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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

Selfish partner

58 replies

Noideaatall · 10/12/2022 13:45

My DP has always put himself and his job first, ahead of the children and of course, ahead of me. He refused to drop off or collect at nursery, or get up in the night with the children because "work". I also work full time. We both have similar office type jobs.
I didn't realise for many years that this wasn't ok, as my own boundaries are very poor due to an odd upbringing. Since starting the menopause (I think) I am finding his behaviour impossible to cope with.
The latest incident happened yesterday, but there have been many similar. I had told him I was working at home and in meetings until 12.15 but had time to go for lunch. I was looking forward to it since we rarely get any time together since we live apart. He had taken the whole day off at the last minute for a school performance in the morning. I didn't know this until he arrived. I should also say, he has form for not listening properly when I speak and often claims to not have been told things he definitely has been. He also gets very, very angry when tired (I did all the night waking with the children because of this) and he had got up early to come to the performance.
When it got to 12.15 I was still in the meeting (online). It was with work colleagues I am friendly with and we chat in these meetings, though they are still necessary. It overran by 15 minutes as there was a lot to get through.
From midday he began to shout from the other room, are you ready to go yet? Over the top of the meeting. Walking in and out of the room where I was working, he then starts walking around sighing angrily and huffing putting his coat on and shoes. I started feeling panicky as I could see he was getting angry but could not cut the meeting short as it was necessary.
When the meeting finished I immediately stood up and started putting on my shoes to go. I was feeling sick with apprehension as we've been in situations like this so many times and he always gets really angry. I said, what's the big rush? I thought you were off all day? He went and stood with his back to me in front of the door, with his coat and shoes on. He then started shouting about he'd waited for me for two hours and I was just chatting with colleagues and being disrespectful. By this point he'd opened the front door and gone out into the communal hallway while I was still struggling into my coat and shoes. He then shouted that he was really hungry.
He then said, if you don't have time to go then say so. I was really cross by now as I had told him what time I could go, and this was only 15 minutes later which was not my fault. I then said - ok, I don't have time to go then. and went back inside.
I felt there was no point going out and spending money on lunch when he was in such a bad mood. I have done it so

OP posts:
Aquamarine1029 · 10/12/2022 14:47

You only have one life, op. Get the fuck out of there. You will be so, so happy you did.

pinkyredrose · 10/12/2022 14:50

He sounds like a dead weight dragging you down. Cut him loose.

Bunda · 10/12/2022 14:50

You've been a single mum for ages. If you actually break up with him it will be a huge relief! What a selfish prick.

pinneddownbytabbies · 10/12/2022 14:52

we've been in situations like this so many times and he always gets really angry

He sounds truly awful, and you shouldn't have to put up with being treated like this. He is an abusive bully.

Dotcheck · 10/12/2022 14:57

Hmm, I think I may have mentioned that I had to wrap up shortly after 12.15
However- his behaviour is appalling, and abusive. If you are scared and apprehensive then he really needs to be an ex

KettrickenSmiled · 10/12/2022 15:03

we've been in situations like this so many times and he always gets really angry

Oh OP. Flowers
How long have you been with this Angry & Controlling Man?
www.amazon.co.uk/Why-Does-He-That-Controlling-ebook/dp/B000Q9J0RO

Are you scared to leave him?
Can you think of a single thing he ever does to bring you happiness, security, comfort, laughter?

Justcallmebebes · 10/12/2022 15:04

I can't imagine a world in which I felt sick with apprehension because I kept my partner waiting for 15 minutes. That is so not normal.

Sounds like a blessing you don't live together OP

JustAboutHangingInThere · 10/12/2022 15:07

This doesn’t sound like a healthy, loving relationship

Noideaatall · 10/12/2022 17:09

Apologies for delay. I haven't posted before I don't think, but may have mentioned in comments about the unusual situation. But yes, we do have shared children. We live apart because I felt too resentful at having to do it all while he just did his own work. It was a huge step for me when I asked him to leave, but then Covid undid it all because he had to move back in with elderly parents, and then said he wouldn't be able to see the children unless he moved back in because of the risk of travelling.
He has been sending me messages all day about how I need to apologise. I know the relationship is over really - but I just keep telling myself that I need to suck it up a bit longer for the children's sake. He has not turned up to see them today as usual "because of my behaviour" 🙄

OP posts:
Noideaatall · 10/12/2022 17:11

I don't think I have any idea what a healthy relationship would look like.

OP posts:
GerbilsForever24 · 10/12/2022 17:20

Hang on, so you live separately already and you do everything for the DC? I'm guessing that you also pay for everything and he's not contributing financially.

And then he swans in and expects happy families (and I guess sex?) at intervals as and when it pleases him?

