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AIBU?

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Am I being dramatic and making an issue out of nothing

36 replies

TiredMum09 · 07/06/2026 17:04

I’m writing anonymously because I don’t want anyone I know seeing this …

Myself and my partner have been together 7 years , we have a 3 year old daughter. He was supportive throughout my pregnancy , apart from not understanding some things I couldn’t have asked for a more supportive partner. He has a son prior to us being together. He was too scared to be at the birth which I was hurt and upset about but I had my mum with me, he now regrets not being there. After I had my daughter he initiated sex roughly 8 weeks after , I wasn’t ready and I was also breastfeeding day and night so felt rubbish, and I did tell him I was scared and maybe not ready , he said let’s just try it and if you don’t want to continue then we’ll stop. I didn’t want him to feel rejected so went along with it , I know I should’ve been stern and said no but for some reason I didn’t. My daughter had a lot of health difficulties which became more apparent as she got to around 6 months old. During the time when she was born to this age he’d do similar and became annoyed if I didn’t want to have sex with him. I rmeneber the arguments we’d have , he’d go downstairs in a huff texting me saying I’m making him feel unwanted and accused me of being with other men and wanting other men …. This wasn’t true at all I just was struggling with breastfeeding and my daughter as I said had alot of health difficulties which meant she didn’t eat until she was about 2 or drink.. so I was still solely breastfeeding day and night, I didn’t want to go out anywhere because I knew I’d have to breastfeed, I couldn’t leave her with anyone. It took a huge toll on me mentally. If sex ever came about I noticed I started feeling this overwhelm of really not wanting to and what I am thinking now is that it’s because I felt pressured for however many years and made to feel bad for not wanting to.. he’d come back from work late and I would be asleep and he’d try it with me and I remember almost flinching at the thought of him touching me. It got really bad and I feel guilty for feeling that way. He did not leave me alone and day in day out I’d be guilt tripped accused of seeing other men and wanting other men even tho I didn’t go out and I the fact I’m in a committed relationship …. It was relentless. He’d try it when he knew I didn’t want to do it. This went on and on and fast forward to October 2025 we had broken up. I slept with him a few times when we were broken up because I didn’t want to upset him , a few times I wanted to a bit. If we had an argument he’d then tell my family and friends that we’d slept together and kind of use it against me in a weird sort of way. He’d say she’s sleeping with me but doesn’t want to be with me. I couldn’t tolerate being round him anymore … he would shout he came across defensive I felt like I was suffocating so I ended it. He’d always find a way into my home weither it was asking to use the toilet when collecting our daughter and then not leaving until she went to bed … I said I was tired so I was going to go up to bed. He took this as come up with me not to leave … he came up and was clearly expecting something. I said I didn’t want to do it, I didn’t mind him chilling but I was going to sleep.. he said that there was no point him being here if we weren’t going to sleep together I said okay… kind of reiterated what I said about not minding him chilling but I was going to sleep. I fell asleep and woke up a while later to his hands up my top… I said what are you doing sort of thing I’m asleep and I’ve told you no. He said okay sorry… 10 mins later the exact same thing happened and I said I’ve said no get off me …. I fell asleep again and woke up to him humping me… he had clothes on but it still made me uncomfortable. I. Don’t know if I overreacted but I basically threw him out the house , he said he was sorry and didn’t like that I was trying to make out he was in his words a weirdo and that he was just trying to get me in the mood and see if I would change my mind ….. I didn’t talk to him for a while after that because I felt weird towards him..

Fast forward we’re back together now. Should I have even done that and rekindled ? I feel like I don’t even want to sleep with him now because of all them years of pressure and obviously the last situation. He says he feels unwanted and he’s sorry but still says he was just trying to get me in the mood.

he also is relentlessly checking my phone .. walks passed and taps and has a scroll then walks off. He doesn’t notice I’ve realised he’s doing it.

