Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

I feel so mixed up. Is this controlling?

801 replies

Poppysquad · 07/06/2017 23:10

I am sorry, a bit of a saga.

I have been with my partner for four and a half years and we bought a house together about eighteen months ago. I have a son of 19, who lives with me, he is re-sitting his a levels at the moment. My partner has never had children.
Over our initial twelve months together he broke off our relationship twice. The first time we tried again, the second time it happened I did not contact him and left him alone and after time he came back.
There have been moments - when we took my son and a friend on holiday he told me that he would come home if the kids misbehaved. I ended up telling him that I couldn't guarantee their behaviour and I would rather go on my own. He was fine in the end.Since we have moved in probably every three months, he gets cross and threatens that he will leave. A number of these times are as a result of something my son has done e.g. allowed someone to sleep in his bed, i.e.the bed he brought into the house when we moved in, or using his speaker and letting it overheat. Once we reach this trigger there is a series of things that he says to me, like 'what do I do for him' - and I never support him and I don't do anything, I just come home from work and put the telly on. Just after Christmas we narrowed down the trigger for the rage as being the fact that I did not wipe down the work surfaces sufficiently.
It has built and built and just over a week ago, following a return from a weekend away, when my son wiped the table with bacterial spray and removed the wax and, so my partner says, allowed someone to sleep in his bed again, he just walked out of the house. Taking nothing with him. He just left. He stayed in a number of hotels for three nights. He called each day. Sometimes he seemed cross that I was not falling apart without him.
Then he came home! And here he is in the house, sleeping in the spare room, and I really don't know where I stand.
In terms of the controlling, I am expected to cook tea every night even though I work full time in a demanding job and my partner is at home and retired.
He likes to eat early so I feel under pressure to make sure I am home in time if I've stopped on my way home.
He is with me all the time. If a girl friend calls in, he just stays and joins in the conversation. I don't get anytime on my own.
He tuts and roles his eyes if I make a stupid mistake like dropping something,
He is critical of my driving and I have lost confidence in my ability to reverse completely.On the night before I went into hospital for a cancer biopsy with general anesthetic I knocked over a sleeper in the garden with my car. A silly accident and something I've done probably four times before. He had fixed this and I had broken it again. He was so cross with me that he said that he would stay with my during the biopsy, but he would not be here the following day. So, if the specialist had said that there could be an issue, he was saying he wouldn't be there. All because of a piece of wood. I was shocked.
He says that my son is a lazy s**t, who is totally inconsiderate. He is, to be fair, a typical self centred 19 year old. But he really is not a bad kid.
If I moan about how my son is behaving he tells me that basically it's my own fault as I had bought him up.
I don't know. This just sounds like a rant. I do know that I don't feel that things are right. I am worried that the nastiness could escalate. He is now in the house again, and I don't know what I want I happen. Do I want him to stay or not? Do I want a relationship with him or not?
Help ! Does anyone have any views?

OP posts:
Poppysquad · 21/08/2017 16:02

Well - the house details are in the post on their way to the estate agent. That's it. Job done. Feeling a bit low.

OP posts:
IHeartDodo · 21/08/2017 17:24

Hi Poppy, I've been lurking for ages but not had anything helpful to say...
But I've definitely appreciated my parents more since I've left home! And my siblings - it's so much easier to be nice to someone when you aren't resenting them for eating the last yoghurt/taking your clothes/not letting you go out to a party etc!
It's a different relationship, more grown up, but I definitely see my family now because I want to and we actually have stuff in common, rather than because I have to.
Hope that helps, and FWIW, it sounds like detaching completely from him will help. It'll obviously hurt in the short term, but in a couple of years you'll look back and wonder why on earth you doubted yourself!

