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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 am confused about whether he hates me

39 replies

Confusedandhurt9 · 10/09/2023 18:53

I’ve been with my bf 2.5 years. Last week I introduced him to a colleague. She said to me in front of him that she doesn’t know how I manage to raise a child (not his) and work and succeed in my career. She said she’s in awe of me and then asked something like “what’s the secret?” My bf butt in and said “having a nanny is the big secret.” I felt so hurt by this. My nanny spends only 3.5h a day with my child. I do all cooking. She doesn’t cook. I get my child ready for school, I do the laundry. I cook breakfast lunch and dinner. Nanny’s sole job is to collect my child and bring her home safely and warm up her dinner. It makes me feel like he doesn’t respect me and instead of championing me (especially first time he met my colleagues) he basically made a hurtful comment.

Am I overreacting?

Another thing is that I work very long hours. I applied for this program recently and instead of supporting me he sulked that I’d work more. I also got some tattoos for the first time (very discrete) and he said I used to be elegant and classy and now he has to look at my awful tattoos all the time. When I said that’s not ok to say he said well I tell him if his haircut doesn’t look good so he’s entitled to do the same. I don’t ever say it like that.

I feel he hates me but I’m not sure bc every time I try to end it he comes crawling back.

On Friday he had a go at me bc I didn’t remind my child to say bye to him as she left for her dad’s for the weekend. Yesterday I spent an hour with my friend on Zoom (overran by 50 mins) helping her train to be a therapist (she wanted to practice some techniques) and he got mad at me and said I left him alone all evening when I’d initially said it would take 30 mins. I don’t get why it’s such a big deal… he sulked off to bed.

I left an abusive marriage several years ago and I’m confused if this is another one of those relationships.

OP posts:
DRS1970 · 10/09/2023 18:55

I think you're overreacting, he isn't entirely wrong in what he said.

Thecaravan · 10/09/2023 19:04

He sounds like an asshole and although yes you do have a nanny, it sounds like it's more how he said it than what he said. The rest of it (tattoos, zoom call, leaving and coming crawling back) just reinforces his asshole status. You can do much better.

Fredblog · 10/09/2023 22:33

I wouldn't call this abuse

Lavender14 · 10/09/2023 22:37

I don't think he's necessarily abusive but it's definitely not healthy and he's not being respectful in how he speaks to you. The nanny thing- I think we carry a lot of guilt and self doubt as working mums trying to juggle a lot and I don't think men understand that as fully as they could. So it may have been him trying to be funny without realising how undermining it would feel to you. Personally I would ditch him and find someone more thoughtful.

CatherinedeBourgh · 10/09/2023 22:40

Sounds like he's trying to undermine your confidence. Always a bad sign. Even if he is not abusive now he is on his way, so I'd get rid before he gets there.

sodthesodoff · 10/09/2023 22:41

Well he's not very nice is he

And sulking is more damaging than it sounds

Worrying you say you've tried to break up with him before many times but he finds a way back. Why is that?

Talkwhilstyouwalk · 10/09/2023 22:41

I think you are completely over reacting on the comment unless there are other things at play here. It was factual and I don't think he was trying to take away from your efforts at all. Don't you need the nanny to work the hours you do? It's a bit like saying "having a cleaner", "having helpful grandparents", or anything else that helps you to manage your work/life balance....

It may be other issues that are leading you to feel like this. But purely going on that comment, I would not be offended at all....

AnneLovesGilbert · 10/09/2023 22:42

None of that suggests he hates you but you don’t seem to like him.

If that’s the sake then break up with him but you’re not blameless in all of your examples and you’re trying to control his feelings and the way he expresses them.

LusaBatoosa · 11/09/2023 01:22

Just end it. If you’re not enjoying a relationship, stop being in it. It really is that simple.

Brightandshining · 11/09/2023 01:30

I think you're overreacting about the nanny comment and him being sad you are working more. The nanny comment was probably just light hearted.. maybe slightly thoughtless but I doubt he meant any disrespect.
The being sad about you working more is kind of understandable if he wanted to spend time with you.
The tattoo comments however were very rude and unnecessary and do cone across as controlling.

RantyAnty · 11/09/2023 01:39

He seems a bit jealous of you and has contempt for you.

jeaux90 · 11/09/2023 06:50

It doesn't sound abusive but does sound undermining. Any grown adult that sulks should be binned.

PaminaMozart · 11/09/2023 06:58

You have identified several red flags, but it boils down to his actions leaving you 'confused'.

If a man causes this degree of confusion, it means that you don't feel that he has your back. Because he doesn't. He is training you to submit to his wants and needs, at the expense of yours.

In time he'll competely erode your confidence. If you stay... In my opinion it is time to walk.

Hillrunning · 11/09/2023 07:01

He doesn't seem to like you much. Nor you him really. Relationships are supposed to enhance the life of both people in them. This doesn't appear to be happening in yours. I'd call it quits.

Also, 'abusive l' should not the be cut off bar for a relationship. 'Makes me feel bad' would be a better one.

Loubelle70 · 11/09/2023 07:07

DRS1970 · 10/09/2023 18:55

I think you're overreacting, he isn't entirely wrong in what he said.

Youre just pushing your narrative rather than answering OP question.

Ibetthatyoulookgoodon · 11/09/2023 07:07

I agree with the pp - this doesn’t need to be abuse for it to be a good idea to end it. It doesn’t sound like a good relationship and it sounds like you and your DC would be better off without him.

For what it’s worth I agree with you that his comments to your colleague were unnecessary and not very kind to imply it’s easy looking after a child and working FT just because you have an after school nanny. It would literally be impossible to do it otherwise, given school hours are so much shorter than the working week.

the stuff about the tattoos is un acceptable and the sulking is annoying.

Just get rid of him, he can’t come crawling back if you don’t let him.

saffronsoup · 11/09/2023 07:12

Just end it. You don't like him. You don't like what he says and does.

You are at the point in the relationship where every little thing about him irritates you and resentment is building. It will only get worse.

Loubelle70 · 11/09/2023 07:14

The first part of post, he is abusive i feel. He tried to demean your worth in front of others. Btw anyone saying he is right on this is b.s, women use childcare everyday so they can work, and why not?!!!

2nd part about tattoo is again trying to devalue you. Your body, your choice

3rd part about helping your friend online, it only over run by say around 25 mins, and he got sulk on?

Personally, i see massive red flags here. My ex tried to do all of these and he was massively abusive. Initially not so, he slipped in little bits often then these instances became bigger and more cruel and frequent

Dery · 11/09/2023 07:20

Agree with @saffronsoup - just end it. You aren’t suited. It sounds like you’re too busy for a relationship right now anyway - working long hours with a child to care for and now you want to add in studying. That’s great but, while I think he sounds a bit irritating, I can see why he’s wondering where he fits in. In fact, it’s enough that you’ve tried to end it before. Just end it and don’t let him back in. You’re not obliged to date this guy or any guy.

Epidote · 11/09/2023 07:25

He is jealous of your success and your actitud.
It won't stop and yes it sounds like the beginning of a toxic relationship.

Don't look back next time you close the door leaving him out.

You don't need him, you already have a life, he is there to share with you , companion, etc not to undermine, criticise, minimise and dictate.

bjrce · 11/09/2023 07:30

It actually sounds like you're both getting tired of each other and getting on each others nerves

Things he is saying is starting to grate on you, and vice versa. Hr hasn't actually lied about anything, you're just not happy with his opinions.

It might well be the beginning of the end for both of you unless you want to still make it work, but it does sound like its coming from both sides. He's not fully to blame.

Thisisworsethananticpated · 11/09/2023 07:31

Yes I think you have gone from an abusive relationship to a nasty cxxt

sorry ! Happens to the best of us

GLORIAGloriarse · 11/09/2023 07:33

You having a nanny isn't 'the secret' to your success, you do most of the work, she helps for a small portion of the day so no, it isn't factual. No problem if she did more but he was very quick to jump in and minimise everything you do.

He sounds undermining, fault picking and contemptuous. The comments about your tattoo are unpleasant. This is man who resents your success and is even starting to involve your child in his criticism. Doesn't sound like it is going in a great direction.

OneMoreCookieMonster · 11/09/2023 07:57

Having a nanny is a child care choice. And, believe it or not if used part time having one is very affordable and gives you better hours and more flexibility than a nursery or childminder.

I don't think you're over reacting. I think in isolation these incidents look like not a huge deal but if they are constantly happening, each time it happens it becomes more magnified.

At 2.5 years in, you should feel free to be yourself completely. You shouldn't be walking on eggshells. If you aren't there yet, you will be soon.

Also, what's with the break ups and Jim coming back? Every time, you've broken up there was a reason and it sounds like you have plenty

Divinespark · 11/09/2023 08:00

This isn't abusive. You're nothing not suited to each other.