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:
LannieDuck · 29/10/2019 08:54

He sounds dangerous, OP. I would take the phone upstairs where he can't hear you through the cameras (or call them on a friend's phone when you're out one day), and call women's aid. I don't think MN are best placed to give you advice here.

Witchinaditch · 29/10/2019 08:57

sorry Op he’s not very nice. I hope it was just a one off otherwise you are going to have to leave.

Witchinaditch · 29/10/2019 09:01

Read updates: leave OP! Also how can he be annoyed you were out with friends as it was his suggestion!? You wanted to go as a family.. he sounds like a right prick!!

gwackywacky · 29/10/2019 09:07

So glad you came back OP! So what are your family like? And how do you feel about leaving him?

ElusiveOrangeTwirl · 29/10/2019 09:18

This is absolutely terrifying and I hope you're putting a plan together. Where is your son today? Is it half term?

Fedupofitnow123 · 29/10/2019 09:25

My family are great, when the midwife asked about domestic abuse, I just smiled and said "no" it's hard to admit to it.

I'm getting my head together and last night Sat thinking about ways in which he controls me, it's weird because he would argue that he doesn't.

But if I say no to something they'll be an argument over it so I do it anyway.

I want to leave him, DS wants to go, I know that much.

OP posts:
Fedupofitnow123 · 29/10/2019 09:26

Also he was annoyed I was out with friends because he wanted me to go and pick their 3 boys up in a cab, go to softplay for 2 hours, then come back.

OP posts:
Fedupofitnow123 · 29/10/2019 09:28

Also, he's self employed, he very much can come back at any moment, work is on and off at the moment, so... finding time, I know not to do it when he was here. He told me before I was only here for his money, he ignored me all night and the next day and I'd had enough, he wouldn't let me leave or call the police, he threatened to smash my computer (was holding it over his head) and I need that for work.

OP posts:
PlanningApplication · 29/10/2019 09:33

Dial 999. Tell them you are desperate to leave but can't because he is monitoring you with cameras and has threatened to kill you if you do. They will be round in a flash to get you out. If he turns up while they're there he will be arrested

MyKingdomForBrie · 29/10/2019 09:34

Please please for your ds sake as well as yours, leave now. What a miserable existence for you both, what is the point?

medusawashere · 29/10/2019 09:38

My God OP! You have to get out for the sake of your son. He's done such a number on you that it's hard to see the wood for the trees and I have definitely been there. Even with the needs of your son considered in isolation, you need to get out and get out now. Bloody hell, if you need travel money to get to your family, I'll send it to you! This man will damage your son for life and every relationship he ever has will be affected if you don't remove him from this man. Get the police involved, they will help and they are good in this sort of situation.

angieloumc · 29/10/2019 09:50

I know it is really hard to leave OP. I have been in a relationship of the sort you are in.
I won't go into details as not to derail but please call 101, or 999 if you feel you are in immediate danger. The police will come while you get your things ready to leave. As pp said turn off your location on your phone as he will be tracking you.

BlingLoving · 29/10/2019 09:56

OP. I don't have advice because I don't know what's best and safest. But I do believe you have to get out and get out soon. I think its well known that these behaviours escalate during pregnancy so as your pregnancy develops it will get worse. At the very least ,tell your midwife? Try to get official help?

But if your family are great, just GO. Get on a train.bus/cab and GO. Take DS and a small bag and GO. Please.

Gentleness · 29/10/2019 09:58

Please find a way to leave - nobody should have to live like this. Could you make another midwife appointment - even faking symptoms would be justified in this situation I think.

Would the friend you saw yesterday help by storing some of your stuff as you work this out - gradually take bits over to her?

Do you have a local network of home educators you spend any time with, on Facebook groups or in real life? In my experience, the home ed community looks after each other.

I realise asking for help is a whole extra layer of difficulty though. Also in my experience (unrelated issues) I had to almost pretend not to be myself to get over that hurdle - the real me was deep inside but the outside layer needed help and needed to get on and ask for it to protect the real me. Writing it down, it seems crazy, but it helped.

