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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

There We Are Then - part 2

970 replies

mummy917 · 20/07/2026 13:05

Follow on from previous

OP posts:
mummy917 · 26/07/2026 08:18

Yeah it’s on a WhatsApp message so it’s been screenshotted and saved. I reminded him again that the agreement was 10am on Fridays which is something he seemed absolutely fine with when he agreed to it, but if he now isn’t okay with this, then I’d be happy to discuss it further at mediation. No response shockingly.

OP posts:
likeafishneedsabike · 26/07/2026 08:19

mummy917 · 26/07/2026 08:18

Yeah it’s on a WhatsApp message so it’s been screenshotted and saved. I reminded him again that the agreement was 10am on Fridays which is something he seemed absolutely fine with when he agreed to it, but if he now isn’t okay with this, then I’d be happy to discuss it further at mediation. No response shockingly.

He’s a very stupid man to have put that in a WhatsApp message. Is mediation actually booked?

mummy917 · 26/07/2026 08:23

likeafishneedsabike · 26/07/2026 08:19

He’s a very stupid man to have put that in a WhatsApp message. Is mediation actually booked?

No not yet. I’m going to give the company a ring tomorrow that my solicitor recommended to me a while back, just to see how it works and where I’d be if my ex refuses to attend, which I think he will. It’s just another £120 I could do without spending but if it helps this to resolve then it’ll be worth it.

OP posts:
Lostpassporthelp · 26/07/2026 08:24

He is vile, I’m so glad you have a week free of him soon when you go on holiday. Every time you have to have anything to do with him over the next few days just keep visualising your completely Twattoo free week. He won’t bother to text you to check in on the kids so it will be a completely silent week…. Bliss.

mummy917 · 26/07/2026 08:29

No he won’t text to check on the kids or ask to FaceTime to see if they’re enjoying themselves. I really wish I didn’t have to deal with him at all, it would be heaven. But that’s me being selfish.

OP posts:
KTheGrey · 26/07/2026 08:29

At least that message makes it very clear that what he means by ‘controlling’ is in fact ‘competent to make your own arrangements and abide by agreements as he is not.’

Lostpassporthelp · 26/07/2026 08:29

Also it’s just your son he’s dropping off tomorrow isn’t it? Am I right in thinking he’s dropping the others off to nursery? In which case hopefully you won’t even have to see him as the 9 year old can walk from the car to the front door on his own.

Seeing70 · 26/07/2026 08:32

mummy917 · 26/07/2026 08:05

I told him last night I have to go into work first thing on Friday morning for a few hours (it’s to pick up and try on a a smaller uniform; the modern matron called me at about 6pm last night and said it would be ready then for me to try on, so it’s not a lie), but I didn’t tell him the reason I needed to go in. He was absolutely awful and said I’d purposely arranged it knowing he had his car booked in and me going into work wasn’t as important blah blah blah. I said there we are then, it’s tough, see you at 10am. His exact reply was “you’re a f’ing useless bitch”. Great, I’m pleased I am 👍

Oh how I will pay for this one!

Gosh, he’s really showing his true colours now, isn’t he! Was this by text/whatsapp? I’d use this as an opportunity to say that, in order to avoid any more confusion/nastiness, he needs to assume, barring genuine emergencies, that you are otherwise engaged when it’s his time with the kids and that he has friends and family that he can call on to help him with babysitting/lifts/to lend him a tenner for potties etc - plus ample free time in which to sort out car repairs, haircuts, tattoos. I would spell out again: you and he are no longer each other’s support (practical, emotional, whatever) and the sooner he adjusts to this new reality, and stops thinking of you as someone who’s there whenever he can’t meet his parenting obligations (which he has asked to comprise 50% of the kids’ time), the sooner he’ll be able to behave towards you in a calm, non-abusive manner that is conducive to good co-parenting. Until such a time, you insist on all communication to be via text and limited to sharing only necessary information about the kids’ wellbeing. Any requests to change times at short notice should be for emergencies only (though ideally, unless it is the kids needing you, his support network - of which you are no longer a part - should be his first point of call, not you). I’d reiterate that for you, mediation is a preferred next step and ask him to let you know when he’s ready for that, but in the meantime, he’s need to refrain from verbally abusing you.

