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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've done a bad thing. But is this a normal reaction?

253 replies

IsThisNormal1 · 16/11/2019 21:03

Sorry, this will be long.

Been together almost 10 years. He's late 30s, I'm early 30s.

I'll start off by saying we've had a lot of stress in our relationship. About 4 years ago we were dealing with a lot of drama with my family - absolute narcs, the lot of them. It was resolved 2 years ago and I'm NC with them now.

Due to this drama, our relationship has taken a back seat. He's never been the romantic lovey-dovey type, but all intimacy stopped. We don't kiss, cuddle, hold hands, nothing. Sex is rare. Almost non-existent.

When the drama was resolved, I thought brilliant we can get on with our lives now. This hasn't happened. He does literally nothing. I do all the cleaning, washing, DIY, I even book his car MOT and doctors appointments for him. He wont take any initiative. Works at the same dead-end job which he hates but won't do anything about because "Brexit" or "job hunting is too hard" or various other reasons.

I experienced a major hiccup in my job last year (company restructuring) and was almost made redundant. I'm the bread winner so this was a huge deal. I signed myself up for an online course and told him he needs to step up with housework etc because I need to do this qualification while also working a 50 hour week. He stepped up for 2 or 3 days, then went back to his old ways. He leaves everything at his arse. I spend the evening cleaning, it's a shit tip by the next day. I do his washing and ask him to put it away, it gets left in a heap on the floor. Dishes left next to the dishwasher for me to put away. This goes on daily for months. Every day it's like he's saying a massive "FUCK YOU".

I don't like to nag but when confronted he says he's just got no motivation since the drama. Yes it was traumatic but life needs to go on. I have zero family now and it's not exactly been easy for me either! I've offered to pay for counsellors etc for him. No. He just spends all day every day watching YouTube and doing nothing. He says he needs to "build up" to doing anything and if that doesn't work, he can't do it at all.

Last night we went out for a few drinks at the pub. I admittedly drank too much and was very intoxicated. We both were. There was a man there and we got chatting at the bar. A proper real conversation for once about history, a mutual interest. This went on for some time and I feel we did have a connection of some sort. He left, and I went outside a few minutes later because I was starting to feel a bit unwell with the alcohol. Unbeknown to me, the man was still there and he kissed me. I haven't been kissed or even had any ounce of affection for years, so stupidly I didn't stop him.

DP came outside, saw this, and flew into a rage. He threw a glass at me, cutting my arm. Blood pouring. He then took my purse and went home, leaving me stranded with no money for a taxi home. The guy behind the bar had to loan me money.

I got home and DP had locked the gate knowing full well I couldn't reach the lock to get in. (The taxi driver managed to reach it for me). This morning I find that he has cut up all my bank cards, and hid my house keys so I couldn't get out. He says he didn't want me "sneaking out anywhere".

We talked today and I told him how undervalued and unappreciated I feel, he said "well write me a list and I'll do the cleaning every Tuesday". I don't need him to clean, I just need him to start acting like a proper grown-up.

I know what I did was wrong, I don't deny that. I feel awful. I've apologised to him. He has spent the rest of the day saying nothing and holding his head in his hands. I understand he's upset. I would be too. His cousin phoned this evening and he was all bright and cheerful like nothing happened. Then was laughing at stuff on tv. An hour later hes slumped on the stairs saying he feels sick and dizzy. I can hear him how pacing upstairs. Hes acting like I've just killed someone!

Words can't express how bad I feel. It was so out of character for me. I admit it was nothing more than feeling "wanted" for 5 minutes. I would never have seen this man again and regretted kissing him almost the moment it happened.

I'm not sure why I'm posting. I've been horrible, I admit. But with his reaction, I just know hes going to make me "pay for this" and use it as an excuse to do even less. I love him still, I really do. (Although the resentment is horrific) Am I kidding myself? Do I need to call time or do I deserve this?

OP posts:
WhoWants2Know · 16/11/2019 21:47

So you were drunk and another guy kissed you...

And he assaulted you, injured you, locked you out and financially abused you by destroying your bank cards.

And is using an animal to manipulate you.

Do you realise that his behaviour is abuse?

Even if you make a mistake, it's not suddenly ok to abuse you.

Leave him to sort out his own shit and you can pursue a life where you have the chance to be happy, not live like someone's maid, and maybe even experience physical affection.

Lifeisabeach09 · 16/11/2019 21:50

God, he sounds pathetic. Thank goodness you don't have kids with him--you'd be doing it all!
You've changed and the relationship has run its course. Time to end it rather than settle for a shit relationship.

lookatthebabypenguin · 16/11/2019 21:54

You and the dog both deserve better than his abuse.

Much like Attila I am wondering what you think this relationship is adding to your life in the present? Other than a way to maintain your connection to better times in the past?

It's striking to me that this man assaulted you and yet you're on here describing your behaviour as "horrible" having barely mentioned in passing him doing something to you for which he could be arrested.

lookatthebabypenguin · 16/11/2019 21:56

Don't go to joint therapy with someone who is abusive. No competent therapist would even consider it.

