Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

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 want to scream!!

44 replies

Lan2020 · 25/07/2021 17:30

I am so frustrated that I am unsure how to verbalise how I'm feeling!

I've discussed my relationship before and I know the general consensus was I should leave!

I'm fed up of many things; partner is useless, a snob, unsupportive, selfish, addicted to his phone and Xbox (although this decreased when I said I was not putting up with him on Xbox until 3am then sleeping until 1pm whilst I looked after our baby).

He constantly interrupts me and walks away whilst I'm talking to him. Drinks every night (for his back pain) and is someone who is loud and talks over me and shouts at me if we argue. I had an alcoholic father who I watched smash up our house, so I hate this behaviour.

He belittles things I do and he starts arguments with me about pointless things because he doesn't listen. A recent (and boring example)...
I was watching a show with my eldest in the games room, which is underneath the toddlers room and toddler was due to go to bed (he has put him to bed about 8 times in 2 years).
So I text him
Me: let me know if the TV is too loud (it was our sons bedtime and I heard him go upstairs, so I assumed he was taking him to bed)
Him: I'm just waiting for it to quiet down before I take him up.
Me: ok, so do I need to turn the TV down?
Him: how am I supposed to know, I'm not up there.
Me: sorry I thought you were upstairs and you said you couldn't take him to bed until it went quiet. So shall I turn the TV down?
Him: how the hell am I supposed to know if it's loud upstairs when I'm not up there why are you being difficult...
This conversation continued and he still thought I was an idiot. His problem is that he doesn't listen to a word I say.

We have many issues but here is one of the biggest. Our living situation. When we met I was living with my DS from my previous marriage and partner was back living at his dad's house following his divorce 8 years earlier. I then got pregnant, it wasn't planned but we loved each other and wanted another child so decided to live together. It was a huge arguement with much stress as he wanted us to live at his dad's house (6 bed house and his dad lives abroad half the year). However due to its location traffic is awful so I'd have had to quit my job, change my son's school and my son wouldn't see his dad during the week (his dad has always been great and consistent). My partner on the other hand works from home largely and when he does work, it was closer from my home than his previous home. He also complained he wouldn't see his friends so much (he's 51) but they live 20 mins away anyway, we can never get them out and if my partner does want to go out with them he can stay at his dad's. He basically told me at the time that I should move where he wants because he has the money, my son should move schools and I can be friends with his friends wives.
Anyway, he provided no support through a difficult pregnancy, so I wasn't going to move with him. I will say at this point that his dad's house and where I live are only 40 mins apart, so he can go there anytime.

He messed me around my whole pregnancy with living arrangements and eventually we rented a house so I could still take my son to school (1.5 hour drive each day for the school run) and closer to the motorway so he could go back to the family home. I packed and moved (including lifting king sized mattresses and dismantling bed) alone at 36 weeks pregnant and he turned up with an overnight bag.

Anyway. We've now been together 4 years and things have settled in some ways but not perfect. I struggle to let go of how he treated me in the past. We've now been told we have to move out of our house and find somewhere else. There is a huge shortage of properties and prices are very high at the moment. Meaning £1600 a month to rent. He earns a lot more than me, so will be paying the rent. I pay the bills. I offer to work more but he'd rather I be at home with the child because he can earn more than me (but only works 10 hrs a week).

As soon as we found out we had to move out, he started going on that we should move back to his dad's because we can live there rent free. Now I understand that is great, however he is obsessed with the family home. I've tried explaining that we only live 40 mins away from there (we go back there most weeks), I've also told my partner in a few years when my eldest leaves comp, I will live wherever he wants. I've discussed implications of moving to his dad's (his dad wants us there but it would be a nightmare him have my son who is not related and a toddler, I'd never relax), also I've explained if I had to commute over an hour to work then he would need to take my eldest to school and back (seen as his dad would be too far away), he hates getting up with our son as it is. He is honestly rubbish and I can't rely on him, if we moved I would need him to do more and he just won't want to.

We had a heart to heart and he agreed and basically said he's ok with us living in the area we are in now. However, moans regularly about the cost when we could live at his dad's rent free. I know if we moved there we would never leave!

I've said he's 51 and I'm 33, it is normal at our ages to pay our own way in life (I'd like to point out he earns good money and has 300k saved for a house deposit) but still goes on about having to pay rent. I completely understand it's extortionate but feel I'm supposed to be grateful that he lives with me and contributes!

I've told him I want to talk and he's on his Xbox with his online 'friends'. I've just heard him say he can't believe he has to pay so much money to live somewhere he doesn't want to be. He also said if someone had said at the start of the relationship that he could save 60k by not getting in a relationship with me, that he would have to think about it!! I'm fuming and fed up of him mocking me. I went in there and told him he can leave if he wants!! I can then hear him saying "she's listening in to my conversation". I wasn't listening in, he's on headphones and he's pretty deaf, so talks really loud and I was in the kitchen cooking roast!

Sorry it's long. I'm so stressed and feel physically ill. I can't leave, there are literally no houses to rent anywhere around here w and I can't afford it even if there were.

