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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

Leaving note

280 replies

Waaahbaby · 30/12/2021 08:45

In a few weeks I will be gone with the children, he doesn’t know and neither do they yet.
My plan is to collect them from school and take them to new house. I can’t sit down and talk with him so he will return to an empty house. What do I write in the note to say we have gone? He’s been abusive and controlling for years and I fully expect a backlash.

OP posts:
1forAll74 · 22/01/2022 04:17

Do any of your neighbours know what you have planned to do. just in case he goes asking around about you.. But best of luck with everything, !

QOD · 22/01/2022 04:26

💐

Mummyoflittledragon · 22/01/2022 05:04

Congratulations! I hope you and your dc will now be safe. Flowers

catwomando · 22/01/2022 05:54

Congratulations.

GoodnightGrandma · 22/01/2022 06:46

How do you feel this morning OP ?
Hope your first night went well 💐

julesover40 · 22/01/2022 06:56

@Mix56

Well done You !!!! Its been an agonizing long wait, Do NOT speak to him on the phone. It can be abusive, emotive, persuasive..... He will fill your head with lies, promises, & threats.... All interaction should be by email. You reply when you are feeling strong, by email, & tell him he is blocked on your phone, he can communicate about the children by email.
Well done for getting through yesterday. This advise is good, no not speak to him by phone. I hope you managed some sleep, be kind to yourself and give yourself time to just be at peace with your children. Today is the first full day of your new chapter x
LetItGoHome · 22/01/2022 09:06

What an inspiration you are to many. Congratulations xx

Nidan2Sandan · 22/01/2022 12:29

Hope you managed to sleep OP and you'll have a busy day getting your new home all set up.

Exciting times!

updownroundandround · 22/01/2022 12:35

How are you feeling today OP ?

It's normal to have a really big, mixed bag of emotions now that you have taken the leap, so don't expect too much of yourself too soon, just take things one day at a time.

Do not agree to either meet him or to talk to him on the phone ! He will simply be using any contact as an opportunity to try and persuade or coerce you into going back into his lair !

Any and all communication need to be via email. No texts or calls, and definitely no meeting him !

You really need to block him on your mobile, because you're only going to make things harder on yourself if you don't.
You'll constantly be checking your phone.
You'll be jumping every single time it rings.
You'll panic any time his number comes up.
You'll maybe even feel you have to answer (conditioning in putting him first !), then perhaps even tempted to believe the lies he'll spout....

None of that is in your best interests, is it ? Or in your DC's best interests ? Sad So block him. Put yourself and your DC FIRST

You only need to even look at your emails when you feel strong enough (Make sure that you don't get notifications on your phone, change it so you need to 'log in' to see if there are any emails.)

You've done the hardest bit, you've escaped.

Now comes the long slog of keeping strong and of ignoring him, because whatever it is he wants, it's no longer your problem.
It's not up to you to make him 'happy'.
It's not up to you to clean his house.
It's not up to you to pay his bills.
It's not up to you to to cook for him to make sure he's fed.
It's not up to you to wash his clothes so he's got clean ones.

He's an adult. It's all up to him to figure out !

Take time to relax into your new home.
Take time to enjoy spending time with your kids.
Take time to enjoy quiet evenings watching TV or with your friends.
Take time to begin the process of rediscovering who you are, what you like, what you want....................

You've got this ! Flowers

ProudAlly · 22/01/2022 12:55

Well done OP. Proud of you

bettertocryinamercedes · 22/01/2022 12:56

How are you today op?

dexterslockedintheshedagain · 22/01/2022 12:58

OP I'm so happy for you. You've absolutely done the right thing x

comfortablyfrumpy · 22/01/2022 13:04

Congratulations. I hope you and your children have a lovely weekend in your new home x

MrMrsJones · 22/01/2022 13:07

🥳🥳🥳🥳

Bloody well done x

Twillow · 22/01/2022 13:15

I missed this thread before now.
Shivers!
I did exactly the same thing as you. From the secret rental, furnishings, documents given to someone for safekeeping (I had confided in my boss).
Isn't it amazing how you find the strength when you realise enough is enough? It's a roller coaster emotionally but I hope you are also feeling the lightness, and as proud of yourself as I did.
I won't say what was in my leaving note - it was short - but more of an apology - and I wish now I'd left one similar to a poster suggested above explaining that the police were now involved (they were).
So I know where you are exactly now, feeling bad and trying to keep communications open to a point, but the risk of mixed messages is high and I wasted a long period trying to gently persuade him that I was done, which he, unfortunately, interpreted as potential to get back together. Good advice NOT to speak by phone, or get involved in long text threads.

I read a thread yesterday which was about difficulty keeping on good terms with ex - one poster very astutely said that they (not all, but a significant amount) behave as they do because they are just behaving in the way that made you leave them - why should they be any different now.

Feel free to message if I can be a hand hold Flowers

beastlyslumber · 23/01/2022 18:13

That's a great update OP. Well done Flowers

Monstertrucks · 23/01/2022 18:57

I hope things are going well for you and your kids.
Cheerleading you on from afar x

ZedMammy · 23/01/2022 19:43

Sending so much love for your new life. As a child of DV I used to wish my Mum would be as brave as you have been xx

OrlandointheWilderness · 23/01/2022 23:33

I really hope you have had a good weekend.

GiantHaystacks2021 · 29/01/2022 13:58

How's it going, OP?

Waaahbaby · 31/01/2022 09:30

Hi all, we are all doing really well thank you. The children have adjusted brilliantly and although he doesn’t seem to really get ‘why’ and doesn’t agree with the way I’ve done things, all has been amicable so far. He isn’t happy with not knowing our address and I completely understand that. I am not sure what I’m going to do about it at the moment. I have a ring doorbell set up with video saving as well and I know I could call the police if I needed to. I honestly believe that he will not cause a problem but still unsure what to do. I feel so bad about it.
I love being in this house though, it’s so nice to be able to breathe again!

OP posts:
billy1966 · 31/01/2022 10:38

Great update.

Have you informed the police that you moved due to abuse?

If you have, and I hope you have, if you do tell him where you live, be sure that you tell him that the police are informed of the move and why.

Keep the marker on the house so should you need to call, the police will be with you quickly.

Nasty bullys tend to calm down once the police are involved.

So pleased that you are all doing so well and are safe.

Flowers
Tana433 · 31/01/2022 10:40

Lovely to hear your update. Glad to hear you are all safe and well.

beastlyslumber · 31/01/2022 11:24

Great update, OP.

Hopefully he isn't going to cause you any trouble BUT he may be just quietly gathering his resources for further down the line. Don't trust him. His 'not really understanding' act is just that - an act. Don't feel bad. He knows what he's done.

So happy you're free! Flowers

Monstertrucks · 31/01/2022 16:15

Amazing update OP - so glad to hear how happy you and the kids are in your new home. I think of you often.

And pleased to hear that ex is currently behaving. I understand why he's not happy about not knowing where you are, but I feel you should remain cautious.
We don't know all the ins and outs of what has happened but from what you have said he's capable of being a nasty piece of work and you went to great lengths to protect yourself and your family for a reason... I wouldn't be in too much of a hurry to remove the safety net.
He might be being nice at the moment, but that's because he has to be... He's lost all power over you. But he won't be happy about it.