Go to therapy on your own by all means if it will help you come to terms with this. Go on the Freedom Programme to learn about abusive vs non -abusive relationships.

NormaBean · 16/11/2019 21:58

He threw a glass at you. He’s disgusting.

Leave him and save yourself, and the dog, from years of misery.

CodenameVillanelle · 16/11/2019 22:02

Gawd love it's clear as day that you need to leave him. The relationship is totally dead as a doornail. His reaction to your behaviour was awful - of course cheating is shitty and you shouldn't have done it but he assaulted you, locked you out of your house and destroyed your property. At what point will you call it a day??

user1497997754 · 16/11/2019 22:03

You and your dog deserve better don't stay with this pathetic excuse of a man you are wasting your life no wonder your dog is miserable

ReceptacleForTheRespectable · 16/11/2019 22:09

I agree with PP - this is a dreadful relationship, and you need to LTB. Yes, it was wrong to kiss the man, but that doesn't change the fact that your DP is a sponger who you'd be better off without.

Janaih · 16/11/2019 22:10

I think subconsciously your kiss was an exit strategy. he could have caused you serious harm throwing a glass. leave him and start living your life. Flowers

PearlsBeforeWine · 16/11/2019 22:10

I wasted 8 years of my life with a bellend like this doofus.

My life is lovely now... But I will ALWAYS regret not seeing things sooner.

dreichwinter · 16/11/2019 22:12

Your relationship is dead and has been for a while by the sounds of what you are saying.
You need to move on ASAP.
It may surprise you how much better your life is with just you ( and perhaps the dog)

bipbop · 16/11/2019 22:12

He brings absolutely nothing to your life. On top of that he's now assaulted you and financially abused you and tried to control you. Get rid of him as quick as you can. And please report the assault.

stophuggingme · 16/11/2019 22:12

The dog loves you more then him. Trust me.
@AttilaTheMeerkat wrote such a true post. You have stopped understanding how important self care and aspiration for your life is.

Just end this miserable dance. He never will because you are a meal ticket, a safe pair of hands and his whippIng boy. Get your life back, find a man who thrills you and can clear up after himself. He will probably make the dog happier too

Span1elsRock · 16/11/2019 22:13

He depends on you financially, yet treats you like shit for it?

Seriously, you're worth better.

And deep down, you know it.

stophuggingme · 16/11/2019 22:13

*than

HollowTalk · 16/11/2019 22:14

You don't have children together, do you? If you don't then I think you should separate. He sounds horrible. And yes, he wants it to work because you do all the work and provide most of the money. There's no love there any more, OP.

Dieu · 16/11/2019 22:14

Neither of you have behaved well, and I think you'd be best going your separate ways.

IWantADifferentName · 16/11/2019 22:19

So you were drunk and another guy kissed you...
And he assaulted you, injured you, locked you out and financially abused you by destroying your bank cards.
And is using an animal to manipulate you.
Do you realise that his behaviour is abuse?

Exactly this!

Where are you living - is it rented or owned (by whom)? If you are in a rental, splitting up will be much easier. If you own it, you may need advice to get him out.

He is becoming more abusive because he knows his free ride is coming to an end. Please be careful and get yourself out of this situation.

Mamabear4180 · 16/11/2019 22:20

I don’t blame you for kissing the guy outside. I just don’t! I don’t think there’s any point in beating yourself up when you’re already miserable as hell. Don’t put up with his drama anymore, do yourself a favour and move on from this!

TatianaLarina · 16/11/2019 22:35

It’s very obvious that this was your escape route. It wouldn’t have happened if your partner wasn’t a lazy loser.

The real question is why you stayed with him so long.

NormaBean · 16/11/2019 22:35

Neither of you have behaved well

The OP made a mistake (an understandable one), he committed a crime. Bit of a difference.

TatianaLarina · 16/11/2019 22:36

I’m not sure it was a mistake. I think it was an unconscious bolt for the door.

Fluffycloudland77 · 16/11/2019 22:37

He sounds a fucking liability, he’s not going to hurt the dog to hurt you is he?.

AllyBamma · 16/11/2019 22:38

Is he seriously the best you think you can do? Why on earth do you stay with him?

Imagine that guy you kissed was your actually DP and after a lovely night out where you’ve had a nice meal at the pub and some stimulating conversation (and he might have even paid, shock horror!), you both go home, shag each other’s brains out and go to sleep blissfully happy and fulfilled.

But you’ve come home to this absolute loser. You know you can just leave right?

I’m sorry to say OP but you’ve enabled him, taught him that his manchild behaviour is acceptable by cleaning for him, paying for him and putting up with all his shit despite it all. I say this as a reformed enabler so I honestly sympathize with your situation because I’ve been there. I’m absolutely not saying it’s your fault but you need to hear that he is never ever going to change. The only way your life is going to get better is when you walk out the door and never look back. I know you’ve been with him 10 years but please don’t lose another decade of your life. Or another day for that matter.

Please realise you’re worth so much more than this and there is a better life waiting for you.

isspacethefinalfrontier · 16/11/2019 22:44

What does he do if you are the breadwinner?