I feel like there’s a stigma around sex with him now 😣😣😣😭

OP posts:
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5128gap · 07/06/2026 22:45

I hope you find the strength to break up with him again and stay that way.
Because your body belongs to you. No one has the right to use it, and you don't ever need to offer it so as not to upset someone.
You partner has laid claim to your body as his possession to use as he sees fit. When men see women this way, they don't change. So he will always believe those are his rights and you will be constantly on edge, then violated, and this will do a lot of damage to your mental health, wellbeing and confidence. The longer it goes on the worse that will be.

FeistyFrankie · 07/06/2026 22:32

You need to get away from this man NOW

He is abusive, he is not a safe person for you to be around. This was a hard read, because you don't seem to realise just how much danger you're in. Please get yourself away from this awful man. Reach out to family, reach out to Women's Aid. Protect yourself and your daughter.

WeatherOrNothing · 07/06/2026 19:11

@TiredMum09i apologize again and will step
off This thread. I hope you do leave this man as you and your kids deserve far better.

WeatherOrNothing · 07/06/2026 19:04

SnappyQuoter · 07/06/2026 18:56

Maybe we’re all just a bit jaded due to thread after thread like this. Abusive man, OP keeps going back, keeps posting on mumsnet for help, never takes the advice and cycle repeats. We’re all maybe just a bit fed up. And it’s usually women who already had kids, and have gone and done it again. It is very exhausting and demoralising.

This is a woman who owns her home, isn’t dependent on him and already left him… then kept letting him back. When he was raping her. You really think a few strangers on mumsnet telling her to leave him would make a difference?

Exactly this.
I’ve said in my post op has a good leg to stand on because it is her house and she doesn’t need to deal with the complications of getting someone out of a house they both have rights to.
And both parents are responsible for being good role models. I’m not sure what is so bad about that?

WeatherOrNothing · 07/06/2026 19:02

Op I’m very sorry that my post has upset you my intention was to make you see how extremely toxic this is to your child. @TiredMum09.
I said that both of you are role models to your child and that is a fact. I said that it’s sad that both of you are modelling this type of situation to your child. Your child is a girl and hearing her father saying abusive things to you will affect her growing up. I said that you have a good leg to start on, as the house is yours. You have options with the police and WA.
kick him out and get the police around if he threatens you. It is very toxic to have this man around your child.

SnappyQuoter · 07/06/2026 18:56

thepariscrimefiles · 07/06/2026 18:54

You've just driven the OP off her own thread. OP is being raped and sexually abused and you have told her that she is as bad a role model for her child as her abusive husband is. She has cited your post as the reason she is leaving the thread.

Maybe we’re all just a bit jaded due to thread after thread like this. Abusive man, OP keeps going back, keeps posting on mumsnet for help, never takes the advice and cycle repeats. We’re all maybe just a bit fed up. And it’s usually women who already had kids, and have gone and done it again. It is very exhausting and demoralising.

This is a woman who owns her home, isn’t dependent on him and already left him… then kept letting him back. When he was raping her. You really think a few strangers on mumsnet telling her to leave him would make a difference?

thepariscrimefiles · 07/06/2026 18:54

WeatherOrNothing · 07/06/2026 18:27

Sorry but there is something wrong with the way you live your life. And it’s really sad for your daughter to have you both as the role models in her life. The house is yours - so kick him out??????
And a broken home? Your child growing up with a rapist father lurking about is already broken.
You need to get rid of him immediately. This is an extremely toxic environment to raise your child. You can choose to give your child a stable and secure environment, with at least a good mother as an example. I think you need therapy to make you see how bad this situation is op. You have a daughter. A daughter who is watching your example.
You have a very good start in that you are not married and the house is yours. You then contact the police, women’s aid, lots of options.

You've just driven the OP off her own thread. OP is being raped and sexually abused and you have told her that she is as bad a role model for her child as her abusive husband is. She has cited your post as the reason she is leaving the thread.

Nearly50omg · 07/06/2026 18:49

police. He is abusing you and has raped you on many occasions. Call the police and get him out your house

BerryTwister · 07/06/2026 18:42

you need to leave this vile rapist

Harriet36 · 07/06/2026 18:36

Please don't feel bad, we are trying to help you realise that your relationship is bad, your partner is not a nice man, and you have to get him out of your life.
I hope you get the help and support you need in real life.

