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

Why does it sting even when you know you're better off without them?

10 replies

Sayitaintsoxo · 24/02/2024 10:05

I broke up with someone I'd been with for two years around Christmas time. There was always tension because of his ex he separated from nearly four years before; he was always around her house with the excuse he was seeing his DD (6), slept there, would message each other all the time. Much more too. I accepted it at first because it wasn't my place to say anything, but the longer we were together, the more trouble she was allowed to make.

During this time, I broke up with him several times because I wasn't comfortable with always being placed last, I knew it wasn't right and I deserved better. It was to the point her family and friends would tell her the comments I made on his social media accounts. I had enough at Christmas when he refused to see me and spent the day with his ex. I offered to cook dinner for him and their DD, but was told no and he spent the day with them. I wouldn't have minded this but the Christmas before he broke it off to spend the day with them as well. Then came begging for me back after he'd stayed there for three days.

I found out I was pregnant shortly after Christmas. I'd heard from him and he was asking to reconcile, I stuck to my guns and said no. The day I found out I was pregnant, he'd been in touch telling me he still loved me and wanted to get back, I then told him I was pregnant and the relationship wasn't a healthy one to raise a child in due to the constant stress and problems he allowed his ex to make. His attitude changed and he hasn't asked for me back since. I lost the baby four weeks ago, contacting him to let him know but he wouldn't answer the phone. It turns out he was with his ex and DD.

I have since heard off him and he has accused me of seeing other people, messages me when he's drunk, tells me he doesn't want it to be over etc. However, a friend of mine saw him coming out of his ex's house and heading to work at 7am the other morning; he'd been messaging me two days before saying he missed me. I spoke to him last night to be told the same "I stay there to spend time with DD." His ex has also now unblocked me in facebook.

I know this relationship is not right and I deserve far more, but a huge part of me is really hurt that I've been antagonised and blamed for my reaction to being disrespected, gaslit constantly. I'm annoyed with myself that I have put myself through this. Anyone else would say get a grip and move on, but why does it sting so much, even when you know you're worth so much more? Sorry for the rambling, I've kept all this to myself and just wanted to get it out.

OP posts:
Notimeforaname · 24/02/2024 10:30

Hi op I'm sorry this has happened but it sounds so toxic and dramatic.

I deserve far more, but a huge part of me is really hurt that I've been antagonised and blamed for my reaction to being disrespected, gaslit constantly. I'm annoyed with myself that I have put myself through this.

You absolutely do deserve more but you have been communicating to him that you dont by constantly putting up with it and offering to do things for him when he has no real Interest is probably why you feel so bad.

It is humiliating. I've done it myself in the past.
My thoughts were "I've put so much time and effort into this, I cant let it fail" or "what if he suddenly does change and I miss it and never get the best of him?...I should just hold on a bit longer"

It's just a lie we tell ourselves because we dont want to fail.

Maybe this not the case for you op, either way, keep yourself distracted, do your own thing, if you haven't blockd and deleted him everywhere, do it now.
Don't let his man keep playing games with you.

Stand up for yourself and treat yourself with the self respect you know you deserve.

DatingDinosaur · 24/02/2024 10:31

It's the Shattered Dreams Syndrome. All those hopes and plans for the future ... gone ... as you realise he isn't the guy you thought he was and you want the guy you fell in love with back yet you can't undo the past or change him back into that person again.

It's like a form of bereavement and a normal part of any breakup.

lifeohlifeohhhhlife · 24/02/2024 10:36

I'm so very sorry for your loss of the baby, that in itself must be extremely traumatic for you.

I have been (and I am) where you are - you know they are no good for you. It's an old cliche but they say time is a healer. I once read something on here which I've never forgotten - I think I read it over a year ago and wish I'd listened to it then - a poster said "you can either let them go now, and go through the pain, or you can wait another 6 months, still hurting from their behaviour, and then have to go through the pain, wishing you had started 6 months earlier."

I hope you have some real life support around you OP - sending a virtual hug. You're not alone.

Sayitaintsoxo · 24/02/2024 10:43

@Notimeforaname I have had those thoughts, yes! I've invested so much time and energy into this, it hurts to see it go nowhere.

