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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To feel insulted and hurt...

283 replies

isitme852 · 28/06/2024 15:09

going anon for this...

Whenever myself and DP have a disagreement he cannot apologise for things he has said; he declares "by apologising you are saying my feelings aren't valid and its always about how you feel"

Two examples.. But I have more...

Yesterday morning he briefly mentioned about giving his DS (17) (not my son) a key to the house we live in. It is my house; my mortgage - DP has lived here with his son for 5ish years. I had said I didn't know how I felt about it and could we maybe talk about it later. My DD was eating breakfast and DP was walking out of the door for work. I wanted to talk about it later as his DS has not had the best track record of behaviour and also is a little immature. It was my intention to suggest "yes he can have a key - but there needs to be ground rules about who comes back here and when" etc etc. This turned into a bit of a discussion - culminating in DP saying "I don't feel like this is DS home"
For context; his ex kicked DS out at 12; DP picked him up and asked if he could stay here that night and he has never left. I have moved everyone's rooms around to accommodate his DS; gave up my children's playroom and my office so he could have his own room. I have clothed and fed him when DP couldn't work or hasn't had money. I have taken him on multiple holidays including abroad.. he never even had a passport before he moved in with us. I never leave him out; if I buy for my two I buy for him... whether it be sweets or a day out.
His DS has behaviour problems; he has smashed up his room; hit me; destroyed things in my house; he doesn't like to be told what to do - such as coming in at a set time; tidyig his room etc. And yet I am still here.. supporting him.
For him to say "I don't feel like this is his home" has really hurt me. I have done more for him than his own family and grandparents.
He has said all day today that he doesn't feel he is wrong for saying it; despite it being hurtful; because that's how he feels and he is entitled to an opinion and feelings.

Three weeks ago; DP raised that he feels I am not intimate enough with him. Again turned into an argument. I tried to explain - I have endometriosis; which is so severe even the University Hospital surgeons won't do a Hysterectomy - I am waiting for a review from a surgeon 3 hours from where I live. The endo leaves me in horrendous pain most of the month; which worsens after being intimate (he knows all of this and has been to the appointments). Of course I am hesitant... it hurts!! When I explained this.. he said "hugging you is like hugging a corpse.. I get nothing back"
I was devastated at this... I am trying my best. I work full time; we have 3 children between us that I do 100% of caring for.. my two DC are both Autistic so they require a lot of attention.. my DD10 doesn't sleep well so I am up most nights. I literally sobbed; tried to explain why I was so hurt. I told him I was embarrassed that I can't be intimate more but it hurts and makes me uncomfortable. He dismissed it with "it's how I feel.. by saying I shouldn't say things like that you are saying I shouldn't say how I feel"

AIBU to say that if your feelings are going to insult or hurt someone you should maybe think twice about saying them... or am I being dismissive of him

YABU - he can say what he wants - regardless of the impact
YANBU - he can not say what he wants and should be more considerate.

OP posts:
TwilightBee · 28/06/2024 18:35

NeedToChangeName · 28/06/2024 15:31

This leapt out at me "Whenever myself and DP have a disagreement he cannot apologise for things he has said; he declares "by apologising you are saying my feelings aren't valid and its always about how you feel". Do you often expect him to back down and apologise if you don't agree on something? That could suggest that you're not willing to listen to his views. I'd be interested to hear your DP's side of this story

And it seems odd for a 17YO not to have a key for the house where he lives

And I think it's OK for your partner to say he misses sex. But if it hurts, then of course he shouldn't be pressuring you or complaining, so YANBU about that

This is exactly what I was thinking as well. Especially when he made the comment about hugging - sounds to me like he was trying to communicate ways you can be intimate other than sex, but OP just rejected him completely instead of having a conversation about it.

Nanny0gg · 28/06/2024 18:36

isitme852 · 28/06/2024 15:16

I have many times; and when ever I broach the subject with him he will say something along the lines of "what because I am not entitled to feelings and opinions"

Edited

So?

