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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

Is it controlling or has my behaviour been bad too

139 replies

Isitmeisitme · 24/02/2023 20:23

I had a plan to tell husband I wanted a divorce tomorrow and take the kids to my Mums for the night, we have had a conversation today, where he has come and asked has he done something wrong as I haven't spoken to him for a week. Honestly I haven't spoken to him for a week but I think I just feel so down and over it all.

I thought he had been emotionally abusive over a number of years and had only now become wise to it however I am now questioning everything.

A couple of examples are a holiday with my family last year he didn't want to go on, didn't want us to go on, gave me the silent treatment for weeks and told my daughter it was illegal for me to be taken them.

Couple of weeks he gave daughter silent treatment for not going to football training, she said he was not talking to her so was sad. He then said oh well you would think I am a mean dad if that's what your being told!

After an incident out for a meal he pulled son out of pub and called him a little girl.

Over the last few years he has been to numerous abroad football matches, I would sometimes go to stay at my Mums when he was away, he never like this and always made me feel guilty for it. Thinking back never outright said it but was inciuated.

He doesn't help much around the house and I recently told him I need more help I feel like at the minute it's 90/10, he hasn't stopped going on about it since and will often say oh I better get my 10% done!

Conversation today he said to me he thinks I am the cause of most of our problems and yes whilst he isn't perfect it's me that causes all the tension. I feel if I do leave he is going to spin it all to be my fault and I am now analysing all my behaviour.

I do see my family too much maybe once or twice a week which he doesn't like, maybe I should have not seen them as much.

OP posts:
RandomMess · 02/08/2023 09:18

Tell him to book mediation (it's a legal requirement prior to court) then with your initial appointment you explain that you have left due to abuse and it will get signed off.

I would respond back saying you feel his contact should be via a contact centre to start with however you will facilitate FaceTime contact twice a week in the interim??

Do not trust him a millimetre. Explain clearly he has threatened to commit suicide and disappeared and therefore not emotionally capable of caring for the DC at the moment.

RandomMess · 02/08/2023 09:19

Read up on Family Annihilators. How far will he go to punish you?

Cornishclio · 02/08/2023 11:13

Controlling abusers normally don't like their spouses to see other friends or family. Once or twice a week sounds fine to me if you are happy with that. How come it is not ok for you to visit family but fine for him to travel for football? Does he want you sat at home waiting for the big man to return 🙄

He sounds awful to your children and he doesn't help or support you. Don't give him the silent treatment though. It is petty and PA. Use your words as I would say to my kids when they were younger. Tell him you are not happy, you don't like the way he tries to control how often you see other people and he is nasty to your children. Honestly what redeeming characteristics does he have?

jannier · 02/08/2023 11:18

Isitmeisitme · 01/08/2023 21:03

Thank you I know you absolutely make sense it's just so hard.
He has gone completely missing I have had his friend messaging asking if I know where he is. Wouldn't answer my message about picking something up for the kids.

The answer the friend is we are no longer together haven't a clue. No debate.

billy1966 · 02/08/2023 11:27

RandomMess · 02/08/2023 09:18

Tell him to book mediation (it's a legal requirement prior to court) then with your initial appointment you explain that you have left due to abuse and it will get signed off.

I would respond back saying you feel his contact should be via a contact centre to start with however you will facilitate FaceTime contact twice a week in the interim??

Do not trust him a millimetre. Explain clearly he has threatened to commit suicide and disappeared and therefore not emotionally capable of caring for the DC at the moment.

Excellent advice as usual.

OP, this is just more manipulative behaviour.

He changes tack because you are not responding.

Do the above.

Spell out that you have fled abuse for the second time.

This man abuses your children.

He should not be alone with them.

pikkumyy77 · 02/08/2023 11:35

AlisonDonut · 24/02/2023 20:42

I'd agree and say 'yes it is all my fault best to leave you to go find someone better'. And go get a solicitors appointment and put the poor bedraggled browbeaten man out of his misery.

Exactly! This!

If you (OP) both dislike each other (and you have plenty of good reason) you should absolutely split. Take his sulky response as permission.

pikkumyy77 · 02/08/2023 11:40

Oops I see the thread is way past ghis. Stay string and just go through with the divorce. 50 percent of sane living with you is better than 100 percent crazy making dad.

BobShark · 02/08/2023 11:48

I spent five years in an emotionally abusive relationship, in the last year I started to use the silent treatment he was so fond of too.

It wasn't about punishing him, but protecting myself. He taught you this, showed you what it's like.

Don't blame yourself for it, just leave him and start the healing process.

Isitmeisitme · 02/08/2023 13:09

I have said he can pick the kids up tomorrow at 8am, taken some legal advice and that's apparently all OK. But he is adamant he is coming to get them in an hour. He is just going to turn up and upset the kids. He has already turned up somewhere he knew we were this morning to tell my daughter she was going home tonight.

OP posts:
Codlingmoths · 02/08/2023 14:10

I think you don’t let him in, and it’s essential call the police if he kicks off or if you or dc are scared. You won’t look bad wiht arrnagements that he see them in the morning. How long will he have the dc for in the morning? Will he bring them back?

RandomMess · 02/08/2023 14:18

Please file for an emergency "lives with" order.

I don't believe he will return them.

category12 · 02/08/2023 15:36

Isitmeisitme · 02/08/2023 07:07

He has changed tact this morning and has sent me a message to say he has been in contact with social services and has agreed to me having the kids half the time away from their primary residence.
Has sent me a plan for custody over the next few weeks!

You realise this is a total fabrication, yes? SS don't work like this.

notapizzaeater · 02/08/2023 15:40

He wants to get the kids 'home' so you have to follow - be careful

billy1966 · 02/08/2023 15:42

Your poor children.

What a shit show.

Call the police the minute he arrives.

Do not engage with him.

Tell the police you have fled the family home from his abusing you and the children and he is demanding to take them.

Do not give those poor children to him.

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