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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

Silent treatment after works do

377 replies

Dachshundmamax · 20/11/2023 21:12

Hi all. First time posting but really need some advice.
I’ve been with my bf for around 10 months now, he’s 15 years older than me, (in his 50s) but I thought a mature man could treat me better than men my age.

anyway, we spend most weekends in at his house even though I have my own place, but he always insist we stay at his. It’s a nice place, although sometimes he does have lodgers staying. I’m usually there 3 nights per week, leaving my own 18 year old son at home who I do miss when I’m away.

I haven’t seen much of my friends at the weekend since I met my bf, and felt like I needed some space and me time lately, so with my works Xmas do coming up at the weekend, I decided to stay at mine all weekend have time with my friends and family. I wasn’t funny with him at all, told him I’d see him next weekend and everything was fine.

on Saturday, I was enjoying being at home and getting ready for a night out. He was messaging me a few bizarre things. He sent me a photo of a bracelet that he found down the side of his couch when he was cleaning asking if it was mine. It wasn’t. He said it must have been someone else’s before me and binned it. Then he was insisting that he pick me up after my works do to take me back to his later on. I wouldn’t have my stuff at his house, plus I was looking forward to having a girly night and probably a late one since I hadn’t let me hair down in a while, so I politely told him no thanks.

he asked me to FaceTime him before I headed out, which I did, and he told me I was showing “too much breast” and was not happy that people could look at my cleavage. I’m not the most self confident person, and my boobs are probably the only thing about myself I’m happy with. He knows this.

I was messaging him while at the Xmas do, keeping him updated with my night and we didn’t speak much after 11pm as he usually goes to bed at that time anyway. I had a great night out with friends I hadn’t seen in a long time and really enjoyed myself.

I messaged him in the morning at 10:30 saying “morning”. He wrote “morning” back. I asked him if he was ok, no reply. Tried ringing him, didn’t answer. Text him again saying I don’t like the silent treatment, he didn’t reply.

He’s text me today at 2pm saying “i think I’ve got myself in a pickle, don’t know how to make things better” so I replied “i don’t understand?”. I’ve tried to ring him, he’s ignored me. He’s been online, and ghosted me again all day. I’ve told him maybe it’s best I get my things from his house this week (small belongings I’ve left there over the months). He’s read it and not replied.

is this punishment for me having a life/going out? This is the first night I’ve had out since being with him since March. Just want to add, we always stay in at his house and he has never taken me out for a meal and paid.

it feels like emotional abuse/controlling behaviour. What would you do?

OP posts:
skagirl · 22/11/2023 19:08

dump him he's a control freak and will only get worse , mind games etc you're going to be miserable if you stay with him and he won't be happy till you're a shadow of your former self .

Delaire13 · 22/11/2023 19:11

Girl get out and stay out , this kind of coercive and manipulative behaviour is him showing you that being with him means having no life of your own,no nights out no friends, get far away fast and block block.block.him from ever contacting you again.

ElliePapillon · 22/11/2023 19:15

HI, firstly sorry that happened to you sounds really unsettling.

I would say lots of red flags there, I think there is a lot of immaturity coming from him.
I think you would be better off finding someone who is confident enough in themselves who doesn't project their insecurities on to you, someone who can celebrate you.

Hope you are okay and you got your things back ❤️

Trommelgeroffel · 22/11/2023 19:22

God, he sounds awful. Get rid.

Stirfriedrice · 22/11/2023 19:27

Papacharlie · 22/11/2023 19:06

Honestly, I'd be careful collecting your things. I'd take someone with you. And make sure it's the last time you visit his place.

Please read OP's updates.

TomTom2022 · 22/11/2023 19:27

It's time to call it a day I've had a few boyfriends like that he's a control freak get your stuff and don't look back x

Mumma1095 · 22/11/2023 19:29

Or did he cheat?

Ap42 · 22/11/2023 19:29

Run for the hills. This is how my ex partner started, silent treatment for xyz reasons. It absolutely will get worse, I ended up I'm a refuge to get away from.him.

Lovetosleep1 · 22/11/2023 19:35

Bloody hell he sounds like a nightmare. This kind of thing makes me never want to meet anyone again. Well done, your life has just improved massively.

Bellarose53 · 22/11/2023 19:42

You have already answered your own question. Do take care, you know what it is

choccytime · 22/11/2023 19:47

So pleased you ended it

AcrossthePond55 · 22/11/2023 19:53

@Dachshundmamax

Wonderful result!!! I'll be you feel <insert his weight> lighter!

NZSB · 22/11/2023 20:01

Get out now.

I have finally managed to extract myself from my older, controlling narcissist of a partner. Reading how your partner is behaving almost mirrors my ex (although at least he did take me out for a meal or two).

The silent treatment from anyone is ridiculous. We have one life, it's not a dress rehearsal!

He'll be in touch soon enough if you want to collect your things but as someone who has come out of the other side.... Run as fast as your legs can carry you and don't look back!

NZSB · 22/11/2023 20:03

Oh bloody well done. You got out. Take care and have a wonderful life without him! X

Weezee0409 · 22/11/2023 20:22

End it now!! 10 months is alot easier to leave behind than a few years if you stay and he gets worse.

Weezee0409 · 22/11/2023 20:25

Just read further down and can see you've left. Welldone , enjoy your life and your time with your son, friends and family x

40butfab · 22/11/2023 20:52

This sounds just like my ex husband, and it's the beginning of a coercive control situation. You need to be very careful and not allow him to manipulate you into believing he is somehow the victim in this situation (this is the textbook response after this kind of behaviour where you end up apologising to him even though he is the one who has behaved badly).

The signs are already there - always wanting you at his house even though you miss your son, trying to get you to change your plans to suit him. He has targeted you because you have low self esteem, but the best thing you can do is realise you deserve better and walk away.

Take care of yourself xx

40butfab · 22/11/2023 20:56

@Dachshundmamax just saw that you've already left so well done! Best decision you could have made.

Lotyt · 22/11/2023 21:01

Well done. These men are hard to spot in the early days but they always show their hand at some point.

Joyonacake · 22/11/2023 21:51

LylaLee · 21/11/2023 05:01

Ikr

Imagine paying for someone's food shop AND cooking it, instead of being wined and dined ten months in.

You need to look into something like the freedom project to figure out why you were so ripe to be ill treated.

@LylaLee your tone is judgemental, victim blaming, and not very kind or helpful.

TalkToTheHand123 · 22/11/2023 22:36

What was the "in a bit of a pickle" about?

Catoo · 22/11/2023 23:21

TalkToTheHand123 · 22/11/2023 22:36

What was the "in a bit of a pickle" about?

Assume the arsehole was pretending he’d had another woman over (hence the bracelet bullshit) to teach her a lesson for going out, looking nice without him, and for not paying for and cooking his dinner! My guess he stayed in sulking and swiping right on Tinder. OP appears not to have given much of a shiny shit what it was about, and has binned him off. 👍

billy1966 · 22/11/2023 23:28

Catoo · 22/11/2023 23:21

Assume the arsehole was pretending he’d had another woman over (hence the bracelet bullshit) to teach her a lesson for going out, looking nice without him, and for not paying for and cooking his dinner! My guess he stayed in sulking and swiping right on Tinder. OP appears not to have given much of a shiny shit what it was about, and has binned him off. 👍

This.

He sounds so dim-witted 🙄.

A mean, dim twat.

She is so well rid.

Celinea20222 · 23/11/2023 02:01

If you feel like you need time alone, without the constant calling you when your busy working, napping,etc.You have the right to be happy & put yourself first( like others do) Enjoy a good date!

Celinea20222 · 23/11/2023 02:50

I'm kinda nervous about having a guy over,but kinda excited.Its been awhile.It almost feels like a first date.Any suggestions?

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