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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Please help me process what on earth went on with me and DP last night

452 replies

everynowandthenifallapart · Yesterday 09:45

It was my birthday yesterday. DP came over after work and my main present was dinner somewhere nice local to me (this is what I had asked for). I’d arranged to have an empty house at mine for us so we’d have some time to ourselves.

Been together almost 2 years and been arguing a lot over the last few months. My kids caused some trouble between us and we both said some things that hurt the other and are trying to get through it. Argued earlier in the week about that but I genuinely felt that we were working through it.

Anyway, I don’t normally dress up but I put on a nice dress and heels. I know I looked nice as my DD said so. Answered the door to DP and he was really angry with how I was dressed as apparently he had turned up ‘looking like a scruff’ and it made him look back.

So no compliment on the effort I made and a couple of times thought the night made angry comments about it.

Other than that all fine at dinner. We got home and Dp went to sit in the garden and have a beer. It was dark and cold and I didn’t fancy being out there so I sat indoors entertaining myself playing music on the Alexa - not loud - and singing along to it. DP hates me singing along to music but I just thought well he’s outside, not listening and it’s my house and my birthday so I’ll entertain myself.

We then watched a TV show for an hour, all good.

Then just the weirdest thing happened - DP started having a go at me for playing Billie Jean and how he’d had to comment that MJ is a paedophile to make me stop playing it.

I was baffled as I don’t like MJ either, hadn’t played Billie Jean and didn’t know what he was talking about.

When I responded to that he got really angry going ‘I know what I heard, stop gaslighting me!!’ And I was literally like maybe it was coming from one of the kid’s Alexa’s upstairs and he went on and on about how I was telling him he was imagining things.

i said I wasn’t saying that just that I hadn’t played it. I said I’d been playing the charlatans as the last song and pulled out my play history on Amazon music and indeed it was the charlatans and a load of other 90s indie which is exactly my taste as he knows.

i thought that would just solve it all but it escalated and escalated about how he heard Billie Jean and I’d stopped as soon as he made the comment.

I said I hadn’t played Billie Jean but also it’s my house and if I wanted to play it I would.

I then decided I’d had enough and thanked him for ruining my birthday and went to bed. I didn’t know what else to do to de escalate things.

i could then see him on the drive waiting for a cab so I went down again to try and de escalate things. I said I felt the conversation was unnecessary and unkind, that I had no idea where he heard Billie Jean - he said it must have been on the TV I said maybe it was but I have no recollection of it or of the comment he made.

I tried to get him to calm down and come in, I just wanted a nice end to the evening but he wouldn’t back down.

It was the most ridiculous argument of my life and I also believe it has ended our relationship because where do we go from this?

Usually when we argue I initiate apologies and we smooth things over but I have no idea how or why I would apologise for playing a song I didn’t play. I feel like last night he was wanting an apology and it’s usually very easy to get one out of me, but not for something like this where I’ve done nothing.

His car is still outside so presumably he’ll come and get it today but I’ve heard nothing from him and don’t expect to.

This MUST be the end of our relationship right? I can’t live like this.

OP posts:
ThisWiseRobin · Yesterday 10:48

He's too gutless to end it, so he's trying to cause an argument to get you to end it with him.
Do him and all of us a favour and ghost him.

LolaGold · Yesterday 10:50

username2185 · Yesterday 10:37

HEE HEE

no in all seriousness bin off this insecure loser.

She was more like a beauty queen from a movie scene…..

everynowandthenifallapart · Yesterday 10:52

ThatLilacTiger · Yesterday 10:48

Look, one of two things is happening here. Either he wants the relationship to end and that's why he's being a raging dickhead and treating you like shit, or he wants the relationship to continue with you grovelling for forgiveness so he can go on being a raging dickhead and treating you like shit.

You don't have to accept either of these options. Just tell him to fuck off and go about your life blissfully free of him.

Bonus points if you can sneak a Billy Jean lyric into the break up.

I think it’s the second one.

I think he’s training me to accept everything being his way. He won’t apologise and he thinks I will and then he can carry on behaving however he likes.

