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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Couple brags

205 replies

DallazMajor · 21/03/2026 09:40

I may be just miserable and bitter but here goes.

it boils my piss when people refer to their OH as their “rock” and that they wouldn’t have got through “XYZ” without them.

A). Yes you would
B). How do you think it makes people who don’t have a partner feel.

Am I BU?

OP posts:
twentyeightfishinthepond · 22/03/2026 10:29

Do t say “boils my piss”, OP. It’s a disgusting phrase. People can say things without immediately thinking about how you feel. Deal with it. We ALL do.

gannett · 22/03/2026 10:34

JLou08 · 21/03/2026 12:15

People say that about their mums too. My mum's never been that for me. I'm not bitter about it though. I'm happy for them, they don't need to hide their appreciation for their mum to save my feelings.

Edited

Same. When people talk about how supportive their parents are I don't feel bitter but I feel almost like I'm hallucinating because I can't even imagine having that kind of healthy relationship with them.

I've never called DP my "rock" but he really is. I'm not generally a fan of the kind of couples who constantly take to social media for soppy declarations of love, but it's perfectly natural if someone's helped you get through some shit times that you want to thank them for it.

Friends can be rocks too, it's not limited to romantic partners.

catherinewales · 22/03/2026 10:35

How to tell you have not been through something really bad. I hope life keeps it that way for you. Yes they may get through it without their other half but some people don’t have anything to fight for so probably not. I know my husband wouldn’t be here today without me and our children.

PoppySaidYesIKnow · 22/03/2026 10:37

I agree and I have got a long term partner and yes we’re happy before anyone thinks I’m bitter! The sycophantic Michael Ball radio show where he talks in some simpering voice whilst reading out (always) women’s letters about their “rock” also boils my piss!

Kd96 · 22/03/2026 10:39

2chimneypots · 22/03/2026 10:05

I agree with this.

A. Its pretty nasty and unkind to tell people what they would get through when you have no idea how it has affected them. My close friend lost her child a few years ago- she woke up to find he had died in his sleep. She was suicidal for a long time afterwards (understandably) and it was her partner that got her through it. Imagine if I had said what is in your OP to her- how cruel would that be?

B. As PP have said, I dont care if you like it or not, if you are that bitter about other people's happiness then I suggest you come off social media entirely.

Its your responsibility to manage your anger and hatred, not us.

AMEN! 🙌

Wickedlittledancer · 22/03/2026 10:39

It’s not a Brag op. You only see it as that as you’re jealous as you don’t like being single, I’m sorry you are struggling and about uour mum, but people mentioning important things to them is not always bragging.

Easterchicken · 22/03/2026 10:42

You are being a green eyed monster I'm afraid

Just because you don't have something doesn't mean those who do have it should not he proud of theirs

I don't have a massive house or 100k car .. yet know many people who own both and I don't sulk about it

Also I know for a fact if it wasn't for me my husband wouldn't have got through a very difficult time in his life. I was the only one advocating for him and supporting him, if it wasn't for me he wouldn't have got the medical treatment he needed ... So yes sometimes someone who is a rock is the reason someone is still here

Branwells77 · 22/03/2026 10:46

So sorry to hear about your loss it must be extremely difficult to go through on your own and I think that’s what is upsetting you because you are having to cope alone and others have a DH/DW or partner to help and support them and it does make a huge difference having someone by your side so I do understand why people will say things like I couldn’t have got through it without DH/DW or partner. Maybe contact a bereavement counselling service they may have a support group in your local area so you are not alone and you will get to meet people too.

sammylady37 · 22/03/2026 10:49

catherinewales · 22/03/2026 10:35

How to tell you have not been through something really bad. I hope life keeps it that way for you. Yes they may get through it without their other half but some people don’t have anything to fight for so probably not. I know my husband wouldn’t be here today without me and our children.

How to tell you have not been through something really bad

Bull. I was raped at 17, and I have not told a single soul about it. I coped with it at the time on my own and now, almost 30 years later, I still haven’t told anybody. Is that ‘something really bad’ enough for you?

I was physically assaulted by my father, and whilst the wider family knew, I did not receive support from them, I received derision from some and blame from others who felt he was justified.

I was in an emotionally abusive relationship which pushed me to very near the edge. I ended it and walked away without support from anyone.

When I experienced a potentially career-ending situation, I dealt with it on my own.

I’ve had plenty adversity and ‘really bad’ things but have never leaned on anyone to be my rock. That’s just how I’m built, I prefer to retreat into myself and cope on my own. The last thing I want or need at times of immense stress is someone else adding to the situation.

sammylady37 · 22/03/2026 10:52

singthing · 22/03/2026 09:47

The more I read of this thread, that more I feel the same as @sammylady37.

I have lived this long and done/endured/experienced this much and I did it all just fine. To be so needy or dependent on someone else for my success and happiness seems awful and very limiting. I know whatever happens, I can manage and not be left in the lurch about some facet of life (I'm thinking of those widows who have zero knowledge of finances, or can't drive, or don't even know when the binmen come, after their husbands die)

Granted, I fully accept there is mutual happiness etc, but that is not what is being said in these posts - it's all about leaning on someone else to deal with life and saying they would have been otherwise incapable of doing so independently.

I have a sister who is incredibly dependent on her husband for everything. She does not manage one single aspect of their lives, he does it all. If he dies before her, or leaves her, she will be shell-shocked.

2chimneypots · 22/03/2026 10:55

sammylady37 · 22/03/2026 10:52

I have a sister who is incredibly dependent on her husband for everything. She does not manage one single aspect of their lives, he does it all. If he dies before her, or leaves her, she will be shell-shocked.

I wouldnt call that being a "rock" though - thats a codependent relationship.

I think it's really disingenuous to compare the two as if they are the same. My partner is my "rock" because he has supported me emotionally through many difficult times.

I am still a fully independent functioning adult who runs a business that I started from scratch.

Thanking someone for their support does not equal- you are helpless as a newborn chick without them

Umidontknow · 22/03/2026 10:56

Yes how dare people give a compliment to the person they love. You just sound bitter, lots of people go through things alone even if the are in a relationship, but I don't see why it pisses you off that someone has a supportive family.

Thereissnowinmywellies · 22/03/2026 10:57

IWaffleAlot · 21/03/2026 09:52

A. No I wouldn’t. Some situations my dh helped me through that no one else could.
B. I don’t care or give thought to anyone else’s relationship.

Agree. Not interested in other people and braging of any sort gets a "That's nice, did you hear about blah blah?"

4wardlooking · 22/03/2026 11:01

DallazMajor · 21/03/2026 09:56

Yes I’m being a misery. I’m fed up of having to do and cope with everything on my own. It becomes tiring yknow.

I mean I’m happy for them really. Honest. lol

Just ask if their ‘rock’ has a sibling or friend for you.

Tattybye87 · 22/03/2026 11:01

Is it because you haven't found anyone you can depend on like that? Of course they could get by without a partner, but having a supportive partner does make life easier. Im not in a relationship, but I do have people who support me, family and friends. I would be totally lost without them. We all have an emotional rock if you like. Or is that ok? Your just bothered about the happy couples? Be great full for the people you do have and don't worry about anyone else would be my suggestion.

Nogimachi · 22/03/2026 11:05

My husband is 100% my rock and life is immeasurably better because of him, but I would never express this to my single friends. I would only tell them about something he’d done that annoyed me, out of solidarity.
I would only ever say it to someone I was sure was in a similarly happy and secure relationship ie his friends’ wives or one or two of my very close friends who are also happily married.

ERthree · 22/03/2026 11:06

And folk should lie to suit you? Shall we all divorce to suit you too ?

2chimneypots · 22/03/2026 11:08

Shall we all divorce to suit you too ?

Waiting for someone to post yes, #bekind

😂

Talkingtomyhouseplants · 22/03/2026 11:19

What an odd post.

The point of having a partner is to have a person to support and celebrate you, to “do life” (sorry for the cringe expression) with. It’s not exactly surprising that someone would describe as their rock - in fact this is how DH described me in his wedding speech.

olivepicanto · 22/03/2026 11:27

DallazMajor · 21/03/2026 09:56

Yes I’m being a misery. I’m fed up of having to do and cope with everything on my own. It becomes tiring yknow.

I mean I’m happy for them really. Honest. lol

I get you. I feel the same way

and yes I am
jealous.

Torchout · 22/03/2026 11:35

I may be getting over serious illness but my husband is definitely a rock. Even if only an emotional one. He takes all my crap because they've been keeping me in. He's even stayed when they've take blood, his worst nightmare , because I needed the mental support.

Im not going to be rude OP but you may just be lucky you've not needed anyone

LiviaDrusillaAugusta · 22/03/2026 11:38

What happens when those ‘rocks’ turn out not to be though?

I am AuDHD so perhaps that affects my thinking as relying on someone is a terrifying idea!

I know it works out most of the time but you are in such a vulnerable position. Just because someone says they love you, you don’t know that for sure. I kind of admire those that can make that leap of faith in the same way as I admire those that go skydiving - fair play but I wouldn’t want to 😀

2chimneypots · 22/03/2026 11:50

LiviaDrusillaAugusta · 22/03/2026 11:38

What happens when those ‘rocks’ turn out not to be though?

I am AuDHD so perhaps that affects my thinking as relying on someone is a terrifying idea!

I know it works out most of the time but you are in such a vulnerable position. Just because someone says they love you, you don’t know that for sure. I kind of admire those that can make that leap of faith in the same way as I admire those that go skydiving - fair play but I wouldn’t want to 😀

Life is a risk. Walking out of your door every morning is a risk. Having a child is a risk, owning a car or house or having a job is a risk.

Absolutely nothing we do in life is guaranteed to work out and thats why we have to use our common sense and weigh up risks constantly in life.

I have had relationships that have ended very badly in the past and at the time it was very upsetting but I survived and I've also spent years happily single. Now I am married I am also very happy and my husband is my best friend.

I am not about to allow fear of what might happen prevent me from living my life because if I did that, I would never have started my business or had my children or in fact, done anything of note at all.

Actually my worst fear is to look back at life on my deathbed and think "I wish I hadn't been too scared to do XYZ". The regret of not doing something is far worse to me than doing it.

LiviaDrusillaAugusta · 22/03/2026 12:12

2chimneypots · 22/03/2026 11:50

Life is a risk. Walking out of your door every morning is a risk. Having a child is a risk, owning a car or house or having a job is a risk.

Absolutely nothing we do in life is guaranteed to work out and thats why we have to use our common sense and weigh up risks constantly in life.

I have had relationships that have ended very badly in the past and at the time it was very upsetting but I survived and I've also spent years happily single. Now I am married I am also very happy and my husband is my best friend.

I am not about to allow fear of what might happen prevent me from living my life because if I did that, I would never have started my business or had my children or in fact, done anything of note at all.

Actually my worst fear is to look back at life on my deathbed and think "I wish I hadn't been too scared to do XYZ". The regret of not doing something is far worse to me than doing it.

I get that some risks can’t be avoided and back in the day I did some very risky things.

But I wouldn’t take a risk unless the reward was worth it. And for me, making myself vulnerable like that wouldn’t be worth the potential ‘reward’.

Same with having children!

2chimneypots · 22/03/2026 12:19

LiviaDrusillaAugusta · 22/03/2026 12:12

I get that some risks can’t be avoided and back in the day I did some very risky things.

But I wouldn’t take a risk unless the reward was worth it. And for me, making myself vulnerable like that wouldn’t be worth the potential ‘reward’.

Same with having children!

I completely respect that, and that is of course, entirely your choice to make. If people are happy being single then more power to them. People should do what makes them happy in life.

However, that still doesnt mean that people shouldnt or cant publicly thank their partners for supporting them in life. It doesn't make those people wrong for choosing differently to you.

Also, the OP clearly doesnt feel the same way you do, as she is saying it annoys her because she wants a partner and feels jealous of such people.