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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

A mess. Advice needed: next steps

101 replies

Changes26 · 08/01/2026 12:03

I split up with my partner before Christmas after an incident where he came home drunk and was verbally abusive to me, woke our daughter up and she witnessed some of it too. I posted about it (https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/relationships/5461730-handhold-needed-unhealthy-relationship-ended-a-week-before-christmas?utm_campaign=thread&utm_medium=share)

After the incident he went down to London to stay at his mum’s. He booked a therapy session. He returned 4 days later having been diagnosed with ADHD and had started taking medication.

At first he was very apologetic and said he took responsibility and that the medication had changed him. He said he would work hard to change and didn’t want the relationship to end. I kept saying that wouldn’t be possible but he was on best behaviour. He continued to sleep downstairs and we had a ‘normal’ Christmas.

He has said he admits he has been verbally abusive and toxic in our relationship and these were because of his anger meltdowns because of his ADHD. He says he never meant to control me or hurt me, he had no control over it. I told him at the weekend there’s no chance we would get back together and we need to concentrate on making sure our daughter is ok and being the best co-parents we can be. He’s now started to slip back again and has now said he can’t accept my decision is the right one until I accept he didn’t do it on purpose and he wasn’t being controlling.

He has also sprung on me that he plans to move down to London with his mum until possibly May when the new renters agreement comes into place and that he’ll come up here (midlands city) Sunday - Wednesday to have our daughter at my house. He says the places to rent here are too expensive. He takes home £2100 a week and has about 40/50k in savings. He has said I can’t expect him to use his savings and it’s unfair. I own my house outright in my name but earn half what he does. I regrettably got so angry when he told me his plan (which wasn’t the agreed day/time we’d set aside to talk through the separation plan) and accused him of abandoning our daughter and it would upset her even more if not only does he move out but to another city. I said he just needs to budget and get by as that’s what I’ll be doing. He suggested that we do 50/50 so he doesn’t have to pay anything to me.

He keeps trying to tell me what his therapist says or why he’s been upstairs crying and I’ve told him no I don’t need to know anymore. I feel like he’s trying to get me to change my mind. Looking back on it, I can see he’s been highly manipulative at times but he won’t accept it. He says he’s worried I’m going to make co-parenting difficult.

He fainted last night and took himself to a&e, they’ve said they don’t think it was the ADHD medication but stress. He said that when he came to I had a look of contempt at him and I hate him and don’t care. To be honest, I thought he had just fallen and was being a bit over dramatic. It was in the bathroom whilst our daughter was in the bath so I was also trying to keep calm so she wouldn’t freak out. I was the one who suggested he call 111! Now he’s saying that this behaviour is abusive on my part.

My head is spinning and I’m stuck in this tiny house with him. I’ve told friends now and they’re being supportive but I don’t know if I’m just not seeing things properly.

Any advice - do I need to seek legal advice? Should we get a mediator for the parenting plan? Do I just agree to him going down to London for a while?

Handhold needed - unhealthy relationship ended a week before Christmas | Mumsnet

I’ve just split up with my partner and we’ve decided not to tell our 6 year old until after Christmas. I’m not going to tell anyone else until after C...

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/relationships/5461730-handhold-needed-unhealthy-relationship-ended-a-week-before-christmas

OP posts:
ReadingTime · 08/01/2026 12:33

I don’t have any useful advice but I didn’t want to leave your post with no replies. I guess you can’t control what he does, you can only decide what you will and won’t accept.

You can’t make him not want to move in with his mum, but you can tell him he definitely won’t be spending half the week living in your house. How he spends his money and where he spends his time is up to him to decide, but his daughter will remember what his priorities were for the rest of her life.

Maybe when he tries any relationship talk you could just grey rock, and say something like we only have a coparenting relationship now, and I’m not interested in discussing anything else.

You probably do need advice about how to get child support from him, because he may decide to just disappear entirely once you make it clear he won’t be freeloading in your house any more.

Florencesndzebedee · 08/01/2026 12:36

I think you need some space from each other so his London plan is a good one. He can stay in touch with dc by FaceTime and stay in a Travelodge when he visits. I would be concerned about unsupervised contact if he is fainting out of the blue so might take advice on that.

You say partner - does that mean you are not married? Is he on the birth certificate as the father?

Changes26 · 08/01/2026 12:44

Florencesndzebedee · 08/01/2026 12:36

I think you need some space from each other so his London plan is a good one. He can stay in touch with dc by FaceTime and stay in a Travelodge when he visits. I would be concerned about unsupervised contact if he is fainting out of the blue so might take advice on that.

You say partner - does that mean you are not married? Is he on the birth certificate as the father?

