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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:
ManchesterGin · 11/02/2018 09:56

Stay strong Tink. I’m 99% sure he will try and guilt you into changing your mind so the time to block will come. Don’t let him manipulate you.

zen1 · 11/02/2018 09:57

Well done OP. And whatever he says in response, stay strong in your resolve.

Tinkofhousepan · 11/02/2018 09:59

Oh my god, I'm actually crumbling. All because of a stupid card that I forgot I bought yesterday. I really did think that he loved me and the reason for all the questioning me was because he cared and worried about me. I don't know what snapped inside of me last night to see the polished turd for what it really is, a turd. But I'm Hugely panicking right now and feeling like ive made a huge mistake, because he wasn't half as bad as some of the other guys I've ended up with, even though logically I know I haven't made a mistake I just burst into tears. I hadn't cried up till now and I just exploded. I always go for the wrong ones, every single man I've dated bar two has turned out to have serious issues. I just need to stop dating, I clearly have a type, or the words 'easy target' written on my forehead. I feel so alone, sad and defeated right now.

Aibu - just had an argument with bf
OP posts:
giddyupnow · 11/02/2018 09:59

I had a relationship that started going like this at 27 - thanks fuck I was able to get out of it, cut down drinking myself and meet my blissful positive DH a few years later. Well done you x

giddyupnow · 11/02/2018 10:01

OP. He sounds truly AWFUL. If he’s better than half the men you’ve ended up with then you really need to have a long think/ some good therapy or counselling to understand why. It can change your life.

Badbadtromance · 11/02/2018 10:01

He's an alcoholic. It will not end well. I know I've been there. Get rid

LemonShark · 11/02/2018 10:03

That's a nice card OP :)

Send it to yourself. Seriously. On one side write down all of his bad qualities. On the other write down all of the qualities you want and need in a relationship. Even obvious ones like 'we trust each other' 'doesn't abuse substances'.

You are worth a lovely card from yourself.

robyn65 · 11/02/2018 10:04

You've done the right thing. Been there, done that, but didn't act as quickly when I knew he was a wrong 'un. Give yourself a pat on the back for seeing the light and acting promptly. Can you meet up with friends or family rather than the solo pity party?

Madonnasmum · 11/02/2018 10:05

If you've grown up with regular drinking being the norm, you might find it hard to realise most people do not go to the pub daily, and what is worse he uses your work pattern to allow him to drink even more when you are on lates. He's spending a fortune on booze, but you won't see this yet as you have no shared finances. Fast forward to the future and you'll spend your life funding everything as all his cash goes on booze. If you have kids you'll do everything as he'll be in the pub. If you have any confidence that will be gone by his drunken accusations of how horrible you are.
It will only get worse!
None of the above is worth a few dinners made or baths run.
Be strong. Don't believe anything that he now says to win you back.

prettywhiteguitar · 11/02/2018 10:05

I dated totally unsuitable guys for years, I turned it around at 30 when I realised what I was doing.

Just be aware of what choices you are making that's all, you can do this !!

TealStar · 11/02/2018 10:09

Aw Tink. Bless you. As Lemon says, send it to yourself. Please believe you are worth so much more. Honestly, at the age of 42 and looking back now at the last two decades I know I would have been much happier spending them alone, building up my own self esteem and sense of self than wasting them with some crazy maker who would knock me down. I know too many women who ended up with wrong ‘uns and are going through horrific divorces, with children involved. It’s heartbreaking to see these once positive, hopeful and often feisty women become beaten down husks of their former selves.

One day you will be pleased you did this, trust me. But my advice now is: find yourself. Even if it takes years. Find out who you are. Love yourself. Get therapy, find hobbies. Anything. Just have a relationship with yourself. There is no rush. The grass is always greener.

SilverBirchTree · 11/02/2018 10:11

Don’t despair. So many women have been in your shoes, dating dickheads until the day they have an epiphany- they deserve better! Once you’ve shut the door to people who won’t deserve you, you can focus on you, what you really want (now you know better) and who will be the right partner to share it with!

He was a prick. Imagine trying to build a life with that jerk. You’re well shot of him.

Do not don’t your decision.

