Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

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:
Fedupofitnow123 · 12/11/2019 14:14

That's very true about ds learning a lesson about adult behaviour and apologising, I'm sure we will fix what has happened, ds seems to have forgiven him, he's a good boy.

I just went to the shop with my sister and had a cry away from ds, he just seems so happy here and I've received another message saying that ex will not make me cry again until the day he dies, asking me to take ds for a visit to talk, it just knocks me back further :(

OP posts:
ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 12/11/2019 14:52

If he really understood how awful his behaviour was he would be giving you time to come to terms with things. He is still trying to control the situation.

PlanningApplication · 12/11/2019 15:00

OP, don't believe a word of what he says. I hope the anger phase kicks in for you soon because this is pure manipulation on his part and the sooner you see it for what it is and become justifiably angry about it the better.

You've shed a lifetime of tears over this man. No second chances. He has blown it with you and that's that. Hugs.

prawnsword · 12/11/2019 15:03

The way you write already is like a change has come over you & seem stronger, can feel the fire in you ! You should be so proud of yourself & ds.

It sounds like this falling out with Bil could be due to the pressures of this massive change. Everyone in the house is affected & learning to adjust to a new normal while all under the same roof. Your Bil was well out of order, however this could be an opportunity to see how other types of people work through conflict & resolve arguments.

Try not to worry about Xmas. You & your son have a lot to celebrate. You could book some high tea or Xmas set menu at a fun hotel on Xmas day & your son might remember that as his best Xmas. Or the one you took off you two & picked a little town together on the map & celebrated Xmas with those locals in that town & visit some cool Xmas lights.

Or maybe by Xmas all this with BIL will have blown over & you’ll all have drinks at Xmas & chuckle at those hectic first few weeks when it was all drama drama drama & how much things have improved over this Month for you

whatever happens, holidays can be whatever you make it & I bet your son will just be happy to have new life experiences, any thing you guys decide.

prawnsword · 12/11/2019 15:09

No you need to cry love. Let it out. Have conversations with yourself (speaking out loud totally changes the way your thought process is understood in your brain - forces you to make sense of jumbled thoughts in your mind)

You could cry for awhile, or feel numb, angry, different every day & feel those things all in one day & experience mood shifts as your mind works through it all. You have years to untangle.

Have you considered journaling ? Find a really nice pen & a cute writing book ??

prawnsword · 12/11/2019 15:14

Also how telling he wouldn’t want you two to talk it through as adults. He would want to ensure your son was there so as to expose him to completely inappropriate adult & parent topics. I hope you have that in writing, it shows he lacks boundaries & doesn’t care about using yo he son’s emotions as a manipulation tactic. If he can convince your son he wants to stay, then presumably you will buckle. He will use him as a weapon - it’s clear to me by him wanting him to be there 100%

Onthebrink87 · 12/11/2019 15:16

Wow. Treat yourself and get that twat out of your house/life.

He is a fucking joke of a man.

Onthebrink87 · 12/11/2019 15:21

And don't worry about money, you will get help as a single mum. You may still be on a tight budget but financial mysery is easier to handle without the added mysery that pillock brings!!

Fedupofitnow123 · 12/11/2019 15:39

Thanks, I didn't consider the implications of him wanting ds there, I just see it as a trap, if I go back for a "visit" how will I ever leave again? It just can't happen. He used to stop me leaving the house in an argument, so I don't even trust him.

I am happy to be financially stuck, as long as i am free! I need to be free. It just still hurts. Day 7 today though, it's been a week already

OP posts:
Disfordarkchocolate · 12/11/2019 15:55

It's hard but worth it. The effects are immediate for your son because he feels safe now. For you it's very different, you have to deal with all the changes, money, your X trying to manipulate you again. It may take months for you to see the light at the end of the tunnel for you but it will be with it for both of you.

XJerseyGirlX · 12/11/2019 16:10

Please just keep re reading the thread OP. He is abusive.Of course he will try to be nice, any way to gain control again.

Raphael34 · 12/11/2019 16:45

You’re doing well op. Don’t fall for his bullshit now. Your little boy deserves better, so do you

willowmelangell · 12/11/2019 18:58

It is so good to hear that you will not go back to That House. 'Talks' can happen on a park bench with lots of people around.
What did strike me is this, the new toys have no bad memories attached to them. No, don't-be-noisy or don't-be-so-silly or stop-playing-like-a-girl or whatever fun sucking controlling orders were barked before.
It is just so nice your ds can have fun now.

Fedupofitnow123 · 12/11/2019 19:01

I'm just so sad tonight, he's got a lot of messages through saying how he's done a lot of thinking and realised he has had an attitude problem, how he wants a family and to be a good man, asking if we're still having a baby, telling me how hurt he is and he is suffering! He's hurting me, I wanted all the good stuff I appreciated it, he is saying how he took it for granted :( :( :( he ruined it that's what he did! He completely ruined it

OP posts:
mummmy2017 · 12/11/2019 19:05

Yes he did .knowingly .
Get angry

Blanca87 · 12/11/2019 19:06

Aww love, you need to block the messages, you are torturing yourself. He is trying to reel you in. You are doing amazing keep going. X

MarianaMoatedGrange · 12/11/2019 19:13

All about HIM again isn't it? OP you need to stop reading these messages. Where are they coming from? Can't you block them?

His actions towards you and DC over the years have proved he doesn't give a shit about 'family' he's boohooing because he's lost control. That's all. He'll try any which way to get you back under thumb. PPs have told you that. Wheedling, 'poor me,' feigning illness, threatening suicide, then anger and threats when that doesn't work.

You need to disengage and block.

ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 12/11/2019 19:19

Block him. He is doing what makes him feel better without any thoughts for the impact on you.

StartupRepair · 12/11/2019 19:23

He is an abuser. Physical, emotional, financial. You are not safe in his vicinity. Please keep space between you.

AnnaNimmity · 12/11/2019 19:32

oh dear Op, it's the abuser's script. they all say they realise what a mistake they made, how they would do anything to get you back, how now they've lost you they realise how much they love you, that they will change etc etc.

You've run away from him after years of abuse - how dare he keep bombarding you with messages? It's all about him. He's only thinking about himself. Reeling you in with sob stories about HIS suffering.

Can you block him?

Disfordarkchocolate · 12/11/2019 19:42

I would set up a new email account, tell him you will only read messages about contact etc and then block his number from your phone. You could even let your sister look through any emails with you.

MzHz · 12/11/2019 19:46

Ha ha ha... how predictable! Boringly so.

They ALL do this
Has he said he’ll kill himself yet?

Ignore. Block and remember your little boy saying how you’d made his dreams come true...

blahblahblahblahhh · 12/11/2019 19:57

Ignore ignore ignore - you've done soooo well!
He will next day he's going to kill himself.

BlouseAndSkirt · 12/11/2019 19:58

‘Attitude problem’ !!!!
Poking someone in the face fast and repeatedly, and as a habit, is not a normal thing to do,

He hasn’t got an ‘attitude problem’ he is a lying, twisted, cruel, manipulative bully!

Really glad your Ds is happy.

Fedupofitnow123 · 12/11/2019 20:17

Thank you! You've made me feel strong once again! I've blocked him now, I cannot wait for my new phone number to arrive, not once did he ask how I was! Not once! You're all so right! I can do this, I've got through 7 days xx

OP posts: