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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:
Slimemonster · 01/08/2022 07:24

Also, call women's aid.
They will help you.

rainbowstardrops · 01/08/2022 08:26

Call Women's Aid and at least try to get help! You're making excuse after excuse. Your poor children.

Meowmeowmeowmeowmeow · 01/08/2022 09:10

Call his bluff and tell him to leave then
Honestly its 9am and I was exhausted even reading this

Hes a classic narc abuser
He is the type you date for six to eight weeks before realising and sigh a relief when you work in out and move on
However he has managed to keep you in this state

You need to educate yourself

Dr ramani youtube
Therapy and counselling without him

Its going to take you a while (years) to realise what has happened if you leave him. If you stay with him it is going to get 10 times worse each year and will take even longer
I dont know what age you are but it you get out now you can have a period of healing and educate yourself to never fall for this shit again
You can have 50 years man free and focus all your attention on yourself and your children

Online dating is full to the brim of these wankers so it doesnt surprise me he has been using online dating (one of the reasons I avoid it now)

He needs supply constantly and your drama is feeding it to some extent.

You have to realise you are a willing partipant in this game and you have capacity to make the decision to stay or go - on some level you are fuelling this. Please speak to womans aid

ComfyChairPose · 01/08/2022 09:17

True, you are a participant in this dynamic.

I didn't mean to offend you earlier @Onebigmess when I said that friends weren't worth staying for. I was projecting because really good supportive friends did provide the connection and support that I was not getting from him.
But eventually of course I did realise that that was not enough.

I totally get your reasons for not wanting to return to your home village.

I agree with you that a secure job with a pension is very valuable and totally agree that you should revolve your next decisions around keeping the job.

If you go to a refuge and tell them that you have a job and need to keep that, they will support you in that.

Calmdown14 · 01/08/2022 10:48

The thing is, while you are adequately housed, you are never going to be a priority.

If you are homeless fleeing domestic abuse with children, you are.

You need to decide which path you are going to take. You either start squirreling away money each month with your own exit plan or if this isn't possible, you turn to the support services that exist for exactly this reason.

Just phone women's aid. They have dealt with hundreds of people in your position. They can go through your options. If you wanted anything else in life like a mortgage you'd consult the experts and find out about the relevant steps. Treat it as fact finding if you're not ready to do anything.

But only you can take the first step

Ginger1982 · 01/08/2022 15:48

You need to declare yourself homeless fleeing domestic abuse. Why won't you do this?

Onebigmess · 01/08/2022 16:40

@Ginger1982 because I feel ridiculous. I feel I'm being mentally tortured but I have a medical professional, 20 years older telling me I'm the crazy one with all sorts of mental illness. I feel like.im being driven nuts!

OP posts:
Meowmeowmeowmeowmeow · 01/08/2022 16:53

Onebigmess · 01/08/2022 16:40

@Ginger1982 because I feel ridiculous. I feel I'm being mentally tortured but I have a medical professional, 20 years older telling me I'm the crazy one with all sorts of mental illness. I feel like.im being driven nuts!

Ffs just because someone tells you something doesnt mean its facts

wellhelloitsme · 01/08/2022 16:54

Because he's a cunt OP.

He's a horrible bully.

He bullies you.

He bullies your older son.

You have a choice whether to leave or not, your son doesn't.

So you need to be the one to do get out of this, bringing your children with you.

Call womens aid - dozens of people have advised you to.

They will help with temporary accommodation while you get yourself back on your feet.

Are you not even willing to speak to womens aid for your childrens sake?

bunsnroses1 · 01/08/2022 16:58

Newsflash: it doesn’t matter what he says, he’s an abusive arsehole. Stop trying to reason/explain with him and just go!

velvetpeach · 01/08/2022 17:02

So what's the alternative? You just stay there, living in a toxic, abusive household and making your children grow up in that?

What do you actually think are your options here? Because him changing isn't one. And the sunk costs fallacy that is making you think if he'd just marry you first, if he made a will benefiting you, if he gave you a cut of his brother's inheritance, then at least you've got something for all this pain... well it's just that, a fallacy.

Apologies for my cynicism but in the past six months you've posted so many times about him, changing name each time and alternating between "he's an abusive bastard I hate him" and "how can I get my DP to commit to marriage/a mortgage together". You don't seem to want to leave him, just to complain about it. I just don't see what you expect from anyone.

You're unhappy: you have the power to change that. Only you. But your sons are caught up in this horrendous situation and they don't have a choice. If you won't call the appropriate agencies for help, or go to your family/friends, then what are you going to do?

We all know what you will do, ignore everything everyone is telling you here, stay there with him, then post again in a few weeks with the next horrific instalment. I thought it couldn't get much worse than him cheating multiple times but apparently that's not a dealbreaker so what the fuck is??

WembleyWay · 01/08/2022 17:05

What do you want from this thread, OP? Do you just need a place to vent (which is fine, but is this the case)? If you want advice, you’ve had plenty.

Call Women’s Aid and ask for support to leave with the children. This man is a grade A abuser and things will only get worse.

50Iwillbefit · 01/08/2022 17:08

Onebigmess · 01/08/2022 16:40

@Ginger1982 because I feel ridiculous. I feel I'm being mentally tortured but I have a medical professional, 20 years older telling me I'm the crazy one with all sorts of mental illness. I feel like.im being driven nuts!

Is your partner a hospital Consultant?

velvetpeach · 01/08/2022 17:13

Another marriage one... http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/relationships/4461712-Another-marriage-one

FFS, this is from less than 6 months ago, with you wanting tips on how to get him to marry you. I commented then which is how I found it.

