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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

Am I being gaslighted?

91 replies

Happyfaceemoji · 28/12/2021 23:31

I’m so confused. I’m divorced long time ago and not dated as kids were small but I’ve been with my DP just over 2 yrs. He moved in a year ago just after Xmas and it was all lovely. But I think I’m going mad. I’ve gone from feeling totally in control of my life to doubting myself. I work, I pay my mortgage and bills and I wouldn’t say I was stupid. Every time we argue it escalated into him saying it’s over and he is leaving. Followed by him making up and staying. (Kids never witness anything by the way, always when they aren’t here). Recently he has even gone as far as going to stay at a mates for a night or two. I honestly can even recall the reason for the argument but it’s generally because I’ve said or done the wrong thing in some way. Texted my ex too much about the kids, gone out with mates Snd not come home early enough. I used to have a large circle of friends and we’d meet up regularly but I’ve stopped going out, even with covid allowing. I dread any invite and mentioning it to my DP as the comments are generally things like oh going out again oh I hardly see you anymore. I am always the one that makes up and reaches out the olive branch as he can literally sulk for days. I can’t stand being emotionally shut out, I feel abandoned. I don’t know if all the lockdowns made it all worse as obviously stopped seeing people then. I never invite friends over either unless there is a special birthday I can use as a reason maybe. I always feel the fights are my fault, the few times I have fought back and stood my ground he comes back with comments like I don’t like you or criticises me for being bossy or boring or says I’m never here, I hardly go out at all now. If anyone come to do any work in the house he accuses me of flirting with them. I had to find a female tutor for my daughter as when I mentioned there was also a male one he kept asking if they were texting me and how often and did I enjoy the attention. It was degrading.
And I don’t even understand why because I’ve never given him reason to ever doubt my fidelity. And lastly and this is what I am really upset about is that after the rows we have make up sex and I think this is almost the reason why he picks on me… but the last row I didn’t want to have make up sex, I tried to avoid it by turning away etc but he persisted and carried on. I didn’t say no. But my body was saying no snd I feel so fucking useless that I was so weak. And I feel confused and I have literally no one I can tell or talk to. Even when he’s being nasty to me I’m still there saying do you want lunch? Like an idiot. I asked him for a cup of tea and he handed it to me and said I have just spat in that, I’ve never been treated like this. But the kids are attached and I feel like a failure. I don’t really know what I’m
Saying except I had to write this down

OP posts:
updownroundandround · 29/12/2021 13:24

Op you know what you have to do.

You say you have tried to split up from him before, so how did he get you to change your mind ? Because that is what you need to avoid happening this time.

If he kept phoning/texting ? You block him.
If he kept coming round ? You phone the police and do not talk to him directly.
If he deliberately chooses to contact you when others are there ? (So he can gain 'sympathy' from others who don't know what he's really like), You tell everyone what he's done.

The secrecy stops today, because it's the secrecy that helps him control you.

However he has gotten you to 'relent' previously, you make it impossible for him.

You can do this. You can enlist the help of your family and friends to help you too, which will make it so much easier too.

Happyfaceemoji · 29/12/2021 13:33

Purple sapphire
That all sounds very similar
I’m sorry you went thru that but at least I feel I’m not totally overreacting now

OP posts:
Happyfaceemoji · 29/12/2021 13:41

I will contact women’s aid
Today he is back to being loving
Saying and texting me “I love you” saying no one will ever love me like he loves me. Well he’s right there. He hasn’t said sorry. I feel wary, on edge, worn out, I feel I’ve lost myself. If you saw me at work, I’m a team manager in busy successful firm, you’d never imagine i would put up with this. No one knows anything except they all think I’m so happy.

OP posts:
billy1966 · 29/12/2021 13:42

Call the police and get this psycho out of your house.

He has no right to be there.

Tillymintpolo · 29/12/2021 13:45

Does his name start with a G ?

SummerWhisper · 29/12/2021 13:46

This is a great update @Happyfaceemoji and I think you have made the necessary shift in your mind and realise that a) you are bloody brilliant and successful and can do this and b) he is a controlling, sexually abusive, freeloading dickhead who shouldn't be around your children any longer.

Send this one back to the tip, pronto. Flowers

BiscuitLover3678 · 29/12/2021 13:49

Pretend a friend wrote all of that. What would you say to her?
Your kids need a happy, healthy mum with someone who respects her. If this is how he is with you, you have no idea how much worse he could get as they grow up.
You are NOT a failure.

Juniper68 · 29/12/2021 13:53

Thank goodness you're seeing sense

Choccyaddict4eva · 29/12/2021 14:00

Throw him out he’s abusing you! That is not normal behaviour from him and it will only get worse. Thank yourself lucky that the house and everything else is in your name. Change the locks, pack up his stuff and get rid. Do you want your children to grow up thinking it’s okay to treat people like this? They will get over him not being part of their lives. Please don’t put up with him any longer.

emmylousings · 29/12/2021 14:07

I have been in this situation. Especially the bit about controlling your social life, making out you fancy all men etc, degrading as you say. You are right to note how nasty the tea thing was. Deep down, you know you didn't consent to that sex, yet you are the one who feels bad about it. I also did that. It was nearly 20 years ago and I still find it hard to accept that was rape, even though in my head I know that. He's driving you crazy so you become weaker, so you feel afraid to end it. Please, please think of someone in real life to speak to?! Speak to Women's Aid. You are not a failure. No one will judge you. You must be strong and get away from him, the situation is very dangerous now. It took a few months after leaving my abusive ex for him to get bored and leave me alone. That time was tricky, but it was better than the misery of living with him. You will never regret it. Listen to what we are all saying here. Xx

58bpm · 29/12/2021 14:15

You know his game now!

