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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:
Zonder · 23/11/2023 03:16

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?

Best to start your own thread.

Olika · 23/11/2023 05:18

Great job for getting your stuff back and rid of him. 👏

Alohapotato · 23/11/2023 06:33

He sounds very controlling and abusive. I would stop seeing him.

PerspiringElizabeth · 23/11/2023 06:47

Bit late @Alohapotato !

SarahJanex12 · 23/11/2023 07:58

I agree with everyone's initial points here... Red flags... Dump immediately...
But it's so easy to say this when it's not our own feelings involved looking in from the outside. If I took this perspective of my relationship over the last 14 years then I would have told myself to leave him more times than I've changed underwear 🫣

Is this the first time it's happened? But also the first time you've stood up for your independence and spent time away? If so I would be inclined to say he's just been totally thrown by you wanting time to have fun and that being without him. Men are like children and throw their dummies out the pram often 😂

Personally my first move would be to let the dust settle get together and have a calm chat about what happened and let him speak. Chances are he's realised he's been a dick and will thank the lucky stars you haven't already run for the hills.

Good luck let us know how you get on 💕

EDIT'
This was my very first reply to a post sorry everyone I'm a newbie!!
I've just worked out how to view your other posts and I'm so sorry but also glad you've been strong enough to do what you had to do. After reading the rest it sounds to me you did the right thing. I hope you have a good support network to keep you positive and move on xxx

ChannelNo19EDT · 23/11/2023 08:13

Problem with the type of person who gives the silent treatment is that it's their strategy to avoid a reasonable conversation.

SarahJanex12 · 23/11/2023 08:31

Very true my partner can be like this but it's usually because I talk enough for the both of us 👀😂 I'm just glad to hear that there is a positive result from this thread for OP.

jamandchutney · 23/11/2023 09:55

My advice would be to leave this man asap and get you things back. Can you take someone with you to do that, in case things turn unpleasant. My daughter was with a boyfriend 15 years older than her for several years. He was way too old for her and very controlling. I was so happy when she finally realised what we'd been saying and he was no good for her. Some of the behaviour you have described is listed on information leaflets about what to look out for if you think you are in an abusive relationship. Check them out.
Wishing you all the very best.

JumpingDizzy · 23/11/2023 10:56

PLEASE CLICK SEE ALL ON OP'S POSTS. SHE'S LEFT!

jamandchutney · 23/11/2023 11:17

Sorry everyone, hadn't realised this thread had ended.

KtB87 · 23/11/2023 12:34

That's amazing, great to have read the update.

Hoping the tail end of the year has a big upturn for you (though it sounds it already has having your life back.) Enjoy! Xx

JFDIYOLO · 23/11/2023 12:46

How are you today OP?

JumpingDizzy · 23/11/2023 13:02

jamandchutney · 23/11/2023 11:17

Sorry everyone, hadn't realised this thread had ended.

She's left him. Don't know about the thread?

jamandchutney · 23/11/2023 14:50

There's 2 messages above, sent after mine. I've never posted before so no, I don't know how it all fully works.

JumpingDizzy · 23/11/2023 17:07

jamandchutney · 23/11/2023 14:50

There's 2 messages above, sent after mine. I've never posted before so no, I don't know how it all fully works.

Op may come back? In any case it's a good thread showing someone who didn't take that treatment.

Keep posting you'll soon get used to it 😊

Dachshundmamax · 24/11/2023 21:27

Hi all. Just wanted to send you an update. I’ve been feeling a bit down this week but I know it’s because I miss the routine/having company, and not actually him himself. I don’t think I loved the bones of him or anything. Didn’t hear from him all week, but about 30 mins ago he sent me a video from his living room listening to “Lost without you” by Freya Ridings. I think he’s pissed (as usual). I haven’t replied. My friend says I should block him as this is just the start of the hoovering/love bombing but I can’t bring myself to.

OP posts:
Sahlives · 24/11/2023 21:39

Your friend is right. Listen to her.

40butfab · 24/11/2023 21:47

You're doing really well, stay strong xx

jenny38 · 24/11/2023 21:57

Well it’s taken him a week, so he wasn’t that bothered. Don’t reply, that’s more powerful than words.

merrywidow · 24/11/2023 22:03

Lost without

The contents of your wallet and cooking his meals.

Disgusting man

ClareBlue · 24/11/2023 22:08

You had a great night out with your friends. Do more of that, time with your son, night with your son at the cinema. Literally anything than thinking about spending anymore time of energy on the controlling ex. Then in the new year you will wonder why you were every with him.

SamW98 · 24/11/2023 22:19

It will feel strange and difficult at times OP because it’s breaking a habit you’re used to.

But it will get better. Please don’t be tempted back by emotional blackmail because that’s what it is. It’s a common tactic known as hoovering.

Keep busy, stay strong, rant and cry to your friends and family and slowly you will get through this

Then one day you’ll wake up in the morning feeling like the biggest weight has been lifted

Stirfriedrice · 24/11/2023 22:20

OP - organise fun things for your weekends, keep busy! You'll forget about it all soon. I understand you feeling a bit down, it's normal. It's a bit dark and cold outside so I think a lot of people feel down.

Your friend is right, block him!

Katej82 · 24/11/2023 22:25

Dachshundmamax · 24/11/2023 21:27

Hi all. Just wanted to send you an update. I’ve been feeling a bit down this week but I know it’s because I miss the routine/having company, and not actually him himself. I don’t think I loved the bones of him or anything. Didn’t hear from him all week, but about 30 mins ago he sent me a video from his living room listening to “Lost without you” by Freya Ridings. I think he’s pissed (as usual). I haven’t replied. My friend says I should block him as this is just the start of the hoovering/love bombing but I can’t bring myself to.

Block him please he will do or say anything. Next time you go out your treatment will be much worse. Please listen to your friend x

billy1966 · 24/11/2023 22:43

Dachshundmamax · 24/11/2023 21:27

Hi all. Just wanted to send you an update. I’ve been feeling a bit down this week but I know it’s because I miss the routine/having company, and not actually him himself. I don’t think I loved the bones of him or anything. Didn’t hear from him all week, but about 30 mins ago he sent me a video from his living room listening to “Lost without you” by Freya Ridings. I think he’s pissed (as usual). I haven’t replied. My friend says I should block him as this is just the start of the hoovering/love bombing but I can’t bring myself to.

Listen to your friend.

Block him.

He's an arsehole.

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