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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

Its got so bad, but I need some perspective.

165 replies

Jazzicatz · 01/04/2010 11:52

Hi all, I gave written on here a few times about my relationship with 'd'p but things have gone from bad to worse and I just wanted some sense that his behaviour isn't acceptable, or that i'm the one that needs to step back.

We have been together for 10 years and we have two gorgeous little boys. Our problems together go back years, but were particulaly bad after we had our first son. I suffered with PND and dp was very dismissive and left me just to get on with it. He had a business at the time that failed and we ended up living with him parents.

His family are wealthy and very controlling of dp, they want him to stay in the area and continue the family fortune. Everytime dp has got himself into financial difficulty, which is numerous times, his family bale him out. He had never really taken any real responsibility for his actions, he knows essentially his family will sort it out. This has put immense pressure on us as I hate the area we live in and don't really like his families interference in our lives.

I however, have neen trying to finish my PhD and worked sporadically and therefore was not in a position to pay for us to move, dp insisted we stayed and kept pressuring me to get a job and finish the PhD. I have now got a job, but work miles away. I have to stay away during the week and come home at the weekends, but the boys are now at school and dp is supposed to have flexibility in his 'job', which is with a family member.

Dp has a very traditional semse of gender roles and finds it difficult that I work away and that I focus on my job so much. He is currently 'punishing' me for being away and although I am home most weekends, holidays and for most of the summer, he still is being, in my opinion, unreasonable.

Now that I am back from work for 3 weeks, dp won't do any thing at all around the house - not that he does much anyway, he comes in really late, and leaves really early. He has taken the car so we are stranded in our village,when he does come home he is usually pissed. He insistes I either sleep with our youngest son in a single bed or on the floor or very small sofa. He won't contribute anything.

Every weekend when I get back he just disappears off and usually rolls in pissed around 7pm. I have to do all the housework left from the week, all the washing, the homework with the boys, shopping - basically everything. However, now he is off, and won't contribute anything.

My job is pretty full-on and I have no time in which to 'recover' before beginning again.

I'm knackered because of our sleeping arrangements, and just feel like a general skivvy.

Do I 'deserve' this behaviour for going away to work? What can I do?
Sorry its long - any advice very much appreciated.

OP posts:
cestlavielife · 15/06/2010 10:46

so you need to get a car - can you drive? if not start lessons now - maybe do intensive two week all-day course in summer .

car at least - there is practical solution...

you need to speak to womens aid/families need fathers for advice on practical issues.

you need your own counsellor you can talk to - when you feel so trapped it is hell...

the outcome may be that you reside elsewhere and visit /dcs visit with you.... re build good relations with you away from him and not so browbeaten, you can get back your own self...

you NEED to get your own space away from this unhealthy relationhsip...

Jazzicatz · 15/06/2010 10:50

I just can't bear the thought of leaving them with him. Its not even as if we are married, but he is pushing me away and there doesn't seem anything I can do. He was the one who pushed and pushed for me to work, even though I kept telling im it would mean I worked away - now he is punishing me and the boys because I got a job!

OP posts:
Jazzicatz · 15/06/2010 10:50

And yes I agree I need a car, and yes I can drive, but I can't afford a car!

OP posts:
CarGirl · 15/06/2010 10:58

As you are now free for the summer I would carefully plan to leave with the boys as soon as their hols start, locate to where you work and put the onus on their father to go through the courts to get them back.

You could state that the boys are spending the summer with you and you will return them in September to start school provided that a court order with the detail of shared residency is reached.

Usually I am all for shared residency and have no issue with dads being the main carer however if you leave without your dc I don't think you will ever see them again, your ex and his family are clearly abusive and seem to be alienating you. If you leave your dc there they will grow up as awful as their father IMHO

Having them with you for summer establishes you as main carer. HOnestly I would do a midnight flit to the womens aid in the area where you work with the hope that you will get sorted out over the summer, find a new school for the boys and still be able to keep your current job.

NicknameTaken · 15/06/2010 11:02

The thing is, all these things look unsurmountable because you are so beaten down by this relationship. One thing at a time. Logistics work themselves out.

Step one: proper legal advice.

Based on that, you can decide the next step.

You said: "Just think everyone is best off without me!" That's exactly what I want to warn you against. You won't always feel like this, not once you've had some space to feel safe and free from someone grinding you down the whole time.

Come on, Jazzi, this could be the summer when your new life starts! Arm yourself with proper information. You've got a PhD - you're good at finding things out.

When you're feeling paralysed, a baby step is better than nothing at all.

You need to act, because your dcs are learning from their father to feel contempt for you, and it's only going to deepen until you get out. For the sake of your relationship with your dcs, you need to climb out of this trap.

Jazzicatz · 15/06/2010 11:08

I think running away with the boys is the only answer. I really never wanted it to get to this stage but I think its going to be my only option. I can't stand the person I have become when I'm here. I love my boys beyond words and I can't put them through anymore!

OP posts:
CarGirl · 15/06/2010 11:10

You are in an abusive relationship you would perfectly "right" to pack a small bag of stuff get all the documentation you can take your sons and go to Womans Aid - this is why they exist so you can leave that relationship with your children and they will help you start a fresh life in a new location to escape him and his family.

NicknameTaken · 15/06/2010 11:11

Yes, go for it.

Jazzicatz · 15/06/2010 11:14

Last time I spoke with Women's Aid all they wanted to do was shop me to SS. Can't deal with that again!

