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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

WW3 because I watched a TV programme

354 replies

Frances2468 · 12/06/2020 07:53

Hi everyone,

I am feeling so low today. I am feeling like I have no choice but to end my relationship. I feel so unhappy and saddened by how petty disagreements have become.

My partner is angry at me, stormed off to bed last night, and this morning asking for an apology because I watched a TV programme without him last night.

I have depression and I had been feeling well the past few months, but the past few weeks I have had a bit of a downer. Getting sick of lockdown, and all the emotions stirred from BLM, I have just been feeling very negative and sad at the world.

Anyway, last night my partner had a video call booked in with friends (1 of these friends is actually an ex FWB) so this does make me feel a bit anxious, even though I have never tried to interfere in the friendship or stop them being friends, but yes it does sometimes give me a bit of a anxious knot in my tummy when I know they are meeting up or talking on the phone or whatever.

Anyway he was upstairs in the bedroom on the video call, I was downstairs. I am not actually a big TV lover, but I was feeling a bit down so just wanted something lazy to occupy me. I decided to watch 12 years a slave, but after an hour and 10 minutes I couldn't stomach it any longer as it was very upsetting.

I went upstairs to get my PJ's on and I saw his friend on the screen and I immediately felt filled with self deprecating thoughts about myself. "She is prettier than me", "I wonder if he thinks that too" this is totally MY issue and not my partner's. I 100% recognise this. I was not going to put this on my partner, I am just trying to explain I was feeling vulnerable and not great.

I went back downstairs trying to find something to watch. I decided to watch the next episode of this cheesy reality TV programme we watch together. I just wanted something really trashy and easy going to make me feel better. I would have been happy to watch it again with my partner.

About 20 mins into the programme my partner has finished the video call and comes downstairs.

He says "I can't believe you are watching this without me!" And he is really angry. I am stunned into silence. And I really don't deal well with anger anyway and it makes me clam up. He says "I can't believe you have done that, we watch that together. I would never do that to you"

I try to explain that I just couldn't find anything else to watch.

He wants me to apologise. I feel like a kid being told off. I feel stunned at this OTT reaction.

He goes up the stairs to bed muttering that he wouldn't do that to me, and if did I would have been angry and it isn't fair.

I just think is this worth it? It is just a programme! I would have happily watched it again. I am sorry it hurt his feelings- I didnt expect that reaction at all.

This morning he says all I have to do is apologise and can we move on. I feel flabbergasted- me apologise?!?! All I did was watch a programme. I was feeling low (not that you bothered to ask me how I was feeling) and wanted to watch something trashy. Is this really worth an argument?

He says that I am patronising and I am in validating his feelings. That I have OTT reactions in the past so it is rich coming from me to say he acted out of order.

He says that I just can't handle being told off. I said I am sorry I hurt his feelings, I am not trying to invalidate him feeling disappointed or whatever but the way he handled it was just not very nice.

He says I like to play the victim.

I just feel like this is a stupid thing to get angry and punish me for! He is using this as an excuse to get angry for all the others I have done wrong to him

OP posts:
bubbleup · 12/06/2020 12:29

Although I will say I haven't RTFT so if there are updates that he's more abusive than being annoyed at a programme then 🤷🏽‍♀️

Mnthrowaway20202 · 12/06/2020 12:32

@bubbleup

If my partner was struggling with their mental health I wouldn’t begrudge them watching “our” show nor would I blow up at them over it. Anything to keep their mind out of a dark place no? It’s just a distraction.

burnoutbabe · 12/06/2020 12:32

he wasn't having a private chat with an ex, he was on a GROUP CHAT.

I'd be annoyed if by other half watched "our show" together and i'd assume it was a passive dig about something.

Even if its LOVE IS BLIND or whatever show it is.

At present, loads of things are sending couples into strops. We're all sick of each other really.

Lweji · 12/06/2020 12:32

It might be worth watching this episode of Black-ish about pushing each other's buttons, if you can.

Season 6, episode 20.

He may be a complete twat, but he may also be struggling like you.

thepeopleversuswork · 12/06/2020 12:37

vanillandhoney

"You can think he was a dick and think she did the wrong thing too - it doesn't have to be one or the other."

It doesn't, but its a question of proportion.

I think to argue that watching "our" TV show together without the other partner is on a par with storming around being angry and sulky about this and carrying the row over to the next day is totally nuts.

The first is a very very marginal thing -- to the point where it hardly bears comment. The second is a massive breach of the respect in their relationship. Particularly when he knows she is struggling with her mental health.

thepeopleversuswork · 12/06/2020 12:38

Just as an aside, does no-one else think having an "our programme" is totally twee and naff?

The idea makes me slightly nauseous tbh...

madcatladyforever · 12/06/2020 12:45

Don't you DARE apologise!!!

He is being a sulky abusive PRICK.

I simply cannot imagine castigating another adult human being for switching on the tv and watching it. It is the ultimate in nasty controlling behaviour.

If this is a regular occurrence then yes you should dump him, I guarantee you will feel 100% less depressed when he is gone. I found that with both my ex husbands, my mood improved considerably post divorce, funny that.

vanillandhoney · 12/06/2020 12:47

I think to argue that watching "our" TV show together without the other partner is on a par with storming around being angry and sulky about this and carrying the row over to the next day is totally nuts.

I think the whole thing is much more complex than that.

