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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

What to do

3 replies

TheOpalKoala · 18/07/2025 21:34

I have an on off kind of partner. Have a child with him and a child from a previous relationship. Now this man is very controlling and thinks women should act a certain way (very dark ages) controls what partners wear/where they go monopolises time. Won’t have his partners even look at other men thinks it is absolutely disrespectful - thinks that women he is with should be covered up so not to have other men look at them - no make up don’t go anywhere without him that kind of guy. He is nice when he feels like it really nice some times but not nice when he’s not nice. You aren’t to break the rules with him. Never been violent but had threatened so previously. Not an easy relationship to leave (tried and failed many times). This is just to name a few ‘rules’. However now have a child with him. He has got other children. I have said enough is enough and I don’t want to set that kind of example to my kids because I don’t believe that is how a relationship should be. Have I done the right thing?
with doing this he obviously wants to see our child on his own. I do everything all feeds all changes we don’t live together. He would visit everyday for a couple hours and video call. Not a relationship in my eyes and I feel I am living pretty much a single life and being a single mum anyways but also living by his rules and for what. The only thing that bothers me is him taking our child on his own as he’s never done it before (as we’ve been ‘together’) and I worry if they’ll be ok or if they will struggle without me. Still a baby very young at 6 months old.

please be kind - I do know iv been in this trauma bond and I have done a lot of research. It’s not so easy as ‘just leave’. But I do want to create a better future for me and my children.

OP posts:
MaryHoldTheCandleSteadyWhileIShaveTheChickensLeg · 18/07/2025 21:44

I have said enough is enough and I don’t want to set that kind of example to my kids because I don’t believe that is how a relationship should be. Have I done the right thing?

It's worrying you have to ask.

How old is your other child? Are they ok?

ComputerSciMum · 18/07/2025 21:51

Wtf. You are not in a relationship with him. He doesn't get to decide how you dress or who you look at.

You communicate about your child. No more, no less. You need agreed times when he can spend time with your child (and I'd be gathering evidence of potential violence so he can't have unsupervised access). He doesn't get to drop in and spend time whenever he wants to.

He's controlling. You need to speak to Women's Aid or similar to get better advice.

PaperMachePanda · 18/07/2025 22:43

Get a parenting app and communicate through that about your child and nothing else. Come up with a formal schedule for visitation and payments so he provides for his kid.

Also speak to women's aid and tell them you're being controlled. They will help you.

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