[Closed] Domestic abuse

If you can, and have somewhere to go - get out. But warn someone who can and will look after the kids.

Press charges? I would more than likely.

Get out of the relationship now. professional help / counselling might help you come to terms if your head is a mess although a bit of time will help as well.

All of the above sounds like me around seven years ago. Take it from a man of experience in this department. Walk away, walk away now. No mincing around just do it. It's a downward spiral that very rarely gets any better. I was carted off to the cells on more than one occasion for little more than walking away from an argument. It will not do your mental state any good at all putting up with a nutty partner.

Draw a line under it and Get out.

I suggest going to the front door and running as fast as you can she sounds like a psycho.

Thankfully, I have no direct experience but I'd have to agree that first you need to get out, then think about the kids and making sure they're ok. Once that's done, and if you care enough, maybe try to get some help for your (by then) ex...?

I had a mate who went through a similar situation. We were serving in Germany at the time, he would turn up the next day battered and bruised. When queried about what had happened he would say fighting in town with the locals. This would end up with him spending time in jail. This continued for around 6 months before he ended up in hospital with stab wounds claiming a fight with locals again. The German civil police were involved and during the investigation he admitted to making it all up and that his wife was abusing him.
Leave her, get our confidence back and find a partner that wants you for who you are rather than a babysitter and punchbag.

As above, get out of there. Why would you want to stay?

Bugger off sharpish you only live once....

Keep a diary of every event, not matter how trivial. She may attack you again - if she ends up injured you"ll be the one getting arrested - keep it as evidence.

Leave, please. If her behaviour esculated to her working life as a careworker the consquences could be very destructive. She is obviously needing help and your not the person to provide it for her, nor are you her punchbag. Once you leave keep a brief diary and witnesses of your movements, my friend was in a simular position and his ex claimed he attacked her. He had proof of were he was and charges were dropped. Above all I hope your ok and by asking the question on here I think your after support as you have made your mind up to leave already.

You say you don't want to press charges because she'll lose her job and her kids. The only reason that would happen would be to protect vulnerable people. It might be in everyone's best interests.

Press charges? I would more than likely.

As above, get out of there. Why would you want to stay?

+1

I know they're not my kids but having done everything for them for so long, they feel like my own. I have my own daughters come and stay weekends and they all get on great, so it's going to be hard for them too.
I have made my mind up to leave... I need to even if I'm unsure whether I really want to, if that makes sense?
People have been telling me to get out for quite a while, but I thought I could handle the situation. Having been on the recieving end of her temper yet again, and having sustained quite a few injuries, I know it's for the best.
I only hope her kids can forgive me and hope that they will understand in the future 🙁
My next step is to find somewhere to go, and find somewhere to store my stuff. Because I have no job or income, I'm worried sick tbh.

I can't believe that my partner has said nothing about any of this since I returned from the police station last night. Woke up this morning to find she'd gone to work and left the kids here with me :-O

I'm waiting on a call from the domestic abuse support team... Fingers crossed they can help me sort my life out.

It sounds flippant, but good luck to you. It would be bad enough without the kids being in the middle. Hope you get sorted asap.

My next step is to find somewhere to go, and find somewhere to store my stuff. Because I have no job or income, I'm worried sick tbh.

Friends and family?

Personally I would pass her kids onto her family or social services and Be out of there before she comes home. Get all your stuff packed up now.

Good luck

Onzadog - Member
You say you don't want to press charges because she'll lose her job and her kids. The only reason that would happen would be to protect vulnerable people. It might be in everyone's best interests.

+1 on what TJ said.

get support for yourself and then help for her.

Look after number 1.

Walk. Don't look back.

I only hope her kids can forgive me and hope that they will understand in the future
My next step is to find somewhere to go, and find somewhere to store my stuff. Because I have no job or income, I'm worried sick tbh.

