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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

Feeling lonely on my birthday

22 replies

Cancowswim · 22/05/2022 08:50

Not really got anywhere else to post this but it’s my birthday today and I feel really lonely.

Last year I was much happier - I had a group of close friends who I spoke to most days and a partner who I was happy with.

The friendship group has drifted as two of them fell out, which means we don’t have the group chat or meet up together any more.
I had a disagreement with my partner a couple of days ago because I realised that he doesn’t consider me or my needs unless it benefits him to.
We had an argument partly because he hadn’t even spoken to the kids about my birthday and they’d been telling me they felt guilty as they hadn’t organised something.

One of the other reasons we argued was because I noticed that whenever I ask him for something, he never does it.
I literally have example after example of me asking him to do something (always something I can’t do myself) and him just not doing it.
There’s no reason for this, other than he doesn’t think it’s important. I then either have to pretend to myself that it’s not important and I don’t mind or keep asking him.
He doesn’t like to be ‘nagged’ so that is counterproductive and I’m always left feeling like my needs don’t matter.

I’ve also realised that I have completely neglected my own needs recently.
All my time has been spent accommodating him and the kids and I’ve given up all my own activities.
I feel pretty down about that too.

This morning I’ve woken up and the kids have been lovely.
Written nice messages in cards, got me pressies etc.
He has ignored me all morning, except for telling me to get out of bed.
No card. No ‘happy birthday’. Nothing.

He is an ‘ignorer’ when we fall out but had got much better so I thought he would come round and at least make a bit of an effort this morning, but no.

We usually all have breakfast together and I wouldn’t have to make it but this morning he’s just sat in the living room on his phone watching videos while I made the kids breakfast.
I’m not really one for a big fuss but I just like to feel appreciated on one day a year and I don’t think I can forgive him for behaving like this.
It’s his birthday in a couple of weeks and I feel like doing the same back to him, which isn’t like me at all.

I’m also at a loss as to what to do during the day as I wanted to go somewhere nice with the kids but I just don’t want him to come and ruin it.

Thanks for reading

OP posts:
lisavanderpumpscloset · 22/05/2022 08:57

Happy Birthday!

Take yourself and the kids off some place nice and have a lovely day with them.

Don't invite him. Ignore him.

When it's his birthday, do the same as he has done to you. Ideally go out with the kids again and leave him to do his own thing.

He's childish and you deserve better.

I hope you have a lovely day with your DC x

ItWillBeOkHonestly · 22/05/2022 08:59

Well firstly, happy birthday!! 🎉🎉
But secondly, this is all very upsetting and your partner sounds like he's been very childish. I can't stand sulking/silent treatment people. It's just all so immature to 'withdraw' from someone like that.
Could you re-start your day? Go and talk to him and say you'd like to have a lovely day today and would he simply put this behind him and allow you to enjoy your birthday? In other words 'grow up' but probably worded more diplomatically?

It does sound though as though is part of a much bigger issue, something that really needs to be tackled!

TemptingTess · 22/05/2022 09:01

Firstly happy birthday!
Secondly, go about your day and plan what you want to do with the kids and head out. Try to have a lovely day and process what you want to say to him afterward.
Don't let another argument ruin it for you.

sunshine298 · 22/05/2022 09:02

Sounds like your DC are lovely, go and spend the day with them

Hope you have a nice day

Deal with your partner another day

Dontjudgeme101 · 22/05/2022 09:05

lisavanderpumpscloset · 22/05/2022 08:57

Happy Birthday!

Take yourself and the kids off some place nice and have a lovely day with them.

Don't invite him. Ignore him.

When it's his birthday, do the same as he has done to you. Ideally go out with the kids again and leave him to do his own thing.

He's childish and you deserve better.

I hope you have a lovely day with your DC x

Do this!! Happy Birthday @Cancowswim 💐💐💐

HopingForMyRainbowBaby · 22/05/2022 09:06

Happy birthday from your Mumsnet twin

Opaljewel · 22/05/2022 09:11

Happy birthday.

Give yourself the best present and dump this waste of air.

You deserve better.

stillsmilingtoday · 22/05/2022 09:14

Happy birthday!!

How lovely to have great children - as pp have said, go and spend the day with them and enjoy yourselves!

Seems that there is stuff to sort out in your relationship with your partner but now is not the day for it. Go and enjoy the sun with your kids.

