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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

narcissist in a relationship

33 replies

agacia · 17/01/2018 21:45

I am in a relationship with a narcissist I think. I was reading a lot about this condition and I am still confused. The point is I feel lonely when it comes to this relationship due to lack of real interest in getting know me and my environment. The only thing he does I have an impression is choosing the right time slots in my life (see child free weekends) and do interesting and relaxing things these times. During 8 months of dating lots happened, I have lost my job then 5 months ago needed to relocate and the distance now is over 2h drive. I have small children, he is 16 years older than me and has lots of freedom and a nice lifestyle.
He calls me usually 1/day and we have max 3 mins conversation. It is difficult to keep him much longer. He asks but does not speak much about him even if I ask lots of questions I can hear Yes or No... He is not opening his mind and emotions what I find difficult.
We like each other and enjoy spending time together however saying that I can see some strange behaviours. The most recent one was when he came down for 2 days to see me after my 2 week holiday at my family abroad. He must have been a bit disappointed that our plans of him joining me over there did not work out. I had my 4 year old with methese 2 days and working during the day leaving him sleeping when leaving morning time for 7 hours. In the meantime he seemed to be hapy to explore the area etc and when I was back after work I was trying to make him comfortable by giving him space and playing with my boy upstairs for some time. I was in shock when 6 days later when we spoke about why he was ignoring me I was told he did not get a boost from me and he was feeling very lonely being in my house when I was busy doing mum's daily activities. He did not give me a sign of it earlier, only saying he needs to drive back home at 6 am so that he can see his doctor at 8 or 9 am. He was a bit misearable and did not sleep well these 2 nights and it was making sense for him to return home and have some quiet and recovering time. A day before when he sais he would leave early I asked if he could take my son and give him a lift to his dad but he never replied and just left... I am a bit in pieces although we had a conversation yesterday and he seems to be very sensitive when it comes to any criticism - he says it hurts. I need to acknowledge I am not good with words and I am extra carefull when I talk to him but emotions don't help here.
We agreed we need to talk face to face. It is hard for me to understand him and seriously I think he is very much about himself. Now spending the rest of his month long holiday doing things he likes like pottering around the house, walking, cycling or fixing his car. He seems to be content. And he is not taking me on board at all when I talk about my feelings of disappointment and write letters to him.

Shall I just cut out everything or have a phase where I should try to limit even more sessions we see each other. I don't know if I can benefit from the latter, although it could help me to chill out a bit and have some more thoughts.

OP posts:
Kit1411 · 17/01/2018 22:55

Personally I think with 2 small children to focus on plus a 2 hour drive you should maybe consider just being you and your children. He clearly doesn’t support you as a Mum etc and if you’re treading on egg shells when you’re talking to him that’s not fair on you. He seems to have a nice carefree life and clearly wants that to remain but having a bit of fun on the side. If you put all your efforts into someone who’s not willing to do the same, you may regret in the future that you didn’t spend that time focused on your children, or with someone who has and understands children.

Cricrichan · 17/01/2018 22:59

This is too much like hard work and you should still be in the fun stage. I think you should move on op

butterfly56 · 17/01/2018 23:03

He's probably just the type of person who isn't that into young kids.
It's desn't really seem a relationship, more like a friends with benefits situation.
You need to focus on yourself and your kids because he will make you feel pretty worthless by the time he's finished with you...which at some point he will.

HopeClearwater · 17/01/2018 23:06

Frankly I have a better relationship with my sofa than you do with this man. Why are you bothering?

agacia · 18/01/2018 22:43

I have spoken to him and felt better. We had a calm discussion this time without having an argument. He wants quality time with me, not just my time. He was feeling like he did not get it from me 2 weeks ago cos I was focused on my son and other stuff just after work and later I did not care about him and did not spoken to him like people in relationships do.Morning time was quickly up and off to school/work. Once I even end up in my son's bed in the middle of the night and never came back. Evenings we were going straightaway to bed and having sex. It was good fun though, especially for me as I was in the right mood. At that stage he was feeling used.
I think that it is all life. Man are designed to play this kind of role 'its all about me!!!'
What do I do with that and how seriously I take things on board is another thing. He clearly and confidently explained to me what he wants and what he does not want in life and particularly in the relationship. Children are going into the 'no' basket. The same for my time when I am around children although occasionally he thinks he could make the effort and come along for 1 night during the week. Am I dreaming a nightmare??
Just need to ask him what would be the quality in this case? Sex??
I am a family oriented person which puts me at an opposite end. When I said that to him he responded he is a family guy cos he keeps in touch with his 3 children seeing them at least every 4-6 weeks. Also sadly I was told he wasted his 3 holiday days with me instead of going to see one of his sons (also 2h drive) to spend quality time with him after his work (he is still child free). It hurts and scares me.
Have you got similar experiences where people live in this kind of environment. Can you live such a life and carry on for long this unhealthy relationship??
Am I wrong saying it is unhealthy relationship.
He talks a lot about his expectations of building emotions between us. He is not interested in only sex. But still it feels as butterfly56 said as it was a friends with benefits by putting this kind of boundaries between us. Or it is just a very extreme personal definition of relationship and there are people accepting it and live happily?
Please discuss it with me...

OP posts:
NotTheFordType · 18/01/2018 22:52

Honestly? He's a normal guy who's demonstrated that he's not the provider/rescuer type.

Once you've got your family situation sorted, then crack on

MaureenNervosa · 18/01/2018 22:52

He sees his own children every 4-6 weeks?
Children are going into the 'no' basket?

This doesnt't sound to me like someone who wants to build a relationship with you. He sounds unrealistic and demanding of your already limited time.

If you are not content with a 'friends with benefits' situation, you are better off without him, as he will not change. Sorry OP.

sadie9 · 18/01/2018 22:54

I think you know what the answer is yourself. He is a very selfish person who only wants you when you are alone to make a fuss of him. He can have complete control of you then with no one else taking your attention.
He is insulting you by saying he 'wasted' his holidays with you. What a horrible thing to say to someone. You were forced to go upstairs with your son because you could tell he didn't want anything to do with your son.
He doesn't sound very nice. He sounds like an immature child. He hurts your feelings and it doesn't sound like things will improve.

agacia · 18/01/2018 23:08

I agree that it does sound terrible. How on the earth he is so selfish and even worse is I have not spotted it earlier.
The right thing I did was opening my doors to him so that I could get know him better and that is what I have discovered. All those crazy relaxing and amazing weekends we had would normally cover all the underlying issues.
Now - 8 months later it hurts and I don't want that to hurt anymore. But from the other side relationships need work and escaping seems like an easy option.
4 months ago I was already suspecting him being a narcissist and this knowledge today helps me to go through this experience.
I have a big decision to make and it feels like I should not take this challenge in my situation. As you can guess I am engaged emotionally with him.

OP posts:
IcedCocoa · 18/01/2018 23:20

Then i think you should emotionally disengage. He resents the time you spend with your children, when he knows you are a mother. You - and they - deserve better than that.

He has drawn you in with the lovey-dovey stuff at the start of your relationship and now he is trying to make it all about him and de-valuing the things which are important to you. You are holding on because you want the nice bits of the relationship back. It’s not worth it.

Be yourself, enjoy your children, don’t apologise for that. I would let him go.

agacia · 18/01/2018 23:38

Thank you IcedCocoa - it all makes sense :-)
I have bought a pdf book about the narcissists I want to crack on before Saturday when I am planning to meet him for a chat.
I know for sure that my mistakes in previous relationship are not going to repeat again - I did not respect myself and was trying too hard. I did not love myself. Now I love myself and have my confidence. I will stay calm and consistent what I think is essential in my life and what is just not acceptable...

OP posts:
Treacletoots · 19/01/2018 08:12

What on earth are you getting out of this relationship? The whole point of being with someone else is that they make your life better for being in it.

