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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

Sponger with red flags?

166 replies

amylou1805 · 01/07/2019 21:07

We’ve been together for a few months now, he comes to mine because he still lives with his parents, I provide the food because I do a food shop (live alone) if we go to the shop for food for tea he’ll never offer to pay even though we’ve specifically gone to the shop for both of our teas, on numerous occasions if we’ve gone out anywhere he’ll have “forgotten his wallet” so I’ve had to pay. I don’t want him to buy me things, I’m independent, I enjoy paying for myself but am I being over the top thinking he should at least remember his wallet when we go out?! I feel like he’s either doing it on purpose or he genuinely forgets it (also he doesn’t actually have a job so there is that) I’ve never said anything because I don’t know how too but it’s starting to annoy me now!

The controlling thing stems from a few things that I think are red flags like me not being allowed on my phone in his company because it’ll start an argument (literally just checking my phone or replying to text I wouldn’t go on it for a long time anyway) me not being allowed to post pictures of myself on social media because he thinks men will speak to me, if he snaps at me for being too loud (like putting away plates in the kitchen) I’ll just brush it off but if I snap at him it’ll cause a massive argument which stems into him telling me I never listen to anything he says and if I try and fight my corner in the argument he says I’m interrupting him (even when it’s clear the sentence has finished) he goes on and repeats the same thing in ever argument I start to forget what he’s saying because it all merges into one.. is this me being a dick? Writing this out I sound so stupid but even things like if we do things differently he gets annoyed or if I recommend a way of doing something and it works he doesn’t like it or gets annoyed too, I just feel like maybe I’m not putting in enough effort or maybe I’m not listening enough like he says I just don’t know

OP posts:
cakeandchampagne · 02/07/2019 12:42

I wish your initial post had informed us you have a young child and she has already witnessed his abusive behavior.
You & your daughter will never be safe around him.

Ghostontoast · 02/07/2019 12:43

I would change the locks and as you left him alone in your place I wouldn’t be surprised if he had a quick nosy at your important & private paperwork/financial stuff or looked for cash.

I can’t think of any reason to continue with him, but tread carefully when you bin him.

Bananalanacake · 02/07/2019 13:23

As soon as I hear a man isn't working when he is physically able to I get up and walk off, no need to waste breath with a 'goodbye' lazy shits do not deserve one iota of your precious time.
Have you asked him how the job hunting is going.

Lindy2 · 02/07/2019 13:29

Do you even really need to ask?
Dump him and move on.

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 02/07/2019 14:35

Please let us know when you have dumped him. Just a few words of advice:

Do this by text, not face to face. He will try and twist everything back on you. He sounds unstable. The fact that he's already shouting in your face (in front of your DD) is really worrying.

Please do tell people in real life what you are planning to do, in case you need some back up.

Make sure your home is secure. If he knocks on your door, do not answer it. Do not let him in.

If he kicks off, do not hesitate to call 999.

After dumping him, block him on everything. You do not have to give him a 'reason'. All you need to say is that this isn't working for you and you don't want to see him again. And that he should not try and contact you either.

Good luck, really hoping it all goes OK. Above all else make sure you and DD are safe. Flowers

FriarTuck · 02/07/2019 14:42

he would say things like “you’ve been a good girl today haven’t you?”
I might say something like that too - to my dog! Does he pat you on the head too or gallop into the kitchen with you to get you a treat? Shock
And as for shouting at you in front of your daughter when he's only just met her....

Carblover · 02/07/2019 14:57

Hi I don't know how relevant is but he's 24 and only just finished his degree what was he doing before he started it it doesn't normally takes 6 years to complete a degree unless it's medical or veterinary and in those circumstances I would have expected him to be getting placements lined up
He sounds like he's got a bit of a backstory he's not telling you
You have good instincts trust them and dump him before he gets even further under your table

Happynow001 · 02/07/2019 15:30

It sounds terrible but he makes me feel good about myself
Really?

he still lives with his parents, I provide the food because I do a food shop (live alone) if we go to the shop for food for tea he’ll never offer to pay even though we’ve specifically gone to the shop for both of our teas, on numerous occasions if we’ve gone out anywhere he’ll have “forgotten his wallet” so I’ve had to pay.
and
not being allowed to post pictures of myself on social media because he thinks men will speak to me

Please value yourself better than this OP.

Moralitym1n1 · 02/07/2019 15:31
  • Sponging off you - No.
  • hassling you for even looking at your phone when in his company - No.
  • Trying to stop you from using social media due to control/jealousy - No
  • Kicking off at you about minor things - No
  • Shouting at you - No
  • Raising his voice/shouting around your little child - fk to the No
  • Patronising/training you to be compliant & obedient - No.

How many no's is that.

Get away from this guy.
This is shit already and it ain't going to get any better. There's a while wide world of men out there, you're very young.

roothyk · 02/07/2019 15:34

Get him Right.To.Fuck

Lahlahfizzyfizzydoda · 02/07/2019 15:34

Dump his arse!

The fact that YOU had to leave YOUR home, speaks volumes.

