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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

DP's recent behaviour - AIBU?

112 replies

EvaDescendingTheStair · 07/02/2017 14:36

Hello MN,

Lurker of several months, first time poster. I will try to keep this has brief as possible without drip feeding.

I've seen enough to know that I may be flamed but here goes...

I have been with my DP for over 7 years. We are both 29 and have lived together for 6 years, no children, one splendid furry emperor cat.

Our relationship has had its ups and downs but until about 4 years ago was generally pretty strong, all the couples we know envied our situation. Sadly I can't see anybody envying some of the scenes guests have witnessed at our house in recent months.

I have been signed off work with stress, depression and anxiety since September 2016 and spent a period in a mental health hospital last year. I am a recovering alcoholic and have not drunk since the 4th of November 2016.

When I first returned from hospital, my DP was lovely - he had cleared the house of alcohol, took two days off work to stay with me, offered to help out around the house (I generally wait on him hand and foot and he doesn't have to lift a finger) and was generally lovely particularly given my peculiar behaviour due to increased medication. This lasted about 10 days. Since then he has had his friends round here drinking with increasing frequency and has reverted to doing nothing, asking me for everything. He talks at me about things while I'm clearly doing something else (usually for him) then accuses me of rudeness and not paying attention because I'm not looking directly at him. Everything I do is either met with indifference (he generally forgets to utilise please and thank you) or picked to shreds.

I've realised over the last few days that I don't want to be around him, the stress makes me feel ill and I've been sick several times in recent weeks, usually when discussing or thinking about him come to think of it but it could just be coincidence.

The worst of it is, I have been subject to pretty unpleasant texts, phone calls and behaviour from him recently.

Mid January he came home from work around 5pm and found me asleep in bed (I have been sleeping a lot both at night and during the day since being on quite a high dosage of anti depressants but this is interspersed with extensive periods of being awake every few days - I'm talking 50 hours +, really need to sort out my sleep routine), he shouted at me to get up and sort out the kitchen (I hadn't eaten the night before, that morning or during the day so all washing up bar a couple of mugs and spoons had been generated by his eating, petty but true) and pulled the duvet off me. He then poured a whole pint of cold water over me as I lay in bed curled up in a ball (it was sitting by the bed as I'd refilled it about an hour beforehand to drink then fallen asleep). He then shouted some more and went away. The frostiness waned throughout the evening and I even ended up giving him sex that night (it's just not worth the hassle if I don't, he'll get his way sooner or later). By 'giving him sex' I mean having sex and acting a bit like a porn star purely for his benefit, I don't fancy him at the moment despite him being an extremely fine 6' 6" specimen, I'm sick of him.

On the 19th of January he came home from work and again I was sleeping. He shouted at me and pulled the duvet off, again I was lying on my side in a ball. He put his torso near my knees and was being a dick so naturally I assumed he was about to do something unpleasant and extended my arm to near my knees. He moved his face into my hand at the same time and claims I intentionally lashed out at his face. I was barely conscious as had been woken from a deep sleep by a shouting twat and in no way did I intentionally hit him. In return he landed two hard vertical punches on my side, one on my hip and one on the side of my stomach. Hard enough to hurt significantly and I have a pretty high pain threshold. I received the following text message later in the evening:

"You're a c*nt I can't believe you have the cheek to A. strike out at my face while I'm attempting to wake you and B. rot in bed all morning, afternoon an (it cuts off here because my phone's a dinosaur but the gist is clear)."

On the 1st of Feb I pressed a button on my phone that blocks his calls (childish, I know, and now I can't turn it off - have been economic with the truth and claimed I've done something to calls and don't know how to change it back, partially true) and received the following texts:

"YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO BE AIRING THE HOUSE OUT NOT FUCKING SLEEPING. GET OUT OF BED AND SORT THE HOUSE OUT INC WASHING THE BED LINEN. NOW. "

"IF YOU ARE STILL ASLEEP WHEN I GET BACK FROM WORK I AM GOING TO FLIP MY LID BIG TIME YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED."