That's no reason for him to stay!

Cross post.

Phone Women's Aid/The police for advice

Follow the advice on here

Look forward to a happier life

Isthisit22 · 28/06/2024 18:50

Change the locks, leave his stuff outside. Job done. If he gets agro call the police. You’re wasting your life putting up with this

BookArt · 28/06/2024 19:00

isitme852 · 28/06/2024 15:16

I have many times; and when ever I broach the subject with him he will say something along the lines of "what because I am not entitled to feelings and opinions"

Edited

And you are entitled to your 'feelings and opinions'. He explains his feelings by ridiculing you. He has literally used your medical condition to say you are like a corpse because you won't fuck him when he demands it. I'm sorry, but he is so inconsiderate of your feelings and expects to be able to express himself in any way he deems fit and you're supposed to accept it. His words are hurtful. I think if you're being honest, right now how could you have sex with him after those hurtful comments? I couldn't, he doesn't care about your needs, only his own.

Itiswhysofew · 28/06/2024 19:01

You don't have to keep trying to have the conversation about separating. You can tell him that you've had enough, and you expect him to be out of your home by ? date. There's no point trying to reason with someone who's not going to see reason.

I suspect he knows he's on borrowed time.

YorkshireLass2012 · 28/06/2024 19:07

OP, I am so sorry that all your care, generosity and love has been thrown back into your face. You sound wonderful. LTB!

Zanatdy · 28/06/2024 19:11

I was about to say it’s totally unreasonable a 17yr old doesn’t have a key to his home, then I read on. This is no way to live OP.

Dagnabit · 28/06/2024 19:15

He is a gas lighting, fucker. You should definitely get rid of him and his son!

1983Louise · 28/06/2024 19:20

You deserve better and I'm sure can do better, live your best life

Judellie · 28/06/2024 19:34

Please listen to Mumsnet and get this guy and his son OUT of your house and your life

Uricon2 · 28/06/2024 19:37

He thinks that he's entitled to his feelings, but he doesn't think you are entitled to yours, however valid.

OP, people like this do such a number on you that you constantly second guess yourself. However much you give, they will always want more, as their right. If the house is in your name (hopeful), the biggest favour you could do yourself is to get them out ASAP. Whatever, you have the right to expect better treatment than this. Assert that.

AppleDumplingWithCustard · 28/06/2024 19:45

TwilightBee · 28/06/2024 18:35

This is exactly what I was thinking as well. Especially when he made the comment about hugging - sounds to me like he was trying to communicate ways you can be intimate other than sex, but OP just rejected him completely instead of having a conversation about it.

Are you insane? Read the entire thread ffs!

mirax · 28/06/2024 19:48

itsmylife7 · 28/06/2024 17:07

Your husbands son HIT YOU.

And that is mentioned like some trivial thing. The asshole partner wants sex even when OP is in obvious pain. Two abusive freeloading fucktards in a house with two younger female children watching all this and OP is worrying that she might be hurting their feelings. I am sorry but I will not be feeling too sorry for Op until she throws out these two.

JLou08 · 28/06/2024 20:08

Looks like I'm in the minority but based on them examples I think you are being unreasonable. He is telling you how he feels, you can't work on a relationship without being honest about how you feel and you shouldn't have to apologise for expressing them feelings. That works both ways, you should also be free to express your feelings without having to apologise.

Despair1 · 28/06/2024 20:10

Bloody Hell OP, you are being gas lighted. You deserve so much better than this; you sound like an amazing lady.
Wishing you the strength to get them to go; this won't be as easy as it may sound to others as you clearly love his son ( evident by your actions).

Alittlewordinyourear · 28/06/2024 20:14

I don’t think you are getting enough out I this relationship. He just shuts you down with this “ I’m entitled to say what I think “… I think you need to tell him that it’s not all about how HE feels, your feelings are legitimate and that you feel uncomfortable giving his son with his track record a key to your Home,. He’s trying to guilt trip you into giving his son the key, play him at his own game. If he doesn’t think his son feels at home in your house maybe he should provide one for him!

On1y · 28/06/2024 20:43

So my thoughts are not likely going to fall in line with popular opinion. But I don't think this is such a cut and dry answer. Your feelings are 100% valid. But he isn't completely wrong either when he says his feelings count too. Both of you are having little needs neeglected, and your relationship is starting to struggle to continue to bond and grow. Especially with life and kids, its a easy pit to stumble into, but until you adress those little things, this situation can't be so easily fixed.
When he says he doesn't feel there is enough intamacy, that is likely true. It is also true it hurts so you hesitate. Neither of you are in the wrong here. Most people tend to agree, Intamacy is important. It comes with a lot of physical and mental heath advantages. That when it is there and then starts to disappear is greatly felt. Plus. Many just theorize it just helps with pair bonding, particularly if there have been other sexual partners in the past. However, your already trying to remedy your issues. So its okay that your hitting the breaks for now, as long as your finding other ways to bond with him. Focus and notice if his happiness seems to show less frequently. If he is too good at hiding his true feelings cleaverly keep verbal tabs. Even if touch isnt a mans main love language, most men still need it toa curtain degree to feel confident or connected. So thats his neglected issue, now for yours. He said your basically a corpse when he hugs you. Lol! I know that sounds hurtful too, but girl, we have ALL been there! Its even more common amongst men. Its because you have a long going on and are burned out. You give so much. Its like a glass of water: if you only have one glass of water to drink each day, you sacrifice drinking some moments to prioritize and drink during other moments you think need ot more. So when hehugs you, at that moment you just have nothing left you can give. Especially with nosleep, he isnt your priority. And that coldness he is talking about is him feeling it. Listen, your a mom. So obviously you can't always prioritize him. You got responsibilities and he does too. However! If he is noticing your growing cold and burned out, and wants tofeel higher on the priority list, he needs to talk and work with you to see where he can help ease your burden more. If your not sleeping enough, maybe he can offer to take care of the 3 kids and let you nap for a couple hours. Even if he only has enough strength to do that twice a week before he starts burning out, it makes a huge difference and willbetter allow you to spare more energy his way. I am sure he was a lot on his plate too, so going up to himand saying something like "you need to do chores more!" Wont likely help or go well. But figuring out his stresses and what could easier help relieve themand him figuring out your stresses and helping to relive them will both ultimately make things both easier. It will even have an extra added bonus of him fleeling more bonded to you. Honestly, intamcy helps a man mentally and feel wanted, and sharing DNA does create a bond, but for a man NOTHING bonds more closely and strongly, then going through and over coming a trial with someone. Theres a reason why service men are so close their entire life. If you both go through different struggles at the same time it will drive you apart, but if he throws himself into your struggles as well, and youhis, you will create a unbreakable bond and connection. Great example is loosing a baby. If a couple cries and holds each other as they go through the experience they become incredible. However if one or both close off and they try to get through the feelings alone, the marriages typically end in divorce or infidelity. So in your shoes, i would come up with a few different ideas to pitch and see if he is willing to try one to help stop the burn out, and in the meantime, i would activly push myself to try to show him more focus and emotion during hugs and kisses. Even if its just sparing him more thoughts in my brain during the day, would help train my body to be less cold during those moments when the do happen.
as for his issue, also talking to him and seeing if you could potentially add some thing to sexually get him where he needs to be without hurting you Should help. Doesn't even have to be permanent, but until your able to be more sexually active without pain. I went through something similar, when we realized a lot of lifes strains where amplified by my lack of desire, we worked on figuring out a way to balance it. We tried tools and I tried different techniques until we found a system that we both liked and worked for us. Of course traditional way is best, but when it wasn't an option, having a not as great but still nice alternative kept our relationship and bond strong until I was fixed up... so even if it was brought up amongst strong emotions, I would try to not to take it too personally either. His statement albeit hurtful, is still a cry for help more then anything.

