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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Is this controlling or normal?

343 replies

Contwixt · 29/04/2018 13:51

Hi,

I will try not to drip feed. I am not sure if this is relevant to AIBU section - posting mostly for traffic.

I have been in a long term relationship with my partner for 4 years. We have been having separate houses and finances. I was intending to move into his house in August (some 200 miles away). As soon as I move in, I will not be entitled to any form help, I will have no financial means for myself unless I get a job.

I am disabled and I have a child from a previous relationship. I am due to have my twins with my current partner in a matter of days...

He has briefly moved in to mine (he is able to work all over the country so has a job here) due to the impending birth. Therefore, I have done things by the book and informed relevant people and my money has stopped.

The issue is that I’m not sure if he is extremely controlling money wise or if it’s normal? Though he is self employed - he is on a six figure salary, after tax, pension NI etc etc. he comes home with just over £6000 a month. bills are roughly £1500 a month all in.

His plan of action is to cover all bills, food shop, essentials such as nappies, milk and uniforms etc. But will not be giving me money personally. He has said that I don’t need it because everything will be covered.

Since coming up, he is in sole control of the food shop already (we can only have items if they are in the sale/reduced. If I wanted something that wasn’t discounted, then I would be told to put it back. For example, I wanted some chicken and as it was £3 odd, I had to put it back). He regularly checks my eBay account to see if I have bought anything. He does not want a joint bank card - fair enough, his choice. I suppose it is his money after all. I have been told that I am not allowed to buy anymore baby items because he said I have too much (I actually don’t, think he will be surprised when they arrive!).

Plus lots more - I’ll be here all day.

As it stands, I’ve got £1.60 in my account and have for weeks. In his account, he has £3000 and due another £3500 in the next few days. Plus he has an over draft of £1000.

I am not sure if this is normal. I have been on my own and have my own finances. I of course will try look for a job but doubt anywhere will take me on being 9 months pregnant now.. and being disabled also makes things harder. I am just finding it really degrading not having any money in my own account. I would love to have a coffee at Starbucks tomorrow but can’t go. I would love to book in for my hair to be done just before birth but I can’t afford it. I feel depressed. If this is the norm then I suppose I will be better off being a single parent. I honestly don’t know if this is how couples living together work as I’ve been on my own really for years and had my own finances.

OP posts:
Confusedbeetle · 29/04/2018 14:12

By moving in with him unmarried you have forfeited all your legal rights including benefits. This is in no way an equal relationship

ilovesooty · 29/04/2018 14:13

Absolutely not normal. I'd be ending this relationship before you become completely disempowered.

Contwixt · 29/04/2018 14:14

He has said if we split, then he will not be paying child support as he will be going for 50:50-joint access. If I don’t agree then it’ll be court. He says he doesn’t need to pay child support as he will have them half the week.

He is a nice person otherwise, just extremely over the top with money.

OP posts:
Lucked · 29/04/2018 14:14

Actually you as the mother can claim child benefit into your account and then the he will have to pay it back.

I could not live like this, it is madness and I think he is a very controlling man who you should run away from.

Do not give up your home and move in with him.

Aeroflotgirl · 29/04/2018 14:15

He sounds really nasty, he does not love or care for you at all. Sorry he does not sound very nice op, please do not marry him, run free.

ilovesooty · 29/04/2018 14:16

He doesn't sound at all nice. I'd be very interested to know why you think he is.

sexnotgender · 29/04/2018 14:17

Incredibly controlling!

Are you able to claim any money for your disability? That shouldn't be means tested.

Lucked · 29/04/2018 14:17

Maybe he will end up with joint access but not if he lives 200miles away. Most importantly you will be free.

Cambionome · 29/04/2018 14:18

Kill him.

Nopointinnamechanging2018 · 29/04/2018 14:18

Wow that is not ok!
I'm all for seperate finances but if you have kids then it should be worked out so each has a similar amount of disposable money.
Are you supposed to not leave the house, get new clothes when you need them, buy anything for the kids or the house without his approval?
He is controlling and financially abusive.

BananasAreTheSourceOfEvil · 29/04/2018 14:19

OP- you’re engaged and yet he’s discussing how he wouldn’t have to give you anything if you split?

That’s not just financial manipulation, it’s cruel: he’s taking the kids 50/50. Jesus.