Her kids will realise you left to protect yourself but does she ever direct her anger/violence towards the kids? If she does direct it towards them then you need to get Social services involved. Odd a sit sounds many domestic abusers would not touch their own kids.
Press charges for sure she needs something to make her actually sort her stuff out. If she looses her job IT IS NOT YOUR FAULT IT IS HERS ...repeat that line everytime something bad happens to her SHE IS TO BLAME NOT YOU.
Best of luck

you must press charges now or you will regret it later if custody/access to the kids becomes an issue. Plus it may affect your job prospects if you don't set the record straight.

Balls to her, and balls to her kids. Not your problem. Get out, don't look back. You only have one life.

Yep, my sister told me because it was my partner that made the call and I was arrested, it'll look bad on me if I don't press charges.

She has never hit her kids, BUT she does say some very nasty things to them. Usual one is, I'll smash your face in if you don't f**ing do as your told.
The C word is used frequently too. Not good considering they are 5 and 2.
I feel like I've been the one protecting them. Now I'm left with no choice and I hope the rest of her family will be understanding?!
I know I'm going to be made to look like the trouble maker.
I hate this sort of stuff and never would've believed that I'd end up in this situation.
Thanks for all the comments and support...

press charges for sure to clear your name and get Social services involved. They will probably go on the at risk register and open a CAF on them. She will be offered support to sort her stuff out initially but it can be escalated if she is not playing ball.
Wher eis th father in all this I suspect he can back up your story
As I said this is not your fault all of this is her fault every last bit of it
Clear your name by prosecuting her especially as you have marks.

Agree with everything above - engage fully with the domestic support agency, they'll help with benefits and accommodation where possible. Also try and keep in contact with a domestic abuse unit with the police if your area has one.

If you are worried about her children too once you've left, you need to inform social services. They won't take her children away or put them straight onto a protection plan, they'll just assess the situation and their needs to ensure their not at risk of harm.

[b]Victims are at much higher risk of harm at the point of leaving[/b], plan it as best as you can and make sure people know your plan, so someone can support if something happens.

I hope the rest of her family will be understanding?!

Balls to them, as well.

I know I'm going to be made to look like the trouble maker.

Unless they're coming after you legally, does it matter? Let them think that, if it gets you out.

Listen to your sister, she is right. It might help to consider that it's not just about you, you're not being selfish or failing, you are taking action and alerting the authorities to someone who needs serious help. It's about protecting those kids, and in the long term, hopefully helping your partner to get back in control of herself too.

She has never hit her kids, BUT she does say some very nasty things to them. Usual one is, I'll smash your face in if you don't f**ing do as your told.
The C word is used frequently too. Not good considering they are 5 and 2.

That sounds like a truly horrible situation. I totally agree with the others in that you need to get out of the situation ASAP. It sounds like getting social services involved will help your partner and her kids to get what they need to turn the situation around. The advice about removing yourself when your partner is at work is key to the safety of you and the children, so have a plan. I am sure all of the options seem wrong at the moment, but in time you will see you've made the right choice for everyone involved, including your partner.

[url= http://www.mensadviceline.org.uk/mens_advice.php ]Men's Advice Line[/url]

Dont get the SS involved they don't make things better as there are shit at there jobs in general. My misses used to beat the shit out of me and knocked me out more than once , then agin so did my mum when i was a kid. So i took it as normal. However now being in a slightly more healthy relationship i see it is not normal. However i wouldn't call the police as i dont think it warrants it.From an old school point of view you should just take it like a man. That's what i did, im no longer with the woman but still see her regularly and am probably still very much in love with her. Then again she was renowned for being very violent and being harder than hard men and i find strong and hard women attractive so maybe i liked it. Dont know what that brings to you're situation but its just what happened to me.

+1 for the get away asap. As in today. She clearly has major issues if she's treating you and her kids like that. Do you know the circumstances under which the father left/history of her own childhood? I suspect the story will be similar.

My take is she's left the kids with you today so you won't leave today, having seen you finally get the police involved she knows you've had enough and you're about to leave. I suspect her manipulations and bullying will increase now.

