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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

Struggling with how to respond to DP

223 replies

Strategies25 · 31/12/2025 18:16

I’m kind of hesitant to post this as I know everyone will just say ltb.

but I’m really struggling so feel like I’ve got to share my feelings.

DP basically constantly makes me feel like shit. And I really can’t deal with it.

we are a step family which is a nightmare in itself. But we’ve got all our kids tonight and I said we should do something to make it feel special. He said there’s no point as him and his son will go to bed early as they’re doing parkrun tomorrow.

so tonight is basically a normal night with me doing house work and everybody on a device in a different room. I doubt we’ll even say happy new year today or tomorrow.

we never do anything socially together although we do have separate friends. No one ever comes to the house. I said we should invite our next door neighbours round for a drink over Christmas. He said it would be fcking boring and he didn’t want to talk fcking shit to them.

today I’d suggested a family day out to a country park with a great play area the children love. He was silent when I suggested it a few days ago. I invited my brother to come as he is available over Christmas. DP likes my brother but I knew he would somehow take offence that he was coming.

when I said he was coming he said pointedly ‘I’m sure you’ll have a great time.’ Im trying really hard to have direct communication, as I would have normally said: ‘does that mean you’re not coming?’ Instead I said: ‘Are you going to come?’ He didn’t answer me for about 20mins. He was just silent.
he finally said his son would like it so he’d come.

then I was making packed lunches for everyone and he said him and his son wouldn’t have one. I said something about it being a day out. He said in that case I’d have to take a separate car, as he was leaving after an hour.

at this point I had a go at him, as I always try to plan‘family days’ and he always undermines me, and he started mocking me for being ridiculous for getting worked up over a sandwich.

anyway, I could handle all of that, but what was really humiliating was how he completely ignored me all day in front of my brother. I was just so upset and humiliated.

we were doing an assault course, DP managed to do a hard one and landed right in front of me and my brother. I said well done, he didn’t even look at me or acknowledge that I’d spoken.

then when I did one he walked off half way through with the children, and didn’t even wait to watch me finish. My brother stood and waited for me with a really pained embarrassed look on his face.

at one point I helped DP’s son with his coat and ended up carrying it for a bit. DP came up to me to get it, and I gave him both coats - his son’s and my son’s. Then at the next obstacle he put them both on the ground. DP’s son got his, and DP just walked off leaving my son’s coat in the ditch.

once again my brother was really embarrassed and went back to get it.

and all of that has literally been in the last few hours. But that is daily life for me.

OP posts:
Outoutoutout · 31/12/2025 18:22

How easy would it be for you to leave? It is the only answer. He's not going to change. Make it a happy new year by making plans to change the situation. You don't deserve to be treated like that.

Arlanymor · 31/12/2025 18:24

I would struggle living with someone so selfish and inconsiderate as well. I would have to have a really big conversation with them about their actions and then, if they weren't willing to improve, think about how to go it alone, because nothing is worth being made to feel how you felt all day today. And it's not good modelling for the kids either, because it's not a partnership and he's disrespectful.

TwilightSkies · 31/12/2025 18:24

This man does not like or respect you. Please make a plan to end the relationship.
you deserve SO much more!!

Hockorydickerydock · 31/12/2025 18:26

LTB

AttilaTheMeerkat · 31/12/2025 18:26

How can you be helped into leaving this individual?. He will destroy both you and your son from the inside out if you were to stay with him.

What has kept you with such a man?.

What is the situation re the property and finances ?,

This is who he is and he is indeed not going to change. He is a terrible role model of a stepfather figure for your son and a poor example of a partner for you.

Strategies25 · 31/12/2025 18:27

Yes as I was writing it all I was mortified at how awful it was. Then when I read it back it didn’t seem that bad?! Except for how it makes me feel and look.

I’m kind of coming to the realisation that he’s not going to change. As I feel I’ve been trying harder and harder to make it work in the last few years. By reading books and planning date nights and doing whatever I thought he wanted.

in terms of leaving that’s the elephant in the room with us. He lives in my house so would need to move out. And I think that’s why he’s so angry and resentful of me.

OP posts:
GasperyJacquesRoberts · 31/12/2025 18:28

If you know that everyone will advise you to LTB then you appreciate that the way he is behaving makes LTB justified. He's treating you with disrespect. He's treating your child(ren) differently to how he treats his own. He doesn't even seem to like you.

Which leads to the inevitable question - why do you not want to leave the bastard? I'm not asking this to because I want to be an arse, I'm trying to understand what you've missed from your post that would explain why you're still there. There must be something so what is it that's keeping you there?

beautifuldaytosavelives · 31/12/2025 18:28

He sounds awful OP and I’m sorry you’re living like that. People will pile on and tell you to leave, and it certainly sounds like there is no benefit to being with him. Do you know why the relationship with the mother of his son broke down? As far as you can, without making it awful for the children, I would suggest living as separately as you can. Think about how you can move forward in 2026 to separating; a man who leaves a child’s coat on the floor is not worth working towards saving. Good luck to you.