Bluebellforest1 · 21/08/2017 19:46

Hi Poppy
2 of my 3 boys went to uni, both only 10 miles away from home. Middle son loved being away, came home rarely (and always with washing!) he is now 31, married and still in touch with lots of his uni friends. At least 10 uni mates came to his 30th last year.
Youngest son, now 28, came home from uni almost every weekend because he didn't get on with his flatmates and also because he was working weekends in a bar locally. He moved back home for his 3rd year.
I don't think they appreciated me more at the time, I think they do now!
You have to let them find themselves.
Good luck

blessedbrianblessed · 21/08/2017 22:39

www.telegraph.co.uk/women/life/coercive-control-how-can-you-tell-whether-your-partner-is-emotio/

A very useful read for anyone questioning whether they are in an abusive relationship or not.

blessedbrianblessed · 21/08/2017 22:45

www.relatenow.co.uk/content/controlling-men

And this explains clearly and simply how a man with an entitlement problem operates and how this is abusive.

Poppysquad · 22/08/2017 14:26

Thanks Blessed This quote from the Relate link has made me think Typically an abusive man will focus on 'how his partner's behaviour' makes him feel, disregarding how his abusive behaviour created the response from his partner in the first place.

Do you think that this is my ExP saying that when he has confronted me with a situation when my son has transgressed, in his eyes, I said nothing. And because I said nothing he says thought that I don't support him and recognise that he is upset. My ExP does not acknowledge that one of the key reasons I have not spoken up is because the event is a trigger and I dread the follow up - the ever reoccurring messages about - 'I can't see what I am getting out of this relationship' and 'What do you do for me?' At the moment he is directing a lot of blame on to the fact that I have not communicated with him.

Or, have I just got this wrong?

My ExP says that it starts with me not supporting him and me not seeing that he is upset and reacting to it. Then he doesn't feel like he is being supported and the 'What am I getting out of this relationship' stuff starts.

OP posts:
pickingdaisies · 23/08/2017 10:30

Morning Poppy, I've read your thread, this is my first post. Was worried that you might be feeling alone today, please stay strong. Keep re reading, because to an outsider, he is doing exactly what some wise people have predicted he would do at this point. He is putting the blame on you and painting himself as the victim. Just a thought, does he dislike your son because your son can see through his act? When ds is at uni, nobody will be there to interfere with the mind games he is playing. No doubt if you let him back he will reward you with treats like a nice walk, but then the nonsense will start again. You are worried about being alone. Remember that you are alone because he has separated you from your friends through guilt and mind games. Having to go cook his tea. He will find something else to punish you over when ds is no longer around to be the excuse. The fear you are feeling is natural, but you can do this. Please don't have these chats with him, you need time for your mind to clear. ((hug))

blessedbrianblessed · 24/08/2017 07:25

Hi Poppy

Typically an abusive man will focus on 'how his partner's behaviour' makes him feel, disregarding how his abusive behaviour created the response from his partner in the first place.

The example you have given sounds about right, but rereading this thread there are, sadly, more examples of how your Ex-DP simply does not acknowledge that his poor behaviour plays a massive part in the problems between you.

The incident where the sleeper was knocked over in your garden on the way to your biopsy is just one.

Calling you 'overly-emotional' is another, or saying that you 'over-react' is another.

My ExP says that it starts with me not supporting him and me not seeing that he is upset and reacting to it. Then he doesn't feel like he is being supported and the 'What am I getting out of this relationship' stuff starts.

My Ex-H was like this, although, TBF, he did not say 'what am I getting out of this relationship' etc. He couldn't seem to understand either that some of his behaviours and attitudes were poor and unconstructive to family life and demanded 'support' at all times, which, when translated for him meant 'agree with me and what I do at all times'.

Of course, partners in any intimate relationship - marriage, cohabiting etc - should support one another. But that does not mean one giving way to the other's demands all the time. It means thinking about the other person's best interests at all time and doing what's necessary, right and coming from a place of genuine love and caring, to further those interests, as well as your own.

pickingdaisies is right. He will find something else to punish you over when ds is no longer around to be the excuse.

You've come so far on this journey and been so very brave. You can do this. And you are young enough to find someone else - someone a lot better than this man - if you want to.

Poppysquad · 25/08/2017 20:11

Thanks picking your post picked me up.

It's a brave night in on my own. DS has gone to a festival and a friend is due to arrive tomorrow.

I'm not doing anything in particular. Just relaxing. I am shattered as ever. My brain is not having much of a rest at the moment. Any quiet moments and off it goes - analysing the situation, Weighing up how I am doing, making sure that I am coping.

I am still looping through - could I have been more supportive? Should I have been more assertive? Didn't we have some great times? And then balancing this with thinking about that extremely thin line that I often had to walk between by ExP and son. And how unhappy I was at times and how worried I was about my sons behaviour. We still feud but I am a lot more relaxed about him now.

And Blessed thanks as ever. My ExP has told me that he has put me first. He thinks about how he can help me do what I want to do - like sorting out my finances, going running with me. He has noticed when I am more stressed at work and shows concern. I ma still weighing things up. Wondering, what I got out of the relationship.

OP posts:
Donnabell · 25/08/2017 23:12

I've just read your full thread and for the first time have felt compelled to post. I think you're doing great and you will be just fine. As well as being a control freak, Your ExP clearly values things more than human relationships e.g. "The mattress", the lump of wood/sleeper and the pristine nature of his house. You on the other hand are more concerned with human relationships, in particular your son- completely natural in my view. If he's prepared to split up with you because of his "things" then you're better off without him. My DH has this sort of tendency - complains about the kids leaving marks on the blinds etc but when I remind him that no one has died and we can get new blinds he usually gets a grip. If your ExP doesn't understand that and get said grip then I think you're incompatible and you'll be much better off on your own, leaving him to his perfect house. If he's lonely it's his own fault- maybe his things will make him happy, maybe they won't. He's right you do have different values BUT YOUR VALUES ARE FINE. Ultimately it needn't be your concern. Stick with it, you can do what the hell you like and not have to worry about someone constantly finding fault for the rest of your life. Who needs that kind of crap.

Bluebellforest1 · 29/08/2017 19:55

How are you doing Poppy?

blessedbrianblessed · 30/08/2017 01:24

Hey Poppy

((((hugs))))

And read this:

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.goodtherapy.org/blog/10-steps-to-recovering-from-toxic-trauma-bond-0110175/amp/

Brew
Poppysquad · 31/08/2017 19:55

I have been taking some time out with a couple of girl friends. Chilling by the coast. Walking, reading, eating fish and chips and drinking prosecco. It's a hard life. I've been enjoying the things I want to do.

I am still missing my ExP massively. He has been in touch but at a respectful distance. Email only. And I am still struggling with trying to make sense of things. Despite getting on with life I am still grieving. And I am finding the whole process exhausting.

Off home tomorrow and back to normal life.

OP posts:
Cambionome · 31/08/2017 21:57

Glad to hear you are having a good time.

Give yourself plenty of time and space to get over everything - there's no rush. Flowers

Bluebellforest1 · 31/08/2017 22:21

Take care Poppy and enjoy your new life Flowers

AcrossthePond55 · 31/08/2017 22:29

There's nothing wrong with grieving a relationship when it ends. I even had grief for the end of my abusive marriage, although God knows I was happy to be out of it. It's the death of the dream, the loss of what might have been but will never be. It's the loss of the time you devoted to a 'lost cause'. That's what you are grieving for. But you have to be able to separate that grief from the 'loss' of the man himself. Because losing a man who does not respect and treat you with dignity is NO loss! If you think about it, you aren't grieving your ex-p, as he is. You are grieving your dream of what you wanted him to be. What he gave you 'flashes' of to keep you hooked. So go ahead and grieve that loss of the dream. But remember also that the reality was not healthy, nor did it make you truly happy. There are moments of happiness in even the most abusive of relationships. But that is absolutely NOT the same as being in a truly happy relationship.