TiredMum09 · 07/06/2026 18:30

That makes me extremely upset that I’m a bad role model to my children. I feel even worse now. As stated I will contact women’s aid.
I’ll be coming off now - thanks everyone

OP posts:
whippersnapper55 · 07/06/2026 18:29

You need to get this abusive man out of your house! Please call Women's Aid and get some support. Do you have family and friends who can support you?

The reason you don't want to have sex with him is because he's controlling and abusive. This is not a healthy atmosphere for your little girl to grow up in. If she came to you when she's older and told you her partner was treating her this way, what would you tell her to do?

WeatherOrNothing · 07/06/2026 18:27

TiredMum09 · 07/06/2026 18:07

Nothing is wrong with me. I just feel like I needed to hear from other people how I felt wasn’t me being dramatic. I’m 26 and my grandad brought my house for me, so we’re living in my house. I don’t financially depend on him - perhaps I just feel stuck in a loop and don’t know how to escape. I’m scared of his family, they’re well known and somehow I’m always the bad one whenever we’ve split. I feel stuck. I don’t want my daughter to come from a broken home either. My dad passed away back in August and he was an alcoholic. I have been through a lot recently and didn’t know if my emotions were heightened. But there isn’t anything wrong me I’m just trying to navigate life.

Sorry but there is something wrong with the way you live your life. And it’s really sad for your daughter to have you both as the role models in her life. The house is yours - so kick him out??????
And a broken home? Your child growing up with a rapist father lurking about is already broken.
You need to get rid of him immediately. This is an extremely toxic environment to raise your child. You can choose to give your child a stable and secure environment, with at least a good mother as an example. I think you need therapy to make you see how bad this situation is op. You have a daughter. A daughter who is watching your example.
You have a very good start in that you are not married and the house is yours. You then contact the police, women’s aid, lots of options.

TiredMum09 · 07/06/2026 18:26

SnappyQuoter · 07/06/2026 18:22

And btw, I split from my kid’s dad when they were very little and have raised them mostly on my own whilst he sees them occasionally.

They do not come from a broken home. My home is not broken. It’s a really shitty thing to say about single parent households. I would say an abusive home is broken, like yours. But a single parent household is not broken. I’d bet my kids are a lot more well adjusted than children being brought up with abusive dads and miserable mums.

I have a son from a previous relationship and was a single mum at a young age so I’m definitely not bashing single mums because I was one - I wouldn’t do that if I wasn’t one. I didn’t have much to do with my dad and I never wanted that for my children is what I meant.

OP posts:
ToastSafeFromMothsAndDogs · 07/06/2026 18:25

Dear sweet heavens show this thread to your family and friends, get out of there, stay away from him.

SnappyQuoter · 07/06/2026 18:22

And btw, I split from my kid’s dad when they were very little and have raised them mostly on my own whilst he sees them occasionally.

They do not come from a broken home. My home is not broken. It’s a really shitty thing to say about single parent households. I would say an abusive home is broken, like yours. But a single parent household is not broken. I’d bet my kids are a lot more well adjusted than children being brought up with abusive dads and miserable mums.

SnozPoz · 07/06/2026 18:21

he's an abusive partner. Please leave him and have nothing more to do with him. Seek help.

SnappyQuoter · 07/06/2026 18:19

TiredMum09 · 07/06/2026 18:07

Nothing is wrong with me. I just feel like I needed to hear from other people how I felt wasn’t me being dramatic. I’m 26 and my grandad brought my house for me, so we’re living in my house. I don’t financially depend on him - perhaps I just feel stuck in a loop and don’t know how to escape. I’m scared of his family, they’re well known and somehow I’m always the bad one whenever we’ve split. I feel stuck. I don’t want my daughter to come from a broken home either. My dad passed away back in August and he was an alcoholic. I have been through a lot recently and didn’t know if my emotions were heightened. But there isn’t anything wrong me I’m just trying to navigate life.

