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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

So upset by headf*ck man. Handhold to finally end it please!

110 replies

pretaranger · 10/03/2024 23:34

This could be a long story, but I’m trying to keep it short. I’ve been seeing a man for a year who, if I spend any time away from him (with my school age dc or just by myself), he gets upset and creates an argument about whether I want to be with him. Same if we go a day without contact. Generally, he will do something like ghost me, or threaten to break up, or he will book a flight somewhere and just go away the next day. This has happened today. I wasn’t able to speak much or to meet up this weekend because my dc was sick. I did see him 4 out of 5 days last week though. He accused me of ‘ignoring’ him, and has worked himself up to ‘if you want to dump me then just do it’ and when I didn’t rise to the bait and said I was sick of the drama cycle, he booked a flight and just messaged me saying hes leaving early in the morning for a week. ‘Just wanted to let you know’. He has no dc and works remotely so he can do that stuff whenever. It makes me feel so so shit. Last time (3’weeks ago) he refused to come back from his trip until I sufficiently grovelled on the phone, saying he was planning on rebooking his flight home to a later date, which he never did. And I’m embarrassed to say I did grovel. I was so upset and panicked.
He has told me that he thinks he might be a ‘drama addict’ and that he may have bpd and he has serious trust issues. So I do know all this. I feel like such an idiot. But even now, suddenly getting a message saying he’s leaving without warning, and knowing I ‘caused’ it, I feel so mixed up and sad. Someone who loves me as much as he claims wouldn’t do this, right? It just feels cruel. It’s like he’s withdrawing in such an extreme way, a way I couldn’t and don’t ever do to him, if he’s displeased with me. It really hurts. I don’t think I can bear to beg him back over the phone ever again. Please help me to end and block. my head is spaghetti from this man.

OP posts:
Nicole1111 · 11/03/2024 06:26

This is definitely abuse. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if he also had a lot to say about who you spend time with, what you wear etc, probably all while saying “it’s not that I don’t trust you, it’s that I don’t trust them”.’ You need to get yourself signed up for the freedom programme asap.

Superfoodie123 · 11/03/2024 06:30

My stepdad was like this. When my mum met him was the day we lost her. He always had to come above us or she lost him. She tried to keep everyone happy but she stopped being the mum she was and she didn't even realise it. Your children will sense what's happening and as he becomes more ingrained in your life it will affect them much more and you'll be so much deeper into it. If you love your children please cut and run. I've had years of therapy to deal with having to fight for my mum during those years

Dontforgetthesalamander · 11/03/2024 06:34

Wow... I've been here a long time and id yet to hear of anyone going to the extremes of booking a flight in order to punish their partner!

He's abusive, hopefully you can see that now. Every ounce of energy you spend on him, the less you have for yourself and your children. You're not to blame if he drinks, flies to the other side of the world (must cost him a fortune the amount of mantrums he seems to have) or anything else.

I think you should just block him. You cannot make sense of him, because what he's doing simply does not make sense. You'll drive yourself mad trying to see his actions through your own lens, because it's simply never going to make sense to you. He's doing it because it works too get you dancing to his tune so... Cut the strings, drop the rope, whatever you want to call it. The more you talk to him the more he can work his way in and confuse you again.

He hasn't met your kids already had he?

LydiaPoet · 11/03/2024 06:37

I be tempted to do the following. Block him on email and text and WA and then phone. And just go rogue totally. This must be exhausting and being a good mum and give the children your love, kindness and energy. Literally don’t respond again ever. There is a reason this one was single - he’s not a fish he is an eel.

User364837 · 11/03/2024 06:38

Someone who resents you putting your children first should be an absolute no no to you.
you can do better and this is not a healthy relationship.
I bet after the initial awful feeling you might feel relieved when you’re not together as his behaviour must cause you a lot of underlying anxiety.

FedUpMumof10YO · 11/03/2024 06:39

Control doesn't equal love.

I learned that over too many years the hard way.

