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Am I going crazy? I feel so disrespected

87 replies

currentlyinvenice · 17/04/2026 01:23

I have been in a long distance relationship for 18 months. He’s in UAE and I’m in England. The last 18 months haven’t been great, it’s been a nightmare tbh partly because of the distance and partly that he is incredibly thoughtless. He travels every two weeks to visit me either in my city or we will meet in a city we both want to visit in Europe for a few days (2/3 days). He does all the travel. I love him and when we are together it’s good, we have fun, we have a lot in common and I feel a great connection. I do feel he is my person BUT… I find his behaviour so disrespectful

He’s not thoughtful, he didn’t give me a gift for Valentine’s Day, nothing for Christmas two years in a row. Not a single thing for either me or my children. He makes no effort to make sure we have a nice time when together, makes no plans and it’s always left to me to plan things for us to do. I once went to visit him in his country and he made zero effort to make sure I had a nice time. There have been so many issues and I have been unhappy the majority of this last 18 months, a lot of these issues are distance related but also I just feel he doesn’t make the effort he should (other than the massive amount of travel to come visit me)

I said right at the start I didn’t want long distance, he said he would get a job that allowed him to work remote and would split his time between UAE and UK. I have been waiting 18 months for this. Now he says he is coming in July splitting his time 50/50 between Uk and back with his kids.

Now the main problem, when he’s been particularly thoughtless and we argue or when he makes me feel disrespected I block him to regain control of the situation. Our relationship has been very up and down.

Every-time I block him and accept the relationship is over and that it doesn’t work he then harasses me with hundreds of calls from withheld number, emails proclaiming his love and how sorry her is. I love him so it’s hard to ignore when I want it to work and he is promising change. Recently I ignored hundreds of withheld calls and emails a day for nearly 3 months but relented in the end and wanted to try again.

His behaviour has improved, he makes closer to a reasonable amount of effort now but it’s been a struggle to get here. He has two children, I have two children. Now what’s become a huge issue is that he has actively kept me a secret from his children for the last 18 months whilst spending time getting to know mine. I feel so hurt and disrespected that he keeps me secret from his children, sneaking away to call them when he is with me and not calling me when he is with them.

He knows how much this hurts me that he doesn’t want me involved with his kids. He says that it’s because the relationship has been so up and down but all of the ups and downs have been because of his actions.

I have blocked him again. I don’t see why I should step in and play the loving step mother role when he decides after keeping me hidden like a dirty secret for 18 months. He doesn’t seem bothered that he is planning to come live in my house with my children yet his don’t even know I exist.

Now I wait for the harassment to begin again… am I going crazy?

I have been to his home, he calls me all the time when he’s at home. I have heard him on calls about his divorce. I really don’t think he is married.

I’m great with kids and very kind, it’s so hurtful that he wants to keep this side of his life a secret from me whilst saying he wants to marry me, asking me to have a baby with him and planning to move here to live with me and my children.

OP posts:
Velvetandleather · 17/04/2026 06:45

Wow, what am I even reading. Of course you’re a secret. Dudes married.

GlovedhandsCecilia · 17/04/2026 06:36

I think you need help from therapists. Are you really okay with a father leaving his kids for half the time while he comes to live with another woman (who blocks him all the time)?

Who pays for all the travel you do? If he travels to you, what's wrong with you making the plans?

daisychain01 · 17/04/2026 06:09

Get shot of him. He's not a good option,

IslandsAround · 17/04/2026 05:54

Dear @currentlyinvenice

This has nothing to do with him and everything to do with him.

You say you have childhood trauma / adverse childhood events.

As such you have bad adult relationships with men both previously and now.

I would recommend counselling because even if you get rid of him you’ll repeat the cycle. Your own behaviour sounds volatile and insecure. Someone said freedom program, contact Women’s Aid, look online at Chump Lady, read psychology books on attachment theory. But really one to one mental health and behavioral support is vital.

You should get rid of him by the way. Get a lawyer to write to him if he harasses you if he does. If he’s in Dubai report him there (and don’t ever travel there).

Change your contact details as you are not able to withstand his harassment (which is so understandable). You can update for work - being harassed into a horrific relationship is worse.

RoseField1 · 17/04/2026 05:39

currentlyinvenice · 17/04/2026 01:48

I had a really shitty childhood, have some real attachment issues from it and have had a shitty time of dating before meeting him. I genuinely fear I don’t have it in me to ignore him.

I use this number for work and same with the email address.

Does anyone know of some resources to break this toxic cycle and some kind of codependency?