Have a wonderful day!

Workinghardeveryday · 22/05/2022 09:14

Happy Birthday!!

don’t let him ruin what could be a lovely day.

go off and do something with the kids, lunch out, cinema, lovely walk etc. do not invite him.

please make sure you treat him the same way on his birthday

Cancowswim · 22/05/2022 09:17

Thanks for your kind messages and happy birthday @HopingForMyRainbowBaby 😊

I hate the whole stonewalling approach to disagreements. I’m an arguer and prefer to do that and move on.
We had come to a sort of compromise where I would be less argumentative and he would be less sulky which was working but for some reason it hasn’t this time.
Now, when he does act like this I just keep away from him which prolongs it.
It’s so toxic!
I would take the kids out and leave him but I think they wouldn’t like that so I guess I’ll have to be the bigger person and try and smooth things over.

I’m seriously thinking of not bothering on his birthday though.

OP posts:
Overthewine · 22/05/2022 09:21

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

neatlittlerows · 22/05/2022 09:29

Ah, happy birthday, OP! (It’s my birthday, too 😂)

Could you tell him you’re going out with the kids and he can come if he will grow up and be nice but otherwise he is welcome to stay at home with his attitude? I’ll be spending today loading the car with garden waste to take to the tip because I’m sick of looking at it. I think of it as a gift to future me. Hope you have a lovely day with or without him 🎈

felulageller · 22/05/2022 09:30

He's emotionally abusing you.

This is domestic abuse.

Sorry.

Vallmo47 · 22/05/2022 09:31

Happy birthday OP.
Take yourself and kids out for the day for a lovely lunch on your partner. ;)

rainbowstardrops · 22/05/2022 09:58

Firstly, happy birthday! 🎉
I agree with PP, just get yourself and the DC sorted and head off for a chilled, stress free day with them. Oh and definitely don't even consider doing anything nice for his birthday!

Cancowswim · 22/05/2022 10:15

Thanks again. I’m going to take the kids out. There’s something I’ve wanted to do for ages so I’ll drag them all with me!
@neatlittlerows happy birthday!
I did my tip runs yesterday because I was sick of looking at the house renovation stuff in the front garden and I’ve bought myself a book, which I will read on his birthday 🤣

OP posts:
lisavanderpumpscloset · 22/05/2022 14:11

Cancowswim · 22/05/2022 10:15

Thanks again. I’m going to take the kids out. There’s something I’ve wanted to do for ages so I’ll drag them all with me!
@neatlittlerows happy birthday!
I did my tip runs yesterday because I was sick of looking at the house renovation stuff in the front garden and I’ve bought myself a book, which I will read on his birthday 🤣

Well now, this is a very good change from your OP.

Absolutely nothing less than what we'd expect either, WELL FUCKING DONE!!

I hope you are having a lovely birthday x

layladomino · 22/05/2022 18:09

I hope you're having a lovely birthday. From your posts this is about much more than how he's dealt with your birthday. He comes across as selfish, uncaring and cruel. I would seriously be rething the relationship if I were you.

Give yourself the best birthday present and commit to re-visiting those hobbies and interests you've dropped, getting back in touch with some friends and enjoying life with your children.

At the very least make sure you treat his birthday as he's treated yours (but really, you'd be much happier without him).

Newestname002 · 23/05/2022 02:10

Cancowswim · 22/05/2022 10:15

Thanks again. I’m going to take the kids out. There’s something I’ve wanted to do for ages so I’ll drag them all with me!
@neatlittlerows happy birthday!
I did my tip runs yesterday because I was sick of looking at the house renovation stuff in the front garden and I’ve bought myself a book, which I will read on his birthday 🤣

Great plan OP! Hope you had a wonderful birthday with the kids and enjoyed the wonderful weather (I hope it was sunny where you are). 🌹

rainbowstardrops · 23/05/2022 06:10

@Cancowswim I hope you had a lovely day with your children!
What did Grumpy Guts think of that?!!!

LKsGrowler · 23/05/2022 06:23

My ex did the stonewalling /ignoring regularly- and ruined so many birthdays/Christmases/foreign holidays. Hence 'ex'.

I hope you had a fantastic birthday in the end with your lovely DC.

Billybagpuss · 23/05/2022 06:27

Hope you had a lovely day in the end 💐

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