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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

DP boundary issues with me/other women

72 replies

Tigerlily14 · 05/12/2022 08:49

Have been on here a while but never posted as always got your wisdom through other threads. Need some advice.

DP, not married. Been together two and a half years. I have kids. He doesn’t mid 30’s to 40’s.

Had trouble with minor trust issues since the start. He quickly said he was besotted with me, didn’t want to continue chatting/seeing anyone else. So I deleted all contact with others. And with exes at his request. He said he’d done the same but was still chatting to a girl he met online. Still in contact with his ex behind my back for a year (I had no issue with that just wanted honesty).

Found out he’d tried to initiate contact with a girl from his past and he told me he was trying to line up a ‘back up plan’.

Mentionitis about girls from work. Found him searching their insta pages. Deleting messages from them. Then found out he didn’t have a single photo of me in 2.5 years. He deletes them all. But has photos of these girls. Like he literally has no photo of me. If I get abducted, the police would have to ask someone else 😂

Found out he basically constantly searches 18-21 year old girls wearing not very much on insta.

Other minor things like this too. Is it normal relationship shite? I don’t know any more. I don’t know if I’m expecting too much or I’m being disrespected. He’s said I don’t make him feel loved. For me I think it’s the lying I have an issue with. I’ve always communicated my views so he was always aware.

Help wise people.

OP posts:
Aikko · 05/12/2022 12:43

You know what needs to be done.

Get rid of this loser, and spend all the emotional energy you've been wasting (until recently) - on yourself. All the best.

DeeCeeCherry · 05/12/2022 12:45

Aren't you bored? Any attraction I had for a silly man like this would die a death swiftly. Just get rid of him, he adds no joy and value so whats the point in this 1 life? In your shoes I'd rather get on with life, raising my children doing things that bring me contentment as often as possible. Only make space in your life for men who are worth it.

KettrickenSmiled · 05/12/2022 12:53

Thank you all of you. This is everything I needed to hear.
Rightho.
I banged on about your boundaries upthread - but please don't despair, or imagine that this means there is anything fundamentally wrong with you. You might be amazed how many doughty old Vipers round these parts have tolerated, survived, then escaped abusive relationships.
You can too.
Because clearly your instincts are working ok, you are open to non-gaslighting points of view, & are thinking critically about your situation. These are all big positives - the only thing that's awry is that you lack the confidence to stand by your instincts.
Yet ... Wink
You'll get there.

The other stuff - yeah he moved in with me. Basically I paid for everything up until 6 months ago.
Fuck my old boots a cocklodger.
What a surprise. Not.

Whenever I’ve tried to say these things (above) upset me, he’d kick off. Say it was me. Play the victim. Categorically lie saying he hadn’t done any of them. I only know all these things because I found out. He’d deny, deflect, shout etc.
Shouting?
In your home? With your DC in it?
No no no no no.
Next time he raises his voice - tell him to leave.
If he refuses to leave - call the cops. I am not joking.

I had a big birthday. He bought me a badge. No cake. Didn’t sit and even eat lunch with me. He finds ‘occasions’ stressful etc blah blah.
Dysfunctional people always find other peoples occasions stressful.
Mainly because they are so busy sabotaging them, as they cannot stand somebody else to be in the limelight.
This is yet another classic technique of the abuser OP. Get yourself a copy of the Lundy Bancroft book linked above - it's time you sat yourself down & taught yourself more about this topic.

Started a fitness page. Targeted all the usual girls you’d expect on social media as that was his ‘business plan’.
Business plan my arse. Shagging spreadsheet, more like.
He was able to sit back "planning a business" because you were providing the roof over his head & paying his way.
Are you angry about that yet? You should be.

Last night when I tried to tell him how upset I was he said I was ‘relentless’ and I’m ‘fing constantly complaining’ and ‘always angry’.*
"Yeah I am. It's not me - it's you. You make me angry all the time, it;s time for you to go."
When you do finally brace yourself & sack him off btw OP - you do NOT need him to agree with your reasons. You don't need his acceptance, agreement, or permission. Keep it very short & very simple.
He is BOUND to push back. He won't want to lose his lovely cocklodging opportunity. So when you are ready - do you have friends who could be with you when you do it? Preferably, burly ones ...

This thread has honestly saved my sanity. Thank you all so much. Please go fully at the above and please feel free to go to town on me and what a class A plonker I am. I need to hear it.
You haven't been a plonker, you've been a loyal woman with a loving heart. Just to the wrong recipient. I wasted 19 years on what eventually morphed into my cocklodger. So you're already less of a plonker than me!
Please get single, & stay single til you've had some counselling & read up around dysfunction & abuse. You need to be stronger than you currently are, to navigate future relationships, & you will be, as soon as you dedicate a decent amount of time to proper self-care & education.

