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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

P cheating, please could somebody help, I don't know what to do (long, sorry!)

870 replies

dismantlethesun · 28/06/2010 07:27

Argh

Background- I was OW briefly. DP told me he and wifey had been separated for 7 years, they had not

We moved in together after 6 months, it became a fiery relationship because he hacked into my emails and read that I had said he was controlling

He banned all friends. He banned relatives. He banned staying 5 mins late at work. Banned certain clothes and shoes. Stopped me progressing in my career.

Began to falsely accuse me of things. Always false. Began to be very violent.

Reverted to old drinking habits. Drinks A LOT.

I got pregnant (one year in) and he got even more violent.

I suspected him of an affair because I found a message on his phone but he denied it then beat me up badly.

I really loved him. He was so good at controlling me, being ver 30 years my senior.

Had DD, he was awful. I told him I was leaving and he said if I left he would lie to social services and say I was a bad mother. I said, but I'm not I'm a great mother, he said 'I have police connections/etc etc they won't believe you'

So I stayed. During that year he nearly killed me with a wine bottle and with other acts of violence. He grabbed DD once when she was crying but I jumped in and fought him off her. He punched me hard in the head and strangled me while I was holding her. When DD was almost 1 she became acutely unwell and was admitted to hospital. She was there for 3 months and then she died.

He was never in the hospital, he was in the pub on his laptop, or somewhere else. He would tell me he was fcking a barmaid, then say he only said it to wind me up, he told me he was fcking a colleague, then said he only said it to wind me up. He would not let me stay in the hospital with DD overnight, because he said if I did he would leave and not pay rent so I'd be homeless (I was on extended maternity leave) and I got scared and thought DD wouldn't be able to be discharged if he did that as we'd have no home to go to. So I stayed.

She died, he turned up briefly to shed a false tear. I got pregnant immediately- I reget this now, but it was a one-off and I was extremely upset.

I went back to work, he became violent again, kicking me in the stomach hard. I bit him (one time) in self defence to get his arms off me as he was holding me down to kick me. The police were called and they let him go because he has 'connections' and he reported my act of defence. The only time I've ever fought back.

Baby was born. Blabla. He's now been made redundant. WE have no s*x life at all because he is so much older and is diabetic so it's pretty useless. But he has always said 'it works fine when I want it to' My grandma died, my best friend died the other week, and DP has destroyed all my other friendships except for a few in Canada.

I have just found a memory stick with his emails on it from work. I looked at it because he indicated he was emailing his wifelet (he wasn't) and he had hidden the stick. I read lots of it, including his sent emails which mentioned a new secret account. I logged in (same password for everything) and he has been having an affair since before DD was born.

WHat do I do?? I am scared. I am in rented accomodation that is more than my full time salary. DC2 is 5mths old. I have no income other than statutory maternity pay. I have no family now really and all my friends gave up 4 years ago. I am 24. I have ruined my career by having babies and being so unprofessional. Hell, I don't even know if I want to be in my career. I want to go back to uni. Or leave the country. Or right now I jjust want to curl up and die, quite frankly.

I honestly do not know how to handle this- he is still married to the ex as well, so I'm not entitled to anything if we split. I have a low income even when working full time. No childcare.

Thanks anyone, he's going to wake up in a minute and I'm going to have to pretend I don't know I really believed him when he said I was his soul mate etc. He said he loved me. I hoped he would change. I am mortified that I have been so stupid and didn't leave when DD was small.

OP posts:
RiverOfSleep · 28/06/2010 11:20

I'm scared reading this thread, that it will get even worse if he twigs. Please just go now! You just need you and your baby and you can walk out that door. Be brave and good luck.

GypsyMoth · 28/06/2010 11:24

Dittany!!! you took that comment by me totally out of context!!!

sorry,but in no way have i endorsed her staying.....fgs,i have been at the hands of a man like this....

i was saying that SHE might feel able to stay,which is ultimately HER choice,but the baby has NO choice

Cartoose · 28/06/2010 11:42

OP, I sincerely hope you are contacting WA right now and that you and your son are away from your P. Stay away and keep away from him!

This has to be the worst thing I've ever read on MN, and that's saying something.

dittany · 28/06/2010 11:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Zoonose · 28/06/2010 12:03

OP, if it helps, this is how I would rationalise leaving (in order to not waver making the decision when you have been crushed by this man for so long): you are a mother. Your no 1 duty above and beyond anything else is to your child. Way more important that your own wellbeing (but the two obv are very closely linked!) You have to become cold to P and your relationship with him. Gather up all the love and warmth in your heart and direct it to your DS (this won't be hard I'm sure!). He is your soulmate; the love of your life. Look in the beautiful face of your little son and promise him you'll do the best for him. I know it can be hard to be objective but if you do it in the context of your love for your child it will be easier to be strong. Nothing except him and you matter. You can leave this behind but I think it's clear that you will have to disappear out of this man's life, cut ties completely. I really hope by the time I post this you have already done it. Echo what all the others have said.

RhubarbFool · 28/06/2010 12:12

This is unbearable. Take your child and get out. You and your child need to be safe, forget about everything else for now. Do what the others have said, contact WA, get out. Then take things from there.

You're so young, you haven't screwed up your career (I farted around temping till I was about 25, didn't get going with anything until after that).

Are there any of your old friends who you could get in touch with? Or family? For moral support at least.

Good luck.

DutchGirly · 28/06/2010 12:41

Please get out, if not for yourself then do it for your DS.

Stop making excuses, you're not only risking your life but also your son's.

Call Refuge, they are based in Deptford and they are very, very good. If you need a telephone number, create a free email address and post it here, I can then email it to you.

DutchGirly · 28/06/2010 12:44

24 hour Domestic Violence helpline

0808 2000 247

FortunateHamster · 28/06/2010 12:46

This thread makes for very sad reading. You need to get out today, no stalling. If he finds out you've told people what he's done I doubt there's a limit to what he'd do next.

I know it's hard but for the moment you need to not think about throwing him out - he could get violent and he's bigger than you. Go to Women's Aid or Refuge first and worry about that later, when you are safe.

Get the documents you can find, you can replace the ones you can't.

Keep us updated if you can, but not if it places you in danger.

thatsnotmyfruitshoot · 28/06/2010 13:00

Can't stop thinking about you, dismantle. Please go.

Your life will transform once you're away, you can't live like this any longer.

marantha · 28/06/2010 13:10

Forget about extracting money from him- honestly, that would be like being worried about the ship's china when the Titanic is sinking- there are people who can help you such as Women's Aid and benefits are available to you.

I am afraid that all the counselling in the world won't change this guy. If he is as bad as you say, you've got to leave him.

It sounds awful; but in a way it is good that he is cheating. Perhaps he won't care so much when you do leave. Which, of course, you MUST.
Either that, or get your CHILD out of there, at least do that.

Follyfoot · 28/06/2010 13:16

Oh dismantle, you poor poor thing. Been where you are now, I stayed too long and it almost resulted in the loss of my life and that of my young daughter. I'm begging you not to make the same mistake.

I too fretted about money, somewhere to live, documents, everything, but I can tell you they dont matter one bit. Gather up every shred of courage you have (its there inside you and you WILL find it) its the only thing you need to take with you. Let Womens Aid scoop you up and keep you safe. Dont go back to live there, you would never feel safe.

When you look back on this day, you will feel so proud that you left, I swear to you it is for the best and you absolutely owe it to your baby. Sending you a huge hug xxx

dismantlethesun · 28/06/2010 13:23

Oh crumbs, still here, still dawdling. Thank you for your advice. I don't really have much family (my mother is not dissimilar to P in style) but I have an aunt who is v nice and I have told her by email. I think my friends have well and truly binned me by now.

He was only saying 2 days ago how he is 'so experienced at having affairs, way more than (me) and (I) would never find out hahaha'. His whole life has been similar to this.

I do have to put my child first, thank you for focussing me on that.

No chance in any financial advantage in staying really. The tribunal would take many months and his claim is a bit useless and I have been paying my full salary into his account whenever I am working. Now I know who that's gone on....

Thank you, I am taking it seriously now. I really appreciate your help.

