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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To tell daughter what boyfriend says when we’re alone

42 replies

Basilbrushed · 02/03/2025 18:02

Just need to put this out there and it’s a long one!

Daughter been with her boyfriend for a few years, I’ve really tried to like him but he’s given me so many reasons not to.
Daughter is vulnerable as she has adhd and anxiety and I think she’s been manipulated by him.
He’s pushed his way into my home and moved in despite not been invited or wanted. He contributes nothing financially and doesn’t help with anything around the home. I’m a single parent with chronic health conditions and autism so I’m not very assertive.
I was warned about him not being a good person by someone that knows him well and my daughter didn’t like him prior to them getting together. He had a very dysfunctional childhood and is a complex person
I think he’s been love bombing and controlling her and he’s made her so reliable on him I can’t see her ever leaving him. He’s moulded himself into a different person, mimicking all her interests and beliefs when they were completely different before. All his ex girlfriends were ‘mental’ according to him and one even ended up being sectioned but now I can see it’s all classic abuse/manipulation behaviour
However he can’t mask all the time and the veil slips when he’s alone with me. He’s said things to me about her which I think he’s does to try and cause friction between us but it doesn’t work as we’ve always been close (I think he’s jealous of the life I’ve given her compared to his)
He doesn’t look after my property either and has damaged many things around the home.
There has been so many other incidents I could mention but this would be even longer if I mentioned them all!

The comments this week alone include- he built a shed for them to smoke in (paid by me) I said I could do with another one to put my stuff in, to which he replied I wouldn’t build another one as it’s not for me.( He’s a builder and this is one of the few things he’s done around the house.
He’s done no diy whatsoever and will watch me struggle to do things by myself despite me being unwell)
I’ve been really suffering with h deliberating migraines and might have a serious brain condition which I’m waiting for a brain scan.
He was mocking me about it and saying stupid things like I’ve caused it myself. I was so shocked I just laughed
Both times my daughter was in her room so doesn’t hear these things

I snapped yesterday as the bathroom sink has been blocked for 2 weeks and I’ve asked him to unblock it nearly daily. I ended up watching a YouTube video and dismantled it myself and fixed it but I can see now that he only does things that are for his benefit.
His hygiene is disgusting and I repeatedly have to tell him not to cough and spit his phlegm in the kitchen sink and again this week I can hear him doing it again

I told my daughter they have to go and live at his mothers house yesterday as I can’t put up with him anymore.
I haven’t told my daughter any of the many comments he’s made when we’re alone as I don’t want to look like the bad one who’s trying to split them up but am I doing the right thing?Should I be honest with her?

My daughter hates going to his mother’s place as she’s horrible and the house is filthy and hoarded . I’m worried it’s going to effect t her fragile mental health being there permanently.
Have I done the wrong thing? Should I be keeping her close to monitor the situation?
she’s changed so much since being with him, she’s used to be so cheery and happy and he’s sucked the life out of her…
I know she’s not blameless in all of this but she is so naive and all her other boyfriends have been lovely, I don’t think she recognises the abuse or realises she’s been love bombed into being so reliant on him.

just to add -we live in a popular area with no rental properties so they can’t find their own place

Thank you for reading 🙏

OP posts:
SoScarletItWas · 02/03/2025 18:08

I’m not sure why you say THEY have to go and live at this mother’s. I would be saying to her that she is welcome to stay but HE cannot live there any more, as he is not pulling his weight or showing respect.

I assume neither of them is paying anything?

I would try and have a 121 loving conversation with her where you outline your concerns about how the relationship is and leave her plenty of space to feel safe and secure with you if she ends it.

Rainbow1235 · 02/03/2025 18:11

He needs to leave your house immediately and I would only let him visit to see your daughter . He’s sounds awful and so rude . It’s your house tell him now he has to go

orangewasp · 02/03/2025 18:15

Come on, OP. You need to get a grip on this situation. Kick him out and do all you can to keep your daughter with you.

Greenqueen40 · 02/03/2025 18:19

Tell your daughter exactly what he has been saying to you about her, hopefully this will open her eyes a bit. Grow some balls and kick him out but explain to your daughter how much you love her and want her to stay with you, fingers crossed that will work, good luck.

BodyKeepingScore · 02/03/2025 18:20

So an adult simply moved himself into your home uninvited and unwanted? And you did what exactly to get rid of him?

Find your backbone and throw him out. He and your daughter are two separate people. Only one of whom you have any obligation to house. Literally tell him to leave. He has no legal or moral right to be there.

Diningtableornot · 02/03/2025 18:24

You must have agreed to him moving in OP and you can tell him he has to move out now. Whether DD goes with him is up to her.

Dolambslikemintsauce · 02/03/2025 18:25

Ask him to leave tonight. If he gets aggressive you ring 999.

YourWildAmberSloth · 02/03/2025 18:25

I'm sorry OP but this makes no sense. How does someone move into your home without your consent? Why is your solution to the problem to make your daughter move out too. You tell him to leave. Get the police/friends/family involved if he refuses to go. Your daughter then has a choice of leaving with him, or staying with you. She's learning from you - you can't expect her to stand up to him if you can't /won't do the same. He is abusing and dominating you both, not just your daughter, can't you see that?

Iwishiwasapolarbear · 02/03/2025 18:28

Yabu for letting him stay in your house

Mrsttcno1 · 02/03/2025 18:28

SoScarletItWas · 02/03/2025 18:08

I’m not sure why you say THEY have to go and live at this mother’s. I would be saying to her that she is welcome to stay but HE cannot live there any more, as he is not pulling his weight or showing respect.

