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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:
FabbyChix · 12/11/2019 20:22

Why are you allowing him to gaslight you. Why haven’t you responded with what actually happened the guys a prick

FabbyChix · 12/11/2019 20:22

Sorry. I only read the op

MarianaMoatedGrange · 12/11/2019 20:25

Keep posting OP. MN will help you through! Grin

Fedupofitnow123 · 12/11/2019 20:31

MN have been instrumental in making me see the light, in guiding me to the right books to read and in supporting me in making the decision to leave! I will forever be thankful

OP posts:
Starlight456 · 12/11/2019 20:40

Need to reply but got to collect Ds so place marking so I can reply

Belle89 · 12/11/2019 21:28

Amazing strong lady, keep going for your son Flowers

Starlight456 · 12/11/2019 22:03

I wanted to Reply : Ds is back and in bed.

Firstly well done for getting out.

Secondly do prioritise separating financially . You have meter readings . Freeze your bank account . Ensure you have another bank account to pay your wages into .

Contact water, dvla. At some point contact cms but I would stop him getting at your money .

You need to change to a single person claim if you get tax credits - I don’t know if this triggers change over to uc. Get Ds registered with gp. I did have on my ds’s notes not to allow details to be given out due to domestic violence.

Keep blocking anyway he gets through , shut down social media for now,

You are doing well

Fedupofitnow123 · 12/11/2019 22:21

@starlight456 thank you, I have blocked everywhere, sorted finances, applied for housing and applied for benefits, ds isn't registered at the GP yet, but blocking information is a good call.

It's been a tough old week, but that's the first week done, first week of freedom, first week of ds saying how happy he is all of the time. First week to being stronger!

OP posts:
XJerseyGirlX · 12/11/2019 22:25

Just keep remembering how happy your son was that you were both leaving. And keep reading your original post xxx

MsPepperPotts · 12/11/2019 22:59

I am so relieved for you OP that you have managed to get out.
All I can say is take it a day at a time. Think good thoughts for you and DS.
Just think about all the awful stuff he has done to you and DS.
You and DS so deserve to be happy and free of the abuse.
Flowers

AFairlyHardAvocado · 12/11/2019 23:22

You sound so lovely OP and you're doing really well.

FWIW I had a realisation after my most recent abusive ex. He only fought for me, promised the world and said all the things I wanted to hear when he could tell I was truly done.

I realised it meant that only his hurt was important enough to fuel a desire to change. My hurt over the previous few years wasn't enough. Years of me crying, sobbing, begging, losing all my confidence and him retaining total control. He wanted to fix things because of his pain but never wanted to fix them because of mine.

Selfish to the end. Thank god im out. I hope you can stay out too, your DS sounds so sweet and he obviously has a lovely mum.

Remember how shit things were before and how far you've come, you'd have to do all the hard work you've done to get out all over again. Be strong Thanks

mrssoap · 13/11/2019 06:29

He sounds horrible.

AnnaNimmity · 13/11/2019 06:32

Well done OP. You're doing amazingly well.

And yes, what an amazing parent you are doing this for your DS.

Fedupofitnow123 · 13/11/2019 07:29

Thank you, it is so true that it is hurt that is fuelling all of those, he has little care for mine or DS's, he didn't care right up until he realised we were gone.

I had a nightmare that I'd gone back, was there and living there again and having to work out how to leave again, I cant tell you how relieved I am to wake up in the small cramped room with DS an arms reach away! So so relieved!

OP posts:
candative · 13/11/2019 07:46

OP, I've just read the full thread. You've done brilliantly. Despite everything he did to make you weak you had all that strength within. Your DS will have a much happier life and the only way is up for you too. Stay strong.

mummmy2017 · 13/11/2019 07:52

I am glad your mindset has changed, that helps you to say to yourself that you will never return to that prison.

TheNinkiestNonk · 13/11/2019 08:16

I have just read this thread from start to finish and you have done the right thing for you and your son and new baby and should be proud of yourself.
He sounds like an absolute prick and he has abused you and devastatingly it sounds like your son was aware and just wanted you out of there, bless him.
I hope you get the help you deserve to re-start your life and I hope you can continue to be strong for your children and yourself Thanks

NettleTea · 13/11/2019 08:37

IF he cared he would have changed back when you were with him. Actually, scratch that - IF he cared he would never have behaved like that in the first place, because you just wouldnt treat/talk to people you care about in that way.
If he only claims he will change once you have gone then it proves he is doing it by choice, because if he can choose to not do it then he can choose to do it. I dont actually believe that these men can change though, you shouldnt have to TRY to be nice to people you profess to love. They are so damaged, for whatever reason, and feel so entitled to behave the way that they do, that the effort of not doing so never lasts long

PlanningApplication · 13/11/2019 09:46

OP, keep a track of those nightmares. I had similar, over and over again when I got out of my abusive marriage. I became hyper vigilant too, terrified of leaving the house, a;ways looking over my shoulder. Thoughts of his actions began to crash in on very waking minute. I had a breakdown and was diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder, acute anxiety and chronic depression. I got treatment and I got better. I'm saying this so that you might recognise any symptoms and get support from your doc before you sink as low as I did.

Starlight456 · 13/11/2019 13:14

When I left my abusive ex . First night in refuge I saw my Ds ( baby at the time) physically relax .

We really underestimate how much we can’t protect the kids from the abuse .

It sounds like you are in a far better place

Raphael34 · 13/11/2019 13:30

Please keep that psycho blocked op. Please don’t let him worm his way back in. It’s lovely and heartbreaking at the same time that your lb is so happy now he’s away from his father

Fedupofitnow123 · 13/11/2019 15:00

Had the police on the phone today, feel really sick after that, sat at Nans and sister has taken ds on school run so I can have a good cry!

Police officer has said I am doing the right thing, by not answering him, by keeping ds away and safe! Just have to keep safe and strong. Back to feeling so sick

OP posts:
pog100 · 13/11/2019 15:15

You are bound to have reactions like that after so long in such a bad situation. Just keep strong in your mind that you have done the right thing for your child and you.

ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 13/11/2019 15:31

If the police can see that the situation was serious then you know your judgement and actions were right.

You have years of accumulated feelings that must feel very distressing and confusing, but take some comfort from the fact that everyone looking at the situation from the outside things you did the right thing.

ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 13/11/2019 15:31

thinks