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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

Insecure or controlling?

126 replies

TwitchyWitch · 04/11/2019 13:40

Or both?

Seeing a man for about 5 months, went extremely well until recently. He is super reliable and seemed kind, easygoing, supportive, open to commitment etc. After lots of non-starters, I was delighted to be an in apparently good relationship, was walking around smiling unintentionally etc.

We live 40 or so mins apart, see each other at the weekend and sometimes one evening; and as I don't drive, he was doing the vast majority of the to'ing and fro'ing without complaint as well.

Earlier this month he seemed out out that I'd decided to attend an event on my own. Long story but I just preferred to go alone. I arranged something for us to do on sun evening instead (event was on Sat evening which we usually spend together) but he made several comments that suggested he found it odd, his nose was a bit out of joint and that he wondered why he wasn't invited/taken along and why I hadn't been clear with the hostess that I'm now in a steady relationship etc. I responded to these comments and there was no animosity or conflict - I was left wondering if maybe I should have explained more why I went alone instead of just doing my thing (I'm very independent) and leaving him wondering.

Halloween - my city has a event/festival type thing, I asked if he was coming to it with his family, he said no (past that age), I was going to watch part of the event but had no intention of going "out" in the city - until I got a last minute invite to join friend and her visitor from Germany, which I happily accepted since the atmosphere is great during the festival. I did not tell him about it and (to me) had no real reason to as we were not seeing each other.

During the evening, he texted (as we often do), he realised I was out at a bar/club type thing and, to my surprise, got quite annoyed ... He said numerous things among them that I'd already been away to a party on my own, had been to the cinema another night this week, now this - he felt i was "moving away from the relationship". I hadn't mentioned anything about it to him etc.

He seemed to get more ranty as he went on, until I finally cracked, shouted at him (I can't even remember clearly what) and he calmed down/backed down considerably and we ended the call in more reasonable terms.

During the rant, the behaviour seemed so out if character for the man I've known that I actually wondered if he was drinking/drunk (though he's a very light drinker) and asked him, which caused him to get offended and contributed to the rant.

Since then it's not been easy to talk about the "conversation" on Halloween night, but from what he's said, apparentlye he has strong feelings for me, cares a lot about the relationship, feels a bit insecure in it and is also a bit freaked out since I told him that I once cheated on an ex and that's stuck in his head.

He has been such a great guy up til now that I don't want to finish and I understand hearing someone had cheated (maybe I should learn to keep my mouth shut and that honesty isn't always the best policy) might make their partner worry ... But I'm extremely independent, sociable if given the chance and would like to take any social opportunities I get (I would no matter what but esp with us living 40mins or more apart and I also suffered depression after my last relationship ended and I was alone too much so want to build up a social scene).

He seems a bit embarrassed about the outburst/rant but it has me uneasy and I wonder is it surmountable insecurity or is he potentially controlling.

OP posts:
TwitchyWitch · 04/11/2019 15:00

*quirky alternative dance music

OP posts:
TwitchyWitch · 04/11/2019 15:01

Maybe I should communicate and explain every decision to him - maybe I'm not being communicative enough ... But that makes me feel quite stifled.

OP posts:
holrosea · 04/11/2019 16:20

I'd say insecure. It is not unusual for an independent, single woman (5 months is not very long) to get last minute invitations or to meet up with friends on the hoof. It's not as if you cancelled agreed plans to go out without him.

As for the party, there are all sorts of reasons why not to invite someone. I get senstitve about non-invites myself, but then I've been with my BF for 8 months and rarely invite him to anything friend-related because I'm a talker and he most definitely is not. Although we are fine together, I do not want to spend the evening worrying about if he's having a good time, if he's on his own, blah blah blah.

If he has apologised for getting annoyed and has calmed down, I would say to just continue as you are but try to let him know what you'll be up to (roughly, not an up-to-the-minute situation report). If he continues ot get annoyed or make comments that make you Hmm about your social life, maybe you're just not compatible.

TwitchyWitch · 04/11/2019 16:50

I do not want to spend the evening worrying about if he's having a good time

Exactly. That's one of the main reasons I didn't invite him to the party (or ask for an invite for him to be precise) and to some extent the drinks/night out. But also because the dynamic is different when you're there with a partner, sometimes the just want to interact with people on my own - and j dkng want to beckmd one of these people who have zero independence and "can't" function on their own, socially or anything else.

OP posts:
TwitchyWitch · 04/11/2019 16:51

*don't want to become one of those people

OP posts:
Thehouseintheforest · 04/11/2019 17:05

Not sure MN is the right place to ask OP.. so many people see 'abuse' or potential abuse at every turn ! (and some just simply begrudge anyone finding happiness).

For my Penney's worth (long time married and no axe to grind with relationships) .. I think I would have been more than a bit pissed off to find out my new BF was off to a party on a Saturday night and specifically made it known I wasn't invited. I think I would imagine all kinds of possible reasons so yes , I think you definitely should have explained why. It's simply polite.

Second scenario I think he does have to just get used to the fact that you are very independent and maybe that isn't his experience in previous relationships.

I do not see 'red flag' not do I believe you should 'run for the hills'.. you just have to be the normal strong independent you and enjoy your relationship.

....then if there comes a point where you don't enjoy it - get rid.
People can only 'control' people who allow themselves to be controlled. You always need to remain vigilant but do not seem the type of person to put up with that sort of nonsense for a minute.

Specialized101 · 04/11/2019 19:12

Im a couple of years into a relationship thats still a lot like yours sounds,and I think its just a by product of being in a committed relationship whilst living separately and independently. Both myself and girlfriend occasionally react like this,were both mature adults but its still a bit of a minefield treading the path between committed and caring,whilst staying blasé and independent. Youre just learning about each-other still,and both trying to work out where you fit into each-others lives,nothing more than that I think.

Startingoveragain1 · 04/11/2019 20:10

In all honesty... if im seeing someone properly and they dont tell me theyre out id be pissed off too... not that u cant, but i would expect to be told before hand, whether im invited or not. If that halloween incident happened after that party (that u had reasons for) even if he understood, deep down it probably hurt him a bit and so the halloween thing just didnt go down well. It might be he is a bit insecure, he might not be used to being in a relationship with an independent person. Being with someone new takes a bit of adjusting . I wouldn't bin him off just yet. Just try to be more open before hand with ur plans , or when the plans come up if its last minute ( even i u dont feel u have to) and do carry on doing ur thing. See if he can get used to the idea.

Lucyccfc68 · 04/11/2019 20:20

You do not have to explain yourself to someone you have only been with for 5 months. If you want to go to a party, out with friends or to a bar or club - just do it.

He sounds very immature and a bit controlling.

You are not joined at the hip and you had a life before you met, have a life while you are with him and will have a life after.

Do your thing and get a balance between him and the things you do with your friends. If he doesn't like it, he's clearly not the bloke for you.

TwitchyWitch · 04/11/2019 20:24

if im seeing someone properly and they dont tell me theyre out id be pissed off too... not that u cant, but i would expect to be told before hand, whether im invited or not.

I actually find that controlling tbh.

If your bf/gf, whom you don't live with and who you see once or twice a week, gets a last minute invite - on a night you're not seeing each other (and when you previously asked them if they were coming into your town that evening, they said no, ... and on top of that you know they have dependants who they gave to be at home not too late for). ... You would stop in the middle of tryinf to get back from work, showered, changed, costume sorted, dinner had and back out again to text them telling them what you are doing .. even though you'll taken about it later that night if you're in contact, or the next day when you're in contact . ??

Why? What's the urgency? Do you need their permission to go out, do they need yours?

Why would you be pissed off?
If you trust them to act decently (and there are reasonable reasons why they didn't think you'd want to come along, but even if you did maybe they just wanted some time out with their same sex group relaxing and chatting and dancing etc.), what's the problem?

OP posts:
TwitchyWitch · 04/11/2019 20:29

And just to be clear, I'm not a hypocrite .. if he got an invite to the pub or a band or wherever (since djs playing EDM and funk is not his scene) on a night we weren't seeing each other and we weren't naturally speaking before he went, I would never ever expect him to contact me to tell me he had an invite and was going. I wouldn t care.

No doubt it would come up up conversation the next time we were taking. Even if it didn't, why do I need to know.