I think, if you don't mind my saying, that you need to really work on being at peace with being alone. Not the overall 'I'm alone' of your life as it is for now, but the minute by minute of being alone in your house. You dread it so, and there is so much peace and happiness to be had on your own in your own house. I think if you can discover your version of that peace it will be so much easier for you to move forward and be strong against your ex-P's manipulations.

I love my DH dearly and he is a lovely man, but that doesn't mean that I don't treasure those days when he's off camping and I can piddle about the house or just sit on my happy ass clicking through the channels on the telly until I find exactly what I want. Or maybe I'll just sit in silence listening to the sounds outside with a nice book and a glass of something bubbly. The main thing is that I'm never upset at being alone, never nervous or afraid of my thoughts. I'm at peace with myself and the silence around me. You can be that way, too. Because I discovered that peace after the breakup of my first marriage and a disastrous rebound relationship. I realized that I was enough to make myself happy. Just me. And 'just you' is enough to make yourself happy, too.

Arkengarthdale · 01/09/2017 00:18

Lovely post Across

Poppysquad · 02/09/2017 10:12

I am back home after a great few days away and across you'll be pleased to know that I spend the day on my own. Driving home. Sorting things out for my F* It holiday. Sorting out some food. Finding some rubbish on the tv to watch. And the good news is that I didn't panic. I'd didn't get upset. I didn't start crying. A called a couple of friends but other than that, just enjoyed being at home.

I've been reflecting too and have been working on a Must Have list for relationships. So far, it consists of:

Feeling loved
Secure
Happy
Stable
Passion and intimacy
Supported
Valued
Treated with respect.

The minimum. Anything I've missed?

OP posts:
AcrossthePond55 · 02/09/2017 18:16

"Respects my 'space' and my need for individuality"

"Repects my child/ren (even adult children) and the relationship I have with them"

"Gives me honesty, tempered with kindness, even during disagreements"

"Has his own interests, does not expect me to be 'everything' to him"

That's some of what I would look for if I were looking, in addition to your list. I would want a man who complements my life, not one who wants to change it, or be it.

Poppysquad · 02/09/2017 18:59

Thanks for those additions across I agree with them and will amend my list.

My ExP has been at the house to collect his case to take to Spain next week and he and I spent some time together. I tried the list out on him. Saying that a relationship would ideally have these things. His reaction was interesting. He said that yes, ideally these should be in a relationship. Then he referred back to this as a list of my demands. I said that it is a mutual thing. Not a demand from one person of the other but things that both should be getting out of the relationship.

He still believes that we should try counselling. He was positive about us having separate hobbies. Things we do independent of each other. So at least a nod the last point you made across

OP posts:
Poppysquad · 02/09/2017 19:00

I forgot to add - he also said that the reason he left me was because some of these things were missing from our relationship.

OP posts:
keepingonrunning · 02/09/2017 19:18

He's trying to reel you back in Poppy.

Beware.

He gave you smoke and mirrors. You can do SO much better than this selfish, controlling charlatan.

Why hasn't he still not taken all his belongings? Is it possibly because then he still has an excuse to keep coming back to try to hook you?

Don't fall for it! It's a lie! He's a lie.The whole thing was a lie.

lollipop7 · 02/09/2017 19:26

Jesus Christ, let him fuck off to Spain and stay away from him.
You deserve so much more than this miserable, manipulative loser

notapizzaeater · 02/09/2017 19:46

Wow, just read the thread, run away. Quick.

Motoko · 02/09/2017 20:53

Oh Poppy, why haven't you made him take his stuff yet? You need it gone, because it's taking up space in YOUR home, and to stop him coming over on the pretext that he needs one of the items. At this rate, it will take him years to take it all, and each time he comes, he's getting in your head. You started this thread on the 7th June, it's been almost 3 months and his stuff is STILL there!

It's way past time for an ultimatum. He either gets ALL of his stuff within say 2 weeks, or you will take it to the tip. AND FOLLOW UP ON IT!

How many times have people said that you need to have no contact with him? This is why you're still confused. No contact except through solicitors about the house being sold.

Until you get him out of your head, you're just playing at being single.