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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU?????? Because I am FUMING.

142 replies

BritishGal · 26/02/2014 13:10

I have NC for this.
Partner and I live separately. It's been a rocky couple of years for one reason and another so recently we decided to slow things down a bit and concentrate on making each other feel secure.

Yesterday he rings and mentions that he's going out with 'the boys, for a bit'. Says it won't be late, we can chat later, etc. My prediction is late and drunk. He refutes this, especially the drunk bit. I don't mind either way.

I go to bed early and text goodnight. He replies.

I wake to a text message sent at 5am. I reply saying late night then?!

When we speak, it turns out that after staying out all night, a whole load of them went back to his place for an impromptu party (absolutely unheard of before, he doesn't particularly like people round). Gallons of alcohol consumed, everyone falling asleep all over the place, including three random girls. WTAF?!? At this point I virtually hung up. His defence consisted entirely of "no-one slept in my bed but me" (again WTF???!!!) and "I didn't do anything wrong" - which I don't doubt. However to me having random, drunk girls sleeping in your house when you have a GF is not on. Or maybe it would be if it was planned and I knew about it - but seriously - when things are as they are I cannot understand how he thought it OK for this to happen. What if they had tried something on? Would he have allowed them to sleep in his bed if they had wanted to? I already feel excluded from his life where he lives and the fact that he can be doing this on any given night of the week does NOT help that.

I am really upset and angry and hurt - but if I'm being an unreasonable cow then please don't hold back dear mumsnetters!

OP posts:
Gladvent · 26/02/2014 23:06

What a useless excuse for a man. Get rid!

Caitlin17 · 26/02/2014 23:08

If you're both under say 27 I really don't see what the problem is.

Stopmithering · 26/02/2014 23:08

Both mid 30s

BritishGal · 26/02/2014 23:12

Caitlin - first page of the thread identifies us as mid-30s :/

I think we are in different places. I think I've been an idiot. Just so hurt that he could turn around and object to me being stressed about things (major things) and say "Well, life isn't that easy for me either." And I say "I know..." and he says "No you don't because I haven't told you. I've made a decision not to." And when I object (quietly, calmly) he says no-one else on earth would react like you do. Everyone else would see me keeping my problems away from you as a good thing.

I feel stupid and hurt.

OP posts:
Nanny0gg · 26/02/2014 23:13

Sorry OP. It's not a partnership, is it?

It's up to you if you think it's worth saving.

Gladvent · 26/02/2014 23:14

He sounds so utterly arrogant. You are better than that.

BritishGal · 26/02/2014 23:15

I feel like such a substandard person. I can't tell any of my friends or family that I'm with him because they all hate him for what he did to me (mentally abusive, controlling). But I love him and I see he doesn't mean it. But I also think I've lost the plot somewhere along the way.

OP posts:
YouTheCat · 26/02/2014 23:46

I think your family are right but I also think they will be there for you if you leave him.

He sounds really awful and you sound lovely and deserve so much more.

SouthernComforts · 26/02/2014 23:50

*Tell him to fucking do one.

Life is too short for this kind of shit*

^ this.

It sounds exhausting and obsessive on both sides. I feel sorry for you stuck in this cycle.

Viviennemary · 26/02/2014 23:57

If your family and friends all hate him then that is very telling. I think his behaviour over the party was wrong but that's one incident. If he is generally inconsiderate, controlling and in other words a total pina then it is time to get rid and move on. Don't waste any more time on him and give yourself a chance to meet somebody nice.

TheCatThatSmiled · 27/02/2014 00:16

You don't love him. You love the person you are desperately willing him to be. He is not, and will never be that person

He does mean it.

He has just behaved like an irresponsible single teenage lad. Done something that he would have blown a gasket if it had been you.

Aaaaand now it's your fault.
He's twisted it so well you have gone from being angry and upset, to somehow feeling guilty (for what, exactly?) and upset.

Off balance, uncertain, scared of what might happen.

In other words, exactly where he wants you.

Take some time, go no contact for a bit and clear your head.

foreverondiet · 27/02/2014 00:22

I think you need to have conversations with him along the lines of it's not acceptable for him to be controlling towards you, but then behave like that. And if he does want to behave like that, it's ok but he does need to respect your space too.

EverythingCounts · 27/02/2014 00:22

What on earth is he on about? All this stuff about being very noble and keeping his problems to himself - I honestly can't work out what that could refer to, and I don't see what it has to do with him wanting to party himself but wanting to keep you on the shortest possible leash and be watching your every move the whole time. It all sounds designed to make you feel guilty that you have behaved badly and done something wrong somehow - though you're not exactly sure what - and even you aren't fully convinced by that, now, are you?

Tell you what. Say to him that clearly you don't understand what is going on in his life, he's right, and so it's best if you call it a day. I would put money on it that he will try and argue youy round from that. The question then to ask is why? Why, if you are so demanding/ unreasonable/someone he wants to take it slowly with, is he pursuing you when you back off and making you think you should keep things going after all? The answer, I'm afraid, is that he gets off on the game-playing, reeling you in and then putting you back in your place. Try it. Tell him you want to take a break. You will see for yourself.

LineRunner · 27/02/2014 00:28

Well he told you all about the house party. He didn't keep that little gem to himself. He knew it would wind you up (understandably) and is now using that against you.

What a loser he is.

AmberLeaf · 27/02/2014 00:40

He sent you a text at 5am to insist that 'nothing happened'?

Hmm.

That aside, the whole thing sounds like hard work.

Relationships shouldn't be like that.

BOFtastic · 27/02/2014 01:03

He doesn't sound "wonderful" to me. Or to any of your friends or family, by the sound of it.

When everybody else is singing from the same hymn sheet, I think you should be prepared to acknowledge that it's YOU who is mistaken.

What has gone wrong with your radar that you consider this treatment acceptable, and even attractive?

Did you make a similar misjudgement with the father of your kids? Are you sticking with this one because you are too proud to admit you have chosen another wrong 'un?

I think you really need to re-examine your motivation here. Clearly the guy does not have a solid gold cock, so why are you kidding yourself he is worth this misery?

BOFtastic · 27/02/2014 01:10

Here is Reality's famous post about relationships :

"I shall say this only once.

Actually, no I won't, I will keep repeating it until the message gets through.

Every person deserves to have a relationship where they are treated with respect, love and equality.

There is never an excuse for verbal, physical or financial abuse.

If you partner treats you like shit, it is their fault. It is not because of something you have done.

You can't change an abusive man by being 'better' or sticking by him where others haven't, or by changing yourself.

Most people have happy relationships, where disagreements happen and are resolved without resorting to shouting, name calling or violence or screwing someone else.

Most people's partners are happy for them to pursue their own friendships and interests, work and education, have access to money, make decisions.

Most people in a relationship stay faithful. They don't have affairs or cyber-sex or obsessively wank over porn day and night.

Don't be fooled into thinking that dysfunctional relationships are the norm. There are many of them on here, but then people don't tend to ask for advice on healthy relationships, so we hear less about them.

Relationships are not supposed to be hard work, that is a big fat myth. Yes, you should work at your relationship but that is not the same thing at all.

Nobody should live their life in fear of angering their partner, or skirting round issues that might upset him. Or put up with cheating and lying for fear of rocking the boat.

Nobody should 'stay together for the children', or because of your marriage vows. If your husband treats you badly, he has broken the vows. Children are much much happier being brought up by parents who live apart than in an atmosphere of fear and loathing.

Just because you've escaped a level 10 bastard, doesn't mean you should settle for the level 8 one that comes along. The only acceptable level of abuse is none.

Just because all your friends are in bad relationships, doesn't mean that you have to be.

I really want to debunk the myth that all men are bastards. They simply aren't. If you feel that all the men you meet are, it's because you are unconsciously sending out vibes to these men. They can spot a target a mile off.

Be on your own. It is much easier than sticking by a tosser. If you have been in more than one abusive relationship, seek some counselling, you may be co-dependant, or you may be modelling relationships on a warped template, perhaps from childhood.

If he abuses you, he is not a good father. Good fathers don't treat the mother of their children with disrespect.

It doesn't matter how much he says sorry and makes it up to you, if he continues to abuse you those apologies are worthless.

Don't be fooled into thinking the abuse isn't 'bad enough to leave'. If you are treated in any way less than cherished, loved and respected, it is bad enough to leave.

There is never a reason to stay with an abusive man. He won't kill himself if you leave him, he won't take your children, and yes, everybody will believe you."

Not all of this will apply to everybody, but look at the things that do.

innisglas · 27/02/2014 02:05

Love Reality's post!
Probably not talking to the subject anymore, but really his conduct that night did not strike me as problematic and I thought YABU but then you said he is always controlling you, so obviously you want to equal this unhealthy control by trying to control him, instead of stopping him controlling you. Why would an adult, who is not special needs or a prisoner, need another adult to control them?

CheerfulYank · 27/02/2014 03:15

God that needed to be said.

ComposHat · 27/02/2014 05:36

A group of mixed sex friends staying over isn't something most people in healthy relationships would worry, let alone fume about. . So YABU.

YANBu to react to the double standard that he would go potty if you had allowed a mixed sex group to stay over.

beluga425 · 27/02/2014 06:36

He sounds like a manipulative, controlling emotional abuser. You sound a bit list and lacking in confidence.
What does this man really offer you? I mean in reality, not you view of what you'd like him to be.
This 'doesn't mean it' stuff is irrelevant if you're putting up with a controlling abuser. He's not likely to suddenly stop.
Give yourself some space and time.

WeAreDetective · 27/02/2014 06:54

Listen to your family. He sounds awful, no wonder they don't like him!!

maddening · 27/02/2014 06:54

He's just given you a load of double talk to deflect you - I would just end it - in a few weeks you'll be a lot happier!

Walkacrossthesand · 27/02/2014 07:00

So, in the past you broke up with him because he was EA and controlling, you've secretly gone back to him but live apart and your family don't know because they wouldn't approve? And now you're on here asking AIBU about the latest episode of controlling behaviour? There's something very wrong here, OP - not sure what we can do or say to help the scales fall from your eyes, because you haven't answered to question several have asked - why don't you end this part-time, unequal, non-cohabiting 'relationship'?

VivaLeBeaver · 27/02/2014 07:04

I'd be more bothered about the demanding behaviour and general lad culture at his age rather than the party/girls at his house.

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