OP posts:
TwitchyWitch · 04/11/2019 20:32

*talking.

People will no doubt mention words like respect, manners etc in their explanation of views like the above ... But to me it just seems like it's a smokescreen for control.

OP posts:
TwitchyWitch · 04/11/2019 20:47

I think I would have been more than a bit pissed off to find out my new BF was off to a party on a Saturday night and specifically made it known I wasn't invited. I think I would imagine all kinds of possible reasons so yes , I think you definitely should have explained why. It's simply polite.

I think I just said that I didn't really want to go (truth) but would just show my face

He knew the party was nearly two hours away from my hometown (and 40 mins further for him) so we'd have to do a round trip of 4+ hours in one evening or pay for accommodation and do the return journey the next day .. so he knew it wasn't a pop round to somewhere close by thing and I implied even I wasn't anticipating enjoying it; so I suppose I expect him to.get the implication that it was quite a bit if hassle for something he'd probably enjoy even less (given he doesn't even know them).

However I agree that I probably should have made my reasons not inviting him/getting him an invite clearer, and lessened potential offence/worry.

OP posts:
strawberry2017 · 04/11/2019 20:48

I think he was probably a bit put out you didn't invite him to the party and maybe suspicious about if you really went alone.
I'm thinking insecure- it's not like he told you you couldn't go he was put out he wasn't invited.

firesong · 04/11/2019 21:21

I'm not sure about controlling exactly. It's this point in a relationship when you're getting to know each other's ways and working out what kind of a couple you might make. Sounds like he hit a bit of insecurity, and if you don't want to end it, don't! Perhaps have a chat with him in a relaxed manner and see what he is looking for and tell him what you find acceptable / not.

My BF and I live apart, have been seeing each other since around March / April and don't inform each other whenever we plan to go out without each other. If we message and he's out, that's fine. I have small kids so less frequent for me to be randomly out. If it's our normal night to get together, yes we would say if one of us has other plans, and possibly invite the other along IF it's something suitable. For example, if I'm meeting a single friend I wouldn't usually invite him as the dynamic is less fun for my friend then!

glacialfacial · 04/11/2019 21:30

He is super reliable and seemed kind, easygoing, supportive, open to commitment etc. After lots of non-starters, I was delighted to be an in apparently good relationship, was walking around smiling unintentionally etc

He sounds nice and his recent behaviour sounds more like misunderstanding than anything too sinister or controlling but it comes down to how he makes you feel and if you feel stifled that isn't good. However, if you still want to be in the relationship, you could reassure him that you won't be unfaithful (if you won't) and explain that you like freedom and that in the moment, like on halloween night, you might not remember to let him know but that equally he has nothing to worry about him, and find out what his expectations are and what he'd do in the same situation. So you both know what you expect in terms of keeping the other person informed.

But if after all that he doesn't trust you and/or you still feel stifled or as though he wants to control you then that would be an issue. I think it comes down to how you feel.

TwitchyWitch · 04/11/2019 22:04

don't inform each other whenever we plan to go out without each other. If we message and he's out, that's fine. I have small kids so less frequent for me to be randomly out. If it's our normal night to get together, yes we would say if one of us has other plans, and possibly invite the other along IF it's something suitable

Sounds very reasonable and healthy to me.
Couple of posters itt clearly don't think that way Halloween Confused.

OP posts:
Itsallpointless · 04/11/2019 22:24

Ok so, I can identify with some of the things in your post OP.

The Saturday night thing. As you normally see him on Saturday night, did you say "I have been invited out Saturday night, I know we normally see each other but can we do Sunday instead?" If he was aware, that's fine, and he's BU. BUT the fact he expected you to explain your relationship status to the hostess is totally unreasonableHmmthat to me smacks of control.

Halloween you had asked him if he was going, he said no. You said you would attend the 'event' but not go out after. So, when you got the impromptu invite, were you then supposed to call him and tell him YOUR plans had changedConfused

I'm sorry, it sounds controlling behaviour, and this is generally from someone insecure.

I had this with my ex, I was not 'allowed' to have impromptu evenings out on the days I didn't see himHmm

As another PP said, I'd proceed with caution, better still..DUMP!