But frankly I think your own kids are your priority. As much as it would feel bad to leave her kids to such a parent, they surely come as priority #2 to yourself and your own family?

Respect for opening up to a bunch of strangers. Takes courage for a bloke to talk about this kind of treatment IMO.

Oh and at times like this IME you find out how great friends and family can really be...

Good luck.

Not much to add to what's already been said - predominantly good advice there. Your sister will know the score from a police point of view, good that you have her supporting you. Just go.

I've been in contact with the police. Going to make a statement tomorrow (while she's at work) and moving out on Monday. I'm going to ask the police not to arrest her until Monday, so that I can be out of the way when she returns home.
I'm shaking and scared sh*tless of what the future will bring, but know that it's a step in the right direction.
Don't know how much longer I would've carried on with all this if it wasn't for my sister stepping in?
Looking back, I wish I'd have said something sooner.
I felt as if I couldn't do anything, and was in some way imprisoned.
I never felt like social services should be involved because I've always been here to protect the kids. Once I've left, I'm going to inform them.
The kids father was apparently a nutter, who's only interest was to get drunk and take drugs.He moved away and is currently in a mental home where he's getting help.
How much is true and how much of it is exaggerated? I don't know?
I have spoken to her parents and they blame her temperament on her past boyfriends and the way she was treated. Then again, they told me not to go to the police when I heard they were looking for me. Probably because they saw the state of my face and knew she'd get into trouble.
It's all so surreal at the moment. Hopefully won't be too long until I'm back on my feet again?
Thanks people...

You reaction is common in people in your position I believe. You have had the stuffing knocked out of you mentally as well.

My advice would still be to be gone before she comes home today but its easier to say than do.

good luck

If you get the SS involved she will never be able to work again and the kids will have an even worse life.

Ilovemygears - please don't troll on a thread like this. Thats a dreadful thing to say. Not true anyway

Skoolshoes - ignore him please.

TandemJeremy - Member
Ilovemygears - please don't troll on a thread like this. Thats a dreadful thing to say. Not true anyway

Skoolshoes - ignore him please

Im not trolling im talking from personal experience, have you actually seen the SS take kids from parents that love then for some shitty reason like this only for the same kid that was meant to be in care die of a heroin overdose age 15, probably not but i have, these people are less than useless. The abusive parents weren't that good but the care provided was a million times worse. some of the men on this forum really need to man up.

Also if she gets her charged it will show up on the Crimean record check, thus excluding her from any worth wile job

My ex also attacked me when she was drunk and smashed a metal money box over my head in full view of my kids. I'd walked away when she started hitting me but she did the deed at the bottom of the stairs and my kids saw it. I went to the bathroom clean myself up and calm the kids and she rang the police which I wasn't aware of until they knocked at my door. I was very shocked but they took statements and they carted her off to the cells. I muct confess I didn't press charges and I had my reasons but we split up soon after anyway. Oh and the kids live with me too so I think that says how much of a mother they saw in her.
I hope you sort your problem out too and I know full well it's not an easy thing to live with and live through.

Somebody needs to be involved! Her own parents don't give a toss what goes on, and aren't particularly concerned for the kids well-being.
I tried to get her to go see a counsellor before and eventually she agreed but did nothing about it.
I wish something could have been sorted before all of this, but it wasn't and now I'm doing what I think is best for myself and the kids, and of course, my soon to be ex.
Just got to hang it out for tonight.
It's making things harder by me being here with the kids at the moment. All I want is to get away. I want to cry too, but have to hold it in.
Hurry up Monday...

She will not be banned from working due to a report of a domestic abuse incident nor a prosecution whatever our latest resident troll says - I am not engaging with you on this very real life issue.
As to never work again even if this was true- it is BS- it would be HER FAULT AND NOT THE OPS - her actions her consequences. Perhaps an aggressive violent bully is not the best person to be entrusted with the care of vulnerable people and this would be no bad thing anyway.
As for getting Social services involved or not that will be decided by the police anyway so you need not worry - it is down to what you say about her treatment of the kids though.
Ignore the gear lover above his "advice" it is not true.

skoolshoes - can you not get out before? What time is your abuser (cos that is what she is) due home? Can you get her parents to take the kids?

