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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

One big mess

102 replies

Onebigmess · 27/07/2022 11:49

I am so broken I don't know where to begin.
Will attempt to be conscise but probably fail.

Been with "DP" 5 years. 3 year old child together and one each from prior marriage. Living together 4 years, he's 20 years older.
He's always been nasty. I moved house alone at 8 months preg, left me alone after c section, basically wasn't there for first yr after baby was born as "you were breastfeeding, I couldn't do anything and babies are a woman's job"...I expressed from him being 3 days old. There's hundred more examples but I'll move forward.
Found out 2 months ago he'd cheated on me during the first 6 months of our relationship. Messages to 5 other women, he was going on holiday and setting up dates via online dating for when he arrived, I had an unexpected preg during the first 6 months and he was telling me we would make it work, arranging our kids to meet but dating and sleeping with other women. Asked a woman to come over his house with no knickers and I was 3 months preg at the time. Denied it all for about a week, despite all text evidence, then said we were in a relationship- despite me having all texts saying he was coming off all dating sites to get to know me (later said he did, all the women he was with were people he already knew), also have messages saying he was only sleeping with me, I was his gf etc. When I first found out about it,.I was upset and said I thought he was disgusting and dirty and I wanted nothing to do with him. I asked him to leave and he said "I was going to leave anyway, you're dangerous" I stopped making my cup of retea.to ask what he meant and he said I may stab him!! I've never been violent in any way or threatened violence. He left for 2 days and when I said I didn't want him back he said he wouldn't want to get onto bed with me incase I accuse him of something! I have never ever done anything like that. He's told his friends and family I'm mentally unwell with anger issues, yet he shouts at me and insults and belittles me.

Anyway he's constantly lied about the cheating, even said cheating when I was preg didn't really count as I had a miscarriage anyway. Then said I didn't have a proper miscarriage as I didn't even bleed (had a MMC and took tablets and he was there when I bled).
He's been vile. Constantly telling me it's all my issue, I'm insecure and mentally ill. Started saying I had anxiety disorder, then decided personality disorder and then bipolar. I absolutely do not have these conditions. If I shut up, do what he wants and have no opinion and don't mention anything then all is well. If I mention a lie he has told then I'm mentally unwell.

We went to a counsellor who asked to see me on my own and asked why I was with him, said his behaviour is abusive and she was angry with him saying I'm mentally ill because I'm not (just anxious due to relationship).

He lied about the cheating, said he was "ending past relationships" but none of the women were relationships from the messages. All were new women he was pursing for dates and sex. Offering petrol money for a woman to come over, begging a woman to unblock him because he really wanted to meet her (I was preg). The issue is that this was in the first 6 months of our relationship. He thinks I'm ridiculous and mentally ill for being upset. I think he's lied to me throughout our relationship and let our kids meet whilst having sex with other women. Plus treated me awful since.
In the first few months of our relationship he went abroad, the day after he arrived home was using his phone in front of me and POF.com/Spain appeared. Stupid but didn't mention it at the time as I'd just found out I was pregnant and we had only been together 4 months. When I later mentioned it, he spent the rest of our relationship telling me he was deleting the app, it's all in my head because I'm insecure and anxious.
I stupidly spoke with his last week because I wanted reassurance and asked if he could promise he had been faithful since the last message I found (6 months into our relationship). He went nuts, told me I was bullying him and abusive and that he was going to leave me of I didn't apologise. I know he may not have liked me asking but I wasn't rude or insulting. I've been called evil, mental, if I don't do better next week he will leave me (keeps threatening this). We were meant to go on a couples night out (first night out together in 3 years), he messed me around as I was due to leave the house to come and meet him. Said I was insane, he didn't want to look at my face and would not be around me until I resolved the issues. I asked if I was meeting him and he said he didn't think I should go and didn't want to see me. When I didn't reply, half hour later he said if I behaved myself, showed with affection and not hate then I could come. I've not been rude or shown him hate. I'm hurt.

He's told me I should be grateful and thanking him for paying our rent (he earns really good money and I'm on nurses pay) and apparently it's insignificant that I spend all my pay on bills and pay everything for our child. He says my job is nothing and insignificant and I do nothing anyway and his job is hard (works 10 hrs a week).
Things came to another head last night. His brother died recently and my "DP" is due a large sum of money, he said we'd buy a house once this money came through (he already has a lot saved). Obviously things aren't great at the moment so I don't expect us to buy right now. However he didn't tell me he had the money through weeks ago and a large sum for our son. I found out from another family member who asked "did he buy you something nice" but I had no idea. When I asked him, he said it's not a big deal, it's his money and his family is nothing to do with me, I'm not his family. That really hurt. He said we've been arguing, why should I discuss his finances. However my arguement is that you can't pick and choose what part of a relationship to be involved in. I look after our child, never get a lie in (was supposed to last Thurs but he refused and told me to fuck off), do every bit of house work and he expects sex. Yet closes me of from things he doesn't want me part of. I've reduced work to look after our child (yes I know. Stupid) and pay all bills bar the rent and I'm seen as insignificant. I asked if we could both do a life insurance policy when our son wa sborn because we aren't married and don't own a home and if something happens I'm effectively homeless. He said no and he'd do a Will...3 years ago. If I ever asked about it I was a money grabber, he's even asked if Im planning on killing him. He told me months ago he had done it, I asked to see a copy last night and he said "yes of course, it's just not signed" so he's lied to me again and doesn't see an issue. That fact I care is me being a miserable bitch and destroying our life. He's now said there is no rush and he isn't planning on dying soon!!!!

