My feed
Premium

Please
or
to access all these features

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

Relationships

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:
Report
Mix56 · 09/03/2020 13:55

Unspeakable man, please do go back to the police.
Yes he is abusing you, & I honestly think he is unfit to father her, why is he still giving her a dummy/bottle & carrying her. Is he still taking her to work & she is using work toilet etc?
Its seriously perverted.

Report
OnceUponAMidnightBeery · 09/03/2020 18:08

So very sorry to hear about your sister FlowersFlowersFlowers

As always, you are handling everything so well, even if you sometimes don’t feel like you are. And also as always you’re doing the best thing for everyone.

ExH is, as is his obvious pattern, trying to do the best for himself, and no one else.

I hope that he will hoist himself with his own petard and he’ll be seen to be the selfish, narcissistic controller that he is, and his custody will be at the very least greatly reduced.

If not I have a room for a new patio, just saying

Report
OnceUponAMidnightBeery · 09/03/2020 18:10

I’ll provide the slabs and the alibi...

Report
awesmum · 12/03/2020 16:48

@OnceUponAMidnightBeery I would be very happy to help you with your landscaping project Grin

Just had an unscheduled direct handover, he was meant to return DD at 8 this morning and failed to he managed to do it at 4pm and I got a mouthful of abuse when I asked him about it.

I have spoken to WA and the police as this is the 3rd mouthful this week - it is ramping up rather than getting better.

Will it ever end??

OP posts:
Report
AcrossthePond55 · 12/03/2020 17:00

Probably not. But just remember that you grow stronger with every encounter. So he may not stop, but eventually he will be 'sound and fury signifying nothing'.

Report
RandomMess · 12/03/2020 17:00

Hopefully it means the court will start hitting him all sorts of orders and his time with DD reduced.

Presumably you have enough evidence to take to court to prove his consistent non-compliance with CO?

Report
awesmum · 12/03/2020 17:06

Weekly he fails to comply. He's asked me to breach it on his behalf. If I ever disagree with him he threatens me with court.
He's ignored medical advice. He fails to inform me of anything and the on top of it all he is using DD as a go between to abuse me.

OP posts:
Report
RandomMess · 12/03/2020 17:35

Is there a reason for not already taking it back to court?

Report
awesmum · 12/03/2020 18:34

A number of reasons really, you have to apply to the court to agree for it to go back into court, you have to show that you have made reasonable attempts to resolve issues between you before they will accept it. Because his intimidation is directed at me they don't care so long as he's not beaten DD, on drugs or drinking excessively around her.

OP posts:
Report
Daftapath · 13/03/2020 09:42

Is there any way that you can take him to court separately from your dd to get a non mol order? If he was behaving in this way and you didn't have a child together, surely there would be some recourse through the law to stop him?

Report
Dullardmullard · 13/03/2020 09:55

I’ve said it before I’d stop all contact for your child’s safety as she is being abused by parental alienation as he’s abusing you through her. You said this up thread and the courts do have the say so to do something about it.

What has your lawyer said about it all?

Report
AcrossthePond55 · 13/03/2020 12:38

What Daft said..can you get a non-Mol order and ask for handovers at a contact centre? At least that might stop the 1-on-1 abuse. Would having someone with you at handovers make him 'behave'?

As far as using her to abuse you, I assume that's partially verbally telling her things about you or countermanding (telling her she doesn't have to listen to you). Have you spoken to your solicitor specifically about UK 'requirements' regarding parental alienation and what it takes to cut/reduce contact because of it? Does his ignoring medical advice rise to the level of endangering her health?

Report
AcrossthePond55 · 13/03/2020 12:41

I know you've probably thought of these things. It's just that sometimes we get so 'beaten down' by a situation that we don't see a solution that may be lurking in the background. It may be worth seeing your solicitor and going over everything with them again, just to be sure that there isn't a tiny 'crack' in the wall I'm sure you feel you are facing.

Report
awesmum · 15/03/2020 17:50

I have an appointment next week at the police station to make a statement about his behaviour in the last 18 months but also what's happened in our marriage.

I found out today that he's moving just down the road from me in the same village, about 50 yards from the school our DD is meant to be going to in September. It's the only school he would agree for her to go to. This has terrified me. But having just spoken to a police officer I don't have full confidence that they will do anything to help me, he did fill me full of confidence. I am going to try to take the woman from Women's Aid with me, she's very straight talking and will hopefully keep me calm and able to convey what I have been through. Any advice would be welcome.

Also he's just told me via solicitors that he's going to object to paying the court fees for the divorce- which are £760 - he'll pay £700+ for a barrister to attend than agree to the fees.

I again feel really vulnerable and very scared he's moving up the roads, my eldest DD won't come home from uni if she knows he's just up the road, my other kids won't want to go out in the village either. It's absolutely awful.

Even my solicitor is perplexed by his behaviour.

If anyone has the virus please come and cough on him!

OP posts:
Report
BumbleBeee69 · 15/03/2020 18:14

there must be something that can be done.. this is too awful OP.. Flowers

Report
RandomMess · 15/03/2020 18:15

That's so awful for you. Did you ever get a non-molestation order? Can you phone the Domestic Violence Helpline for advice?

Report
awesmum · 15/03/2020 18:56

I tried to get one but was so intimidated by his Barrister and him staring at me in court - if you remember he angled himself to be directly staring at me throughout the proceedings, and ended up walking out with just the 25m restriction on my house.

I am going to push harder now and take someone with me so I don't get dismissed as being 'silly'.

Although terrified I am more resolute to get something in place or are they suggesting my family and I have to just resign our selves to indefinite fear and intimidation?

OP posts:
Report
pointythings · 15/03/2020 19:30

I think that being resolute and marshalling all the support you can is the way to go. manYou need a non mol. Your ex is an evil man.

Report
AcrossthePond55 · 15/03/2020 21:10

His moving doesn't surprise me one bit. That's abuse at its 'finest'. Horrible man. Just vile.

Gather your support and fight.

Is your fear of him moving closer the fear of him intimidating you by putting himself in your view? Do you have fear of actual physical violence? If it's the former, it will take time but eventually you'll be able to conquer that and he will become an annoying fly in your ointment. And eventually, perhaps you'll be able to move yourself and keep your address from him.

Report
Brig93 · 15/03/2020 23:57

I cannot believe the amount ofstress and fear you are going through! I really hope police will help you. You have to tell them you and your children are scared. Tell them you are terrified. They need to know, that will change the look on your case big time.
And how come social services not doing anything regarding your DD? He is using her to get to you, he is emotionally abusing her. Please get angry and tell social services to get involved as your DD can get traumatised from his behaviour. Im so so sorry you have to watch your DC to go through this. I have two little boys and i do fight at the moment with my whole being to just keep a roof above our heads. I cannot imagine someone would do this to my children. I would go ballistic. I had a go with my social worker once. I told her she is not doing anything to help me, i said to her all i get is telling me what to do, how not to think about my ex and focus solely on my children when you cannot simply forget abuse plus my DC are tinny, one 15 weeks old other one is 14 months old and i do everything by myself.
Once social services, my health visitor, sure start and me had meeting together everything changed big time. My health visitor is really really nice person but at the same time really convincing. She didn’t let the social services to take things easy.
Im so lucky to have her my HV.
When you messaged that your DD was crying on handover my heart was breaking for you two.
And you doing amazing, i have been following you from the start and you been through a lot and yet here you stand strong independent woman and mother. You deserve happiness ❤️

Report
RandomMess · 25/03/2020 08:26

How are you doing?

Report
HazelBite · 25/03/2020 14:15

Any progess?

Report

Don’t want to miss threads like this?

Weekly

Sign up to our weekly round up and get all the best threads sent straight to your inbox!

Log in to update your newsletter preferences.

You've subscribed!

BumbleBeee69 · 28/03/2020 22:39

how are you OP Flowers

Report
Mrsmummy90 · 28/03/2020 23:10

Hi op.

How are you doing?
Sorry to read that he's still a massive cunt but hopefully this lockdown means you and your dc are safely away from him xxx

Report
AtAt123 · 28/03/2020 23:18

He's moving near you? My god, this man is certifiably insane. I am so sorry for you op ☹️

Report
Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.