Get your sister to help you?

Junkyard - Member
She will not be banned from working due to a report of a domestic abuse incident nor a prosecution whatever our latest resident troll says - I am not engaging with you on this very real life issue.
As to never work again even if this was true- it is BS- it would be HER FAULT AND NOT THE OPS - her actions her consequences. Perhaps an aggressive violent bully is not the best person to be entrusted with the care of vulnerable people and this would be no bad thing anyway.
As for getting Social services involved or not that will be decided by the police anyway so you need not worry - it is down to what you say about her treatment of the kids though.
Ignore the gear lover above his "advice" it is not true.

having working in this area i can assure you that if it shows up on a criminal record check she will not get a job in care or any thing else. And if she is charged with ABH or GBH it will.

ilovemygears - please go away.

Its teh abusers fault here. If she is not a fit person to be working in the care sector if she behaves like this and the kids are at risk.

No doubt the SS surely have some form of counselling or procedures for staff that are affected with issues, as i can imagine some do suffer eventually?. A bit like PTSD counselling or similar.

I would definitely get out ASAP, nobody of either sex should suffer this. Or should the OP just mtfu and give her a good kicking back......what a load of tosh from Ilovemygears , "it happened to me so just get on with it" FFS.

Get out and stay out asap.

I know that she loves her kids and she doesn't hit them.
She does scream obscenities at them, and use threatening language towards them. I can also see that they are frightened of her, but quickly forgive her. It's like they think it's normal?
She tends to show her love towards them by buying them toys and sweets way too often, rather than show them affection.
One way or another, it'll get sorted now. I hope she can pull herself together and become a better person.
I don't like to disrupt other people's lives or to cause problems but now it's time to put myself first and to do what I think is the right thing.

TandemJeremy - Member
ilovemygears - please go away.

Its teh abusers fault here. If she is not a fit person to be working in the care sector if she behaves like this and the kids are at risk

yes and children's homes are happy loving places,

She does scream obscenities at them, and use threatening language towards them. I can also see that they are frightened of her, but quickly forgive her. It's like they think it's normal?
She tends to show her love towards them by buying them toys and sweets way too often, rather than show them affection.

sounds like my mum 🙂

One way or another, it'll get sorted now. I hope she can pull herself together and become a better person.
I don't like to disrupt other people's lives or to cause problems but now it's time to put myself first and to do what I think is the right thing.

There you go Teej, shooting down someone's opinion and telling him to go away because it doesn't go with what you have to say.

He might not have the same thought process as you, but he's been in a similar situation, have you?

It's a delicate subject as far as the kids go and needs careful consideration as to what might be best for them - being taken away from their mother is 99% not going to be the best for them unless she is actually being violent toward them. Of course this may not happen, but has to be taken into consideration

If the kids have witnessed any of her behaviour towards you, then contact social services - children shouldn't be exposed to domestic violence issues. If the police get involved and are worried about her capacity to safeguard her own children, then as a matter of course the police would be obliged to involve the social services.
Under Child in Need a Common Assessment Framework would be completed, and this would possibly lead into a series of Child in Need meetings.
A phone call to health visitor might not go amiss either.
Doesn't sound like the kids would progress to a Child Protection Plan (the old register doesn't really exist any more) as CAF & CIN is meant to manage lots of lower level problems and keep the SS free for dealing with clear cut cases of harm.

It's a complicated situation you are in, but for your own sake & the sake of her children there needs to be some action taken.
Best of luck.

