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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Is he abusive or do I push him?

260 replies

Uusallypositive · 03/02/2025 10:13

Hello
Me and BF have been together for 3 years. I dont wish to tell every single detail but I think it is relevant. When I met BF I was married and BF was effectively the other man for 4 months, until I left my xDH. BF suspected I wasnt seperated several times but didnt end things as I convinced him otherwise. He lied about when his ex moved out and when they split but he said that is because I said I wouldnt date anyone who had just split with an ex so he altered dates. I do remember saying this but he shouldnt have lied. For context, they were not together whilst we were, I have messaged his ex and she confirmed this.

However, back to my question. I am 6 months pregnant. We have always spoke about starting a family, living together and one day being married. BF has always been so lovely, gentle and caring. I have never met anyone who puts in more effort. Whether its breakfast in bed to asking about my day and genuinely taking an interest, no matter how boring my day has been.

After I left my xDH, I admit, I probably wasnt in a good place for a relationship. I anaylised everything BF had told me about his past and I used to spend hours and hours searching facebook, asking him questions (from morning to night) and even setting up fake accounts to message his ex. Little by little, I started noticing a change in his temper. He would often tell me that the more I argue with him, the more I damage the relationship. I have stopped all the past questions now. However, I have went snopping a few times around his house to find "past" items and then we have argued when I have found something belonging to an ex. I had stopped all of that and have been seeing a therapist. However, on friday, I went snooping in a drawer. I then saw he had an old watch and a braclet that looked like something he would give another woman. I then made up a lie to ask him about this. Said I was scattering notes around the house for him and found it. He was annoyed with the questions but answered them - it was a watch that he bought a gf 20 years ago and the bracelet he bought his ex wife ten years ago (his ex isnt his ex wife by the way). He then flipped after I asked more questions. He then demanded to see where the love notes where around the house, I then told him there wasnt any, he got angry. He then started saying things like "you havent changed" "You still dont trust" "you have no self control" etc etc. He then said he didnt care if I was in his house or if I went home. I promised him I wouldnt do it again and he said it was just words. He then started getting angry the more I pushed him to talk to me, trust in me again and to talk to me. He shouted and said I had no right telling him what to do and then he said he doesnt trust me at all now.

He then started saying that he is fed up putting in effort when I dont (which is not true). He means he is fed up fixing our issues when I keep doing the same thing over and over again. The last time was in August when he went to the bathroom and I went down his phone. But I am happy I did as that is when I found out when him and his ex really broke up and I always had doubts over that. He kept wanting space and to stop speaking about it but I didnt leave it and he then started shouting at me and shouting in my face.

Last night he agreed to still come out with family. It was a nice evening, not too much chat from him but it was civil. He then slept in the car on the way home. When we got home, he didnt want to cuddle in bed and said he was "too full". When i questioned this he got angry. Said he wanted to sleep, told me he wanted me to go home earlier but I wouldnt. So after shouting and calling me "damaged" he went to sleep. This morning he said "hello" to me. I then said "okay, so you have had your sleep, what is going on with us" and he got immediately angry again. Telling me that there is something wrong with me that I want forgiveness and not do anything for it. He then started shouting in my face when I kept trying to hold his hand and apologise. He said I keep pushing him and he wants a quiet morning before work. I asked him for a time when we could talk and he got angry and said I had no right to demand anything. I then said it feels like you dont want me here, he said he didnt care, and that he doesnt want to speak to me, and he said he doesnt. I then said that I am the only one putting in effort and that I am fighting an uphill battle. He agreed and said he has no fucks left anymore and he wont be putting in effort and it is for me to do to win his trust back, again. he then got up, angrily said I had ruined his whole morning and he was now in a bad mood for work. I then said I would come work in his upstairs office (I have a desk there too but have been working int he livingroom for months, out of choice, it is more cosy) He said no, he didnt want me to work in the same room as him, I said I didnt care and I was going to make him a coffee and come up stairs. He said there wasnt the room, I said I would make room. He then got angry and grabbed me and forced me up the stairs to see the room, and he was right, there was mess everywhere and nowhere for me to work - he then said "here we go again, always think I am lying".