Can you not see how irrational and contradictory your behaviour is never mind his?! Your poor kids, you have no intention of leaving him do you??

Meowmeowmeowmeowmeow · 01/08/2022 19:31

@50Iwillbefit he will be a surgeon. Probably orthopaedic.

Meowmeowmeowmeowmeow · 01/08/2022 19:37

You can post here all you want OP as part of your support and working through this

But ultimately the external validation you need is right in front of you
Re word if - rename yourself 100 times but you are seeking answers you already know the answer to

He is abusive and vile and its horrific but you need to go
In six months time you will be making another post about something else

The relationship is over and has been over for months -

Call womans aid this week
Read lundy bancroft
Its not going to change

2catsandhappy · 01/08/2022 19:45

I have read your other threads. I see you are still in limbo.
Can you get help from your employer? Counselling, advice or financial aid?
There are charities in Wales to help with rent downpayments and moving costs. Have you googled for the help available?

Jewel7 · 01/08/2022 19:59

I think you know what you need to do. It’s working out how you do it. Look on womens aid website.
Make a plan. If your a nurse can you ask a manager at work for support or advice?

ComfyChairPose · 01/08/2022 20:07

It took me ages to leave too.

I think the same "anaesthetic" that gets you through each individual miserable day impedes your ability to spring in to action when the moment is right.

ImJustMadAboutSaffron · 01/08/2022 23:14

Onebigmess · 01/08/2022 16:40

@Ginger1982 because I feel ridiculous. I feel I'm being mentally tortured but I have a medical professional, 20 years older telling me I'm the crazy one with all sorts of mental illness. I feel like.im being driven nuts!

Why do you think he knows better than you because he's older? It just means he's had longer to be an arsehole.

Why do you think he's any good at his job and why does it matter? He's still a tw*t.

Onebigmess · 03/08/2022 15:33

I am listening to you all and am formulating a plan.
We were meant to be having a few nights away as a couple and he's been asking me to book and pay for it (despite him having hundreds of thousands in the bank and me only just managing to pay bills).
I text him last night (he's back at his dads- currently there 5 nights a week) and said I thought at the moment we shouldn't do a couple's night away.

He replied saying that I owe him half for the flights he paid for for our family holiday (to his dad's villa, I don't want to go because he was meeting women here whilst we were together). I said I'd pay half if he paid half the money for the holiday I booked for his birthday but I had to cancel (he went mad because it clashed with a night out with his friends and belittled the whole trip- I spent days searching for the perfect place because he's so judgemental, it was beautiful and when I cancelled I lost £800).

So he's now said he doesn't want to go away with someone mentally ill anyway.
I asked for him to not insult me and said we could have a conversation later. His reply- if you're going to be nasty to me I'm not coming back tonight.

It's a constant cycle. If I say anything (not nasty or insulting), he mentions my mental health, tells me I'm a bully and threatens to not come home. I feel frustrated, confused and like I'm going mad.

OP posts:
velvetpeach · 03/08/2022 15:40

Why the hell are you even discussing holidays and couples' time away???

Can you not see that to everyone here it is shockingly clear you have no intention of leaving him? Why post all the details of monies and destinations etc etc. if you have money for a holiday you can move your children out of this toxic environment, fuck for £800 you could move to a hotel for a bit!

Why the fuck are you STILL trying to get his attention? He doesn't care. And your boys can see he doesn't care.

Your delusion is actually embarrassing now, it's wasting people's time.

Onebigmess · 03/08/2022 15:53

@velvetpeach this was a holiday I booked in January before things got even worse between us. I told him about it on his birthday (April) and he went nuts, started shouting at me, so i rearranged the date. For a few weeks later but I then found out about the cheating.

This new time away is something we discussed 6 months ago (because my eldest is away with his dad). I've been putting off telling him I don't want to go because i knew I'd get abuse. However, I really don't want to go.
I had £800 for the holiday purely because jointly I could afford to save it. That does not mean I can afford nearly 3k a month in household bills.

I will absolutely not be staying in the relationship. There is nothing left. My sanity is barely there and I need to be strong for my children.

OP posts:
velvetpeach · 04/08/2022 16:37

So what's your plan then? Because you have been posting about this man's horrific behaviour for a lot longer than before you booked this holiday - changing your username or not - it's not like things were perfect until six months ago! People aren't stupid, please stop acting like they are.

And six months ago, you wanted to get him to marry you! Please be honest with yourself about your situation. Being disingenuous does you no favours, it's not the people reading here who have to live with this. It's you, and more importantly your children.

wellhelloitsme · 04/08/2022 16:49

In January you said: We love one another, well I have no reason to think he doesn't love me.

You now say (which I believe is the truth):

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.

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.

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).

He's told his friends and family I'm mentally unwell with anger issues, yet he shouts at me and insults and belittles me.

He says my job is nothing and insignificant and I do nothing anyway and his job is hard (works 10 hrs a week).

Staying in this relationship would be heartbreakingly foolish if you didn't have kids.

I'm afraid that because you do have kids, it's heartbreakingly selfish to stay in this relationship.

It will fuck them up completely. It will make it likely they'll replicate this relationship themselves as adults, either as the abuser or the abused.

You can either put them first and end the relationship, or stay with him, damage your children more, let your older child be treated like a second class citizen in his own home and be abused yourself for even longer. Maybe 40/50+ more years.

The fact you wanted to marry him six months ago, despite the list of his abusive behaviour above is terrifying. That you were the one chasing him for marriage despite him being so abusive to you and your child who I remember he bullies is also terrifying.