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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:
DanceWithYourBalloon · 19/04/2020 11:21

I think you need to take a step back and look at what you're getting upset about.
By what you say he's had a perfect behavioural track record so far, so what's so upsetting about him forgetting to text you?
I think the issue here is your insecurities which are being maybe highlighted by lockdown.
Just try to relax, be open and try to work past it.

Pentium85 · 19/04/2020 11:22

I think you need to seek some professional help. You do not think rationally.

AgathaX · 19/04/2020 11:22

You're being really silly. Just talk to him.

Nearlyalmost50 · 19/04/2020 11:22

So showing any emotion is looking 'weak'?

Op, you said you didn't enjoy the quiz, you also texted to say you were going to be late and for him to send the questions to you (what a hassle, he's trying to have fun).

I think it's entirely reasonable to conclude you don't want to take part, perhaps he was pissed off, perhaps he was a bit tipsy and just went to bed, who knows if you don't talk with him.

willieversleep · 19/04/2020 11:24

Why did you not text him last night when you didn't get the questions/to say good night if that's the norm.

I often type messages get distracted and forget to go back and send. Nothing in it but my forgetfulness

StealthNinjaMum · 19/04/2020 11:25

Op another voice here to say that you’re completely overreacting. Of course it’s not good to appear weak or vulnerable in the early stages of dating but after 18 months you should be able to be completely honest. What if you were sick? Or had a bereavement? Would you hide your feelings from your partner then? I think you need to read about healthy relationships and maybe see a counsellor to understand a bit more about why you feel like this because when you have a real problem you don’t want a barrier in between how your partner will support you.

LondonJax · 19/04/2020 11:25

I had a friend of mine who ended her relationship with a boyfriend because he didn't answer three texts from her in an evening - all getting more irate with him.

So she told him, in no uncertain terms, that it was over.

Only to get a message saying he was working, in a building where he couldn't get a signal (which she knew) and had come off shift to see all these messages. Including the last one which told him exactly what she thought of him.

Oddly enough she was very upset when he told her he thought she was right as he couldn't cope with the me, me, me anymore.

Find out what happened first of all OP. After that, it's up to you. But if you jump in now you could regret it. And it's not vulnerable to say 'how did the quiz go as I didn't get any questions from you - so how did you get on'. He could be wondering why you didn't answer his quiz questions. I get texts from DH that are out of sync. Mobile signals aren't set in concrete.

ITasteSpring · 19/04/2020 11:26

People are being a bit harsh here. I can't help feeling that you have a history which is making you react like this. I had a partner who suddenly dumped me because I triggered something in his past. His past made him unable to form lasting relationships as inevitably his partners would do or say something he couldn't cope with. Is there something like that with you OP?

ShleeAnKree · 19/04/2020 11:29

This sounds like a lot of pressure for him. My bf checks in with 99 evenings out of a 100 but if he doesn't i jus tassume he fell asleep, his phone died. I don't think I'm going to dump him.

There has to me more to this.

magicstar1 · 19/04/2020 11:30

I’d say finish with him...for his sake. You say he’s nice, kind, involves you with his friends and has done everything right so far. The first time he doesn’t, you react like this? He deserves better.

ScarletFever · 19/04/2020 11:32

there is a difference between vulnerability and neediness

Onone · 19/04/2020 11:33

just ask him why he didn’t text you?

AgeLikeWine · 19/04/2020 11:33

OP, you are massively over-reacting to something which was probably just a trivial miscommunication or misunderstanding.

Just calm down, get things in perspective, talk to the guy and have a straightforward adult conversation about what happened then move on. Lockdown is difficult, but there is no need to make it worse than it needs to be for no reason.

Good luck.

OneandTwenty · 19/04/2020 11:34

Reverse it.

Your boyfriend doesn't want to join with your own friends, agree to do something and then have a last minute excuse to avoid it.

That's not kind. You are the one who has a very hurtful behaviour.
You also sound very dramatic in that short paragraph you wrote.

Jux · 19/04/2020 11:34

Why did you not message him to say goodnight? Is it his job to initiate that exchange?

You are being precious and silly in not even considering asking him what happened last night; you're making an issue where there doesn't need to be one - unless somewhere inside, deep in your unconscious mind,, you want an excuse to dump him?

petaltothemetal71 · 19/04/2020 11:34

So I am sorry if I sound like hard work. I have been very upfront about the fact that I know I am being irrational. I am really struggling so please try to be kind.

I have not expressed any of this to him and won’t do: have had a very normal message exchange this morning I asked him calmly why he hadn’t given me the questions and he gave me an answer which I have accepted without harsh words and on the face of it all is fine.

But, and sorry if I sound mad, this has triggered something and really upset me. I can feel myself struggling to trust him and withdrawing.

OP posts:
Mojitomogul · 19/04/2020 11:35

I dont really think I would enjoy playing a quiz if I knew i had to keep writing down the questions and remembering to send them to my other half. You sound really demanding!

Hannah021 · 19/04/2020 11:35

You dont think the whole thread is petty? He was having a good time with his friends, he felt he didnt need to be texting while video calling... He wanted to be present with them (absolutely hate ppl constantly texting when having a gathering). Whats upsetting about that? Not saying good night? How about the fact you lied to him when u said u will be late and never bothered to join?

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.

I see your problem is here. You have so much ego to deal with. Work on urself. From ur description he sounds like a great person

Sconio123 · 19/04/2020 11:36

Wow. Just wow

Massive red flag. I suggest that you run for the hills

Ps this message is for your fella, not you. Sorry n all that.

neverknewsomany · 19/04/2020 11:36

If your not ready to be in a relationship then let the poor man know so he doesn't keep wasting his time.

Toilenstripes · 19/04/2020 11:37

Let him go. Then work on yourself.

callmeadoctor · 19/04/2020 11:37

FGS!!!!!! And people are dying around us.......................

willieversleep · 19/04/2020 11:37

What was his reason that you have accepted?

ChicCroissant · 19/04/2020 11:37

Did you join the quiz last night OP? Because if not, surely you're the one who is not speaking!

Such a strange over-reaction and your subsequent updates make you look like someone playing a game.

It sounds really petty but I don't feel I can come back from something so casually hurtful.

It does sound extremely petty. Why are you this unforgiving - especially if you didn't join the quiz after your own call?

cheezy · 19/04/2020 11:37

You are the one playing games! Just be honest, even if that means showing your vulnerability. Who says it’s a sign of weakness?