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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 do I get him back?

16 replies

talie · 13/12/2004 19:27

I wanted to start a new thread because I need help on how to get dh to come back to me - I know he may have made his mind up and he may never do so even with all the effort I make but I still feel I need to try, especially for the dd's - I come from a broken family and I hate what it's done to me, so I want to try everything possible and see what happens.

Can anyone who's been in my situation - ie been dumped (and not the dumper) give me any tips? Did they come back, how long did it take and what did you do.

I really am confused how to play this. One day I'm nice to him and pretend everything's okay like he's doing, the next I cant stand the niceties and I ask him to leave. Sometimes I'm in tears and ask him to explain and ask him back. I'm just going round in circles and it's killing me.

What do I do regards the dd's as well? Do I let him see them whenever he wants, do I limit him to several visits or should I be really strict and hit him where it hurts most? He wants to come for Christmas day to see the dd's open their presents etc (and I think to stay away from his sister - he's back at his parents and she will be visiting over xmas)- I really don't know whether to let him, which would make him happy, or to not let him which will keep me less tearful and stressed not having to play "happy families" on such an emotional day????!!!!!

Anyone - I'd be grateful for your help.

:( :) :( :) :( :) :( :) :(

OP posts:
zubb · 13/12/2004 19:34

Talie, so sorry you are going through this. I would do whatever you need to to make your life easier. He left so he has to deal with the consequences. I would say it would be best to have an arrangement to see the children, that way you all know where you are, and you are in control.

spacedonkey · 13/12/2004 19:46

How long since you broke up, and under what circumstances? It will make life easier if, as zubb says, you have a proper, formal arrangement for access to the children. Sorry you're having a difficult time Sad

IwigitcouldbeXmaseveryday · 13/12/2004 20:14

If you want something badly enough, you'll get it. Take it from me, I should know. I just had to wait a bit that's all.

karenanne · 14/12/2004 10:58

talie thought id reply on here thanks for your reply on the other thread i know other people have been through this and come out the other side but it doesnt really help when youre going through it does it.lol i too want my man back lol but i have the added problem hes seeing someone else although very casually.i feel so strongly in my gut (instinct)thats its not over and i too get glimmers of hope that it may happen,and i too am nice one minute pretending everythings ok and the next getting upset.ive come to realise that being nice is the way to go,in my case we split because we were miserable due to debt etc so my thinking is if im happy and hes sees that he may want to come back ...so thats my goal to make me and my kids as happy as possible so he misses us.if it works and he comes back then i'll be estatic but if it doesnt we'll get on and be happy anyway.iykwim.getting upset and rowing etc is just going to make them think theyve done the right thing by leaving.
as for visits do whats right for you and your kids but dont make it too easy lol let him miss you and them abit.
im in the situation where we're still good friends and spend the time together with the kids and when his flats sold we're hoping to take them on holiday together.he did get rather upset when i mentioned a bloke id met the other night when i went out ,just a drink nothing came of it but perhaps ive got him thinking lol
as i say play it cool make him and yourself believe your getting over it ,it may make him come running back but if it doesnt you'll be so used to thinking youve got over it you may well have done.
big hugs to you and just remember youve come this far you can get through this.
if youd rather email me just contact me through here.

jojo38 · 14/12/2004 23:15

It is a very sad situation you find yourself in.
You sound very confused about your feelings and not sure much about his for you.

I don't know your situation much but I can tell you I do appreciate how you feel right now.
You will be riding that rollercoaster for a while.
There is nothing worse than trying to get yourself together after or during a split where you have children to look after. It can be the bleakest moments for some.
I won't lie to you and say that it will be ok tomorrow... but you may have had a good sleep and try to face another day as a human being.

I can only advise you to keep it together for the children. They need you but don't forget that you need you too. Is there anyone who can help with the children for a few days, school runs, babysitting... etc... I don't mean for them to stay away from you but to give you time to yourself?

