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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Am I being an arse or is this controlling!?

462 replies

Dancehalldarling · 20/05/2024 07:19

I’m in a lesbian relationship just so we’re clear on genders.

My girlfriend is so overly attentive that it’s really really starting to grate on me but I don’t know if I’m just being a bit of a cow.

examples:

  • driving in my car I turn my air con up 2 degrees from the coldest. She leans forward and says are you cold with a concerned look and goes to adjust the air con again. There’s always just that little extra of whatever so she’s done something to help. I said no leave it. She then said do you want to turn the aircon off? I said no I’m fine. She said do you want my jacket? GAH!!!!
  • out shopping (regularly) she will INSIST on carrying my bags. When I say no she relentlessly asks me to give them to her and it gets so annoying. Sometimes I want to carry my own bags! If I put them down for example to Pay she will pick them up and not give me them back.
  • at the cinema she asks if I’m cold, I say no, I’m quite fine, she’ll take her coat off and put it over me.
  • constantly paws at me and I mean CONSTANTLY has to be holding hands whether it’s driving, walking, sitting on the sofa, at dinner. It’s not just holding hands she holds my hand with one hand and caresses my arms and hands with her other hand. If she’s not doing this she’s stroking my hair or rubbing my head/neck/shoulders/tickling my arm or face.
  • If I’ve asked her to do a task for example could you please grab my keys while I look for my phone, she’ll grab the keys (along with everything else I’m carrying) and then as soon as I mention I’m going to grab my phone she’ll put down what she has and start frantically joining me in looking for my phone. This is a small example but what I’m trying to say is if she’s doing something and notices I’m on a different task she will drop what she’s doing and join me 100%. Cleaning, getting dressed, whatever.
  • always asks if I’ve ate, what I’ve ate, when I’ve ate. Sometimes I lie and say yes when I actually haven’t because I can’t be arsed with “why?” “I’ll Uber you food now what do you want?” “You need to eat” “make sure you eat please”
  • we don’t live together but if she hears I’m doing something like painting a room she insists on coming round and doing it for me, tells me to just sit down and rest. Sometimes I just want to get things done?
  • has to see me every day and kind of sulks if she doesn’t. Which is a real PITA sometimes as I have DC and don’t live overly close to her (D.C. not officially met her yet) So often I’m going out my way to call in before or after work, after school run, when DC are with their dad. Every day! This week she has sulked because she’s “hardly seen me” when I’ve seen her every day just not for as long.
  • she doesn’t like any of my friends and thinks I’m too good for them. She’s not a fan of me going out with them which is very rare. My best friend doesn’t like her for a separate reason but this also plays on my mind.

I’ve gotten irritated a few times and told her I’m not made of bloody glass and can she please stop treating me like an infant. She gets the hump and says she’s just trying to care for me. But I find it really suffocating and a bit controlling! AIBU?

OP posts:
Peachy2005 · 20/05/2024 16:17

If she threatens suicide, phone her an ambulance. Don’t go over there!

Greenflamesburn · 20/05/2024 16:14

Is it bad I'm also curious as to what triggered her last attempts.

Greenflamesburn · 20/05/2024 16:13

Oh OP your last update 😦
Please please don't let her put that on you.
If you get any messages like that ring for support for her and tell them it's because you have ended it and won't be manipulated back.

NonPlayerCharacter · 20/05/2024 16:12

Dancehalldarling · 20/05/2024 16:07

Yes I’m aware it won’t be that simple, but nor do I want to go in all guns blazing. It’s better if I start with this and phase out. She’s attempted suicide 4 times in the past and been hospitalised as a result. I don’t want to have to deal with that

It gets better and better...

You aren't responsible for giving yourself to maintain her will to live. You are not her hostage to death.

MILTOBE · 20/05/2024 16:10

Hate to say it but those attempts must have brought her an awful lot of attention. Lots of people must be on eggshells around her now.

Dancehalldarling · 20/05/2024 16:07

Yes I’m aware it won’t be that simple, but nor do I want to go in all guns blazing. It’s better if I start with this and phase out. She’s attempted suicide 4 times in the past and been hospitalised as a result. I don’t want to have to deal with that

OP posts:
GingerIsBest · 20/05/2024 16:07

Greenflamesburn · 20/05/2024 16:05

Please block now OP.
As when the I feel like killing myself messages start coming it won't be nice for you.
No one should have that put on them especially not to make you stay with them.

Stay string OP I'd you do decide not to block her and she messages you may need to be clearer it's is over.
Good luck OP

Oh yes.

Also the messages in which she, on the surface, takes responsibility but in a way that ensures she is STILL the victim, "I know, I know, I'm a terrible person and so clingy but I can't help it, I've had so much trauma and I love you so much and I thought I could just be myself with you. No wonder you hate me."

