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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

Partner said he’s bored of our relationship

115 replies

Jellybean001 · 02/02/2024 08:43

Hi everyone. I’ve woken up sad and hungover after what was meant to be a wonderful evening out with my partner last night everything ended up in a huge fight and lots of crying from me.

We have been together 4 years and have a 3 year old son and 2 year old daughter. We are also completing a massive house renovation and both have full on jobs. It has been very challenging at times and stressful dealing with two toddlers and our work - while trying to keep our relationship going.

He has done everything on the house and has worked very hard on it, every evening and weekend with a view to sell it and make lots of money in a few years.

I have recently secured a part time job to allow more time with the children and he has said that with the extra time, he wants to come home to a spotless house as I should be deep cleaning it in my spare time and have towels, plates etc aligned perfectly. I suppose because I can’t do the building work this is the deal to make things fair.

He is a very hard worker and very hard on himself and me, nothing I do seems to be right or enough for him. He also needs a lot of physical and emotional reassurance, and I have noticed that he can get very hot headed with me when he has had a drink. He has on occasion pushed me, for instance when I wasn’t quick enough grabbing a toy from my son in the bath, and he threw water over his socks. He pushed me over, grabbed the toy and made out to hit me with it and threw it violently across the room. He told me I have become fat and slow.

I used to marathon train before having children and have since stopped running gone up one dress size from an 8 to a 10. I am still slim, but cannot seem to find time to start running again and when I work out at home I am constantly interrupted.

Recently my partner has said that he is bored of our relationship. That I am austere and not fun loving and don’t make an effort with him. Last night I was trying not to yawn at dinner as I had very little sleep the night before (I always deal with the children when they are up in the night) and he took it very personally. Then he said we have nothing to talk about, that I am boring and he wanted someone fun loving and young to be with. I got very upset and just started crying. Had too much to drink and couldn’t control myself. I just let everything out and had a massive go at him - telling him I loved him, that I have never been a huggey touchy feely person (my father has never hugged me) but was trying my best to make him feel loved and appreciated - trying to help as much as I can on the house.

It just feels that every time I try and make him happy he finds a way to crush my spirit and make me feel awful about myself. That I am not good enough, have a chubby bottom, that mummy is lazy or too slow or stupid. I’m not really sure what to do as I love him and don’t want to break up the family - just don’t think I can shrug off the comments and change into the person he wants me to be.

OP posts:
Nicebloomers · 02/02/2024 08:49

Wow. If your best friend related this Information to you about their OH what would you think? What advice would you give her? To be quite honest I think it’s a bit fat LTB. You can’t live like this and the kids will grow up thinking this is ok behaviour.

SanFranBear · 02/02/2024 08:51

He sounds awful and like you would be better raising your DC in a different home.

He pushed you over for not moving a toy - things can only escalate from there as that is such a non-event and he reacted with violence.

Spotless house with plates aligned - wtf! Your 'job' is to look after your babies whilst he is not there, the house is a joint effort. So you can't help with the renovation work - so what? I hope that your name is on the house as it doesn't sound like you're married (and I wouldn't now go on to marry him!)

You sound so beaten down - size 10 after two babies in such quick succession.. bloody hell, I'm not there and my youngest is 12! Be kinder to yourself, start looking into what you could do to start a new life without him (maybe get back to full-time hours and start stashing some cash, for example) and then get out!

Meadowfinch · 02/02/2024 08:53

Every single sentence of your post describes abuse. He is emotionally abusive and is wearing you down, undermining and belittling you. Where is his support of you? Where are the descriptions of how he tries to make you feel good? This is a toxic relationship, and you need to get you and your dcs out and away.

What would happen if you agree and say 'yes, ok, lets separate'? Because that is what needs to happen.

Do you have support in RL? Family to turn to? Or call Womens Aid and describe everything that you have listed above. Ask for help because you are going to need it. Good luck x

SamW98 · 02/02/2024 08:56

You’ve been together 4 years and have a 3 year old so you got pregnant very quickly before you really knew each other properly and hasn’t seen the massive red flags.

I’ll be blunt, he’s a nasty bullying controlling abusive cunt. He won’t get better, he’ll keep grinding you down until you’re a broken shell.

It’s hard to leave but you have to start realising YOU are not the one who has to change for him. Fuck that.