Incidentally, I wasn't in bed at the time.

AIBU in thinking this is not a normal healthy relationship?

I feel he is holding me back with regards to mental health at the moment and would really like to ask him to stay somewhere else for a few weeks so we can both have some space but have a feeling he'll react badly to this suggestion. I fled a house from my previous partner though so am reluctant to be the one to stay elsewhere plus there is no way I am being parted from my cat and he loves living in our house, outside at the back is perfect for him (trees and bushes all the way down a big hill, rich in tasty rodents to disembowel and crunch up on my floor) and we're on a fairly quiet road. I can't just pick him up and drop him anywhere, my DM is desperate for him to 'stay' (she means end up living with) her, which I just can't allow, she's not having him. I can afford the rent and bills on this place on my own as long as I'm careful with money (I seem to have oodles now it's not disappearing on 3 bottles of wine a day though!) My DP's parents and at least one of his cousins have the space to put him up and he and his cousin are like brothers.

Any advice on The Crunch Talk?

Thank you Smile xXx

Sorry for essay, argh Sad

OP posts:
FuckingSausageFingers · 07/02/2017 15:02

Oh god sweetheart, I can't believe you even considered that you might get flamed! His behaviour is not normal, nor is it your fault. You are being abused and the fault lies with your abuser and him alone.

You are doing amazingly well with your recovery with such little support and I am certain you will do infinitely better without this disgusting, pathetic excuse for a man dragging you down.

You are worth so much more. Speak to women's aid as a matter of urgency and follow their advice for removing yourself from this relationship safely.

Please try to accept any help you are offered even if it means being parted from your dear cat on a temporary basis 💐

middlings · 07/02/2017 15:02

He then poured a whole pint of cold water over me as I lay in bed curled up in a ball

Is he on the tenancy agreement?

You need to kick him out. Now. He is abusive.

Print out the line I've highlighted and read it again, and again, and again until it clicks.

You are better than this.

FeliciaJollygoodfellow · 07/02/2017 15:02

I agree with others. You don't need a talk. You need to get away from him. I suspect your mental health will improve significantly once you aren't being abused in your own home.

Flowers you poor love.

sycamore54321 · 07/02/2017 15:09

You definitely need to leave him, as soon as you can. You also need to prioritise - your life, safety and mental health take absolute priority over anything whatsoever to do with the cat. However much you love a pet, it cannot be an excuse or pretext to stay in a situation that is dangerous to you. So sort out the cat as best you can once you have gotten rid of him but do not let it be a reason to stay.

And seriously consider ringing the police.

SantasLittleMonkeyButler · 07/02/2017 15:10

Firstly, well done for managing to stay dry since November! That's a huge achievement, please don't let anyone underestimate how great that is.

Secondly, your P is an abusive bully. You have come so far in leaving one demon behind, now is the time to leave the other. You & the furry emperor will be so much safer and happier without him to worry about.

Other posters have given you advice on where to get help (Women's Aid etc.) Please don't hesitate to contact anybody you need to to make this work for you.

Best of luck. Onwards & upwards Flowers.

Foxysoxy01 · 07/02/2017 15:11

He is an abusive thug!

Change the locks asap but make sure you have plenty of time from the locks being changed to him coming home from work.

Have his important stuff waiting outside for him and do not under any circumstances open the door to him.

You need to get him out before it gets worse and he really hurts you.

The police need to be informed now.

You really need to contact someone like women's aid.

You have done so well with the drinking and absolutely deserve to be treated with kindness and respect, yours in not a healthy functioning relationship. You deserve so very much more!!

Goldenhandshake · 07/02/2017 15:14

He has been physically and emotionally abusive to you at a a very vulnerable point in your life, the only answer really is to get away from him.

I am so sorry he is a fucking monster.

muhajaba · 07/02/2017 15:15

He sounds absolutely vile and abusive, please get away from him as soon as you can. Not just for a few weeks. I'm sure you would feel much better away from him too.

Well done for staying sober. I think you're possibly tougher than you realise.

SaltandPepperRibs · 07/02/2017 15:16

love, it's supposed to be fun. This isn't fun.

