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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

I think he is going to finish with me,despite him being an asshole.

101 replies

ethiopiabeauty · 22/11/2022 11:15

My partner of 2.5 years does not live with me.We both have young kids and like to keep things separate.We wont be blending or living together until our kids have moved out. He is old fashioned as far as parenting is concerned.Strict,expects kids to do exacty as theyre told immediately.There's little room for mistakes.Doesnt understand in a house full of kids that there's often shouting and arguments, expects their bedrooms to be spotless and general seargant major stuff.His own eldest two kids have little to do with him and his younger child sees his eow but child would rather be with his friends. These are not my issues as they dont affect my kids normally. I have two kids with additional needs, one with severe anxiety and the other with ASD.I am under a lot of pressure and very busy as Ialso work full time and have another child in late teens with her own issues. My kids Dad essentially abandoned them when he left for affair partner four years ago.They are all badly affected in their own ways. My partner was at my home last weekend and when one of my kids was leaving, they asked me to come to the door to wave goodbye.My partner was kind of laughing.I didn't understand why at the time but later he told me it was because of the way my child has me wrapped around his finger.This is the child with severe anxiety.My partner knows this and due to his anxiety, my child engages regularly in controlling and manipulative type bahaviours.I understand why my child does this and know it's because he is petrified of being abandoned or anything happening me .I have told my partner all of this.I struggle wth these behaviours of course and try to put in boundaries but have little support. My partner then started to comment on one of my other kids shouting for me.This child is a teen, again with ASD.Ihad no intention of responding to the shouting but my partner jumped in and said..'you're not going to feed into that, are you/'.I wasn't going to respond but wondered why he felt it was any of his business.He had asked to stay on an extra night and I agreed but felt the need to pass remarks on any interaction I had with my kids. I finally lost my shit when he came barging into our lounge while we were watching a film asking where a personal belonging was and who had taken it from our room.He used bad language and was stony faced and clearly very angry.This was a charger btw. The truth was that noone had taken it but he had left it exactly where I found it minutes later. I spoke with him the next morning about it as I was annoyed.He hadn't apologized to any of us for his tantrum and acted like it never happened. He is now angry with me and has committed to bringing me to hospital this week but on his terms only.I'm over a barrell as I've no other help.He was going to stay before and after procedure but is now going to collect and drop me.I expect he will dump me now as he is angry and wont speak to me since Sunday due to the way I spoke to him.Can I have your thoughts and some strength please. What can I do...Have I also been unreasonable. Thanks

OP posts:
Goldpaw · 22/11/2022 13:26

It;s you who's being obtuse OP.

There's nothing wrong with having a bit of a break from your kids, it's nice to have adult company and get away every now and again.

But he interacts with them and you believe he dislikes the youngest, a child already struggling with anxiety.

And so far you've prioritised him over your child.

Nachtleben · 22/11/2022 13:26

You really don't, just hyping everyone up.

PinkSyCo · 22/11/2022 13:39

So he is punishing you for wanting an apology for him wrongly accusing you/your kids of taking his charger out of his room? Fuck that shit. Also, maybe I’m missing something here, but I’m confused as why you would ignore your autistic child calling for you?

TheShellBeach · 22/11/2022 13:44

Nachtleben · 22/11/2022 13:26

You really don't, just hyping everyone up.

Well, you don't know this prince among men either. He sounds dreadful, controlling, cruel and childish.

Smineusername · 22/11/2022 13:50

Who the fuck does he think he is?! Swearing at your kids in your house? Undermining your parenting? If this is how he behaves now I shudder to think what he'd be like when he gets his feet under the table. Tell him to get to fuck. Seriously. He's dangerous

Watchkeys · 22/11/2022 13:54

@Nachtleben

He's outwardly displaying anger and using bad language in front of a child he knows is anxious, because he can't remember where he put his phone charger down. He's giving OP the silent treatment. He thinks he's right all the time and is issuing unsolicited advice regularly. He's let OP down for care preceding a hospital visit because she didn't behave how he wanted.

It's enough.

AuntieEntity · 22/11/2022 13:56

I wonder if your child's anxiety is in any way attributable to the fact their DM is dating a controlling twat?

Always4Brenner · 22/11/2022 13:59

Get rid emotional abuse is dreadful especially when growing up I loathe mirrors photos of me don’t do them due to being told I was fat stupid etc growing up. Don’t inflict any more on your children.

pointythings · 22/11/2022 14:01

He is abusive towards your anxious child. Two of his DC are no contact with him. So he's a bad person who is great at sex. You have a choice here: you dump him, or you only see him when your kids are not there. Anything else and you're choosing him over them.

Whatsleftnow · 22/11/2022 14:11

I genuinely cannot imagine feeling attracted to someone who disliked my dc. What were your dp’s relationships like? What did you learn about relationships as a dc yourself?

Nanny0gg · 22/11/2022 14:16

ethiopiabeauty · 22/11/2022 11:36

He is normally very loving towards me and to my eldest two kids.He cannot hide his dislike for my child with severe anxiety or perhaps I'm being paranoid.