MsPepperPotts · 04/11/2019 22:29

He wants a relationship and commitment but you seem to want something less stifling and the opportunity to do your own things which is absolutely great if your partner is 100% agreeable.
He's seems more of a homebody with dependents and you like to go out dancing, socialising with friends...it's difficult to see how it would work long term due to mainly compatibility.
There would need to be a lot of compromise from one partner to make this work.

Itsallpointless · 04/11/2019 22:31

Just to add..

FIVE months, living separately, very early days for these shenanigans.

TwitchyWitch · 05/11/2019 07:29

did you say "I have been invited out Saturday night, I know we normally see each other but can we do Sunday instead?"

Yes, though I more said "I've been invited to this party in x town in sat, i don't really want to go but I'm going to 'show my face'/pass myself; there's a thing on in x hotel on sun early evening that looks fun/interesting - shall I book that and we can meet on sun instead this weekend?". (Which I did, incidentally cutting short the time of usually spend with the hostess the next day to get back to my hometown to see him and go to the event). I wouldn't say I asked permission as such, more just said "I think I'm going to do this, how about meeting up.on Sunday".

Halloween night - exactly, but I was also thinking there was little point in contacting him because it started at 9 or later & go on til late, and he has dependants he has to be at home (40 mins away) so the timing wouldn't suit - plus the thing (djs, EDM etc) would not be his scene at all - plus there were no other partners there, it was a same sex group...

OP posts:
TwitchyWitch · 05/11/2019 07:38

He wants a relationship and commitment but you seem to want something less stifling and the opportunity to do your own things which is absolutely great if your partner is 100% agreeable.

I don't same to be the only person in MN who thinks a relationship and commitment is incompatible with socialising separately sometimes.

Why would you need your partner to be agreeable to you (both) doing your own thing sometimes ... Would t it make then controlling if they weren't agreeable? (Without some exceptional reason).

I find it quite strange/disturbing that any partner (with the exception of you sharing small kids that need 24 hr care) should have to be "agreeable" (which is not far off permission) for someone to do anything separately from them.

As I said this goes both ways - if he wanted to do anything from go for a drink to hi away on a sports/guys weekend etc, I feel like I would have absolutely no right to say anything about it.

If he changed the day we usually see each other because it's unavoidable, that would be fine too.

As long as the person seems to substitute the lost time together and doesn't seem to be neglecting you/bareky seeing you, I wouldn't have a problem with it.

I substituted the sat I didn't see him, and normally I spend most of every weekend with him +and sometimes a weekday evening). We wouldn't have been meeting on Halloween night normally so ...

OP posts:
TwitchyWitch · 05/11/2019 07:43

He's seems more of a homebody with dependents and you like to go out dancing, socialising with friends.

He's perfectly capable of going out for dinner, drinks, to listen to a band etc. He's not into EDM/djs, not that many 40 something's still are (if they ever were). I've gone out if my way in the relationship to find varied things to do eg cinema, stand up gig - and he's said he really enjoyed them

We also both live going for drives and walks in the country and coast.

I don't see why either of us can't do things that we might enjoy and the other doesn't on the days/nights we don't see each other (which is most of the time).

OP posts:
Itsallpointless · 05/11/2019 08:35

OP you were more than considerate about Saturday night. I'm sorry, he's controlling, and don't let others make you believe because of his 'insecurity' (40'sHmm) that he isn't.

Beware beware beware..

AmIThough · 05/11/2019 08:52

@TwitchyWitch me and DP have been together for 6 and half years and have a baby.
If one of us is going out we'll say "oh I'm going out with such and such on whatever day" and the other will say "ok cool" or "oh we were supposed to be doing x".

It's pretty much always been that way.

You told him you were going out - you don't need his permission.
It's a bit shitty that you cancelled plans with him, that would annoy me.

The real issue is him being annoyed because "you've already been out on your own this week" - that's the controlling bit.

The reason I asked his age was because if he's 23 and was cheated on 2 years ago I could understand the insecurity, but if he's in his 40s and was cheated on 20-something years ago he needs to get over it.

Has he previously been married? Is he expecting a subservient wife rather than a free-willed girlfriend?

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