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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'm distraught by his behaviour...still....

97 replies

babygoose48 · 14/11/2018 17:02

Hi everyone.

Please go easy on me, im not looking for advice really because I know what I need to do, but my councilling session isn't until next week now and I really need a go to :(

Regular poster will probably remember my 'being treated like a mug' thread in September and my other threads where basically I have been living with my partner of 4 years who is the ultimate of ultimate of the entitled 'man child' who also put me through a summer of hell by being emotionally manipulative and nasty to me on purpose.

I have been in therapy over this to try and get my head straight (I was having a hard time accepting and not believing that someone I loved could do this to me) and im on my third week next week.

So basically it all ended with me confronting him crying hysterically 6 weeks ago and saying I didn't want this anymore and I couldn't cope. I told him about the anxiety and dreading coming home and he got really mad when I said I thought he was bullying me on purpose and denying it.

So it took him a month of being really helpful around the house, making sure I was supportive and just being a lovely perfect, compassionate partner.

And then the games started last week again.

We go and pay for shopping in alternate weeks, but ever since we moved in I have been having to nag and remind him he needs to get shopping in on his weeks. The week before, I thought I'd leave him and trust him to take the initiative to go himself without me nagging.

Fast forward 8 days later, he still hadn't gone shopping. I had bought little bits in fresh for me to take to work, meanwhile he was complaining nightly that there was nothing decent in to eat. He asked me what we was happening for food that night and I pretty much said 'ill have the rest of the fries, you have the turkey dinosaurs' (LOL) as that's how stripped out we was. He went to order a take away, 2nd time that weekend and I complained about money with xmas and other family birthdays coming up and that we would have spent as much on food shipping on two nights of take away alone and that he cant keep putting the food shop off. He sulked and put the oven on.

In short, it took him TWO hours to get these chips and dinosaurs cooked, not bothering to put the food in after he'd warmed them up and then later with me anxiously stressing about the oven and checking on it (his turn to cook that night also). I realised at 9.30pm that he had put the oven on really low and therefore food was taking ages. We finally ate at 10pm. He seemed a bit off. I asked him if he was okay and he looked at me strange and said 'Yeah babe, why?' as if I was making it all up.

Fast forward to the next day I was laughing to my collegues at work about him not having the oven on high enough and not eating until really late at night. As I was telling this story I realised that he was doing it on purpose, and id left really anxious about the situation the night before and feeling like crap as he would be pretending to watch tv and 'forgetting' about the food.

I confronted him about it, and he directly told me he did it on purpose because he was mad that he had to eat turkey dinosaurs for dinner.

I asked whos fault that was (meaning him - shopping being put off).

He said it was mine because I stopped him from ordering a take away, and hed have a nice tea if I hadn't have complained (!!!)

He had purposely left me hungry until 10pm to punish me. (in my defense, I cook 5 nights of the week, it was his turn, another thing he avoids to do because he knows if he doesn't mention it I will give in and cook)

He was really nice again after he'd realised I caught him out with being sly and manipulating the situation to get me angry - I know it sounds stupid but I really don't realise at the time its happening that he's playing games - its usually when I reflect later about the situation that I have a light bulb moment.

Anyway, this month I am taking part on a project that is very important to me and runs every November. He had gotten jealous in the past that my attention (at least two hours work a night is needed to 'win' this project, it requires me to post updates on my work every night, is a good career boost and is a very challenging but rewarding thing, especially with working full time with one DD!).

On Saturday he had the weekend off (he normally works 6 days) and I asked him to help with the housework whilst I worked on this project and caught up from the week (DD at her dads). He had booked a round of golf in sunday and wanted to go to the pub to see his friends after, and I had DD sunday and knew I wouldn't be able to get any work done with her and catching up with the housework. He said okay, and then had an engagement do later on which he packed a bag for and left about 2pm.

When I went downstairs all he had done was wash up (but didn toffer to wash my plate so I also washed up) and he'd left the recycling by the door rather than putting it away because he couldn't find the shed key. I was mortified - The vaccuming, polishing, bedding washes, kitchen floor was full of cat litter and cat food, bathroom was a state etc would all be left to me on Sunday. So I was upset about that but never said anything.

