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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

Separated parents help needed

8 replies

Mylifestartstoday · 20/12/2019 15:41

I had a thread before about discovering my husband was having an affair back in June. The discovery was horrendous, he ended the affair, and moved in with his father. I have been as amicable as I can be, I allow him into the home so he can see our daughters (one of them won’t go out with him, but still wants contact), most times it is ok but he seems to have developed an anger problem. He’s so guilt stricken, and wallowing in self pity, that he can’t stand to see me cry. Unfortunately I couldn’t help myself the other day and everything went south. I’ve now banned him from coming Xmas day unless he seeks medical help/counselling because I’m sick of walking on eggshells around him.

The house is jointly owned, he doesn’t have a key, and is no longer registered as living here. He is threatening to come round whether I like or not on Xmas and if I don’t like it, I can piss off elsewhere. I’ve spoken to the police and been advised to keep the doors locked so he can’t access.
My question is, I keep doubting myself. Am I doing the right thing? The children are both teenagers and I know they can make their own decisions to see him but I just feel I need to protect them from his outbursts. Our home should be our safe space, and I don’t want to be walking on eggshells if I let him come in. I’m getting differing advice, some say I am being mean because it’s xmas and he’s their dad, some people are saying I’m correct in putting boundaries in place.
My head is spinning. One child doesn’t want to see him, the other does. He has nowhere to take them Xmas morning as he is staying with his father, and his dad hasn’t bothered with any of us for 6 months so they wouldn’t go there. My head is telling me I’ve made the right decision, my heart feels sorry for him

OP posts:
catchingzzzeds · 20/12/2019 15:43

Have you banned him totally from the house or just Xmas day?

Mylifestartstoday · 20/12/2019 15:53

Totally from the house until he gets professional help, it’s just unfortunate that it’s xmas next week.

OP posts:
catchingzzzeds · 21/12/2019 08:10

You haven't really said what he did during his outburst? Was he aggressive?
I think you need to be led by your teens really, unless you think they're in danger?
Could you all meet him for a drink at a local pub Xmas day?

Mylifestartstoday · 21/12/2019 11:56

He gets in a rage! He isn’t violent, but gets emotionally abusive, telling me I’m shit, telling the children I’m shit, telling them I’m unstable. Anything can spark him off, this one was b3cause I was in the bedroom crying, he came and and told me to stop or he was going to lose his temper. He slammed the door leaving, then barged through while I was trying to lock it behind him.
He is now seeing a solicitor for 50/50, he’s stopping paying the mortgage so I get evicted and then he’ll get them full time, and he’s coming at Xmas, if I don’t like it I can piss off out somewhere, and he’ll let me know when I can come back

OP posts:
Waxonwaxoff0 · 21/12/2019 12:09

You are doing the right thing. You don't have to let an abusive man into your home. If he wants to see the DC and they want to see him, he can take them out somewhere. For a walk or something.

The court will take into account the wishes of the children at their age. I doubt he will get 50/50.

Do you work OP? Can you afford the bills by yourself?

Mylifestartstoday · 21/12/2019 17:20

He will never get 50/50. He’s always on about me stopping his seeing them initially, he’s re written history, he ignores the fact he was too guilty/shameful to contact them. I even offered him every other weekend and a day in the week, he ignored the message. He could never facilitate 50/50.
I have a chronic illness which means I currently can’t work. I’m looking into what I can do (I have no discernible talents), having been away from work for 17 years and over 50 years old.

OP posts:
Mylifestartstoday · 21/12/2019 17:22

I don’t even think the court would be interested, they are 15 and 17, and they don’t want to see him.

It’s more the mortgage and if he stops paying it, and thinking about Xmas day feeling like prisoners because we have to keep the doors locked

OP posts:
catchingzzzeds · 21/12/2019 20:04

Thanks for the extra info, you're totally doing the right thing keeping him away from the house. Do you have any family you could go to for Xmas? Or family/friends that could come to you?
At 15 and 17 I shouldn't think the courts are going to be interested in any kind of custody case so I wouldn't worry about that.
I know it's scary but if the worst thing that can happen is you lose the house then the positive to come out of that is he'd have no right or control over your new home.

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