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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Losing my temper/shit with selfish OH

217 replies

Idunnowhyibother · 16/07/2021 18:50

Posting before I explode and say unsayable things in haste!
My partner of 9 months is lovely - loyal, sensitive and calm (any more laidback and he'd be sat on a cloud strumming a harp) but fucking HELL is he selfish!
I've got a failed marriage behind me so am not sure if my bastard-radar is broken or I don't trust myself anymore so I thought I'd see what you lot think :)
I work 3 jobs from home (he is looking for work after relocating to be with me) and cook/clean/shop and skivvy in general. I'm usually knackered at weekends and just want to flop or go to the hairdressers and just chill. But we are always going to see his friends (me being the taxi service as he doesn't drive). I don't drink/smoke anything funky so I feel like the boring sensible one that has to concentrate on not getting lost on the M5/Mwhatever as I'm a bit of a nervy and slightly crap driver after he has had a wicked time with his friends. He buggers off on a Friday to stay with friends and I just catch up on sleep before picking him up the next day. Then another friend will come down on Sunday and around we go. He knows I work like a dog and am stressed from saving up for a house so I'm getting to the point of no return with frustration at having no 'me' time. I get the feeling he prefers being at his friends (one in particular I really dislike as he is rude and very arrogant towards women)
I'm too bloody old to go through shit like this and am trying to resist pressing the detonate button. It would make a nice explosion but sound like a wet fart after all is said and done! Do I push the buzzer on him?? Or AIBU?
Oh and sorry for the rant. I do want advice :)

OP posts:
CabotCoveBeforeBros · 16/07/2021 22:59

Found yourself a grade A user right there.

Terhou · 16/07/2021 23:01

Start this weekend by refusing to provide the taxi service, and carry on by telling him that he's taking over as cook/cleaner/etc with immediate effect. I suspect his devotion to you won't last, so problem solved.

thelastgoldeneagle · 16/07/2021 23:06

He's not lovely at all. He's a lazy, selfish cocklodger. Boot him out. Stop driving him around.

Why did he move to be with you after only 9 months??

Red flags everywhere. Bin him off!

thelastgoldeneagle · 16/07/2021 23:08

Well done op.

And well done on your sobriety. That's tough. You are clearly a strong woman! 💪

DeRigueurMortis · 16/07/2021 23:15

@thelastgoldeneagle

Well done op.

And well done on your sobriety. That's tough. You are clearly a strong woman! 💪

Absolutely 👏👏👏

DeRigueurMortis · 16/07/2021 23:16

PLEASE READ THE THREAD.

The OP has binned him....

Supportive posts are now required.

a1poshpaws · 16/07/2021 23:22

Get him out now. He's no more loving and sincere than Boris Johnson; he's blatantly using you and totally uninterested in your needs or preferences.

Emerald4512 · 16/07/2021 23:24

This was me 18 months ago and after I got rid I was a new woman! He doesn't sound like he appreciates you so time for him to either change very quickly or go.

a1poshpaws · 16/07/2021 23:28

Oh, just read above that you've binned him.

You're a STAR for being so quick to be sensible when it was laid out for you how he looked to "an outside eye". Now, wait a goodish while before you look for a better model and just enjoy doing "you" things.

If it's any consolation I had 2 failed marriages, and 1 disaster of a 7 year relationship that still makes me wonder where my head was at, but I finally found the best man in the world and had 30 fantastic years with him until he died of Covid last year. I hope you find somebody like him. Flowers

lactofree · 16/07/2021 23:31

He's sounds like a looser and a leach and you're being taken for a ride. Well he is actually, by you to see his friends!

Ohhyeahright · 16/07/2021 23:46

You’re well rid op well done, he saw you coming!!

TheCrowening · 16/07/2021 23:47

Hang on, he’s moved in with you and is currently not working but you’re cooking, cleaning and doing the general housework? No way would I put up with this. My now-husband moved a long way to live with me and was unemployed for a while as he hunted for a job. He was also undoubtedly a LOT younger than your partner at the time (he moved in with me straight from his mum’s house, over 15 years ago now). However there was never any doubt that while I was working and he wasn’t, the house would be sorted and my dinner on the table. I never even had to ask.

