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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To feel smothered and annoyed by love interest

317 replies

Cantbloodyrememberthenameonthread · 05/03/2026 15:58

I’ve used love interested because we are NOT in a relationship but we are dating. I’m bi sexual and have recently started dating a lovely lady, so lovely that she is absolutely grating on me.

we’ve been dating a month. My child free days are now automatically allocated to her and she’s matching her work pattern up to mine (both self employed) meaning when my DC are with their dad she’s automatically assuming I have to spend every moment with her.

she’s been very good to me so far, kind and thoughtful. Very attentive. But there are red flaga

  • she’s expressed she has an anxious attachment style which is fair enough but this soon seems full on
  • after 1 week of dating she was really offended that I said “well you are single, as am I” in regards to online dating/deleting profiles
  • shes made an excuse that she needed to collect something from her parents and as a bi-product forced me into meeting them - I believe this may have been planned
  • she wants to “do something” every minute of every day. For example, today I wanted to spend the day pottering about before both dc return home, she insisted we go for lunch outside and to a garden centre because the weather has been nice. Then proceeded all day to say my “vibe” was off and I seemed annoyed. I said I just have a busy mind and schedule and want to get on with things. To which she took great offence and said she wants to make the most of our time together (we’ve been together the past 4 days and nights)

various other things like this. You might say it’s up to me to say no, which is true, however I hate the bluntness and the atmosphere it causes. I’m actively working on my boundaries after being in therapy following previous relationships. I have gently expressed we don’t need to spend every waking minute together, but each time it’s been met with some sort of sulk or mood iyswim. I really dislike upsetting people. Before she left, I basically had to take her bags to the door and almost had to say “get out” because my 20 or so “it was nice to see you, drive home safe” were met by blank stares or just changing rooms to sit on another sofa. It took over an hour of me saying I need to get on with things and need some time alone for her to actually leave.

I feel really irked. I didn’t want a relationship, yet I’m basically in one. There’s been various other things that have annoyed me like posting me on social media (we have mutual friends and I don’t want any of them to know I’m dating?) I’ve said it’s too soon and I don’t want people to see things. It stopped for a few days now she’s carried on ten fold. She’s planning on a trip somewhere up north next week that she needs to go on, and is harassing me for dates, I don’t want to confirm dates as I don’t know a) if I want to go and b) I don’t want set plans next week in general, I just want to have a chilled few days off. Not be held to something. I said you go on your own if I’m free I’ll join which was met with “no I’m planning specifically round your work days so we can go together”

AIBU to be annoyed? Wwyd? I want to send a message saying cool off without being nasty or mean. She’s a lovely woman but I feel overwhelmed and it’s giving me the ick - friends would have been great!

OP posts:
ByHeartyHiker · 07/03/2026 18:14

100% YANBU, but no one else's opinion actually matters here. You are uncomfortable and feel smothered and you are entitled to feel both of those things and express them/act upon them in a way that feels right for you. Some of the behaviour seems manipulative/controlling e.g. monopolising all your free time posting about you online when you specifically said no and forcing you to meet the parents.I'd be looking to leave the situationship ASAP

Janicchoplin · 07/03/2026 18:04

Cantbloodyrememberthenameonthread · 05/03/2026 16:21

Something in between definitely. I don’t get chance to miss her.

I think if it was 1-2 times a week it would feel like something to look forward to at such a new stage. Not an obligation.

even texting 24/7 she gets hurt/offended if I leave hours between texts. I don’t feel I need to be in touch constantly. Which again, is new for me!

I think the other poster is right. You maybe attracted to her looks and personality. But your not emotionally invested. There is a difference between a quick wam bam thank you mam. And a emotionally invested start of a relationship. If that were so you would be looking forward to it. 4 days a week is hardly all the time.

manymaybe · 07/03/2026 17:58

Run!

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 07/03/2026 14:10

I would end it. I think she’s shown she’s not going to respect your boundaries. It’s not going to change and you are never going to be comfortable.

TreatyPie · 07/03/2026 13:40

Is this the ultimate drip feed re the ket? 😂
OP lemme break this down for you:

  • You dont fancy her like you have fancied people in the past
  • Shes clingy and doesnt respect your boundaries
  • Sex with her gives you the ick
  • She's a frequent drug user (yes its frequent).

