Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

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:
AllyBamma · 18/11/2019 01:07

Oh my god OP, open your eyes. What are you actually doing? Is this really all you think you’re worth?

stayathomer · 18/11/2019 01:21

Your OP where you said you had a real conversation for the first time made me so sad. That should be a regular thing. You need to really ta l k to each othrr and figure out if its love or habit. Also no matter what happened him leaving you after throwing a glass was awful, the cards thing was scary.Hugs OP

colourbynumbers · 18/11/2019 01:24

OP, you're obviously no good for each other.

IWantADifferentName · 18/11/2019 04:43

He smashed a picture that belonged to you? So, not in the heat of the moment, having come home and had time to think, he cut up your cards, hid your keys and then smashed a personal possession of yours. It may not be premeditated but that isn’t exactly what I would consider a crime of passion.

It is nice that he agreed to counselling. But he is manipulating you. He is trying to make you believe that you are responsible for his actions.

Let’s jump ahead six months or a year - will you be happy with him? I don’t mean comfortable or stable or ok. I mean actual happiness when you look forward to coming home to see each other again. Your call, but I think I can guess the answer.

Save time, decide now. Sell the house and decide who gets the dog. You need to move on.

Nillynally · 18/11/2019 05:12

He sounds horrible to live with. It also sounds like he may need some sort of help. You need to decide whether you love him enough to support him through this help. By the sounds of it, by kissing someone else, you don't.

Yes you made a mistake but from what you've described I'm surprised you've not done it sooner. His drunken night's antics like taking your purse, locking the gate and cutting up your cards is really weird.

Good luck OP, I think you both deserve to meet other people who can make you happy

Honeybee85 · 18/11/2019 05:16

See this as a wake up call OP.
Do you really want to grow old, living like this?
You deserve so much better.

This is no way to live, it really isn’t.

Honeybee85 · 18/11/2019 05:30

OP I wanted to add that I was once like you in a similar relationship, ex didn’t contribute much financially, didn’t clean up and was very abusive on top of that.

I left him when I couldn’t cope with the abuse any longer but I had stayed far, far too long thinking that I couldn’t get better. I was wrong.

I got my own home, where I could relax, free of negativity and mess from someone else.
I joined dating apps and eventually was in a few relationships over the years with wonderful men who treated me with love and respect, when I thought right after my divorce that nobody wanted me, because that’s what my ex wanted me to believe. Now I am married to a respectful and loving man and we have a beautiful baby boy.

I still feel grateful every day that at one point in my life, I was brave enough to say: I don’t know what the future is going to be like but fuck it, it can’t possibly be worse then the past and the present.
I literally shiver at the thought of how my life would have been if I had stayed in that relationship because I was too afraid too leave and would have kept thinking that I did not deserve better.

I remember a few years ago, walking around in my new appartment, bought with my money and a mortgage only in my name, looking at how lovely I had decorated it according to my own taste. And feeling safe and feeling that I finally had a real home. And having tears in my eyes at that moment because I was so intensly grateful of my brave self a few months earlier.

I wish for you to have a similar moment too in the near future OP.

isthismylifenow · 18/11/2019 06:28

Isthis do you actually want to end this relationship? As in none of your posts have you mentioned this is something that you are considering. Plenty posters are advising you too, but what do YOU want? From what you have posted, everyone else can see the bigger picture, but you have to make the decision of what it is you want to do.

I do agree, I think he is using you. And you are hanging onto the relationship as hes playing all sorts of mind games with you regarding the family issues. Ok, he was there for you going through all that drama, but I think that you have supported him far more.

isthismylifenow · 18/11/2019 06:30

Honeybee i wish this for OP too, as I know exactly the same feeling.

Hearhoovesthinkzebras · 18/11/2019 06:34

And honestly, as someone else said earlier, if he'd anything about him he'd have lost his temper with other bloke.

Why? The man hadn't made a commitment to him. As cheated on women are told, when they're angry at the OW, it's your partner you should be angry at.

Not that I condone violence and he was wrong for what he then did.

isthismylifenow · 18/11/2019 06:37

I've apologised to him several times for not talking to him about how I was feeling

Isthis, read this again. Why should you be apologising, and more than once for that matter. Did he open up the lines of communication for you to talk to him? Did he ask you how you are doing after the trauma you have been through? Did he attempt to make things easier for you when obviously he can see you have been struggling? It doesn't sound like it. This is manipulative behaviour OP. He is happy for you to keep apologising for everything.... and by doing this, you are thinking it is all your fault and trying to fix it. Whilst he carries on his cushy life and is blame free.

meroyah · 18/11/2019 07:02

@IsThisNormal1 I'm actually worried for your well-being after he's said 'i hope I don't lose my temper tonight'. Is that a hint? A threat for you to keep your mouth shut?

Imagine if you did have children, what example would he be for them? If you had a friend that was going through the same, what advice would you give?