Anyway on sunday night, he'd been out all day and I messaged asking what time he'd be home for tea and I didn't get a reply until 5.30pm... saying that after gold at 1pm he skipped the pub BUT went back to his mums and he'd been in bed all day! Knowing full well that I had DD, a house full of shit to sort out (I even messaged him at dinner asking how golf was and that the kitchen was a state and that I was that tired I'd felt hungover etc) AND HE KNEW I HAD THE PROJECT TO DO!

I went absolutely sick at him. Called him selfish and that he couldn't even think of me at home doing all this and juggling things, knowing he could have offered to help instead of bailing out. I was absolutely fuming. I was at the housework for about 4-5 hours, so I told him I'd left the bathroom and he can do that when he gets home.

He got home, got a beer and sat on his arse until about 9pm until I came downstairs and confronted him. No intention of doing the bathroom. Wrong of me but I flipped and kept saying 'im fucking sick of doing everything, fucking sick of being treated like a mug.@ He told me to fuck off and went upstairs and scrubbed the bathroom. I went to do my project, didn't get to bed until 11.30pm sunday night.

Sorry I am droaning on here im just trying to explain it all. went to work, text him about me getting shopping and two days later he hadn't text me back. I got home last night and he was at home early. Turns out he'd been off work for two days and hadn't told me. Not a finger lifted in the house. Piles of dirty washing and boxers on the stairs, which had been there since Saturday and he kept adding to. I went mad again and asked him what he was playing at and why on earth didn't he tell me he had been having sick days off work, he said its nothing for me to get upset about, why should I be upset?

I said its because normal partners communicate with each other and I knew it was because I had had a go at him at the weekend and he was deliberately punishing me for it (he does it with every big argument we have). and that the piles of washing on the stairs we have argued about before, (where I have broke down and begged him to stop doing it) I said was disrespectful and that he knows I'd be upset about it. like an act of defiance sort of thing.

He said the reason why he didn't tell me he'd been off work is because I haven't asked about how his day?!

And then he said, and THAT's disrespectful!

He said that if I want to be upset about him making a mess, then that's MY problem.

I think it clocked there and then and I agreed and thought yes, because I am allowing myself to put up with his shit.

He also said that to be upset about a small pile of clothes is ridiculous, like he was mocking me. minimising it. I told him that its not about a pile of clothes, it was that he'd been doing it continuously for 5 months now when he knew it upset me because I'm the one who picks up after him.

He said if it causes me that much anxiety, would it be easier just to... pick them up?

I told him I didn't want to be with him anymore and hes punishin me on purpose again and he denied it. Told me I was the messy one (have you seen the kitchen drawers babygoose?!) Acted all nice and coy and he acted shocked and surprised. He got upset and played the victim then, all over again like he did 6 weeks ago.

I thought he went upstairs to pack. He didn't. When I got my work done for the night I went straight up to bed. I woke up with him cuddling me.

I feel like I am losing my mind.

OP posts:
mumto2babyboys · 15/11/2018 06:36

I have no advice just that I also think it's about control. My exh used to do this at the start. Leave his clothes everywhere, leave wet clothes in the washing machine when we had agreed he had to do his own washing or take it to dry cleaner not leave it all for me.

He did no housework and wouldn't contribute financially but expected/demanded a roast dinner every night

It constantly felt like he was pushing me as far as he could
then when I would get upset and try not to cry, suddenly he was happy with me again. he had won

I ordered grocery shopping online and spent every free min cleaning up after him and it was still never good enough. He didn't appreciate any of it

Gradually over the years he turned violent

This man clearly does not care about you. He's not supporting you

You could order grocery shopping online and hire a cleaner

but I suspect he will find other buttons to push then.

If he loved you he'd want you to do well at work instead of deliberately making your life harder than necessary

OliviaStabler · 15/11/2018 06:54

I wouldnt want to leave here my daughter was unsettled in my mums flat with me in the interim before we moved to this new place and I can’t uproot her again.

Yes you can uproot her again and you should. When you end it she will be impacted anyway. Don't use it as an excuse to stay which it sounds like you are.

Wallywobbles · 15/11/2018 07:25

It's ok to give yourself permission to leave. Even if you love him the living together isn't working is it.

Wallywobbles · 15/11/2018 07:30

I did the freedom program online. It showed me that I had some warped views. You would benefit hugely I think.

Clutterbugsmum · 15/11/2018 07:35

Is your home in your name or both.