Just send him a message saying

“I’m unhappy with how you began raising your voice to me, after being repeated not to. I’m also unhappy that l appear to pay for everything and that YOU deem it appropriate to try and control many aspects of my life. Please do not contact me again and god help any poor women that doesn’t see you for the pathetic man you truest are”

Then block.

Moralitym1n1 · 02/07/2019 15:40
  • whole.

You sound far too soft, gentle, nice, conciliatory etc. and he's totally taking advantage of it. He's a predator/user/abuser.

And I hope you're not doing yourself down because you're a young single mum; plenty of single mums have gone on to settle with good partners (Paul Bettany, Joe Manganiello, Daniel Craig etc could've had their pick, they chose who they liked (and I know plenty of remarried single mums, one of whoms partner is way hotter then her first useless one); you set your value.

Happynow001 · 02/07/2019 15:41

Ah sorry OP I missed your update. Glad you've given him
His marching orders- please don't change your mind. Keep him well away from you and your child. Also please do change your locks for your safety and your daughter's.

Also never give permission for anyone to shout at you "you can shout at me all you want but please not while she’s here” because arguments may well escalate from there.

Strength to you. 🌹

hellsbellsmelons · 02/07/2019 15:52

I do have low self esteem
This is your problem.
Please work on this before you get into any more relationships.
Your DD is reliant on you to show how to be independent or how to be in a healthy relationship.
Don't model this kind of shit to her.

Please do the Freedom Programme run by Womens Aid!
Do it soon and try to attend in person.

MulticolourMophead · 02/07/2019 16:09

OP, please dump him, by text for safety, plenty of good messages on here.

Also, change your locks or at least the barrels (YouTube has some videos showing how). You left him alone in your house, so I wouldn't put it past him to have snooped. In fact, check that nothing is missing.

CaptainJaneway62 · 02/07/2019 16:16

Op You deserve so much better than this awful vile excuse for a man!
Get rid of him asap and do not let him back in your life no matter how much you miss his weird compliments!!!!

DO NOT ever let a man treat you like you are some sort of emotional punchbag.

Please put your emotional wellbeing first...Always!!

I agree with pps do the Freedom Programme. I did it after years of being in abusive relationships. It made one hell of a difference to the way I thought about myself. I wish there had been such a programme 30years ago!

You are so young and have a massive opportunity here to change your life...take it!

SavingSpaces2019 · 02/07/2019 16:27

I got into my car and just drive off with her, I said I wasn’t coming back until he was gone (he doesn’t live with me but I know he’d of persuaded me to let him stay”
Seriously?
I don't think you should be inviting ANYONE into your home if you are unable to stand your ground and make them leave your home when you want them to.
I bet he enjoyed noseying through your personal stuff whilst you were gone.

Also, why did you introduce him to your dc when you;'ve only known him a few months - and those few months consisted of him abusing you?

I think you need to do the Freedom Program or something and start learning about boundaries.

ISpeakJive · 02/07/2019 16:45

Even reading about him on here makes my skin crawl.

Not sure how you've managed to stay with him so far. For the sake of your daughter and your own sanity, get out!

KatherineJaneway · 02/07/2019 16:56

He finished his degree in February and that’s when I started seeing him so he said he was just having a breather but it’s been 6 months so god knows why he hasn’t got a job.

He hasn't got a job as you are paying for him.

He's lazy and abusive. Please dump him and come back and read this thread any time you waiver.

Good luck Flowers

Apolloanddaphne · 02/07/2019 17:00

He sounds like a horrible man. You and your DD deserve so much better. Please don't let him back into your life again.

billy1966 · 02/07/2019 17:30

OP, you have a little 2 year old who has witnessed you being abused.

Is this really the future you have planned for your child.

He sounds utterly repulsive.

He doesn't care about you and he certainly doesn't care about upsetting and frightening your poor child.

Jaffacakesaremyfave · 02/07/2019 18:00

OP I mean this with lightness and love.

You need to stop prioritising the few happy moments with this bellend over the safety of your child.

If you continue to allow him anywhere near her (or you) then you are simply enabling his abuse.

You can lose custody of your child if you stay with this man and things escalate. Not to mention the damage that is being done to her tiny developing brain. Abuse changes children's brains forever, studies have shown that.

Please tell me you can see the obvious choice here.

Nothing is worth the safety or your child. If he is this blatantly abusive only a few weeks in, trust me that it will only get worse.

He will destroy your life if you stay. You have to find the strength to block and delete him from your life or I guarantee you will bitterly regret it

loubieloulou · 02/07/2019 18:50

Well aren't you the doormat here Confused

Chaoticpenguin · 03/07/2019 16:39

Flipping hell.

4 months??? You should still be in honeymoon period at this point and the first and second time meeting your daughter on his best behaviour! This doesn’t look healthy. RUN

Your daughter should not see this as how men should treat woman and her!

The money and lack of Job with no guilt with you having to foot the bill of food and dates is insane.

Scary. Wouldn’t trust him anywhere near my children.

hippy1952 · 03/07/2019 17:31

Have my first leave the bastard!

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