I assume neither of them is paying anything?

I would try and have a 121 loving conversation with her where you outline your concerns about how the relationship is and leave her plenty of space to feel safe and secure with you if she ends it.

Absolutely this.

She is welcome to stay, he is not, make that clear.

LaceWingMother · 02/03/2025 18:29

There will be somewhere for then to rent. They absolutely should get their own place.

HeyDoodie · 02/03/2025 18:50

Why is he living in your house? Without permission! Without rent. How did you let this happen?

I would sit her down and tell her that he can spend one or two nights/evenings a week at yours only. You need your house back. Hopefully your daughter will stay at yours and have space away from him, time to reflect. She is less cheerful and I’d be asking her why that is.

Shinyandnew1 · 02/03/2025 18:52

He’s pushed his way into my home and moved in despite not been invited or wanted. He contributes nothing financially

Don't be a doormat. Tell him to leave tonight-it's your house and he needs to go. She doesn't need to go, though!

DazedDragon · 02/03/2025 18:55

Take your daughter out for coffee with just the two of you and tell her the truth.

Say that he isn't a nice person, he is affecting your MH living there as he is so rude to you, and that he needs to move out by this weekend. Say it's up to her whether she stays or goes with him but he's not welcome to stay any more.

Be assertive.

BoredZelda · 02/03/2025 19:06

Did everyone miss this? I’m a single parent with chronic health conditions and autism so I’m not very assertive.

Has nobody heard of cukooing? Picking vulnerable people and moving in with them. It isn't just about establishing a drug den or other criminal activity, it can also be done when someone wants a place to stay. OP being blamed for letting it happen, ignores the fact she is quite a vulnerable person.

@Basilbrushed Ask him to leave, preferably with someone you can ask to be there for backup. If he won't go, call the police. But, you do need to get your daughter on side if possible because you really don't want her to go with him.

cocoromo · 02/03/2025 19:06

He’s pushed his way into my home and moved in despite not been invited or wanted.

sorry what? You lost me here……..how is this even possible?

Quitelikeit · 02/03/2025 19:10

Bleurghhhh

Get him out - he is taking the piss massively out of you

Spitting in the kitchen sink would have me screaming!! Absolutely feral!!

Notsosure1 · 02/03/2025 19:12

cocoromo · 02/03/2025 19:06

He’s pushed his way into my home and moved in despite not been invited or wanted.

sorry what? You lost me here……..how is this even possible?

It’s possible if you’re vulnerable, a single woman with debilitating health problems, autism and you’re intimidated by a younger male with a bad reputation.

Everyone telling OP she needs to tell him to go - as if it’s that’s simple - and call the police - who will presumably be there as back up the second she puts down the phone? What is she meant to do to defend herself against a likely un-hinged, unpredictable, aggressive, young man in the meantime on her own exactly?

TomatoSandwiches · 02/03/2025 19:12

BoredZelda · 02/03/2025 19:06

Did everyone miss this? I’m a single parent with chronic health conditions and autism so I’m not very assertive.

Has nobody heard of cukooing? Picking vulnerable people and moving in with them. It isn't just about establishing a drug den or other criminal activity, it can also be done when someone wants a place to stay. OP being blamed for letting it happen, ignores the fact she is quite a vulnerable person.

@Basilbrushed Ask him to leave, preferably with someone you can ask to be there for backup. If he won't go, call the police. But, you do need to get your daughter on side if possible because you really don't want her to go with him.

Agreed, I can't believe people posting here, the op is vulnerable herself, these people get targeted for the abuse of any resource they have.

Op do you have anyone around you that could come help you get rid of him? Just make sure your DD knows she is more than welcome to stay but he needs to leave.

JoyDreamer86 · 02/03/2025 19:16

Has there not recently been some change in the law to specifically include cuckooing? So therefore get police involved if he wont leave if you are both vulnerable people.

ChangingHistory · 02/03/2025 19:17

What I am hearing from PP is 'stop being Autistic and deal with this'. If only it was that easy, I understand how this could happen.

However, he does need to move out. Do you have anyone who can support you in this? It's pretty likely that even when you get him out hell move back in so you'll need help to stay on top of it - maybe a rule with your daughter that he can never stay 2 nights in a row or similar.

You know your daughter, be careful not to overwhelm her but tell her you don't think he's good for her and he needs to move out but you respect her decision if she remains with him.

ItGhoul · 02/03/2025 19:19

How old is your daughter?

You and your daughter are both being bullied and abused by this man in your own home. You have let that happen. You now need to deal with the problem for both your sakes. I appreciate that you are ‘not assertive’ but you have now managed to say he/they need to leave.

Do not make your daughter leave with him, for god’s sake. And of course you should bloody tell her about his behaviour when she’s not there. You’re endangering her by keeping quiet.

This whole situation sounds dangerously close to cuckooing.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuckooing

TequilaNights · 02/03/2025 19:25

Yabu in saying they need to go.
Change it to HE needs to go home, then Yanbu

TagSplashMaverick · 02/03/2025 19:26

He’s abusing two very vulnerable women, by the sound of it.

He needs to get out. Phone the police if you have to, he’s damaging your stuff.

But try to protect your daughter and keep her at home, why you’d force her to go with him is beyond me.

FluffyDashhound · 02/03/2025 19:36

I have adhd and was simular to your daughter methylphenidate massively helped me get her to consider meds x