Now the son issues. From the sounds of it, he is a teenager. Which, all teenagers have a hard time. It's a time of crazy hormonal fluctuations and changes. And unfortunately for this young fellow, he has instability and bad home experience on top of it. He probably really does feel that way and struggles to feel like your house is his home. He would feel like that anywhere weather you took him over seas or not. Our minds are our worst enemy. And his mind is likely trying to protect himself by convincing himself that he is more of a charity case in your home then a actual part of it. As the saying goes, we all have inner demons, and his are saying stuff that are quite loud. It isn't that he doesn't appreciate all you have done either. They are things he will never forget, it is just the demons right now are speaking louder then your actions. His dad likely knew that his demons had been bugging him with this, and thought giving him a key would help and speak volumes. He should have asked you first for sure. That was his mistake. But now the mistake is done, the worst thing you could do is flat out take it away. If any action was to say that your home isn't his home too, it would be that. However he clearly has also given you reasons to fear. Not 100% sure what your concerns are for him having a key, but I am also sure they are valid. Having some ground rules is a great idea. However, as difficult as it is, I wouldn't spring them on him just yet. I would give him an opportunity to prove he is trust worthy. Then, the first time he does something wrong, sit him down and kindly explain why what he did isn't appropriate and give him a few basic rule/guidelines. Show him that with the power that comes with the key, comes great responsibility, and that he should learn to desire and be proud of being able to uphold that responsibility by choosing to do the right things. Don't make the key feel like the freedom that comes with it comes with a heavy price (like requiring a clean room 24/7 in order to have it, or saying he can't have friends over if he wants it.) But show him it's a act of trust and love. Get DP on the same page so that both his and your feelings on the matter can be met. Crappy situation, but good opportunities here!
So are you over reacting or is he? I could argue both yes and both no. I dont think anything specific that you have mentioned here makes anyone a definitive bad person. I dont believe DP is a bad guy, just makes mistakes. I dont think his son is beyond hope, just needs to figure things out, and I dont think your a bad partner or mother figure. Just all of you have baggage and issies your carrying on your shoulders, that are difficult for the people around you who love you to figure out. And yes. I say love because if you didn't love himand his son, all of this wouldn't make you feel as bad as it does. And DP wouldn't feel so hurt as he does, and his son wouldn't be as troubled as he is. The only real obvious answer here is You are all just broken imperfect people trying to make things work. Which isn't a bad thing. Good luck mama! You all are in my thoughts, and I am wishing you the best in this situation. ❤️

Ps. Sorry for the long post, I am a stranger, so take everything said with a grain of salt. In the end, you are the one who best understands your situation and what the best answer for you to do is. No judgment here. Just hopeful thoughts, and potentially helpful suggestions.

LiveAtVillaVillekulla · 28/06/2024 20:45

I am sorry you are in this situation OP, sometime being good and doing the right things doesn't give the results you'd wish. What you and your DCs are enduring on a daily basis is too hard. He is breaking you and grooming you to live with the unacceptable: it's never going to get better.
You are getting some very good advice here. It's a big step to accept the level of nastiness you are enduring on a daily basis and see it for what it is, but you have nothing to be ashamed of and you deserve all the help and support you can find. Do it for you, do it for your daughters. Once the dust has settled, your lives will be infinitely better. You won't regret it, but make sure you all stay safe and get that support. I am rooting for you.

Valeriekat · 28/06/2024 20:56

@On1y To quote another poster "Are you insane? Read the entire thread ffs!"

Valeriekat · 28/06/2024 20:58

Actually @On1y sounds like chat GP or something. Its unreadable.