For example - if you'd known this when you first started dating the cocklodger, your alarm bells would have sounded & you would have ducked out when your recognised the Love Bombing, future faking, & demands for non-reciprocal exclusivity -
www.jennisspace.com/the-shark-cage-metaphor-spotting-potential-abusers/

Keep posting. Your instincts are sound, you just need to spend some time learning to trust them. & developing the assertiveness to act on them.
This man should not be around you, & should certainly not be around your children.

KettrickenSmiled · 05/12/2022 12:57

Tigerlily14 · 05/12/2022 12:35

@KettrickenSmiled thank you so much. Really thank you. And everyone else too. I will read through it all.

Re practicalities I’m v independent. I’m lucky enough to have a well paid job. I can support myself financially. No worries there.

And as for my position - not that these things don’t happen to everyone but I’m honestly embarrassed about the extent to which I should have known better. I’m divorced so been there once. Fought back from that to financial independence. Solid job/qualifications. Thought I was ultra feminist (please rip the proverbial out of me for this). Three proper amazing kids. So other than this situation I’m very lucky.

My dear, strong, intelligent feminists are just as prone to the tactics of the cycle of abuse, love bombing, gaslighting, lying & cheating as the next woman. There is simply no need for you to beat yourself up for this. Quite the reverse - your gut screamed, you listened to it, you posted here, you are now the validation you need to make solid decisions to your own benefit.

It's great you are financially self-supporting.
What difficulties to you envisage him making for you when you tell him to fuck off that unfortunately the relationship is now over?

Eyerolll · 05/12/2022 13:02

I had a boyfriend like this when I was in my mid 20s.

I never trusted him. I knew something was not right because I did not have general trust issues, having had a nice boyfriend before with no such issue.

I don't think he ever crossed the line physically but he did things that I felt were not right such as snapchatting other girls (eugh snapchat) and liking other girls pictures. It COULD have been perfectly innocent. But I just KNEW it wasn't. This behaviour was typical normalised in his friendship group so I would be the 'crazy' one to not like this.

He said when we broke up, "Eyerolll never trusted me - I don't know why." I think he didn't really see anything wrong with what he was doing and so was baffled.

When we broke up he used to go to strip clubs and it came out he was "obsessed with strippers." (mutual friend told me). Absolutely no disrespect to sex workers it's his attitude to women I am pointing out. Professed "so close to his Mum" but always got the vibe women were seen as a bit 'dramatic / hysterical' in his eyes yet he was happy to view them as sex objects.

He was in general very immature so broke up with him after a couple of months and didn't miss him at all haha.

I am with my DP now and I know I am the apple of his eye and he would not behave in the ways I described above. I think it is totally fine to find someone attractive but to let that person know about it when you're in a relationship (i.e. messaging and flirting) is seedy behaviour and disrespectful.

It's exhausting not trusting someone and wondering what they will do next.

PS - this boyfriend also said being at my house he felt it was 'very formal' - because I cooked him tea and we ate it at the dinner table...what a weirdo 😂

I feel for you OP. It's not you it's HIM! Good luck and there is better out there. 💐

Tigerlily14 · 05/12/2022 13:15

@Eyerolll the dinner table thing 😂 Thank you so much for this. The friend thing, I was literally just about to offer DP’s mate insight in all this for you all. So he’s told his mate what’s going on. His mate just sent a voice note saying ‘mate, what you’ve done isn’t that bad. What’s her problem? Also you must be doing all this for a reason. She mustn’t be making you happy’. I’m laughing now but the incandescent rage I felt overhearing that could have fuelled the next NASA launch. Misogynistic tit.

I’m so glad you’ve got your fantastic DP.

Thanks again @KettrickenSmiled . I need this thread tattooed down my thigh.

I can’t believe I’ve never listen on here before. The sense and support and straight talking is exactly what I need.

OP posts:
SuperCamp · 05/12/2022 13:19

The arrogant brazenness of his double standards!

Insisting on you deleting exes while he doesn’t. Not trusting you, while he lied to you.

Who does he think he is that he could say the words ‘back up plan’ to you and expect that to be ok?

But actually, OP, you are his insurance policy. OK for ‘everyday’ while he casts his ever ready eye over teenage girls etc.

Dump him now. Before he cheats and / or dumps you when he finds a new model. You will feel so much better for it.

Cocky twat. Though actually the initial love bomb and insisting you delete exes is a big red flag for controlling bastard.

KettrickenSmiled · 05/12/2022 13:29

I’m laughing now but the incandescent rage I felt overhearing that could have fuelled the next NASA launch. Misogynistic tit.

I need this thread tattooed down my thigh.

I'm so enjoying your sense of humour OP.
It's the sign of a resilient character you know ... x

Naunet · 05/12/2022 14:54

Eww, he’s a middle aged man chasing teenagers like he thinks he’s gods gift. Sad fucker thinks he’s James Bond or something 🙄 I don’t know how you can even be attracted to him now you know this about him

Eyerolll · 05/12/2022 15:39

Tigerlily14 · 05/12/2022 13:15

@Eyerolll the dinner table thing 😂 Thank you so much for this. The friend thing, I was literally just about to offer DP’s mate insight in all this for you all. So he’s told his mate what’s going on. His mate just sent a voice note saying ‘mate, what you’ve done isn’t that bad. What’s her problem? Also you must be doing all this for a reason. She mustn’t be making you happy’. I’m laughing now but the incandescent rage I felt overhearing that could have fuelled the next NASA launch. Misogynistic tit.

