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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

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 · 22/11/2019 06:15

4 hours to go until court, hopefully this one is successful

OP posts:
BlouseAndSkirt · 22/11/2019 06:42

FedUp: they have the texts. They will have heard it all before.
No one can make you go back to him.
It will be good getting CAMHS involved with your Ds, they will be able to support.

Hold tight: it will be OK.

Needsomebottle · 22/11/2019 06:42

Best of luck today. Please don't be disheartened by what the police officer said. That they said he had been "reflecting" indicates that they know he has done something wrong. Otherwise what would he have to reflect on?

Keep on keeping on. One step at a time like you have been doing. You're doing amazingly. Today is just one more step away. You're increasing the distance. You're brilliant.

FinnBalorsAbs · 22/11/2019 07:22

Thinking of you today FedUp Flowers

StartupRepair · 22/11/2019 07:41

Good luck today.

REignbow · 22/11/2019 07:48

@Fedupofitnow123

It’s only natural to feel scared (petrified in fact), but your family and DS are all behind you 100%.

Remember, you have his text messages, you have your diary and I’m sure other evidence that you may not have disclosed on here.

The police would not even suggest getting a non molestation order if they did not think you were very seriously abused.

It’s also a good thing that cmahs are getting involved, as your DS will disclose more of the abuse, that will support evidence of the abuse.

Fedupofitnow123 · 22/11/2019 07:53

Thank you, I have felt so disheartened over night and kind of feel like today I may be seen as a liar as the police seem so unable to do anything!

I knew he would lie and act so nice, because he did it with me so many times and I found it so confusing, he told me about an ex who punched herself in the face and spread blood all over the wall and then told the police he did it... they believed him he didn't.

Part of me feels bad for leaving now as I'm so scared ds will have to see him alone, I dont want to let ds down by having to have him do that, hes relying on me to keep him safe and happy, I know he will be so anxious all the time awaiting the time he has to go otherwise.

It's just bloody awful.

OP posts:
ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 22/11/2019 08:28

Today is bound to bring out lots of strong reactions. It will be worth it in the end. This is part of you taking control back and showing that he doesn’t control you.

Be kind to yourself. You will get through this. Just remember how he treated you and think about what sort of man does that.

Flick9670 · 22/11/2019 09:28

Thinking of you today, let us all know how you get on x stay strong Thanks

Fedupofitnow123 · 22/11/2019 11:35

Judge has said he isn't going to hear it today.

I dont understand what is going on.

Waiting for solicitor, but I have to come back to the court at 3pm

OP posts:
AFairlyHardAvocado · 22/11/2019 12:20

Fucking hell OP you can't catch a break, I'm so sorry. Wish we could help more but loads of us are here willing you on. The MN army is behind you ThanksThanksThanks

ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 22/11/2019 12:21

Don’t read too much into this. It might be that something before you has overrun or the judge needs additional paperwork.

Fedupofitnow123 · 22/11/2019 13:03

I cant catch a break and I feel like giving up. I'm so done fighting this.

They're not hearing it today because ex doesn't know where we are so it's not an emergency according to the judge.

They're setting up a new hearing in 1-2 weeks and ex will be present.

I just want to give up.

He's already made the police lady like him and now he has to come to this too, he's so manipulative I think he'll worm his way out more than likely. I'm just so frustrated and tired from it all. And thank you to the poster who offered to come, that was so lovely.

OP posts:
BathTangle · 22/11/2019 13:29

OP I know it is really hard to wait, but thinking about the next hearing, please ensure that you ask for "special measures" for your hearing. This means that the court can arrange the court room so that you and your ex cannot see each other and may mean that you give evidence by video link from a different room. This is very standard in DV hearings and shouldn't be a problem but the court staff need to know in advance to set it up: please check with your solicitor that this has been done.

Court can be a scary place if you are not used to it but in my experience the staff will always try to help as much as they can.

ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 22/11/2019 13:32

Even if you did get an ex parte emergency order today, you probably have been given a return date fora full hearing with your ex present in a few weeks time.

Make sure your solicitor has every scrap of information and all the evidence you have. Don’t assume people are on his side.

Quartz2208 · 22/11/2019 14:18

what they are saying is that there is no need for a temporary hearing or order today because he doesnt know where you are. If it had been granted it would have been for a 1-2 week period before they did a main hearing.

The main hearing is now the only one for you but it is the same as it would have been if the order had been granted today

BlouseAndSkirt · 22/11/2019 14:30

Oh, fedup, I am so sorry - I know you will have used up so much emotional energy (and the price of the travel) in going there today.

But Chazs and Quartz's thinking sounds right.

Don't worry - the police will not swallow his nonsense. they see criminals doing 'butter wouldn't melt' all the time. They know about abusive men.

And your ex is deeply, deeply manipulative.

I don't believe one word of that story about an ex - he either concocted it to frighten you into believing that the police will always believe him...or if it did happen, I bet he hit her.

Imagine trying to punch yourself in the face hard enough to create bad bruising or bleeding? Not really a thing, is it?

Have you told the police about this? Because if there was a complaint about him which was then dismissed, they would still have a record.

BlouseAndSkirt · 22/11/2019 14:32

Do you have a support worker from the charity? Or Women's Aid?

Remember:

The police said it was one of the worst cases of control they had come across
They have chosen to take it forward
They have seen the texts and other evidence.
They will not suddenly go 'oh, but he's so charming'.

Fedupofitnow123 · 22/11/2019 15:13

Thank you for your help in understanding this.

You're right about the police, but the woman on the phone sounded so convinced he was nice and was now reflecting, I was shocked and bright red in the face through frustration after the call, I can see why so many women choose not to pursue anything.

I'm on the way back home now, finally on the way out of London, utterly exhausted as the friend I went to stay with stayed up until 12:30 last night and her kids got up at 6! On top of dealing with all this and being pregnant too! Zzzz

OP posts:
NettleTea · 22/11/2019 15:13

did they go to the house and see the recording equipment

Fedupofitnow123 · 22/11/2019 15:13

@nettletea no, but I have a screenshot through the camera into the living area and a picture of them inside the house that I have sent to the police

OP posts:
Fedupofitnow123 · 22/11/2019 16:43

I found out some shocking information about him, it just shows that I dont know who I was with. I am struggling now having to ride home on the train alone, I am just so sad. My heart breaks for my son.

OP posts:
MzHz · 22/11/2019 17:01

Your son is just relieved and delighted that you’re far away from his dad! He has you, and you both have the future to get all this stuff in better order and live the happy lives you deserve

Stay positive, keep the faith! Of course you feel wobbly, but this is the first time you’ve had to confront anything, it’ll get easier !

Pumpkintopf · 22/11/2019 17:06

Op you've been so brave today. I hope you can now have a restful evening with your lovely little boy.

Annasgirl · 22/11/2019 17:08

Oh OP, just sending you a hug through the internet. You are so strong. I hope your family are there to give you a hug and relax life support when you get to the end of your train journey.

We all support you here and honestly, if this does not go your way there will be a Mumsnet march on that courtroom. I would say you are just seeing the negative due to the anxiety and stress and exhaustion. Try to get some sleep all weekend so you can recover.