As someone who has put up with a similar partner for WAY too long all I can say is, what on earth are you doing putting up with this? Focus on you, and your DC and the right person will come along when you're ready. (This I can also say from experience)

Love yourself first. Oh and block this ass from contacting you.

butterfly56 · 19/01/2018 09:05

Why are you so fixated on trying to diagnose him as a narcissist?

Stop fixating on the useless, selfish person.

your children should not be playing second fiddle to this person who has absolutely zero interest in you as a family.

saladdays66 · 19/01/2018 09:10

Men are designed to play this kind of role 'its all about me!!!'

Hmm Not good men.

he responded he is a family guy cos he keeps in touch with his 3 children seeing them at least every 4-6 weeks

Shock How old are his dc??

And why are you fixating on diagnosing him? Does it matter if he's a narcissist or not?

He sounds as selfish as hell. He doesn't add anything to your life (apart from sex).

You and he clearly want different things. I'd move on, OP, and find a man who's more suited to you. Things should not be this hard at this stage. You should still be in the honeymoon phase!

Mosaic123 · 19/01/2018 09:16

He wants you, but child free. That's impossible. Sadly he doesn't seem to be the guy for you.

Offred · 19/01/2018 09:49

I doubt he is a narcissist just based on what you have said.

I think he is probably selfish.

I also think it is crazy that you are expecting him to be involved with your kids only 8 months into dating and that it sounds like you are incompatible in a number of ways.

agacia · 19/01/2018 22:05

Thanks for your comments. I don't think I want him to be involved with my children. Obviously I wish he was an easy-going and loving family man but he is clearly not. I can still accept it, as long as he treats me in a nice way.
His children are adults 24-30 years old.
I am 39 in a week time. I think he is a narcissist cos he gets quiet and walks away and never argues when I say negative things about him and he does not like hearing that as he says it hurts him. But it is truth that I should not focus on diagnosing him and potentially curing him but what I will do (if I don't get into an emotional trap) I will do my best to be happy and just be open and honest with my point of view and feelings.
We are seeing each other tomorrow. Please cross your fingers for the right decisions and I really hope we will have a good constructive conversation. Might not conclude with anything but i believe we need to talk face to face. It will be in Oxford. Any ideas where to go for this kind of discussion??

OP posts:
Offred · 19/01/2018 22:45

I think he is a narcissist cos he gets quiet and walks away and never argues when I say negative things about him and he does not like hearing that as he says it hurts him.

I doubt this would indicate narc traits. No-one likes hearing negative things. It sounds more like he may be conflict avoidant TBH.

People with narc traits more often than not become enraged on hearing anything they perceive as criticism. They tend to escalate any type of conflict to an extreme level and usually twist everything you say around to make it so that the focus is on how terrible they think you are.

There is no attention/supply to be got from walking away from an argument/going quiet.

Offred · 19/01/2018 22:48

I don’t think it is so much that he needs curing either. It sounds more like you are just in different life stages; you with small children, him with adult children not much younger than you.

You both want different things.

agacia · 19/01/2018 22:57

Offred - maybe you are right. But life is complicated and we all have different views and needs. It all depends how we marry those. There are also many things in common. Somehow I find a resilience in this interaction with him. Don't want to say a relationship cos whatever is between us it is not my definition of loving relationship. I have heard recently to many upsetting words and have seen inconsistency in his behaviour reminding me a child not an adult.

OP posts:
agacia · 19/01/2018 22:59

I have a gut feeling and my experience saying me to end up this. But still feel a driving power to carry on. Am I mad? Confused

OP posts:
Offred · 19/01/2018 23:00

whatever is between us it is not my definition of loving relationship

This is the important thing.

He doesn’t meet your needs. The relationship that is on offer is not one you want.

Everything else is just not important. If you are going to meet him I suggest that you tell him the above and then part ways.

Offred · 19/01/2018 23:01

(And yes, you would be mad to continue given what you have said about how you feel)

agacia · 19/01/2018 23:06

thanks
hope my Saturday is not gonna be a disaster :-)

OP posts:
Offred · 19/01/2018 23:08

It will probably be tough but if you can end it I think once the sadness subsided you’ll feel relieved.

It is very lonely to be in a relationship that makes you unhappy.