You have children. Letting this man come and live with your children would not be the actions of a good parent. Letting him ruin your headspace is not the actions of a good parent. You need to stop being selfish and prioritise your children.

FilthyforFirth · 17/04/2026 05:04

Why why why are you dragging your kids into this shitshow? It never fails to amaze me the number of women on here that prioritise horrific relationships at the expense of their children. All of this over an 18 month relationship? Jesus.

LizandDerekGoals · 17/04/2026 04:59

Spinksie · 17/04/2026 04:55

I am confused by your your post. You lost me at
He travels…to visit me…in a city we both want to visit…He does all the travel.
As you claim you are not travelling, how do you appear in other cities?
To stay in the relationship doesn’t make sense to me either.

I thought the exact same. And also op said she has been to his house, so she has also travelled there.

AlwaysTheRenegade · 17/04/2026 04:55

Are you blocking him when you argue because you know he'll be able to get through on email and your work phone?

What if you blocked him and he didn't bother trying to contact you again? It sounds like you'd be gutted.

This is all crazy game playing and so much stress for such a shite relationship, not trying to be horrible but talk about turbulent! Imagine if you did live together, you'd both be storming out every week.

18 months isn't that long, I certainly wouldn't be angry he didn't get my kids a Christmas present but I understand it's hurtful he didn't get you one. Just selfish and thoughtless on his part.

How old are his kids? Do you think he could still be with their mum?

Spinksie · 17/04/2026 04:55

I am confused by your your post. You lost me at
He travels…to visit me…in a city we both want to visit…He does all the travel.
As you claim you are not travelling, how do you appear in other cities?
To stay in the relationship doesn’t make sense to me either.

Jellybean23 · 17/04/2026 04:55

You’re daft to waste away your years staying with him.

LizandDerekGoals · 17/04/2026 04:54

Duvetdayneeded · 17/04/2026 04:39

This is a shit show of a relationship and block him for good. Dont give in to him as it’s a joke.

Brutal but true

How could this be anything other than a shit show either when you both have children living in different countries?

Stop blocking him. It isn't working. Just phone him and end the relationship. Tell him you will report it as stalking if he bombards you again. Then block him.

youalright · 17/04/2026 04:52

currentlyinvenice · 17/04/2026 01:48

I had a really shitty childhood, have some real attachment issues from it and have had a shitty time of dating before meeting him. I genuinely fear I don’t have it in me to ignore him.

I use this number for work and same with the email address.

Does anyone know of some resources to break this toxic cycle and some kind of codependency?

So why are you making your children's childhood shitty to, focus on them

Theextraordinaryisintheordinary · 17/04/2026 04:48

If he’s thoughtless & makes no effort then is this just based on sex? He must be incredibly rich or good looking because he’s not coming across as anyone most women would be interested in. Time to stop with the games of blocking and unblocking & move on. You must be exhausted!

Bollixtothat · 17/04/2026 04:45

currentlyinvenice · 17/04/2026 01:48

I had a really shitty childhood, have some real attachment issues from it and have had a shitty time of dating before meeting him. I genuinely fear I don’t have it in me to ignore him.

I use this number for work and same with the email address.

Does anyone know of some resources to break this toxic cycle and some kind of codependency?

You are stronger than you realise. Change your number and forget about him. Would you really want a man who would leave his two children to set up home with another woman and her children ?
No relationship should be this difficult.

Duvetdayneeded · 17/04/2026 04:39

This is a shit show of a relationship and block him for good. Dont give in to him as it’s a joke.

FantasyFoodhall · 17/04/2026 04:36

Please don’t give in OP. It sounds like the kind of thing you read when someone is being scammed! Not saying it’s that but honestly, what are you gaining?

Sprinng2026 · 17/04/2026 04:31

currentlyinvenice · 17/04/2026 01:48

I had a really shitty childhood, have some real attachment issues from it and have had a shitty time of dating before meeting him. I genuinely fear I don’t have it in me to ignore him.

I use this number for work and same with the email address.

Does anyone know of some resources to break this toxic cycle and some kind of codependency?

Op, you need to get a new phone and email. Otherwise this will never end.
He is treating you poorly. And is a bad example of a relationship for your kids. Be strong OP.

MauriceTheMussel · 17/04/2026 04:06

I got to the bit where you block him to regain control.

I mean, yeah, he’s a twat and emotionally unstable and you shouldn’t be dating him, but also, you can’t go through life blocking people for the above reason and expect a healthy dynamic with anyone.

moderate · 17/04/2026 04:02

Also, given that he doesn't want his children to know about you, it's very likely that you are his bit on the side.

