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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

How can I be more assertive when ex is being a twat?

50 replies

CreatingHavoc · 16/11/2022 10:09

Typically I only ever think of things I should have said to him afterwards. For example, this morning he came to pick up the dc to take them to school as I am recovering from minor surgery and can't drive atm. I'd had a difficult morning with my eldest (who is ASD) and I was running about 5 mins late getting both their packed lunches sorted. He comes in and immediately starts complaining about how 'he can't be late' 'his job is important' blah blah, when in reality his work are incredibly understanding and know he's got the extra commitment of taking the girls to school this week.

Him putting pressure on me to make the lunches faster was stressing me and the dc out. My youngest even said to me "don't listen to him mummy, don't listen to him". Which breaks my heart because even she can see how much of a twat he is and she's only 6. He stresses me out so much with his shitty comments and all I managed to say was "going on at me isn't going to make things any faster is it?"

What I think I should have said was "so the girls' lunches are not important then? I should just send them without food?"

He upset dd2 the other night as well because he got in a bad mood because she wanted me to help her with bedtime and not him (he comes over to 'help' with bedtime but often doesn't actually help at all). He spent the whole bedtime in a bad mood and just sat on his arse shouting threats at Dd2 because she was being slow cleaning her teeth, picking bedtime books etc.

I don't know why I bother letting him come round tbh, I often think it'd be better if he wasn't there. Which is partly why I ended it in the first place. He is so self centred and inconsiderate that he can't see how his comments affect everyone. All that matters is him and his feelings. I want to be able to shut him down quickly and be able to stand my ground because I don't want my girls growing up seeing a man talk shit to me and walk all over me.

OP posts:
rookiemere · 16/11/2022 10:12

I think your natural instinct is just fine. Ignore, ignore, ignore as much as possible. He'll get bored if you don't respond and it's better than fighting in front of the DCs.

LovelyBitOfSquirrel69 · 16/11/2022 10:15

Well don't let him in your house for a start. He can wait outside. Don't engage beyond what's absolutely essential. Take it from someone who learnt the hard way.

He sounds like a twat.

Watchkeys · 16/11/2022 10:52

Silence. You don't need to respond. He can say what he wants. It's just hot air.

Your urge is to retaliate, to prove that you're right and he's wrong. Your urge is to battle with him. Just walk away, metaphorically. Don't let him in the house. Ignore his words. Do your thing with confidence. If he's having trouble with you being late, that's his problem, and he can whine all he likes.

SpinningFloppa · 16/11/2022 10:54

Why is he coming to your house so much? 🤔 tbh I think it’s good he’s coming to get them to take them to school my ex would have never done that so I would pick my battles with that one but otherwise don’t let him in your house.

Alexandernevermind · 16/11/2022 11:00

Don't let him in your house.
Where I live, leaving 5 minutes late means extra traffic. Couldn't he have got their food ready or picked them something up on the way?

Mynoodlesareoodles · 16/11/2022 11:14

Meet him at the doorstep with DC and packed lunches. Don't allow him in. Don't respond to him criticising you and hopefully he will give up. Stop the bedtime thing. I've stopped having any conversation at all with my ex and will text very occasionally about things essential to DC - it was hard to do initially, but i love it now. It's taken the heat out of our interactions.

CreatingHavoc · 16/11/2022 11:21

He works from home so no extra traffic to negotiate. His work are very reasonable and understand his childcare commitments so there was no reason at all for him to worry. He was just being an arse.

I get the not letting him in the house thing. The only problem is his house is a tip (carpet missing and all sorts) and not really fit for the dc so he has to come here to see them :/

OP posts:
forrestgreen · 16/11/2022 11:21

Get this week over with then send him a text.
'D ex thanks for your extra help this week. I've had some time to reflect on how things should be to help the dc move on and understand our split. So going forward I suggest (every other weekend, pick them up at x, return at x. Plus Wednesday you pick them up from school and take them out for tea, return by x so they can get to bed at a good time). Please let me know your thoughts. '

Obv change (arrangements) to suit

forrestgreen · 16/11/2022 11:21

No he doesn't have to come to your. It suits him not to sort the carpet and therefore come to yours.

SpinningFloppa · 16/11/2022 11:23

No carpet doesn’t mean they can’t stay there 🤦🏻

unicornsarereal72 · 16/11/2022 11:24

Time to set some firm boundaries in place. Your home should be a safe and happy place for you and your children.

His time is his to do as he wishes but it isn't in your home.

Once you are feeling better come up with a plan that works for you and the girls. Your time is x day at x time. They will be ready. Have them ready with shoes on and coats ready and out they go.

I always find no response is the best response. Or just an ok. It has taken time but I deal with the children's father like a difficult work situation. And keep it calm and professional.

CreatingHavoc · 16/11/2022 11:24

@forrestgreen I know it suits him and not me, which is frustrating. It's awkward though because I do need his help with things sometimes. I worry that if I put more distance between us that he won't help me out when I need him to. I don't really have anyone else.

OP posts:
Watchkeys · 16/11/2022 11:25

What things do you 'need' him for? Who would do them if he said no?

GerbilsForever24 · 16/11/2022 11:26

He's clearly a twat but I think you are opening the door to his twatiness, literally and figuratively.

Don't let him in your house. It's ridiculous. His responses are unreasonable but being annoyed isn't - you're running late, that is annoying. He comes over to do bedtime and DD won't let him, that's annoying.

It seems to me that carpets etc is not really enough of a reason to refuse to let your DC go to his. Stop letting that means that you cannot be present when the other is in charge, that seems imminently sensible to me.

CreatingHavoc · 16/11/2022 11:33

@Watchkeys I don't really have any close family I can rely on. His mum is probably the only other person who could help out with things but she is getting on a bit. My mum is unwilling to help most of the time and tbh she just makes me feel awful about myself so I avoid her.

It's not major stuff I need help with, just ferrying the dc around for their after school activities and what not. I do struggle on my own though (few health issues) so sometimes I just need a bit of help to get things done.

OP posts:
SpinningFloppa · 16/11/2022 11:36

Looking at your old thread you posted one month ago seems the real reason he is still coming round is for sex? And you wonder why boundaries are being crossed 😕

CreatingHavoc · 16/11/2022 11:38

@GerbilsForever24 dd2 doesn't want his help because he's unpleasant. It's as simple as that. He's made his own bed in that respect.

I do want to limit contact though but it's not just the no carpet thing. There's also no room for the dc to stay there. There's only 2 bedrooms, his is small and his housemate occupies one of them and the dog is in the lounge. It kind of resembles a student house atm.

OP posts:
CreatingHavoc · 16/11/2022 11:39

@SpinningFloppa that's stopped now. No more of that since I posted that thread and heeded the advice. I'm having therapy atm to deal with some of the issues I have re boundaries etc.

OP posts:
forrestgreen · 16/11/2022 11:40

Then they can go and sleep in his bed and he can have the sofa. Many men sort themselves out.

Which do you want more. Him as a taxi or him as an independent parent?

CreatingHavoc · 16/11/2022 11:42

@forrestgreen I'd not thought of that. I will suggest it, thanks. Hopefully they will sort the place out soon, though I won't hold my breath.

OP posts:
GerbilsForever24 · 16/11/2022 11:46

CreatingHavoc · 16/11/2022 11:38

@GerbilsForever24 dd2 doesn't want his help because he's unpleasant. It's as simple as that. He's made his own bed in that respect.

I do want to limit contact though but it's not just the no carpet thing. There's also no room for the dc to stay there. There's only 2 bedrooms, his is small and his housemate occupies one of them and the dog is in the lounge. It kind of resembles a student house atm.

I'm not disputing that he's the problem. I'm saying don't offer this opportunity. So even if he DOES come in the house, you then leave.

brighterthanthemoon · 16/11/2022 11:48

Seriously don't let him in your house. He'll have to take them out to mcdonalds or something

IMissVino · 16/11/2022 11:51

Stop letting this man into your home. If he’s picking up DC, he can wait outside. He doesn’t get to ‘do bedtime’, as he’s not exactly doing anything, anyway. If you want to start asserting your boundaries, the physical boundaries of your home are an excellent starting point.

Also, don’t get into a back and forth about this. It’s not a debate. It’s your home and he doesn’t get to come in. The end.

Watchkeys · 16/11/2022 12:17

Just wondering what your definition of 'assertive' is, OP. What are you trying to assert?

rookiemere · 16/11/2022 12:29

To be fair to him, in the first example about the pack lunch, he was presumably doing you a favour if this was your normal day to do drop off.

It's therefore a reasonable assumption on his part that the DCs would be ready to go and even the most understanding workplace and boss has their limits, so what he was saying may well have been true.

If you felt you had to say something- and in this situation focusing on the job in hand to get the DC out the door as quickly as possible, was probably the best situation- why not simply state "DD playing up this morning so we're running 5 minutes late. "