Be positive with how you think things through. If you do end up talking with your dh, talk about the positive things, not the things that split you up... that will have to be addressed later.
Perhaps he will agree to some counselling with you? I have to admit that it didn't work for me but it all depends of the circs that caused this...

Try to be yourself, grown up, caring mum etc... you owe it to yourself and to dh to show him what he is missing. If all you do is argue and cry, losing it etc when you are with him, then that is all he will see and he isn't going to miss that, is he?

I speak from pure experience - I too was wishing my ex would come back. I loved him so much, but he had an affair. I lost it totally and he didn't come back because what he found was more controlled, positive and more fun than I was at the time he left. she was also married with children, so even that didn't put him off leaving. I have learnt alot about myself from what happened. I am in a sticky mess right now but that is a different story all together.

Be proud of who you are and of your achievements .. write them down - start with why you married him, what attracted you to him in the first place, what he has said (good things) about you, your children, your job, friends etc... Be positive all the time.

I know it all sounds so clinical and easy to say but it does take practice and determination.

If the worse happens, you have given yourself a positive attitude for your future. If you have your wish and he comes home, then you will be prepared to deal with your future together in a positive manner.

I am so truly sorry you are going through this. I honestly appreciate how your heart is aching. I send huge hugs for you all and hope that your love for your dh will help you maintain a positive life, however it turns out.

{{{{{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}}}}}

talie · 16/12/2004 07:42

Thanks for the messages - How do I get him back was totally the wrong title! Maybe I don't want him back after all.

Just met up with him to discuss finances etc. and he has been a complete and utter "B" to me! Lots of nastiness etc. It's all him, him, him! He left ME! and he thinks I've got a life of reilly just because he's agreed to keep a roof over my head for a while and pay the bills! (I have no income!)I'm really p'd off with the things he's yet again slung in my face, ie he know his rights, he can see the kids anytime he wants and he wants custody etc!!! What a complete and utter pig - he's not the man I married! He was the one who was overly nice at the beginning and said it must stay amicable for the sake of the kids, and then he does this to me, just to make me feel shitter than I already do!

Now I need to find out what my rights are - any advice?! If he wants to play dirty, should I play dirty back?

Anyone know what the minimum number of times I can allow him to see the kids is?

OP posts:
IwigitcouldbeXmaseveryday · 16/12/2004 08:46

Message deleted

karenanne · 16/12/2004 14:04

talie
sorry to hear hes being a complete arse ...your anger will help get you through this .however if the anger does start to subside and you do still want him back (like mine always does)then let me know .
ive found a great site and a great mentor lol with whose help my exdp stands no chance lol
well i hope anyway

aloha · 16/12/2004 14:07

Um, he doesn't know his rights at all. He hasn't a cat's chance in hell of getting residence (no such word as 'custody' in law anymore) and, no, he can't see the girls whenever he likes.

talie · 16/12/2004 19:44

Today is a really shit day for me - I'm so depressed. I'm really trying hard not to cry for the dd's sake but I've really hit rock bottom. I just don't know where to go from here - why didn't he do this to me before the dd's came along if he's been thinking about it for sometime???!!!! It would have been so much easier for me to walk away on my own.

All I want to do right now is walk out of this house and take the dd's as far away as possible, but I don't have anywhere to go apart from back to my mothers (who I don't really get on with) and all she would do is take over my life and my dd's and lecture me on how awful men are due to her bad experiences!

I know I shouldn't do anything hasty but I just feel like running away from it all, but I know I have the dd's future to think about and secure. I can't believe I'm acting this weak when usually I'm a strong person and don't need a man in my life! I think my own past has caught up with me (I don't know my dad, and there's been lots of divorces in the family)and I really don't want history to repeat itself and my dd's be without their dad full time.

H E L P ! ! ! ! ! ! - what is wrong with me?!

Karenanne - hope you're keeping your chin up, let me know about the site you mentioned!