If it's in your name pack his bits up and send him back to his mums. The only way you will get some clarity about the situation then you can decide what to do about him.

RyderWhiteSwan · 15/11/2018 07:42

Pease take back control of your own life. He is destroying you. And enjoying doing so.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 15/11/2018 07:46

babygoose

re your comment in your initial post:-
"I want to leave especially after last night but I am in love with this awful man and I am still trying desperately to understand why he is doing this to me"

You are in all likelihood confusing love with codependency.

He does this because he can. That's all you need to understand really; this man has gotten into your head and you need to get him out both mentally and physically from your life. He continues to destroy you from the inside out.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 15/11/2018 07:50

And in turn he will destroy your DD as well because she is taking this all in from you both. Its no model of a relationship at all to be showing her.

What did you learn about relationships when you were growing up?. What sort of an example did your parents here teach you?.

ShatnersWig · 15/11/2018 08:23

You know you are only going to hear exactly the same things we've all been saying time after time on every single thread you've had.

You say you know what to do. But you won't do it.

You just hang in there for more abuse and keep coming back here to listen to us saying the same things. Sorry, but the only thing you can do to stop this is leave. And being blunt, if you can't do this for yourself, give your head a wobble and fucking do it for your daughter. She deserves better.

RoboticMary · 15/11/2018 08:32

You don’t need to understand why he’s doing it. Stop asking why. You can’t change him. People rarely change and it’s really fucking hard to do.

All you need to do is leave him. You’re overthinking this massively and hang-wringing and wanting answers you won’t get. Just leave him for God’s sake.

ahYerWill · 15/11/2018 09:12

OP, it's not unusual to take a while to leave an abusive relationship, because they have you so far on the back foot, it's almost impossible to see the reality. It's also cyclical - when they realise they've pushed too far, they'll suddenly morph into mr perfect for just long enough that you believe they've changed. It's classic manipulation designed to keep you on the hook with the promise of how things could be 'if only...'.

Just remember, he's choosing to hurt, denigrate and disrespect you the rest of the time. No-one deserves to be in a relationship lacking basic kindness and respect, not even you.

Yes, leaving may involve short term disruption for your dd, but in the long term, you'll be modeling healthy boundaries and self esteem for her, so that she doesn't grow up to repeat this pattern in her relationships. I'm sure you'd be horrified if her future dp treated her like this - show her that she (and you) deserve better.

The Baggage reclaim website has many great articles, particularly around having healthy boundaries. Boundaries were completely alien to me when in a relationship like yours, and learning about them helped me hugely (not just in leaving the ex, but also in swerving the next few guys that showed the same red flags).

Lundy bancrofts book 'why does he do that?' is also incredibly useful for helping you see that this isn't just you over-reacting, but genuine abuse. The more clarity you have about his behaviour, the easier it will be to disengage and take back control.

Even if you aren't ready to leave just now, go away and start preparing the groundwork, by learning about abuse, and why some of us don't walk away at the first red flag. It's not easy, but you know this needs to change and the first step is understanding what isn't your fault or under your control (his behaviour and choosing to abuse you) vs what you are responsible for (learning that you deserve to be treated better and not tolerating disrespectful behaviour even if the only option is to leave).

AgentJohnson · 15/11/2018 09:35

You focus on his behaviour because you won't take responsibility for your own, namely, the choice you continue to make to stay with this twat.

This isn't love, it's desperation.

babygoose48 · 15/11/2018 13:30

By me saying I don’t want to uproot her again, I don’t mean that I would stay in this relationship because of that, I mean I would want to stay in the house and for him to leave.

I’ve been thinking about how much I want another child lately and it’s getting to the point where I want one in the next couple of years. The idea of having one with him fills me with absolute horror. Same with marrying the guy, my cheat gets right as though I’m trapped already just thinking about it.

I know i need to leave. I want to leave. I’m so sad and so scared about going through with it, I know he’s going to be hurt and I know he won’t go easily. I’m scared about how much of a mess I’ll be afterwards (we’ve had 6 months apart before and it was unbearable).

In the long run yes I know I will be absolutely fine and I’ll get my dignity and self respect back.

I’ve just realised since I stood up to him two days ago I don’t feel anxious at all. It’s the first time in months I haven’t felt anxiety.

When I thought he was upstairs packing his bags when I told him I’m done the other night, I remember shaking and feeling sick to my stomach but flooded with relief. I know I need to do this.

OP posts:
babygoose48 · 15/11/2018 13:30

*chest gets tight

OP posts:
mumto2babyboys · 15/11/2018 13:33

Awh. It's not easy breaking up. It never is
Don't know if this will help but it helped me

Make a list of all the Good qualities he has and then one of all the bad one and horrible stuff he has done
and times he has delivered let you down while he slept all day.

Then keep reading it when you miss him

babygoose48 · 15/11/2018 13:37

@AhYerWill

Thank you I never knew about this website. I’ve been browsing today I feel I will find it very helpful. Everything I read I find helpful, it makes things less messy and confusing in my head.

I have bipolar disorder and I’ve had certain periods in my life where my mind hasn’t been straight. I question my own mind on a daily basis - it’s a habit I’ve picked up from over the years. I’ve been paranoid when there’s nothing to be paranoid about in the past, but then again I’ve also had an ex tell me I’m seeing things when they were messaging other girls in bed next to me. I have been manipulated before, all this stuff I’ve been through over the past few months I have questioned it and wondered why I felt anxious or felt mad and if it was all me and my head wasn’t screwed on again. Distorted sense of reality. These little confirmations of advice, other people’s experiences, articles and writing down my situation it helps put it solidly in front of me that it is actually happening and I have a right not to be treated like this. It’s not me it’s him.

OP posts:
KOKOagainandagain · 15/11/2018 15:16

OP abusers can smell vulnerability in the same way that sharks can smell blood. Except with the added twist that you assume paranoia and are willing to self blame and doubt yourself.

It is very likely that your DP targeted you and the nice guy act was just an act to get you to swallow the bait. Disengage and view him through that lens. You can do that right now whilst sharing a house and life.

The good news is that you can disengage permanently as there are no structural bonds - you are not married, you don't co/own a house and he is not the father of your DD. You 'just' have to break emotional bonds. You can do that right now. Emotionally disengage. Practicalities are a short term inconvenience, nothing more.

Then do the Freedom Program so that you don't have to go through this shit again.

KOKOagainandagain · 15/11/2018 15:23

Also there is nothing wrong in being vulnerable - it is part of being human. In an ideal world you will be surrounded by people who care about your well being but there are 'bad' people who will exploit vulnerability for their own ends. This is also part of being human. You need to learn how to identify and then avoid them.

SauvingnonBlanketyBlanc · 15/11/2018 15:41

Kick him out,seriously.

chocolatebox1 · 15/11/2018 16:45

Please don't "explain away" his behaviour by trying to tell yourself it's not really a problem, it's you misinterpreting things because of your MH issues. I used to do this. 5 years on, I realised that he was a complete and utter bastard and there was nothing wrong with my gut instinct all along.

oiiiiiii · 15/11/2018 18:27

@babygoose48

People often abuse and degrade those that they love.
People often love people who abuse and degrade them.
The presence of love doesn't mean a relationship is "meant to be" or should be preserved.

What does it mean to love someone?
It means you spent enough time with them, and went through enough emotional experiences with them (this can include very negative emotional experiences) that you became attached to them.

I gently suggest that victims of violence (torture, kidnapping, etc.) may "fall in love" with their torturer, where they begin to sympathize with them, trust them, etc. We call it something different though - we call it Stockholm syndrome.

You may very well love this man.

But that doesn't mean this relationship is anything but poison.

Adulthood means recognising that things that feel good in the moment, aren't always good for you.

Walk away. Recognise this relationship for what it is, a toxic addiction. Treat him like heroin, yes he feels good sometimes, but that's not worth ruining your life and health. Make choices that sustain you, not destroy you. xx

Zofloramummy · 15/11/2018 19:26

@babygoose you posted earlier that your chest felt tight when you thought if a future and marriage.
I completely get that. My ex was always pressuring me for a baby (fortunately I had a coil), and he proposed. I supposed to get married in July but I ended the relationship in April. I’m so glad I did. I felt suffocated by his expectations and I knew I would lose myself. The pressure built and built and in the end I realised I was absolutely miserable. I was trying to hold it all together. And for what? My ex certainly didn’t care about me! My dd has thrived since I ended it.

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