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AIBU?

Aibu to think I should not be the one who is apologising?

163 replies

Coulditbeme · 07/05/2016 18:29

Hi, I do not think I am being unreasonable but my partner thinks I am so I'd like some opinions of people who don't know us please.

Been together 6 years and have a small baby who was not planned but is very much loved by us both.

We both work full time during the week and here's the problem - he spends a lot of time away at weekends with hobbies and seeing family and friends - just says "this is what I'm doing this weekend" and off he goes whilst I am left here alone with my child from a previous relationship and our baby then on his return, which is whenever he chooses, is very happy to see baby and play with her and look after her but I feel very much like he hasn't missed me and only comes back at all for the baby.

He's been having so much fun on these busy weekends away that he falls asleep early the night he comes back and hardly ever wants sex, which I find upsetting.

I really miss him and would love to feel that he has missed me and wants sex with me.
Feel like he doesn't love me.
I've told him many times to no avail.

A couple of weekends ago i lost it when he just went off with a friend and forgot that we had plans. I was so looking forward to finally having a day together, it was a culmination of previous times I've been left to cope alone and when he did turn up I lost my temper, slammed a door and shouted at him that I wasn't putting up with it any more.

He thinks I am being unreasonable, he says doesn't like me when I'm unpleasant and angry and a controlling horrible person.
I stress him out - but his behaviour stresses me out!

I've found myself apologising though i don't think I'm in the wrong here because he was thinking of leaving me unless I basically become a different person, one who will just put up with his shoddy treatment of me without complaint. If I do that then all is well.

I'm so upset I ask is for a bit of consideration and love to be shown.
I don't expect him here all the time, don't mind him seeing friends and family at all.
i just want a simple life with a man who might well go away but comes back when he says he will, tells me he's missed me and makes me feel loved.
Staying awake for sex once in a while might help too.

He never tells me he loves me although when I ask he says he does.
I feel so unloved, I'm just a nuisance.
Feel like he doesn't love me, doesn't fancy me and doesn't consider my feelings.

He just cannot see it at all. Doesn't think there's anything wrong with him.

Who's unreasonable? Me for expecting to be a priority and feel loved or him for expecting to just come and go as he pleases without consulting me?

Was I justified in losing my temper and how do we move forward if we both think the other is at fault??

OP posts:
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Poppyreefs · 08/05/2016 20:18

Sounds like he's not that into you OP and is just staying for the kid. You both can do better and deserve to be happy so leave him and find someone who actually wants you.

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Arfarfanarf · 08/05/2016 20:57

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Lilaclily · 08/05/2016 21:10

Op how long have you been together
How old is your eldest child ?
Does she have a good relationship with him, does she wonders where he is on the weekend ?
What do you do together in the week ?
Sounds a miserable life, lonely for you

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sallyjane40 · 08/05/2016 21:53

I had a very similar relationship (bloke also in his 40's), and I'm afraid there was no happy ending. I think some people believe that they love their partner, but it only goes so far, and they just cannot grasp that this would involve changing anything in their lifestyle; whereas a lot of us would move heaven and earth to be with the one we love, they just don't 'get it'. When I tried to talk to my ex about spending very little time with me, and often being aggressive or mean, he would point out the specific incidents when we'd spent pleasant time together (generally half a day every month or so), and seemed to genuinely believe that he had proved my point completely wrong - sometimes there just isn't middle ground to have the discussion on :-(.
I think it's to do with not being much good at putting themselves in someone else's shoes. If you could get him to see a counsellor with you, they might be able to explain it to him as a third party, but I have a feeling he wouldn't be keen? If not, you might find it useful to go for some counselling on your own, to get things straight in your mind and decide what you want for yourself and your children? So sorry you're having to go through all this Flowers

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magoria · 08/05/2016 22:29

So a few weekend you ranted at him that you weren't putting up with it any more and here you are alone again because he basically doesn't give a shit and has fucked off to live his life again.

