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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Boyfriend upset with me for seemingly not showing enough concern when he was ill.

151 replies

Freckles81 · 17/04/2024 08:54

I am grieving the loss of a family member atm (she passed Fri), so I am a bit emotional and not able to process things clearly, and need an outside perspective.

We live together and I have sacrificed an international, very well paid career to stay with him in a small village in the UK (but am hoping to return to this previous career in a year or so). I am infertile, no kids.

I do the lionshare of household duties as I am home more and am a very loving, attentive partner.

Yesterday he told me he has had something on his mind that has been bothering him and needed to speak to me about. A month ago, after I looked after him for a full day when he was sick (I turned down supply teaching to do so, losing money), and he then decided to go back to work the next day, I didn't seem concerned enough about him, as I agreed he should go back to work if he wanted to and felt up to it.

He said he felt I just wanted him out of the way and so didn't really care enough for him at that moment. I had looked after him the day before and he was adamant that he wanted to return, and seemed better, so I agreed that if he felt ready to go back to work he should. I also wanted to be available to work that day if supply teaching jobs came through, as I too needed the money, and apparently he felt that 'energy' e.g. lack of concern towards him, and it made him feel I didn't care enough.

I even texted him that day to tell him to come home if he felt he wasn’t well enough to be there once he got there, but he declined, saying he needed the money. However, he harbours resentment against me for my seeming lack of care for him by not encouraging him to take another day off and for me to stay home to look after him again. I see this as incredibly needy. He is a man and not a baby/child who needs me to decide whether he stays off work and gets looked after.

He has been feeling v upset about this, which to me is a non issue, and brought it up to me whilst I am trying to grieve for my family member but put a happy face on it so as not to ruin our evenings together. The fact he has done this now, when I am grieving and feeling delicate, has really upset me. It seems such a trivial thing to carry and to raise with me whilst I am so emotional.

The act in question happened about a month ago and it has been bothering him since, even on his mind when he wakes up in the night! To me it was nothing in the grand scheme of things.

He also said that lately I have been short with him but couldn't give me examples. I had recently been signed off sick with stress by my Doctor due to violence and aggression in the classroom on long term supply, and money has been a bit of an issue so I have been extra stressed recently. I definitely have not been myself but can't think I have ever been annoyed or short with him. I try my best to put on a brave face and look at positives.

I feel upset and resentful that I prioritise him in all areas of my life, have sacrificed money, and an international career, as well as sacrificed living near friends and family, and all of my love and care seems undone by one morning in which I didn't seem suitably concerned that he wasn't well enough to go to work, despite him deciding that he wanted to.

He is now apologetic but I feel so upset with him and am considering asking him to move out and going back to him staying over 2 or 3 times per week, instead of living in my house full time with me, but am I being unnecessarily reactive here?

I would really appreciate outsiders' perspectives on this as I am grieving and emotional at the moment!

OP posts:
isthewashingdryyet · 17/04/2024 08:57

Oh, my goodness, so sorry for the recent loss of your family member.

he sounds like a four year old. Not a grown up. And a very very selfish four year old at that. Where is his empathy for you ?

I would be seriously thinking about a future with him.

rubyslippers · 17/04/2024 08:57

He sounds petty and ridiculous
you have a lot going on - I would money on him being unsupportive as it’s all about him
id ask him to move out and would go and pursue that amazing job opportunity when you’re feeling stronger

rubyslippers · 17/04/2024 08:57

He sounds petty and ridiculous
you have a lot going on - I would money on him being unsupportive as it’s all about him
id ask him to move out and would go and pursue that amazing job opportunity when you’re feeling stronger

OrigamiOwls · 17/04/2024 08:57

He's upset that due to your grief about your family member that he hasn't got your complete focus and is bringing up a random event as a stick to beat you with.
For me this is a red flag.
Can you get back to your high-flying career now? It seems you've sacrificed a lot for him and still he wants more.

Bananadramallamas · 17/04/2024 08:59

Move him out and get a bit of distance. His attitude is all wrong, and he needs to know it. I'd bin him personally, but you should give yourself space and think hard, is this the relationship you want?

Thepeopleversuswork · 17/04/2024 08:59

He’s a manipulative man child. I’m going to stick my neck out here and say you would have been better off taking the international job.

kiwiane · 17/04/2024 09:00

He wants all the attention - let him go and resume your career when you feel ready. I am sorry for your loss.

CrunchyCarrot · 17/04/2024 09:00

He's very 'me-centric' isn't he. It is a red flag. He doesn't appear to prioritise you and how you are feeling! Goodness, his one day of being off-colour has long passed. If he can't truly understand this and begin to change his behaviour (i.e. grow up!) then he does need to move out, OP.

Spywoman · 17/04/2024 09:01

OrigamiOwls · 17/04/2024 08:57

He's upset that due to your grief about your family member that he hasn't got your complete focus and is bringing up a random event as a stick to beat you with.
For me this is a red flag.
Can you get back to your high-flying career now? It seems you've sacrificed a lot for him and still he wants more.

All of this.

It is exactly what I came on to say. Please take notice of it.

ToxicChristmas · 17/04/2024 09:05

He sounds utterly pathetic, selfish and manipulative -as well as a freeloader. I can't imagine feeling remotely attracted to someone like that.
Get rid of him OP. You can do so much better.

ItDoesntHaveToBeDave · 17/04/2024 09:06

but I feel so upset with him and am considering asking him to move out

YABU to only "consider" this.

