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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:
CreatingHavoc · 16/11/2022 12:57

@rookiemere I hear what you're saying but he's always like this, if anything at all gets in the way of exactly what he wants to do and when he wants to do it, then everyone hears about it. He could see I was stressed and chose to direct his anger at me instead of seeing how he could help and he was implying I should be faster in an unpleasant way, to the point that my 6 year old felt the need tell me not to listen to him.

@Watchkeys i think I need to be able to stand up for myself better. Instead of letting his hurtful comments get to me. I tend to shut down in situations where there is conflict rather than dealing with it head on.

OP posts:
deeperthanallroses · 16/11/2022 13:07

I get that you want the help, but you don’t have to let him in in the mornings at least. Shout out the door hi they will be out in a minute and send them out as soon as ready?

Confusedteacher · 16/11/2022 13:35

Don’t let him in your house. As PP said, he can take the kids out for tea if he can’t have them at his house.

When exH and I first split up he was in a house share and I wasn’t happy with my young DDs sleeping over in a house with a random
man. So we arranged that when he had them
overnight he would take them to his mum’s. Could you do similar?

MsMarch · 16/11/2022 14:23

You still seem to think that the two of you are partners. You are expecting respect and kindness which, if I'm understanding this thread correctly, is not something he's ever given which is why you're not together anymore anyway.

You don't need to be assertive so much as be realistic. He is your ex. He shouldn't be in your house. You shouldn't be asking him for "help". And you should not be trying to be nice to him. If he's bad at putting the kids to bed, why are you even having him in the house? Just say no. And as PP said, he can take the kids out for tea if he can't have them in his house.

flflflf · 16/11/2022 14:26

you have to meet him on the doorstep and not let him in. Ask him to knock when he's outside. Make packed lunches the night before.

Boundaries so important.

CreatingHavoc · 16/11/2022 14:44

MsMarch · 16/11/2022 14:23

You still seem to think that the two of you are partners. You are expecting respect and kindness which, if I'm understanding this thread correctly, is not something he's ever given which is why you're not together anymore anyway.

You don't need to be assertive so much as be realistic. He is your ex. He shouldn't be in your house. You shouldn't be asking him for "help". And you should not be trying to be nice to him. If he's bad at putting the kids to bed, why are you even having him in the house? Just say no. And as PP said, he can take the kids out for tea if he can't have them in his house.

I had been hard to let go if I'm honest. Very hard. But I think I'll get there eventually. I just feel like I need to make sure we have an amicable relationship because I do need extra support sometimes and I don't have anyone else that I can rely on. I also worry that he will make life very difficult for me if we don't get on.

He will say he can't afford to take the dc out for tea but I will try that approach. I suggested already that he takes them to his mums but he doesn't want to do that often because his mum 'annoys him'. Just another excuse really.

OP posts:
CreatingHavoc · 16/11/2022 14:44

*it has been hard to let go...

OP posts:
MsMarch · 16/11/2022 16:09

I suggested already that he takes them to his mums but he doesn't want to do that often because his mum 'annoys him'.

Just a guess, but I think he's probably treated you badly for so long that you're totally used to having to beg for help or for perfectly normal things that a co-parent should do. Re-read the sentence above. He must come to YOUR house, be annoyed by you, be RUDE to you... because his mum "annoys him". hahahahaha.

Not your problem. The sooner both of you stop feeling like it's up to YOU to keep HIM happy, the better. Easier said than done, I am fully aware! Keep trying.

CombatBarbie · 16/11/2022 16:30

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 :/

He really doesn't, he can sort the shit tip out so he can care for his children. Stop letting him in, doing so is just enabling the power he has over you.

SpeedwellPurple · 16/11/2022 16:54

I remember your other threads, this guy is a waste of space.

What specifically are you relying on him to support you with?

LovelyBitOfSquirrel69 · 16/11/2022 17:11

CreatingHavoc · 16/11/2022 14:44

*it has been hard to let go...

Sorry you must have your bar set very low if you're struggling to let go of this useless twat.

CreatingHavoc · 16/11/2022 18:40

@SpeedwellPurple i have a lot of health issues so sometimes I just need general extra support with things. If it wasn't for the fact that we are still trying to be amicable and friendly I'd have no one I could turn to for physical or emotional help. For all his faults he does usually help me out in times of need. I suffer with anxiety as well and he often helps me calm down. I know I need to stop relying on him for this though. It's something I've spoken about in cbt. I guess I'll just have to change the bedtime arrangements as that bit is clearly not working and then gradually put more distance between us and try and become more independent.

