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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

Am I unreasonable?

166 replies

whattododoido · 23/04/2020 19:43

I’m new to this..

So my boyfriend of a year and a half has a 5 year old son. I moved in with him for lockdown.
Both being off work he’s seen a lot more of his son. Which I understand. Me and his son have always got on but he is an extremely active child. He’ll wake at 6 and go to bed at 9 and every second he demands your attention. He’s also repetitive so I find it quite tiring and monotonous. As soon as he starts playing football he wants to know what we’re playing next. If I don’t cheer him he shouts at me. If I score a goal he calls me rubbish and pulls my clothes and has punched me. He’s bossy. I have to watch him ride his bike. If my partner kisses me he says well you haven’t kissed me. Or hugs etc. I try not to be touchy feeling around him and I always put the child first. I don’t get much peace. He even follows me in the toilet.
When daddy isn’t around he will kick things. I ask him not to but he doesn’t listen. He has even punched his own face. I daren’t say anything to my partner as he isn’t the easiest to communicate.
The school recently called my partner and his ex because his son punched a boy. But my partner still says it wasn’t his fault, the other boy was a bully.
Anyway, it came up in conversation I said maybe they shouldn’t play fight as that’s why he’s aggressive. My partner didn’t like the comment. Then we he spoke about when he was seeing his son next, and planning where he wants to take him on holiday etc I just said, I think couple time is important too. We’ve never had a couple holiday. Only a weekend away. He never asks what I want to do. The only time we eat out etc or go somewhere is the days he has his son. Call me old fashioned but a little romance wouldn’t go amiss and also it would be nice to know he appreciates the time and effort I dedicate to his child. He flipped his lid saying, it’s my son and stormed off. I didn’t mean that. I meant the time he doesn’t see him, can we not have some quality time. It escalated to an argument. I said you never do anything for me. You’re obsessed with your son and I’m bored of playing football, rugby, fighting, I’m not a bloke.
He flipped again. He ended it. Threw all of my stuff out on the landing and I had to leave. We haven’t spoken since. He blocked me so I can’t contact him to explain. Unless I drive there which I’m not strong enough to do yet as I’m upset. It’s the first time I’ve get shouted back at him.
I’ve recently lost my dad to an illness and my mum is self isolating so I’ve had a lot on my mind.
Maybe I’ve just needed space and quiet time to deal with it and being around too much noise etc has gotten on top of me? And that’s how I reacted that way.
Has anyone else done anything similar? Am I bad for saying these things? Does it warrant ending the relationship? Or something we could discuss?
I’d appreciate any advice. Thanks.

OP posts:
whattododoido · 25/04/2020 14:37

Thank you @annanimmity

OP posts:
whattododoido · 25/04/2020 14:43

@disorganisedsecretsquirrel thank you for this advice, this is amazing. And gives me a lot to think about. I never had my own time when I was with them. I was expected to do everything they did.’if I didn’t, the son would demand that I did. I’d call my mum (who recently lost my dad and is self isolating), the son would Continue to tell me to get off the phone until I did. Dad wouldn’t tell him off!
What you’ve said sounds healthy and the way it should be. Thanks again x

OP posts:
disorganisedsecretsquirrel · 25/04/2020 15:32

Dontdisturbmenow the bit you are missing is that it's NOTHING TO DO WITH INCOMPATIBILITY!!!

It is everything to do with OPs 'd' p being a controlling arsehole .

whattododoido · 25/04/2020 15:58

Thank you @disorganisedsecretsquirrel we were compatible. We had a lot in common.
I wouldn’t have wasted a year and a half if we weren’t. @donotdisturbmenow is not getting it. I’m allowed an opinion. I’m not the only one to say these things about his son. His son hasn’t always been this way that’s why I’m saying I find it difficult To deal with right now. Maybe it’s a phase but we should be able to discuss it. I am seeing that he is controlling and is happy when I do and say what he agrees with! He throws a hissy fit whenever I don’t.

OP posts:
Candyfloss99 · 25/04/2020 15:59

Yes exactly what @disorganisedsecretsquirrel says.

disorganisedsecretsquirrel · 25/04/2020 16:08

YES whattododoido you have GOT IT !!

Now hold on to that and don't let it go..

There is a real life healthy relationship out there for you.. but please please read the books in the quiet time you now have. It's an ideal time to work on what YOU want from a happy healthy relationship.

whattododoido · 25/04/2020 16:10

@Candyfloss99 thank you x

OP posts:
whattododoido · 25/04/2020 16:10

@disorganisedsecretsquirrel I have sent for the books. Thank you so much for the advice. You’re a gem x

OP posts:
disorganisedsecretsquirrel · 25/04/2020 16:21

Please please post on here if he contacts you.

If he doesn't, DO NOT FEEL BAD ABOUT YOURSELF !!

To be fair - he MAY NOT even be conscious of his behaviour and simply be channeling stuff from his past where 'women' do all the childcare and domestic duties.. depends on his upbringing and background.

Do not however , 'forgive' this. He needs to understand that his mind set is wrong.. and that definitely won't be there with you picking up the pieces.. Besides - he has another woman now (his mother) who will step in to the breech and save him all of the hassle of being a real parent .

Go on OP - out in to the world and experience other relationships, and NEVER be scared to walk away if they are less than they should be.

Being alone is ALWAYS better than being in a bad relationship.

Everyone deserves respect and TRUE love. Someone who has their back, cares about their feelings, wants to make them happy. That is a genuine relationship. Never settle for less.

RandomMess · 25/04/2020 16:36

His son is a mini Dad, you know how you find a lot of DSS behaviour unacceptable it is only the child version of your Ex's behaviour.

Pleas stay well away from him, block him and don't go back!!! You need to thank your lucky stars he has ended it and run for the hills.

A good man would make the most of couple time and whilst his Child will be his priority it's entirely normal on holiday that it isn't 100% only about the child, sure 90% but there is compromise there!

disorganisedsecretsquirrel · 25/04/2020 16:48

So pleased you have sent for the books.. but PLEASE READ THEM .

It is SO difficult when in the throws of a breakup. You feel awful. Your self esteem is already lost down the bottom of the cesspit (forgive me - I live rurally!) .. the reason I connect with you is that I had a similar relationship to you at 24.. took SO many years of my life until I met a REAL man..

I look back and wonder why I put up with such shit. Maybe something to do with losing my father young... can I ask you a really personal question ? How old are you ? If you don't feel able to say on a public forum but am happy to say privately then please feel free to PM me.

You are doing AMAZINGLY well after 18 months to recognise the issues... it took me 7 years and I look back at my anxious riddled 20's and can't believe I put up with it. 💓

whattododoido · 25/04/2020 17:01

@RandomMess thank you. Of course I accept the child has to come first but agree there should be balance. It isn’t normal to not want adult time. Even if the boy was mine I’d still want that for me and my partner. That’s what a relationship is. Thank you x

OP posts:
whattododoido · 25/04/2020 17:06

Thank you @disorganisedsecretsquirrel I have pm’d you x

OP posts:
FlowerArranger · 25/04/2020 19:24

I feel so lonely with isolation. Too much time to think and miss the good times, and thinking if I’d said nothing I’d be in his company now and not alone?

@whattododoido.... You have to realise that, in order to be able to have a proper relationship with a man who is worthy of your time, you first have to forge a real relationship with yourself. Not being alone must not be your sole goal in life! You need to learn to be on your own without feeling lonely, and to have good times by yourself.

How can you achieve this? By working on yourself, by developing self-esteem and healthy selfishness, by learning to value yourself and not accept shit from anyone. Those books will help [Women Who Love Too Much and The Six Pillars of Self-Esteem especially, but no doubt there are others]. However, you need to actually take in what is being said and how you can relate it to your own life and learn from it.

I would also suggest that you start keeping a diary. Write down what is happening in your life and reflect on it, try to make sense and learn. For a start, what are you taking away from this thread and the many posts?

Can you also, instead of spending so much time focused on a man, develop friendships with other women, strong women who have goals and boundaries and don't accept poor treatment from anyone. And focus on your career and activities that give you joy. A man - not even a good man who loves you and treats you well - should ever be the sole focus of your life.

“The key is in learning how to live a healthy, satisfying, and serene life without being dependent on another person for happiness.”
― Robin Norwood, Women Who Love Too Much

disorganisedsecretsquirrel · 25/04/2020 21:32

Great post FlowerArranger.. what you have written .. exactly.

slinkysaluki · 26/04/2020 15:58

You are better off out of it. He is making a rod for his own back, the kids well on his way to becoming a spoilt brat by the sound of it

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