He kept shouting he had a meeting in "5 minuts". I grabbed his hand and apologised and said I had changed and I wouldnt break his trust again. He said he wanted me to go away, I refused and then his alarm went off reminding him his meeting had just started (online). He got angry, shouted that he wanted to be left alone. I said no. He then raised his fist and told me to go away. He didnt hit me but when I said "dont ever threaten me with violence" he said I have pushed him to that as I wont respect his feelings or boundaries. We are now in seperate rooms not talking with him making arsy remarks.

I dont know what to do or how to move on from this.

I am 6 months pregnant and I dont need the hassle.

Please dont say "LTB", please give honest opinions.

Is he abusive or have I pushed him to this?

Thank you

OP posts:
InfoSecInTheCity · 03/02/2025 10:46

This is a doomed relationship.

You have been dishonest from the get go, and continue to lie now. As a result you cannot trust him.

He should NEVER raise his hand to you, that's a simple and definite boundary that's been broken.

Given it's a relationship that is full of lies and distrust, started by you and continued by him, and now there is also the risk of physical abuse, it needs to end and you need to address your issues as a single entity.

Notchangingnameagain · 03/02/2025 10:46

You are abusing this man.

You are tormenting this man. You are gaslighted this man.

You cheated on this man. You make up scenario's to catch this man out.

He needs to walk away from you.

You seem to be trying to change the narrative to be the victim. You are not a victim you are an abuser.

Anothernamechane · 03/02/2025 10:48

Your entire relationship started on a lie. Your lie. Since then it seems you’ve desperately tried to find evidence that you’re not the only liar. To the extent, it sounds of stalking his ex. Of course it’s not good that he’s reacted violently here, but as a pp states, everyone has a breaking point and you are constantly pushing him, including refusing to leave him alone to work. You are abusive and your relationship is highly toxic. It is likely he will hit you eventually if you continue down this path. It almost sounds like you want him to, because then he’ll be the “bad one” in the relationship.

Uusallypositive · 03/02/2025 10:48

To clarify, the phone and car situation wasnt me.
I would like to read these post, if anyone has the links.

Thank you

OP posts:
DustyD · 03/02/2025 10:49

Notchangingnameagain · 03/02/2025 10:46

You are abusing this man.

You are tormenting this man. You are gaslighted this man.

You cheated on this man. You make up scenario's to catch this man out.

He needs to walk away from you.

You seem to be trying to change the narrative to be the victim. You are not a victim you are an abuser.

This.

I think you have been very toxic with this man from the start and everyone has their limits. I think you have pushed him too far. This relationship is toxic and you both need to go separate ways

Butchyrestingface · 03/02/2025 10:50

I then said I would come work in his upstairs office (I have a desk there too but have been working int he livingroom for months, out of choice, it is more cosy) He said no, he didnt want me to work in the same room as him, I said I didnt care and I was going to make him a coffee and come up stairs. He said there wasnt the room, I said I would make room.

Why? What is going on in your head?

YOU are the one who came into this relationship as a lying cheat. Remember that.

Idontjetwashthefucker · 03/02/2025 10:50

Uusallypositive · 03/02/2025 10:48

To clarify, the phone and car situation wasnt me.
I would like to read these post, if anyone has the links.

Thank you

Lol, it was SO you.

He doesn't deserve this, I'm actually amazed he's still there

Skandar · 03/02/2025 10:50

Yeah, you sound like you're abusing him. If you re-read what you've written:

  • you are angry that he 'lied' to you about when he broke up with his ex, when you were lying to him about being married!
  • You have endlessly snooped and accused him of things, lied about what you were doing when you snooped.
  • You 'push for him to talk' when he has said he doesn't want to, and keep doing this on multiple occasions
  • You won't leave him alone when he asks for space
  • You got annoyed when he says he's too tired to 'cuddle' and 'questioned' him about it

It all sounds awful. No, he shouldn't raise a fist to you or drag you to look at things, but it does sound like you have pushed and pushed and pushed and are now acting the victim when he finally reaches breaking point.