OP posts:
IMissVino · 16/11/2022 19:32

CreatingHavoc · 16/11/2022 18:40

@SpeedwellPurple i have a lot of health issues so sometimes I just need general extra support with things. If it wasn't for the fact that we are still trying to be amicable and friendly I'd have no one I could turn to for physical or emotional help. For all his faults he does usually help me out in times of need. I suffer with anxiety as well and he often helps me calm down. I know I need to stop relying on him for this though. It's something I've spoken about in cbt. I guess I'll just have to change the bedtime arrangements as that bit is clearly not working and then gradually put more distance between us and try and become more independent.

What things, specifically, does he help you out with? Can you list them? I suspect that, if you do, you’ll be surprised at how short the list is.

SpinningFloppa · 16/11/2022 19:52

Well he has taken the children to school today when op had been unable to so he obviously helps in some ways

emptythelitterbox · 16/11/2022 20:56

Do you feel any of your health issues are because of his abuse?
Does he come over every evening?

Him coming over and shouting at DD would just add to it.

He could make their lunches when he is going to drop off in the morning.

CreatingHavoc · 16/11/2022 21:59

@emptythelitterbox he comes over most evenings. Tonight he was largely fine although used questionable methods to get dd to do what she was meant to be doing (threatening less Xmas presents). He stresses me out but I feel like I can't cope alone sometimes. Particularly at the moment, post surgery and generally feeling rather down about my unending health issues. If I feel really rough or get myself in to an anxiety attack I feel like I need him there. Or, well, someone there anyway. And he is all I have close by. No one else could physically come round and help me out in those situations. I don't have a support network at all. Just him and his mum.

OP posts:
CreatingHavoc · 16/11/2022 22:03

Oh, I don't think any of my health issues are due to him. They were mostly all present when we met, although some have got worse but I don't think it's down to him. He certainly hasn't helped my stress levels, which will have had a knock on effect on some things but it's not his fault my body is malfunctioning.

OP posts:
LadyGaGasPokerFace · 16/11/2022 22:08

Well, your dc have the measure of him. I wouldn’t let him in either. He needs to sort the carpet out or fuck off tbh.

babytum · 16/11/2022 22:22

It’s not an easy situation at all. Maybe try slow and steady, so pick one thing you want to change and work on that. Less evenings of him being in your house maybe or insisting he takes them to his mums one evening. Everyone’s situation is different so only you know what you’re dealing with. You need his help so it’s not as simple as keeping him on the doorstep. You have to manage his personality while still having your needs met. It’ll take time and change is very hard.

So take one aspect at a time and try to disengage bit by bit. Best of luck

cestlavielife · 16/11/2022 22:30

Stop having him round
Ger your needs assessed
Doiyou get PIP or disabilities payments?
Pay a helper
Stop having him round
You are separated
Stop having him in the hpuse
Your dc can cope with a carpet and a dog if they visit there
Stop having him round in your space

emptythelitterbox · 16/11/2022 23:19

Ok that is understandable.

Does your family live far away? Wasn't sure what the situation was.

CreatingHavoc · 17/11/2022 22:06

@cestlavielife my dad lives an hour away and my mum is... A very stressful person to be around. So I don't like to ask for her help. Even if I do she normally refuses anyway.

So just my ex and his mum really and she is in her 70's so is limited in what she can help with.

OP posts:
IMissVino · 17/11/2022 22:30

CreatingHavoc · 17/11/2022 22:06

@cestlavielife my dad lives an hour away and my mum is... A very stressful person to be around. So I don't like to ask for her help. Even if I do she normally refuses anyway.

So just my ex and his mum really and she is in her 70's so is limited in what she can help with.

What does he actually do, though? What are the specific tasks?

CreatingHavoc · 18/11/2022 09:04

@IMissVino he will occasionally help with tea or household things if I'm unwell. Because of my surgery I'm not allowed to lift or hoover etc for quite a few weeks so he is helping with general stuff like that. He will also take the dc to after school activities etc. When I'm in good health I don't need much help but I'm often not and I struggle alone.

OP posts:
forrestgreen · 19/11/2022 16:57

I think you need to cut your cloth.
If Thursday is a busy club night. It's his night, he picks them up from school and does it all. It's not helping you it's seeing his children.

You need to sort out days which are his and days which are yours. And I say this as a disabled person. If you're having a bad day then the kids can't go, if it's your day. The kids eat a ready meal.

Stop asking him for help, sort out what you can reliably do for your family and work around that.

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