Don’t want your daughter to come from a broken home. She already does. Her dad is a rapist who abuses her mum, and her mum has lost all strength - that is a very broken home.

She would be much safer and happier in a home with a mum who is strong, has solid self esteem, and is happy. You are not that. But you will be all of that when you get away from this man and work on yourself.

There is nothing you can do about him having access - he’ll get access, but it’s better than her being around him all the time because you’re still with him. It will be very very difficult, he will make this as hard as he can for you, but you are doing the right thing, you are the good parent and you will get through it. In a few years, you’ll have a set schedule for contact, you’ll be out of the fog of it, you’ll be finding yourself again. It will be so much better, but you have to go through the really
shitty short term of leaving him to get there. Which is why you need therapy to help you.

Regarding his family and whatever they say or do… who gives a shit? They’re the family of a rapist. You know that. You know you are in the right and they are scum. Nothing else matters, what they tell other people doesn’t matter.

Couples split up all the time. You are allowed to. And whatever they tell people, no one else actually cares all that much about your relationship so a bit of gossip means nothing and will be forgotten soon enough.

If you stay with him, your life will be reduced to defending yourself in bed.

Harriet36 · 07/06/2026 18:17

Please, tell your friends and family what he has been doing to you. Get some real life support in place. If his family start kicking off at you, don't be afraid to tell them he is a rapist. Speak to Rape Crisis and Women's Aid. Tell him to leave your house. Don't allow him to bully you into having sex with him again. He is a bad man, and you don't want your daughter growing up thinking the way he treats you is normal.

Hooplahoophoop · 07/06/2026 18:10

He's a rapist and abuser. For your safety and your daughter's, you need help and not to be with him. Talk to Women's Aid, and I would be reporting it to police. Don't ever let him in the house.

TiredMum09 · 07/06/2026 18:07

Thank you everyone. I will seek help and support from who has been suggested xxx

OP posts:
TiredMum09 · 07/06/2026 18:07

SnappyQuoter · 07/06/2026 17:55

Sorry but… what’s wrong with you?

Go to a therapist. Tell them all of this. You need help and you’re not going to listen to anyone on mumsnet. Call a therapist tomorrow and get an appointment as soon as you can. This man is abusive. You should not be with him. I have no idea why you’ve gone back… is it self esteem? Or did you have an abusive childhood? Are you very young and homeless otherwise?

Get some help. And don’t lie about anything - tell them everything and say you need help to find your own strength and independence. Your partner is a rapist but you keep going back and having sex with him. Therapy.

Nothing is wrong with me. I just feel like I needed to hear from other people how I felt wasn’t me being dramatic. I’m 26 and my grandad brought my house for me, so we’re living in my house. I don’t financially depend on him - perhaps I just feel stuck in a loop and don’t know how to escape. I’m scared of his family, they’re well known and somehow I’m always the bad one whenever we’ve split. I feel stuck. I don’t want my daughter to come from a broken home either. My dad passed away back in August and he was an alcoholic. I have been through a lot recently and didn’t know if my emotions were heightened. But there isn’t anything wrong me I’m just trying to navigate life.

OP posts:
SnappyQuoter · 07/06/2026 17:55

Sorry but… what’s wrong with you?

Go to a therapist. Tell them all of this. You need help and you’re not going to listen to anyone on mumsnet. Call a therapist tomorrow and get an appointment as soon as you can. This man is abusive. You should not be with him. I have no idea why you’ve gone back… is it self esteem? Or did you have an abusive childhood? Are you very young and homeless otherwise?

Get some help. And don’t lie about anything - tell them everything and say you need help to find your own strength and independence. Your partner is a rapist but you keep going back and having sex with him. Therapy.

ChickenBananaBanana · 07/06/2026 17:50

Who wants to have sex with someone who doesn't want it?

A creepy rapist. Get Out.

EineReiseDurchDieZeit · 07/06/2026 17:50

I think this is a police matter, please contact Women’s Aid and tell them as a first point of call.

You are not overreacting or being dramatic Flowers