Skoolshoes, I work with these issues a lot, if you feel that the childrens welfare is at risk from your partners behaviour then you should consider reporting to social services, [b][u]THIS DOES NOT MEAN THAT THEY WILL BE TAKEN FROM HER OR YOU WILL BE NAMED AS THE PERSON RAISING CONCERNS. I have put this in bold to empahasise that what other people tell you may not be neccessarily true Childrens Services have changed their approach and do not descend in the night and take the children unless there are real issues towards their physical safety and those risks are immediate.

You also need to maintain your own safety, there appears to be an escilation in her behaviour and it sounds like you have experienced a lot of violence, it may go quiet for a little while, but sadly in my experience it rarely stops. Good luck with the charges, please do not feel guilty about reporting it, the perpetrator knows their behaviour is wrong and must be accountable for it. She has broken the Law and that has consequenses, it is not your responsibility, yours is to your self and the children who are witnessing this.

Good luck with it, it will be rough and others may try to make you feel guilty, try not to take it to heart, no-one deserves to be treated by this and just putting up with it does not allow you to be treated with respect and dignity.

It's a delicate subject as far as the kids go and needs careful consideration as to what might be best for them

Totally agree. Social services are going to be best placed to make that decision though aren't they? I don't think anyones suggesting that they should be taken into care, merely that the whole family might need some help when the OP leaves.

I'd agree that the OP's made a brave and positive decision. Suggestions that he needs to MTFU are frankly ridiculous, since that's exactly what he has done.

TAFKASTR

This is not a place to be arguing. The OP has asked for support. he does not need you or others trolling or proving arguments.

OP - feel free to email me off forum if I can help.

will send this to mrsconsequence, she's an qualified independent domestic violence advisor who works with all the high risk cases with the police, probation service and charities... will see if i can get her to have a read and comment.

sorry i cant offer advice personally, but not being an expert and not having been through it personally i think it would be silly of me to do so. hopefully mrsconsequence can offer some advice even if it just backs up what somebody else has already says, or reassures you a little.

we could[ perhaps should] start another thread on Social services/Care homes if we wished rather than debate it here. FWIW I have worked in both sectors on the coal face so to speak.
Social services first actions will be to assess and then support the mother not remove the kids. Does anyone actually think this woman does not have issues that need addressing considering how she treats him and her kids? Do they think it will improve if she does nothing? do they think the kids will be unaffected by all this?
OP best of luck

apologies, jumped to the second page after reading the opening post, didn't see that she had already commented with some advice and details of some support for guys being abused.

good luck with everything dude! i truly and honestly wish you all the best.

I was a child that often witnessed scenes like you describe, though father abusive towards mother and children. It wasn't enjoyable growing up through it, and when it was happening (around 10 years ago, I'm now 24) social services were called many times and nothing was done about it. My father was eventually sectioned under the mental health act and moved away, though this happened through the contact of a GP instead of social services - social services were the ones who 'took away' my father, however.

I only say all this to give a child's perspective, despite going through this in my teens, I do not feel as though I was affected in a life changing way, at the time I knew no different, and despite it being absolutely horrible at the time me and my two siblings are now OK with it. Though we rarely speak about it, it's not something that plays on our minds at all.

It's really sad that you and the children have been put through this, for someone you love to end up being a cause of such distress. My mother felt she couldn't escape and at the time nobody seemed to want to help, social services didn't, and as I say, it was only through a personal contact that something was done. After my father left that was it really, my mother brought us up and nothing else was said about it. My advice would be to call the police on every occurrence until something is done, so it is documented.

The laws and suitable punishments/criminal records for this aren't to be decided by us, and I truly believe you should call the police, confide in your friends and your GP; somebody with such a temperament I don't think should be working in the care-sector.

phil even on the internet you dont listen to her 🙄
At least you have learnt to apologise immediately though

An alternative view. Pressing charges will draw out the agony and tie you to the town you are in. Unless she presses charges, let it drop. You don't need any more stuff than you can carry in an overnight bag. It's the Summer and there's work if you look for it. Farm work with lodgings or seasonal work with lodgings. Call in at the job centre, find where they are recruiting and hitch-hike there if you can't afford the tickets.

missingfrontallobe makes a good point - social services will be informed of this incident by the police whether you tell them independently or not. You will probably be able to give them more historical and background information than what will go on the police report, which may help them decide what's best for the children.