Itsanewlife · 17/04/2026 03:55

He sounds awful, you sound immature (and needy) and the relationship sounds toxic. Please get some professional help and do some work on yourself before getting into another relationship.

moderate · 17/04/2026 03:50

currentlyinvenice · 17/04/2026 01:23

I have been in a long distance relationship for 18 months. He’s in UAE and I’m in England. The last 18 months haven’t been great, it’s been a nightmare tbh partly because of the distance and partly that he is incredibly thoughtless. He travels every two weeks to visit me either in my city or we will meet in a city we both want to visit in Europe for a few days (2/3 days). He does all the travel. I love him and when we are together it’s good, we have fun, we have a lot in common and I feel a great connection. I do feel he is my person BUT… I find his behaviour so disrespectful

He’s not thoughtful, he didn’t give me a gift for Valentine’s Day, nothing for Christmas two years in a row. Not a single thing for either me or my children. He makes no effort to make sure we have a nice time when together, makes no plans and it’s always left to me to plan things for us to do. I once went to visit him in his country and he made zero effort to make sure I had a nice time. There have been so many issues and I have been unhappy the majority of this last 18 months, a lot of these issues are distance related but also I just feel he doesn’t make the effort he should (other than the massive amount of travel to come visit me)

I said right at the start I didn’t want long distance, he said he would get a job that allowed him to work remote and would split his time between UAE and UK. I have been waiting 18 months for this. Now he says he is coming in July splitting his time 50/50 between Uk and back with his kids.

Now the main problem, when he’s been particularly thoughtless and we argue or when he makes me feel disrespected I block him to regain control of the situation. Our relationship has been very up and down.

Every-time I block him and accept the relationship is over and that it doesn’t work he then harasses me with hundreds of calls from withheld number, emails proclaiming his love and how sorry her is. I love him so it’s hard to ignore when I want it to work and he is promising change. Recently I ignored hundreds of withheld calls and emails a day for nearly 3 months but relented in the end and wanted to try again.

His behaviour has improved, he makes closer to a reasonable amount of effort now but it’s been a struggle to get here. He has two children, I have two children. Now what’s become a huge issue is that he has actively kept me a secret from his children for the last 18 months whilst spending time getting to know mine. I feel so hurt and disrespected that he keeps me secret from his children, sneaking away to call them when he is with me and not calling me when he is with them.

He knows how much this hurts me that he doesn’t want me involved with his kids. He says that it’s because the relationship has been so up and down but all of the ups and downs have been because of his actions.

I have blocked him again. I don’t see why I should step in and play the loving step mother role when he decides after keeping me hidden like a dirty secret for 18 months. He doesn’t seem bothered that he is planning to come live in my house with my children yet his don’t even know I exist.

Now I wait for the harassment to begin again… am I going crazy?

I have been to his home, he calls me all the time when he’s at home. I have heard him on calls about his divorce. I really don’t think he is married.

I’m great with kids and very kind, it’s so hurtful that he wants to keep this side of his life a secret from me whilst saying he wants to marry me, asking me to have a baby with him and planning to move here to live with me and my children.

“I’ve been in a relationship for 18 months. The last 18 months haven’t been great.”

Can you hear yourself?

Riapia · 17/04/2026 03:00

What the hell is it that he has that you are unable to resist?

Shitmonger · 17/04/2026 02:48

currentlyinvenice · 17/04/2026 01:48

I had a really shitty childhood, have some real attachment issues from it and have had a shitty time of dating before meeting him. I genuinely fear I don’t have it in me to ignore him.

I use this number for work and same with the email address.

Does anyone know of some resources to break this toxic cycle and some kind of codependency?

Therapy. Immediately.

This isn’t a relationship, this is you being a side piece to a man that most likely targets Western women for this very reason. It is shockingly common for them to do this.

Don’t date again until you’ve had therapy to deal with all of this, and after that don’t date men from UAE. They’ll see you coming from a mile away.

pollyglot · 17/04/2026 02:44

If you were my daughter, I'd give you a good talking to, and a long warm hug. You deserve better than this utter bastard. Don't sell yourself short. Here's the {{hug}} anyway. x

FullMetalCapacity · 17/04/2026 02:14

I had a really shitty childhood, have some real attachment issues from it and have had a shitty time of dating before meeting him. I genuinely fear I don’t have it in me to ignore him.

You absolutely do.
I can't believe what you've been putting up with.

None of his behaviour comes even close to anything anyone should be even thinking about accepting in a relationship. It's not love or even like.

I don't have practical advice about blocking withheld numbers but it must be possible?