Dude you knkw what yiu have to do

Desmodici · 07/03/2026 13:19

Cantbloodyrememberthenameonthread · 05/03/2026 16:10

This is my thought. To her, it appears a month is long enough to be “official”. But I’ve expressed my discomfort already RE the social media and she’s continued despite me saying not to. It’s like she’s desperate for people to know for whatever reason.

someone who knows us both asked if we’re dating as they recognised my car from her posts. I got really annoyed and said I don’t want everyone to know (this was after 1 week of knowing her) I explained it was a boundary and felt intrusive. She apologised and laid off for a week now is posting more than ever. It very much gives the impression we’re together. Various people have commented.

She wants people to know because it makes it harder for you to back out. Same with meeting her parents. It's manipulative and would have me ending it. Sulks are also controlling behaviour. I suspect you'll end up in a very unhappy relationship, if you stay.

Solerina · 07/03/2026 10:32

It sounds like a complete nightmare OP, I think you need to end this and get your life back.

pictoosh · 07/03/2026 09:29

I can't stress this enough. You are a month in. At this stage it is perfectly normal and acceptable to change your mind/go off someone. This is the getting to know you part and you're not enjoying what you know.
You don't owe her a second chance. What you've had is what you'll get. Her red flags won't turn green on your instructions. Besides, why should you take on the responsibility of managing this?
This is the time to let her go. The longer you labour at it, the harder it will become to to extricate yourself cleanly.
At a month in you can halt proceedings easily.

Having said all that, of course it's your decision. I hope it works out either way. X

Dozer · 07/03/2026 08:47

Think you should get some more (or better) therapy, OP, before you date again (once you have got rid of this bad’un)

MustWeDoThis · 07/03/2026 08:45

Cantbloodyrememberthenameonthread · 05/03/2026 15:58

I’ve used love interested because we are NOT in a relationship but we are dating. I’m bi sexual and have recently started dating a lovely lady, so lovely that she is absolutely grating on me.

we’ve been dating a month. My child free days are now automatically allocated to her and she’s matching her work pattern up to mine (both self employed) meaning when my DC are with their dad she’s automatically assuming I have to spend every moment with her.

she’s been very good to me so far, kind and thoughtful. Very attentive. But there are red flaga

  • she’s expressed she has an anxious attachment style which is fair enough but this soon seems full on
  • after 1 week of dating she was really offended that I said “well you are single, as am I” in regards to online dating/deleting profiles
  • shes made an excuse that she needed to collect something from her parents and as a bi-product forced me into meeting them - I believe this may have been planned
  • she wants to “do something” every minute of every day. For example, today I wanted to spend the day pottering about before both dc return home, she insisted we go for lunch outside and to a garden centre because the weather has been nice. Then proceeded all day to say my “vibe” was off and I seemed annoyed. I said I just have a busy mind and schedule and want to get on with things. To which she took great offence and said she wants to make the most of our time together (we’ve been together the past 4 days and nights)

various other things like this. You might say it’s up to me to say no, which is true, however I hate the bluntness and the atmosphere it causes. I’m actively working on my boundaries after being in therapy following previous relationships. I have gently expressed we don’t need to spend every waking minute together, but each time it’s been met with some sort of sulk or mood iyswim. I really dislike upsetting people. Before she left, I basically had to take her bags to the door and almost had to say “get out” because my 20 or so “it was nice to see you, drive home safe” were met by blank stares or just changing rooms to sit on another sofa. It took over an hour of me saying I need to get on with things and need some time alone for her to actually leave.

I feel really irked. I didn’t want a relationship, yet I’m basically in one. There’s been various other things that have annoyed me like posting me on social media (we have mutual friends and I don’t want any of them to know I’m dating?) I’ve said it’s too soon and I don’t want people to see things. It stopped for a few days now she’s carried on ten fold. She’s planning on a trip somewhere up north next week that she needs to go on, and is harassing me for dates, I don’t want to confirm dates as I don’t know a) if I want to go and b) I don’t want set plans next week in general, I just want to have a chilled few days off. Not be held to something. I said you go on your own if I’m free I’ll join which was met with “no I’m planning specifically round your work days so we can go together”

AIBU to be annoyed? Wwyd? I want to send a message saying cool off without being nasty or mean. She’s a lovely woman but I feel overwhelmed and it’s giving me the ick - friends would have been great!

You don't want a relationship - You just want some company/sex now and again.

She wants a relationship and she's being quite gaslighty about it by emotionally blackmailing you, the attachment anxiety, needy, wants something completely different to what you're looking for.

You need to work on your therapy a bit more, but she needs to actually -go- to therapy (I would suggest that to her and leave.)

Neither of you sound compatible. Be honest to be kind in the long run. I think you will need to be the bigger person here, because she doesn't sound emotionally capable of it. It's not fair on either of you. She sounds like a massive red flag.

