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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:
zingally · 21/11/2023 10:26

Funny how the bracelet turns up on a night when you'd usually be with him but aren't because you're out with friends...
He's trying to make you feel as insecure as he obviously does.

DUMP HIM NOW. Forget about whatever little bits are at his house. They're not worth the agro.

Just out of interesting, what has your 18yo been doing while you've been away half the week for however long? I suspect there will be some damage to undo there.

MissMogwai · 21/11/2023 10:26

Ugh he sounds awful and let's be honest, he's just going to get worse.

Cut your losses and bin him off. Unless you have anything of value at his house, just leave it. It's not worth the bullshit when you go to get it back.

Imagine the lovely, peaceful Christmas you'll have, not to mention the money you'll save without him leeching off you.

chocorabbit · 21/11/2023 10:26

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!

That's what I came here to say!

MissMogwai · 21/11/2023 10:28

MissMogwai · 21/11/2023 10:26

Ugh he sounds awful and let's be honest, he's just going to get worse.

Cut your losses and bin him off. Unless you have anything of value at his house, just leave it. It's not worth the bullshit when you go to get it back.

Imagine the lovely, peaceful Christmas you'll have, not to mention the money you'll save without him leeching off you.

Sorry just read you have a bike and clothes there. I'd take a friend/s and get them back in that case. Short and sweet, in the car and off.

DuckbilledSplatterPuff · 21/11/2023 10:31

Yes! as @MissMogwai said.

Just imagine the drama ridden controlling Christmas you will be avoiding!!
Paying for enough Christmas presents and food so that he's in a good mood and doing all the work.

Instead you can have a lovely carefree time with your dear son and all your friends without having to worry about Banquo at the Feast.

Enjoy it OP!

Trickedbyadoughnut · 21/11/2023 10:32

Thank goodness you've seen the light about him.

skyeisthelimit · 21/11/2023 10:33

wow what a prize

he tried to make you jealous/insecure with the bracelet down the sofa

he makes you pay for half his food AND cook it

he doesn't pay for any dates

he wanted to pick you up to ensure you were at his house

he criticised what you were wearing

he didn't like 1 night out with your friends in 9 months

he ignored you when you didn't do what you were told

as all PP have said, run as fast as you can. Don't listen to anything that he says, as this will only get worse not better.

Verbena17 · 21/11/2023 10:40

Run a mile and then keep running!
100% controlling and you’re losing precious time living your life being him.
He sounds like a total knob head!

Heronwatcher · 21/11/2023 10:44

Dump him. Wants everything on his own terms and is prepared to do anything to manipulate you to get it. Vague/ cryptic text messages and periodic ghosting between is just SO BORING, I couldn’t put up with it. Do not apologise or behave submissively, you’ve done nothing wrong.

housethatbuiltme · 21/11/2023 10:45

Hes toxic.

My ex used to do that... the bracelet thing is 100% something my ex would do.

Its an attempt to make you 'jealous', to make you think he is an Alpha with girls lining up to take your place because he is so desired, these girls are all ready 'in your territory' dont you know?

You didn't take the bait so he 'negged' you (to make you feel insecure and lesser) which also didn't work. he is now 'hurt' and the 'victim' because you didn't come running and his fragile ego and sense of manliness is hurt.

If hes anything like my ex (and honestly this sounds spot on) then hes shagged someone while you been gone (or at least desperately tried too).

Unless hes a widow or come out of a long term relationship/marriage (or has had a serious relationship in the past and took a few years to focus on being a single parent etc...) then the fact hes single at 50 is in itself a red flag in itself... the fact he is acting like a toxic teen boy far more so.

coffeestrongblacknosugar · 21/11/2023 10:54

Jesus he sounds like my ex! Get rid, it's all mind games and nonsense.

Ellie56 · 21/11/2023 10:56

He is a prize twat. Just dump him after getting your stuff back.

cheezncrackers · 21/11/2023 11:13

it feels like emotional abuse/controlling behaviour

That's because it is. You need to end this now OP. He sounds like an utter twat.

Chocolatericecakes · 21/11/2023 11:16

Your poor son must feel like you are choosing the controlling BF over him. I know he is 18 but he still needs his mum. It doesn't seem like the BF is interested in any relationship with him. This is the biggest red flag out of many.

I was in your son's position. It ruined the relationship with my mum. We now don't speak at all. Please finish this relationship and spend some quality time with your boy.

Littlegoth · 21/11/2023 11:18

More red flags than Pamplona in July. In the bin please.

VelvetVoice · 21/11/2023 11:24

dump

cerisepanther73 · 21/11/2023 11:33

I agree with all the posters on here saying that older men are often acctracted to younger women, Cause of their naivety ect,

This is one of the main reasons i wish i had known about Mumsnet,
What a difference it would have made in my life in regards of relantships.

HelpMeUnpickThis · 21/11/2023 11:38

MonsteraMama · 20/11/2023 21:33

And you've learned the age old lesson that older men are rarely more mature and are often single and dating significantly younger than themselves because no women their own age will put up with their shit.

Bin him off, anyone who goes into a sulk because you dare have a life outside him is not worth knowing.

Absolutely this

WithoutACherryOnTheTop · 21/11/2023 11:48

The hills are over yonder ... get your trainers on and RUN FOR THEM!

Ionlylikedityesterday · 21/11/2023 11:53

mm

Biddie191 · 21/11/2023 11:55

As above, take someone with you when you fetch your bike etc, or if you do have a key, go when he's out. If he has a lodger at the moment, maybe getting them to let you in when he's out may be a good plan? Good luck, and let us know you're safe x

DemelzaandRoss · 21/11/2023 12:02

It’s not worth continuing with this relationship.
The controlling behaviour will undoubtedly get worse.
Finish it now, you will have had a lucky escape!

BeehiveSlumber · 21/11/2023 12:04

In 10 months you have never been out on a date !

You went out alone & he didn't like it !

There is nothing here for you to continue this "relationship"

Block & move on

WhatGoesUpMustComeDown · 21/11/2023 12:14

fucking hell, run. Run run run. Dump his ass and go and do something to make you feel good about yourself because you are worth more than a man that wants you to shrink to be smaller so you do what he says.

He's a nutter and he's done well to hide for 10 months.

Absolutely screw that, this is controlling abusive behaviour and you do NOT need him in your life.

Minniliscious · 21/11/2023 12:17

Wow - he sounds like a major catch!

OP, I echo everyone else on this thread. Dump and run as fast as you possibly can …….