What a c**t!

Seeing70 · 26/07/2026 08:35

Seeing70 · 26/07/2026 08:32

Gosh, he’s really showing his true colours now, isn’t he! Was this by text/whatsapp? I’d use this as an opportunity to say that, in order to avoid any more confusion/nastiness, he needs to assume, barring genuine emergencies, that you are otherwise engaged when it’s his time with the kids and that he has friends and family that he can call on to help him with babysitting/lifts/to lend him a tenner for potties etc - plus ample free time in which to sort out car repairs, haircuts, tattoos. I would spell out again: you and he are no longer each other’s support (practical, emotional, whatever) and the sooner he adjusts to this new reality, and stops thinking of you as someone who’s there whenever he can’t meet his parenting obligations (which he has asked to comprise 50% of the kids’ time), the sooner he’ll be able to behave towards you in a calm, non-abusive manner that is conducive to good co-parenting. Until such a time, you insist on all communication to be via text and limited to sharing only necessary information about the kids’ wellbeing. Any requests to change times at short notice should be for emergencies only (though ideally, unless it is the kids needing you, his support network - of which you are no longer a part - should be his first point of call, not you). I’d reiterate that for you, mediation is a preferred next step and ask him to let you know when he’s ready for that, but in the meantime, he’s need to refrain from verbally abusing you.

What a c**t!

Sorry - slow typer! X-posted. You probably don’t need to repeat all that to him - I am a bit of a hammer it home type!!

GordanoServices · 26/07/2026 08:46

mummy917 · 26/07/2026 08:23

No not yet. I’m going to give the company a ring tomorrow that my solicitor recommended to me a while back, just to see how it works and where I’d be if my ex refuses to attend, which I think he will. It’s just another £120 I could do without spending but if it helps this to resolve then it’ll be worth it.

I don’t know much about meditation but I think there is a voucher scheme? https://www.gov.uk/guidance/family-mediation-voucher-scheme

Family Mediation Voucher Scheme

Find out if you are eligible for the Family Mediation Voucher Scheme and how to apply.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/family-mediation-voucher-scheme

likeafishneedsabike · 26/07/2026 08:53

Hopefully someone will be about to appear with lived experience of this kind of situation. My own strong instinct would be not to engage in any dialogue with him. No explaining, no justifying. Just the facts: I will be at home from 10am as per our 50/50 custody agreement. Any changes to this arrangement can be discussed at mediation.

ItsOkItsDarkChocolate · 26/07/2026 08:53

mummy917 · 26/07/2026 08:29

No he won’t text to check on the kids or ask to FaceTime to see if they’re enjoying themselves. I really wish I didn’t have to deal with him at all, it would be heaven. But that’s me being selfish.

It’s not selfish, it’s self care, self preservation.

Your holiday will be bliss!!

Well done @mummy917 . As others have said, you can do what you want in your time, it’s none of his business. And part of the point of a schedule is to help you organise your life with /around it.

Another piece of evidence in your bank of his behaviour. He doesn’t like not getting his own way, does he? KNOB 👍🏻

There We Are Then…

mummy917 · 26/07/2026 08:58

I’ve told him via text that if he is no longer happy with the arrangement he also agreed to, then I’d be happy to discuss it further at mediation and I got no reply 🙄

He will be thinking that all he needs to do now is to let the dust settle and he can carry on as normal. I know for a fact he won’t have rearranged his car going in for a later time and I know he will have no intention of doing that either. He’ll think he can force it on me. However I will be at work trying on my new uniform, so he will find the house empty before even 7am. I’ll go to work early and have a cuppa with some of my colleagues before they start their shift.