IceCreamAndCandyfloss · 29/10/2019 09:58

I want to leave him, DS wants to go, I know that much

Then go. The moment I knew my children were unhappy I would have made quick plans to leave. Children can’t remove or protect themselves from adult situations.

I certainly wouldn’t be subjecting another child to the relationship and it doesn’t sound like their are finances for another child which will have a big impact on the existing child.

MummytoCSJH · 29/10/2019 10:00

Please as another pp said call the police and advise about the cameras, they can come and help you take your things. Get you somewhere safe. He has threatened to kill you if you leave. Tell them this. You must for your sake and your children's too Thanks

Winterdaysarehere · 29/10/2019 10:01

If your ds tells a teacher things may happen anyway. Be the one to protect yourself and ds...
Sign up for the police text service today.

ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 29/10/2019 10:05

I do think this is one for the police given the threats. Things like poking and pushing are precursors to more serious aggression. He is increasing the amount of physical force he is prepared to use.

Call the police and ask for their help to get out.

LannieDuck · 29/10/2019 10:08

If you know that DS wants to go, then you need to find a way to make it happen.

GreenTulips · 29/10/2019 10:14

Please find a way to leave as soon as possible

Start a plan and take control.

If that means police involvement then use it!

Start gathering paperwork and give it to your friends to hold on to - amongst a box of old clothes or toys etc

Believe me your friends will know exactly what he’s like / you can’t hide these men - woman have a 6th sense

Daffodil2018 · 29/10/2019 10:27

This is so terrible to read. You poor woman. You must get away as soon as possible. I definitely agree with PP who said about ringing 999 and getting the police to assist you leaving.

BuxbyFree · 29/10/2019 10:27

I would also ring the police or go to your local police station. You need help getting out of this OP and people will help you.

From my own experience i would go to the police and ask them for help so it will be on record about the abuse. I have receieved so much help leaving my abusive ex because i had police proof.

I left my abusive ex 2 years ago, i left everything in my house & just took some clothes for me and 2.6 DD & 8 month DS. It still annoys me now that i had to leave it all behind and start from scratch but it was so worth it

I was in a hostel for a short while with my children and i have been jn temporary housing for nearly 2 years now but honestly its so bloody worth it to be free and not be anxious all the time

You can do this x

ScreamingLadySutch · 29/10/2019 10:28

"I want to leave him, DS wants to go, I know that much."

This will give you the strength to leave, hang in there OP.

I like the idea of cleaning and putting changes of clothes in a black bag and giving it to your soft play friend.
. Even if it has genuine rubbish/hoover contents on top for better camouflage, nothing a wash can't get rid of .

Reach out, OP, people are more helpful than you can possibly imagine. Nobody likes a bully
And what he is doing is against the law

KatherineJaneway · 29/10/2019 10:39

You say you have good family, could they come and get you and DS and you go and stay with one of them until you are on your feet? If a group came en masse maybe they could help you pack and get out of there quickly.

MinisterforCheekyFuckery · 29/10/2019 10:44

The moment I knew my children were unhappy I would have made quick plans to leave.

It's very easy to say what you would do, but you're not in OP's shoes. She has been groomed by this man since she was 19. She's been controlled, emotionally abused and manipulated by him and has basically been living in fear for her whole adult life. You can't possibly say you know for a fact what you would do under those circumstances because systematic abuse over a period of many years fundamentally changes you.

People on MN make leaving an abusive partner sound very easy sometimes. I'm not saying OP shouldn't be encouraged to leave, of course she shpuld, but it is unhelpful and disengenuous to pretend that leaving is easy or that it is without its risks. Because statistically speaking, the moment of leaving or the immediate aftermath of leaving is the most dangerous time for a woman in OP's position and many people forget that. Yes, OP should leave, but making "quick plans" isn't always possible or even advisable in every situation. Womens Aid are a wonderful organisation and I agree 100% OP should speak to them but many MN'ers have no idea how overstretched they are. They are not able to swoop in and lift women out of abusive situations at the drop of a hat as some posters seem to think. Places in Refuges are also not nearly as abundant and readily available as is often assumed on here.

OP needs to leave but in a way that minimises the risk to her and her DC. That may take some time and preparation.

Swipe left for the next trending thread