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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to think this was NOT emotional blackmail?

32 replies

MeteorShower · 20/01/2019 20:00

XP and I met 15 years ago. I was a single parent, he was a bit of a party animal and borderline alcoholic (yes I know) with serious depression (yes yes I know ). We knew each other through friends and got on really well for 3 years before we actually got together.

From very early on in our relationship I made it quite clear that I was looking for a quiet family life, that I wouldn't tolerate heavy drinking in front of my DC, and that I would like to have more children in future. I always made all of that clear. He wasn't sure if he wanted any DC of his own at first, and I said quite clearly that in that case the relationship wasn't going anywhere, because that was one of the things I wanted most. He chose to stay with me, and we moved about 100 miles when we got a once in a lifetime chance to live in a really lovely rural area that we normally wouldn't have been able to afford (I inherited a cottage).

We had our DD 4 years into the relationship - planned, as in, we stopped using contraception - and she has some SN that have caused considerable stress over the last few years. Things were hard, and I'll admit I became increasingly resentful over his utter inability to take responsibility for stuff.

He doesn't drive, so everything from school runs to hospital appointments to shopping had to be facilitated by me. I had the money to pay for him to learn to drive but there was always a reason he didn't want to. If I didn't organise it, nothing happened. Occasionally he'd say something like, for example, oh wouldn't it be nice to go to Skye - but never do anything like suggest a week to go, or organise accomodation, or find ferry times or anything at all, so things he wanted to do didn't happen. He didn't see much of his old friends because I wouldn't have them in the house (all heavy drinkers and casual drug users) and I didn't facilitate it by driving him to visit them. I was the main earner for the last 6 years while he faffed about 'building a business' that never made any money. He used to go away to 'work' at festivals but I did say I wanted him to stop as a) it was basically a week long jolly for him while I was at home alone with the DC (he'd meet up with old friends and spend the week pissed while litter picking) and b) I never saw a penny of the money he made doing it so it felt like lose lose for me!

XP announced last year that he had had enough, felt like I'd treated him like shit and emotionally blackmailed him into having a baby and giving up everything that made him happy, and walked out. He claims that I stopped him seeing his friends, made his life a misery, never wanted him in the first place, and have resented and bullied him for years. He says it suited me for him to be unhappy and that I've been quite happy to keep him depressed as it meant he never pursued his own dreams.

I feel very very hurt by this - I mean yes by the end I did resent him but tbh by then it was all so fucked anyway that it's not really fair to use that as the benchmark for the whole 12 years! But I can't shake what he's said to me, I feel so crushed by it and can't stop worrying that he's right, that I am an awful person and that I'll just keep fucking up for the rest of my life.

OP posts:
Handprints2018 · 20/01/2019 20:06

He's in the wrong so in his defensiveness he's targeting you so he can play the victim. He's the manipulate bastard.

Tweakanddashi · 20/01/2019 20:07

Of course it wasn't emotional blackmail, you were being upfront about what you wanted. It sounds like overall even though it's very sad you are better off without him?

Handprints2018 · 20/01/2019 20:08

How is he with his child now given he's walked away from his family and claims he was manipulated into having one?

disneyspendingmoney · 20/01/2019 20:16

This happens a lot, when the X goes they use denial to not face what they did wrong in a relationship and pass the buck of blame.

It's not your fault it's the way he is. It happened to me and is still happening to me, my X will not accept any responsibility in the the ongoing failure that was our relationship.

Look to a fresh clean future, don't listen to those inner voices and in a few months when spring comes things will be better

Karwomannghia · 20/01/2019 20:19

He means the opposite of what he’s saying. He’s trying to convince himself he’s much better off without you, so he can abuse himself with drugs and alcohol as much as he likes. Next he’ll be blaming you for that.
Don’t engage with him.

Awrite · 20/01/2019 20:25

Sounds like you were not suited from the start and that you are better off without him.

Who cares what he thinks, he walked away. He'll be changing history to suit his feelings.

As long as you can take care of your kids, you'll be fine. I'm guessing you don't want him back.

adriano007 · 20/01/2019 20:35

@MeteorShower - the positive things:

  • he is XP,
  • you have DC

Now, it is time to move on with life and take everything he says with a pinch of salt!
What you described was not emotional blackmail. Nobody at their right mind would agree with him.
So, it is time to move on with your life and make the best with your DCs. Stop thinking about the past! The future is what you make of it... Flowers

Chickychoccyegg · 20/01/2019 20:35

thats nonsense, it is not emotional blackmail at all, sounds like you'll be better off without him!

MrsJane · 20/01/2019 20:46

Well he doesn't want to face the fact he's a useless immature man child, so he's twisted everything to put the blame on you.

He drinks too much, he doesn't drive, he doesn't try to bring any money in, he doesn't want any responsibility, he decides he doesn't want a child 4 years after the event... you are so much better off without him!

And he will realise this. Hopefully soon after you've found an amazing man that you truly deserve!

Do not waste another second doubting yourself over this plonker!

MeteorShower · 20/01/2019 20:56

Oh thank you all Flowers

Yes I think overall I'm lucky to be rid of him. I have crushingly low self esteem and he was genuinely lovely to me for many years - he's the only man who has ever told me I was beautiful, every single morning, for example. And I did love him and we did get on well and had some amazing times together - I'm not going to say it was all bad. But I just can't get the things he's said out of my head.