Thank you all so much for your kindness. Mumsnet can be a cruel place, but many of us here are human with genuine emotions. I am so grateful for the empathy here.

I do wish them both well, it's obvious they want to be together however, I really wish I hadn't become collateral damage between two people who love to antagonise one another. It's not my business or my problem, but no wonder so many children end up damaged when parents behave like they have. It may be a blessing in disguise that mine was lost.

I've literally bared my soul to this man, I see now his behaviour has been manipulative more than genuine.

OP posts:
Berosey54432 · 24/02/2024 23:28

Sayitaintsoxo · 24/02/2024 10:05

I broke up with someone I'd been with for two years around Christmas time. There was always tension because of his ex he separated from nearly four years before; he was always around her house with the excuse he was seeing his DD (6), slept there, would message each other all the time. Much more too. I accepted it at first because it wasn't my place to say anything, but the longer we were together, the more trouble she was allowed to make.

During this time, I broke up with him several times because I wasn't comfortable with always being placed last, I knew it wasn't right and I deserved better. It was to the point her family and friends would tell her the comments I made on his social media accounts. I had enough at Christmas when he refused to see me and spent the day with his ex. I offered to cook dinner for him and their DD, but was told no and he spent the day with them. I wouldn't have minded this but the Christmas before he broke it off to spend the day with them as well. Then came begging for me back after he'd stayed there for three days.

I found out I was pregnant shortly after Christmas. I'd heard from him and he was asking to reconcile, I stuck to my guns and said no. The day I found out I was pregnant, he'd been in touch telling me he still loved me and wanted to get back, I then told him I was pregnant and the relationship wasn't a healthy one to raise a child in due to the constant stress and problems he allowed his ex to make. His attitude changed and he hasn't asked for me back since. I lost the baby four weeks ago, contacting him to let him know but he wouldn't answer the phone. It turns out he was with his ex and DD.

I have since heard off him and he has accused me of seeing other people, messages me when he's drunk, tells me he doesn't want it to be over etc. However, a friend of mine saw him coming out of his ex's house and heading to work at 7am the other morning; he'd been messaging me two days before saying he missed me. I spoke to him last night to be told the same "I stay there to spend time with DD." His ex has also now unblocked me in facebook.

I know this relationship is not right and I deserve far more, but a huge part of me is really hurt that I've been antagonised and blamed for my reaction to being disrespected, gaslit constantly. I'm annoyed with myself that I have put myself through this. Anyone else would say get a grip and move on, but why does it sting so much, even when you know you're worth so much more? Sorry for the rambling, I've kept all this to myself and just wanted to get it out.

He took advantage of your trust. You put it perfectly that you got caught in the cross fire. I think you were probably a distraction for a while to take his mind off her. Give yourself credit that you broke up with him because you value your worth and I can tell you that one day the right man will see that… their relationship will always be turbulent you’ve dodged a bullet whilst they go round in circles with one another. Yes it might sting now but you better believe it you’ll get your happy ending and it’ll be a 100x better than what he could ever offer you.

Sayitaintsoxo · 25/02/2024 08:13

@Berosey54432 thank you for your comment.

OP posts:
Indifferentchickenwings · 25/02/2024 10:19

It’s stings because humans do like intimacy and connection and you have lost that

but honestly well done for ending it !!

its so cheesy but ultimately time will heal

and no contact - get him off your radar
block and delete you need no trace of him in your day to day

just keep on trucking and keep him away

Sayitaintsoxo · 25/02/2024 12:32

@Indifferentchickenwings I haven't spoken to him in a while now, apart from the one response the other day. He has tried to reach me but received no response other than that. Hurts to know that someone who knew so much about my past, was willing to put me through more pain. That says more about him than me though. Thank you for your comment.

OP posts:
iwafs · 25/02/2024 12:36

You did the right thing, for sure. It hurts because you invested your time and love into someone who didn't treat you the same. Stay strong, you will be better off in the long term without this man, although it hurts in the short term.

Indifferentchickenwings · 25/02/2024 14:07

I don’t think they necessarily want to inflict such pain , or expressly try to . Some people yes but not all . But truly time is what’s needed

New posts on this thread. Refresh page