Hbosh · 02/02/2024 08:58

It sounds like you've had an aweful few years. I'm so sorry to hear you've been living in this prison you call a relationship.

Your partner sounds abusive, controling, and just like an absolutely horribe human being. Reading your post, I worry about your safety.

I don't know what deep rooted insecurities and trauma you have in your past, I'm sure there's a reason why you undervalue yourself so much that you'd allow a person to treat you like this.
But you deserve better.
You deserve to be at peace in your own home.
You deserve to slow down to a pace that gives you room to breathe, and to have a partner be happy for you when you find moments of peace and happiness. Even when that means the house is a mess.
You deserve better than to walk on eggshells.
You deserve better than to be held responsible for everything that goes wrong in the house and to carry the whole burden on your shoulders.
You deserve to be loved, acknowlegded and thanked for everything you do.

Your partner seems to offer you none of the above.
Is this really how you want to keep living?

Greensleevevssnotnose · 02/02/2024 08:58

Jesus, just leave, you're not married no reason to stay. He is awful and an abuser

financialcareerstuff · 02/02/2024 09:00

Oh OP, please leave him. The problem is not that he is bored. The problem is that you and your kids are stuck in an abusive relationship, in which he damages your mental health, drags down your self esteem, insults you, and is physically violent to you, around your kids. (How long until he starts shoving the kids around?) We are programmed in society to think breaking up the family is the worst thing to do..... But staying in this kind of environment, I believe, is much worse for the kids. It's not like you've been together twenty years, he's been wonderful and then there was a blip. This is who he is. This is what your life will be. And anything he does to you, I think it's highly likely he will extend to the kids in time.

LoobiJee · 02/02/2024 09:00

, he wants to come home to a spotless house as I should be deep cleaning it in my spare time and have towels, plates etc aligned perfectly. Controlling

I have noticed that he can get very hot headed with me when he has had a drink Intimidating and abusive

He pushed me over, grabbed the toy and made out to hit me with it and threw it violently across the room Intimidation and Physical abuse

He told me I have become fat and slow. Verbal abuse..

It just feels that every time I try and make him happy he finds a way to crush my spirit and make me feel awful about myself. That I am not good enough, have a chubby bottom, that mummy is lazy or too slow or stupid. Abusive.

Coldupnorth7 · 02/02/2024 09:04

You're on a treadmill, you il never be able to run fast enough to meet his demands. And if you do, he'll make you run faster...

You're so tired you might not see this now but if this was your friend's relationship, what would you think?

LoobiJee · 02/02/2024 09:04

just don’t think I can shrug off the comments and change into the person he wants me to be.

It’s not you. It’s him. He is a controlling and abusive person. He will be controlling and abusive to every partner he has.

You’re only four years into this relationship. His controlling and abusive behaviour toward you will not get better. It is who he is. His controlling and abusive behaviour will get worse.

ErrolTheDragon · 02/02/2024 09:04

This man is not a 'partner', he does not treat you with basic respect as an equal let alone with love.

AgnesX · 02/02/2024 09:06

Has he apologised for any of these things (like pushing you) Is he like that when he's sober as he's obviously a nasty drunk.

I think it's the thin end of the wedge frankly and you need to start, quietly, lining up your ducks.

Butterfly44 · 02/02/2024 09:07

Do you want your kids growing up learning this is how a relationship is and how to treat others as that is what will happen.

He's no partner. Seriously, he wants someone 'more fun less chubby' say great, good luck and plan to leave because YOU DESERVE MORE!!! Time to up your standards as his lack of respect and care towards you falls way below.

BigPussyEnergy · 02/02/2024 09:11

I was going to say you’re in the thick of it with toddlers and a big house Reno so don’t make any big choices now. But then I read on. He’s abusive. I’m sorry my love. You can’t fix things with this man. He’s not a good man. My advice would be to bide your time, finish the house, don’t go part time, up your work hours if possible and pay for a cleaner/nanny to free you up to spend as much time as possible building your career so that you can become independent of him. Then sell the house asap and show your DCs that you don’t stand by while a man puts impossible expectations on you and criticises you. Your DS will grow up to emulate the behaviour he sees as normal for a man to his wife. Your DD will grow up to tolerate it. It would break your heart to think of anyone being aggressive to your DD or to imagine your DS telling his wife she’s let herself go after bearing his kids. Your H is a shit.