Good luck with this one, OP. I hope you can depart from this drama free.

ItsOkItsDarkChocolate · 07/03/2026 07:36

Snarchipelago · 06/03/2026 16:29

im going to give her 2 weeks and if she oversteps or doesn’t listen during that time I’ll be cutting it off
You told her you’ll only be seeing her 1-2 times a week maximum, and she responded by immediately trying to persuade you to see her more often. You don’t need two weeks to see whether she’ll overstep when that was the very first thing she attempted to do!

I do understand wanting to give people a chance and see the best in others, but it doesn’t matter WHY she’s behaving in ways that make you uncomfortable - there is no story from her past that gives her a license to make your present difficult. You’ve only been dating for ONE MONTH and your gut is already telling you something isn’t right: you wouldn’t have posted here otherwise. Listen to that instinct, and to the many women here who are telling you to cut your losses and run.

She ignored your request about social media (while she agreed initially and apologised, within days she was doing it even more than before). You even said “I’ve expressed my discomfort . . . and she’s continued despite me saying not to.” This feels like she was testing to see how much boundary-pushing you’d tolerate.

She manipulated you into meeting her parents before you were ready and, in the home you share with your children, you have “Clothes in my wardrobe, products in my bathrooms, shoes in my lounge, her washing in my washing basket.” The relationship progressing unnaturally quickly, and her pushing for commitment too fast, are red flags for love bombing.

She’s matched her work pattern to yours and is making sure you never get any time to yourself or with other people. Saying “no” to her causes an atmosphere and she sulks if you suggest having even a little bit of time to yourself. Planning her trip around you, when she’s aware you don’t really want to go, is designed to make it hard for you to refuse. She’s shown she will ignore the “no” and do what she wants, manipulate you into changing your mind, or punish you emotionally if you try to stand your ground.

She’s phoning you 10 times a day, wants 24/7 texting, and takes offence/gets upset if you don’t pick up or answer quickly enough. These huge demands on your time and attention, combined with guilt-trips, are more signs of emotional manipulation and love bombing.

You listed a lot of red flags for controlling behaviour (overly attached/very needy/expects all your time/said she’s a jealous person/expects commitment after one date/possessive/made comments about your SM posts being “revealing”). Plus, isolation tactics often don’t show up initially as openly ‘banning you from seeing your friends’. You’re more likely to have someone letting you know you’ve disappointed them by going silent…just like she did when you told her you’d made plans to see friends next week.

She’s had toxic relationships in the past where all her exes have been “psychos” whenever someone says that I assume it’s them as it’s unlikely EVERYONE else will be a psycho.
You even explained exactly why this one is a red flag yourself!
AND she took ketamine on your second date!

All of these behaviours combined should have the Kill Bill siren going off in your head, while you watch red flag confetti explode around you, in an arena decorated with red flags, full of millions of people all waving red flags. Why are you choosing to ignore them and giving her another two weeks!? She’s shown you, and told you, who she is: believe her!

This. This! THIS! THIS!!!

Please, @Cantbloodyrememberthenameonthread , RUN!! Future you won’t regret it!!

ItsOkItsDarkChocolate · 07/03/2026 07:34

HatStickBoots · 06/03/2026 18:24

Excellent post. I suggest you print this out OP and stick it to your fridge door, your bathroom mirror, next to your bed.

This, @Cantbloodyrememberthenameonthread
!! But more importantly, the quote they were quoting!!

ThistleTits · 06/03/2026 23:19

@Cantbloodyrememberthenameonthread that's quite controlling behaviour. I wasted a few years with someone like this. I knew it was time to finish it when I found myself lying in order not see her, she just couldn't cope with me having any space to myself.

All the good points of their personality are erased by this controlling part.

I'd be very wary of moving forward dating her. She's to interested in her own needs.

Mythoughts1 · 06/03/2026 19:43

SadSaq · 05/03/2026 17:10

I actually think the psycho jumping on the car was her.
She sounds batshit.

I'd have been off at the first flag 🚩

Exactly what I was thinking.

Ladymeade · 06/03/2026 19:08

This would be way too much for me... I would be looking to back off on the amount of time I saw them, just to take stock and to set some precedents (if I wanted to carry on the relationship, that is)..

