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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

20 years in it’s dawned on me...

994 replies

Treatedlikeamaid · 20/04/2020 11:57

That dh has a pattern of behaviour and I fall for it every time.
He gets very anxious and it feels like he copes by getting at me until I’m as anxious as he is. I need to keep positive so that I ive things and look after kids.
Only just dawned on me after he’s just done it again that he’s done it a zillion times - to the point where I couldn’t cope and couldn’t stop crying even in the doctors office.
I’ve been working hard on self esteem and encouraging myself to set up a teeny business which has had good reviews, hubby is all Victorian businessman, ‘what’s the plan ? It will never works etc etc. ‘There are several models which are working very well, so I’m sure there is room for me.
which means whatever I’d thought or planned goes out of my head and I feel stupid and ridiculous. I’m sure a few words of interest or even a ‘well done’ would be of help. It’s like he’s allowing me to do it, but if it gets busy he accuses me of the house being a tip.
Just could do with some encouragement, being a bit needy at the mo!
Thanks!,,,

OP posts:
Vodkacranberryplease · 08/06/2020 11:24

No Katysun I was just explaining the timing! Do not be the quiet one getting nothing!!!!! Read the book, get well, then go get em. Make a list of what you have done. Not what you think you are (I'm sure you are but everyone says it so it becomes meaningless.) or if you are saying I am x illustrate it with examples.

I think there's more than just the negotiating going on here though, No business succeeds by rewarding only those that are loud does it? If it does it's the wrong place for you. Ridiculous way to run a business.

Maybe when you list those achievements you'll realise they look rather good on a CV 😉. And negotiating when getting a new job is so much easier....,

Vodkacranberryplease · 08/06/2020 11:26

@Treatedlikeamaid And well done you! Right decision! You'll learn a lot and it's so much harder to find good people you can trust. If she's hiring you she's not doing so just to pack boxes mark my words. As she expands you will go up with her and the new box packers will come in under you.

Vodkacranberryplease · 08/06/2020 11:31

And unless your fuckwit partner (stupid word he's not a partner is he?) has a job you take the car. Let him un sorn the other! But I think you kind of need to lose him sooner rather than later because he will pull a lot of shitty stunts including not looking after the children, taking the car so you can't (urgent meeting dontcha know) etc etc.

Then you become the employee that can't be trusted because there's always some drama stopping her from coming in.

Unless you can lock down transport and child care with him around (separate to him) you'll always have a problem. And if you can do that then frankly you don't need him at all do you?

RandomMess · 08/06/2020 11:36

I would be out the house 5 days a week, however many days working and the others working on your business but out of the house where he can't sabotage or insist you do the "wifework" instead of your business.

KatySun · 08/06/2020 12:11

Vodka I totally need a new job, that is the heart of the matter. And of course it is not just that loud people get on - although there is an element of that - but more systematic inequalities which I won’t go into.

TorkTorkBam · 08/06/2020 12:38

Congratulations on your new job. Top result.

he said, 'I knew youd do that"
This almost certainly means he though you would NOT do it. He did not know how to react. His instinct was to pretend it wasn't a surprise. He will now be planning his revenge on you and his sabotage. He will be stinging.

You are at risk if you think that conversation went well. Be braced for his attack.

It is coming and will likely come out of the blue, e.g. he has a health scare in your first week if not before or he allegedly gets a big opportunity on his business in the next week that requires his 100% attention and you starting work would put your family future at risk (all lies and exaggeration of course).

He has had "mental health issues" when you've had strength or success in the past, right? Where you then diverted all your mental energy onto him, yes?

What other tactics do you expect?

TorkTorkBam · 08/06/2020 12:57

@RandomMess

I would be out the house 5 days a week, however many days working and the others working on your business but out of the house where he can't sabotage or insist you do the "wifework" instead of your business.
This, so very this.

When my children were tiny I worked part time and did a masters at the same time. DH and I treated it as me being in full time work. I did my masters work outside of the house. For the purposes of household and child management I was out of the house full time work plus commute hours, 45hrs. What exactly I did in those hours was nobody's business but mine. I highly recommend this approach.

In my case we did it because the children were looked after by a nanny at home and me being present, but unavailable, was too confusing for them and was terrible for distracting me - there was always something stopping me from getting into the zone of deep thought and flow.