Egglio · 31/12/2025 18:30

THBO

*Throw the Bastard out

GrannyTeapot · 31/12/2025 18:31

With kindness, everyone will say ltb because we can tell you would benefit from doing so!!! What would you say to your best friend/soster/daughter if she was in your situation?

A relationship is supposed to be supportive. Do you feel cherished? Respected? That he’s proud of you? Life is so damn short my lovely, and you and your child/children deserve SO much more. You. An do this - find your inner strength and indomitable spirit and LTB!!!

It can be done, practical things can be worked out, you just have to take the bravest step forwards and say No More.

RescueMeFromThisSilliness · 31/12/2025 18:31

He is treating you with contempt. I'll leave it to you to decide how long you are prepared to tolerate it.

andweallsingalong · 31/12/2025 18:31

It is awful OP and you deserve better. So does your son and he needs to see how a man should treat a woman as he grows up. It sounds like your brother is a better role model.

Luckily it's your house.

New years resolution?

Dozer · 31/12/2025 18:31

The treatment you describe is awful. Downright nasty. It seems like today is probably just the latest example of you flogging a dead horse and being treated badly.

The situation is bad for you and all of the DC involved.

It’s really good that it’s your place: if you feel safe to do so, pick a good day / time, end the relationship and give him notice to move out.

Pollqueen · 31/12/2025 18:31

Wow! His utter contempt for you is not even hidden. Why on earth do you tolerate being treated this way? Do you live together? Regardless, you are worth more, as are your kids

Dozer · 31/12/2025 18:32

From your OP you say this has been going on for ‘years’: too long, already. Sort it for a better 2026!

TidyCyan · 31/12/2025 18:33

Get him out asap.
It sounds like he's only there because he can live in your house. He doesn't want date nights or more time together, clearly. You can't get past the contempt he seems to be showing.

Strategies25 · 31/12/2025 18:33

AttilaTheMeerkat · 31/12/2025 18:26

How can you be helped into leaving this individual?. He will destroy both you and your son from the inside out if you were to stay with him.

What has kept you with such a man?.

What is the situation re the property and finances ?,

This is who he is and he is indeed not going to change. He is a terrible role model of a stepfather figure for your son and a poor example of a partner for you.

Thanks @AttilaTheMeerkat I really don’t know except telling my parents to help me really.

We’ve been together for 6 years and I’ve been having counselling for 3 years. In a way I’m wondering if that’s been enabling me to stay longer. And I’m frustrated it hasn’t helped me with demanding more respect.

OP posts:
SeaDragon17 · 31/12/2025 18:34

If it is your house then you do have easier choices. He isn’t going to change. He doesn’t respect you. What would your brother say about him having seen his behaviour at the park?

My advice would be to get yourself into the right place to be able to
confidently tell him the relationship is over. Tell him why, and give him a plan to
move out. Obviously with his son there it’s not as simple as move out that day, but you can give him reasonable notice, and ensure you have separate effective lives from the point of telling him.

Make sure you have a clear idea of how this will work and what you will tell the kids and take control. Don’t leave him space to make you doubt yourself. This is you life, your home, and your kid’s future -
own it!

Strategies25 · 31/12/2025 18:34

Pollqueen · 31/12/2025 18:31

Wow! His utter contempt for you is not even hidden. Why on earth do you tolerate being treated this way? Do you live together? Regardless, you are worth more, as are your kids

That’s what it is - but it completely floors me- rather than make me rise up against it I just feel flattened.

OP posts:
AttilaTheMeerkat · 31/12/2025 18:35

He is in your home so his son and he can
move out again. Where they go is not your problem
going forward. I would have fsmily and or friends present when they are told to move out, use the police if necessary too.

Enrol yourself onto the Freedom Programme going forward and be on your own with your son. Do not date until your boundaries for relationships are a lot healthier than they currently are.

Bringemout · 31/12/2025 18:36

Just tell him to leave, he’s fucking horrible to you, your children shouldn’t have to see their mother treated like this either.

MumoftwoNC · 31/12/2025 18:38

You can ask him to leave. He's basically given you permission to by his behaviour.

His son is not your responsibility. You've already housed him for years. It's enough now

MumoftwoNC · 31/12/2025 18:40

It's not good for either son to see him treat you this way. Let that be your motivation if you don't do this for yourself.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 31/12/2025 18:40

You’ve been in counselling three years!. This is appalling. His whole intention has been to flatten you.

Can your brother be present when yoI tell
your so called dp his relationship to you is now at an end?.

Nothingbutstress · 31/12/2025 18:42

You deserve so much better OP, kick him out and focus on yourself. He treats you awfully, he is not a partner

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