NonPlayerCharacter · 20/05/2024 16:05

It's not going to be that simple.

Greenflamesburn · 20/05/2024 16:05

Please block now OP.
As when the I feel like killing myself messages start coming it won't be nice for you.
No one should have that put on them especially not to make you stay with them.

Stay string OP I'd you do decide not to block her and she messages you may need to be clearer it's is over.
Good luck OP

DoubleeDenim · 20/05/2024 16:05

Noshowlomo · 20/05/2024 16:04

Sent you photos of her crying? This is massively manipulative! God my absolute stalker of an ex did this to me when I was 19 except it was take Polaroids of him crying and put them through my door in an envelope. Massive ick, massive red flag

I don’t know why but it’s even worse that it’s polaroids. This just reminded me of Brian from Spaced for some reason

GerbilsForever24 · 20/05/2024 16:05

You need to be far more specific about what you mean when you say "I need space". Is that a break up or just a request for a time out? She is manipulative and controlling, but you are sending a very confusing message here and just opening the door to endless concerned messages from her to you (and, as @Allthehorsesintheworld suggests, to your family/friends) etc.

I think you should say, "Thank you. I'm sorry this relationship hasn't worked out and I wish you all the best".

Having said that, you've been together long enough I'm amazed you couldn't do this via a phone call at least?

Clueless2024 · 20/05/2024 16:05

God, that sounds nauseatingly overbearing. I'd be putting the skids on this relationship. Way, way, way too intense. I don't think it's normal behaviour, regardless of gender

Noshowlomo · 20/05/2024 16:04

Sent you photos of her crying? This is massively manipulative! God my absolute stalker of an ex did this to me when I was 19 except it was take Polaroids of him crying and put them through my door in an envelope. Massive ick, massive red flag

DoubleeDenim · 20/05/2024 16:04

Ifyoucouldreadmymindlove · 20/05/2024 16:03

She will not respect your request for space.

👆 This is guaranteed

Ifyoucouldreadmymindlove · 20/05/2024 16:03

Dancehalldarling · 20/05/2024 15:54

Well that was easy!

She will not respect your request for space.

Sparklfairy · 20/05/2024 16:02

Dancehalldarling · 20/05/2024 15:54

Well that was easy!

Don't get complacent. I had this recently and sent a similar message, and got a similar response. Less than two days later he had contacted my mum 'to check sparkl is okay but I'm giving her space atm'. They've met briefly just once ffs.

She is obviously clingy and that doesn't just switch off overnight. Expect her to contact you about something completely inane/unnecessary shortly <cynical>.

Allthehorsesintheworld · 20/05/2024 16:02

I agree @GingerIsBest .
I found the sending of photos of her crying particularly disturbing.
Be prepared for the begging, maybe threatening self harm.
But ending the relationship, being very firm it’s over, is by far the best.

Newestname002 · 20/05/2024 16:01

Dancehalldarling · 20/05/2024 15:54

Well that was easy!

I wouldn't relax just yet. Nothing is properly resolved really is it? Is she clear you no longer want a relationship with her - or anyone? Are you? 🌹

Latenightreader · 20/05/2024 16:01

I give it a day before you start to get bombarded with messages - maybe less. Stay strong.

theholesinmyapologies · 20/05/2024 16:00

She needs therapy, not a relationship, right now.

She is suffocating and manipulative, and you're already adapting your behaviour so as not to set hers off. Her pictures of her sobbing and crying herself to sleep when you try to end things is incredibly manipulative.

I think you need to really consider ending things.

Greenflamesburn · 20/05/2024 16:00

Now block 🚫 OP

ChickyBricky · 20/05/2024 16:00

It's a good start OP, well done Flowers

DoubleeDenim · 20/05/2024 16:00

The posters questioning the South London ‘leading people astray’ thing.

I mean, I don’t even live in London or the South, and I’m aware of this culture in South London. Not by any means saying it’s an excuse for bad behaviour, but I do understand the connection between environment, culture and identity, and how living somewhere where crime is normalised makes it more likely to be drawn into those circles than if you live in some leafy suburb.

Again – no excuse for involvement in crime, but does make it more comprehendible than if someone had never been exposed to this sort of thing.

GingerIsBest · 20/05/2024 15:59

OP - I really realyl hope, for your sake, that it is that easy. But I doubt it. Be prepared for the emails/messages/photos/calls to start. The begging, the pleading.

And frankly, the "I'll giv eyou space" and your request for space are vague. What does that mean? Space for a day? Less contact? A week? No contact for a short period?

I don't think you've dodged this bullet at all.

Dancehalldarling · 20/05/2024 15:54

Well that was easy!

Am I being an arse or is this controlling!?
OP posts: