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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Was my boyfriend within his rights to say these cruel things to me?

313 replies

meridiana · 07/04/2025 13:19

This may be long, but I’ll try and keep it short.

I have spent this morning extremely distressed, I’m questioning everything including my worth. I feel like a waste of space, from what he had said. I’m too upset to see the situation for what it is.

BF and I had been a bit on and off, but decided to make this official and things had been pretty much smooth sailing from then. We had one argument, that was resolved after we both agreed it was a misunderstanding.

We’ve had very minor disagreements, but no arguments aside from that until yesterday.

He makes significantly more than me, this around 5x more. We don’t live together. He tends to pay for meals out etc. and likes to treat me with things like flowers, but I have never asked for him to pay for anything. I do also pay for myself for other things too.

When we were shopping he had separated our things and said ‘I’ll put your things separately’ referring to the ingredients for our dinner that I was going to cook. He usually eats the majority of our meals (understandably), so I was slightly irritated by this and told him that, but it wasn’t a big deal.

The next day, he made a lemon drizzle cake with my son (he paid for the ingredients) and said he was going to take it home, since he had paid for it and had baked it. I had pointed out this feels like a bit of a double standard, a bit irritating but again not a big deal. He says that he pays for a lot of things for me, I agreed. He then said he spends about £200 per month on me, for which I categorically disagreed. He said he wasn’t going to buy me anything again.

A few minutes later I asked how long until the cake was done, he told me and I said ok when it’s finished you can leave. I was upset and didn’t want him there.

I heard a bang as he left, and I thought he had thrown my son’s car seat into the house, I text him to say it was childish but he says he didn’t throw it and I believe him.

He sent me a text saying that until I apologise, not to contact him. I said I won’t be contacting him then as I don’t feel the needs to apologise, he said ok. I took this as things ending. I then said something along the lines of ‘enjoy fucking the ladies in Thailand’ (I’m not proud of this) as he’s going there this week. I have been feeling stressed about him going as he went last year, and we weren’t together but still somewhat involved and he slept with many people and lied to me about having feeling for another woman. He was well within his rights to do so, as he was single, but it was a point of vulnerability for me. I feel bad that I even said it, and have apologised more than once.

He said he wasn’t ending things, and then ignored me for six hours while he was with friends, I was really upset by this.

He reached out today via text and said he wanted an apology for kicking him out, I said I wasn’t sorry so I wasn’t going to apologise. I said I didn’t feel I’d kicked him out, just asked him to leave as I felt upset and like the day was ruined.

We have previously agreed that we should tackle things head on, so I wasn’t wrong to ask him to leave but I think because I was so upset from the events of the past 12ish hours I couldn’t see it for what it was. I didn’t feel sorry because I was upset and angry.

He then ended things with me, as he feels I am a poor communicator, I am deliberately difficult and speak to him disrespectfully. He feels I have grossly disrespected him.

Things between us had been really lovely until this, so I was taken aback that he’d ended it.

During these exchanges I haven’t been nasty, raised my voice, sworn etc.

He has now said I am a vile person, I am toxic, I am like a dark cloud of sadness, I’m incapable of being happy, and I am not capable of a healthy relationship because of my ‘parents’ fucked up relationship’ growing up. He has told me to fuck off multiple times, that I’m manipulative.

I’ve told him how hurtful I have found his words, and that I really don’t feel them to be true. I am happy, and lots of people comment on my positivity.

He said “You think your actions have nothing to do with how I’ve been?” when referring to how he has spoken to me.

I really just need a fresh pair of eyes please. I acknowledge I have contributed to this, I should have behaved in a better way. It was a blip, but I didn’t see it as a massive deal.

I am genuinely sorry for how I’ve behaved, and I am trying and want to be a good partner. I feel really guilty that I’ve upset him and pushed him to this point.

OP posts:
Balloonhearts · 07/04/2025 13:52

You both sound about 14.

Timefortulips · 07/04/2025 13:54

meridiana · 07/04/2025 13:42

Thank you for responding.

I had told him prior to him going away, that I did not want to beg exclusive. I didn’t know who long he would be gone for and knew I’d drive myself crazy wondering what he was up to.

He was also absolutely fine with me being involved with other men if I wanted to.

Mmm... This still says to me that it was a case of "he's going to shag around anyway, may as well say I'm ok with it". I mean you do you, but it doesn't sound like the most promising start to what's turned out to be a miserable relationship.

deeahgwitch · 07/04/2025 13:55

You should have told him how much the electricity or gas cost to bake the cake- you’re well rid.
I hate miserliness ☹️

Macaroni46 · 07/04/2025 13:55

meridiana · 07/04/2025 13:28

I also meant to say I was wrong for asking him to leave.

You were not wrong for asking him to leave. His behaviour sounds toxic.
On its own, taking home half the cake sounds reasonable but overall I’d say you’re best rid of him. It sounds like he was resentful at paying for things.

pikkumyy77 · 07/04/2025 13:57

Dod you think that giving him “permission “ to shag around gave you some kind of control over your feelings or over the “.relationship?” That was an illusion. You aren’t in a real relationship —not in one and not heading towards one—and whether you give him permission or not he will choose to do whatever he wants.

PoisedNewt · 07/04/2025 13:57

If there is a chance he has slept with other women, get yourself tested.

MarioLink · 07/04/2025 13:57

He sounds horrible. Imagine how awful things would be financially if you ever moved in together or married. You're better off getting out now.