I carried a stupid amount of materials with me every day. In theory it would have been easier to work from home. In reality it was better to take a lawyer's wheelie briefcase with me every day and a heavy backpack and work from a cafe, a back room of my paid work (with permission from the boss), outdoors in the park.

TorkTorkBam · 08/06/2020 13:22

Do you have a bank account of your own where you can stash your wages? He will almost certainly try to keep his money and spend yours.

You being unmarried means it is especially important that you protect your money. There is no joint money, no joint debt, no joint expenses, no joint savings unless there is a specific legal agreement in place.

Marriage is usually that legal agreement. He will screw you over if he can to keep you under control. You must protect your finances.

RandomMess · 08/06/2020 13:45

I am actually worried to ask this, are you on the deeds of the house? How do you actually own it?

Happynow001 · 08/06/2020 14:00

WELL DONE 👏🏻 @Treatelikeamaid. This is the first ✅ towards a better, more positive life.

How P/T is the new job - will it be three or four days?

Will you also be keeping up with your personal business around that?

You've made a good first decision so the next time don't let him bog you down in a long distracting discussion where he will do his utmost (which has worked in the past) to ensure you weaken and go back to your old and unhappy position. Next time TELL him your decision. If this house/mortgage is in his own name only (is it?) you may have little to no rights if your financial contribution is not legally ring-fenced, so even more need for you to have your own source of income for the future. But he has no marital financial rights over you!

As another PP suggested, move your current savings into an account he cannot access and/or open a new current account where your salary will be paid in. Also are you claiming child benefit? If so that should also go into your personal account. www.gov.uk/child-benefit

Info below the NI and State Pension which you may find helpful.
www.gov.uk/state-pension/eligibility

Additionally, rather than drawing down your pension consider adding to it instead if that's at all possible so you are in a better position on retirement.

Good luck OP. You can DO this! 🌹

Zaphodsotherhead · 08/06/2020 15:27

He may be happy that you are working because it will distract you from your 'nonsense' of a business.

Make sure that you carve out some time to continue with it. Don't let him do the 'well, you're out so much now, you need to spend the time you are home having 'family time' ' and then leg it as fast as possible out of the door, leaving you with the children, the housework and the laundry.

Your business is important. You NEED to spend time on that, as well as work.

SuckingDownDarjeeling · 08/06/2020 18:11

@Treatelikeamaid @Treatedlikeamaid OP are you able to switch back to your original username? I'm guessing you accidentally missed out a letter when you changed back to this one, on the app it's difficult to see when you've replied. I'm glad to see there's a positive update!

Treatedlikeamaid · 09/06/2020 04:44

Yes I own half.
Sorry Darjeeling!
Feeling a bit ill as I think about how I got into this. Had no self confidence after some crap happened, had what I now realise where red flags. But somehow got sucked in. I used to be so together.
Boll#£&s. Thank goodness seeing counsellor in Thursday.

OP posts:
Treatedlikeamaid · 09/06/2020 04:50

Yes I own half.
Sorry Darjeeling, here you go!
Thanks. Feeling a bit ill as I think about how I got into this. And how massive it is. Had no self confidence after some crap happened, had what I now realise where red flags. But somehow got sucked in. I used to be so together.
Boll#£&s. Thank goodness seeing counsellor in Thursday.

OP posts:
ThickFast · 09/06/2020 06:45

That’s great about the job! Sound perfect to be part time for the moment. I’ve been posting on this thread since beginning but have name changed now.

Treatedlikeamaid · 09/06/2020 09:12

Well that’s very mysterious! Are you supposed to tell us?!

OP posts:
TorkTorkBam · 09/06/2020 09:27

What do you mean I used to be so together.

Honestly you are like that still, it's just that some fucker keeps coming in and messing your shit up.

Like the world's most annoying poltergeist.

endofthelinefinally · 09/06/2020 09:37

I rarely post on these threads but
Please, please do not marry him.
Take the job.
Get counselling.
Get legal advice.
Do not touch your pension.

Vodkacranberryplease · 09/06/2020 10:33

I think take the job but lie about the hours. Pretend it's full time and use part tine to be elsewhere doing your business.