My experience of the system does not extend beyond completing and submitting the child concern and risk assessment forms, but I think it extremely unlikely that this incident alone would result in the children being taken from her, there has to be serious concern for [i]their[/i] safety for that to happen in a hurry.

At this moment in time, I don't believe that the kids are at risk from physical harm by her.
The eldest (5 yr old) has been affected by what she has seen in the past.
When I first moved in with them, she was scared to be in the same room as me and would shout "Get out of my flat S****y" (which was her father's name).
She would have major temper tantrums, throwing herself on the floor and kicking out wildly.
She has trouble speaking correctly and still soils her underwear almost everyday.
I'm no expert, but from what I've seen, I believe it to be related to some sort of past trauma.
I also asked the gf if she's ever had SS involved and she said no.
Anytime she had a fight with their dad (or other people) and the police were called, she'd tell them that it happened away from the kids or that the kids weren't there.
She knows how to play the system and has done it for too long.

Sounds stupid but I still love her! That's how she's been reeling me back in each time.
The violence has escalated to the point where I'm worried about what'll happen next. It's not just the physical violence though. Keeping me secluded and not permitting me to speak to other people. It all makes sense now. Like I mentioned before, I only wish I'd have spoken out earlier.
If it makes any difference, I also had a tough childhood. Some of the things I witnessed between my own parents were awful and I wouldn't wish it upon anybody. Perhaps that's why I tolerated this for so long?

Don't be hard on yourself. You've decsided to do something now, that takes courage. You will have mixed feelings, that's normal, there was something about your partner that was good before all this, but you are right in your observation that it is escilating. You may have doubts at this time, whatever you decside to do, talk to someone who can help you with your emotional health- I wish you well with it

Don't confuse pity with love. Don't confuse love with thinking your stuck either! I did that and it doesn't work! From what you've written she doesn't sound too good a mother and it's a crying shame that kids are there and they are being brought up in that enviroment. You must must put yourself first and you've got to try see what's best for you. Please don't think that her violence can't reach another level because it can and it does! There's been many many a bloke who's been stabbed by his wife/girlfriend and there's been plenty who have said nothing because when you admit it's happened you think other blokes will think your weak! Abuse in the home IS NOT just against woman!

Well if it's any consolation, you are in good company, given that the majority of domestic abuse victims put up with it for a very long time before seeking help, if they ever do.

As someone who spent his childhood witnessing domestic violence, and who now deals with it very regularly at work, you are absolutely doing the correct thing in deciding to leave. Whether you pursue it with the police or not is up to you, I think you should but as I say, your choice. But I have never known of any situation where the abuse just stopped, not permanently. It may happen I suppose, but that is not the normal pattern.
I think it has been reasonably well established that people who grow up witnessing domestic violence are more likely to become either victims or perpetrators themselves, presumably more likely to subconsciously believe that such behaviour is normal. So perhaps this is why you've put up with it for so long.

I also wish you well.

I think under the circumstances the only possible reason to stay would be if they were your kids. Take some solace in the fact that whilst you may well care for or love her kids, they are her kids. Personaly I would walk away immediately but I wouldnt press charges. Whilst it may be morally right in some peoples view,it will just prolong the separation and probably impact the kids more. Wish her luck and move on so to speak. Keep your chin up and love yourself a little.

@OP, get the hell out of there, listen to your sister. Your heart will bleed for the kids but you [u]will[/u] survive.
Move really far, sever the connections, especially the emotional ones, you are bound to have. Get a job, begin your independent life.
Good luck!

