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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:
tribpot · 28/06/2010 20:17

I do find it absolutely chilling that the OP is focussing in on what must actually be the least offensive of the guy's bad behaviour, i.e. his cheating. She seems to find it acceptable that he is physically abusive to her and her ds and I can only hope she will 'wake up' soon. OP I am so sorry about the loss of your dd, with all this at your young age it is no surprise that you are struggling so much.

You are only a couple of years older than my oldest dniece and if anyone was treating her the way you are I would be absolutely insane with worry, not to mention committing acts of violence to get her safe.

Please think of yourself, and your ds, and not this awful man.

Poshwellies · 28/06/2010 20:17

You are more likely to have you child taken away if you stay and don't get out,especially if your dh gets caught out with child porn (only a matter of time!)

If you go now and use WA for what they are they for,why would they take away your child?

Poshwellies · 28/06/2010 20:18

THERE

peterpansmum · 28/06/2010 20:18

Please get out now while you and your ds still can xx am thinking of you and sending you love and strength to do what you need to do xx

SandyBits · 28/06/2010 20:19

And the saddest thing about all this is just how low your self esteem is. I am 2 years odler than you. What on earth were you doing gettign invloved with a man in his 50s or 60s?? What were your paretns playing at to let you??

dismantlethesun · 28/06/2010 20:19

OK, you might be right. He has never been caught out before by me. I think he's quite unpredictable. I'm going to just take ds, nappies, handbag, a floppy bunny and stay somewhere nearby overnight and then sort stuff out in the morning. I know a good affordable hotel nearby (hopping distance). Then he can't come back and harm us. it makes sense now. Thank you.

OP posts:
ShirleyKnot · 28/06/2010 20:19

dismantle - was that letter directed at him rather than you?

PLEASE get some RL support right NOW. If he's gone out, this is your chance to flee.

Poshwellies · 28/06/2010 20:21

When you get to the hotel-call WA again and discuss your options.

I tink you need to be away from the area completely and safe.

dinopiratesruleok · 28/06/2010 20:22

The police and social services are not out to get you they can offer help and protection. There are a lot of solicitors who deal with child protection who can help you wont judge you or plot against you, your partner is a threat to your DS and you, if something happened to you he would get him, you have to protect yourselves first, locks are the easiest thing to do quickly.

ShirleyKnot · 28/06/2010 20:23

Good girl.

Run. I know this is scary, but he is worse. Run.

GypsyMoth · 28/06/2010 20:24

he hasnt just gone....he wont let this go just beause you know about his cheating!!

canr believe youre still there tbh..part of the reason for going to hostel with WA is to enable you to be out of touh with him,not sat there listening for a key in the door..

instructionstothedouble · 28/06/2010 20:27

This reply has been deleted

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dismantlethesun · 28/06/2010 20:28

My mother was really quite abusive didn't have a father.. and P was in a 'position of trust' at my university. I wish I could turn back time to 2 years ago and take DD and be somewhere safe with her. I do have very low self esteem but he has made it even lower- I shake, I have panic attacks these days. I think I am hideous but people other than P say I am the opposite. He is only ever nice to me in public. (NOt always nice, has hit me in public before but normally puts on a loving show for everyone. He's never nice at home)
I just don't really remember what I did before this- who I was, what I wanted, how I coped- he has controlled every single thing for years now.

He denies the affair even though it is in print on the screen. There's someone else as well on there!

I am stunned. He didn't even say sorry. The timing of it is what hurts the most. But yes that doesn't matter now, wat matters is getting away from him and making sure DS has a good childhood.

I'm BFing DS but I'm dressed and I'm going. Thank you all.

OP posts:
DutchGirly · 28/06/2010 20:30

Please call the 24 hour Domestic Violence line, they can get you somewhere very safe NOW.

You do realise that we will all be awake tonight wondering if we will see another news story of a woman in SE London seriously injured or killed tomorrow? Surely not so many women can be wrong if we believe you and DS to be in danger?

Social Services will not judge you for seeking help from WA or Refuge, they will help you instead.

Please accept the help offered here, now is not the time for embarrassment or pride. You can be safe and sound tonight, just pick up DS and walk out of that door, that is the first step to Freedom.

Believe me, I took that step at 15 to get away from violent parents, you CAN do it and you must do it NOW.

dismantlethesun · 28/06/2010 20:31

I'm off- will take laptop/netbook thingy too.

OP posts:
peterpansmum · 28/06/2010 20:31

Please take care and let us know once you're safe. Do as those with experience of this have said and call WA once you get out. keep safe x

EleanorHandbasket · 28/06/2010 20:33

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Ineedmorechocolatenow · 28/06/2010 20:34

Good luck. Thinking of you. Let us know when you're safe. We're all here for you. xx

mamsnet · 28/06/2010 20:36

You're doing the right thing..

Pleas ring WA from hotel. Don't fall into a false sense of security.

MercyMe · 28/06/2010 20:39

Hey I've been watching this all day, and so glad that you are going. You and ds deserve so much more. Take care and keep safe xxx

NonnoMum · 28/06/2010 20:40

Please look after yourself and your baby.

Good luck.

Thisisthatvilewoman · 28/06/2010 20:42

I phoned women's aid for myself, they said if I wanted to they would have me in a refuge, nice family home, within minutes, they said I would have a new safehouse within hours.

If you want to leave you can, there's loads of help. If you're not ready then there are people who will listen and tell you what help is available.

Women's aid recommend, in situations of extreme danger, to call from elsewhere.

Be safe, good luck!

dittany · 28/06/2010 20:43

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

stressed2007 · 28/06/2010 20:45

I will be thinking of you. Well done. You will never look back.

Take care x

Follyfoot · 28/06/2010 20:48

Get out and get out now. He will come back, maybe not tonight, but he will come back. He can get you many ways - and a lock wont stop him. Sorry if that sounds dramatic but you are living in cloud cuckoo land here. If you make a decision to stay where he knows full well where you are, thats your choice but your poor baby has no choice and he might get terribly injured or worse. You think it wont happen to you? Neither did I.

And neither did the Mum of my daughter's classmate, who was stabbed to death in front of her son.

I'm begging you to leave.

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