You cannot be in a situation where you can’t even get a coffee- plus being due any day. He’s sick.

As a PP suggested, ask what would you do? Would you treat someone you loved like that?

Sad
Maelstrop · 29/04/2018 14:20

How does he expect you to live with no money to spend on yourself? He sounds horrible, not nice at all.

Aeroflotgirl · 29/04/2018 14:20

He sounds very cold and clinical towards you, he does not sound like a man that loves you or cares. He is abusive, controlling and unpleasant. He wants 50/50 access, not because he loves the kids and wants them there, but because he does not want to see you get a penny out of him. Please please do not marry him, and do not move in with him your life will be hell. Stay where you are and claim all the benefits you can, you will be happier and free. If he wants 50/50 he can go through the courts.

Akire · 29/04/2018 14:22

You need money! What happens if you need a taxi to hospital? Or need anything? Feeling faint out need a drink? You are contributing all childcare in return he gets keep all his money? Presume his rent and bills were £700-1000 month anyway he would have to pay that if he wasn’t living with you. So it’s not a generous as it sounds.

You need a discussion about money, either he has super savings or he’s spending coups grand on himself a month. Why shouldn’t you have same?

Don’t move away from where you are, get him move out if he does change his attitude over money you can try again but these types of people never do. Can’t see him paying 50% childcare for twins so he can work when he can pay you instead. It’s just a threat.

sausagedogsmakechipolatas · 29/04/2018 14:22

Enough red flags for a Labour rally there. Seriously. I would not be uprooting your child and relinquishing your financial independence to move in with him.

He can apply for 50/50 sure, but he won’t get it until the babies are a year old. Fair enough after that, and he might not have to pay maintenance, but at least you won’t be at his mercy.

ItsNachoCheese · 29/04/2018 14:23

Get him to fuck pronto you dont need a nasty twat like that in you or your babies and older childs life

TellyCushion · 29/04/2018 14:23

I'd sit down and have a proper chat with him and agree on how things are going to be. If he can't agree to something more humane, then unfortunately I'd advise you not to move in with him. You definitely need your own allowance.

LunaTrap · 29/04/2018 14:23

He isn't going to get 50-50 access of newborns. Do you have any other support network? I would be telling him to leave and putting in a claim for maintenance once they are born. He sounds horrible btw.

Aeroflotgirl · 29/04/2018 14:28

No nice chat, he does not sound like the type of man who would be reasonable, he sounds nasty and controlling.

imweirdandcool · 29/04/2018 14:28

he is selfish

JoandMax · 29/04/2018 14:29

Wow totally not normal, and actually downright cruel! How can he sit there with all that cash in the bank knowing you can’t even afford a coffee???

That is not the actions of a nice person OP, think seriously if this is the environment you want your DC brought up in......

Teenagerwoes · 29/04/2018 14:31

I’d ask him to move out, you can tell the relevant people that he has moved out and hopefully your money won’t take long to be reinstated.

As others have said he’s not getting 50/50 access of newborn babies so will be required to pay maintenance at least initially.
Is it likely he would be able to provide care for them 50/50 anyway? He would likely have to move closer to do this.

You say otherwise he’s nice, I think you need to take a step back because he doesn’t sound nice. Flowers

Is there anything you can sell that you no longer need to get you some emergency money? Any nice gifts he’s given you for example?

Rudgie47 · 29/04/2018 14:31

Fuck that for a game of cards, your better off on benefits. Just kick him out and go to the CAB to make sure your applying for all your entitled to or go on the benefit calculators.

AmeliaFolch · 29/04/2018 14:34

Please send him on his way. That's not normal behaviour at all. It's very controlling. My XP was like this and things escalated once our DS was born. My mum was a sahm when I was growing up. Once the mortgage and bills were paid my dad would split what was left 80/20.The 20was his for petrol and hobbies, taking us kids out for the day when mum needed a break and the 80 was for mum to buy food, what she needed for herself and us. That's what's normal if you're an sahm in my opinion and at best he's an insensitive prick if he doesn't realise that you need money of your own and how trapped it makes you to be dependent on him.

Idontdowindows · 29/04/2018 14:34

This man does not have your best interests at heart.
This man does not have your child's best interest at heart.
This man is leaving you penniless.
This man is threatening you with court and taking your child if you don't do as he says.

Please run for the hills. Please.