He's supposed to care for you when you're ill, not shout at you, intimidate you, belittle you and hit you.

Get him out so you can get better.

Libbylove2015 · 07/02/2017 15:17

I stayed in a relationship because of a cat once - I can't believe how ridiculous that sounds but at the time, Bruno's welfare was my top priority. My relationship wasn't abusive either - but god I wish I had gotten out two years before it ended.

Your cat will be happy with your mum for a little while, until things are sorted (by that I mean you have found somewhere else to live or he has). Also, I can sympathise having always been the one to move out each time - but trust me, there is nothing nicer than setting up in your own little one bed to which only you have the keys and things happen on your terms.

Get the cat out and pack your stuff while he is at work, and never look back my sweet.

EvaDescendingTheStair · 07/02/2017 15:17

Thank you all so much.

I've just been violently sick after reading a few posts in, am weak and shaky so need to lie down for a bit.

I'm such an idiot.

Hope to be back with update later.

OP posts:
elevenswan · 07/02/2017 15:20

get out get out get out.

Honestly I was with a horrible man (though not as bad as this) and my mental health took a massive nosedive. I got out and I'm a million times better now.

You will feel so free, I promise.

Basicbrown · 07/02/2017 15:20

No you are not an idiot OP. He is the idiot, you are in a bad place and where many, many people have been. Be kind to yourself Flowers

Wickedstepmum67 · 07/02/2017 15:21

What everyone else has said! You are doing brilliantly to be sober and working on making your life better, and your partner clearly feels threatened by the new you. He is an abuser, probably always was, but now you can see it much more clearly. I would say no talking to him, just go. Enlist all the support you can. Make sure you are safe when you leave him. Abusive behaviour escalates when the abused partner makes a move to leave. Good luck and look after yourself and the cat.🌺

GabsAlot · 07/02/2017 15:21

all this only happened in the last few months?

he sounds deranged-dont kno whats flipped his switch but u need to get out or call the police to say u want im out hes abused u

i have mh issues and im sure its hard to deal with-my dh doesnt fully get it but doesnt bark orders at me or tell me when to sleep-so many days i just cant do anything but he excepts it-well i assume so after 18 years

humblesims · 07/02/2017 15:22

Don't talk. Leave
This is it really. You are a recovering alcoholic and that is a massive thing. You need 100% from the people around you or you need to be free of them. Leave this pile of shit and concentrate on your own self. You deserve more.

humblesims · 07/02/2017 15:23

100% support is what I meant to say. :)

Mummyoflittledragon · 07/02/2017 15:23

Flowers. Change the locks. Chuck his stuff outside the door. Do it now. You don't need to talk. He's an abusive wanker. God only knows how you've managed to stay on an even keel these past couple of months.

SaltandPepperRibs · 07/02/2017 15:23

You're not an idiot. You're vulnerable and he's taking advantage of that. You're worth more than this.

NootNoot · 07/02/2017 15:23

Grab pusscat & hit the road.

If you can't do it for yourself then do it for the cat. You call him a "magnificent furry emperor", and I'm sure he his. He'll be the next target to get your attention. You've been punched, threatened, verbally assualted & abused, don't wait around for him to use the furry emperor as a tool to hurt you more.

I'll probably get flamed for this- but on many threads posters say "do it for your kids" etc...well furry emperor is the little important person in your life (but YOU ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT). Good luck from a fellow cat worshipper xxx

Topseyt · 07/02/2017 15:25

Call the police and get him removed.

I would worry that you are not safe with this wanker about.

PotteringAlong · 07/02/2017 15:26

The time for crunch talks has long gone...

venusinscorpio · 07/02/2017 15:28

Take care and be safe OP Flowers

Topseyt · 07/02/2017 15:28

Why does your mother want him to live with her, or have I misunderstood that?

guinnessgirl · 07/02/2017 15:29

He's an abusive bastard and you deserve so, so much better. If he isn't on the tenancy agreement, kick him out. If he is, leave. It really is that simple. I'm sorry Flowers

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