But watch a happier movie. Like the 1st wives club!

donerwillbehere · 11/02/2018 10:14

Think - I have read your post this morning . I agree with the advice that has been given - you know this is the right decision to make , how you are feeling now is natural . It is not a nice process splitting up with a someone , however , trust you gut feeling - this is the right decision for you x Go for a walk stick your headphones on listen to music and get some fresh air . Make you self busy .... sort out your wardrobe , knicker draw get on with something you have put off . Keep posting on here when you have a down moment . For what it is worth - I think must on here have a relationship similar to what you are going through , recovered and have successful relationships . Don’t give up . How you feeling now , will pass xx

Flomy · 11/02/2018 10:21

Be on your own for a while. You deserve better. You will meet someone who is 100% better!

Flomy · 11/02/2018 10:23

Can you go shopping today? Treat yourself to something.

New you is just beginning!

FizzyGreenWater · 11/02/2018 10:24

You've absolutely done the right thing.

You've lost nothing. You didn't even know this jerk a year ago. He wasn't even in your life, at all. He just isn't important. Not integral to your life. Thank God!

What you've done is put the brakes on your life possibly going down an utterly awful route. Well done.

Yes of course he will try all sorts from manipulation to tears to anger. Please hold firm and remember, you don't have to listen to any of it. Why? Because this person has repeatedly, on an almost daily basis by the sound of it, been abusive to you. Haranguing, accusing, shouting, calling you a liar. All while drunk and possibly unstable.

So if he has a go at you by text, you can say 'Look to be perfectly honest with you, I have got to the stage where the way you abuse me when you are drunk is frankly quite frightening. You are aggressive and intimidating. You shout and accuse and manipulate at the same time. You will not agree with this, but the fact is, you regularly act abusively towards me and I now consider it safer for me to end things without having to see you face to face, because I do not feel safe with you. I absolutely do not have to listen to one more moment of your aggressive crap, and I have no intention of doing so. Nobody who acts the way you do is owed time from someone they make feel unsafe. Please don't contact me again.'

BitOutOfPractice · 11/02/2018 10:29

It's perfectly normal to wobble. But don't change your mind. You have done the right thing

Whocansay · 11/02/2018 10:30

I think it would be good for you to get out of the house. Can you ring a friend to meet for lunch or something? Go for a walk?

RunRabbitRunRabbit · 11/02/2018 10:38

It is OK for your heart to miss the bits of the relationship that made you feel loved even if your head knows those were actually controlling behaviours and the start of abuse.

If you keep making bad choices, why not try the Freedom Programme to help learn how to do it differently next time? It will give you something to help steel your loins in weak moments now too.

That said, don't beat yourself up for getting in with bad men. We all date bad ones from time to time. The key is ditching them when you see the red flags flying even if the good times are great.

You waited too long to dump, that's all. In the end that delay just made the inevitable heartache worse. Next time, end it sooner and move on. It is much easier in the long run. Eventually you will meet someone with no red flags and it will be brilliant. That won't happen while you are hanging around with a red flag man.

Lkjem · 11/02/2018 10:39

Well done and there is nothing wrong with dumping by text when dealing with manipulative drunks!
Plan a treat so you have a happy thought. You need something to look forward to.
Congratulate yourself for having the intelligence and strength to not partner up with an alcoholic who would have eventually stolen your self esteem and stamped on it.

GrannyGrissle · 11/02/2018 10:45

No you can't polish a turd and im glad you've realised that OP. You can however roll one in glitter as the saying goes and I think the glitter has started to fall off Grin Spend some time single OP, work on friendships and your own interests and I'm assure you'll find a decent chap soon enough.

Charley50 · 11/02/2018 10:47

Don't change your mind. My dad was a jealous paranoid possessive alcoholic. Gave my mum and us kids 25 years of misery.

Also I agree don't go to his place alone with him there. When I dumped my paranoid controlling boyfriend, he responded by hitting me. Not nice had to get the police involved. Better not to put yourself in danger. People like him get nastier when dumped.

Duchessgummybuns · 11/02/2018 10:54

Good for you for breaking up with him. Yes it hurts as you have put time and effort into the relationship but if he’s not making you happy then cut and run while you can. It’s one step towards finding someone who will make you happy when the time comesSmile

I read on here once “life is too short to waste in unsatisfactory males”. Not sure who said it but those are words to live by! Good luck OP x

BiologyMatters · 11/02/2018 10:55

Youve done entirely the right thing well done!

peachypetite · 11/02/2018 10:57

Get rid!