Help end medical misogyny. Sign our petition.

Help end medical misogyny.
Sign our petition.

Sign the petition

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Am I going crazy? I feel so disrespected

87 replies

currentlyinvenice · 17/04/2026 01:23

I have been in a long distance relationship for 18 months. He’s in UAE and I’m in England. The last 18 months haven’t been great, it’s been a nightmare tbh partly because of the distance and partly that he is incredibly thoughtless. He travels every two weeks to visit me either in my city or we will meet in a city we both want to visit in Europe for a few days (2/3 days). He does all the travel. I love him and when we are together it’s good, we have fun, we have a lot in common and I feel a great connection. I do feel he is my person BUT… I find his behaviour so disrespectful

He’s not thoughtful, he didn’t give me a gift for Valentine’s Day, nothing for Christmas two years in a row. Not a single thing for either me or my children. He makes no effort to make sure we have a nice time when together, makes no plans and it’s always left to me to plan things for us to do. I once went to visit him in his country and he made zero effort to make sure I had a nice time. There have been so many issues and I have been unhappy the majority of this last 18 months, a lot of these issues are distance related but also I just feel he doesn’t make the effort he should (other than the massive amount of travel to come visit me)

I said right at the start I didn’t want long distance, he said he would get a job that allowed him to work remote and would split his time between UAE and UK. I have been waiting 18 months for this. Now he says he is coming in July splitting his time 50/50 between Uk and back with his kids.

Now the main problem, when he’s been particularly thoughtless and we argue or when he makes me feel disrespected I block him to regain control of the situation. Our relationship has been very up and down.

Every-time I block him and accept the relationship is over and that it doesn’t work he then harasses me with hundreds of calls from withheld number, emails proclaiming his love and how sorry her is. I love him so it’s hard to ignore when I want it to work and he is promising change. Recently I ignored hundreds of withheld calls and emails a day for nearly 3 months but relented in the end and wanted to try again.

His behaviour has improved, he makes closer to a reasonable amount of effort now but it’s been a struggle to get here. He has two children, I have two children. Now what’s become a huge issue is that he has actively kept me a secret from his children for the last 18 months whilst spending time getting to know mine. I feel so hurt and disrespected that he keeps me secret from his children, sneaking away to call them when he is with me and not calling me when he is with them.

He knows how much this hurts me that he doesn’t want me involved with his kids. He says that it’s because the relationship has been so up and down but all of the ups and downs have been because of his actions.

I have blocked him again. I don’t see why I should step in and play the loving step mother role when he decides after keeping me hidden like a dirty secret for 18 months. He doesn’t seem bothered that he is planning to come live in my house with my children yet his don’t even know I exist.

Now I wait for the harassment to begin again… am I going crazy?

I have been to his home, he calls me all the time when he’s at home. I have heard him on calls about his divorce. I really don’t think he is married.

I’m great with kids and very kind, it’s so hurtful that he wants to keep this side of his life a secret from me whilst saying he wants to marry me, asking me to have a baby with him and planning to move here to live with me and my children.

OP posts:
youalright · 17/04/2026 04:52

currentlyinvenice · 17/04/2026 01:48

I had a really shitty childhood, have some real attachment issues from it and have had a shitty time of dating before meeting him. I genuinely fear I don’t have it in me to ignore him.

I use this number for work and same with the email address.

Does anyone know of some resources to break this toxic cycle and some kind of codependency?

So why are you making your children's childhood shitty to, focus on them

LizandDerekGoals · 17/04/2026 04:54

Duvetdayneeded · 17/04/2026 04:39

This is a shit show of a relationship and block him for good. Dont give in to him as it’s a joke.

Brutal but true

How could this be anything other than a shit show either when you both have children living in different countries?

Stop blocking him. It isn't working. Just phone him and end the relationship. Tell him you will report it as stalking if he bombards you again. Then block him.

Jellybean23 · 17/04/2026 04:55

You’re daft to waste away your years staying with him.

Spinksie · 17/04/2026 04:55

I am confused by your your post. You lost me at
He travels…to visit me…in a city we both want to visit…He does all the travel.
As you claim you are not travelling, how do you appear in other cities?
To stay in the relationship doesn’t make sense to me either.

AlwaysTheRenegade · 17/04/2026 04:55

Are you blocking him when you argue because you know he'll be able to get through on email and your work phone?

What if you blocked him and he didn't bother trying to contact you again? It sounds like you'd be gutted.

This is all crazy game playing and so much stress for such a shite relationship, not trying to be horrible but talk about turbulent! Imagine if you did live together, you'd both be storming out every week.

18 months isn't that long, I certainly wouldn't be angry he didn't get my kids a Christmas present but I understand it's hurtful he didn't get you one. Just selfish and thoughtless on his part.

How old are his kids? Do you think he could still be with their mum?

LizandDerekGoals · 17/04/2026 04:59

Spinksie · 17/04/2026 04:55

I am confused by your your post. You lost me at
He travels…to visit me…in a city we both want to visit…He does all the travel.
As you claim you are not travelling, how do you appear in other cities?
To stay in the relationship doesn’t make sense to me either.

I thought the exact same. And also op said she has been to his house, so she has also travelled there.

FilthyforFirth · 17/04/2026 05:04

Why why why are you dragging your kids into this shitshow? It never fails to amaze me the number of women on here that prioritise horrific relationships at the expense of their children. All of this over an 18 month relationship? Jesus.

RoseField1 · 17/04/2026 05:39

currentlyinvenice · 17/04/2026 01:48

I had a really shitty childhood, have some real attachment issues from it and have had a shitty time of dating before meeting him. I genuinely fear I don’t have it in me to ignore him.

I use this number for work and same with the email address.

Does anyone know of some resources to break this toxic cycle and some kind of codependency?

You have children. Letting this man come and live with your children would not be the actions of a good parent. Letting him ruin your headspace is not the actions of a good parent. You need to stop being selfish and prioritise your children.

IslandsAround · 17/04/2026 05:54

Dear @currentlyinvenice

This has nothing to do with him and everything to do with him.

You say you have childhood trauma / adverse childhood events.

As such you have bad adult relationships with men both previously and now.

I would recommend counselling because even if you get rid of him you’ll repeat the cycle. Your own behaviour sounds volatile and insecure. Someone said freedom program, contact Women’s Aid, look online at Chump Lady, read psychology books on attachment theory. But really one to one mental health and behavioral support is vital.

You should get rid of him by the way. Get a lawyer to write to him if he harasses you if he does. If he’s in Dubai report him there (and don’t ever travel there).

Change your contact details as you are not able to withstand his harassment (which is so understandable). You can update for work - being harassed into a horrific relationship is worse.

daisychain01 · 17/04/2026 06:09

Get shot of him. He's not a good option,

GlovedhandsCecilia · 17/04/2026 06:36

I think you need help from therapists. Are you really okay with a father leaving his kids for half the time while he comes to live with another woman (who blocks him all the time)?

Who pays for all the travel you do? If he travels to you, what's wrong with you making the plans?

Velvetandleather · 17/04/2026 06:45

Wow, what am I even reading. Of course you’re a secret. Dudes married.

Holdinguphalfthesky · 17/04/2026 06:51

currentlyinvenice · 17/04/2026 01:48

I had a really shitty childhood, have some real attachment issues from it and have had a shitty time of dating before meeting him. I genuinely fear I don’t have it in me to ignore him.

I use this number for work and same with the email address.

Does anyone know of some resources to break this toxic cycle and some kind of codependency?

I used to put up with all kinds of nonsense. I found the Baggae Reclaim website super helpful, and then therapy. Internal Family Systems therapy and Compassionate Inquiry therapy. CBT and some of the psychodynamic counselling I had was not helpful at tackling the core beliefs at the root of my behaviour.

in the immediate term though, you’re like an addict. If you were addicted to drugs wouldn’t you change your number and your email to stop your dealer and your drug-taking crowd from contacting you? It’s the same thing.

PuggyPuggyPuggy · 17/04/2026 06:51

You "love" him the way the way a junkie "loves" heroin.

He on the other hand doesn't give a shit about you (as a person) at all.

Miranda65 · 17/04/2026 06:57

This is not a relationship.
You are miserable.
Don't have a baby with him, FFS.
Don't visit him.
Don't meet his kids.
Cut all conract with this man.
Work on your own wellbeing and build up some self-respect.

Weatheronshuffle · 17/04/2026 07:00

You've got your kids involved on this shit show? Fucking hell. You need to get some therapy.

Not only is your man clearly married to someone else, he's also a psycho for harassing you. You need to break this off. As does his wife.

MyDeftDuck · 17/04/2026 07:02

OP, please get your head out of your loved up arse! He is no good for you! He is not committed to you! And you and your children deserve so much better!
Change your number and move on!

GrianGealach · 17/04/2026 07:04

currentlyinvenice · 17/04/2026 01:48

I had a really shitty childhood, have some real attachment issues from it and have had a shitty time of dating before meeting him. I genuinely fear I don’t have it in me to ignore him.

I use this number for work and same with the email address.

Does anyone know of some resources to break this toxic cycle and some kind of codependency?

Just block him, OP. It’s not that complicated.

Tablesandchairs23 · 17/04/2026 07:04

He's not your person. You're an option to him. Leave the relationship for good and change your number.

loislovesstewie · 17/04/2026 07:06

He understands that you are a vulnerable person and is taking advantage of that. For goodness sake block him, get a different number, never have any contact with him again. You are wasting your time, your energy , everything on a man who is using you.

Clara27 · 17/04/2026 07:08

You’re with him 18 months and you’ve been unhappy 18 months. Did I read that correctly? It’s always been bad? Why are you with him? Why do you say you love him? What do you love about him? Please think about the answers.

End it for good and work on your self esteem, surely you can see how messed up this is?

Besidemyselfwithworry · 17/04/2026 07:21

I don’t think you need to worry about him living with you I think that’s all lies and the op is sadly, for whatever reason, enabling this nonsense and embroiling her kids in this embarrassing situation.
@currentlyinvenice have some respect and end all of this. Read the first post back - what would you say to one of your friends if this was them? Please think of your kids too.

somanychristmaslights · 17/04/2026 07:25

You’ve been together 18 months and it’s been awful all that time? My god woman have some self respect and just end the relationship. There’s so benefits to it whatsoever

ambercoast · 17/04/2026 07:26

I'm sorry you're going through this Op, been through similiar in my 40s.
Treat it like an addiction and start to wean yourself off him.
Change all your numbers and emails and then change them again after you've give him your new ones.
Research into trauma bonding, limerance, childhood attachment, Stockholm syndrome, drug addiction therapies, youtube therapists, - everything and anything that might give you some insight into why you crave this man who is causing you so much emotional stress.
If you can afford it see a therapist who specialises in childhood trauma and relationships. Not all therapists are the right one for you so try another if the first or second doesn't work out.
Prepare for it to take a long time to recover and heal and that it's ok - little steps, you are learning to walk again.
The bonding with him is like a toxic drug where your sense of self-respect, integrity and common sense goes out the window.
I promised faithfully to myself many times that I would never see him again, he knocked on my door and within 10mins I was sitting in his van going off on a drive! How did that happen, where were my convictions and the promise to myself?
Gently learn to love yourself, I doubt you do.
Calm your anxious, confused mind with youtube mindfullness music, affirmations, try to meet new people as a volunteer or hobby group to reset your thinking patterns.
I was constantly thinking of him, not a moment passed for years when I wasn't, it's exhausting! But slowly, slowly your mind will move on.
See it as learning to emerge mentally stronger, wiser and healthier from.

Endofyear · 17/04/2026 07:28

You've been in a relationship for 18 months and it hasn't been good for 18 months? It sounds like you are addicted to the drama. You need to address that in counselling.

Think about his children, and yours. They don't deserve to be involved in this shit-show. Wake up and end this for good.

Swipe left for the next trending thread