I’m so glad you’ve got your fantastic DP.

Thanks again @KettrickenSmiled . I need this thread tattooed down my thigh.

I can’t believe I’ve never listen on here before. The sense and support and straight talking is exactly what I need.

Hahah thought I would add that in to give you a laugh. A hot meal sat at the table - oooo so FORMAL!

Your comment about your DP's friends reminds me with this ex of when I started to think hmm birds of a feather flock together!

Just from a male perspective (via a female 😃) in case you get gaslit with any more rubbish:

With my current DP he has had the odd casual friend / acquaintance who has done or said something my DP would not approve of i.e. flirting with other women / texting other women. My DP would tell me about said convos and I would burn with incandescent rage on behalf of the wives / girlfriend.

My DP wouldn't berate said friend/acquaintance (I wouldn't berate a friend either) so would say something like "that's naughty/you know you shouldn't be doing that" and wouldn't get all 'laddy' encouraging them. These type of casual friends have fallen by the wayside as they usually end up not being my DP's type of people in the end.

My point is. Birds of a feather do flock together but if your man is a good bird he will reject said flock if flock seems to be taking a bizarre turn 😃.

Also if I told my DP I had another man on the back burner AND I had been messaging other men and flirting OMG 😂. I can just imagine his face! I would be kicked to the kerb!!

There are definitely decent men out there who do NOT think this behaviour is normal and ok. Some people hey OP! You've got to laugh. Just wanted to add some lightness to the situation x

Eyerolll · 05/12/2022 15:44

I really do hope you're ok though OP and despite us having a laugh, I know it's hard when you live together, and it hurts despite knowing it is right to end things. All the love to you. You seem lovely. 💖

MistyFrequencies · 05/12/2022 15:45

You sound lovely. He sounds gross. Literally my face scrunched to 'Ew' reading about him. I hope you leave him and find someone who values you.

MrsTerryPratchett · 05/12/2022 15:52

My point is. Birds of a feather do flock together but if your man is a good bird he will reject said flock if flock seems to be taking a bizarre turn

This. I knew DH was a keeper when someone I know tried to engage him in a bit of casual misogyny. He made a face, came over to me and said, "what the fuck is wrong with him?". My exh's best friend actually told him he was being a twat during our divorce.

There are good men. I don't fancy yours much.

Tigerlily14 · 05/12/2022 17:30

Thanks so much everyone. Thanks for the support and head check. I’m actually so much better after all your comments today. Before that I was heartbroken to be fair. Felt like I was insane for being annoyed. Basically haven’t eaten for three days. But I read through everything, got a grip, went out and got a Christmas tree, a million treats, and decorating it now with the kids. They’d cheer anyone up. He’s off trying to sort his life out.

I remember I forgot to answer, someone asked about the kids and shouting - he’s never done it when the kids are here. I might have put up with a ridiculous amount of shite to date, of which I’m not proud, but if he’d done that my post would have been me asking for tips on the best way to re-lay a patio after you dug it up to hide a body. Also, shows he’s entirely able to control his temper and could have quite easily controlled it for me.

Thanks again awesome people. Time to go shine 👸

OP posts:
Tigerlily14 · 05/12/2022 17:31

@MrsTerryPratchett your DH sounds absolutely mint. Thank God for men like him

OP posts:
MrsTerryPratchett · 05/12/2022 18:07

Tigerlily14 · 05/12/2022 17:31

@MrsTerryPratchett your DH sounds absolutely mint. Thank God for men like him

It really helps that he is built like a brick shithouse, clearly broken nose, shaved head. When he says something is sexist, other men listen. Shame they can't listen to us but you can't have everything!

emilydickinsonscat · 05/12/2022 19:44

@Tigerlily14 you sound a superb woman.

Your partner sounds like he has no redeeming qualities, real small dick energy.

Mix56 · 06/12/2022 12:33

I was wondering if he has gone ?

Billslills · 06/12/2022 13:08

Is he gone though?

Slowgrowingelm · 06/12/2022 20:22

Yes @Tigerlily14
-he should be dumped by now, with a moving date given. No need for any explanation apart from “it’s not working, it’s over, you need to leave”.

Any explanation you give him will be dissected and turned on to you. Don’t give him the opportunity. He won’t want to give up his back up plan and he’ll fight it.

hugefanofcheese · 06/12/2022 22:54

You sound brilliant, please chuck this wazzock out forthwith and have a fresh start without any of his shite. He can go and stay with his pal there.

Smooshface · 06/12/2022 23:27

My ex didn't have me (partner of 20 years) on his Instagram, painting himself as single ready to monkey branch. I mean this is all red flags, he sounds like a player, i would not feel safe and loved.

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