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

Handhold -Told H I want a divorce, the rise and fall I am rising.

212 replies

awesmum · 09/11/2019 19:40

A long update for you all as to where I currently am with DC. You'll find the link to my previous posts below.

After the courts decision with access over DD, the animosity between us remains, I still have to record all hand overs as he still becomes abusive over, well anything he feels like. Normally when faced with someone who is either rude or cross my go to is be over nice, but with him is ignore ignore ignore. I look through him and say nothing. I always make sure I say the appropriate things to DD, 'Say hello/ bye bye to Daddy.' Etc. He can not be civil, or polite, I think he has managed once since we split, that was about 6 months ago when he mentioned she had a lump on her back, I said yes, it was a chicken pox scar. Anyway, DD is doing ok, she's still struggling with the situation, she comes home with lots of anger and shouting, how I am bad, how he keeps telling her what her name is over and over and questioning her on it, how she's going to work and sitting by herself and not going to school. How she must say things certain ways and that I am wrong. Currently it is what it is, he's again tried to break the court order with access. He sets deadlines of a day when he wants me to do something, but waits weeks to do something himself. It's all building up and I am just waiting a little longer before he blows it completely. I had an abusive email from him this week about my applying for her school place without him - we had agreed in court already which school, so I applied as per the court order, apparently I was wrong.
Unfortunately I am still rendered a shaking mess when I get the abuse but I don't react and ignore, but it's still unpleasant.

The older children are doing loads and loads better, they are not without their issues, but it is fairly evident to everyone, including DD11's friends mum's that she's now learning to express rather than repress, so sometimes it will come out wrong, so there is understanding. The oldest are doing great, we have rows which is great Confused but they are being heard, they can express and we can all make up too. Which is immensely cathartic. They both have started relationships and bring their partners and friends around all the time which is heart warming.

The divorce, I had to put my foot down and made my solicitor send the paperwork to the court, he'd had 3+ months of time to think and respond with regular reminders, so it went, and it was sent out to him, he had till yesterday to respond- we'll see if he did at all (not holding my breath). So the battle continues.

In the last few months I have bumped into a few people that we knew together, some his friends, some ours. One hid her head in the boot of a car to avoid me, one was polite but very uncomfortable and one actually turned and ran when they saw me. I can't say this hasn't hurt, it has. Still not one person has made efforts to see even if the kids are ok. My name must be absolute mud. But as much as it smarts, being away from the constant degradation and humiliation far out weighs that.

As for me, well I am loving my job, I am making more and more friends, I am having people over, I am going to the gym, I am having fun, and peace. I am not fixed yet, but getting there.

In July 2018 I stood in the middle of a dance floor with all my friends and had a moment of clarity where I stood still watching my friends and realised 'I am so unhappy.' I was so desolate.
Last weekend I stood in the middle of a dance floor and had another moment of clarity 'My daughters are safe, my son is safe, I am at peace, this is what happy is.'

2018 seems so far away I can't even comprehend what we have all been through in the last 13 months. But we are here and we are doing we winning.

OP posts:
WhatWouldChristineCagneyDo · 29/11/2019 18:20

WOOOOOH YEEEEEEAAAAHHHHHH !!!!!!!

Congratulations OP Wine

RandomMess · 29/11/2019 18:38

🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳

Why is your solicitor telling you off???

Lunde · 29/11/2019 18:44

RandomMess - 🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳 Why is your solicitor telling you off???

I may not be interpreting correctly but I read it as OP's solicitor had forwarded a letter from her ex's solicitor after chasing up his failure to respond to the divorce petition

awesmum · 29/11/2019 18:45

No my solicitor was forwarding an email from his, which said I have taken him off her medical records, applied for schools for her without his knowledge, I have told her she has a new name, that I am not informing him of parental decisions it goes one. That I must agree to his terms re the next 2 Christmas's and Easter.
I responded with a few real facts. And said no to the 'agreeing' to the Christmas and Easter.
If I had had not had such a long convoluted abusive email thing from him yesterday I would have looked at being flexible but bollocks to him.
I said that I put all information in the handover book and if he doesn't read it quite frankly it's not my fault - he said it was 🙄.

Honestly I am not surprised at him and his behaviour anymore.

OP posts:
RandomMess · 29/11/2019 18:50

He is making his noose tighter 😉

AcrossthePond55 · 29/11/2019 20:08

Honestly, I'm surprised that his solicitor hasn't 'fired' him by now. I'd hate to have a client like that.

I agree that you need to be as inflexible as possible. Set an 'equitable' schedule and stick to it. Give him and inch and he'll take 100 miles!

Daftapath · 29/11/2019 21:03

OP, please keep a copy of the handover book so that it cannot go 'missing'. You may need to prove your point that you have offered the information.

Weenurse · 29/11/2019 22:45

He is digging his own grave.
Stay strong

awesmum · 02/12/2019 19:40

A few months ago I noticed DD had a really sore mouth when coming back from ex's I took her to the dr and she had oral thrush, she got medicine for it. The medicine went back to ex's when he had her next with instructions to give it o her and not let her have a dummy. He gave her the dummy.

Last week in the initial email I sent about DD being ill I told him she no longer had a dummy, had given it up the week before, she'd told Santa so was feeling really proud of herself. This same email was forwarded to his solicitor. She come home after the weekend at his - guess what he's given her the dummy back. I am so angry.

I have had to email my solicitor- freaking ridiculous I am having to email her about this. I have spoken to my Health Visitor again, told them the whole sorry tale. They have told me along with the other things to report my concerns to SS because he's now harming her emotionally. There's nothing they can do for us themselves.

I am so cross he really doesn't have her best interests at heart at all. 🤬

OP posts:
RandomMess · 02/12/2019 22:58

I know it's devastating Sad the poster TheOriginalFV also left an ex who is unbelievably emotionally abusive to his DC there is something so wrong with people that are perpetually this extreme in their abuse it goes well beyond poor or neglectful parenting.

AcrossthePond55 · 03/12/2019 00:58

If the HV says to report it to SS, I'd do it. It's not going to change him but it will show the Courts that you are serious about protecting DD.

The dummy thing really pisses me off, especially because he's doing it 1-to make himself look like super-daddy who gives DD everything that Mummy says 'no' to, and 2-to piss you off. Just 'log it' in your "Fuckhead's Fucked Behaviour' journal and look at it as him putting another brick in the wall.

MotherOfDragonite · 16/12/2019 10:53

How's it going, @awesmum? Any progress?

awesmum · 17/12/2019 13:04

Update - nothing positive is happening at the moment. He won't agree to Christmas access, the divorce nothing has been heard.
But he has requested a copy of DD birth certificate, I have spoken to my solicitor who has told me don't give it to him. I know it's in the public record so he can get it himself. Now I am in an absolute state of panic of what he's up to.
Dr's can't inform me if he's planning on taking her out of the surgery as it's done automatically.
So he could be claiming her passport has been lost and trying to get a new one.
So now got to contact the passport office and request that it doesn't happen.

Anything he does - changing nursery, dr's replacing her passport will end him up in a shed load of trouble with court, so wonder if this is just scare thing.

I can't think of any reason why else he would want her birth certificate, neither can my solicitor.

Along with her coming home saying that he took her to see the 'real' Santa and the one I took her to wasn't real, and again about the whole name thing again, and tears last night telling me everything I was doing was wrong, because Daddy said so, I feel like I can get no further than putting up with more of his shit.

She's meant to be at home as of Thursday till Christmas Eve, she goes back to him today, and I am concerned he won't return her Thursday or know when he will as he isn't agreeing to anything.

Hopefully my solicitor may have a bit of luck finding out what the hells going on.

OP posts:
YouretheChristmasCarcass · 17/12/2019 13:53

Is there any way to contact the passport office to put some type of 'block' on her passport so authorities would be alerted if he tried to take her out of the country and refuse permission unless he had a notarized consent letter from you? It would also block you from doing so, but I assume you aren't planning any foreign jaunts anytime soon.

He really is practicing Parental Alienation, isn't he? I know I've asked before, but is PA legally recognized in the UK as grounds for terminating contact, or limiting it to supervised?

As far as Xmas, if he doesn't agree to anything then she doesn't go to him at Xmas. And if I were you I'd alert my solicitor to have papers for an emergency injunction all drawn up and ready to go Friday morning in case he doesn't return her Thursday. Remember the Scout Motto "Be Prepared".

