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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

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:
FictionalCharacter · 20/11/2023 22:49

GreatGateauxsby · 20/11/2023 21:22

Yep….

anyway, we spend most weekends in at his house even though I have my own place, but he always insist we stay at his.

this was the first big one I saw waving

Same here. And the rest of the OP just confirmed that he's controlling and manipulative.

Mumofteenandtween · 20/11/2023 22:51

This is an 8 month relationship.

My rule is that if you are posting on mumsnet about a relationship that is less than a year old and the post is anything other than a poorly disguised bragfest then the relationship needs some serious consideration.

wendyelliott · 20/11/2023 22:55

Wouldn't be surprised if there wasn't even a bracelet and he just said it to get a jealous reaction from you. Maybe one of his props to make women think he's more desirable than he really is.

jlpth · 20/11/2023 22:55

The bracelet down the sofa was designed to make you think he was shagging someone else and hopefully cancel your night out. Manipulative and abusive.

stay with your son, 18yo still need their mum and you are leaving him at home to spend time with an abuser

EmmaLouu · 20/11/2023 22:56

Two words: coercive control.. wait, two more - gas lighting… wait, two more; emotional abuse.

get rid of him NOW. He knows exactly what’s he’s doing and the longer you leave it, the more difficult it is to see the wood from the trees. You deserve far better.

HappyCamperTent · 20/11/2023 22:59

😮 leave him! Leave him now!!

theleafandnotthetree · 20/11/2023 23:00

What would I do? I would dump him forthwith and ask myself why my bar was so low as to accept such a mean and low effort approach from a romantic partner.

2024writeanovel · 20/11/2023 23:02

Did he really say pickle? That aside silent treatment is one of the biggest red flags 🚩 I avoided in the past because it’s so manipulative and passive aggressive.

GingerRedBull · 20/11/2023 23:03

Being older doesn't mean being nicer. He is trying to control you. LTB.

Vinrouge4 · 20/11/2023 23:03

Dont stay with this man. You are worth more than how he treats you.

Wishitsnows · 20/11/2023 23:03

He sounds like a right sad sack. Stop even giving him any more thought. You are better than this.

dapsnotplimsolls · 20/11/2023 23:06

You need to dump him, clearly. However, I'm intrigued by the lodgers - what's that all about?!

Mykingdomforanos · 20/11/2023 23:08

Who the F does he think he is telling you what you should or shouldn’t be wearing when you go out!
How rude of him to treat you like you’ve somehow misbehaved, when he is the one who’s been a jealous ignorant jerk. He should be going out of his way to apologise, grovel and show how sorry he is… but huh, wait… he’s not sorry at all, is he?
You miss your son every weekend for this guy’s benefit and he doesn’t even want to entertain for one minute spending time at yours? “W**r” springs to mind.
I have met this controlling type before, even went out with one: get out of there at once, they can damage whatever self-esteem you have and gradually sap the joy right out of your life till you’re a shell of yourself.
Do not invest any more of your time or affection into him, he does not deserve you, and you deserve a whole lot better than that girl. He is not the right one for you, and HE IS NOT RIGHT full stop.

I hope all our messages will give you the resolve you were looking for; Enjoy dumping his arse, move on with your life and enjoy spending time with friends and family instead who actually care about you and your feelings. xx

CathyIreland · 20/11/2023 23:09

Yes please dump him. You will be much happier. Good luck.🙂

Channellingsophistication · 20/11/2023 23:14

Controlling and abusive. He’s punishing you so you think its easier not to go out again. And never taken you for dinner - he’s tight as well.

BrassOlive · 20/11/2023 23:14

My DH and I are similar ages to you and your boyfriend. I can't in a million years imagine him behaving like this, honestly I'd be embarrassed for him. And I'd leave him, obviously. Controlling prick.

FourteenTog · 20/11/2023 23:17

I romantically imagined that older partners would be lavishing gifts on their beloved and swanning around showing them off on their arm? The lodgers sound chaotic and staying in sounds dull! What did he do before you met you, and don't you want someone you can go out with?

Rachaelrachael · 20/11/2023 23:18

He's a wrong un, dump and block. This controlling and abusive behaviour will only get worse.

AlecTrevelyan006 · 20/11/2023 23:19

walk away

RockStarship · 20/11/2023 23:22

My ex was like this...and it doesn't get better. I was given the silent treatment for going on nights out without him. Then it was for talking to people he wasn't personally friends with. Then it was for buying a bag for myself that he didn't like...by the time I left him he was sulking most of the time. There was barely a day that went by where he didn't start sulking and ignoring me because of some minor misdemeanour that I had committed. It's miserable being in a relationship with someone like that. Ditch him.

Cajanz · 20/11/2023 23:23

Run for the hills! Block him, don’t bother messaging again

Copperoliverbear · 20/11/2023 23:26

Leave him, his behaviour is controlling and he doesn't like the fact you went out with out him and didn't do as you were told. X

WeeOrcadian · 20/11/2023 23:30

He's literally a walking red flag, I think you already know this though

pinkdelight · 20/11/2023 23:31

Well done for refusing the lift home. Talk about keeping tabs on you! It's shit that you never go on dates beyond his house too. Sack him off and enjoy your freedom.

iamrageohtheresakitty · 20/11/2023 23:34

LTB, OP, this is not a road you want to go down. Controlling and awful man

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