Ive honestly had enough. Love the idea of sneaking a Billie Jean lyric in 🤣

I’m going to leave it for now then perhaps message over the weekend and make it official. I’ll be interested to see what he does in the interim (nothing probably) while he waits for me to come crawling.

When people ask him why we split up what on earth will he say? She played Michael Jackson on her birthday then denied it? FFS what a ridiculous state of affairs, I should laugh really.

OP posts:
Flyingintotheunknown · Yesterday 10:53

everynowandthenifallapart · Yesterday 10:47

You are all helping me so much. Honestly, thank you so much for all of the replies.

It is going to be so painful for me to be on my own again but I know it is the right thing. I never know the version of him I am going to get and more and more often it is the moody, sullen one that makes me feel I have to dim who I am to match his energy.

I can’t do this anymore and I can’t remember the last time I felt happy in his company. I usually feel criticised, belittled and not good enough.

I think him taking a look at me looking nice and responding with criticism rather than a compliment has just shown me I’m always going to be hoping for the nice version of him but usually I won’t be getting it.

Be careful of him trying to talk you round and love bomb you. He may try to do it straight away or come back out of the blue months/ years down the line. People like him almost always do this. But he’s just trying to rope you back in so he can trap you back in the abusive cycle again. Someone like him is never going to change. It’s the reason why he is single, especially if his ex has also warned you he’s controlling. I imagine he concocted some bullshit story about her being the “crazy ex” too or the one to blame for their break up. It’s all typical textbook stuff. In reality he only has himself to blame for his actions.

YourWildAmberSloth · Yesterday 10:53

everynowandthenifallapart · Yesterday 10:18

It just usually feels like I’m in the wrong but on this occasion it was an argument manufactured out of thin air by him.

I suspect a lot of them are, but he's manages to make you think its your fault. You argue a lot, there are issues with your children...honestly just end it and walk away. How? You call or text, leave him a message. Pack up his things and tell him when to collect them. Then focus your time and energy on rebuilding your relationship with your children. What issues did your children cause between you?

ginasevern · Yesterday 10:54

He sounds unhinged OP. He's done you a massive favour by fucking off.

AMurderofMurderingCrows · Yesterday 10:54

Send him a message to arrange for him to collect his tools, which will be outside the garage, and when he arrives play MJs Beat It at top volume and sing your heart out ❤️

PearlButtons · Yesterday 10:55

Don't allow anyone-him or your 16 year old-to try and lay the law down in your own house.

Once you establish that in your mind, it becomes a lot easier to decide what you will put up with.

If you want to stick a feather up your bum and do the splits in your front room while singing the entire back catalogue of Michael Jackson, accompanied by the Grimethorpe Colliery Brass Band then that is your business.

Also, I'm sure you looked lovely and are lovely so don't settle for this guy or any guy who is the HP Sauce Bottle in the Tombola of Life.

Value yourself and you will be valued and certainly don't try to placate people who misbehave in your own home. All that will achieve is them thinking that they deserve to be placated.

So, go on, get that feather and start afresh.

Naurrr · Yesterday 10:55

Text him 'Billie Jean is not my lover, and neither are you, you prick. You are not to contact me ever again.'

Life is for enjoying, don't date any loser or lower yourself to analysing some bloke.

username2185 · Yesterday 10:55

Say Annie are you ok? Are you ok Annie?

rwalker · Yesterday 10:56

It’s done tbh it doesn’t really sound like you both like each other there a few passive aggressive things on both sides you’re just both needling each other

this is going to escalate till one of you pulls the plug on it your just stumbling along

SilveryBear · Yesterday 10:56

everynowandthenifallapart · Yesterday 10:10

I don’t think he’s going to contact me, how do I do this? Do I have to officially break up with him?

I feel like just blocking him but I can’t as he’s got tools and stuff here in my garage that he’d need to get back.

Honestly, the urge to repair things is usually so strong with me but I honestly can’t be fucked. I’m completely and utterly all out of fucks.

The thing I said months ago that mortally wounded him is that some of his behaviour around a particular issue could be seen as controlling.