I feel him betraying and cheating has worked in his favour because he's now saying he can't marry me or buy a house with me because I'm destroying our relationship and always miserable. He's told everyone I'm mentally ill. I hate myself. Im insecure about myself, how I look, I'm broken. I feel nothing to him and I feel bullied. I'm not allowed to bring up the past as it's abusive and he keeps threatening to leave but never does. My life is a mess. Am I an absusive bully, do I expect too much. I don't know what's normal anymore.

Also, he found a previous post and was angry. So if you recognise some of this, please don't judge. I need some support but if I'm caught he'll be angry.

OP posts:
ManAboutTown · 27/07/2022 12:00

This is going to be blunt.

You need to get this ignorant pig out of your and your children's lives.

He sounds like a total prick which no sane woman deserves

Giggorata · 27/07/2022 12:14

This isn't normal.
you're not an abusive bully.
You don’t expect too much.

You have been managing and parenting alone, in the face of gaslighting and abuse from this total ballbag.
Not only does he bring nothing to the relationship, he is actively taking away from it by his appalling behaviour.
He will never share properly with you or the children, financially, emotionally, practically, or any way at all.

Stop hoping, it is never going to be good. Please get the fuck out of it. You are capable and strong, you've just forgotten.

Justcallmebebes · 27/07/2022 12:41

Some of this sounds familiar - the moving house at 8 months pregnant? If you are the same person, literally every single person on that thread told you to leave him. I think it's also your house so you can kick him out? Hell, even your counsellor has asked why you are with him and she's met him!

You need to kick him out. There is no other response to give to you other than to leave him. He is absolutely vile and nothing will change, ever

MorrisZapp · 27/07/2022 12:46

There's no reason to be with this vile abuser. Get yourself and your kids far away from him.

GoT1904 · 27/07/2022 12:48

He is abusive.. he is the abusive one. You know that you're not abusing him. :( You really need to leave him.

Go and see a counsellor under the guise of 'sorting your problems out' if he asks. And talk to them about your relationship. Plan an exit. And just go.

Apply for maintenance. You can't be happy with this man.

Yorkshirepuddingwithsyrupnotgravy · 27/07/2022 12:54

Dear Lord! Just line up your ducks and LTB. Why are you still with him?
It'll be tough at first, but you'll feel 100% happier than staying with that abusive idiot!

OldFan · 27/07/2022 13:11

He'sabusive OP. Please separate from him. x

velvetpeach · 27/07/2022 13:47

Ah the part time doctor again! It's been a while.....

You didn't leave him then?! Course you didn't. At least be honest about who you are so people don't waste their time.

Eyesopenwideawake · 27/07/2022 14:57

You've posted about this so many times before.

What would you say to someone in your position?

SteveHarringtonsChestHair · 27/07/2022 15:31

Couldn’t read it all but by half way through I’m thinking why are you still with this abusive prick? Listen to your counsellor. You get ONE life. Don’t waste it with this arsehole.

DeadbeatYoda · 27/07/2022 15:31

I cannot understand why you have bothered going to counselling. I can't understand why you would have a child with this man. I can't understand why you are in a relationship with this man. You have had endless, full-on, ridiculously obvious reasons to steer clear and you keep going with this man. He is not the problem. You are.
Fix yourself or you'll just replace this current scumbag with the next chancer.
I know how harsh that is but you really need to hear it before you have another child with another loser. It's not fair on the children.

laalaaland · 27/07/2022 20:26

why are you with him?

PuffinMcStuffin · 27/07/2022 20:30

So what are you going to do OP?

foreverinmyheart · 27/07/2022 20:58

I think I got through 3 or 4 sentences before stopping (sorry). What a c*nt. Didn't need to read the rest. You deserve so so so so soooooo much better. This is not normal. You have done nothing wrong and he is manipulating you. Please please listen to what people say in this thread. Find support... Ask for help. You need it to leave this horrible toxic situation.

Onebigmess · 30/07/2022 23:40

Sorry for the delay, I've been a complete mess. I feel broken in every way. I can't talk to this man, he doesn't like me speaking. If I ask any little thing, he completely deflects and turns it around on me. I plan out everything I say to the minute detail, ensure I am asking things nicely with no insults but he says I am a bully.
We were discussing his will yesterday as I wanted to clarify if he would be leaving money to contribute to his childs upbringing. Despite it being his idea to do a Will and saying he had done it. All hell broke loose. I'm mentally ill, I'm after his money and every one knows it. Every penny I have goes on our household bills and buying things for our child.

I'm starting to think he's enjoying making me insecure, then when I ask for reassurance he threatens to leave because I'm insecure.

