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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Why is saying no politely not enough?

151 replies

Wilberry · 12/04/2023 14:43

I'm being made to feel like I'm being completely unreasonable right now. Partner moved out a while back as he decided he needed 'space' and to be independent, he'd basically moved into my home 2 and a half years ago, and for a few months we'd been arguing as I work full time and I was also doing everything around the house, cleaning, cooking, shopping, taking care of bills, everything.

When he lived with me his kids came here when he had them and I was ok with this arrangement, but he is a total Disney dad, and his youngest DD acts like his wife, the other two kids may as well not exist and it used to rile me. Youngest DD is very manipulative and the relationship between them to me is a bit wierd, she gets what she wants when she wants or else all hell breaks loose, she's badly behaved and will jump on my sofas etc but when I said to her please don't do that, we don't jump on sofas in this house (very politely and gently), I got told off by him because she started crying saying I was being mean to her.

So he moved into his own place, but wanted us to stay together, but he would be 'independent:, have his own place, care for his kids and whatever else (not really turning out that way but that's another story). For the last week I've barely had anything from him in terms of communication, he blew me off to see his mates instead of spending our child free weekend with me, but now he thinks that as his kids are on holiday and with him that they can all come and stay at my house. I've said no, I'm busy with work, I work at home so I don't really want his kids there running around screaming and shouting, I don't really want him there either as I've come to the conclusion the relationship is going nowhere, but he's quite narcissistic and everything is so over dramatised and I'm made to be the biggest b1txh ever and feel like dirt. I also don't see why I should have to pay to feed them, wash their clothes, shower them and whatever else when he doesn't contribute to my household anymore. I feel like saying no politely should be enough without having to give 20 justifications, but I'm being bombarded asking if they can come here, AIBU?

OP posts:
SpringCherries · 12/04/2023 15:46

One good rule of life for me is.

If I tell someone NO. Friend. Relationship. Work. Whatever. And they completely ignore me and just keep pestering. That is even more reason to stick to the NO.

Tessabelle74 · 12/04/2023 15:46

Just message to say it's not working out, thanks for the memories and block him. He only wants to see you as he can't cope with his kids alone at his own place

Boltonb · 12/04/2023 15:50

Send this text:

I don’t want you and your kids in my house. Actually, I don’t want you OR your kids in my house. This relationship really isn’t working for me, so best not to contact me again. Cheers

ShippingForecastMeditator · 12/04/2023 15:50

Time to move on OP.

Whichnumbers · 12/04/2023 15:51

strange how now he's got his dc in the school holidays he wants to stay over but when he was solo he didn't want to spend time with you...

no is a complete sentence

JuneOsborne · 12/04/2023 15:53

He's so transparent, isn't he? Joker. You're well rid!

ohsuzannah · 12/04/2023 15:55

Lucky you, you've dodged a bullet! Now enjoy the time on your own Wink

bridgetreilly · 12/04/2023 15:56

Get rid.

pinkyredrose · 12/04/2023 15:56

Why does he want his kids to stay with you, is it so he can abdicate responsibility for them?

BellePeppa · 12/04/2023 15:56

Be glad he’s moved out and end it. It doesn’t sound like a good relationship to me.

slowquickstep · 12/04/2023 15:56

A blunt "what part of no don't you understand and while we are at it, i need space, so i wish you and your children all the best. Goodbye" Then you won't have to have any communication with him ever again.

EmmaEmerald · 12/04/2023 16:01

It took me a while to understand the question.

you should have told him to fuck off ages ago.

cruisebaba1 · 12/04/2023 16:01

InsanityRocks · 12/04/2023 15:26

Please, please end this. He has made it much easier to do so by moving out already, so take this as a blessing from the universe and go all out to enjoy the rest of your life with only relationships that enhance your time on earth.

This is such a good piece of advice - do this 100 %

cruisebaba1 · 12/04/2023 16:02

EmmaEmerald · 12/04/2023 16:01

It took me a while to understand the question.

you should have told him to fuck off ages ago.

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Shinyandnew1 · 12/04/2023 16:03

Wow-what a cheeky arse! What reason has he given for wanting to bring his kids to your house (whilst you’re working) rather than staying at his own?

Nellieinthebarn · 12/04/2023 16:04

You are not unreasonable to think that No should be enough, but you are being unreasonable to not just tell this man to fuck off.

turnthetoiletpaperroundproperly · 12/04/2023 16:05

Sorry busy...on your bike sunshine!
Seriously though lovely lady just put an end to it once and for all ,Go live!

Psychonabike · 12/04/2023 16:06

It's all about boundaries @Wilberry . Sometimes we can be bad at maintaining our boundaries in romantic/intimate relationships. As women we are socialised to facilitate these relationships, and end up on the back foot.

Reframe the relationship. Take the romance out of it (sounds like he already has) and imagine he is a friend -one that you have a mutually respectful relationship with- or a good colleague at work.

Once you've reframed it, it's often much easier to find the right words e.g. "No, I'm sorry that doesn't work for me" maybe with one simple reason "I'm busy working from home during that time, it's not a good time to have the children round" and maybe a statement about how you see things going forward with visits from the kids now that he has his own place and own "independent" living arrangements. And it's much easier to identify his totally unreasonable and disrespectful responses, pointing this out rather than falling into the trap of being pushed to justify or bend, "I have said no and explained already" "I don't understand why you won't accept and respect my response to this" "You aren't listening to me, so I'll leave this now and speak to you another time" etc etc.

Better still, maybe now is the time to ask yourself if this relationship is working for you. You can walk away from any relationship at any time, no justification necessary!

Yolo12345 · 12/04/2023 16:06

He has done you a massive favour hasn't he?!?! Talk about cutting off his nose to spite his face!

I'm rooting for you and your new life to come OP. Enjoy.

SmileyClare · 12/04/2023 16:06

How does he suddenly have the funds to be independent and rent his own place when he couldn’t contribute anything when living together?

Some men are very attracted to a partner with low self esteem because they can be as selfish as they damn please.

Don’t let a man treat you like this.

Whatever happens, this isn’t going to work because you dislike his children.

Mamapiggywig · 12/04/2023 16:07

See this as an excellent way out. Tell him no, you actually just don’t want him
and his children in your home. Done and block.

turnthetoiletpaperroundproperly · 12/04/2023 16:08

He literally has nothing to offer you OP . You deserve way more than this

Fraaahnces · 12/04/2023 16:09

Because it didn’t suit him for you to not be a pushover? How dare you not be totally pleased to babysit, let his feral kids wreck your place, treat you disrespectfully, cost you money, time and energy and not be grateful? What are you thinking???

PippaF2 · 12/04/2023 16:09

You lived together and it didn't work out. What's the point clinging on now?

Just end it.

Jagoda · 12/04/2023 16:10

He thinks you’re a total mug doesn’t he?

Good enough to house and feed his children, but that’s it? Like you’re the unpaid help?

Tell him to get to fuck.