OP has said in previous posts she struggles with her mental health - that will put a strain on any relationship, let alone one during lockdown where two people are forced to spend unnatural amounts of time together with none of their usual outlets and distractions.

Then you have her boyfriend who is still in touch with his FWB, which is something that OP is really unhappy about - to the extent she gets a knot in her stomach and it makes her upset and fragile. That's not healthy either. Her boyfriend has also admitted that he feels resentful towards her for previous arguments and she's clearly resentful towards him for maintaining this friendship too.

It's a lot more complex than "DP kicked off because I watched a TV show without him", which is why I don't feel comfortable with all the posts calling him an abusive dick. There are faults on both sides and I don't think it's as black and white as people are making it out to be.

I know I've had arguments in the past where, on paper, I'm being totally irrational and unreasonable, but when you look at the backstory and my history with that person, things make a bit more sense and the reaction becomes much more understandable.

madcatladyforever · 12/06/2020 12:48

Just as an aside, does no-one else think having an "our programme" is totally twee and naff?

The idea makes me slightly nauseous tbh…

I agree, one of my exes liked us to watch certain programmes together but for fucks sake there was none of this massive drama if we didn't.

Fleamaker123 · 12/06/2020 12:48

So she's out of order for getting to watch a tv programme without checking it's ok with him...
But perfectly reasonable to chat away with an ex lover upstairs..

Bizarre.

TheExterminatingAngel · 12/06/2020 12:54

Just as an aside, does no-one else think having an "our programme" is totally twee and naff?

The idea makes me slightly nauseous tbh…

I agree. I think the OP needs to look after herself and get out of a relationship that isn't helping her MH - but, yes, the idea of having an "our programme" makes me die a bit inside.

thepeopleversuswork · 12/06/2020 12:55

vanillandhoney

Of course its more complex than that -- there are grievances on both sides, the OP has MH issues and they're both on lockdown. It sounds a fairly toxic relationship, all said.

But what's really shocked me is that about half of the responses have been people saying that watching a TV show without permission from your other half is as bad as starting a huge and nasty row about this.

I struggle to think of anything which would justify his behaviour: even if she was cheating it wouldn't be justified.

The idea that by watching a TV programme without his permission she deserves all she gets and is being "passive aggressive" (which a lot of people are saying) is just astonishing.

TheyDoItOnPurposeLynne · 12/06/2020 12:56

@Lweji

It might be worth watching this episode of Black-ish about pushing each other's buttons, if you can.

Season 6, episode 20.

He may be a complete twat, but he may also be struggling like you.

That linked to a very pleasant but irrelevant interview with Pete Davidson. Enjoyable none the less. Sorry to go OT
MummBraTheEverLeaking · 12/06/2020 13:02

Nothing to add really but he's a childish prick, sorry OP Flowers

1forAll74 · 12/06/2020 13:05

Why do you have to watch TV programmes together, its very odd. But your partner sounds immature and odd also.

Frances2468 · 12/06/2020 13:13

He is acting now like the situation is dealt with now. Trying to kiss and cuddle me and telling me I am cute.

This is serious for me. I can't take anymore

OP posts:
B1rdbra1n · 12/06/2020 13:18

Acting like the situation is dealt with now is a way of gaslighting you

B1rdbra1n · 12/06/2020 13:20

If you let him control the narrative, if you let him be the one who says what's right and what's wrong then he will know he can get away with whatever he wants because he can count on your unquestioning obedience

thepeopleversuswork · 12/06/2020 13:20

1ForAll74

I will freely confess I have watched TV programmes with my boyfriend "together" under lockdown (with a facetime link as we aren't physically together). Nothing wrong with that or with enjoying watching things together.

But the idea that its some "sacred" bonding activity never to be violated is quite disturbing, tbh.

Apple1029 · 12/06/2020 13:21

I think you were a bit selfish, but that doesnt warrant his reaction. It seems like its run its course and there is alot of pent up resentment from both sides.
It is not a healthy dynamic and especially for your MH. If you feel like breaking up then you should focus on that and getting better.
Also have a honest discussion with him about how you feel. No one should be telling of another equal partner.

thepeopleversuswork · 12/06/2020 13:22

Frances2468

You need to go. You've taken the most difficult step in admitting this to yourself. It's a priority.

You seemed to be suggesting you didn't want to bother other people with it but its clearly the priority for you. You need to make a plan.

aSofaNearYou · 12/06/2020 13:23

Why do you have to watch TV programmes together, its very odd. But your partner sounds immature and odd also.

That's a bit far, don't you think? When you live with somebody it's perfectly normal to watch things together. His reaction is not normal but it's pretty sad to say it's odd to watch TV with the person you live with.

Vivi0 · 12/06/2020 13:28

As the daughter of a mother who is passive aggressive and would do things like that to “punish” my father, rather than just having a conversation with him, and when he lost his temper, would cast herself into the victim role and he the perpetrator, your post raises so many red flags for me.

The amount of posters so quick to jump to the conclusion that your partner is the aggressor makes me really worry for my two sons finding themselves in abusive relationships like this.

Vivi0 · 12/06/2020 13:29

From your post, you sound very cold and calculating.

thepeopleversuswork · 12/06/2020 13:30

aSofaNearYou

It's not odd to watch TV with the person you live with at all.

t's odd to insist that failure to watch the same TV programmes in sync is disrespectful or a breach of trust. It's absolutely nuts.