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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

On paper this is such a small thing isn't it, but I need to end it don't I?

244 replies

petaltothemetal71 · 19/04/2020 10:41

So for context boyfriend and I have been together 18 months. Had been a very good relationship until lockdown started, very loving and kind, great sex, good communication. Still to some extent is: we have been communicating fairly well despite the limitations, with video calls and messaging etc. I have a 9 year old DD so moving in hasn't really been discussed, but our relationship has been great.

What makes him stand out for me is that he's so kind and generous and guileless. He's never been a game player, he's always been open to me initiating things, has been very open and warm about integrating me into his friendship network. He's never once made me feel unwelcome, or that he needs space or that I should hold back. Until last night.

Every Saturday night for the last three weeks we've been involved in a virtual pub quiz with some of his friends. A couple of weeks ago I said that I found it quite hard to do zoom quizzes with this particular set of people because I don't really know the people involved and feel like a spare part. So he knew I felt a bit insecure about it. He also knows I am missing him and finding it difficult not seeing him, particularly with no visibility on when we will see each other again.

Last night I knew he was joining the quiz at a particular time but I was speaking to some friends over zoom earlier. I messaged him to say I was going to be late on to the quiz and could he send me the questions via messanger or whatsapp so I can help him with the answers (which is what he usually does). This is much more comfortable for me than being in a huge virtual conference call.

And then, nothing. No response all evening. It's the first time in about a year he hasn't messaged me to say good night and I love you before bed. Nothing.

I know I'm being paranoid to some degree and that emotions are running high during lockdown. But behaviour like this is so out of character for him and so thoughtless at the moment that I was really really upset and couldn't sleep.

He's messaged this morning and I can't reply. I can't talk to him about it as that would be giving him all the cards and showing weakness which is suicide if you're feeling vulnerable. I am too upset to speak to him today.

Question is does this relationship have a reasonable chance of recovery? Is there any coming back from this? I feel that to do something like this at a time when he knows I'm missing him and feeling so vulnerable is such an abrupt change in character that either he's losing interest or struggling in some way. It sounds really petty but I don't feel I can come back from something so casually hurtful.

OP posts:
Notverybright · 19/04/2020 10:47

Confused Maybe you should try talking to him before you dump him?

He could've fallen asleep by accident or something.

StatementKnickers · 19/04/2020 10:49

18 MONTHS together and you can't talk to him about this? Just ask him what happened.

wowfudge · 19/04/2020 10:50

What message did he send you this morning? Seems a bit drastic that you are considering ending the relationship due to your own insecurities.

Aussiebean · 19/04/2020 10:51

Just say ‘what happened last night? I didn’t receive any questions from you’

TinManc · 19/04/2020 10:52

"behaviour like this is so out of character for him" - so give him the benefit of the doubt.

somebodyelseinstead · 19/04/2020 10:53

I think you might be making a mountain out of a molehill here.

NailsNeedDoing · 19/04/2020 10:53

Maybe he was hurt that you were going to be late to the quiz with his friends after you’d agreed to it?

You need to talk to him, because from what you’ve said so far, you’re over reacting. Which is probably easily done right now while we’re all living in such a weird way, but an over reaction none the less.

AvonBarksdale99 · 19/04/2020 10:53

I think you should definitely speak to him and ask him what happened - he deserves that much doesn’t he?

Early on you say a good thing about him is ‘he’s never been a game player’, yet you later claim you can’t speak him about it as this would be ‘giving him all the cards’! Isn’t that you making it a game? Just be honest and see how he responds.

grumpytoddler1 · 19/04/2020 10:55

Erm.. No, I don't think you need to end it. We're you not supposed to be joining the quiz later? Was he sitting there waiting for you to join and you didn't show up? Maybe he thought 'oh it doesn't matter, I'll just answer these first questions by myself until she gets here', and then you never showed up!

If it was him asking me, I think I'd say she sounds a bit weird, text to say she was running late but would be joining the quiz shortly, didn't show up and then is too upset to speak to you this morning!

petaltothemetal71 · 19/04/2020 10:55

Avon yeah I get that. I just feel very strongly that if you feel vulnerable then showing that vulnerability never goes well. Weakness is not attractive.

OP posts:
AllyBamma · 19/04/2020 10:55

Um, I think you need to take a bit of breath here and actually attempt to speak to him before you end things or you’re going to be the one coming across as very reasonable. Anything could have happened so I think you need to give him at least a chance to explain himself? You said yourself that you’re being paranoid and emotions are running high so maybe just take a step back and think before you act.

CorianderLord · 19/04/2020 10:56

You're being over dramatic. You can't talk to him because he didn't reply? Maybe he was getting involved in the quiz and didn't have time to send you the Qs. Maybe his mates didn't want him on the phone all the time as it looked like he was cheating?

Sounds like you're insecure and a game player.

can't talk to him about it as that would be giving him all the cards and showing weakness which is suicide if you're feeling vulnerable

What does this even mean? Relationships are about opening up, communicating and being vulnerable to each other.

Porpoises · 19/04/2020 10:56

So maybe he didn't see your message. Or it didn't arrive. Or he forgot. Or he didn't understand why it was important to you, and fancied a bit of space. Or he thought it would be breaking the quiz rules to ask you for help. Or he's losing interest. Or struggling in some way (if this one, don't you want to help him?).

You can't just break up an 18 month relationship over this, fgs have a conversation with him and find out why!

CorianderLord · 19/04/2020 10:57

Vulnerability is not unattractive it's an important part of being in love

OpticVA · 19/04/2020 10:58

What did he say this morning? Did he make any mention of it or was it just a usual morning message?

petaltothemetal71 · 19/04/2020 10:58

Coriander sorry totally disagree with this. It’s the beginning of the end.

OP posts:
Mopedfear · 19/04/2020 10:59

I don’t understand; his message could have got lost; anything. You seem to be going right over the top here! You don’t like the quiz anyway, he probably knows that. Just carry on as normal

petaltothemetal71 · 19/04/2020 10:59

Optic he just said good morning how are you?

OP posts:
rottiemum88 · 19/04/2020 10:59

Bloody hell OP. Yes, end it, for his sake if this is what a lifetime of being with you is going to be like for him Confused

AllyBamma · 19/04/2020 11:01

Oh my you sound like hard work. Actually being vulnerable is how you become closer to someone, not by playing silly games and overthinking really trivial crap.

G3ntlemanJack · 19/04/2020 11:01

He didn't message you one night and now you want to end it? Confused

glitterbiscuits · 19/04/2020 11:01

Massive, massive, massive over reaction on your part OP.
Really, give him a chance. He sounds good.

Sushiroller · 19/04/2020 11:02

You aren't thinking straight.

this is rather melodramatic...
Question is does this relationship have a reasonable chance of recovery? Is there any coming back from this? I feel that to do something like this at a time when he knows I'm missing him and feeling so vulnerable

You really need to calm down and then speak to him.
This guy isn't responsible for your mental health (& you do sound on edge).
Even if he saw and forgot it is really not something the majority of people would think is a big deal (genuinely).
Also, playing devil's advocate, if you wanted to be part of the quiz so badly why didn't you just join on time and call your friend back after? the quiz wasn't a surprise you knew when it was....

I suggest you asked him about it CALMLY and not make a tremendous deal out if it unless there are fundamental issues and you don't want to be in a relationship with him.

notthemum · 19/04/2020 11:02

Not being weak. Being honest. Just say that you thought he was going to send you some questions and see what happens from there. As a pp said if by e was asking me I would say you were either batshit or being to clingy.
You don't need to finish things but if you you behave like this the advice he might get or the conclusion he might come to is that he does. For the love of God talk to him but don't leave it too long.

Porpoises · 19/04/2020 11:02

Learning to be vulnerable is part of long term relationships.

Highly recommend you watch this Ted talk about it.
www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_the_power_of_vulnerability/up-next?language=en