You would be better off alone. You are pretty much there already.

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midsummabreak · 09/05/2016 21:59

Good luck and don't be taking any more crap from him OP
i'm sure he will disagree with you that he is not being an inconsiderate partner
I'm sure he thinks all relationships are this one sided
Save your love for a partner who knows how to show that love and kindness and treasure who you are, not treat you like your needs don't matter
a happy relationship is mutually loving and considerate and lifts you up to a higher place Of course sometimes loving partners do mess up & 'tread on each others toes', but the difference is that they listen to how you are feeling and compromise so both of you can feel happy- because they want to see that you feel happy

Sallyjane40 sounds as if she has been there, and knows how shit it is to be on the recieving end of never being considered for her own needs with a partner such as this: I think it's to do with not being much good at putting themselves in someone else's shoes
Don't beat yourself up about it not working out if he is adamant he is not in the wrong. Take care of yourself and do something nice for yourself every day
It's not about you or anything wrong with you, it's about a deficit in him So he will never see your point of view as that's just never going to be his forte. In other words, ask yourself, 'Is it always all about him?' and there lies the problem

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Coulditbeme · 28/05/2016 15:53

Thanks for all your support a couple of weeks ago.
Just back on with an update - he's left us. Over MY unreasonable behaviour!

Through lots of tears he told me I am like Jekyll and Hyde, unpleasant to be around, a bore, want everything my own way.
He basically projected all the behaviour he has been displaying onto me!

However, he would like to be friends??
How can you stay friends with someone who shows you no love / respect and seemingly thinks you're a horrible person?

And why would you want to be friends with me if I am such a horrible person anyway?

Probably just said that thinking he can swan in and out to see our baby whenever he fancies if we are "friends"

I'm so upset and cross. I am not perfect, I have faults that I will admit to anyone but he thinks he hasn't got any.

I am more than reasonable and I wanted to work at this together and try to fix it before closing the door on us but he will not admit to any fault on his part.
It's all me apparently. I make him unwell.

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NaffOffMartha · 28/05/2016 16:02

Flowers to you OP.

I can imagine it's really painful but honestly, he has just done you an enormous favour.

For sure he is projecting!

You can do soooo much better.

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NaffOffMartha · 28/05/2016 16:03

Also "want everything your own way" is hilarious. He is deluded.

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BreconBeBuggered · 28/05/2016 16:04

You've not lost much. He was never going to admit to any deficiency on his part. It's just a shame you never got to chuck him out for your own self-respect. I wonder what his idea of staying friends might be?

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kittybiscuits · 28/05/2016 16:07

It won't feel like it now but he has done you a massive favour. I would give yourself a good long break from him - no contact. He is an absolute bastard. Don't fall for the 'friends' shit. He wasn't your friend when he was with you. Have you made a claim with Child Maintenance Service?

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NaffOffMartha · 28/05/2016 16:08

Brecon I assume it means free food, lodging and child care whenever he fancies?

For him, that is. If she wants childcare that would be her wanting everything her own way.

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Lordamighty · 28/05/2016 16:25

You have lost nothing here OP, he wasn't much of a partner anyway. One day you will have a real relationship with someone who loves & respects you & look back at this idiot & realise what a waste of space he is.

I agree with others about the friends bit, he isn't your friend & never was by the sound of him. He checked out of your relationship some time ago. Don't let him insult you either, this Jekyll & Hyde crap is him gaslighting you.

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happypoobum · 28/05/2016 16:28

You will look back on this and be glad he has gone. Time for you to rebuild your self esteem and make a new life for yourself.

Make sure he doesn't think he can come waltzing back in any time he likes, or that he can have access to baby in your home.

You can do this. Do you have RL support?

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daisychain01 · 28/05/2016 16:32

Based on your update, take back control now that he has left.

Focus on the future, dont count on or give any credence to what he is throwing at you. He is manipulative and delusional.