OP posts:
Wolffie17 · 26/07/2026 09:05

So sorry you had to deal with such horrible abuse, but so proud of you for continuing to stand up for him. Xx

GordanoServices · 26/07/2026 09:05

@mummy917hopefully you will get some useful advice regarding mediation. I don’t have experience of it but I believe the courts would take an extremely dim view if he refuses to participate.

Ihaveneedofwaternear · 26/07/2026 09:06

I know I've said this before on your thread, but I can't actually believe how he's behaved and how he's talking to you. PPs with experience of this are predicting these things, and I read the thread thinking "surely he wouldn't..." And then he does.

OP you are handling this so well.

Vicotto · 26/07/2026 09:11

He can’t afford to provide a cheap potty because he’s spent all his money on a tattoo, but you’re the useless one…?! What an arse!

Nannylovesshopping · 26/07/2026 09:12

Am thinking his next ploy, because he is an angry man, will say his car will take ages to repair/costly, therefore will need you to do all ferrying about, obvs you tell him to do one/hire a car…. Keep being one step ahead, you are warrior woman!

Lostpassporthelp · 26/07/2026 09:17

Unfortunately I think you are going to have to be up and out incredibly early on Friday morning to avoid him. As an added little cherry on top for Twattoo I suggest hiring/bribing an early 30s, tall, fit, male actor/model to open the door (ideally topless), with bed-hair and that just woken up look, for when he rocks up at 7am. He can politely explain that you’ve had to go into work. I’m sure we’d all chip in to cover his fee, just so you get to see the look of pure anger and rage on Twattoo’s face (which will be captured on the ring doorbell naturally).

Daisymail · 26/07/2026 09:19

Keep screenshotting. The way this is going, there will likely come a day, sooner rather than later, where you will be required to evidence his abuse. Then everyone will see him for the vile individual that he is.

The fact that you are behaving in such a dignified way probably enrages him more because he wants a reaction. He just doesn't get that he can no longer control you.

Lizchapman · 26/07/2026 09:23

just be aware that his anger will not stop when he sends the WhatsApp messages and he is almost certainly ranting to your children about exactly how unreasonable you’re being 😔

Heretohelp1111 · 26/07/2026 09:26

While i’m very sorry that you’re experiencing this he really is doing you a favour in lining things up to be able to evidence what a horrible piece of work he is. Your job for today is to find a local domestic abuse charity (you can google your county name and domestic abuse charity together to find it) and then tomorrow you can ring them and ask if they can offer support with post separation abuse. Also make sure you ring the school or nursery (sorry I’m not sure how old the kids are having joined this thread later) and let them know about the separation, if they don’t already, and that there’s some verbal abuse going on and that while you’re confident the children are not currently being exposed to that, you’re seeking support from a charity about it to make sure there’s nothing more you need to do. Essentially you want to create a paper trail for if/when it goes to court or you make a police report etc.

DwarfPalmetto · 26/07/2026 09:32

'If you are no longer happy with the arrangement you agreed to, I'm happy to discuss it further at mediation' is a great reply. Short, clear, unemotional. You might want to copy and paste for the next time he tells you he's bringing them back early. I'm sure three will be a next time 🙄

mummy917 · 26/07/2026 09:33

I’ve made the school and nursery aware both prior to the split, what was coming and once we had sat the kids down to tell them, so they could keep and eye on them while they were there too.

I wish I could do what you suggested @Lostpassporthelp, but the backlash would not be worth it at all.

I will look into post separation abuse although I do find it easier to deal with mentally, by just telling myself he is a there we are then.

OP posts:
Bestfootforward11 · 26/07/2026 09:38

Gosh he is just vile. Name calling like that just because he doesn’t get his way. Honestly if this ever gets to court he’s made his bed.
Hope you’re ok. I can imagine on every interaction your stomach is in knots.

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