You’ve done the right thing OP. It sounds like you need to concentrate on yourself for now and don’t need people in your life that detract from that with their own needs rather than supporting you. Have you seen the Karpman Drama Triangle? I wonder if you have rescuer tendencies and your ex was in the victim role.

Mamanyt · 16/07/2021 23:52

Frankly, he sounds neither lovely (unless his face would make angels weep) nor sensitive. He is letting you do all of the work of the relationship while he sits about, visits friends, and generally has you waiting on him hand and foot. As for laid back...I'd say he's pretty much turned into a puddle of primeval ooze at this point.

You really do deserve better. Either insist he make radical changes, or make one for him...his address.

AcrossthePond55 · 16/07/2021 23:52

First off congratulations on your sobriety. Well done, you!

And well done also to binning him. And don't kick yourself. You realized and binned him after only 9 months. In the context of the rest of your life, 9 months is a short time!

Yes, reconnect with your therapist, that's a smart thing to do. And as far as the future, work with your therapist on that. After my divorce and a disastrous rebound relationship I went to counseling and when I was asked what I wanted to accomplish I said "I want to know why I pick such shit men and how the fuck do I stop!!!". Took me about 18 months to figure it out, but I did and learnt how to set boundaries and keep my heart firmly in my chest where it belonged instead of on my sleeve. If I could do it, so can you.

Takenoprisoner · 16/07/2021 23:55

Op hasn't said she's broken up with her partner, only that she's had a go at him and he's crying. Unless I've missed something.

I doubt getting rid of him will be easy, he moved to be with her, has no job, and nowhere to go. Not that this is the op's problem to solve, but it won't be as quick and easy to get rid.

JeansShirtJeansJacket · 17/07/2021 00:25

So... you're sober, you work three jobs, you're saving for a house... it sounds like you're absolutely sorted.

The only downer is this useless boyfriend.

Push the button.

Mountainash · 17/07/2021 00:52

@Idunnowhyibother Well done! Looking after yourself is your top priority. You have come a long way on your journey, you deserve better.
Big cyber hugs to you. Smile

Justilou1 · 17/07/2021 01:15

Hi @Idunnowhyibother I think that you are not in a totally bad state. I feel like you are emerging from a cocoon where you have been hiding to protect your vulnerability. You are strong enough now to do the hardest thing you have to face up to:- deal with the relationship. I have to say that he sounds manipulative, entitled and exploitative on many, many levels. His lifestyle is NOT speaking loudly of someone who is seriously looking for work. By this stage he should be taking anything he can get. Uber-eats deliveries, anything. You should not be working three jobs and being this exhausted and paying for him to party. I’m disgusted at his entitlement. He does not support or respect you. He has to go.

NowEvenBetter · 17/07/2021 01:49

‘He said’ his lips flapping-who cares? He wants his lodging, feeding, cock service and taxis to continue. Might even muster up some weeping to keep these services running. Do you need a boyfriend that badly that you’ll accept literally anything? He’s a new boyfriend, no need to have a dumping conversation, just ditch him without a second thought.

SomeNameorOther · 17/07/2021 02:00

He knows the writing's on the wall for him now. Be prepared to be love bombed, for promises, for tears - even extreme ill health - anything to engage your sympathy and pull your heart strings so you change your mind, or at least postpone the day he leaves.

Be strong in the face of it all. I like to imagine saying, absently, "that's nice dear" while continuing to potter as if nothing remarkable has been said. I suppose that is grey rocking.

Years ago there was a thread here posted by a woman who had been with her dh for years, and found that the incurable cancer which she and everyone who knew the believed her dh was so ill from, and from all the unsuccessful treatments he had, was just a load of made up shit; far from dying, in fact, he was perfectly well and always had been. It had made his life very jolly at her expense for years.

