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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

Breaking a trauma bond while pregnant - need urgent help

213 replies

CinnamonSwirlLatte · 31/01/2026 19:25

Please be gentle.

I'm 25 weeks pregnant and this is around the 8th time I've left or tried to leave him in around 2 years. I know he is bad news for me, but I'm struggling really badly. I have four children already and NO support network.

This guy has been so sweet and loving, but also obsessive. When I've left him before, he has always found ways to contact me (even when blocked on everything), or covertly stalked me. I have only ever gone back to him when I've been vulnerable e.g. when I nearly lost my job over a false allegation, when I was very poorly, when I had fallen out with someone and was upset about it and had had a few glasses of wine. He has immediately swooped in and "saved" me.

He already has a conviction for harassment against someone else. He is on the Sex Offenders Register. He has a 4 year old he has never tried to see. He is manipulative, he has threatened to kill himself, he is banned from driving, he is in a shit load of debt, he's crazily jealous. I tried to leave him at Christmas and he cried, shouted, begged, wouldn't leave, smashed his phone and punched himself repeatedly.

However now, after days of begging, he has suddenly gone quiet and it's even more upsetting for some reason, not to mention worrying. We live very close to each other. I'm scared he will try to use the baby to "get back in". I've already been through family court with an abusive ex and I cannot do it again.

Part of me thinks I should have just stayed with him, just so I know what he's going to do. I keep crying at night when the kids are asleep.

I have contacted a local domestic abuse charity.

Please someone help me be strong.

OP posts:
Lmnop22 · 02/02/2026 20:13

CinnamonSwirlLatte · 02/02/2026 20:10

Thank you ❤️ the majority of people on here have just kicked me when I'm down. Do they not realise that's exactly the kind of thing that makes abusers successful? He's all I have, I'm so scared about everything and I just want someone to tell me it'll be okay.

I'm not going to message him but why is he the only cunt who loves me?

He is not all you have, you have yourself and you have your beautiful children and that is enough. It may not seem like it now but once you learn to love yourself, you won’t need anyone else to love you and you’ll attract people who don’t take advantage of you.

As long as you stay strong, everything is going to be OK and you and your children will be so much happier and better off, I promise!

CinnamonSwirlLatte · 02/02/2026 20:15

Lmnop22 · 02/02/2026 20:13

He is not all you have, you have yourself and you have your beautiful children and that is enough. It may not seem like it now but once you learn to love yourself, you won’t need anyone else to love you and you’ll attract people who don’t take advantage of you.

As long as you stay strong, everything is going to be OK and you and your children will be so much happier and better off, I promise!

Thank you. I don't love my mum so I struggle to believe that my babies love me

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Lmnop22 · 02/02/2026 20:18

CinnamonSwirlLatte · 02/02/2026 20:15

Thank you. I don't love my mum so I struggle to believe that my babies love me

I bet your babies think you’re the best and strongest mummy ever and love you unconditionally! Stay strong ❤️

CinnamonSwirlLatte · 02/02/2026 20:37

Lmnop22 · 02/02/2026 20:18

I bet your babies think you’re the best and strongest mummy ever and love you unconditionally! Stay strong ❤️

Thank you 🥹 xx

OP posts:
WinterSunglasses · 02/02/2026 21:57

Right, if your younger kids are asleep, go and look at them. They are worth a million of this guy and any one of them loves you more than he ever will or could. THAT'S why you're doing this. You have had a bad time but you're lucky to have your kids and it will repay you in the future.

CinnamonSwirlLatte · 02/02/2026 22:30

WinterSunglasses · 02/02/2026 21:57

Right, if your younger kids are asleep, go and look at them. They are worth a million of this guy and any one of them loves you more than he ever will or could. THAT'S why you're doing this. You have had a bad time but you're lucky to have your kids and it will repay you in the future.

I'm very lucky to have them. The youngest still sleeps in bed with me every night l
Going to be squashed with the baby too! Thank you ❤️

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mommatoone · 03/02/2026 00:14

CarefullyCuratedFurniture · 01/02/2026 19:10

In the nicest possible way, you haven't got a clue what's going on with him and PPU. I assure you that it is NOT happy jokey relationships, all lads together. It just isn't.

I am genuinely interested why he told you he was a sex offender on your first date, and you still went along for a second date.

I agree with you to some extent. But when you have a PPU managing quite a lot of RSOs,those who 'don't give you any grief' makes your job a lot easier. Sadly these are often 'low risk' offenders who are extremely compliant / friendly and give you no cause for concern . Aka slimy fuckers

selffellatingouroborosofhate · 03/02/2026 00:42

CinnamonSwirlLatte · 02/02/2026 20:10

Thank you ❤️ the majority of people on here have just kicked me when I'm down. Do they not realise that's exactly the kind of thing that makes abusers successful? He's all I have, I'm so scared about everything and I just want someone to tell me it'll be okay.

I'm not going to message him but why is he the only cunt who loves me?

why is he the only cunt who loves me?

Your children would beg to differ.

He's not a cunt: cunts have warmth and depth and he has neither.

CinnamonSwirlLatte · 03/02/2026 06:41

mommatoone · 03/02/2026 00:14

I agree with you to some extent. But when you have a PPU managing quite a lot of RSOs,those who 'don't give you any grief' makes your job a lot easier. Sadly these are often 'low risk' offenders who are extremely compliant / friendly and give you no cause for concern . Aka slimy fuckers

Exactly. Obviously slightly different but I remember overhearing a midwife moan to her colleague once that the next home visit would be a PITA rather than a quick in and out because it was a "first time mum struggling to breastfeed". Not everyone is perfectly professional...!

OP posts:
CinnamonSwirlLatte · 03/02/2026 06:43

selffellatingouroborosofhate · 03/02/2026 00:42

why is he the only cunt who loves me?

Your children would beg to differ.

He's not a cunt: cunts have warmth and depth and he has neither.

Ha, I like that cunt quote!

I hope my children love me. I'm really snappy now he's gone and my mind has been so messed up.

Today is going to be really difficult with the plea hearing. Almost wish I'd never reported my colleague so I don't have to deal with all this whilst pregnant and alone

OP posts:
CinnamonSwirlLatte · 03/02/2026 10:10

He has messaged again this morning saying he's thinking of me today "as he is every day", and hopefully Colleague just pleads guilty...

I didn't hear from him at all yesterday. I wondered if he would use the court hearing as a reason to message me, but he seems so nice and reasonable that I feel stupid if I go through with the police appointment on Thursday, and also like I'm betraying him. Can anyone advise??

OP posts:
cestlavielife · 03/02/2026 10:22

Ignore him. You know it is bull sh£t
Next week he will be threatening suicide again.
You do not need this drama neither do your dc

CinnamonSwirlLatte · 03/02/2026 10:37

cestlavielife · 03/02/2026 10:22

Ignore him. You know it is bull sh£t
Next week he will be threatening suicide again.
You do not need this drama neither do your dc

Oh I'm definitely ignoring him but who knows if its bullshit? Maybe it's me that's the heartless one?

My IDVA just rang me for the first time. She sounds amazing!

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