He thinks you're so easy to manipulate that a bunch of I love yous will work.

But you see through it. You know someone who cared about you wouldn't put you through this. No way!

You'll soon start thinking clearly again when you are off the devil-driven emotional roller coaster he's strapped you into.

You have a house, financial independence, a career, kids....all the things he doesn't.

I'd do it now. Gather up his stuff. Get a friend to drop it to him. Change the locks.

MadMadMadamMim · 29/12/2021 14:20

For goodness sake! Tell him now - today - that you want him gone. The relationship is over. If he refuses call the police.

Get him out, change the locks and never have anything to do with him again. Block him on everything. He's hideously abusive and you will be so much happier without him.

Cherrysoup · 29/12/2021 14:49

Kick him out. He has no right to be in your house. You say the kids are never there, but presumably they’re not blind or stupid? They must see how you’ve changed and how upset you are. Please, please look after yourself, you owe this nasty abusive controlling man nothing.

Suzanne999 · 29/12/2021 15:06

“ Like an idiot. I asked him for a cup of tea and he handed it to me and said I have just spat in that, I’ve never been treated like this.”
WHAT?????? That alone would have seen him on the driveway, his goods and chattels thrown after him.

He is abusing you —— it won’t get better, it will only get worse. Sorry I can’t sugar coat it for you but trust me it can, and will, get a lot worse.

Him out, locks changed. Simply explain to the DCs that he wasn’t the nice man you thought he was and he’s moved away. They’ll get over it.
If he tries to contact you, get back in, suggest he just comes to visit, call the police.

redastherose · 29/12/2021 15:36

@Happyfaceemoji you are keeping this a secret because you feel embarrassed about the way he treats you. This should be his shame not yours. It is never as much of a surprise to other people when you finally tell someone what a wanker he has been. I always thought my ex had everyone fooled, in fact loads of people had seen right through him.

Please tell someone you trust about the way he talks to you and treats you, telling everyone here was the first step, once you've told someone in real life it will make it real and let you take steps to get him out of your life.

He is an abusive man, anyone can fall victim to one, look at Nigella Lawson.

Get rid now and have a happy new year.

Momijin · 29/12/2021 15:44

He is abusing you in many way, emotionally, sexually and financially. He is also controlling.

But you're in a great position and are totally independent from him. Next time he goes out, call a locksmith and change the locks. Have all his belongings in black bin bags outside. Don't speak to him again.

You do not want this man around your kids.

Mix56 · 29/12/2021 15:57

This is the cycle of abuse, he has been vile & knows he has pushed it too far, so now he winds you back in by being nice.
He is deliberately ostracizing you from your friends, another symptom of abuse, is to isolate you.
He is already living off you, he wants to rule.
You need to get him out. Your children will be seeing your change of behaviour, the way your comportment changes when he comes in, the way you keep your mouth shut & demur to him.
They need their old Mum back, not some abused shadow of herself.
Get him out. rip off the plaster. One decisive phrase
"This is no longer working for me, You will have to move out. If he refuses, call the police

TheWeeDonkey · 29/12/2021 16:30

Saying and texting me “I love you” saying no one will ever love me like he loves me.

I should blinkin hope so too, what a ratbag.

I'm glad you're keeping a record or this because it it abuse and its no way to live. I unserstand after being single for so long how you have fallen for him so deeply but you deserve so much better. Please make 2022 the year for you Flowers

YukoandHiro · 29/12/2021 16:33

Read this back. You deserve so much better. The kids will be picking up on your anxiety and walking on eggshells.
Take back control and ask him to move out. You are stronger than you think.

SunflowerTed · 29/12/2021 16:51

Time to sit your kids down and gently explain why you are dumping his dairy ass!!!! He is a jealous, control freak who has isolated you

Pickuptruck · 29/12/2021 17:58

This next bit will be scary, you will start doubting yourself, especially when he feels the shift in you as he will turn up the charm so high you will be tempted to brush it all under the carpet again. As pp said - as he threatens to leave a lot he has given you an opening - ask for a 'trial seperation' if it means him leaving more easily, then you can tell him you have decided no after 'the trial'

fuckoffImcounting · 29/12/2021 18:06

He is a dangerous man - he wants to destroy you so that he can be King of the Home, and you his grateful servant. Chuck him out. Pack his stuff, change the locks. Don't let this scum near your children.

Isabel2021 · 29/12/2021 23:46

Oh my goodness, tell him to go, this is emotional abuse. It will only get worse.

ClemDanFango · 29/12/2021 23:55

He’s really done a number on you. Free bed and board, sex on tap and an emotional punch bag to boot. He saw you coming a mile away.
Ditch the cunt.

emsmar · 30/12/2021 00:00

Urgh what a horror! Get him to fuck! xxx

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