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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

ExH making mine and DPs life a misery

19 replies

FedupHippo · 13/01/2023 21:36

I will try to keep the background short
I met exh as a teenager we married and had 3 DCs together.
When the youngest was 6 months old I found out he was cheating on me. This wasn't the first time but the previous times he was apologetic and swore it wouldn't happen again etc. But that time he basically told me it was my fault because I was fat and I should just accept it. There were other problem as well, he was controlling and didn't want me to work or see friends because as a mother I belonged at home.

So we divorced he was very difficult throughout demanding 50/50 even though that wouldn't work with his job, and trying to make sure I ended up with nothing if I tried to work something out he would threaten to go to court and take everything from me. In the end I called his bluff and insisted that we go through court.
He ended up with EOW and 2 evenings a week and having to pay me more maintenance than I had originally asked for plus and equal split of all assets.

It has now been over 3 years since we split up. Exh is in an on and off relationship with the OW. Plus he has had a few girlfriends in between time. He has dropped the during the week contact completely.

If he is in a relationship then he is distant. He often cancels or arrives late for his weekend contact and he has no interest in my life and doesn't go to anything DC related (parents evenings, school shows etc)
But when he is not in a relationship he is controlling, he won't stop contacting me just to see where I am or what I'm doing. He goes to DC activities all the time and runs round like super dad.

Since Dec 21 I have been dating my DP though we knew each other as friends before that. In spring 22 I told my DCs I was in a relationship, I then told exh as well so he didn't hear it from the the Kids. But I only gave him DPs first name and no other details about our lives. Ex took it badly and started hanging round outside my house to catch sight of him. This went on for a month but then he got back together with OW and went back to ignoring me.

In the Summer the DCs met DP for the first time and we've gradually built up the time that DP is around. The DCs really like DP they often ask if he can come on outings with us because he is fun and will often get stuck in playing with them.

Everything was great till just after Xmas when Ex split up with OW again. Since then he has been worse than ever. He calls me all the time I often see him walking passed my house. He comes into my work all the time. One of the DCS told him where DP works and his last name so now he calls his work all the time. He made a complaint about DP to his work (luckily the complaint made no sense and his work where supportive). He started tagging DP in horrible things on FB so DP delete his account. He has been messaging me pretending to be other women who have slept with DP and are exposing their affair. He keeps telling the DCS horrible things like I love DP more than them or that I use the money he gives me to take DP out when they aren't home.

DP is mostly taking it on the chin and always says he is more worried about what he is doing to me. But I can tell it's getting him down and I know he's worried about the impact on his job and the DCs relationship with him.

I'm also worried about how the DCs are coping and even though I reassure them all the time that they are my number 1 priorities I worry that one day they will believe his lies.

I don't know how to get EX to stop. I thought the other day about introducing him to someone just so he would leave us alone. I would never actually do that to anyone but I'm just so fed up of being constantly contacted and I'm worried DP is going to start thinking it's all more trouble than it's worth.

OP posts:
DottyLittleRainbow · 13/01/2023 21:39

You need to keep a log of all this behaviour and report his abuse/harassment to the police.

FlowerArranger · 13/01/2023 21:43

I agree.

and take legal advice about a restraining order

kweeble · 13/01/2023 21:45

Stalking is a crime - please log what he’s doing and take it to the police. Also I would only respond to messages via text that are directly relevant to the children and their contact visits. It is okay to ignore him as
you are no longer in a relationship.

TooBusyGazingAtStarss · 13/01/2023 21:46

DottyLittleRainbow · 13/01/2023 21:39

You need to keep a log of all this behaviour and report his abuse/harassment to the police.

Totally agree with this. The sooner the better.

HaggisBurger · 13/01/2023 21:49

You can’t “get him stop”.

you don’t cause it. You can’t control it. Don’t engage. Don’t answer calls. Give details about your life grey rock all the way.

and most importantly - log and screen shot EVERYTHING - and work on getting a restraining order for you and your DP asap

Dont rely on it getting better when he has OW / another woman on the go. Yes it might but you will be stuck in this cycle forever where he is still controlling you.

Mydogatemypurse · 13/01/2023 21:53

Ive gone thru this and more. Report everything

glasshole · 13/01/2023 22:05

Agree that all of this needs to be reported. It's stalking!

FedupHippo · 13/01/2023 22:05

Thank you for the advice I will start keeping a log of everything and I will ask DP to do the same.
I wasn't sure if the police would do anything because it stops and starts whenever he is in a relationship plus he is the DCs dad so I thought he would be able to easily give an excuse for why he was around the house or calling me so often.
I should have said I don't respond to the texts unless its DC related and I answer the phone only when he has the DCs and I don't engage with any of the fake profiles anymore because I know its him but he still won't stop.

OP posts:
Username6194 · 13/01/2023 22:13

Keep a log.
Report everything.
Get a non mol against him.

Unfortunately you can't change his behaviour, because you haven't caused it.

From experience he will get bored of it eventually, but you should not have to live like this in the mean time.

Cherrysoup · 13/01/2023 22:27

Can you get a second phone and use that one for contacting him re the dc only? Or use the parenting app only? I would contact the police non-emergency number for advice.

DottyLittleRainbow · 13/01/2023 22:39

It’s still harassment and the police will definitely take it seriously. And technically domestic abuse as well, although he is your ex. The starting and stopping when he does and doesn’t have a girlfriend just highlights his need to be in control of someone. Guess that’s why he isn’t hanging on to the girlfriends. Was he controlling when you were together? You could give women’s aid a call for some advice on this.

Mydogatemypurse · 13/01/2023 22:58

DottyLittleRainbow · 13/01/2023 22:39

It’s still harassment and the police will definitely take it seriously. And technically domestic abuse as well, although he is your ex. The starting and stopping when he does and doesn’t have a girlfriend just highlights his need to be in control of someone. Guess that’s why he isn’t hanging on to the girlfriends. Was he controlling when you were together? You could give women’s aid a call for some advice on this.

You would like to think so. 5 years on i live with this. Dont forget its a mans world. 3 non molestation orders too.. not worth a carrot.

Mydogatemypurse · 13/01/2023 23:00

Please OP from personal experience ask for all the help and support you can. But please prepare yourself that nothing will change. I wish every Christmas that next ill be free... im not.

Duchess379 · 13/01/2023 23:12

Ring the police - this is harassment!

Xrays · 13/01/2023 23:14

Absolutely tell the police. This is pure harassment and he actually sounds quite dangerous.

Usernameisunavailable · 13/01/2023 23:24

You don’t have to put up with this. Report him to the police for harassment and your DP should do likewise so there are 2 separate reports. (Re: The false claims to his workplace etc). Also look into a restraining / non molestation order. I did this some years ago when my Ex was harassing me and the police took it seriously and charged him with harassment. His bail conditions kept him away until it came to court.

FedupHippo · 14/01/2023 20:15

Thank you for your replies.
Yes he was controlling when we were together. I was young and naive and didn't see the red flags till it was too late. I wasn't allowed to work once I had the DCS I also couldn't take them out to any playgroups and I was only allowed to visit family if he was with me. He made it all sound like it was for my own good to keep me safe.

OP posts:
Maytodecember · 14/01/2023 20:55

As pp have advised - report to police in 101 and log everything, photograph or film him outside your house if possible. But do NOT threaten him with going to the police, or court for a non-mol order. This might make him worse ( from experience) Get the evidence, hand it to police and let them do their part.

FairlySane · 14/01/2023 21:02

Police. Log everything backdating what you’re sure of from memory. Do not put up with this behaviour. Please talk to the police.

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