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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Aibu - just had an argument with bf

322 replies

Tinkofhousepan · 11/02/2018 05:40

Hi all, this is quite personal (and it's gonna be really long as ive got a lot to get off my chest so Sorry in advance), but I really need some impartial advice. I'm really confused and I genuinely don't know where to go from here or even if i should try to fix this. I am posting this in AIBU instead of relationships because people tend to give blunter answers - and that is what I need!

Been with BF for a while, we don't live together, but I stay at his every other night (he lives on his own, I am with parents saving for the seemingly impossible to obtain mortgage - this is relevant).

I have to commute for about 45 mins each way to work, whereas he works locally to where we both live, practically in the town centre and 5 mins walk from the pub. He goes to the pub every afternoon after he finishes work at 4. I work weird shift patterns so some weeks I finish at 5 and others I could finish as late as 8pm if we are running to time, sometimes we can still be there at gone 9 if something takes longer than expected or if we have a walk in emergency that can't wait.

On my early days when I get to our hometown at around 6 he is fine, and he genuinely is the loveliest most caring partner that I've ever had and I just want to be around him all the time because he makes me genuinely happy and I am in love with him, and I feel his love back.

He cooks for me, gets me tea/hot water bottles without me asking for them (just because I look like I need one), runs me baths, doesn't pester me for sex if he can see I've had a bad/stressful day or if I'm just exhausted. But our sex life is great, he has really embraced some of my more wacky desires and does it really well!

He texts me throughout the day taking a genuine interest in how its going, tells me several times a day that he loves/misses me. He is so attentive and makes me feel really special and loved throughout my work day - all great.

The problem is on my late weeks where he could end up being in the pub from 4pm - 9pm, and when I meet up with him he is obviously pretty drunk but still ok to be around, if a little belligerent and opinionated.

It's when I'm not going home with him on those occasions he goes really paranoid and starts a row over nothing. He will accuse me of getting up to no good and says he 'knows what I'm up to' but will not elaborate any further.

The other day i text him to ask if he was still in the pub so I could see him briefly and get a cuddle and a kiss on the way home, and he accused me of checking up on him to find out his wherabouts so I could meet someone else without worrying about bumping into him Confused. I have never done this so I don't know where he got that idea from.

He gets quite hurtful and once he has this idea in his head, nothing will change his mind, not even if i take a picture of me sat in the living room or on my bed.

This happens on a fairly regular basis (3 times this week, latest one being tonight) literally over an non issue!

Tonight's was he was out with the boys, it got to midnight, I asked if he was coming over and he went all funny and passive aggressive saying that I had said I would stay at his tonight and calling me a liar etc.

When I relayed the conversation that we had had yesterday about where I was staying tonight and that he was welcome to stay over, and in the morning I'd make him a hangover breakfast feed the cats and then we would go to his for a 'fun' day (parents are away this weekend so have to be here to feed the cats -which he knows!!!!).

He started again accusing me of lying to him, and insisting that I had said nothing of the sort yesterday. He blew his top and went super cold on me when I screen shot and sent him the conversation where it showed i had said that i was home tonight and him saying that he remembered and that he might come over if he wasnt too drunk.

It sent him into a spin of him then asking me questions about my evening , what did i do? (ate fajhitas, had a bath and some wine and was chilling in bed watching the hobbit when this all kicked off) which pub did i go to? (Didn't go to any pub) who did I meet up with? (The freaking tooth fairy came round and we did a ouija board obviously) which are his way of trying to trip me up and catch me in a lie, so he can feel vindicated that he was justified in starting this whole pointless argument when he sobers up tomorrow.

It's really draining, and I am not happy for this behaviour to continue. The next day he is full of apologies etc, but I am now quite frankly fed up of this.

He is lovely in so many ways, but I can't help feeling that this is just something he does, and won't change or even try to change, and I don't want to deal with that any more.

What should I do?

Thanks for reading, it felt good just writing it all down.

OP posts:
RunRabbitRunRabbit · 11/02/2018 09:21

When he starts accusing you of all sorts, like seeing someone else, as being the reason for you dumping him, don't defend yourself. Do not engage with the crazy. Take it as further proof that he is a cock and you are well rid.

Dregsofcolazero · 11/02/2018 09:21

OP are there other drinkers in your family? I ask because if you’ve had an issue with booze yourself, and you’re as tolerant of his drinking as it sounds like you’ve been, it’s often a sign of having a skewed/normalised view of drinking. The idea is that if you’re the child of an alcoholic, you often become one yourself or become the partner of one. Please don’t let that happen.