The main reasons for pressing charges are; I feel that she's done this before and nothing came of it. If I don't do something about it now, it could carry on and someone else could fall victim to her.
Also, it might make her have a wake up call and change her ways.
My sister says that because the first phone call to the police was from her accusing me, it'll stay on record and although no charges were made against me, it doesn't look good.
If I press charges, people will know the truth and she'll be dealt with accordingly.
I'm not doing this to punish her and tbh, if she hadn't have phoned the police first, I probably would have let it go.
I spent 6 hours in a cell for something that I didn't do, did a lot of thinking and came home to somebody that showed no emotion and no concern for how I felt or what had happened.
She's already lost a lot of friends because of her temper.
I do think it's a shame because I have seen her caring and loving side.
In a way, I feel like I'm doing the dirty on her.
I know it has to be done though!
I'm going to seek professional help myself after this is all sorted. I only hope she does the same...

my only thoughts are for the safty of the children, if when she comes home in a mood with no one like yourself to take it out on then there is a chance she will take it out on the kids are you happy for that to happen, no then you have to do the right thing and let the legal process take over and we do not want the children to think that abuse is normal so they themselves become abusers later in life.good luck you know with time everything gets better coming from someone who took to many pills one night as i thought my world had ended.

Do you think that moving far away is a good decision?
I have my own kids living in this town and see them regularly. I don't drive either.
Moving to a different town scares me at the moment. Took me ages to get used to this one.
What's people's honest opinion on this?

Showerman, that's partly why I stayed for so long and put up with it.
The kids are both great kids and although they have their problems, I love them to bits.
I really hope that they get looked after properly once I'm gone.

No need to move towns IMO - and no need to decide that yet anyway. Once you are out of the situation she will lose her power over you.

Where do your family live? Where did you live before? Do you still have friends where you used to live? (or is it the same town)

Thats not a decision for now. concentrate on what you have to do as the first step. As you take each step the next one becomes easier. What seems insurmountable now will not seem so great once you take a step or two

I think that's why my heads a mess right now? Anticipating the move! Once I'm out of here, things should get easier.

There is no need at all move away - staying put and facing up to things is all part of the healing process and you will get over it. For once I do agree with TJ (hehe) and take one step at a time and it WILL get better.

She should not be careing for older people if she doesnt care for you, or her kids, you have done the right thing, and best wishes to you, she should be investigated by SS into her ability to do the job she is paid to do as well.

As for the kids theyre not yours so you have mo maternal need to llok after them, hard as it may seem theyre best left to be looked after elsewhere, as they will have a hold and a draw on you returning back to her.

Relationships are two sided, not just one sided, as seems to be happening more and more nowadays, and she obviously cant handle stress or family living, and she most obviously needs proffesional help, for the sake of the kids.

Oh and i have very real experience of what may happen if you dont run now, ...................., runaway fast and dont look back.

You can make a clean break if the kids aren't yours, it sounds as if you love them, but realisticaly will she let you see them if you split?

Just move out.

I mean as long as the kids have someone to look after them pack and go.

Criminal records are checked for a number of formalities and sensitive jobs. I've even had to produce documents provided by the British police confirming I had a clean criminal record in the UK for formalities in France. Neither of you will benefit from the other having a criminal record IMO.

What kind of life do you dream of, Schoolshoes? Be honest with yourself, do you have the skills you need to fullfil your dreams or could you aquire them? Where do you want to be and what do you want to be doing in a year, in five years and in ten years. When you've decided what you can realistically achieve start working towards that, now. I think you need careers advice more than relationship counciling because from now on I think you should look after number one. The better you look after yourself the better you will be as father to your own daughters and the better you'll feel - a virtuous circle rather than the vicious circle you're in now.

I would strongly advise speaking to professionals about planning to move and where to move to. Like philconsequence has mentioned, there are trained professionals to advise in these situations and I spend all day doing it. As someone has mentioned, when you leave she has lost the power over you, and this can be dangerous - the desire for power and control can be quite something in humans

Once I'm out of here, things should get easier.

How are things this morning , Skoolshoes?

I don't have much advice to offer except to remove yourself from the situation - hopefully you've done that - and a bit of Pearl Jam...