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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

I genuinely don't know whether I'm crazy or what....

79 replies

Whatjusthappenedthen · 30/03/2023 14:18

I don't even know where to start...I feel like my partners behaviour is driving me crazy and I can't get my head around how this all happens! Is it me, is it him...why can't we communicate?

Here's whats happened since yesterday, and this is fairly typical of our disagreements;

And here's the thing, I can never really remember how the arguments actually start, all I can ever remember is how unloved, lonely and disrespected I feel, then it all escalates so badly and I have no idea how to sort things out.

Anyway I basically I have a female cat that I was hoping to take to stud (don't have the mental energy to explain all that so please don't ask) but she's come into call this week, when I'm a bit short on money (to be able to justify a stud fee) as I recently had to pay out £800 for rhe car to pass it's MOT which wiped out my savings - I am on universal credit (joint claim) as I dont work due to anxiety and my partner is self employed, all bills, rent, food etc come out of my account and he only has to pay for his own van insurance/tax, phone contract and a machinery loan payment out of his earnings each month. He also pays for weekend food most weeks, I pay for the weekday shopping.

A couple of days ago I mentioned I thought the cat was coming into call but was stressed as it was such bad timing with the money situation, he said that at the end of the week he should be able to help out with the stud fee when he got paid, then he asked how much I would need, to which I blurted out "all of it, pretty much, at this rate!" as I was quite stresed with money. He didn't say anything so I took that as meaning he wouldn't be able to lend me the full amount.

Yesterday it was evident that my cat was in full call. This meant she needed to go to the vet for a snap test and straight to our chosen stud. I'd hinted around the subject for a couple of days, saying things like "it really looks like she's coming into call, I'm not sure what to do" and my partner would either stay silent or agree that yes, it looks like she was coming into call.
I didn't want to ask about money as I hate borrowing and couldn't organise my thoughts as to whether to breed her now, or wait until I have the fee saved up but risk her not coming back into call for another couple of months as she's a bit sporadic.

So yesterday, there she was in full call, rolling around and screaming and my partner mentioned nothing about taking her to stud or me borrowing some money.
What he did do, was eventually as if I was coming to the local market with him to get some plants.

I said no, the cat's in call and I am annoyed that I can't take her to stud as I'd need to borrow the money from you, but you haven't offered any and are now going to the market. He said nothing and just stared at me.
I then said something along the lines of saying I was confused that he had kind of offered to help out with the stud fee earlier that week but then when the cat had come into call he suddenly went quiet on me. He said "I offered you the money earlier in the week. I didn't think I needed to offer it again". And then we went round in circles where I was just saying that I didn't feel I should have to ask, he said he didn't feel like he needed to offer again, then he threw in the odd nasty statement like "you've been waiting for her to call since January, why haven't you got the stud fee saved?", I replied that he doesn't contribute a regular amount to the household and I'm so short on money and with the car having to be fixed...etc etc, then called him hypocritical because he can't save to save his life, yet he's off to the market to buy plants rather than contribute to the bills (thus lart is a recurring argument so tends to get dragged up by me a lot unfortunately).

He ended up walking out and doing something in the garden for half an hour before driving off in his van for a few hours.

When he came back, he didn't speak to me for a few more hours, I didn't seek out conversation but we were both civil when we had to speak (when the children came home from school etc).

By the evening things had calmed down, still tense but no more arguing.

This morning, he said he would lend me the stud fee if I needed it so we are just back from taking the cat to stud.

The problem is, when we got home I noticed the mini greenhouse I had got him for his birthday in Feb had disappeared from the garden. I asked where it was and he nonchalantly said " I broke it up and took it to the tip yesterday".
Cue another row - I asked why he'd do that, he said "it's because I felt like I couldn't even go to the market to get plants without being nagged at, so now I've solved the problem", me asking why he was being so cold about the fact he threw a present away, clearly to prove a point to me, and me thinking he should apologise about the argument yesterday (and me too, but nothing ever gets resolved as he never sees the part he had to play in things, therefore never apologises and never learns) but him insisting he was the wronged party.