RandomMess · 17/12/2019 14:45
Thanks

I think you need to report his abuse to SS and ready yourself to take him to court.

He is so utterly vile.

He could be setting up a savings account.

Lunde · 17/12/2019 15:10

You need to report your concerns to SS - he is emotionally abusing your dd and neglecting her by refusing to follow advice

Can you get some counselling for dd? She sounds a very angry little girl and I think she needs some professional help - not surprising given the stress and abuse she is subjected to by your ex.

awesmum · 17/12/2019 17:23

I can't keep doing this. Just had shouting abuse and name calling on handover, I had to run off again. This is all in front of DD. Utterly utterly ridiculous. I have it recorded though, which is a plus.
My poor little girl.

I have been looking into who to see about this abuse she's suffering. There's new legislation coming out but once again very little in the way of who or where to contact.

Just sitting in the car having a bit of a cry as to what to do.

OP posts:
RandomMess · 17/12/2019 17:33

Phone national domestic violence helpline. I would be asking about getting a non molestation order, then it will go back to court simultaneously as you cannot do handovers in person!!

I read on here about someone ended up doing them in the police station reception.

Thanks
vivapuff · 17/12/2019 17:40

Handhold here. Talk deep breathes and remember how everything you are working through is to provide a better life and future for yourself and your DD.

You are doing great.

YouretheChristmasCarcass · 17/12/2019 17:44

Is there anyone (and I mean anyone, even if I had to pay them) who can come with you for handovers and would it stop him if someone else was there?

Is he doing this shouting and abuse loud enough for others in the vicinity to hear? Could you call attention to his shouting in some way? Don't be afraid to attract attention, it could only work in your favour. I know if I heard someone saying loudly "Stop shouting at me!" I'd certainly be looking and possibly pointing at him. I might even contact the police, especially if I saw that he was the only one shouting.

Is there any option to do handovers at the local police station lobby/car park or in a contact centre lobby?

Could you put in earbuds and ostentatiously turn (or pretend to turn) the volume up so he thinks you can't hear him?

And please don't run off (if you literally are). Walk away with dignity. Running off feeds his ego as he perceives that he is frightening and getting a rise out of you. Take a deep breath, sigh loudly and roll your eyes, kiss DD goodbye (or take her if you're picking up) and then turn on your heel, square your shoulders, and walk away with your head held high. Let him shout after your retreating figure, it only makes him look like more of a bullying asshole.

I realize your valid concern about DD being exposed to his behaviour. That will have to be dealt with either in court or by SS. Discuss those alternatives with your solicitor.

JontyDoggle37 · 17/12/2019 18:23

OP just delurking to say I think the birth certificate thing could be about her name - deed poll change?? Might be worth a call to the powers that be on that front as well.

awesmum · 17/12/2019 18:29

We did handover outside the police station initially. The court don't recommend it as it's stressful for the child also the police won't do anything unless these physical violence apparently

I walked to the car with a friend and her husband, he had reached back into the car to get her handover bags to give to me - backwards I know, by which time my friends had walked off. It's a fairly busy road so very loud but only for cars with rarely pedestrians.
He refuses to park in the car park as per the court order.

He does unfortunately still terrify me.

I am going to try the National domestic violence helpline to see if they have some suggestions.

There is no way we are ever going to be able to co-parent is there? What a dick.

OP posts:
awesmum · 17/12/2019 18:33

@JontyDoggle37 she has his surname. I have no intention of changing her name, never have done. He's the one with the unhealthy obsession with it.

He has shown his hand though, that he doesn't know anyone can get anyone's birth certificate as it's public record.

OP posts:
RandomMess · 17/12/2019 18:37
Thanks
MsPavlichenko · 17/12/2019 18:47

So he's breaking the court order bt not parking where he has been ordered to? Speak to your lawyer about this.

Yes to speaking to Women's Aid, and maybe NSPCC about your DD.. He is doing her actual harm, psychological and physical (not caring for her properly etc). Not only should he not co parent I don't think he should aren't at all. That may not be possible but please let people know what he is doing/saying in her presence.

Swipe left for the next trending thread