We’re not married and he is named on the birth certificate.

space would be good but I’m worried it’s going to be harder for our daughter and add another layer of logistics to co-parenting. He won’t stay in a hotel when visiting, I know he’ll say he can’t afford it.

OP posts:
sesquipedalian · 08/01/2026 12:46

“I own my house outright in my name”

So he has no right being there. Let him go to London and live with his mum - just don’t let him back into your house. He has absolutely no right to come back there in order to have time with your DD. I’d be chucking him out, and if he won’t go, you need to consult a solicitor. Otherwise he’ll be creeping back every time he thinks he can get round you or appeal to your better nature. He needs to understand that your relationship is at an end, and your home is not his.

HappyToSmile · 08/01/2026 12:55

I would let him go, but make it quite clear that Sunday to Wednesday, he will Not be staying in your house.

Sanasaaa · 08/01/2026 13:00

Tell him to get out of your property and he is not to set foot in it ever again. He is just a former boyfriend and has zero rights to be there. Ignore his droning on.
The police can remove him if he refuses.

Where he parents is his problem to figure out.
Use a parenting app to communicate with him, block him from having access to you at all.
You're not stuck at all, you are free of this man, except from weekly checking the parenting app.

333FionaG · 08/01/2026 13:03

You don't have to put up with this. Tell him to go to his mothers. He can see DD but can't stay at your house. If he has £50k in savings, he can easily afford a Travelodge. Be firm. Take control.

Egglio · 08/01/2026 13:09

Let him go to London. His access and relationship with your shared DD is his responsibility. Change the locks to your house. He wasn't so keen to get a diagnosis when he was being an arsehole to you, it was only when you ended it that he got his arse in gear! You can still have ADHD and be an arsehole, its not mutually exclusive. Concentrate on you and your DD.

Smallorveryfaraway · 08/01/2026 13:11

The anger and it being 'not his fault', it's perfectly possible to have ADHD and be a nice person. He's an adult, how he chooses to react is on him.

Changes26 · 08/01/2026 13:11

I’m just worried if I say he can’t stay at mine then he won’t see her and she won’t be able to stay overnight with hin, which I know will not be in her best interests. I said after we first split we could use the house as a nesting place but I was thinking it would be a month. He has now said I’m going back on what I said. I can stay at my parents but they don’t even know we’ve split yet and my dad is ill with terminal cancer so I know I could stay and help care for him and my mum (which I’m having to do more of now anyway) but then I lose my house 3 nights a week.

OP posts:
LadyMacbethssweetArabianhand · 08/01/2026 13:13

It's all what he wants, isn't it? Do not let him stay in your house when he wants to see your daughter. He can sort out his own arrangements or not. If he moves away then it's up to him to manage his relationship with his daughter. It's not up to you to make things easy for him. Your daughter has already experienced his anger at you. Don't give him any other opportunities. Fainted, did he? Aye, right. Did he tell you that the hospital said it was stress? I wouldn't trust a word out of his mouth. As soon as he leaves, change your locks and put a chain on your door. Communicate via a parents app and ignore his bluster.

MammaWeasel · 08/01/2026 13:15

Do not leave him alone in YOUR house!

LadyMacbethssweetArabianhand · 08/01/2026 13:16

He's not a good dad, not even a decent partner. Why on earth are you getting so upset about him? If he can't make arrangements to see his child and is relying on you, then that's down to him alone. Hundreds of parents negotiate seeing children without demanding their ex puts them up. Your daughter will cope with you as mum.

Maiyakat · 08/01/2026 13:16

I am somewhat suspicious of his claim that in four days away and one therapy session he was diagnosed with ADHD and prescribed medication....

Please get in touch with Women's Aid or your local domestic abuse service, they will be able to give you advice and support.

babbi · 08/01/2026 13:16

Under no circumstances let this highly manipulative man into your house for any reason .
It’s on him to parent his own daughter .
He has the money to do so therefore you shouldn’t feel guilty .

Sorry about your dad

DelphiniumBlue · 08/01/2026 13:16

He got diagnosed with ADHD and was given medication within 4 days??
That doesn’t seem believable, tbh. Even the private places I’ve looked at have waiting times of months, if not years. I’m impressed at his organisational skills if he arrranged therapy and an adhd appointment all within 4 days of going to his mums. Are you sure he’s telling you the truth?
He sounds quite manipulative.
Anyway, you don’t have to let him stay at yours, in fact given what’s happened it’s better that you don’t. You and DD need a safe space, which your house isn’t while he’s in it.
He’ll need to make some other arrangements, and that’s up to him to do.

