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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:
muggart · 17/04/2024 11:43

Freckles81 · 17/04/2024 11:31

I have asked him to clarify further what the issue is in black and white, because in my emotional state I need to know explicitly what the issue is/was and he has said 'As I have tried to explain, it was more about the feeling of being wanted out of the way, not lack of affection or attention. I definitely do not expect you to be the one who always makes me happy.'

But what if I did want him out of the way (I didn't btw); say I had wanted the day to myself after looking after him...why on earth should that bother him? Would that be enough to ruminate on for an entire month?!

It doesn't make sense, if he's not accusing you of lack of affection then how can he say you have made him feel unwanted?

how are you even supposed to have a conversation with someone like this?!

Sparklfairy · 17/04/2024 11:47

Oh fgs, if you're going to engage with him (personally I wouldn't bother) why not ask him directly why he's choosing to bring this up now, when you have other more important things to think about? Why is he choosing to centre his feelings, that he felt a MONTH ago, specifically now, when you're grieving? Is he really that selfish?

EnjoythemoneyJane · 17/04/2024 11:48

Good you’ve messaged him, but honestly OP, the tone of what you’ve sent definitely isn’t what I’d be saying to him. I know it’s meant in a diggy pass/agg way - you need a mummy not a partner - but describing yourself as ‘lacking the right instincts’ and not quite ‘enough’ for him will further encourage his view that you’re somehow at fault and he’s the injured party.

You need to shut that shit down, hard. You shouldn’t be supplicating to him (“what more can I do?”, “look at everything I’ve given up”), you should be incandescent with rage at his self-serving, manipulative bullshit and letting him know that he has failed you as a partner at the time you needed him most.

He’s a shitty, whiny man-baby who has been unable to step up and support you when you’re on your bloody knees because he can’t bear for his needs and feelings not to be centred for one single fucking second. God, I’m raging for you!

I’m so sorry for your loss and understand that finding the mental strength to deal with this crap when you’re in the throes of grief is not easy, but I hope you can make him realise his behaviour is a deal breaker for you.

CatherinedeBourgh · 17/04/2024 11:48

He's trying to turn it all on you. He can't say you did anything wrong, so he is trying to make you feel guilty about the way he felt you were feeling.

It's all a very transparent plot to make you focus away from yourself and on him. How dare you grieve, you should be thinking about him and nothing else.

Your life can only improve away from him. I would revisit your plans for your international career to try and get it to take off asap!

Catsmere · 17/04/2024 11:49

@Freckles81 , in your first post you said "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."

You also mentioned not only sacrificing an international career, but living far from your family and friends.

This man is busy isolating you. You're already walking on eggshells around him, unable even to express grief for fear of "ruining our evenings" - which in this context sounds like it's because of his likely reaction. He expects you to stay home and lose money to pander to him. There are more red flags here than in Moscow on May Day.

Gettingonmygoat · 17/04/2024 11:50

Please go back to your old job and start a great life for yourself away from him. He wants a mother and housekeeper.

ThisHumanBean · 17/04/2024 11:54

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.

Exactly this!

Wouldn't be surprised, if you think long enough, that you have other examples of this behaviour. Get back to your career quick, and put some space between you and this emotionally backwards manchild so you can calmly consider your options.

Maray1967 · 17/04/2024 11:55

It’s as simple as this, OP, it really is- get shot of him. No person with any sense of decency would do this - dwell on something and bring it up weeks later when the person is bereaved.

And - the issue is a non-issue by the sound of it in any case. It’s beyond pathetic for a grown adult who is capable of going back to work to ‘need’ someone to nurse them. It sounds like he raised the issue of work as a test - to see how you responded. When you didn’t fall over yourself to say ‘no, let me nurse you at home’ he felt betrayed.

Your mum is right - he’s clingy. But he also sounds controlling.

OlderandwiserMaybe · 17/04/2024 12:00

Freckles81 · 17/04/2024 11:31

I have asked him to clarify further what the issue is in black and white, because in my emotional state I need to know explicitly what the issue is/was and he has said 'As I have tried to explain, it was more about the feeling of being wanted out of the way, not lack of affection or attention. I definitely do not expect you to be the one who always makes me happy.'

But what if I did want him out of the way (I didn't btw); say I had wanted the day to myself after looking after him...why on earth should that bother him? Would that be enough to ruminate on for an entire month?!

Honestly - he will tie you in knots if you keep going back to him trying to understand what he's getting at. And you'll end up more confused than you were int he first place.

It doesn't matter.

Think about this.... even without your worries of money - your current grief and how that makes you feel.

What man needs his partner to take the day off to look after him when he has a mild stomach upset?? Seriously even if you just focus on that this guy is showing you he is not a good partner. Any grown adult does not need that level of care. He did this to manipulate you.

I know you are trying to understand 9beleive me I wasted sooo much time working out what my ex was trying to understand my ex's behaviour) You don't need to understand him - honestly you don't - just listen to what you're being told on here. Listen to your mother. This guy is not good for you. Tell him to move out so you can think.

NotForMeTY · 17/04/2024 12:01

You’ve suffered a bereavement, he doesn’t know how to handle it or the attention not being on him and so has brought up this shitty non event from his most recent memory and is foisting it upon you as an accusation, in an hour of your own most desperate need.

Please see this for what it is, and take the absolute best care of yourself.

My deepest condolences for your loss xxx

Lollypop701 · 17/04/2024 12:08

No wonder his family are encouraging marriage… they want him off their hands and I don’t blame them because he’s a selfish asshat . Look after yourself op

quizzys · 17/04/2024 12:12

In situations like yours OP, I honestly would just trust my instincts and let it all go. Find your happiness and go do that job that you gave up, enjoy your own company for a while and you will definitely see how dysfunctional your relationship is/was from afar.

So sorry for your loss. He isn't helping you in your grief is he? That is a big flag for lack of empathy and selfishness. Wishing you well and hope you have a great future without him bringing you down to servant/handmaiden level anymore.

needsomewarmsunshine · 17/04/2024 12:16

He doesn't need a dp he needs a mother figure. Pat him on the head and send him home to mummy.
His parents are desperate for you to marry? Probably because mummy knows that you will look after her boy like she does.
Kick him to the kerb love, you have your own things to deal with.

tennesseewhiskey1 · 17/04/2024 12:24

WTF. Why are you still with him?! He's just trying to make you feel bad someone DIED and you're not paying attention to him? Why on earth are you still with him, and what are you even doing messaging that its your fault as its because you don't have 'motherly instincts' - Why are you being so kind to him when he is a fucking wanker to you? Kick him out, take a job, find someone who is not a man child. Find someone who loves you properly and doesn't guilt trip you.

Codlingmoths · 17/04/2024 12:25

Well, I’d be wanting him out of the way, so if you do don’t feel bad about it!

Clementine1513 · 17/04/2024 12:34

Bin him off OP. Go back to your high flying career and have a wonderful fulfilling life without this clingy, attention seeking, empathy deficit baby.

There is very much something to be said for the timing of this. You are in the throes of grief and he’s bemoaning that you didn’t pay adequate attention to him a month ago (which in itself is beyond pathetic). He should be supporting you right now.

There something seriously selfish/wrong with him. Get rid.

dragonscannotswim · 17/04/2024 12:34

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.

This!

DancesWithBadgers · 17/04/2024 12:35

You’ve sacrificed an international career, lord away from family and friends and by the sounds of it have been going over and above to be supportive and loving to him, yet the one time you are not fawning over him when he expected you to (for such a silly reason - why on earth did it even cross his mind to even want you to suggest he has more time off work ffs, that’s EXACTLY like asking you to mother him) and he ruminates on it for a month before bringing it up at such a time?

What has he sacrificed for you? Or has he just been as you are musing sweet and loving all on his terms as it’s been going very much his way?

SeamsLegit · 17/04/2024 12:38

You are at a point in your life, where many women once stood, and you have the choice to stop this NOW before he has any more time to sabotage your potential and your happiness, not to mention finances etc. So many people would love the opportunity to go right back to this point and change the decision they made - your guy is telling you this is wrong. He is wrong. LTB ASAP. Please. Think more of yourself!!!!!

Workawayxx · 17/04/2024 12:38

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.

This exactly.

What he really means is "what about meeeeeeee...???". I can't actually believe he let you take a day off to "look after him" for an (I assume?) minor illness.

Imjustdone · 17/04/2024 12:41

I just wasted 7 years of my life with a man like this. Please do not do the same OP. Leave now and pursue your career.

PurpleBugz · 17/04/2024 12:43

I think you are right you should ask him to move out.

He's upset you are not focusing completely on him in your time of grief. I bet he's plucked his example out the sky and isn't really bothered by it what he wants is you to feel guilty he's upset and up your game to give him all the attention he wants.

You said he lives in your house. You do majority housework. Does he contribute financially? What benefits are you getting from this relationship as it reads like he's a drain on you not a positive

PamPamPamPam · 17/04/2024 12:49

I am not even going to say anything about your partner or this particular situation but am rather going to ask what love looks like to you? Why have you given up your career, your support system and your needs for this person? Why do you value yourself so little? What is it that you need from a relationship (any relationship) that would make you sacrifice every single other aspect of your life to achieve?

This is not about him OP-it's about you and why you have places yourself in this position.

A successful relationship should add to your life, not detract from it, and if you need to let go of every single other aspect of your life to make a relationship work then is it worth it?

jeaux90 · 17/04/2024 12:50

I have seen this before.

You do not have an equal partnership.

You have a parent child one.

He sees you as his support human/mother. So does his family.

Finish it. Or put up with that reality

MorningSunshineSparkles · 17/04/2024 12:54

He wants a mummy, you want a life. I’d run far and fast from this relationship, I’m so sorry for your loss Flowers