Burstingwithlife · 11/02/2018 09:23

You seriously should be really proud of yourself OP. You’ve made exactly the right decision. Now the hard part.....sticking to it. If he’s worth anything at all then he will sort himself out by seeking help and seeing it through. Under no circumstances take the view that he’s tring so he must love me. He has to do this by himself and for himself. He has little respect for you so I doubt he will do anything constructive. He’ll beg you, start turning up wherever you are, being sickly nice then bloody awful when you reject him. Stay on guard. Here if you need more help xx

Mix56 · 11/02/2018 09:23

Well done, can you go out & visit someone today ? He will most likely come round/call/text. Promise the moon, flowers, holiday, to change, usually with a "but you always.........." fill in as appropriate
Don't fall for it. its not a fair exchange, (cup of tea/water bottle)
LemonShark & whatsthepointinwasps have told you what this is.
Manipulatitve emotional abuse. & its just the beginning.
keep your resolve, Run & run fast.

LemonShark · 11/02/2018 09:23

Wouldn't block yet.

Firstly because you want to know how he's taking it in case he makes threats and says he's coming over and you don't see them.

But also I do feel that it's fair to expect at least a short discussion when you've been broken up with, he's acted terribly but I imagine he'll act even worse if he's dumped via text then ghosted.

You don't owe him anything OP but a few messages to end things seems fine.

Tainbri · 11/02/2018 09:25

Well done OP. Be strong however much he promises to change.

LemonShark · 11/02/2018 09:25

You're amazing by the way OP! Your head is screwed on tight!

Remember the 'why would you even want to be with me when you don't trust me?' If he gets shitty. Which he will. There's nothing he can say to that other than a) admit he is bullshitting about all the abuse he's given you for lying b) the 'but I'm willing to work through it with you' as if you've done something wrong.

Either way it spins it as the best thing for him as well as you.

Not that it matters! Breaking up is a unilateral decision.

Thebluedog · 11/02/2018 09:27

Well done tink you know yourself it’s not working and relationships shouldn’t be that hard. Please remember that he’s probably still on his best behaviour, and if this is him being food imagine what he’s be like if you lived together in a couple of years time. You deserve someone who genuinely loves and respects you.

At best he’s an abusive, functioning alcoholic. At worst... we’ll lets hope you never get to find out.

Tinkofhousepan · 11/02/2018 09:29

He will still be asleep, so no reply yet. Yes we are a family of very heavy drinkers, it has been normal for me to see my parents wavy to say the least on a regular basis. I wouldn't just block him, I owe him a short conversation at the very least, don't I?

OP posts:
Fishface77 · 11/02/2018 09:31

NO you don’t owe him anything op.

flipperflop · 11/02/2018 09:31

Yes, have a short conversation and then block...be strong, he has done this too many times, he will try to convince you he can change and he can't...good luck!! Thanks

Thebluedog · 11/02/2018 09:31

I wouldn’t block at the moment. You need closure too tbh. I’d block once you’ve had the conversation

Tinkofhousepan · 11/02/2018 09:32

I just know im going to be made out to be the bad guy, insane, crazy, a witch for doing the deed by text etc etc.

OP posts:
Flomy · 11/02/2018 09:32

A short conversation - maybe. But NOT in person.

Even when -
The 'I loved you more than anyone'
The engagement ring is mentioned.
The holidays.
The every trick in the book

LemonShark · 11/02/2018 09:32

Even more reason to be broken up then! 'If I'm such a terrible person (for breaking up via text) you're obviously better off without me and can do better'

Thebluedog · 11/02/2018 09:34

Sometimes it makes it easier on you if they do react badly, as it simply reinforces the reasons why you’ve broken up with them in the first place.

Chattette1 · 11/02/2018 09:35

I was in a relationship very similar to this but sadly I let it drag on for about four years. He too would get very drunk and accuse me of all sorts (I never cheated on him ever). It was traumatic but a relief to end it. Thank goodness you don't live together and you haven't wasted more time on it. You've done the right thing OP.

BuckingFrolicks2 · 11/02/2018 09:41

Tink you have done the right thing I'm 100% certain of that.

You've taken the first step, now take the next and the next, away from this relationship. Try not to waver, because if you do, you will have to repeat this whole period of "doubting, leaving and grieving" in the future.

ohdearmissus · 11/02/2018 09:41

You are doing the right thing Tink.

silverbirchtree Are you a professional comedian?
The shoe/building scenario just made me spit out my tea...!

Mix56 · 11/02/2018 09:45

If he comes grovelling like Gollum,
These are the only responses needed:

"This isn't working for me"
"No " as in No is a full sentence

Tinkofhousepan · 11/02/2018 09:47

I am actually watching Lord of the rings right now. It's my sad box set.

OP posts:
Mix56 · 11/02/2018 09:48

Don't sit around waiting, you have done enough of that.
Go for a walk, Go for a bike ride, Go Out....

Dregsofcolazero · 11/02/2018 09:49

Don’t watch the Sad films! You’ve just escaped with your life!!!

Saz1995 · 11/02/2018 09:50

Well done! Your life will be much better without him.

Ninabean17 · 11/02/2018 09:55

It sounds like you've had a lucky escape. Stick to your guns op, dont watch sad films either! Today is a good day.

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