After he shouted at me the other day that I'm.not his family. I said I was hurt and did he really feel that way. He replied with 6 messages, telling me how insecure I am, my insecurity is unattractive and I need to do better next week or he will leave me. He's always saying this. It makes me more insecure. I will make it clear I don't hound him, I don't accuse him of cheating,.when he goes out I never message. However, he says hurtful things and I end up broken.
I didn't reply to his last message as he deflects and just starts telling me I'm mentally ill.
I have 7 messages I've not read (I mute) but seen a few bits of the sentence. One says "4-6 days a week you are mentally..." And the other says "maybe I said it (that I'm not his family) because you're not relationship material 😢 I'm.not reading the full message or the other 6.
I can't cope with it. All I've ever done is care for him and our children, run our home, be faithful and loving and laways make an effort. He's lied, cheated, hasn't even seen his son the last 2 weekenda because he's out drinking and I'm not relationship material!

He makes me doubt myself, makes me think I'm crazy. Talking to him makes me want to scream, I plan every conversation with extreme care to ensure I don't offend. It doesn't matter though, he will ignore what I say and come out with completely unrelated responses that lead to me being mentally unwell and him saying he will leave. I'm emotionally drained, exhausted. I get palpitations before talking to him about anything. Weighing up the risk of being made to look crazy but if I don't ask questions, things play on my mind.

He had always been like this but since I discovered he cheated it has been a million times worse. He's an entitled, upper class snob. Absolutely HATES cheats. Yet my discovery has proven he is the person he said he hates. I took photos of the messages i my phone and he deted them. They run through my head and I can't forget. Simultaneously asking about my pregnancy nausea what amsinga bother woman to come over with no knickers on so he can taste her (and he will pay her petrol money).
It makes me cry thinking about it.

OP posts:
Onebigmess · 30/07/2022 23:42

So sorry for the typos. I typed in a rush and my phone keyboard is playing up. If only I could edit!

OP posts:
Tallisimo · 31/07/2022 00:07

I didn’t get beyond your comment that he has ‘always been nasty’.
Why have someone like that in your life? You and your children deserve better.
I hope you ca see this and believe it.

Nanny0gg · 31/07/2022 00:42

OP - what do you want? What do you want from this thread?

You need to either leave or get him out (whose house is it?)

If you want support for that, this is the right place.

But you have to want to end this terrible situation

Aquamarine1029 · 31/07/2022 01:01

You are your own worst enemy, op.

You know perfectly well that you should get rid of this man, yet you don't. I'm thinking you must like the drama in a very, very dysfunctional way. Your life could be infinitely better, so quickly, but you just won't let it be. You just keep allowing this man to poison your life.

Lysianthus · 31/07/2022 01:09

In the kindest possible way, why are you posting here? Are you trying to visualise your feelings by writing them down, or do you want advice? Because I get the feeling that whatever we say, you will ignore. You're going to get great advice on here but if you bury your head in the sand, you will be posting the same, and worse, in a month's time.

Consider the advice (which overwhelmingly says leave him) and I wish you well.

Canabelievethis · 31/07/2022 01:55

You know what he is doing and how he treats you is so very wrong. Replies, support and sympathy on this thread are not your answer to sorting your life out and leaving the abusive bastard.

ONLY YOU HAVE THE ABILITY TO TAKE ACTION TO CHANGE YOUR CODEPENDENCY ON AN ABUSIVE BULLY BY LEAVING!

You do not have to live like a mentally battered broken woman who knows no peace or happiness. Do you have any family or friends that can help? Please take care of yourself and your children, throw him out or leave and contact woman's aid/local council for help.

You are worth so much more than this. Be a good role model of a mother.

LEAVE.

He is a disgusting pig that shouldn't be around your children.

velvetpeach · 31/07/2022 12:16

Honestly why bother posting?? You spend so long writing out every little detail of his behaviour yet still make no moves to leave. In fact you are still trying to instigate date nights and work out how to get him to marry you.

You obviously have no intention of leaving him, so why ask for advice? People are wasting their time trying to help.

Maybe think about asking your eldest son's father to take custody of him though, as the ongoing abuse of him by your partner that you detailed on your many other threads is possibly the worst part of this whole shitshow.

Stop thinking about why he's a terrible partner (he is) and concentrate on being a decent mum to your children. They didn't choose this. But you actively are. It's shocking, to be honest.

wellhelloitsme · 31/07/2022 12:23

Your child is growing up in an abusive home.

This man isn't going to change.

He's a liar and a bully.

You're desperately unhappy and anxious.

You'd be mad to stay with him if you didn't have kids and (sorry as I know it sounds harsh) you're selfish in a way to stay with him considering a child is involved.

He's always been like this, he's not going to ever change.

Please don't waste your life with this man and allow your son to grow up in an abusive home any longer.

ClemmyTine · 31/07/2022 12:54

Reading this has made me angry, with you for putting up with all this crap and treatment from him.

FFS, LEAVE HIM.

We read nowadays about victim blaming. Well you are the victim and you are to blame for standing for this.

Get out now. You bleeding idiot

Natty13 · 31/07/2022 15:27

You are a lunatic if you stay with this man.

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