BaronessEllarawrosaurus · 07/04/2025 13:57

Neither of you behaved well. He's not financially controlling because you don't have a shared finance that he's controlling. I do think your expectations that he was paying for your shopping was wrong. Threw him out - asked him to leave is just semantics. However he really is obnoxious and you need to end it. You didn't deserve the things he said but your behavior wasn't perfect either

bettydavieseyes · 07/04/2025 13:58

My only wish for you is that you had dumped him first and blocked him instead of being the one who's clearly upset and questioning yourself. So, you were a bit childish, it doesn't matter. He's an absolute arsehole. Never go back!
He's stingy, weird and abusive. He earns 5x what you earn and he's off to Thailand while you're stuck at home cleaning up after a lemon drizzle cake which He took home like a prat. I hope he hasnt broken your car seat OP.
Let him do what he likes in Thailand, who cares..he's gross.

meridiana · 07/04/2025 13:59

BaronessEllarawrosaurus · 07/04/2025 13:57

Neither of you behaved well. He's not financially controlling because you don't have a shared finance that he's controlling. I do think your expectations that he was paying for your shopping was wrong. Threw him out - asked him to leave is just semantics. However he really is obnoxious and you need to end it. You didn't deserve the things he said but your behavior wasn't perfect either

I agree my behaviour wasn’t perfect at all, I feel really bad about it.

I don’t think I was clear in my most, I didn’t expect him to pay or ask him to. I was irritated that he had referred to it as my food, when I was cooking it for the both of us and he’d be eating the majority of it.

OP posts:
sarahbear87 · 07/04/2025 14:00

outerspacepotato · 07/04/2025 13:38

I can't help but notice he's breaking up with you before another trip to Thailand.

nailed it. he's started a fight so has an excuse to end the relationship in time for his trip to Thailand. his loss op he sounds like a right turd you are better off out of it.

PrincessOfPreschool · 07/04/2025 14:01

I think he started being mean to you (regarding money) as he wanted to push you into breaking up with him before he went away. It worked! So he can somehow feel better about himself when he sleeps around because you broke it off, not him.

Then he comes out with the most horrible, unprovoked stuff about you. OP, you are so much better off without him. I'm sure your confidence will improve. Please don't take him back after his little shagathon/ holiday is over.

Bingbangboo · 07/04/2025 14:02

He manufactured a row so he can go to Thailand whilst you are broken up and do whatever he likes.
I am assuming you meant he previously had sex with multiple prostitutes (rather than other holiday-makers). Why would you want to be in a relationship or sleep with anyone who does that? Protect your own sexual health and don't get back together with him.

DisneyTokyoNewbie · 07/04/2025 14:02

Stay away from him. Don't contact him. Don't let him back once he's had his holiday. Block and move on. Your silence will bother him more than your words ever will.

GeorgeMichaelsCat · 07/04/2025 14:05

I think he engineered this as he is off to Thailand next week and wants to act like a single man.

Sorry this happened to you💐

kellygoeswest · 07/04/2025 14:05

PrincessOfPreschool · 07/04/2025 14:01

I think he started being mean to you (regarding money) as he wanted to push you into breaking up with him before he went away. It worked! So he can somehow feel better about himself when he sleeps around because you broke it off, not him.

Then he comes out with the most horrible, unprovoked stuff about you. OP, you are so much better off without him. I'm sure your confidence will improve. Please don't take him back after his little shagathon/ holiday is over.

This is the answer - I've seen this play out so many times. It feels like there should be more to it, but honestly it's sometimes just as simple for this.

I know it's cliche but honestly he's seriously done you a favour in the long term.

EuclidianGeometryFan · 07/04/2025 14:05

Your posts concentrate too much on how it actually ended, who texted last, who dumped who, who has blocked who.
That is all irrelevant.
You may have a tiny smidgen of hurt pride if you think he dumped you rather than you dumped him first, but really, it is totally unimportant.

What is important is that he is now out of your life.
Do NOT let him worm his way back in.

In future, don't let anyone meet your son for at least a year or two years into the relationship. It is very, very bad for children to watch their parents have a stream of new relationships, let alone be involved in spending time with new adults who just come and go and they have no say in it.

Look for a partner who treats you as an equal, not someone who showers you with unwanted gifts and treats then throws that back in your face during an argument.

Wishitsnows · 07/04/2025 14:07

Don’t feel bad and whatever you do don’t get back with him. You can do better. If he really earned 5 times the amount you do why is he penny pinching over the price of cake ingredients?!

beAsensible1 · 07/04/2025 14:10

god. just leave it. you keep going on and off for a reason.

TwinklyRoseTurtle · 07/04/2025 14:10

You’re better off without him. You have done nothing wrong. He is cheap and showing his true colours. Who counts how much they have spent on someone. Now he’s gaslighting you to think it’s your fault. I’m sure he will be back in touch after his holiday but if I was you OP I wouldn’t answer him and move on with your life.

Merryoldgoat · 07/04/2025 14:11

Things between us had been really lovely until this

You’re kidding yourself. They were not.

He’s tight and nasty.

skyeisthelimit · 07/04/2025 14:11

just block him on all possible channels. you are clearly not compatible and you both need to move on.

ConnieSlow · 07/04/2025 14:12

Have a word with yourself. You have a child and you are running after a man like him, having this man around your child and engaging in this petty and messed up relationship when your priority should be your child?

you also suspect him of engaging in horrid sexual activities and you still took him back. He may be an awful person but he has no responsibility to your child, only YOU. And choose better for who you have in your kids life.

thepariscrimefiles · 07/04/2025 14:13

Honestly, you and your child are better off without him. His behaviour in Thailand was really sleazy, even though you weren't a couple at the time.

You've binned him. Keep him in the bin.

StopStartStop · 07/04/2025 14:13

Why are you allowing this tight-fisted git near you and your son? The trash has taken itself out. Rejoice.

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