OP, I have no idea what happened in your childhood but this is so beyond acceptable I'm quite shocked. And it's hard to shock me on MN these days.

Tabitha888 · 10/12/2022 17:25

I can 100% tell you with confidence. Your kids will not want to be around a man like that, or want you to be with him. End it! He's horrible to you!!

2catsandhappy · 10/12/2022 17:32

Just send a thumbs up emoji and switch your phone off.

dolor · 10/12/2022 18:06

Fucking hell he thinks you need to apologise? Hahaha

No.

You've nothing to apologise for.

ConnieTucker · 10/12/2022 18:17

He is abusive, op. Change your locks and get some therapy.

Jackiebrambles · 10/12/2022 18:19

He's an abusing tosser. How dare he make such a scene during your meeting. Glad he doesn't live with you, change your locks and sack him off.

Blanca87 · 10/12/2022 18:23

Come on op your children deserve better than this as do you.

OldFan · 10/12/2022 18:59

You already live as a single mum @Noideaatall . This relationship is going nowhere.

He has not turned up to see them today as usual "because of my behaviour"

This is him using the kids as a weapon or collateral damage, and is not ok at all.

Please bin him.

user1471442488 · 10/12/2022 19:39

You absolutely don’t need to suck it up for the children’s sake. He is an abusive arsehole and he’s only a part time dad anyway so it probably won’t make any difference to them.

WelliesandWine88 · 10/12/2022 19:40

Walking in eggshells in your own home is never acceptable...
He needs to go...

liarliarshortsonfire · 10/12/2022 19:57

You deserve better op, he sounds awful and should be apologising to you, don't apologise!

monsteramunch · 10/12/2022 23:03

user1471442488 · 10/12/2022 19:39

You absolutely don’t need to suck it up for the children’s sake. He is an abusive arsehole and he’s only a part time dad anyway so it probably won’t make any difference to them.

This.

Noideaatall · 11/12/2022 01:15

Wow. I'm overwhelmed with how unanimous the replies are - I knew it wasn't good but I think I've been telling myself that it was my fault, I wasn't thoughtful or accommodating enough, I wasn't making enough effort, so it was down to me.
He does contribute financially, although not half the outgoings, but I never know how much he will send every month. If he thinks he's paid for something I should have paid for, he deducts it from the money without saying anything. One month I went overdrawn. He hadn't sent anything that month but I didn't realise in time.
He always has a totally different version of things that happen which I find so confusing. So yesterday he insisted I'd said I was free all day, so he was annoyed I was actually working - but why would I say that when I wasn't? He seems to misunderstand what's happening ALL the time, saying he's told me things he hasn't and that I haven't told him about things. I'm never sure if it's true as I don't trust myself.
Once he went to take a different route to the supermarket, this was years ago. I said, where are you going? He said - we always go this way. Adult son looked at me in confusion. It was a tiny bit of validation.
I don't even think he is doing it deliberately to try to confuse me - he genuinely thinks his version is true, which just makes it more unsettling. But you are all right - I'm wasting my time with him.

OP posts:
Fraaahnces · 11/12/2022 03:37

He is an abusive prick. Time to get your financial ducks in a row, do CMS and separate legally before you tell him anything or he will hide everything. He sounds like a psychopath.

Lucyccfc68 · 11/12/2022 07:22

Noideaatall · 11/12/2022 01:15

Wow. I'm overwhelmed with how unanimous the replies are - I knew it wasn't good but I think I've been telling myself that it was my fault, I wasn't thoughtful or accommodating enough, I wasn't making enough effort, so it was down to me.
He does contribute financially, although not half the outgoings, but I never know how much he will send every month. If he thinks he's paid for something I should have paid for, he deducts it from the money without saying anything. One month I went overdrawn. He hadn't sent anything that month but I didn't realise in time.
He always has a totally different version of things that happen which I find so confusing. So yesterday he insisted I'd said I was free all day, so he was annoyed I was actually working - but why would I say that when I wasn't? He seems to misunderstand what's happening ALL the time, saying he's told me things he hasn't and that I haven't told him about things. I'm never sure if it's true as I don't trust myself.
Once he went to take a different route to the supermarket, this was years ago. I said, where are you going? He said - we always go this way. Adult son looked at me in confusion. It was a tiny bit of validation.
I don't even think he is doing it deliberately to try to confuse me - he genuinely thinks his version is true, which just makes it more unsettling. But you are all right - I'm wasting my time with him.

Oh, he is is definitely doing it on purpose and he knows it gets the effect he wants. He wants you to constantly question yourself and your sanity. He wants you to be unsure of yourself and not to trust your own instinct. It’s all part of the abuse and controlling behaviour. He is clearly financially abusive too.

Look up womens aid and the Freedom programme, so that you have some support.