Stick to your guns.

chaosmaker · 17/07/2021 02:02

@Idunnowhyibother

Yes I am embarrassed now and no I'm not exaggerating for comic effect. Feel a bit sick but that's probably the cold truth coming at me.... I'm not completely spineless or a doormat - I've been battling addiction (sober now) and getting my professional life back on track so have just let him do (as little) as he pleases in the background while I've focused on recovery. Hate typing that ugly as it is but there we go. I'd like to save things but it's messing with my temper now.
If he helped with the battling addiction bit, then it sounds like he's been reimbursed for that and the next part of recovery would be as you said to have a long period of being blissfully single :D Have no guilt when he turns on his tears as he can go and live with his mates!
chaosmaker · 17/07/2021 02:06

Hadn't read the full thread but you definitely did the right thing and taking any support that you've found helpful is the best thing. You'll have time for yourself now and can use it to relax and refocus. Flowers

Graphista · 17/07/2021 02:47

You've only been together 9 months and he's quit a job and relocated to be with you?

How long did he have that job?

Why are you being his taxi service? Why are you doing all the chores if he isn't working?

I don't drink/smoke anything funky

Does that mean he does ?

Is he paying his way?

He is so kind and loving

In precisely what ways? Cos action talks more than fine words

You make being single sound like a penance! Being single can be awesome!

How long were you single before getting together and why did your last relationship end? Why did his last relationship end?

How long have you been sober?

He was supportive when I went through rehab

So you met him while still actively an addict and you've not even been sober a year? 6 months?

Surely your addiction counsellors warned you against major life decisions (like moving in with someone) in the 1st year of sobriety? They tend to warn against new relationships at all.

His weed smoking could well threaten your sobriety.

You need to focus on that right now. I would say also to not be working yourself to the bone and saving for a house just yet either. You're pushing yourself too hard. This is common in addicts. Step back, take a breath, get some more therapy if you're not already still in therapy.

You don't need all this stress

Honestly have some time being single, not working crazy amounts and focusing on getting healthy. I'm from a family FULL of addicts and I've seen certain patterns so so many times. The women addicts all you've said is sooooo familiar to me.

Sobriety is really hard to achieve but even harder to maintain. You're so early on in your sobriety journey you owe it to yourself to make your life as simple and stress free as possible.

The nature of addiction is that your boundaries are all wibbly. It takes time and work and self nurture to firm them up.

This is his first serious relationship? How old is he? How old was he when he started smoking weed?

As I'm sure you already know from therapy addiction can limit maturation psychologically.

Addicts seek to avoid the painful experiences that lead us to maturity. Understandable but not ideal of course.

You've done the right thing

Using your bastard radar analogy you don't need to disconnect it completely it needs a reboot. At the moment your firewalls are down, your anti virus software isn't working. Close down and reset - this will take you probably at least a year, more likely 2 or 3. But it's necessary.

Your health is far more important.

Focus on that for now.

Sounds like you've barely given yourself a breather. Everyone needs time and space when they're dealing with something as difficult as addiction or indeed other mental health issues.

I stayed single for nearly 3 years after my breakdown with a minor blip of starting a relationship that had no future which I knew from the beginning. I needed just to step back, focus on my health, just keep "putting one foot in front of the other" for a bit.

Wishing you well with maintaining your sobriety Thanks

Terminallysleepdeprived · 17/07/2021 06:30

@Idunnowhyibother well done! Congratulations on finding the strength to end it. You are awesome!

Don't beat yourself up though, sometimes when we have been through a challenging time we don't want to see the bad on someone, we just want to see the good stuff. It s normal and natural. And your bastard radar is fine, you knew it wasn't right, you knew what you needed to do or you wouldn't have posted on mumsnet because deep down you knew we would all say he is a twat and you need to kick is lazy ass out. You just needed the solidarity boost and to be reassured that your bastard radar was working fine.

Be proud of yourself! Sobriety is bloody hard work, and you will wobble but stay strong and remember you have done the worst bit and however hard the next steps are you are strong enough to do it.

Shehasadiamondinthesky · 17/07/2021 06:33

Get rid he is a total waste of space.