OP posts:
TedMullins · 25/07/2021 17:38

Why didn’t you leave this loser 4 years ago when he showed his true colours as a feckless tosser? I don’t know what advice you want other than to leave because this isn’t healthy or normal, he’s a manchild who doesn’t care about or respect you and you should know you deserve better. He won’t change, he and you both admit that, so why are you still there?

SixesAndEights · 25/07/2021 17:41

I've discussed my relationship before and I know the general consensus was I should leave!

What might you think will be different talking to other posters about it today?

I can't leave, there are literally no houses to rent anywhere around here w and I can't afford it even if there were.

What different advice are you looking for?

Lan2020 · 25/07/2021 17:45

I'm just feeling really low and spent the day in tears. It's not easy to just leave. I have 2 children, no money behind me and live in a place there are no properties to rent. I also do love him and want us to be a family. I'm just frustrated he makes me feel I'm an angry, crazy mental person and frustrated that I can't communicate with him. He gets angry with me for going quiet but it's because I can't handle being talked over, so I just shut up instead.

OP posts:
Twilow · 25/07/2021 17:47

Put your kids first, and leave. What other option is there?

SixesAndEights · 25/07/2021 17:48

I can't think why on earth you want to be a family with this loser.

I think until you're really ready to leave, you'll find excuses not to. But eventually, hopefully, you'll get to that point. Hope it's soon, OP.

Flowers
Sandra15 · 25/07/2021 17:51

Yes I remember you, writing you were "in tears again" about three months ago over this idiot who you told us is a doctor, if I remember correctly.

Just go back to the original thread and read the replies. Nobody's advice, least of mine, will change. I don't know what you are expecting us to say.

He is a pointless ridiculous waste of space and you clearly don't think you can do any better than this. Until you realise that, nothing will change.

Otherwise I look forward to the 2025 posts where you are still trapped by this fool.

girlmom21 · 25/07/2021 17:52

I don't understand why you want to stay with him.

Let him go back to his dads and live like the man-child he clearly is.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 25/07/2021 17:56

What did you learn about relationships when you were growing up?.

What is there to love about such a man?.do you love him or are you really and more likely confusing this with codependency?. He seems to have more regard for his Xbox frankly than for you or these children exposed to such a poor example of a relationship. It’s these children I feel for because their dad certainly is letting them down. Better for you relationship wise to be on your own rather than being so badly accompanied. You’re just being dragged down by him, a man too who seems obsessed with his dads house. He probably wants to live there rent free.

How is it as well he’s working 10 hours per week? What does he do the rest of the time?. And you’re paying the bills, how is that possible. Put that money towards moving out.

You have a choice re this man, your child does not.

Sandra15 · 25/07/2021 17:58

Follow this thread. Some good advice that will also apply to you.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/relationships/4305778-Exhausted-and-terrified?pg=2

Lan2020 · 25/07/2021 18:00

@AttilaTheMeerkat my childhood was a bit shit. My dad drank a lot and I saw him smash up the house, call my mum a slut etc. When they split, we would stay with my dad EOW but he was drinking by 11am and telling us he was depressed and wanted to kill himself. I hated being alone with him after he kissed me on.the lips and told me not to look away when he kisses me.

Yes, I hate myself.
I want to be loved, I want to be looked after, I want to feel in some way that I matter.

He earns £80 an hour and from a wealthy background, so has lots of money. I pay the bills but he pays the rent (which is significantly more) however he earns a lot more than me.

OP posts:
Motnight · 25/07/2021 18:02

I remember you, Op. What are you hoping for from this thread that the other thread(s?) didn't provide?

Twilow · 25/07/2021 18:03

You won't get any of that from him. There is literally no excuse for you not leaving and building a happy life for you and your kids Flowers

SixesAndEights · 25/07/2021 18:05

OP, the last thread you posted about a month ago had many replies suggesting you leave and you never returned to the thread.

Nothing's going to change with the responses you get.

Bagelsandbrie · 25/07/2021 18:09

I’d be tempted to try to get him to marry you and then divorce him and get half the of the £300k he’s saved for the deposit (i can’t get my head around renting for £1600 when you could literally buy a 3 bed detached house in many places for £300k!)…. Blush

AttilaTheMeerkat · 25/07/2021 18:13

This is why I ask what people learn about relationships.

Your childhood was very shit and your mother also failed to protect you from you drunkard father. That is all on them, none of that was your fault but the fallout from all that toxic dysfunction affects you to this very day. Now you’re with your own man child partner and you do not matter to him either. He does not love you as sees you as someone to clean up after him.

You absolutely do matter here but until you properly realise that you do through therapy and further go onto rebuild your life without this man in it, you will continue to feel like screaming every single day. The choice is yours.

pog100 · 25/07/2021 18:15

He is fucking 51!! He is behaving and talking like an immature teenager fgs. He seems to have no concept of a relationship, Parenthood, responsibilities or anything of real life. He isn't going to change is he? On top of which, by the time you are in your 40s he is going to feel like an old man. Why on earth are you contemplating staying with him. You need to devote all your thoughts and energies to separating from him. There will be ways.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 25/07/2021 18:16

I would not advocate marriage then divorcing him for half, that is terrible counsel frankly and makes a further mockery of marriage. This does not take into account the presumption he does not want to marry you anyway.