OP posts:
Ineedmorechocolatenow · 28/06/2010 13:29

dismantlethesun - is there a way you can leave the house today with DS without him becoming suspicious. I agree with the other posters, forget all the paperwork, just get out. Call Women's Aid and they'll look after you. Zoonose's post made me cry, but is so right. Your DS needs you to leave today.

We're all here for you. I know you say you don't want to involve others, but we are here for you. I KNOW there are Mumsnetters out there who'd travel to you to help you, send you clothes for you or DS, toys, anything. I've seen it before on other threads. Please take the help wherever you can.

xx

Ineedmorechocolatenow · 28/06/2010 13:31

X-posts, dismantle - you'd be surprised about your friends. The real ones will come back to you.

Please leave today x

marantha · 28/06/2010 13:33

I am sorry, dismantlethesun, but I am really quite annoyed with you now. YES, I am sorry for your situation but, for goodness sake, your comment about the tribunal shows naivety and selfishness!

Do you honestly think that you are entitled to this money (you're not married) or, even if you were he'd give you any without a fight? So what then, you'd "steal" it? Come on, he's really going to let you get away with that, isn't he?!

It is extremely selfish of you to put cash before the welfare of your child.

If it were just you and him, I'd roll my eyes and think, "masochistic woman who puts personal safety before money". Oh well, her choice, I suppose".

Follyfoot · 28/06/2010 13:34

One other bit of advice - dont concentrate on him, what he says, what he thinks, he doesnt matter any more. You and your baby are the only ones that matter in all this, you need to protect yourself to keep your baby safe.

Oh and sorry, one other bit of advice, thinking ahead too far is really really scary. With the situation as it is today, just plan for the next few hours, no further. Get ready to make your escape and just go.

If this is a frightening thought, its meant to be but its true: if you stay it is perfectly possible you may die and your baby would grow up without you. Dont bugger about, save your life and give your baby a chance of a happy life.

Horsesweat · 28/06/2010 13:34

So he's a leech as well...

Please go as soon as you can.

DutchGirly · 28/06/2010 13:34

Dismantle, please call your friends I am sure they do care. I know I would! Call you aunt, for God's sake do not email her.

All you have to do is work up the courage to walk out of that door with baby and pram, nothing else matters as they can all be replaced.

I am sure you put your child first, it is really difficult to make that first step but think about it, you survived your baby dying, you can deal with anything!

You're 24, you have your whole life in front of you, you can make new friends, have a new home, earn money and have a new life.

He thinks he is so smart, I can assure you he is not half as clever as he thinks he is.

marantha · 28/06/2010 13:36

Sorry, that should be "masochistic woman who puts money before personal safety".

Look, OP, I am sorry to sound harsh here, but, for god's sake, you are living with a man who you say is looking up horrific stuff on the web yet you're happy to live with him with your child for the sake of a few quid??!!

Follyfoot · 28/06/2010 13:41

She's not 'happy to live with him with your child for the sake of a few quid'. She has been destroyed by him and isnt thinking straight right now.

Horsesweat · 28/06/2010 13:43

I was in a bad relationship many moons ago. I was a like rabbit trapped in the beams of car speeding towards me.

When it was all over and he had been admitted to a mental health unit, someone at work who I never got on with, but who lived a few steets away said "You could have turned up at our door any time and we would have taken you in to get away from him"

I'm sure your friends and relatives from your "old life" may have some idea of why you broke off contact, but if you call them now they would help you.

Cartoose · 28/06/2010 13:46

OP please go out with your child and call WA NOW! Tell them what you've said on here.

dittany · 28/06/2010 13:50

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Quality · 28/06/2010 14:00

dismantle, please, stop posting and go. The more you think about it the harder it will be and if he gets nay inkling that you are thinking of going it could go badly.
Please, if you must take something get your birth certificates, driving licence/passports.
Put some nappies and a change of clothes each in a bag.
Take as much cash out as you can and dump your card.
Call womans aid and then dump your phone.
GO, please, go NOW.

WA will help you. In time they may help you get back in the flat but that is not important.

Wiser woman then me who have been through it and told you all you need to know, all I can add is that I grew up with an abusive father, for the sake of your child, don't make him go through my childhood.

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