His ex wife says he was controlling and he hates that. The thing is he isn’t controlling in a traditional sense, but his moods do affect how I feel and behave.

I don’t think he sees or accepts that. But yesterday was controlling IMO.

I think for total closure I’d just message him and say something very brief but final like

“I think, after last night, it’s clear this isn’t working and it’s best we go our separate ways”

Then you’re taking control too.

Beachtastic · Yesterday 10:57

I think it's the early stages of controlling and coercive behaviour and gaslighting, OP. He sounds a lot like my first DH.

You say he's normally OK but also you say

Usually when we argue I initiate apologies

It all points to things getting worse with time. I'm so glad you stepped off that conveyor belt of misery before being dragged along to ruin.

Another plus: happy birthday - you look amazing!!!!!!!!! and you deserve to be happy. Enjoy the rest of your life without this nasty man in it.

Trotula · Yesterday 10:57

everynowandthenifallapart · Yesterday 09:54

The thing is I am having an awful time with my 16 year old who didn’t get me a card or present or say happy birthday and I knew she would try to ruin my birthday.

So he knows I was feeling sensitive and wanted to keep things low key and calm

He’s awful, just leave him to it, if he wants his stuff he can ask for it and arrange a time for you to leave it outside.
I wonder if he’s the cause of the friction with your DD? Maybe she’s picking up the vibes from him? Perhaps he makes digs at her too.
Onward and upward, you can do better than this guy; I suspect he would get worse rather than better.

DaisyChain505 · Yesterday 10:57

If you hadn’t have said you had children I would have assumed you were late teens/early 20s by the way you’re describing your relationship. It’s immature and toxic and such a shame there’s children involved in this.

LolaGold · Yesterday 10:58

everynowandthenifallapart · Yesterday 10:47

You are all helping me so much. Honestly, thank you so much for all of the replies.

It is going to be so painful for me to be on my own again but I know it is the right thing. I never know the version of him I am going to get and more and more often it is the moody, sullen one that makes me feel I have to dim who I am to match his energy.

I can’t do this anymore and I can’t remember the last time I felt happy in his company. I usually feel criticised, belittled and not good enough.

I think him taking a look at me looking nice and responding with criticism rather than a compliment has just shown me I’m always going to be hoping for the nice version of him but usually I won’t be getting it.

There isn’t a nice version of him - that was a mask, a manipulation, part of love bombing / future faking. The real him is the moody, belittling cznt who keeps you all on a short leash with the threat of volatility. Your poor DCs. You are a grown arsed woman whos nearly adult DCs need you right now - you are not alone slowly build a productive evolving adult relationship with them. There is nothing more rewarding to have raised emotionally sound young adults although it’s a bumpy ride. Focus on this.

SuePer · Yesterday 10:58

He sounds a controlling moron. He'll be waiting for you to grovel. Block and ignore!

everynowandthenifallapart · Yesterday 11:00

Ok I’ve messaged him saying exactly that that it isn’t working and it’s time to call it a day and to let me know when he wants to collect his tools.

Anything else is just dragging things out and I need it done now.

OP posts:
PinkEasterbunny · Yesterday 11:01

He doesn’t like or respect you for whatever reason and so picks fights and arguments.

This, sadly

Chefpig · Yesterday 11:02

everynowandthenifallapart · Yesterday 09:45

It was my birthday yesterday. DP came over after work and my main present was dinner somewhere nice local to me (this is what I had asked for). I’d arranged to have an empty house at mine for us so we’d have some time to ourselves.

Been together almost 2 years and been arguing a lot over the last few months. My kids caused some trouble between us and we both said some things that hurt the other and are trying to get through it. Argued earlier in the week about that but I genuinely felt that we were working through it.

Anyway, I don’t normally dress up but I put on a nice dress and heels. I know I looked nice as my DD said so. Answered the door to DP and he was really angry with how I was dressed as apparently he had turned up ‘looking like a scruff’ and it made him look back.

So no compliment on the effort I made and a couple of times thought the night made angry comments about it.

Other than that all fine at dinner. We got home and Dp went to sit in the garden and have a beer. It was dark and cold and I didn’t fancy being out there so I sat indoors entertaining myself playing music on the Alexa - not loud - and singing along to it. DP hates me singing along to music but I just thought well he’s outside, not listening and it’s my house and my birthday so I’ll entertain myself.

We then watched a TV show for an hour, all good.

Then just the weirdest thing happened - DP started having a go at me for playing Billie Jean and how he’d had to comment that MJ is a paedophile to make me stop playing it.

I was baffled as I don’t like MJ either, hadn’t played Billie Jean and didn’t know what he was talking about.

When I responded to that he got really angry going ‘I know what I heard, stop gaslighting me!!’ And I was literally like maybe it was coming from one of the kid’s Alexa’s upstairs and he went on and on about how I was telling him he was imagining things.

i said I wasn’t saying that just that I hadn’t played it. I said I’d been playing the charlatans as the last song and pulled out my play history on Amazon music and indeed it was the charlatans and a load of other 90s indie which is exactly my taste as he knows.

i thought that would just solve it all but it escalated and escalated about how he heard Billie Jean and I’d stopped as soon as he made the comment.

I said I hadn’t played Billie Jean but also it’s my house and if I wanted to play it I would.

I then decided I’d had enough and thanked him for ruining my birthday and went to bed. I didn’t know what else to do to de escalate things.

i could then see him on the drive waiting for a cab so I went down again to try and de escalate things. I said I felt the conversation was unnecessary and unkind, that I had no idea where he heard Billie Jean - he said it must have been on the TV I said maybe it was but I have no recollection of it or of the comment he made.

I tried to get him to calm down and come in, I just wanted a nice end to the evening but he wouldn’t back down.

It was the most ridiculous argument of my life and I also believe it has ended our relationship because where do we go from this?

Usually when we argue I initiate apologies and we smooth things over but I have no idea how or why I would apologise for playing a song I didn’t play. I feel like last night he was wanting an apology and it’s usually very easy to get one out of me, but not for something like this where I’ve done nothing.

His car is still outside so presumably he’ll come and get it today but I’ve heard nothing from him and don’t expect to.

This MUST be the end of our relationship right? I can’t live like this.

He is a grade A tosser. You do not need this man in yours or your children's lives. Run as fast as the wind will carry you and don't look back.

SuePer · Yesterday 11:02

everynowandthenifallapart · Yesterday 11:00

Ok I’ve messaged him saying exactly that that it isn’t working and it’s time to call it a day and to let me know when he wants to collect his tools.

Anything else is just dragging things out and I need it done now.

Just leave them on your drive when he comes to collect. Don't interact with him he really does sound like a nutter.
<obviously have BJ on full blast>

MyArtfulGreySloth · Yesterday 11:02

Why are you pandering to this idiot? The man didn’t like you looking nice on your birthday? He doesn’t like you singing? wtf. Dump the loser.

everynowandthenifallapart · Yesterday 11:03

He’s replied ok if that’s what you want and suggested a time to collect his stuff.

So he’s not remotely sorry for his behaviour

OP posts:
Pessismistic · Yesterday 11:03

Hi op he’s a tosser he couldn’t even be nice to you on your birthday he could have said oh wow you look good and i look like a scruff but whose complaining. He made your birthday about him. He is controlling you and you’re not complying so he got a strop on. I wouldn’t even bother contacting him he drove off so he ignored you why not just take it as it is if he needs his tools I’m sure he will contact you. If people ask why you split up you tell them he is controlling and you didn’t appreciate it. He really needs to look at the man in the mirror.

DownThePubWithStevieNicks · Yesterday 11:03

I really don’t understand why anyone would want to be in a relationship with someone they have regular arguments with. It means one or both of you can’t communicate effectively and can’t regulate your emotions. If it’s you, you’re not ready to be in a relationship, and if it’s the partner they aren’t a healthy person to be in a relationship with.

Very rarely does a situation or topic arise that could conceivably cause an argument with my partner and I, because we are compatible and like each other. On the odd occasion it does, we talk calmly and resolve it quickly.