SpeckledlyHen · 25/07/2021 18:22

@SixesAndEights

OP, the last thread you posted about a month ago had many replies suggesting you leave and you never returned to the thread.

Nothing's going to change with the responses you get.

This
username18702 · 25/07/2021 18:22

OP this man clearly can't provide you with the love you need, he's emotionally disengaged at best.

Unfortunately I don't have a magic wand that can change him into the man you want him to be so I'm not sure where you go from here. If you don't want to leave, then I suggest you get used to it as it's not going to change and is probably going to get worse.

You work so you have that going for you. You didn't get married though which leaves you financially unprotected with no access to his savings.

You've painted yourself into a corner here, seeing no way out. There is a way out but it involves leaving this man. There's a book called Why Does he Do That? By Lundy Bancroft which will answer your questions on why he talks to you like that.

You can do the Freedom Programme online via zoom to understand what's going on here: www.freedomprogramme.co.uk/

You can also access counselling or therapy to help gather the strength to do something about your situation: www.bacp.co.uk/

OP you're only 33! You have decades ahead of you to build a life for yourself away from damaged men like your dad and this man. This situation is damaging you. Be brave.

Regularsizedrudy · 25/07/2021 18:25

He’s got £300k for a DEPOSIT?!
This makes no sense. Do you rent together or is it his house? Do you earn your own money? If there is no where to rent can you move, or move in with family. It’s hard op but the sooner the better. This is a terrible and stressful way to live for both you and you’re children.

Herecomesthesun70 · 25/07/2021 18:28

Can't you move closer to your sons school alone. The area you're in now seems no use to you anyway

sloutside · 25/07/2021 18:32

There is no future with this man.
He doesn't see one with you.
Why is he sitting on 300K and hasn't bought a house? Instead he's paying 1600K a month in rent and moaning about it all the time.
He wants to live at his Dad's rent free. Why not buy a property and live rent free in it or have a very small mortgage.

Something doesn't add up here.

You are so young at 33. Get rid of this horrible person and build a life on your own.
Are there places to rent near your son's school? Do you have family anywhere?

casualnamechange · 25/07/2021 18:36

“I love him and want to be a family”

Why would you inflict what is CLEARLY a desperately unhappy home life on children, because you “love” him? Spoiler: you don’t love him, you’ve just rattled off a list of things you hate about him. Besides, love isn’t an excuse for this.

You deserve more than this, but nothing will change if you don’t.

Lan2020 · 25/07/2021 18:55

With regards to the rent/his savings for a deposit. When I first fell pregnant we moved nearer 'my' area. As we hadn't lived together before and he didn't want to live in the area, renting was the best option. Now that we have to move and our rent has increased, he has said we will buy. He has 'accepted' we will be in this area for around 6/7 years and so the plan is to move into the rented property and look to buy.
We can't buy now as we have to be out of this house and don't have enough time to look and go through the process (and there are a shortage of properties).

He definitely wants to live in his dad's house rent free. If I hadn't have become pregnant, he would still be there. He has a huge emotional connection to the family home, which I really do appreciate. However, we are adults with our own family. I do not want to live there. Plus I was unwilling to move away from my job, support network and eldest sons dad with a man who is not supportive (practically and emotionally). He thinks we should move there rent free and build a house. However he is the least proactive person I know. If we moved there, there would be no plan to move out. He let slip the other day that he thinks if we live there, then his dad won't get rid of the house and that when his dad passes (he's 88) he would let him buy. I did explain that firstly we are a family and he's not even discussed this with me, secondly why would his dad only let him have the house if he lives there now. His dad knows our situation (although he would like us in the house as it's basically sitting empty). I've told my partner in the past that I'm not making him live anywhere with me and if he wants to be there then he can go and be there and I can live with the children. He won't go without me though.

With regards to me moving with the children; I don't want to out myself but the whole area is expensive. So everywhere within a 15 mile radius pretty much. I have to consider access to work, my son's school and him being near his father.

My family are great but not an option because they live 120 miles away, I have no family near me and nowhere to go.

We both work. He earns a lot more than I do. I work for the NHS, not going to disclose my job but nurses payscale and in the health improvement field. I only work 15 hours a week, as he said I'm better dropping a day as he can earn in one hour what I earn in 6.
He also said if we moved to his dad's it wouldn't be an issue me driving upto 4 hours every day for the school run because we would have no rent, this could effectively be my 'job' and he could pay me to do it!! It's the craziest thing I've heard and surely not normal.

OP posts:
Lan2020 · 25/07/2021 18:57

And thank you for the practical information and websites, I will look into it all. I know I'm truly pathetic, I honestly do.

I logically know that I don't get anything positive out of the relationship. I kno Wingate hwoninam when I'm with him (I'm low, a nag and when he shouts at me intend up raising my voice and I'm not usually that sort of person).
I honestly can't even logically think what the hold is except for some reason I have an overwhelmingly need to be loved.

OP posts: