Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

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:
Mrsmummy90 · 23/12/2019 00:41

I had a little chuckle! Merry Christmas xxx

YouretheChristmasCarcass · 27/12/2019 20:41

Hope your Xmas was merry and bright and especially I hope it was peaceful and calm!

Nanamilly · 28/12/2019 08:16

Op, I don’t know how you cope. I had palpitations just reading all of that.

Flowers
MotherOfDragonite · 30/12/2019 10:48

Merry Christmas @awesmum, I hope you have all enjoyed yourselves together and been able to switch off somewhat. How far you have come!

Star81 · 30/12/2019 12:30

Having read all this I can’t believe how well you cope with it.

I hope you had a fantastic Christmas in peace.

AprilBaby29 · 01/01/2020 10:51

Happy New Year OP! You've had such a turbulent 2019 I hope 2020 is nice and chilled for you Flowers

IRBJan17 · 06/01/2020 19:36

I'm logging my place on this thread too as ive followed your 2 previous ones!!

Happy new year!! I hoope your xmas and new year has gone as smoothly as possible in the situation!

I'd love to read the blog if you would pm me the link!

You are an absolute inspiration

Mumek · 07/01/2020 00:25

Happy New Year Awesmum. Please pm the link to your blog xx

LeviOsaNotLeviosAR · 14/01/2020 23:03

De-lurking to say Happy New Year. Hoping to see an update from you soon. I have my fingers crossed that 2020 is your year Flowers

EyUpDuck12 · 25/01/2020 12:35

How are things Awesmum?

glutten4punishment · 29/01/2020 17:15

How're you doing @awesmum ?

awesmum · 01/02/2020 10:04

Hello everyone. A little update, the divorce has been accepted and not defended, papers have gone back to court, hopefully meaning that will be done and dusted in 12 weeks ish.

Hand over for DD is still a huge source of tension. He's still giving her a dummy and bottle - despite her being now 4. She's still struggling when she gets home and reverts to baby talk and wanting to be a baby, which is fine, I give her lots of hugs and reassurance. Weirdly he won't allow her to have the comfort toy she's had since birth or her blanky, as he's always thought they were ridiculous things for children to have and shouldn't be encouraged- despite having a bear from his birth by his bed?

Currently trying to get a councillor for my son as he's finally starting to deal with what he went through with ex. My eldest DD still has nightmares but is doing lots better. We all have our wobbles but are getting there. DD 12 is doing well at the moment.

I am doing well, seeing lots of friends, always busy doing and being. I still struggle sleeping and wake frequently checking the house is secure. I am taking pleasure in all the little things still - all the positives about being free and out. I do hate though that they remind me of him as I would truest like to wipe him out of my mind. Apart from that I don't actually think about him at all.

OP posts:
pointythings · 01/02/2020 12:16

That's a fabulous update, awesmum. You are so insightful around your DCs' needs; a lot of people don't understand that reaction to trauma can come at any time, including a long time after the event. My DD2 has only just been diagnosed with PTSD because of all the stuff her dad did and we're 2 years on from him leaving the marital home...

You're going to thrive. Your DD will thrive as well despite her awful dad, because she has you for a mum.

RandomMess · 01/02/2020 20:48

KOKO Thanks

Mrsmummy90 · 03/02/2020 21:34

So glad that the divorce will be sorted soon! Hope you're all doing ok xxx

MiniCooperLover · 14/02/2020 19:55

Awesmum, you are incredible and you're children will all be so grateful and happy you fought so strongly for them all and their health and happiness when they're older. I'm glad to see the divorce is happening. I hope you can start to feel peaceful over time.

Livenearhere · 02/03/2020 15:06

How’s things @awesmum

RandomMess · 05/03/2020 20:16

Think of you often, hope you are ok Thanks

awesmum · 05/03/2020 22:41

Hey, been waiting for today Grin. Finally got the acceptance for my divorce to go through! Honestly it's been longer than Brexit.

Kids are doing well, DS is in counselling he's had quite a few set backs and it's been identified that something traumatic happened to him when he was about 10/11 - when STBXH started ramping up with abuse to all of us, also his self esteem is shot to pieces and he has a lack of positive male role models in his life. He's getting better though, it will take time and will come out for all of us at different times.

Ex is threatening me with court as I haven't agreed to his terms about next Christmas Hmm. I am happy for him to, especially as my solicitor contacted his to ask if we could leave it for at least a week as I suffered a huge loss of a sibling of mine that actual day and was told no and then on handover got a slew of abuse from him - will it ever stop. No I don't think so.

I have been back to Women's Aid and I have been told to go back to the police with my diary for evidence.

Once I have had my DSis's funeral I am going to pursue it with the police as I am still suffering domestic abuse which no matter which way they paint it it's illegal.

I hope you're all well.

OP posts:
RandomMess · 05/03/2020 22:46

So sorry about your DSIS ThanksThanksThanksThanksThanksThanksThanksThanksThanksThanks

AcrossthePond55 · 05/03/2020 23:46

My deepest condolences on the loss of your sister.

Chances are that you're right, to some extent it will never stop. BUT once the divorce is settled AND as DD gets older he will have less and less 'power' as she will get more and more independent. I know, that's a long way off.

Is there any way handovers can be done in a very public place?

notapizzaeater · 06/03/2020 00:04

Sorry to hear about your sister

Def report him again, he's not going to stop anytime soon

BumbleBeee69 · 06/03/2020 02:54

you have come so far OP... I'm sorry to hear about your DS's trauma and the loss of your DSis... Congratulations on getting your divorce.. 🌺

BeUpStanding · 06/03/2020 11:15

So sorry for the loss of your sister. Unbelievably that he even used that to abuse you. You're right to go back to the police about his continuing abuse.

And yet what wonderful news about the divorce being accepted! I've been following your thread since the first post and you are doing so, so well. Really brilliant Star

pointythings · 06/03/2020 11:25

I am so sorry about the loss of your sister. Please do report him to the police again- if you end up back in court, those records will tell the judge all they need to know. It's hard on you, but he is still giving you rope to hang him with.

Congratulations on the divorce - that's another slice of freedom for you.

Swipe left for the next trending thread