Can you ever trust this person again now you've seen how truly disgusting he can behave? You may love him but that's not the only grounds for a relationship. It has to work both ways.

10 years is a long time, but another year trying to sort this mess may be the worst of your life.

The situation with your family is such a shame, but it looks like you've got another parasite in your life and I'm not talking about the fleas on the dog!!

Get some legal advice, get a back up plan going and leave him. If you regret it, you can always take him back but I don't think you'll look back for a second.

Trust and respect are an integral part of a relationship.

Kevinbaconsrealwife · 18/11/2019 07:07

My love, he will use this drunken kiss as a metaphorical stick to beat you with forever.....if you stay, just be prepared for that...good luck x

BlouseAndSkirt · 18/11/2019 07:10

As for her talking to this man for an hour and feeling a connection (flirting) in front of her dp and then kissing the man - come off it, the DPS reaction to that today, being sad, staying in bed etc, is understandable

So throwing a glass at her, cutting her arm, taking her purse, her money so that she was stranded, locking her out, cutting up her bank cards to give her no access to money while hiding her keys to keep her locked in, issuing threats and destroying her picture, are all included in “etc” are they, and understandable?

He does not own her. He is entitled to be sad, angry, upset. He is not entitled to cut her off from the money SHE earns, steal and destroy her property, injure her or keep her imprisoned in the house.

Good grief.

Loopytiles · 18/11/2019 07:10

This relationship was dead years ago - the no sex etc. Don’t waste any more time on it.

Loopytiles · 18/11/2019 07:11

DP was clearly a loser even before the overt physical abuse.

MyOtherProfile · 18/11/2019 07:11

I hope you can get counseling just for yourself soon. This relationship is awful and this man won't lift s finger to make the relationship work.

BlouseAndSkirt · 18/11/2019 07:16

Every day it's like he's saying a massive "FUCK YOU

Exactly. He is.

You are working hard, extending your qualifications, building a future. He is doing nothing but drag you down and sponge off your efforts.

Get rid of him. Do take the time and invest in the self care to get counselling. Then remind you that there are people out there with whom you have a genuine connection with shared interests and enthusiasms. Like History Man.

Honeybee85 · 18/11/2019 07:24

@isthismylifenow

It’s wonderful isn’t it Flowers

Beautiful3 · 18/11/2019 07:24

You're not married and have no children. Get out of this miserable relationship now. Keeping him because it's better than being temporarily alone is not a good enough excuse.

Hearhoovesthinkzebras · 18/11/2019 07:24

So throwing a glass at her, cutting her arm, taking her purse, her money so that she was stranded, locking her out, cutting up her bank cards to give her no access to money while hiding her keys to keep her locked in, issuing threats and destroying her picture, are all included in “etc” are they, and understandable?

No, and I never said it was. My post, which you quoted, was a response to a pp saying that he shouldn't be laying in bed, hiding under the duvet. He should be getting up and carrying on as normal. That's what I responded to.in my post, so why take it out of context? I never said his response at the pub was reasonable so kindly dont misrepresent me.

Would he have been reasonable to walk away from the.pub and leave her there? Yes, I think he would have. You can't cheat on someone and then expect them to stay around and take you home.

To get violent and then lock her out of her home? No that's not reasonable.

isthismylifenow · 18/11/2019 07:26

If i was out at a pub and I was chatting to a random chap for an hour or so, and my DP was there I am pretty sure at some point he would come over and say hello, offer a drink or something along those lines. If he was talking to a woman, I dare say that I would do the same. (I haven't ever had to, but if the situation arose I am pretty sure he would introduce me etc) Wouldn't most people in a relationship? I am not saying this from a jealous or controlling point of view, but at times people need baling out from certain situations. (had to bale out a friend at the weekend, i think with a partner is no different).

So OP i am just wondering if your DP saw you talking to the guy first off. If he did, did he leave it at that so that was something he could pull you up for anyway, but the kiss part was the cherry on the top. I don't know what your relationship is like, would he be angry at you for talking to other men generally?

purplepalace · 18/11/2019 07:28

I really can't believe you've stayed with him do long....he's using past traumas as an excuse to do nothing and be lazy.

He will now hold this over your head forever too.

lowlandLucky · 18/11/2019 07:41

This relationship has run its course and you cant be indebited to him for ever. It is time for you to look forward, he is holding you back and treating you like a housekeeper. Go and enjoy your life

LatteLady · 18/11/2019 07:43

For pity's sake, you kissed another man, it was not an affair, it was a kiss.

The man is abusive, he stole your property, left you with no means to get home and locked you out. He has also threatened you.

Call your local Women's Refuge and get advice from them. I would be taking the day off work and be packing up his goods, and if the house is in your name, as I suspect it is, I would be changing the locks.

You do not deserve this and nor should you put up with this.

Swipe left for the next trending thread