What the hell are you doing?

You are allowing a man to show his dislike of your child to their face!

No wonder they're anxious!

Get a taxi to your procedure and dump him now

likeamother · 22/11/2022 14:20

He sounds so nasty and without empathy. It's not enough after this length of time to just have a nice date - having time alone without any substance, i.e. being a proper part of your life, making an effort with your children and being there for you isn't fair, and ultimately it isn't good for you. You're trying to manage two separate lives and increasing your anxiety about your children, instead of either being able to focus on them or be with someone that ADDS something to all your lives, not creates issues.

Also, his parenting says a lot about him as a person. He's not a good man. Be strong, finish it, and look after you and your family. You can do it x

dontputitthere · 22/11/2022 15:49

Nachtleben · 22/11/2022 13:15

Hi, I'm honestly shocked how his character gets interpreted here by people who dont know neither of you. To me it sounds as if you have different characters and strengths which holds its benefits and it's difficulties. The separation between your lives that you are trying to make is kind of weird, you both deserve a real relationship and yes, good sex. You both had/have different issues in your lives with kids and previous partners and thats okay. I would suggest that you'd try and speak with him and be interested in what he says about your kids behavior. Yelling and manipulating really is not great, not just not for you but also not for the kids who are learning unhealthy coping skills that will make their own relationships and future parenting very difficult. To find better solutions and coping is something you all could work on together, it seems that he is open to supporting you when you need him and nobody is perfect.

I think the bit where the op says he can't hide his dislike for her kid might be part of it

I mean. Jesus Christ. Talk about putting your own needs above your kids.

Would you force your kids to play happy families with a bloke who openly hated them?

AutumnCrow · 22/11/2022 16:05

Glorious sex

I can imagine Jilly Cooper or Sarah Ferguson writing that

Nachtleben · 22/11/2022 16:12

This is purely her interpretation of his feelings, it could also be off and say more about her than about him or be a dynamic between them. This is exactly like in the drama triangle and it's not resolved with making one party the scapegoat.

CousinKrispy · 22/11/2022 16:13

oh OP, why is your self-esteem so low that you don't think you deserve better than this? That your kids deserve better than this?

You could find a partner who you enjoy spending time with and who ALSO doesn't make his dislike of your anxious child obvious. I can't imagine how much that must be increasing your child's anxiety.

You could find a partner who doesn't undermine and belittle you and criticise your parenting. Even someone who has a different parenting style from you could be polite about respecting your differences, and willing to keep his mouth shut instead of mocking you with tired old stereotypes about how you're being "manipulated" by a child with MH issues.

Have you ever had any individual counseling? Have you ever had time to reflect on why you've chosen this man as partner when he is so disrespectful to you and your children?

MzHz · 22/11/2022 16:16

ethiopiabeauty · 22/11/2022 11:36

He is normally very loving towards me and to my eldest two kids.He cannot hide his dislike for my child with severe anxiety or perhaps I'm being paranoid.

^ and this last sentence is the only thing you need to remember

you must dump this guy. I know you’re blinkered but honestly, he sounds awful!

Fairislefandango · 22/11/2022 16:20

However wonderful a time you have with him when you are alone, I cannot understand why you would want to be with a man who has that attitude to your child, laughs and makes snide comments about your parenting and is nasty to you or gives you the silent treatment when you don't just put up with his attitude. You need to question your priorities.

PollyAmour · 22/11/2022 16:28

If you don't dump this sorry loser, then you will be condemning your anxious child to a lifetime of misery. It doesn't matter how well you get on when the children aren't around, that's irrelevant and you can't carry on this relationship.

Lemonlady22 · 22/11/2022 16:56

You said your kids dad abandoned them, but then you say they see him eow, which is it then….also your bf is a controlling arse however great the sex is (prob isn’t but it’s a good excuse to keep seeing him in your books)

thenewduchessoflapland · 22/11/2022 17:13

Cigarettesaftersex1 · 22/11/2022 11:55

As long as you're getting regular dick then fuck how the kids feel eh?

I think people are wasting their time replying as I don't think the OP will dump this nasty controlling narcissist arsehole.

Melonapplepear · 22/11/2022 17:20

I really can't work why you would want to stay with person tbh. Genuinely.

Watchkeys · 22/11/2022 17:21

Nachtleben · 22/11/2022 16:12

This is purely her interpretation of his feelings, it could also be off and say more about her than about him or be a dynamic between them. This is exactly like in the drama triangle and it's not resolved with making one party the scapegoat.

Yes, her interpretation is what we're responding to. If the dynamic is wrong, it's wrong. No blame, but get out. If it says something about OP, then she needs to focus on herself, not try to continue a relationship with someone who winds her up.

ladywithnomanors · 22/11/2022 17:23

Get rid of him. Do not have this man around your children, they've been through enough.

AlwaysLatte · 22/11/2022 17:49

Look back at your post, the title in particular. Life is too short to have an asshole for a partner. LTA. Flowers

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