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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:
Sahlives · 21/11/2023 08:00

Please please don't go back to him. Stay strong.

Nowherenew · 21/11/2023 08:11

I’m glad you’ve decided to end things because anyone is better than this man. Literally anyone.

Get your stuff back and then block his number.
Go out with your friends more and have fun with your life.
Your child is 18 and is independent enough where you can have more of a life for yourself.

If you want to be in a relationship then go on OLD and get some hobbies where you meet people.
Enjoy the experience of dating and meeting new people.
If you meet someone, go slow and still have time with your friends and on your own.

Frances0911 · 21/11/2023 08:16

You've never gone out with him anywhere? He sounds miserable and selfish.

If you really need your belongings back then go and get them, then try to forget he ever existed!

YYURYYUCICYYUR4ME · 21/11/2023 08:18

Dump - he is insecure, paranoid, jealous and controlling. You want a life, you won't get it with him and if you stay, you will not be happy.

LookItsMeAgain · 21/11/2023 08:19

@Sexnotgender - I know it's a serious matter for the OP but I absolutely love this analogy! More red flags than a communist parade! I've never heard that before but it sums it up perfectly!!!

@Dachshundmamax - I agree with the others who say that these are most definitely red flags but when you said you wanted a weekend without him, why were you still staying in touch so often throughout the weekend, throughout the day that you were going out for your work Christmas Lunch? I'm just curious about that.

He doesn't get any input into what you wear so his comment about showing too much breast should have had no impact on you.

You shouldn't have been texting him throughout the day either as you were out with your friends and you were going to go back to your place after, without him.
I'd actually use this 'silent treatment' like a pause in the relationship. Start doing more with your friends and a little less with him. See how he takes it.

Also there is no set age when men start behaving politely or respectfully unfortunately so if I were in your shoes, I would give a lot of thought to throwing this one back into the sea and using this experience to your advantage when looking for the next candidate for your affections.

DrMarshaFieldstone · 21/11/2023 08:26

it feels like emotional abuse/controlling behaviour.

That's because it is. Your instincts are spot on and will serve you well.

What would you do?

Leave, thankful in the knowledge that you can walk away and don't have to extricate yourself from any legal or financial partnership or co-parent with him.

MargotBamborough · 21/11/2023 08:26

More red flags than a communist rally, dump him.

OneToThree · 21/11/2023 08:28

🚩🚩🚩

JFDIYOLO · 21/11/2023 08:30

I think your initial post was you laying out all the facts - not for mumsnetters, but for yourself.

Setting out everything that has been unsettling you from the start of this very short relationship where you've learned all you need to know.

You know that this is a coercive controlling abusive man.

You are not allowed to spend time in your own home with your own son when you want to.

You're required to spend time with his house with strangers.

He tries to police what you wear and criticise your appearance.

He's trying to separate you out from your friends and family.

He is trying to tell you what you can and cannot do.

He is making pathetic attempts to undermine and worry you with his ridiculous bracelet concoction.

His got himself in a pickle comment was not him acknowledging that he was responsible for how he felt. This was him telling you it is now your responsibility to do as you're told and get him out of it.

He's leeching off you financially.

He's asking you to lie to people.

The silent treatment is him getting you in your place - he wants you anxious, uncertain, hopping about trying to please. It's a form of abuse in itself.

All these thoughts must have been churning around your mind ever since this very short relationship began.

Older does not mean any more mature - it can mean old-fashioned and with baggage.

You sound youthful, fun and rather sexy, yet you’ve saddled yourself with a man who by time you are my age will be an old man sucking all the remaining joy out of your life. He seems to think he is a 1950s father dragging his rebellious daughter back from the school prom.

I'd be wondering if your son's friends have any nice single dads in the mix, closer to your own age.

There are 4 billion of them on the planet This one's a dud.

Polish up your self respect, and I'd say if you absolutely must go to get your things, go with some friends.

AlisonDonut · 21/11/2023 08:32

I imagine he wants to get you to tell people that he bought the bike is so that he can pretend it is his when you go to collect it. And start some sort of lengthy struggle to get it back. Which keeps you on a hook.

PerspiringElizabeth · 21/11/2023 08:32

“tell them I bought you the bike” even though I bought it, just to make him look better.

Hope you don’t actually do what he says??!! 😵‍💫 I would laugh in his face. 10 months is nothing, bin him, onwards and upwards.

Mummyratbag · 21/11/2023 08:32

A decent man would have said "you look beautiful/lovely/stunning, do you need a lift? Have a lovely time" then would have left you to have a lovely time (not constantly messaged you). If he doesn't know that at his age (even if he has insecurities, which are his problem not yours) then he never will.

Rosscameasdoody · 21/11/2023 08:33

Yep. Unanimous. Big Red Flag. This is controlling behaviour and if you let him get away with it, it will get worse. He’s 50. He’s not going to change. As always, when someone shows you who they really are, believe them.

ttcat37 · 21/11/2023 08:35

He sounds crackers. You’re doing the right thing by ending it.
Take someone with you when you collect your stuff. Manipulative men like this pull out all the stops when they’re desperate and you might need the support with you.

NovemberAutumn · 21/11/2023 08:39

AlisonDonut · 21/11/2023 08:32

I imagine he wants to get you to tell people that he bought the bike is so that he can pretend it is his when you go to collect it. And start some sort of lengthy struggle to get it back. Which keeps you on a hook.

oooh had not thought of that.

A friend of mine had such a situation with an expensive item. He took her to small claims court but she was able to produce bank statements proving she had paid and it was fine in the end - but hugely stressful for her obviously, and the whole thing was designed to punish her and cause her stress.

OP- like others - please take someone with you when you collect your belongings.

MojoJojo71 · 21/11/2023 08:40

it feels like emotional abuse/controlling behaviour because that’s exactly what it is. Trust your instincts and get rid

Jacopo · 21/11/2023 08:41

Do not go there on your own.

dawngreen · 21/11/2023 08:44

You sound like a really nice girl, don't throw your life away on a loser like that. He wants a real life sex doll to appear when he wants, and to cook and clean for him. A real bf would take you out for a meal, even if its just a pub meal. And expecting you to pay half for food, when you are only there 3 days a week.

PARunnerGirl · 21/11/2023 08:44

Oh my goodness, I am so glad you can see this situation clearly now. It can be hard when you are right inside it but taking a step back and looking at it “from above”, it is awful!

He is incredibly insecure. The bracelet wasn’t “down the side of the couch”, wherever it came from. How manipulative. And that’s just one example from all the incidents you have described.

This man will ruin you, I promise. There are many of us who recognise the behaviour and want to warn you not to get too deep into this, because getting out and recovering from it after many years is hard.

When you go round to collect your stuff, be ready for the pity party, guilt trip and I-love-yous. Keep strong, get your stuff, and move on with your lovely life.

starfro · 21/11/2023 08:50

Leave him

Mycatmax · 21/11/2023 08:56

He doesn’t want you to realise that being single would be far preferable to this shitshow of a relationship.

Do you have keys to his? I would be inclined to go and get my stuff when you know he won’t be there. Make sure you turn off location on your phone if applicable.

justasking111 · 21/11/2023 08:57

He's got other women on the go I suspect.

IncompleteSenten · 21/11/2023 08:57

Glad you're going to dump him.

The 'finding' of the bracelet was a pathetically obvious attempt to make you think he'd had another woman over.

He's clearly convinced you'll be unfaithful given half a chance.

Often that means they're judging you by their own standards.

diddl · 21/11/2023 08:58

I was messaging him while at the Xmas do, keeping him updated with my night

Did you actually want to be doing that or did you feel that you had to?

I just can't imagine doing that at all!

Hope you get your stuff back OK.

I agree with a pp I'd try to just get the stuff & go & not engage with him.

Or agree with him to get out & then get rid!

Goatymum · 21/11/2023 09:07

He’s giving you an out, so get out before the control gets worse.
Your son comes first anyway, he may be an adult at 18 but it’s a tough age - been there & got the t-shirt.