Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

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:
Dachshundmamax · 20/11/2023 23:36

Thanks so much for all your replies. It’s reassuring to know I’m not going crazy and I’ve actually done nothing wrong. Going on a night out once since March is not a crime. In regards to my things at his house, it’s clothes mainly and a brand new bike, so I do really need to get them. Im planning on going tomorrow after work. If he decides he wants to make up suddenly, this could turn very sour I think.

this situation is just the latest of a string of incidents. I pay for mainly everything we do/eat even though I’m not financially well off and have my own place and a son. For example, he makes me even pay for half of his weekly food shop and I cook everything too! It feels like I’m a slave to him. he tells me to lie to my family and friends about things such as “tell them I bought you the bike” even though I bought it, just to make him look better. He won’t share/upload photos of us/me to his Facebook. This is just a few things I can think of, and I feel really stupid for putting up with it all year. You’ve all made me realise how low I’ve set the bar and I really do need to dump him.

OP posts:
Katej82 · 20/11/2023 23:43

Oh dear he sounds like a control freak! And jealous that will only get worse. You know he's trying to punish you of course he is. I wouldn't even bother getting my things unless they were of value. I'd ask him to please post the items and you'll send the postage fee or just block him personally I would block him he does not deserve your time. I mean he should be happy for you to go have fun he's obviously very insecure and selfish. Wants you to himself and why he doesn't come to yours your son is there. You would have no life outside of the relationship with this loon I guarantee it. Please get away while you can. Enjoy more of the freedom x

ReadingSoManyThreads · 20/11/2023 23:52

Jeez, your update is even worse!

Glad you're going to LTB.

Good luck getting your new bike and clothes back. Update us after! x

Teenagehorrorbag · 21/11/2023 00:22

God he's awful, please let us know when you've escaped.......

WichenWick · 21/11/2023 00:27

What on earth did you ever see in him? He sounds controlling, manipulative, tight and really boring - you never go anywhere or do anything?

Catoo · 21/11/2023 00:33

Holy crap OP!!
You pay for half his food shop?
Glad you’re LTB!
Take people with you to get the bike.
💐

FourteenTog · 21/11/2023 00:37

Yes, make sure to go with friends to get your stuff

nomoretoriesforme · 21/11/2023 01:20

And that the reason I'd never date older men... There is no upside..

ReadtheReviews · 21/11/2023 01:30

Insecure twat. End it now.

AcrossthePond55 · 21/11/2023 01:44

@Dachshundmamax

Get your bike, get your clothes, and get the hell out. Tell him you have to pick up your stuff and dash because your son is ill, the boiler repairman is coming, you feel a DV bug coming on, your parents will be at your house in 15 minutes. Assure him you'll see him soon, anything to get gone and avoid a 'scene'.

Then dump him by text when you get home.

Yourenotthekingofallthegays · 21/11/2023 02:00

The update is even worse. He's a tosser. And your poor son, you'd be much better off spending quality time with him.
He pays for nothing
He makes you contribute financially when you have your own household
He hides your relationship on social media
He takes you away from your son
He dislikes you going out with your friends
He tried to make you jealous about the bracelet.
He told you what you could wear out.
He's giving you the silent treatment
Please dump this excuse for a man you are worth more than this x

Yourenotthekingofallthegays · 21/11/2023 02:00

AcrossthePond55 · 21/11/2023 01:44

@Dachshundmamax

Get your bike, get your clothes, and get the hell out. Tell him you have to pick up your stuff and dash because your son is ill, the boiler repairman is coming, you feel a DV bug coming on, your parents will be at your house in 15 minutes. Assure him you'll see him soon, anything to get gone and avoid a 'scene'.

Then dump him by text when you get home.

I agree with this

user1492757084 · 21/11/2023 02:11

You've called it right.
Pick up your things and live a more balanced life.
Who doesn't take their girlfriend out at all for seven months?

JANEY205 · 21/11/2023 02:13

Jesus Christ get rid of him! I’d also never assume a man in his 50s would treat you better?! I’d say more likely set in their ways, prone to more traditional views and possibly there’s a reason they are single? All the nice older men I know are married! (Sorry but it’s true)

Selenitetower · 21/11/2023 02:52

just when we thought the red flags couldn’t get any brighter you post this doozy of an update! If possible take someone with you to collect your belongs he sounds incredibly controlling and without even attempting to make up I still think he could turn sour in response to you collecting your belongings! If you feel comfortable too please update on whether you were able to retrieve your belongings without conflict!!

Mummyoflittledragon · 21/11/2023 03:23

He sounds abysmal. I hope it goes ok when you go to get your stuff back. I’d be tempted to take your ds with you as back up.

TommyNever · 21/11/2023 03:35

Ditch him, dump him, let him go, find yourself a better beau.

Don't feel blue 'cos this one's bad, find yourself a nicer lad.

Fluffyfluffkins · 21/11/2023 03:49

Run!

Bogeyes · 21/11/2023 04:18

Get rid of this immature selfish controller. He will ruin your life.

FictionalCharacter · 21/11/2023 04:19

AcrossthePond55 · 21/11/2023 01:44

@Dachshundmamax

Get your bike, get your clothes, and get the hell out. Tell him you have to pick up your stuff and dash because your son is ill, the boiler repairman is coming, you feel a DV bug coming on, your parents will be at your house in 15 minutes. Assure him you'll see him soon, anything to get gone and avoid a 'scene'.

Then dump him by text when you get home.

I agree with this approach. I don’t normally agree with lying, I generally think it’s best to be straight with people, but in your case that would cause you more grief.

Somewhereoverthersinbowweighapie · 21/11/2023 04:24

Oh goodness, please don’t stay with him. He is training you not to disobey him. Unfortunately this sort of behaviour makes you feel awful and insecure so you won’t do it again. He will keep the weird messages going for a while.

DustyBinCat · 21/11/2023 04:28

He’s horrible! Glad to hear your going to ditch him.

Mylittlepea · 21/11/2023 04:38

Run for the hills!

ThomasinaLivesHere · 21/11/2023 04:43

Please update once you get your stuff and dump him. Best of luck. And like others say take someone with you if you can

wesurecouldstandgladioli · 21/11/2023 04:44

Do let us know when you have dumped and have your stuff. Take your son with you or a friend.

Swipe left for the next trending thread