Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Enough is enough or am I being petty

127 replies

toohotoday · 22/07/2021 15:48

Background: OH and I have been together 4 years. He has 2 adult ds 30 and 34. They have never accepted our relationship. After split with their mum they decided he should be on his own if not with her. There is no OW scenario here, I came on the scene well after.

The 2 DS dictate elements of our lives. We can't frequent certain pubs and restaurants, can't post things together on social media, they will not see their dad if I am present, they will not visit our home and they have said if he tries to 'push the issue' they will have nothing to do with him. To me this feels like blackmail.

They both live at home with their mother, pay no rent and have what shall we say, not a great attitude towards women in general.

They contact their dad only if they want something, usually money or a problem solved (think collect something for them, give them a lift somewhere). If he does see them he has to organise and pay for whatever they do and this is few and far between. They don't even bother to see him on his birthday or fathers day and never even a card. They live a 5 minute walk away.

He accepts this as he wants to maintain a relationship with them (which I do understand). But I'm starting to lose respect for him as he gives in to what I can only call entitled behaviour and blackmail in staying part of their life. They have bad mouthed me, they don't even know me, have met me a handful of times, for a few minutes when paths accidently crossed.

I would understand if they were stroppy teens, straight out of their parents divorce, but I can't get my head around 2 grown men dictating like this and refusing to see him ever if he continues to acknowledge me in his life.

OH is doing nothing about it. Just accepting it all - for an easy life. He has also paid for their sport which they do since they were 17, which is about £100 a month and when he recently told them they need to start paying it themselves they were not impressed.

I'm actually very hurt over it all and I do get angry they can treat someone like this when I have done absolutely nothing to affect their life in any way. And I get angry at OH for not dealing with it.

As they dictate areas of our life, affecting what we can and cannot do and OH refusing to do anything about it.

AIBU to say enough is enough. They want nothing to do with me, after all this time, Thats fine.
I therefore want nothing to do with them and when OH is at my house I do not want him taking begging phone calls or texts when he is spending time with me. They won't see him or visit him at his if I'm there, So same goes when asking for money and favours in my house.

If they want money or problems sorting then OH can deal with it when he is not with me in my house, as for every other aspect they dictate I not be there.

I feel petty but I'm honestly so fed up of their crap and if OH is not going to call them out on it, this is my way of saying they can't have their cake and eat it.

OP posts:
toohotoday · 22/07/2021 18:12

Do they have jobs OP?
They both have jobs. One changes jobs quite frequently. The other changed jobs a year ago and now works for a company run by the biggest male chauvinistic pig in the area. He's doing great there. Says it all. Apparently its not an 'environment' everyone could work in and you have to be a certain type of person to be able to work there.

I recently met a new work colleague who had worked previously at that company and backed up the 'rumers' about the company and particularly the boss 100%.

In a nutshell. if you were a woman working there you'd have to really, really know how to hold your own.

OP posts:
toohotoday · 22/07/2021 18:15

OP I'm really curious so please forgive the question but how old are you? Are you a lot younger than your DP?

I'm not young (40), I'm 13 years younger than DP.

OP posts:
toohotoday · 22/07/2021 18:21

Just want to thank everyone for taking the time to reply. It's given me something to think about.

I just can't see a future to be honest with someone who basically apologises to his adult sons for wanting to marry me. It sits so wrong.

Even if they didn't like me - after actually getting to know me, most would still respect their fathers decision of who he chooses to be with and be normal civil human beings when in their company.

I'm completely financially sound, so its not that they can think I'm taking their inheritance, although that has occurred to me as they are very grabby and money focused it seems.

Could be they are jealous their dad is spending time with my DC (who are actual children), but then would they prefer him to ignore them and be a total arse to children? Who knows what is in their heads, but its messing with mine too much now.

OP posts:
Aquamarine1029 · 22/07/2021 18:22

You're 40 and wasting the best years of your life on this loser.

Tistheseason17 · 22/07/2021 18:37

Yeah - you need to get this sorted soon - one way or another.
I bet this is why the previous girlfriend left.

TheArtfulCodger · 22/07/2021 18:39

My 40s were the best years of my life - yours can be too, but you need to extracate yourself from this controlling and disrespectful bunch first.

impatientwatcher · 22/07/2021 18:40

So he broke up with their Mum and then a few years later got back with her, then broke up again? Has he ever done anything with them other than give them money?

Greenrubber · 22/07/2021 18:44

OP could it be the mother's influence? Not in a bad way but if the mum still loves the dad and didn't want the marriage to end in the first place? Could make a woman very bitter! that might be a reason for them being dicks to you?