MarkingBad · 03/02/2025 10:50

You lied about your separation, you snooped, you made fake accounts to contact his exes, you don't listen to him, you don't trust him, you keep badgering him, you cry to make him shut up, and you push and push to see where his breaking point is.

And you think he is abusive?

He is your victim, you are the torturer.

Haveyouanyjam · 03/02/2025 10:51

OP I would honestly share your post with your midwife so she can help ensure you get the help you need. If you aren’t honest about your behaviour you risk losing your baby. Post partum hormones are unlikely to make this better and you need to start thinking of your baby.

takealettermsjones · 03/02/2025 10:51

Idontjetwashthefucker · 03/02/2025 10:50

Lol, it was SO you.

He doesn't deserve this, I'm actually amazed he's still there

Most likely because of the baby 😞

Anon1274 · 03/02/2025 10:52

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

justkeepswimmng · 03/02/2025 10:52

Your are Tormenting him daily OP, how long did you think it would take before he snapped?

And it sounds like he did snap, for good reason.

You are continually damaging him, and i think you know this because you have been honest in your post.

It is NOT ABUSE when you've continually tormented, provoked and damaged someone and they lash out.

I urge you to continue with therapy as this is not the type of mother any child needs.

FamilyPhoto · 03/02/2025 10:52

Jesus Christ, leave the bloke alone .

Idontjetwashthefucker · 03/02/2025 10:53

@tatakealettermsjones true. Poor kid

BringOnFebBankHoliday · 03/02/2025 10:53

Notchangingnameagain · 03/02/2025 10:46

You are abusing this man.

You are tormenting this man. You are gaslighted this man.

You cheated on this man. You make up scenario's to catch this man out.

He needs to walk away from you.

You seem to be trying to change the narrative to be the victim. You are not a victim you are an abuser.

This 💯 %
You pushed him to breaking point, and now he broke you are making out it's all his fault.

PhyllisWallet · 03/02/2025 10:54

Meecrowahvey · 03/02/2025 10:46

Wait, you've posted similar before haven't you? There was one about an incident in a car, another one was at home.

Well it does sound like a car crash I guess

Uusallypositive · 03/02/2025 10:54

takealettermsjones · 03/02/2025 10:51

Most likely because of the baby 😞

This isnt important but the two previous threads that ops have referred to are not me. I am not lying about that. I only wanted to see links so I can read replies as the replies here are helping me.

OP posts:
takealettermsjones · 03/02/2025 10:55

Uusallypositive · 03/02/2025 10:54

This isnt important but the two previous threads that ops have referred to are not me. I am not lying about that. I only wanted to see links so I can read replies as the replies here are helping me.

How are they helping you OP? What do you plan to do now?

Uusallypositive · 03/02/2025 10:56

I will be speaking to my therapist tonight.
I am thinking that he has reached breaking point. This isnt him.
I am sitting thinking about what to say / do next with these replies in mind.

OP posts:
Whatabouthow · 03/02/2025 10:56

You are the problem here, not him.

Qwerty21 · 03/02/2025 10:57

My lord I can't actually believe what I've read. You're an utter madwoman who is abusive and you're really trying to blame him? This has to be a troll post surely

Whatabouthow · 03/02/2025 10:57

Uusallypositive · 03/02/2025 10:29

I only wonder if he is abusve as I have been crying and asking for forgiveness and he has been shouting in my face (literally) and banging / hitting things around me.

Why should he forgive you? He has time and time again and you pull the same shit over and over. He deserves better.

FamilyPhoto · 03/02/2025 10:59

@Uusallypositive do you have EUPD by any chance ?

Uusallypositive · 03/02/2025 10:59

I dont know how to make it better. I wish it could be better instantly as I wont do these things again. I want this to be the last time we ever have words about this stuff. I only looked in the drawer to see if there was a birthday card for me. I then saw something that I was curious about the snopping started. I didnt intend on snopping through his things out of distrust. I do trust him.

OP posts:
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