MadamCholetsbonnet · 08/01/2026 13:17

Stand firm. He doesn’t sound safe to look after DD unsupervised in any case.

I would get rid of him, he can go and live with his mum. He can’t insist on staying at yours even if you previously considered it. What arrangements he makes to house himself are none of your concern. You aren’t responsible. You never have to allow this man back in your home ever again.

Changes26 · 08/01/2026 13:22

DelphiniumBlue · 08/01/2026 13:16

He got diagnosed with ADHD and was given medication within 4 days??
That doesn’t seem believable, tbh. Even the private places I’ve looked at have waiting times of months, if not years. I’m impressed at his organisational skills if he arrranged therapy and an adhd appointment all within 4 days of going to his mums. Are you sure he’s telling you the truth?
He sounds quite manipulative.
Anyway, you don’t have to let him stay at yours, in fact given what’s happened it’s better that you don’t. You and DD need a safe space, which your house isn’t while he’s in it.
He’ll need to make some other arrangements, and that’s up to him to do.

Well I was also very shocked and sceptical. He had 4 sessions with the therapist (psychotherapist) and they diagnosed him and prescribed the medication, which I’ve seen.

He was upset I was shocked and said I was angry he had been diagnosed.

Maybe I should get some legal advice then. Luckily I have friends in working family law.

OP posts:
Changes26 · 08/01/2026 13:22

DelphiniumBlue · 08/01/2026 13:16

He got diagnosed with ADHD and was given medication within 4 days??
That doesn’t seem believable, tbh. Even the private places I’ve looked at have waiting times of months, if not years. I’m impressed at his organisational skills if he arrranged therapy and an adhd appointment all within 4 days of going to his mums. Are you sure he’s telling you the truth?
He sounds quite manipulative.
Anyway, you don’t have to let him stay at yours, in fact given what’s happened it’s better that you don’t. You and DD need a safe space, which your house isn’t while he’s in it.
He’ll need to make some other arrangements, and that’s up to him to do.

Well I was also very shocked and sceptical. He had 4 sessions with the therapist (psychotherapist) and they diagnosed him and prescribed the medication, which I’ve seen.

He was upset I was shocked and said I was angry he had been diagnosed.

Maybe I should get some legal advice then. Luckily I have friends in working family law.

OP posts:
Egglio · 08/01/2026 13:25

Changes26 · 08/01/2026 13:11

I’m just worried if I say he can’t stay at mine then he won’t see her and she won’t be able to stay overnight with hin, which I know will not be in her best interests. I said after we first split we could use the house as a nesting place but I was thinking it would be a month. He has now said I’m going back on what I said. I can stay at my parents but they don’t even know we’ve split yet and my dad is ill with terminal cancer so I know I could stay and help care for him and my mum (which I’m having to do more of now anyway) but then I lose my house 3 nights a week.

If he can't get it together to see her and maintain a good parenting relationship then seeing him might not be in her best interests ultimately.

So many men think that women are here to facilitate their parenting. Your concern is your DDs wellbeing and your relationship with her. If he does what you fear, that makes him the bad parent. You can't compensate for that by running around doing what he wants, because setting that example to your DD isn't in her best interests either.

But well done you for protecting your house. He has 50k in savings, I'm sure he can buy a flat nearby.

Egglio · 08/01/2026 13:26

Psychotherapists don't prescribe medication. You can buy it on the black market though.

Anonanonanonagain · 08/01/2026 13:27

I only read as far as agression and adhd and one is not anything to do with the other. I have adhd and I am never ever agressive. If he has adhd is it nothing to do with him being a prick. Also in 4 days he left the house AND managed to get a diagnosis? That was quick. Very very quick. Anyway his adhd is nothing to do with his behaviour he is a prick and will always be a prick and you need to kick him out for good.

Changes26 · 08/01/2026 13:35

He keeps telling me I need to read up about men, ADHD and anger and then I’d understand.

I’ve got to leave the house soon as he has his online therapy session with his therapist.

I’ve repeatedly said he has made this all about him, he says he’s thinking of us and wants to change.

I am so definitely done but this is not how I wanted it to play out for my daughter. I feel sad for her.

OP posts:
Starlight1984 · 08/01/2026 13:52

Maiyakat · 08/01/2026 13:16

I am somewhat suspicious of his claim that in four days away and one therapy session he was diagnosed with ADHD and prescribed medication....

Please get in touch with Women's Aid or your local domestic abuse service, they will be able to give you advice and support.

This. What utter rubbish.

Nicecatneighbour · 08/01/2026 13:55

I am also sceptical about his therapist claims.
In any case, I wouldn't be allowing him in my home.

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