YANBU to get rid

He is a complete loser and it will only get far, far worse

toomuchfaff · 17/04/2024 09:07

Major red flags here for me.

Firstly the timing as you've pointed out, rather than supporting you through your own loss, he's turning an already emotional time into a time to berate and emotionally batter you for such a non issue. Major red flag.

I'm not sure if he just has a need for focus to be on him or involving him, or whether he is seeing your emotive state as vulnerable and using that against you to weaken you further. Both of these would be very bad in my eyes and I don't blame you for wanting away from him. Your gut is telling you, it's picking up on signals you have and haven't. Personally for me I'd want away from him full stop, the pure lack of emotional support for your loss shows me he isn't interested or invested in your personal emotional protection and as such he wouldn't be the man for me.

imfae · 17/04/2024 09:09

He doesn't sound like he would have your back and doesn't seem to have acknowledged how difficult grief is to deal with and not something that can be dealt with within a specific time slot .

An adult, unless seriously unwell shouldn't need their partner at home to care for them when sick .

It also doesn't sound that you have shared finances . Does he pay an equal contribution towards his costs of bills etc ?

What about when you have been ill has he been sympathetic towards you . At best he sounds very immature and at worst a needy and selfish partner .

It sounds like you need to reevaluate the relationship and have a discussion with him about an equal partnership and what your needs are . I think if you continue to prioritise his needs over your own this will make you extremely unhappy going forward .

Medschoolmum · 17/04/2024 09:11

I mean this kindly, but you really do not need this man in your life.

Just leave. You will be happier for it.

IfIwasrude · 17/04/2024 09:13

I also feel that the problem is you're grieving and he feels left out of that, so has manufactured this lack of concern cover story. He may not be consciously doing it. I would end the relationship.

BobbyBiscuits · 17/04/2024 09:14

How bizarre of him to be harbouring resentment over something so minor that occurred a month ago. He's an absolute arse. I'd definitely tell him to move out. You're sacrificing too much for him and he needs to stop acting like a baby.
Tell him you need your own space and that's that.

newnamethanks · 17/04/2024 09:16

Ahhh poor thing. Maybe you could send him back to Mummy who understands how to care for a child with tummy ache. How can you bear it OP? Bloody hell.

RandomMess · 17/04/2024 09:16

I remember your previous threads, why are you staying and sacrificing so much for this man?

Berthatydfil · 17/04/2024 09:21

Did you post about him previously and your job offer abroad? Has he got dc who damaged your property and possessions?
You should leave him.
Hes abusing you.

theduchessofspork · 17/04/2024 09:21

He sounds like a child

Is he really worth it? Would you consider throwing this one back, returning to your well paid international career, and finding a grown up?

Sorry for your loss

billyt · 17/04/2024 09:22

It's simple. He's self-centred twat.

Next step. Get rid and enjoy the rest of your life.

HelpMeUnpickThis · 17/04/2024 09:24

OrigamiOwls · 17/04/2024 08:57

He's upset that due to your grief about your family member that he hasn't got your complete focus and is bringing up a random event as a stick to beat you with.
For me this is a red flag.
Can you get back to your high-flying career now? It seems you've sacrificed a lot for him and still he wants more.

100% agree with this. Sorry for your loss @Freckles81

I am sorry your boyfriend is so self absorbed and self centred.

BrioLover · 17/04/2024 09:27

When someone tells you who they are, listen to them.

This is telling you he is self-centred and doesn't care about your grief, nor about the fact you were signed off work with stress. He merely cares about himself and how he is looked after.

RUN. Get him out of your house. Enjoy your international career.

Daleksatemyshed · 17/04/2024 09:29

Yes, ask him to leave @Freckles81 . You gave up a good job, you moved home and you stayed at home to look after him and it's still not enough for him. You're bereaved and that's not even on his radar because it doesn't matter to him. Your life will be so much better without him.

Freckles81 · 17/04/2024 09:31

IThanks all for your replies. I appreciate them so much.

Yes, I am definitely worried about this being a red flag, considering the timing.
I would never bring this up to a grieving person. I don't think it's conscious; he genuinely has seemed not himself for a while and this has been why.

Whether that points to codependancy, Neuro divergent or narcissistic traits I don't know.

It's really not attractive to be so bothered about this non issue, is it?

Why am I with him? Well, he is very loving (clingy according to my mum though!), and has been, up until yesterday, very caring whilst I have been grieving, and he does try to drive me to see my family as much as he can, so he cleary cares.

But this has blindsided me. Why on earth did it bother him and why bring it up now? That's what I just cannot understand.

Neither of his parents even messaged me condolences either, which I pointed out to him in my upset. Bizarre, considering they are pressuring us to marry and see me as part of their family!

I am glad I am not overreacting (my other posts and your lovely replies made me realise I underreact if anything, and that is due to my childhood in a violent home).

If I wasn't grieving I may well have just apologised and let it go. However, I am so upset that he thought it ok to even broach whilst i am in this state, so I was bewildreed and horrifed.

I remember he did mention that I seemed short with him the other night (Sun) when I stated I was so exhausted and shaky, and he said "Oh it could be a virus", when I know it is the effects of grief and having not slept much (as well as being by loved ones' side 12 hours a day for a week before she passed and the sadness of seeing that too). I was definitely shocked and annoyed that he even thought my physical state might be caused by a virus and not the events of the past week and the grief!!! It just seemed like a slep in the face to disregard how grief affects the body/mental state.

OP posts:
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