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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:
Shoxfordian · 11/12/2022 07:51

He’s not much of a partner
Call the police if you’ll need some support making sure he leaves

Poppyblush · 11/12/2022 08:13

Leave. Simple. You were working and that comes before going out for lunch. What a nasty piece of work he is.

Mynoodlesareoodles · 11/12/2022 09:50

He knows what he's doing. My ex used to do this and it's difficult to believe someone who's supposed to love you could be so horrible and lie on purpose. It left me confused and questioning myself and distracted me from the reality that he was an abusive prick.

KettrickenSmiled · 11/12/2022 09:56

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.
Classic response of the abused partner.
It's 'easier' to tell yourself it's your fault, because that allows us to maintian the self-delusion that it's in our power to bring the 'nice version' of our abuser back.

He does contribute financially, although not half the outgoings, but I never know how much he will send every month.
Which is why you need to contact CMS, & have them handle it for you.
You need a steady & reliable contribution, & you need him to stop pissing you about over paying for HIS OWN DC.

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 likes toying with you, & money is one of the ways he does it It gives him power & control. This is financial abuse.
Can you not see the arrogance?
Doling out & withdrawing money, as if he's the boss of you?
While YOU take total responsibilitry for HIS children?

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.
Gaslighting 101.
Another power move.
Imagine not having to feel invalidated every day, because there's nobody gaslighting & financially abusing you. Let alone emotionally abusing you & terrorising you with his anger displays.

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.
It's deliberate.
It's done to confuse & unsettle you, To keep you undermined & scared.
That is who he is. A man who enjoys frightening a woman.
Please leave him. Do you need support while you think through how to do that?

ConnieTucker · 11/12/2022 10:13

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, he is abusive and dangerous. Distance yourself from him immediately. This IS gaslighting. He is making you think you are losing your mind a little at a tome so you no longer trust yourself. Communicate where essential via text or email. Keep the evidence.

Isittrueornot · 11/12/2022 10:49

I’m speechless that even for a second you considered this your fault and need to apologise.
I can’t even comprehend how you would come to that conclusion?!?
He needs to apologise and you need to leave him for good, his fucking with your head

SlouchingTowardsBethlehemAgain · 11/12/2022 14:44

You are too good for this nasty man. Get rid.

Keasas · 22/05/2023 12:58

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