OP posts:
tammyBEARinggifts · 16/12/2004 19:56

hi talie, i remember your other thread, and Im sorry things are still hard on you.

first of all, he has no rights to take them whenever he likes etc. He will always have to ask for your permission to see them, let them stay with him, take them out etc. So if anything, you do have one upper hand over him there.

Do you have friends that can support you now? You say you don't have any income, have you applied for benefits? Are you renting? He says he'll pay for your bills, but has he said for how long? I think for you it would be best to see him as little as possible. If you dont want him round for Christmas, dont!

My dad hasn't really acknowledged me as his dd for the past 12 years now. I know where you are coming from, as I didnt want to split up my dd's family, and for her to grow up without a father, but at the end of the day, as long as your dds are happy, then they're not missing out, as long as they still see him.

Sorry for all the questions, ((((((hugs)))))) xxxx

IwigitcouldbeXmaseveryday · 16/12/2004 20:03

Message deleted

talie · 17/12/2004 07:39

I live in the south west.

I have applied for Income support/council tax benefit etc. but not sure if I am entitled.

He says in one breath he'll help with bills etc. as long as he can, but then he's pressuring me to sort things out asap because HE needs somewhere to live also and there are very little funds left to do so when he's paying for the house etc. for me!

I don't have friends/family very close to me, which makes it harder. It's all telephone support at the minute, but I don't want to run up huge bills as I have no money to pay for it!

OP posts:
karenanne · 17/12/2004 07:43

hi talie
firstly let me give you a hug i think you need it.they can be s*s cant they but sadly if yours is anything like mine it doesnt stop you wanting them lol.YOU are strong you've got this far ,dont run away stand and fight for your relationship if you think its worth it or fight for yours and your dds rights and happiness if you dont.
ive realised that i cant keep looking back to the past and asking whys etc,this has been particularily hard the past couple of days as it was my sons 1st birthday wednesday ,i did all the how did it go so wrong ,this time last year we were so happy etc ,but really i just beat myself up id like to think exdp was having the same thoughts but to be honest dont really know what hes thinking at the mo.
my exdp comes from a single parent family too he hasnt seen his dad since he was 4 and knowing how it has affected his and his brothers life i thought the last thing he would have ever done was do the same to his kids but luckily he is determined to keep contact and we're friends so i hope that wont change.
as for the website its the ivillage message boards lol on seperation and divorce.there are alot of very good messages on there but the ones i found great were i want my husband home on background stories and fighting back on there general board.there is a very wise woman on there .the threads are long but she gives great advice on getting him back ,it wrked for here and theres some women on there giving her advice ago (me included)and it seems to be working.lol .she gives great advice as shes been through this and even if the worst happens and it doesnt work her advice will help you deal with this better and get over it.
anyway big hugs (thats what i miss most)and hope things get better.and keep in mind the other advice from the wise on here .you can never have enough advice and help in my opinion.

IwigitcouldbeXmaseveryday · 17/12/2004 09:04

Message deleted

talie · 18/12/2004 11:15

I thought I couldn't get any lower than I already am, but I've had two days of really bad depression and am taking it out a little on my eldest dd, which makes me even worse!

In reply to your questions, we have a joint mortgage.

Just the fact that he has left and left me at the worst possible time he could leave me (ie. no work, no money, christmas time when families are all together, youngest dd is a nightmare, the other dd going through terrible two's etc.) causes me great stress - I have lost my appetite and my clothes are hanging off me at the minute! I just wish I could get rid of him altogether from my life, but I know he is going to be forever in it now because of the dd's!

I want to walk away from it all, like he has done, but I know I need to secure my dd's futures.

I just can't see the light at the end of the tunnel at the minute and it's getting me down. I know time is a great healer but I am sat wishing my life away so all the pain goes with it!!

He's coming round to see the dd's and I REALLY DONT WANT HIM HERE! I know he has rights over them but if he can walk out of their lives then how can he really love them????? Why do they want the nice parts and not the responsibilities?!!

AAAAAARRRRRRGGGGGHHHHH!!!!!! I HATE HIM!

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