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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

Emotionally abusive exDH affecting DD

7 replies

PrawnCracker1 · 21/12/2021 06:41

I split up with exDH over two years ago now. He was emotionally abusive with alcohol and painkiller addiction. He had checked out of the marriage and didn't include himself in day to day family life (mainly stayed in the bedroom etc). The final straw came when he was arrested for drink driving and had our older DD in the car with him. Thankfully no one was harmed but DD was quite traumatised by the event, saw her dad being arrested and had to be taken by police to her aunt's house (I was away overnight seeing a friend at the time).

Anyway that was what prompted me to finally end the marriage. Since then, life has been so much better.

We have two DDs age 12 and 10. They generally go and stay with their dad on a Saturday night. DD12 has never enjoyed going, and has gone through periods of not going at all.

The issue now though is I can see his behaviour beginning to affect older DD. She stays in her room most of the time she is there, he says horrible things to her and shouts at her (according to her. But I recognise the behaviour pattern from him). Last night he phoned saying she is a 'little bitch' and we need to talk about her. He had tried to call her but it was 1030pm and she didn't answer, there's nothing in her texts to him to indicate her as being rude, although she can come across this way at times (recently diagnosed as autistic).

I suppose I am looking for ways in which to support her with him, as I don't think he will change the way he engages and interacts with her. My life was horrible for a long time when with him, and I hate to think of her going through similar.

OP posts:
deedsnotwords11 · 21/12/2021 06:45

At 12, she's probably old enough to have her wishes taken into account and not go if that's what she wishes. I would not be supporting my daughter being left in the care of someone who called her a little bitch - show her she can stay with you where she is safe.

Terminallysleepdeprived · 21/12/2021 06:49

I would stop looking contact with both girls.

The cycle of abuse is already repeating. Protect your kids

IDontDrinkTea · 21/12/2021 07:04

There is no way I’d be sending my DD to stay with someone who treats her like that. Cut contact, no court will make her at that age

EMotion · 21/12/2021 08:16

How dare he call her a bitch! I hope he doesn’t to her face as that would be soul destroying to have your father call you that.

I wouldn’t make her go, and would tell him to take you to court if he wants to.

MintJulia · 21/12/2021 08:27

Your ex needs to understand that at 12, she doesn't need to see him at all if she doesn't want to.

They obviously find each other irritating at the moment. Why doesn't he leave it a while and wait for her to go to him when she feels better about it.

pointythings · 21/12/2021 08:28

I second not making her go - at this age, if he takes it to court, her input will be taken very seriously. And keep an eye on your younger DD because if he starts in on her, she too will be heard by the court if she stops wanting to go. Contact is for the benefit of the child, not the parent.

GrumpyLivesInMyHouseNow · 21/12/2021 08:41

They are both old enough to make a decision not to see their Dad. Personally I'd stop contact with him altogether for both of them, regardless of what they say

If he took you to court over contact a judge would take into consideration the wants if your dc anyway

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