Maray1967 · 02/02/2024 09:20

He is abusive and you need to leave him.

He is not a good person for your children to be around.

If you won’t leave him for your sake, then you need to leave him for your children’s sake.

And please work on your self-esteem. If any bloke spoke to me like he does to you, my response would be fury and disgust - not tears and saying I love him.

Hallmark1234 · 02/02/2024 09:20

I'm horrified at the way he's behaving towards you, the mother of his children, when you've done nothing wrong! Do you hear that? Nothing! He is the abusive one and he should feel ashamed of himself, but of course he won't!

Please, please take steps to eventually leave him, but in the meantime, stop trying to pander to him, as you will never be, or do enough to please him, as you've become his 'whipping boy' and the more he knows you're trying to appease him, the more he will up his abuse. He's a bully and enjoys being mean to you.

Nannyfannybanny · 02/02/2024 09:21

This was me! Except I was 18 ,in the days when you got pregnant...you got married. I thought he was such a kind, quiet caring soul. Until, married, baby,60 miles away from my home, friends, relatives, didn't drive. Violence started when DD was a few months old. I went to the local police station, they were kind but didn't get involved in "domestics". Few days in a battered wives hostel, which was awful. Fast forward.... apart from going to work (which was my saviour) every aspect of my life was controlled. Food, clothes, gradually isolated from friends. Size 10, yup,in the mirror behind me, telling me I'm fat, got a spot etc. didn't have the right makeup on. He had a bad childhood,I allowed for that.. thought it wasn't his fault. Very controlling Father. He used to hit me for not being quick enough with whatever. People I worked with never knew, they would read an article in the paper,say they wouldn't let any man hit them etc. you do what you need to for your sake, for the childrens sake! He was arrested,it was hell. I lost my house, possessions to the baliffs. He didn't drink, got very drunk one night told me he was gay. People said didn't I realise. It was the 60s, I was an innocent teenager! Your "normal" is your normal. My advice, please get out as soon as you can.

Sparklfairy · 02/02/2024 09:24

and have towels, plates etc aligned perfectly

Have you seen Sleeping with the Enemy? Shock

RowanMayfair · 02/02/2024 09:25

You've been pregnant or caring for a newborn for the entirety of your relationship. You barely knew him when you got pregnant and now the real him is coming out. I'm sorry to say you made a bad call on the father of your children but I'm sure you wouldn't be without them so make the best of the situation and move on without him.

ChoptickLunch · 02/02/2024 09:26

He’s bored and wants a young fun wife, maybe he should have thought about that before he fathered young children. He sounds very emotionally immature.

The physical violence and verbal abuse is unacceptable. He sounds like a very nasty man who now holds you in contempt. Getting respect from someone who holds you in contempt is setting a nearly impossible task.

Get that equity in that house, get your work situation sorted and grey rock him until you can go.

Theoldbird · 02/02/2024 09:26

he wants to come home to a spotless house as I should be deep cleaning it in my spare time and have towels, plates etc aligned perfectly

This is like something out of that old film, sleeping with the enemy. Who the hell does he think he is, Lord of the manor? I hope you laughed in this face.

Be perfectly clear with him, the renovations to sell a house for a big profit are voluntary, as with you both working, the property renovation isn't your primary income, but looking after the home and childcare is essential. Ask him what value he puts on the amount of childcare and housekeeping you already do, when he is out doing the renovations on evenings and weekends.

determinedtomakethiswork · 02/02/2024 09:29

Honestly all I can tell you is to leave this man. He is so incredibly abusive. Do you have anywhere safe you can go to?

Theoldbird · 02/02/2024 09:30

oh god yeah, leave him for the abuse alone, he is physically, emotionally and mentally abusive

@Sparklfairy x-post!!

Caffeinedetox · 02/02/2024 09:33

"He pushed me over, grabbed the toy and made out to hit me with it and threw it violently across the room. He told me I have become fat and slow."

Wow. Get out now. This will only get worse.

Morewineplease10 · 02/02/2024 09:35

You need to speak to Women's Aid fast.
Can you tell a close friend what's going on?

This man has very serious issues and for yours and your kids sakes you've got to get out ASAP. His behaviour has escalated quickly for the short time you've been together.

You have work, without him you can get universal credit. You will be able to manage.

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