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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

Worried sick about BF

6 replies

JosieRosie · 07/06/2010 17:05

Hi ladies,you're all such a supportive bunch, I would be grateful for any advice you have.

My BF is married to a rotter. He's controlling and tight with money. He has planned out the next 20 years of her life. He wants to move out of where they currently live, to be closer to his parents - so that's what they are doing. Her parents live near where they are now, but they dont' seem to matter. They got married last October - decided to get married about 18 months before that, but he wouldn't allow her to tell anyone (except me) until he was good and ready. No good reason, just said he didnt' want to 'play into people's hands' (what ever that means!)by announcing it early.

In the past, he made a nice comment about a birthday pressie I had bought her. I made a flippant comment about what a nightmare she is to buy for and he said 'well, we'll soon beat that out of her', accompanied by fist-to-palm gesture. I am a domestic violence survivor and he knows this - felt physically sick all the way home from her party. My DP is convinced he made this comment deliberately to wind me up, but I can't be sure. So in short, not a nice guy.

So the thorny issue of bubbas has come up..... She is not at all sure that it's for her, but when she asked him (just 2 months before wedding, not v smart) how sure he was about being a parent, he said '100%;. That's it. As she said herself, 'he wants children so it's not up for discussion'. I could scream.

I feel she is just sleepwalking through the whole thing. Have told her I'm very worried about her and she just laughed it off and said that her life is with him, this is what he wants, not up for discussion blahblah. Sorry ladies, just venting, but any thoughts/support would be very much appreciated!

OP posts:
MargaretAtwood3660 · 07/06/2010 18:12

Oh GOD he sounds a complete knob

How awful for you to witness this and feel so helpless.

If you look at the womensaid website they might have ideas for how you might help her...they will also have checklists so you can see how he compares, it might make you more confident in telling her quite how worried you are, and why.

I'm not sure what else you can do but don't abandon her - she might need you to help her escape one day.

FabIsGoingToGetFit · 07/06/2010 18:14

All you can do is tell her you will be there for her should she ever change her mind. Make friends with him. Keep an eye out and don't slag him off to her. Be careful what you say if and when she does make complaints about him. Slag him off you will only push her more towards him and give her nowhere to go should he be an even bigger twat than he already seems to be.

madonnawhore · 07/06/2010 18:30

Hmmmm. My number one rule of life is NEVER GET INVOLVED IN OTHER PEOPLE'S RELATIONSHIPS (unless there's violence and children involved obvs).

It's certainly not your place to tell her to leave him or start slagging him off - that could have the opposite of the desired effect. I think Fab is right, the only thing you can do is be there, offer advice and support when she asks for it and in doing so you'll let her know that she'll always have someone to trust and turn to if (when?) the shit does hit the fan.

IsGraceAvailable · 07/06/2010 18:30

I agree with Fab. To elaborate on what you can do when she complains - or, more likely, makes seemingly throwaway remarks: don't let her get away with ignoring what she just said, give her a sympathetic "Oh no, that's so out of order!" type response. One of these days, she will want somebody to hear her - but, by then, she'll have forgotten it's okay to confide.

As you know, non-violent people don't make violent "jokes".

This must be horribly distressing for you, especially as you've been where she's heading. She's lucky to have a friend like you.

LadyLapsang · 07/06/2010 18:38

You sound a lovely friend & if your instinct is right she will certainly need one. If she is moving away do make an effort to keep in touch, he may be trying to isolate her from support.Also echo what Fab has said about being there and not slagging him off.

JosieRosie · 07/06/2010 20:26

Thanks ladies! I agree totally about not slagging him off, madonna and Fab, good advice! I know he can't stand me and possibly sees me as a threat, but I'm not going anywhere! Have told her I will always be there for her and she said she knows that and is very grateful.

I do ask after him and try to be positive about him when she mentions him. Having said that, I have never made any explicit positive comments about him e.g. lovely bloke, so happy for you, seem so happy together blahblah. I'm sure she knows deep down that I can't stand him.

Feels so good to have confirmation from you all that his is indeed an enormous tosser. I have wondered if I've been over-reacting a bit so very useful to have feedback from outsiders x

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