Missj25 · 06/03/2026 18:34

Cantbloodyrememberthenameonthread · 05/03/2026 15:58

I’ve used love interested because we are NOT in a relationship but we are dating. I’m bi sexual and have recently started dating a lovely lady, so lovely that she is absolutely grating on me.

we’ve been dating a month. My child free days are now automatically allocated to her and she’s matching her work pattern up to mine (both self employed) meaning when my DC are with their dad she’s automatically assuming I have to spend every moment with her.

she’s been very good to me so far, kind and thoughtful. Very attentive. But there are red flaga

  • she’s expressed she has an anxious attachment style which is fair enough but this soon seems full on
  • after 1 week of dating she was really offended that I said “well you are single, as am I” in regards to online dating/deleting profiles
  • shes made an excuse that she needed to collect something from her parents and as a bi-product forced me into meeting them - I believe this may have been planned
  • she wants to “do something” every minute of every day. For example, today I wanted to spend the day pottering about before both dc return home, she insisted we go for lunch outside and to a garden centre because the weather has been nice. Then proceeded all day to say my “vibe” was off and I seemed annoyed. I said I just have a busy mind and schedule and want to get on with things. To which she took great offence and said she wants to make the most of our time together (we’ve been together the past 4 days and nights)

various other things like this. You might say it’s up to me to say no, which is true, however I hate the bluntness and the atmosphere it causes. I’m actively working on my boundaries after being in therapy following previous relationships. I have gently expressed we don’t need to spend every waking minute together, but each time it’s been met with some sort of sulk or mood iyswim. I really dislike upsetting people. Before she left, I basically had to take her bags to the door and almost had to say “get out” because my 20 or so “it was nice to see you, drive home safe” were met by blank stares or just changing rooms to sit on another sofa. It took over an hour of me saying I need to get on with things and need some time alone for her to actually leave.

I feel really irked. I didn’t want a relationship, yet I’m basically in one. There’s been various other things that have annoyed me like posting me on social media (we have mutual friends and I don’t want any of them to know I’m dating?) I’ve said it’s too soon and I don’t want people to see things. It stopped for a few days now she’s carried on ten fold. She’s planning on a trip somewhere up north next week that she needs to go on, and is harassing me for dates, I don’t want to confirm dates as I don’t know a) if I want to go and b) I don’t want set plans next week in general, I just want to have a chilled few days off. Not be held to something. I said you go on your own if I’m free I’ll join which was met with “no I’m planning specifically round your work days so we can go together”

AIBU to be annoyed? Wwyd? I want to send a message saying cool off without being nasty or mean. She’s a lovely woman but I feel overwhelmed and it’s giving me the ick - friends would have been great!

She’s way too full on & she’s turning you off of her .
I’d say to her straight out this isn’t what you wanted to sign up for . It isn’t 🤷🏻‍♀️.
Ignoring your boundaries, repeatedly throwing shit up on line that you have specifically said you don’t like or want .
Planning her work days around yours , sulking & being a royal pain in the ass !
This is her personality, I can’t see that changing .
I mean you’ve already expressed discontent to her regarding her actions & she’s only gotten worse !!
I can’t ever see your relationship with her working out being honest .

HatStickBoots · 06/03/2026 18:24

Snarchipelago · 06/03/2026 16:29

im going to give her 2 weeks and if she oversteps or doesn’t listen during that time I’ll be cutting it off
You told her you’ll only be seeing her 1-2 times a week maximum, and she responded by immediately trying to persuade you to see her more often. You don’t need two weeks to see whether she’ll overstep when that was the very first thing she attempted to do!

I do understand wanting to give people a chance and see the best in others, but it doesn’t matter WHY she’s behaving in ways that make you uncomfortable - there is no story from her past that gives her a license to make your present difficult. You’ve only been dating for ONE MONTH and your gut is already telling you something isn’t right: you wouldn’t have posted here otherwise. Listen to that instinct, and to the many women here who are telling you to cut your losses and run.

She ignored your request about social media (while she agreed initially and apologised, within days she was doing it even more than before). You even said “I’ve expressed my discomfort . . . and she’s continued despite me saying not to.” This feels like she was testing to see how much boundary-pushing you’d tolerate.

She manipulated you into meeting her parents before you were ready and, in the home you share with your children, you have “Clothes in my wardrobe, products in my bathrooms, shoes in my lounge, her washing in my washing basket.” The relationship progressing unnaturally quickly, and her pushing for commitment too fast, are red flags for love bombing.

She’s matched her work pattern to yours and is making sure you never get any time to yourself or with other people. Saying “no” to her causes an atmosphere and she sulks if you suggest having even a little bit of time to yourself. Planning her trip around you, when she’s aware you don’t really want to go, is designed to make it hard for you to refuse. She’s shown she will ignore the “no” and do what she wants, manipulate you into changing your mind, or punish you emotionally if you try to stand your ground.