User112 · 22/07/2021 18:49

Your OHs behaviour is telling them it’s ok to treat you like crap.

AnneLovesGilbert · 22/07/2021 18:54

OP, don’t you want to be with someone who’s proud to be with you? Who wants to shout it from the roof tops? Who announces your engagement with celebration and joy, not shame or embarrassment?

Don’t you want to be cherished, respected, to be with someone who makes your future brighter, easier, happier?

The more time you waste on this mess the less chance you’ll have of meeting him.

whynotwhatknot · 22/07/2021 19:00

I know someone who married a man like this-it was with 2 daughters though-didnt even acknowledge her wouldnt give her time of day

Husband pandered to them marriage didnt last 2 years

get out it wont change-he doesnt have a relationship with his sons theyre using him and laughing-if it wasnt you it would be something else

Clarice99 · 22/07/2021 19:02

Gosh OP, I've just seen your update about your age - 40!

You really don't need this crap. Your own DC will be picking up on the negativity from this man and his sons.

I sincerely wish you all the best. Your life will be much more positive minus the man child and his man child offspring.

Faevern · 22/07/2021 19:17

I feel like I have read this before. I wonder if they believe he will come back to their mother again if they ignore you, just as he did before?

Your DP doesn’t treat women very well does he, his sons didn’t fall far from the tree.

Budapestdreams · 22/07/2021 19:20

So he and ex broke up.

He had a 4 year relationship with someone else (son's ignored her).

Then he and ex got back together.

Then they broke up again.

Now he's in another 4 year relationship (sons ignoring you).

The sons may well be expecting to them to get back together again. To them, your relationship is temporary.

It is also a barrier to their parents reuniting.

I know that is often a way that children think, but quite honestly, these men do think and act like children.

He needs to sit them down, explain him and their mum are over for good and ask them how they feel about that.

TheEelOfMisfortune · 22/07/2021 19:25

The sooner you see him as pathetic the better. It is where the two DC get it from presumably.

Find you anger. How can you not be furiously angry with them, him and then yourself. Knock it on the head. Walk away and go to any pub you damn well choose!

Aquamarine1029 · 22/07/2021 19:26

He needs to sit them down, explain him and their mum are over for good and ask them how they feel about that.

The sons are in their thirties, FFS. They need help understanding their parents' marriage is over? Ask them how they feel about it? Confused

AdaFuckingShelby · 22/07/2021 19:33

Get out of this relationship for your own sake. The longer you stay the worse you'll feel. He has no respect for you. You should get some for yourself Flowers

StoneofDestiny · 22/07/2021 19:33

Crikey OP - don't put up with it.

Budapestdreams · 22/07/2021 19:34

I know they are in their 30s!!

That's my point, they are behaving like children, he needs to get to the bottom of why they act like this.

Or he could ignore it, give in to their demands and let his sons treat his partner like dirt.

StCharlotte · 22/07/2021 19:37

The 2 DS dictate elements of our lives. We can't frequent certain pubs and restaurants, can't post things together on social media...

Fuck that for a game of soldiers!

Iflyaway · 22/07/2021 19:54

Exactly StCharlotte!

I couldn't respect a man or be in a relationship with him if he let his family treat me like that.

Someone upthread said it would give them the ick. Yes, me too.

Travis1 · 22/07/2021 20:05

I honestly just couldn’t. Never mind losing respect for him what about respect for yourself?!

1forAll74 · 22/07/2021 20:32

This really is, very odd behaviour from these two adult sons,and from your partner as well, for putting up with this craziness. I don't suppose you have ever had the chance, or inclination maybe, to know why the sons are so odd ball and unfriendly..It is awful for you, that you have to be in the midst of all this, especially as your partner puts up with it all. Most people would be inclined to cut these two men off I think.

HalzTangz · 22/07/2021 20:37

Your OH need to grow some balls, these are adult kids not young kids.
Why on earth is he still paying for their sports etc, they should be at an age to fund their own lifestyle.

Equally you both need to stand firm, go where you want, eat where you want and post what the hell you like on social media. It is not up to them to dictate what either of you can and can't do.

I personally think they are bluffing with the 'cut off' threat, so maybe you and OH need to call them out on it. Let's face it they won't cut off the hand that feeds them.

I wouldn't make myself scarce when they visit either, why should you. Adults are perfectly capable of being civil and polite even if they don't like others in the room.

Why on earth are you and him pandering to them like this?

me4real · 22/07/2021 21:29

I personally think they are bluffing with the 'cut off' threat, so maybe you and OH need to call them out on it. Let's face it they won't cut off the hand that feeds them.

@HalzTangz That's a good point.

Swipe left for the next trending thread