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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

AIBU to be sick of hearing about his exes?

31 replies

missmatch23 · 25/09/2023 18:35

I've been seeing someone on and off for a while now. Started off as nothing, became something, he messed up and now I see him when I can be bothered. I don't have a great deal of spare time, and would much rather spend my free time with my DS, so it works ok.

When we first met, we got on like a house on fire; would spend hours speaking about all kinds of random, interesting things. We both love music so would speak about that. We both exchanged experiences from past relationships etc. When we did get serious, his most recent ex of whom he'd been separated from over two years, and who is the mum of his youngest child, decided she didn't like he was moving on and caused a lot of grief. Above all else, her feelings were always placed over mine. When I questioned why we had to be so considerate of her feelings, I was told it was because she was the mum of his child.

Moving on, things were never the same after all the trouble caused, simply because I was targeted and never really defended. I would listen to him complain about her and be supportive when she stopped contact with their LO, and as soon as they were friends again, nothing against her could be said. It was during this time I think I fell out of love with him. I understand he was in a difficult position, but didn't appreciate the hurt and turmoil I'd be put through for no good reason. I decided to call it a day.

We've been back in touch around two months now, things died down when she heard I was off the scene and we decided to just go with the flow and see what happened. The problem is, whenever we're together (we can go a couple of weeks not seeing each other), literally all he talks about is his most recent ex, complaining about how unfair she has been towards him, how she's lied about him etc, but for the past month or so also, he has begun going on about his ex before her, who he separated from 8 years ago and has older teen children with. We literally sit together with him going on about how badly done to he is and was, for hours and hours on end. I try to move the discussion on to something else, but it literally returns back to his ex partners.

The last time I seen him, I tried to talk about something else. When I started a new topic, he tried to take the conversation back and I simply stated "that is all in the distant past now. Let's look to the future", and he just carried on, for another two hours or so. I find myself just sitting there listening to him nodding and drifting off in my mind. I feel awful for saying that, we all need support and an ear, but when it's literally the only topic of conversation, for hours on end when we've not seen each other for weeks, AIBU to just not want to hear anymore of it?

OP posts:
MissingMoominMamma · 25/09/2023 18:40

Absolutely not bu. He sounds painful.

MissConductUS · 25/09/2023 18:41

He's not actually available to be in a relationship with you. Move on to someone who is.

missmatch23 · 25/09/2023 18:43

@MissingMoominMamma honestly it wasn't always like this. He said to me a few weeks ago, "I think I've spoken to you more than I ever spoke to anyone else." I thought bloody hell, I can tell. Around 10 years ago I qualified as a PC therapist, and honestly feel like his counsellor. Not his girlfriend.

OP posts:
missmatch23 · 25/09/2023 18:43

@MissConductUS I think you're right. There has been a complete U-Turn. Obviously things have triggered unfinished business within him.

OP posts:
Ragwort · 25/09/2023 18:44

Why are you wasting your time with him? If you only see him 'if you're bothered' ... then why bother? Hmm. He's got three DC and (at least) two failed relationships ... he's hardly catch of the year is he? I'd rather watch paint dry than listen to his snivelling.

Stay home with your DS.

TheShellBeach · 25/09/2023 18:44

Console yourself by reflecting that he'll soon be telling his next girlfriend what a nightmare you were when he went out with you.
Grin

KeepTheTempo · 25/09/2023 18:48

He has children with 2 different exes AND spends all his time moaning about them?

Bunting full of red flags.

missmatch23 · 25/09/2023 18:48

@TheShellBeach yes probably 🤣 I found it really hard to not point out he's not a barrel of laughs to be around himself recently.

OP posts:
category12 · 25/09/2023 18:56

Dump the guy already.

Celynfour · 25/09/2023 19:05

Maybe you are inadvertently channelling a PCC core conditions vibe .
Perhaps you need lay the expectations that being interesting , interested and good company is a 2 way street .
And if he doesn’t …

missmatch23 · 25/09/2023 19:10

@Celynfour I think the expectation of me to listen and be understanding unconditionally was set when I supported him through the really rough patch, until my limits were pushed and I ended things.
I have struggled to say out loud that I'm struggling to listen to him, simply because it's ingrained in me now to be a listener. However, it feels draining as soon as he starts the conversation now.

All the interesting things that attracted me have gone away. All that's left is a man looking for a constant shoulder to cry on.

OP posts:
Catsafterme · 25/09/2023 19:15

How much has happened at what point does he run out of content?

By the sounds of it he hasn't dealt with his own issues relating to them. Either they were a problem or he was the problem but whichever he's clearly not over it.

Goodornot · 25/09/2023 19:21

I've been seeing someone on and off for a while now. Started off as nothing, became something, he messed up and now I see him when I can be bothered. I don't have a great deal of spare time, and would much rather spend my free time with my DS, so it works ok.

it doesn't sound as if you've ever been his girlfriend. If you only see him when you can be bothered and he only talks about exes why bother?
**

missmatch23 · 25/09/2023 19:21

@Catsafterme it all gets very repetitive, a common occurrence when someone is grieving something.

He has definitely been part of the problem. Although, there is now a very constant tone of wanting pitty. I'm struggling to keep my cool, as I know me pointing out that he has contributed to the issue wouldn't go down well. In a session, I would challenge my client a little to do some self exploration however, I'm not his counsellor and he wouldn't want to hear it.

Just feel really done. Like I don't know the person he is now. I struggle with seeing someone down, but it can't continue like this.

OP posts:
missmatch23 · 25/09/2023 19:22

@Goodornot because it wasn't always like this.

OP posts:
Oldthyme · 25/09/2023 19:26

Life’s too short.
Dump him. Do whatever it takes to get rid

Dayhee · 25/09/2023 19:27

Just bring it to an end. I’m not sure what the difficulty in doing that is, particularly if you aren’t really that bothered about him anyway.

missmatch23 · 25/09/2023 19:31

Just to clarify, I wasn't asking or saying how difficult it is to dump him. I was asking if I'm being an out and out bitch for being sick of hearing about the same thing for hours on end.

Thanks.

OP posts:
Catsafterme · 25/09/2023 19:37

@missmatch23 Oh, I see I thought he was telling you new things each time.

No you're not, I think most people wouldn't want to hear about exes, especially not that much.

FlutterShite · 25/09/2023 19:37

No, it's perfectly understandable that you'd be cheesed off with all that. He doesn't seem to have put you first at any point, so why should you prioritise him with his hang-ups about exes?

0lga · 25/09/2023 19:41

missmatch23 · 25/09/2023 19:31

Just to clarify, I wasn't asking or saying how difficult it is to dump him. I was asking if I'm being an out and out bitch for being sick of hearing about the same thing for hours on end.

Thanks.

Well that’s a bit of a silly question for a trained counsellor . Feelings aren’t right or wrong - they just are.

So how does having feelings make you a bitch?

what are these feelings telling you about your wants and needs ?

Epidote · 25/09/2023 19:44

YANBU to be bored of his moaning and using you as free counselling.
Dump him, maybe that way he will moan to his ex about you.

missmatch23 · 25/09/2023 19:55

@0lga no question is a silly question.

OP posts:
Ragwort · 25/09/2023 20:37

Don't let your 'counselling' skills & training get in the way of acknowledging that this is just a needy bloke trying to off load on you . Get rid.

MissConductUS · 25/09/2023 20:51

missmatch23 · 25/09/2023 19:31

Just to clarify, I wasn't asking or saying how difficult it is to dump him. I was asking if I'm being an out and out bitch for being sick of hearing about the same thing for hours on end.

Thanks.

No, you're just correctly getting irritated about being taken for a mug.

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