She’s phoning you 10 times a day, wants 24/7 texting, and takes offence/gets upset if you don’t pick up or answer quickly enough. These huge demands on your time and attention, combined with guilt-trips, are more signs of emotional manipulation and love bombing.

You listed a lot of red flags for controlling behaviour (overly attached/very needy/expects all your time/said she’s a jealous person/expects commitment after one date/possessive/made comments about your SM posts being “revealing”). Plus, isolation tactics often don’t show up initially as openly ‘banning you from seeing your friends’. You’re more likely to have someone letting you know you’ve disappointed them by going silent…just like she did when you told her you’d made plans to see friends next week.

She’s had toxic relationships in the past where all her exes have been “psychos” whenever someone says that I assume it’s them as it’s unlikely EVERYONE else will be a psycho.
You even explained exactly why this one is a red flag yourself!
AND she took ketamine on your second date!

All of these behaviours combined should have the Kill Bill siren going off in your head, while you watch red flag confetti explode around you, in an arena decorated with red flags, full of millions of people all waving red flags. Why are you choosing to ignore them and giving her another two weeks!? She’s shown you, and told you, who she is: believe her!

Excellent post. I suggest you print this out OP and stick it to your fridge door, your bathroom mirror, next to your bed.

BauhausOfEliott · 06/03/2026 18:19

SaucepanRattle · 06/03/2026 17:19

Are alternative perspectives not allowed on a thread even where others disagree with my perspective and experience? Maybe lots of posters have examples where the person turned out to be a nightmare. But in my case I have an example where he was just over keen having been single for a long time. The beauty of MN is canvassing different perspectives. Here's mine.

It’s very, very obvious that this isn’t what’s happening with the OP’s situation though. What she is describing is a million miles away from someone just being ‘a bit over keen’.

FunCrab · 06/03/2026 18:09

From what I read this sounds like coercive control.

  1. Constant phone calls.
  2. Following up if you do not respond to texts.
  3. Following up if you do not answer the phone.
  4. Not allowing you personal space.
  5. Not listening to you.
6.criticising your SM.
  1. Putting all about you on her SM undermines you.

The relationship is concerning and one I feel should be past tense.
But you must do what is right for you.
Stay safe.

WiddlinDiddlin · 06/03/2026 17:22

But if you read the thread @SaucepanRattle the OP has already asked for this woman to back off, to respect boundaries and this has been ignored. Her latest update shows that quite clearly - she's agreed to see her less and in the next breath, asked to see her on non-working days to 'get the numbers up' ie to see her more!

That is not remotely the same thing as telling someone they're being a bit full on and them responding appropriately by immediately backing off!

WeepingAngelInTheTardis · 06/03/2026 17:21

Dump her.

SaucepanRattle · 06/03/2026 17:19

BauhausOfEliott · 05/03/2026 22:35

JFC, read a) the thread and b) the room

Are alternative perspectives not allowed on a thread even where others disagree with my perspective and experience? Maybe lots of posters have examples where the person turned out to be a nightmare. But in my case I have an example where he was just over keen having been single for a long time. The beauty of MN is canvassing different perspectives. Here's mine.

Mimzy26 · 06/03/2026 17:18

Get rid shes trouble

WiddlinDiddlin · 06/03/2026 17:11

Might have been me that said about best behaviour.

I stand by that, this is her actually trying not to let you see the full on shit show (if it wasn't, she'd have just straight up told you she was taking drugs on that date!).

If you let her get her way, she will relax those efforts and hit you with the full whammy and it will be way, way worse. She'll move in, she'll control who you see and when, everything you do to defend your boundaries will be an attack on her and trigger the waterworks and the emotional manipulation.

The fact that her best behaviour is no where near normal behaviour or anything you'd consider 'best behaviour' is irrelevant here. It's the best she can do... it will get worse.

It already has, as others have pointed out - she's agreed to seeing you less and in the next breath tries to push for more, seeing you on your work days!

DreamOfTheRarebitFiend · 06/03/2026 16:52

fatphalange · 06/03/2026 15:50

Oh really. I’ve always found we find things like this quite straightforward. I see things as ‘wrong’ or ‘not right for me’ and therefore, decision made.

I did say 'sometimes' and 'can be', etc. Personally it's taken me ages to get out of unhealthy friendships at times because I'm so unsure whether I'm reading things correctly or not. You're lucky (genuinely, no snark!) if you find it really straightforward.