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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

Is my DP controlling me?

103 replies

fudgecakelova11122 · 04/11/2019 10:35

I've namechanged for this in case he somehow reads it.

I've been with my DP for 4 years, but because I have a child (6 year old boy) I've only just moved in with him 2 months ago. Previously we had spent every weekend at his, he has commitments for most of the weekend so it would be a few hours here and there we saw each other.

I'm massively beginning to question things. He is very set in his ways, which he always has been. Down to doing washing on a certain day and buying certain dishcloths etc. He hates to run out of thing so stockpiles and hordes.

behaviour wise, its stupid small things. we don't leave lights on at all. I know this is ideal but it isn't a small annoyance for him, its a massive deal that has resulted in him shouting at DC and being mad all morning. I "upset him" a couple of week ago because I "wouldn't ask for help" doing my dinner (I'd said don't worry about it love, i'll sort it as you are out soon. ) which resulted in a big problem and him not speaking to me all night. later I was upset as a health problem that i'd thought was sorted happened again and I told him I needed to be able to talk to him and I couldn't. His response was "well you upset me earlier". If he is annoyed with something he hangs on to it for hours, this is stupid minor things like I've not responded in the right manner or I've not been 100% cheerful and happy. The house is freezing and he refuses to put the heating on as he isn't there.

financially I earn about 1/3 of his wages. he wanted to split bills 50/50 which I told him I couldn't do. we split it so I pay for all shopping (works out about £400 a month). If we go out for dinner etc then generally I pay. He won't let me buy carrier bags from the supermarket as I should be trying to save money.
he was cross last week because I didn't shop in the supermarket he wanted me too. Tesco is 10 min drive up incredibly busy, horrible roads and asda is 15 mins on a quiet route. I went to asda. before he went out he told me to go to Tesco then 3 hours later the first thing he asked me when he got in was where i'd shopped. He wouldn't leave it alone, told me it was ridiculous to waste the fuel going to asda etc. kept nagging at it.

Everything has to be done in a certain way. I cook dinner and his rules are no pie based meal two nights in a rule (I did steak pie one night then cottage the next night as I was flat out and it was in the freezer). also only mash 4 nights a week. I am a bloody good cook and I 'broke' these rules one week and I wasn't well!

I was very ill a couple of weeks ago and he stayed very much away at his parents house. wouldn't think of helping me.

he told me he would supply me with hay for the horse this winter as he has loads. this was 4 months ago. yesterday he asked me if i'd sorted out a supplier yet, no mention of him sorting it. he got in the other day and said he thought I was annoyed with him in the morning. I'd been my normal chirpy self!

Stupid stuff (there is more though) but I feel wrong footed. Its like i'm waking up and my life is how he thinks a girlfriend should be, not how I am.

opinions?!?

OP posts:
12345kbm · 04/11/2019 10:38

I think you already know the answer to your question. It sounds like you're living with Victor Meldrew. I suggest you get the rock out of there and move on.

Everydaylife · 04/11/2019 10:39

God who could live like that? You can’t relax in your own home. How does he treat your child? I’d be calling it a day tbh.

fudgecakelova11122 · 04/11/2019 10:43

You know I was convinced people would say I was over reacting and that it was normal. My best friend escape a horrible marriage two years ago and has said how worried she is.

He is generally lovely with DC but strict. Nags him about finishing crusts on sandwiches etc as they cost money.

It isn't all the time though, he can be lovely and most of the time is fine. But i'm beginning to think it is fine as I seem to be avoiding doing things to piss him off.

OP posts:
Butterisbest · 04/11/2019 10:43

Move out right away. He's definitely a controlling tightwad. Run away, leave, get out now. It will only get worse

AmIThough · 04/11/2019 10:44

He's clearly bitter about having to pay more than you which is why he keeps making the digs about money.

He sounds a bit unhinged to be honest.

I'd move straight back out.

Is the horse yours or his?

Sparklfairy · 04/11/2019 10:45

Jesus. There's controlling and then there's outright batshit. You have to leave before he grinds you down and you lose yourself completely becoming his robot.

The extra 10 mins in fuel was most likely offset by Asda being cheaper anyway!

Bastard.

fudgecakelova11122 · 04/11/2019 10:50

horse is mine. I don't mind about having to pay for hay - not a problem. But it was the fact he offered to sort hay (his family has a farm) and now I have to find a supplier at short notice! Also I've had to rent grazing - again I don't mind paying. it just rankled slightly that he has acres of grazing land in the village that I can't use!

He is tight. We were friends before we started seeing each other. At the time I was having a bit of a problem financially and he offered to lend me £400. which was lovely, but the very next message said that he felt differently about me and did I feel the same. Now I know him, I can't imagine him lending anyone money! It has made me feel a bit 'bought'!?! sounds stupid.
my parents helped financially with the move. in four years, he never once contributed to fuel cost of me driving 150 miles a weekend to see him.

OP posts:
Weenurse · 04/11/2019 10:50

‘I seem to be avoiding doing things to pisshim off’.
You are already walking on eggshells. This is bad.
Time to go.

CuriousaboutSamphire · 04/11/2019 10:51

Pack yourself up and leave. Just go! The longer you stay the more you will truly come to believe that you can change enough to please him. You can't. Today you almost know that. The day after tomorrow? Maybe not!

DeathBySnuSnu · 04/11/2019 10:51

Jesus wept, he sounds awful.

AmIThough · 04/11/2019 10:52

The reason I asked about the horse was because I was thinking maybe he feels resentful you're spending so much on the horse but not contributing much towards the household which is why he screwed about with the hay.

I honestly would walk away now.

Your son should be allowed to feel comfortable. He shouldn't need to be terrified of leaving a light on.

Oh and cottage pie isn't even really a pie so DP and get to fuck Grin

fudgecakelova11122 · 04/11/2019 10:54

God how has this happened?!? I'm a sensible, strong woman, I'm opinionated (his word there!) and I know my own mind. I'm sitting on my sofa and this is my life, how has it come to this?!

Stupid thing is, I wouldn't know where to start breaking up with him. 'Sorry love, I'm leaving because you stockpile loo roll'!?! (we currently have 80 in the house... I shit you not.)
I feel a failure. We've lived together 2 months for god sake.

OP posts:
fudgecakelova11122 · 04/11/2019 10:55

the field rent for the horse is fairly cheap. I think it may be because it is something that is mine.

OP posts:
AmIThough · 04/11/2019 10:55

Tell him that if he wants this to be your home you and your DS need to be a comfortable and happy as he is.
It's not only his home anymore. There needs to be compromises.

You're not a failure. He's acting differently, not you

funnylittlefloozie · 04/11/2019 10:56

He sounds really awful, tight and controlling and downright unkind. Are you really getting anything out of this beyond a roof over your head, and cheap grazing?

Winterdaysarehere · 04/11/2019 10:57

'I shit you not'.
Don't you mean 'I can shit a lot'?
Seriously op do not allow a man to dictate your life and your dc's. No heating on because he isn't in? Sounds like my friend's exh.
Exh....

Bananalanacake · 04/11/2019 10:59

can you easily move out back to yours. don't subject your ds to his misery.

Sparklfairy · 04/11/2019 11:01

He calls you opinionated to draw attention to you having your own mind and the insinuation is that it's a bad thing. Does he describe himself as opinionated or is he just 'right'?

He doesn't think you should have opinions. It's like when men call women nags. Certain terms are used to describe women by men to turn their own bad behaviour back on the women.

opinionated = you don't agree with me and that is wrong.

fudgecakelova11122 · 04/11/2019 11:06

Good point sparkle. He wouldn't describe himself as opinionated.
Yes easy enough sorted I think. Daft thing is the move has been a good one for us, DS is very happy at new school and I love my new job. I think we'd try and stay round here!

OP posts:
CuriousaboutSamphire · 04/11/2019 11:06

I feel a failure. Nah! You've noticed his controlling ways

Stupid thing is, I wouldn't know where to start breaking up with him. So don't start! Just finish it! You don't owe him an explanation. You could just move out and tell him that it simply wasn't working for you and that NOTHING will change that!

MrsF94 · 04/11/2019 11:07

I don't think you're overreacting at all, I think it sounds like you've been very patient and tried to give it a good go but I'd definitely say get out of there. I know that's a lot easier said than done but if after only 2 months all of these problems are appearing and increasing then who knows where you'd be stuck at in 6, 12 months etc.
Your friend who has also been through similar has noticed, that should be a big red flag given that they know what to look for and have told you to leave.
For your own sanity, I think you're better off without!
Things like this can happen to anyone and it's often that we don't realise how they've progressed until it gets to a certain point. Good luck x

CuriousaboutSamphire · 04/11/2019 11:08

Daft thing is the move has been a good one for us, DS is very happy at new school and I love my new job. I think we'd try and stay round here Great! Then it wasn't all a dead loss, a total failure, was it? Smile

Happy home hunting!

FinallyHere · 04/11/2019 11:11

It really doesn't sound very good @fudgecakelova11122 That is no way to live your life.

Deciding to leave could be as simple as dating this isn't working for me. Trust me, the longer you leave it the more difficult it will be.

Sort yourself out with somewhere to live and then drop his keys back with him.

Good luck.

Everydaylife · 04/11/2019 11:12

You don’t have to give him reasons to end it. Just say you’re unhappy. That’s enough.

PookieDo · 04/11/2019 11:14

I think it’s perfectly reasonable to say that you don’t want your child growing up in this environment. You don’t have to go into the depths of details - that it just isn’t what you want anymore at all, and the reality is you were much happier living apart

You need to leave. This man is never going to change and now is yelling at your poor child!

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