At some point it will take off and as long as you treat your new boss with the utmost respect she could well be a great contact, a mentor, a source of support, and someone you could support, in a business sense.

Not to say rely on her or anything but it's a small world.

And you totally have to sort out this money thing. If you are not getting good advice on how to ring fence your own money and get out with everything you need you need a new solicitor. Counsellor + solicitor + some money of your own + free time = a while new future filled with what you want.

Vodkacranberryplease · 09/06/2020 10:35

Or you could pretend to be working for a charity part time for your cv. That explains the no money and being out all the time.

ThickFast · 09/06/2020 11:40

Lol it wasn’t supposed to be mysterious! If that was directed at me. More an explanation that I’ve been with you from the beginning. Cheering you on. If that makes any difference. It probably doesn’t to be fair.

Treatedlikeamaid · 09/06/2020 22:49

Thanks tork!
The ‘worlds most annoying poltergeist ‘made me lol. Thank you for saying that. I really couldn’t figure out why I was so pants at stuff. Your simple comment has let me forgive myself from years of feeling like an utter failure. That is amazing, thank you. I can hear a little creak as my confidence grows a bit more!
Thanks endof, I really appreciate you posting. And vodka, that is sooocrafty!
And thick fast, whaaaa?! Of COURSE it makes a difference! The wonderfully encouraging comments are what is helping me through this - and helping boost the old ego!
Got a lot further today with the old revamp website. Beginning to Actually Feel Focussed and see it as a thing that I Actually Have an input into. Previously ( and still a bit) it was all a scary muddle. Still terrified!

OP posts:
Nagsnovalballs · 10/06/2020 08:16

I think CBT could really help you manage your feelings.

There is no need to be terrified. You have been trained into heightened anxiety by your dick of a partner.

You have a job. Now make an organised list of all the things you need to do step by step to make it possible to get there etc. Eg un-SORNing the car - lost out what you need to do, who to call etc.

Make a timetable for yourself so you can clearly see when you will do things.

Make a business plan for your business and break it down into a 3 month, 6 month and 12 month target. What needs to be done, by when, with whom?

Finally DO NOT show or discuss ANY of the above with your partner. He doesn’t need to know. He isn’t doing the work himself and he is unlikely to help you. He is NOT on your side. He is not your ally or your friend. He is your saboteur.

Then, when you feel terrified, look again at your timetable and just do the next thing on it. Look at your list of tasks and pick something achievable.

There is nothing to be terrified of. There will be times ahead that feel scary, like your first day at work or when you decide to get on that plane with or hopefully without your partner to see your mum. But they all just need one foot in front of the other to get through them.

And, most importantly, the less you tell your partner, the less likely you will be scared, because he won’t be undermining you or putting obstacles in your way to deliberately exhaust and frustrate you.

Finally finally, there are a lot of small business loans swilling about because of Covid. If your business is workable, part of your time spent working on it each week should be focused on raising capital through proper small business loans. Once again, never, ever touch your pension.

Nagsnovalballs · 10/06/2020 08:26

And please, please message us on here when you book your flights and sort your passports to see your mum. Again, do it in secret. Flights are SO cheap now and you can book for autumn. Just do it.

What is a few hundred pounds compared to allowing your mum to have her child in her arms again? And for you to sink in her arms? At 87, you and she are on borrowed time. Genuinely, I would take out an interest free credit card (Barclays, Halifax and Lloyd’s all have offers on and you can apply online) to do this. If that is a ‘betrayal’ according to your partner, let him break up with you. It’s one less thing for you to have to do in the next few months/years. Your D.C. should learn that no partner should prevent them from or punish them for seeing their family, or else in 20 years you may see history repeating itself.

Look in the mirror when you next go to the loo. Stare yourself right in the eye and say:

‘In the middle of a pandemic, I got a job. That is brilliant of me.
I can do this because I am strong. I have done it before and I will do it again. I deserve to be financially secure. I deserve to be happy. I deserve to see my mum. My children will learn positively from seeing me go out in the world and take this on.’

All of those things are true. Look at how far you have come in just a few days!! You are doing amazingly well. One foot in front of the other...

TorkTorkBam · 10/06/2020 08:30

Congratulations on doing stuff with your website revamp. Onwards!

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