OP posts:
NicknameTaken · 15/06/2010 11:27

So contact Refuge: refuge.org.uk/

Jazzicatz · 15/06/2010 11:36

Thank you - I will try them, but I am afraid the same thing will happen. However, this time I am ready to just leave. No point in staying a minute longer. No doubt the boys will hate me but I just cannot leave them with their dad and his family!

OP posts:
StarExpat · 15/06/2010 11:39

I just saw this - isn't it kidnapping to take the kids away from their father and run away? I do think OP should get out of the relationship, but don't want her to end up getting into trouble for it and losing her dc. Even though we all know this man is abusive, what if ss once again checks him out and reports that he isn't? It's wrong, I agree, but I don't want jazzi to lose her dc.

celticfairy101 · 15/06/2010 11:45

It's not kidnapping. You can take your children away. It's then up to your partner, with the help of his family no doubt, to take the matter to court to gain access. In the UK, a person can leave their children and there's no compulsion or legal avenue to make them see the children.

celticfairy101 · 15/06/2010 11:47

Sorry meant to say that it's not kidnapping if you stay within the UK, this incudes Northern Ireland.

celticfairy101 · 15/06/2010 11:47

Sorry meant to say that it's not kidnapping if you stay within the UK, this incudes Northern Ireland.

cestlavielife · 15/06/2010 11:50

tehre are some good deals on cars on HP with v small deposits. have a look, see if you could feasibly get a small cheap car on HP.

it seems like on thing essential for you is a car.

i think you realy need to talk thru the two options - one escape with the boys
two move yourself, leaving boys and using solicitor/court to get proper contact times set up.

i think one is ideal - BUT you need to get boys alongside - and taking them for "holiday" then keeping them might not look good - you need some really good legal advice on this... and FNF may be helpful as is often father on this side of fence...

if to all intents and purposes SS etc think the set up with dad is fine in terms of the boys care then you need to play it carefully - in my case, i had SS on my side in supporting me to move out with the dcs.

you will get thru this - you will get out of this relationship and you will reach a point of good contact with the boys - it is going to take time - talk thru the steps eg with refuge and get good legal advice ...

StarExpat · 15/06/2010 12:04

"In the UK, a person can leave their children and there's no compulsion or legal avenue to make them see the children."

No one is leaving the children, she would be taking them with her. Don't get me wrong, I think she should take them and get out of there... but I really worry about the legalities of this. Please seek proper legal advice Jazzi.

1footinfront · 15/06/2010 12:18

Hi there

Why do you feel so resistant to social services. I would see if there is any advice that they can offer you. When I used to be a social worker, we could help put deposits down on flats for escaping families, liaising with schools to secure new school places in a new area, and counselling and support for abused mums.

I would not hide from them. YOU are being abused and YOU realise your children need to be protected from this mans functioning, as do you. As you are trying to find a way out SS will be supporting you.

I note you also say that he is punishing you because you got a job, sorry but I think that's not really true and that he would be punishing you no matter what- there would be some reason he could find. If you gave up your job then where would you be (definitely not suggesting this by the way!)

. Sleeping on the floor!There is something very fucked up in this man's head if he thinks this is OK. IT truly isnt.

You can always get a small loan for a car ( I don't recommend this but if its the only option...) I wonder if you have swallowed some idea you cant do it. You can do it but it needs breaking down but the legal advice is the first step you need to empower yourself.

IsGraceAvailable · 15/06/2010 12:42

I don't understand why thought WA would "shop" you to SS? Are you doing something bad to your children? If not, then 1foot is right and they were probably trying to tell you that you can get help from SS if you need it.

You pay your NI contributions; this is what it's for - it's called insurance. Make a claim.

Your "partner" (haha) has succeeded in convincing you that you're powerless, incapable and dependent. Now, how true is this? Please could you post a summary of just how incapable & powerless you are?

Do you have a bank account? Is your salary and child benefit paid into it? If so, good. Then you are an independent grown-up with her own money. Great start

Where do you stay during the week? Could your DCs stop there, temporarily, perhaps? If not, check out the rentals on 2-bed flats near work.

Use the internet to see if you might be entitled to any top-up benefits. Apply for a credit card to tide you over. Look in the mirror and say, very clearly, "I am confident and capable." Then smile. Repeat as necessary.

CarGirl · 15/06/2010 18:34

As I thought you need to be being paid the child benefit as it will help prove you are their primary carer.

Anniegetyourgun · 15/06/2010 18:45

Grace, I think the OP did contact WA before and they put SS onto the case. SS decided the boys were fine but her H kicked up a fuss for having involved them (even though she hadn't intended to). That's why she doesn't want to trust them.

IsGraceAvailable · 15/06/2010 19:38

Thanks, Annie. That's a blow! Of course, any man like this will try to discourage his partner from seeking help ... it's important not to feel cowed, but that's even harder to achieve without backup.

Jazzicatz · 16/06/2010 11:48

I do believe legal advice is the best option and then leave with the boys. I feel a bit stronger today through your support - thank you all!

OP posts:
NicknameTaken · 16/06/2010 12:14

Well done, Jazzi! Have a look on the Resolution website to find family law solicitors near you, and be prepared to have an introductory session with more than one.

Knowledge is power!

IsGraceAvailable · 16/06/2010 13:01

Hurrah. Keep it up!