When we first split and I was devastated, he was quite kind and sympathetic. But as Ive grown stronger and happier he has become more and more angry with me. It's like he had it all planned - leave me, be happy, let me be miserable and pine for him. But I'm not playing the part he wants! And tbh he's still a miserable sod who hasnt exactly moved on to better things.

I will be fair and say he is (within his limitations of not driving etc) an excellent father to not just our DD but my older DC. They all love him very much and he is extremely hands on with our youngest who needs a lot of additional care. That's why I still see so much of him - he cares for her in my home so I can work. We are trying to be civil and friendly for the DC but it's hard going when he says shit like that about me (not in front of them) and then I have to try and swallow my feelings and eat bloody dinner with him!

OP posts:
MeteorShower · 20/01/2019 20:59

That's the thing - he isn't ditching our child(ren) - just me. Which I know is as it should be, he should stay in their lives no matter what the state of our relationship. But he makes it so clear to me that he resents it through his words and actions but somehow in his mind it's me that's the resentful one? Whereas I'm just sad about the whole thing but committed to moving forward and making the best of the situation.

OP posts:
Walkingdeadfangirl · 20/01/2019 21:15

So he was a party animal, a depressed alcoholic who doesn't drive or have a proper job and didn't want children. Yet you ended up having a baby with him.

You definitely tried to change him so you could get the quiet family life you wanted. I cant help but think you manipulated him into it.

Did he ever get treated for his depression? What prompted his change that he professed his new desire to have children? Was this when he was sober and for an extended period of time or did he just give in one drunken depressed night to acquiesce to your demands?

adriano007 · 20/01/2019 21:18

We are trying to be civil and friendly for the DC but it's hard going when he says shit like that about me (not in front of them) and then I have to try and swallow my feelings and eat bloody dinner with him!

Smile and wave boys, smile and wave

QueenofallIsee · 20/01/2019 21:24

It wasn’t but I can see his point of view - sadly, he didn’t really want to change and resents that you cut off access to his destructive habits.

Don’t blame yourself, you can’t change someone who doesn’t want to change....,lesson learned I hope x x x hugs to you

DownTownAbbey · 20/01/2019 21:28

Sounds like he wanted to be a grown up and had a try for a while but he couldn't keep it up and has reverted to type. Your error was believing what he said ( 'I'm a leopard that wants to change it's spots'). Now he's blaming you because he can't do it long term. Unfair of him, because all you did was assume he was telling the truth.

MeteorShower · 20/01/2019 21:33

I just feel furious tbh that he wasted my time! Why go along with stuff you're not happy with like that? Why not just leave and save us all a load of heartache further down the line? I could've found someone else 10 years ago, before I was so knackered and tired and sagging and jaded. I could've had a chance at a life and a family with someone whose heart was truly in it. And instead I've spent years propping up someone who now tells me they hated every minute of it and blame me for all their problems.

Difference is, I accept responsibility for my choices and how they've led me to this point, and I wouldn't dream of saying all that to him, because it would be pointless and hurtful and it wouldn't change where we are now.

NB obvs I know why he stayed - an easy ride. We've been lucky enough with housing that he didn't need* to be a proper grown up or earn a living.

OP posts:
SugarinaPlum · 20/01/2019 21:35

Oh well now he’s out of your evil clutches I expect he is excelling at all areas of life Hmm or is he still a useless man child who can’t get his life together?

MeteorShower · 20/01/2019 21:40

Grin plus ça change.... I'm not sure ditching me was quite as transformative as he hoped tbh.

OP posts:
Dollymixture22 · 20/01/2019 21:41

He has woken up one morning realised he hasn’t lived the glamorous carefree existence he envisaged, and needed someone to blame.

It can’t possibly be his fault, so it must be yours.

I picture a middle aged man who dresses, acts and talks like a guy in his mid twenties, who chats up much younger girls and doesn’t notice they are sniggering at him.

SugarinaPlum · 20/01/2019 22:07

Potential pith comebacks for when he starts this shit (can be thought rather than said out loud!!,)

  • If only Iknew how good I was at trapping and oppressing people, I’d have gone for one hotter/richer than you
  • yeah coz things are going well for you since we...oh no, even since we split you’re still useless
  • so that’s in the past, how are you going to change things now you’re free (and aware of pitfalls like my depression trap)
MeteorShower · 20/01/2019 22:14

Ahhhhh @SugarinaPlum Grin

He actually thinks he's the victim and I'm the oppressor.

And meanwhile I can still earn a living, still own my own home, still drive a banger car, still have a nice quiet life... I will actually be ok, won't I?

OP posts:
CSIblonde · 20/01/2019 22:15

He means you wouldn't accept him being a slacker. His problem not yours. You were upfront about what you needed. You weren't suited & you are well rid.

SugarinaPlum · 21/01/2019 07:10

You’re fine hen. He walked out on you, any chance that as he’s started to realise that his own inability to run his own life (stay with you, then eventually, leave you) is the real problem?
You’re starting to do ok without him but I’d guess he isn’t doing so good?
It’s very hard to argue with a rumour Or a “feeling” that he has...the fact you are worried it might be true even though you can’t think how it could be the case given all the evidence just shows how much you feel responsible for him.

Clutterbugsmum · 21/01/2019 07:54

Of course it's all you fault because otherwise he would have to admit how much HE failed and it is so much easier to blame you.

You don't need to have any witty come backs, ignore anything that not concerned with him seeing/paying for DC. Every thing else is just background noise.

The better your's and your DC life is the more he will blame you as he knows he is incapable of meeting even your lowest standards.

Windgate · 21/01/2019 08:40

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

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