As soon as we got in, even though we were talking about the greenhouse trashing at the time, he never looked remorseful, in fact said he wasn't sorry as I had 'stopped' him from buying plants, and he started making toast immediately. Then eating the toast, all while I was trying to talk to him.
He always starts doing something when I'm talking to him about this kind of stuff and always ignores me while he's doing the thing.

So I end up getting more annoyed.

This time, I said 'why are you ignoring me?" To which he snapped back "I'm eating" so I stopped talking.
Once he was finished eating, he left the room without speaking, went into the bathroom and started shaving, then went upstairs to have a shower, came down and got dressed etc then stayed in the bedroom- all while presumably, he knows we were in the middle of trying to sort things out (or arguing, as he probably sees it).

He's just, after 30 minutes, come back into the living room, asked me the password for the laptop then gone back into the bedroom.

He hasn't said a word about what I was trying to talk about and I just don't know where to go from here!

I have no clue whether he thinks I'm a giant nag that brings this stuff up to annoy him somehow, or what. Why can't he see or understand when I tell him, that I feel completely ignored, not respected and unloved by him?

Bit of a rant, apologies its so long but I feel like I'm going crazy here.
I need advice on what to say to make him understand that my feelings are important and we need to talk things through if we have any hope of saving the relationship, because I can't live like this anymore.

OP posts:
PeaceLilyCactus · 30/03/2023 20:45

I have a relative who works for the rspca and they have to deal with so many ‘poor’ people who use their pets to make money, and don’t give a shit about the well-being of their pet or their offspring. They sell their kittens/puppies to anyone who’ll buy them without a care. Most of the animals end up in rehoming centres. Please stop using your pet like that. It’s heartless. No excuses are acceptable. How would you like to live that life where you’re only value is how much money you can make your owner?

MyriadOfTravels · 30/03/2023 20:46

Thé issue here is that you are not a team.

So he us saying yes to lending you the money but then expects you to ask again. He won’t take an active role re tte cat ‘because it’s not his/his problem’.
Same with the split of money re car and any sudden expenses that will ALWAYS fall into you (I got that right?). Hence the fact you haven’t got any money but he has some for his own enjoyment (plants)

Because you are not a team, you asking him to lend you some money makes you feel bad too. Plus, you expect him to behave as if you were a team, when he doesn’t. Cue for frustration and resentment on your part.

On the top of it, he has weird reactions (he clearly thought he would hurt you by destroying your gift but he has hurt himself more by nit having the greenhouse??).

This is running deep and I suspect has an impact in other areas too….

Throwncrumbs · 30/03/2023 20:58

Poor cat needs rehoming to someone who will love it and not see££££

Merryoldgoat · 30/03/2023 21:15

Your OP is full of poor decision making, passive aggressive behaviour on both sides and a complete lack of regard for each other.

You live on a low income and your partner doesn’t contribute properly yet you’re shelling out for stud fees.

Your other thread was full of the same dysfunction.

You need to do what you can to start making better decisions, whether that’s splitting up, managing your money better, counselling etc.

This stuff will happen over and over until you deal with your communication problems.

MaxiPaddy · 31/03/2023 00:26

Oh, god, I just realized what thread 'gravygate' is referring to.

I take back you both being horrible. It's just you. Seriously. You have serious issues and need serious help. Stop making your whole family miserable and using your poor cat in a way you can't handle.

I'm a registered dog breeder and lost $25,000 last year because of litters going wrong, and because I take responsibility for my girls and make sure they are taken care of. If you can't afford the stud fee, then you'll probably leave your cat and ensuing kittens to die if there's any complications. You honestly disgust me. I hope someone reports you to the government.

Dicktimsabound · 31/03/2023 00:43

The poor cat. GET IT NEUTERED AND STOP PIMPING IT. Do you know the situation with rescues overflowing cos idiots keep breeding their pets?

MissingMoominMamma · 31/03/2023 00:48

Are you breeding your cat to get money? How often is she in season?

What will you do if the cat needs veterinary treatment whilst pregnant, or she and/or kittens do afterwards?

Did he agree to kittens?

BertaHoon · 31/03/2023 00:48

Call Cats Protection, get a voucher towards spaying and put your poor cat out her misery. So bloody selfish!

Wednesdaysotherchild · 31/03/2023 01:37

TedMullins · 30/03/2023 15:18

Good grief you both sound awful.

Don’t breed the cat, there are too many unwanted strays as it is.

Dump him and get a job.

This. I hope you don’t have kids together, what an example you both are…

BlüeöysterCunt · 31/03/2023 01:52

UndercoverCop · 30/03/2023 19:45

Oh god I remember, where you threw a strop because your child used the gravy before you.
It's you, it's definitely you.

Oh my god 😬

Please split up and give the cat to me I'm happy to rescue it from this toxicity

DeeCeeCherry · 31/03/2023 02:03

I felt tired reading that. Why on earth you're staying with him, I can't even fathom. There are far nicer men out there. & It's not even about nicer men really. Its about taking back your peace, your direction in life. & not acting like 1 unkind man is the key to your whole existence Going it alone if you have to. Many brave women do so, when needs must.

I don't know what this 'gravygate' is that pp's are mentioning but you're both drama llamas anyway.

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 31/03/2023 02:09

Why do you keep going on about breeding your cat? or your cat being 'on call' (so crass).

Your priorities are all wrong.

Get some counselling or medication (or both) for your anxiety and get back to work, before you expect your self-employed partner to cough up for your cat hobby. Do you expect him to pay for all the cat food too?

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 31/03/2023 02:11

Call Cat's Protection. If you cannot afford your MOT then you can't afford to look after a litter of kittens.

QueenBee1234 · 31/03/2023 06:22

Stop posting threads trying to get everyone to agree that your partner is the problem (hint, it is at least 50% you🙄)
You upset your poor child by kicking up a massive fuss because they used the gravy before you....your partner didn't handle it well afterwards but you created the problem!
You didn't* *have the stud fee for your cat, instead of asking your partner for the money he offered like an adult you spent days hinting that you needed the money and then had a strop over plants.
Perhaps if you both got jobs and spent time out of the house you would have more disposable income and less time to wind each other up.
Win for the cat too as you won't need her uterus to support your lifestyle.

RedHelenB · 31/03/2023 07:11

You do sound like hard work to me . If you wanted to borrow money just ask, no need to bang on about plants etc

TiredandLate · 31/03/2023 07:42

How are you going to afford to vet check, feed, worm and flea 6 or 7 kittens when you are skint on benefits? None of this makes much sense. Getting a job would be a better idea.

katmarie · 31/03/2023 08:26

monsteramunch · 30/03/2023 20:32

Does anyone have a link to the gravygate thread? I'm trying to picture what could be so dramatic about gravy but this place always surprises me...!

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/4766736-dinner-just-went-to-shit-why?page=1

Gravygate

Washingforweeks · 31/03/2023 12:05

What’s bankrolling?

EvenMoreFuriousVexation · 31/03/2023 12:47

Washingforweeks · 31/03/2023 12:05

What’s bankrolling?

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bankroll

I hadn't realised OP was the gravygate poster.

OP things really sound very difficult in your house for every member of it (including the cat!) Would you consider getting some form of family therapy to help you all communicate better with each other?

Your various ND statuses as individuals are surely in play here. It all sounds extremely stressful.

Definition of BANKROLL

supply of money : funds… See the full definition

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bankroll

monsteramunch · 31/03/2023 13:48

Just read your other thread.

Your 'partner' is a bully who picks on your children in front of you.

Nice.

MegaClutterSlut · 31/03/2023 15:32

Its not a money making machine! Just get the poor cat bloody neutered ffs

NicholJO · 31/03/2023 19:34

Seriously your a animal abuser you want to mate your poor cat for money gain you should be reported to the RSPDSA and you and your dp are a joke

Timetosayno · 31/03/2023 19:38

Gardenerboo · 30/03/2023 16:08

I’m not sure that a cat stud fee would be a priority for me if money was tight.

This

gamerchick · 31/03/2023 19:52

Sounds like you need to get a job OP. Occupy your mind a bit.

Get the cat neutered. Poor little bugger.

paulaparticles · 31/03/2023 20:54

I think you need some support. Some family therapy is needed. Also if you both don't work and are under each other's feet all the time you will annoy each other. Maybe consider a hobby.