So he isn't man enough to realise relationships need to be a two-way effort, not just one person being an arse and hurling accusations at the other person for them to sort themselves out. Ok fine but he doesn't get to call the shots, he has walked away.

Good riddance, he has saved you a job.

Onwards and upwards, right?

Once you are over the immediate shock, see it as dodging a bullet.

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daisychain01 · 28/05/2016 16:37

Probably just said that thinking he can swan in and out to see our baby whenever he fancies if we are "friends"

Depending on ownership of your property .... Please change the locks.

Organise formal contact with his DC, so it is based on an agreement, Not him swanning in and out when it suits him.

That's about you having choice and control, and him about having respect for you, that from now on, " this is how it will be, matey!"

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stiffstink · 28/05/2016 16:41

Wow, he really does have his head up his own arse! OP you are well rid of your lodger. Onwards and upwards.

Get your CSA (or whatever they're called) claim in asap.

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ENormaSnob · 28/05/2016 16:47

Before I read your update I knew this would be the outcome.

He doesn't love you nor want to be with you. He just hasn't the balls to be honest. Hence him pinning it on you.

You will look back upon this and wonder how on earth you put up with it.

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Charley50 · 28/05/2016 16:57

Please please please make sure he pays maintenance as of now! I didn't with my ex and the longer I let him get away with not paying the harder it was for me to make him. Do it through CMS. And also he should still be caring for his DC regularly in his home. Let him step up and parent for a change. FlowersCakeWine

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ElspethFlashman · 28/05/2016 17:05

I think you are entirely correct in your assessment. He thinks he can just pick up and put down the baby on a whim, if you're "friends".

I strongly advise figuring out what contact schedule would suit you and sticking to it like glue. At least there's no overnights with a small baby. But even with days out with him he'll no doubt be reluctant to let the baby interfere with his weekends.

Be wary of him wanting to "just drop in" during the week when it suits him to coo at the baby for an hour, do sweet fuck all parenting, and then hand it back and trot off merrily. Fuck that.

If you're going to be painted as "unreasonable " Hmm then at least be unreasonable for the baby!

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Hairyspiderinyourunderwear · 28/05/2016 18:31

See a reasonable person would accept that both were responsible for maintaining a relationship, he clearly isn't reasonable if he can't and you can't get anywhere with unreasonable people. I'm sorry it has come to this, but I hope his behaviour helps you see it isn't you, it is him.

I agree with everyone else, he will probably try and walk all over you with visitation and child support, as he has painted you as the controlling bitch may as well do things your way. Figure out when you want to offer reasonable visitation and then let him know. Don't let him just swan in when it suits him or he will continue to use you as a doormat.

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Hairyspiderinyourunderwear · 28/05/2016 18:33

oh and OP, well done for getting it done! I think once you have time to heal and reflect you will see how you did yourself a gigantic favour losing that anchor weighing you down.

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Coulditbeme · 28/05/2016 20:41

"Be wary of him wanting to "just drop in" during the week when it suits him to coo at the baby for an hour, do sweet fuck all parenting, and then hand it back and trot off merrily. Fuck that."

I fear that is exactly his plan.

I already have dealings with Csa who handle payments from my other daughter's dad. I believe it's all changed now and they're not taking on new cases.
It has changed to the child maintenance service and you have to pay for it now.
I will have to look into it.

Of course I dare say me contacting them will be seen by him as me being unreasonable again.

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buckingfrolicks · 28/05/2016 20:55

holy smoke Coulditbeme, he's an absolute total and irredeemable arse.

You, on the other hand, sound like a grown up, responsible, loving and forgiving woman.

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Coulditbeme · 28/05/2016 22:23

Thankyou, buckingfrolics :-)
I think I am and others seem to agree, just not him.

He absolutely will want to see the baby whenever he wants to.

Not tonight though, of course as it's the weekend and he's away (again)

What do people think I should suggest going forward?

I'm not one to withhold contact but I can't stand the thought of overnights.

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