threaten you. The police will take it seriously as the safety of you and your son is paramount. Your ex has abused you for years but this stops today. Hoping your new life is filled with freedom, happiness and new friendships and beginnings. You've taken the hardest step in leaving . You are so brave OP.

Slappadabass · 05/11/2019 13:49

Oh wow OP! Well done, you are amazingly strong, you have definitely done the right thing, You should be incredibly proud of yourself right now. Don't feel guilty, he didn't feel guilty treating you and your DS badly so don't you dare feel bad for him, this is all his doing.

When the adrenaline stops you need to make sure you remember the bad things, our minds tend to remember the good and leave out the bad, make a conscious effort to remember the bad, even the little things, because it's all the little things that make the bigger picture.

I'm so happy for you, Im so glad you have family to help. Good luck Flowers

JaneyJimplin · 05/11/2019 13:49

Stay strong op. You've done the right thing Flowers

Besidesthepoint · 05/11/2019 14:28

What a scary man, I'm relieved that you left.

saraclara · 05/11/2019 14:41

So relieved that you're both out. I hope your brother can help you with the next stages. Well done, OP. That took a lot of courage.

TeaForTara · 05/11/2019 14:45

OP, over time you will start remembering the good times and think "It wasn't all bad."

To protect you from being tempted to go back to him, right now start a journal (or use this thread) to record all the bad things that he has ever done. Just so you have it there in black and white, so when your memory starts playing tricks on you, you can read through it and realise that yes, it really was that bad.

Please call the police non-emergency number and tell them what has happened. He threatened to kill you if you took his DS away, remember? You are still in danger. Two women a week are killed by their partners or exes. The time when you leave is the most dangerous. I'm not wanting to scare you but I do want you to take care. Log his behaviour with the police and let them know that you are vulnerable so they will respond quickly if you need them.

Chloe84 · 05/11/2019 14:52

I'm so happy you've left. Flowers

GinUnicorn · 05/11/2019 15:04

OP you are so incredibly brave. Wishing you all the best and a wonderful happy life. Flowers

bullyingadvice2017 · 05/11/2019 15:14

Massive well done! You are doing the right thing for you and your son.
Honestly I'd be getting a new phone number sorted and starting the rest of your life as you mean to go on.... without his shite to deal with.

Focus on what's vest for you and your son. Having him in it is not best.

Good luck op. You are very brave.

ThisIsNotMyRealName1 · 05/11/2019 16:04

So relieved you and DS are out safely.

Needsomebottle · 05/11/2019 16:16

Congratulations. You and your children will thrive. A little tribe of 3. Look after each other. Stay strong and stay safe xx

bloodypassword · 05/11/2019 16:29

What TeaforTara said. Please let the police know about his threats. They are a serious issue. They're not to be downplayed. Flowers