WotsitsMadeIn1927 · 28/06/2024 21:03

isitme852 · 28/06/2024 15:16

I have many times; and when ever I broach the subject with him he will say something along the lines of "what because I am not entitled to feelings and opinions"

Edited

Then you reply ‘Yes you are but also need to take other people’s feelings and opinions in to consideration. You are an asshole, get your shit, your kid and leave’.

He’s using that line to manipulate you and just a nasty prick.

You can do better OP

isitme852 · 28/06/2024 23:00

PaminaMozart · 28/06/2024 18:04

I'm fairly certain OP made a very similar post a few months ago and was given some very helpful advice.

I thought this sounded familiar.

Instead of telling us that he 'just won't go', @isitme852 - can you tell us what is actually stopping you from getting him and his awful son out of your house?

What have you tried, what speific steps did you take, and why were you unsuccessful?

I have told him I don’t want this relationship any more. I have told him I am not happy. I have asked him to find somewhere else for his son.

when his son hit me. I asked him to take him elsewhere. He did and then kept saying that if it was one of my children I would not have thrown them out. That I need to treat them all the same.

its like I haven’t spoken.. everything carries on as normal. It’s surreal.

OP posts:
Wizardcalledoz · 28/06/2024 23:04

isitme852 · 28/06/2024 23:00

I have told him I don’t want this relationship any more. I have told him I am not happy. I have asked him to find somewhere else for his son.

when his son hit me. I asked him to take him elsewhere. He did and then kept saying that if it was one of my children I would not have thrown them out. That I need to treat them all the same.

its like I haven’t spoken.. everything carries on as normal. It’s surreal.

Throw their stuff out and change the locks...Im.not saying it is easy, but it is possible

Whothefuckdoesthat · 28/06/2024 23:33

I have told him I don’t want this relationship any more. I have told him I am not happy I think he’s ignoring you because you are telling him what you would like to happen (to be single and to have him and his son move out) as opposed to what is happening (the relationship is over, you are no longer my partner, you have until the end of the week to move yourself and all of your belongings out of my home or I will call the police and have you removed). He thinks he’s safe to ignore you because you’ll back down and act like it can’t be over because he hasn’t agreed with it. You haven’t convinced him to leave. Actually, the only person you need to convince that you’re single is you. You don’t need his agreement or his permission. He doesn’t have to agree. He doesn’t get a say. You have spoken, that’s it.

Whatever you do, don’t give his son a key. This is not a relationship you want in your life, so giving him a key is only going to prolong the agony when you either have to trust that he hasn’t had a copy made, or spend a fortune changing the locks. If he wants to know why, and you want to tell him, it’s because there is no point, because he will be moving out imminently, and because he is so badly behaved, you don’t trust him in the few days he has left. You don’t have to treat him the same as your DC because a) you are no longer in a relationship with his father and B) he is a violent thug. If you don’t want to give him an explanation, then you tell him that it is your home, your decision and you don’t have to explain yourself.

If your ex (see? It’s that easy! Try it) comments on the lack of intimacy, remind him that you have told him that you did not want the relationship any more and you meant it. You do not want to be intimate in general because it causes you pain. You do not want to be intimate with him in particular because you are not together any more. And if he wants an explanation and you feel like giving one, tell him that the fact he still wants to have sex, knowing how much pain it causes you, has killed any attraction you had for him. And that’s only if you want to give him an explanation. You don’t have to.

What support do you have? Any brothers who are twice the size of your DP and who would be there with you when it’s time to get them and their things out of your home? Any particularly strident women who will happily shove his crap into bin bags? If not, then I think WomensAid is the way to go. You won’t be the first woman whose partner is refusing to listen when they’re told that the relationship is over, and you won’t be the last.

Thepossibility · 28/06/2024 23:37

Get him out. Be strong. That is YOUR home that you provide for YOUR children. No his thoughts and feelings don't matter here, stop giving him power by considering them. Once you were hit they should've been a distant memory and still should be today. Pick the leeches off and throw them back in the creek!