Sandanista · 11/03/2024 06:41

Mate

he sounds like an utter cock

SkiingIsHeaven · 11/03/2024 06:42

Tell him he is right, you are bad for his mental health and sobriety and so you want to draw a line under the relationship.

It's a lie but he can't hold anything against you if he thinks you agree with him.

Leave him.

Then don't look back.

Ggttl · 11/03/2024 06:43

He is a selfish, dramatic dick. Most people don’t pander to this kind shit and once the attraction fades you will wonder why you did. Your child will hate him when they are old enough to make judgements about people, so that will add to the fun and games. Get out now! He sounds like the type who will pester you once you split up so you will need to be strong.

HazelBite · 11/03/2024 06:53

Exactly what *@SkiingIsHeaven said you are obviously are not "good enough" for him so need to let him go to find someone who "deserves" or has the time to appreciate him!!

TwilightSkies · 11/03/2024 07:07

You’re going to have to block him on all communication methods. He’ll try every trick in the book to guilt trip you and get you back once he realises it’s over.

Epidote · 11/03/2024 07:15

He is not adding anything positive to your life.
Dump him. Don't call him and when he call you with threats very calmly said to him this is over.

yellowsmileyface · 11/03/2024 07:28

He sounds like a horrible, abusive, unstable, man child.

If you're struggling to let go of him, it's probably because you long for a version of him that simply doesn't exist. Maybe he was amazing in the beginning, or you've painted a picture in your mind of how things could be if only he'd stop treating you this way, but none of that is real. How he's treating you right now is what's real, and it's how the rest of your life will be if you stay with him.

I've been in a relationship where I was forced to grovel, and looking back it makes me feel sick. It feels so degrading and dehumanising, having to grovel, disregarding your own dignity for the sake of trying to keep the peace, whilst the bastard gets to act however he wants, treat you however he wants, and never has to be held accountable for anything.

You will feel so much better, so much lighter and more free, when you end this.

JeIIyLegs · 11/03/2024 07:30

I will hold your hand to end it.
Next time he messages, DM me and we will write a text back together. You don't have to feel on your own.

toomanyleggings · 11/03/2024 07:32

If you can’t do it for you, do it for your children. They deserve better than having a mum who is being emotionally drained by this garbage.

determinedtomakethiswork · 11/03/2024 07:38

He'd be laughed out of the room if he told them in AA that you were the reason he was drinking again.

Seize the power and control. I would send him one more text to say he is highly abusive and you don't want him anywhere near you again. Say this is the end. Don't contact me again. And then I would block him in every single possible way. I would also get a ring doorbell just in case he showed up but I imagine he'll be onto the next one soon.

PicaK · 11/03/2024 07:38

The thing is - and it's what prompted me to stop a burgeoning relationship with someone who didn't treat me that well - is do you want your kids to grow up and be in such a relationship? Is this what you want to present as normal? It sobers you up thinking like that.

Toooldforthis36 · 11/03/2024 07:39

“Clearly I don’t make you happy and it’s threatening your sobriety. Likewise you are not good for my wellbeing so the best way forward is to end things - all the best, I won’t be contacting you again”

Then block on every platform and never ever go back to this arsehole.

friskybivalves · 11/03/2024 07:48

He is panicking - ratcheting up his rhetoric, all the rubbishy ledge talk - because he can sense that you've seen through him. You are not dropping everything, as you should obediently do. This is fantastic progress. As others have said, now is the time to keep going. Block him. My bet is that he never gets on the flight and that he prob didn't book it in the first place, posturing prick. Ugh.

2chocolateoranges · 11/03/2024 07:50

Please end this relationship, he's fucking with your mind.

Text and tell him. Our relationship is clearly not working anymore. Please refrain from contacting me.

Then block him on all forms eg phone, emails, etc.

Zyq · 11/03/2024 08:22

But even now, suddenly getting a message saying he’s leaving without warning, and knowing I ‘caused’ it, I feel so mixed up and sad

You didn't cause anything. This is all him manipulating you. Don't feel sad that he's gone, be happy that it gives you a nice easy route into a much improved life.

Toooldforthis36 · 11/03/2024 08:42

Funny that he kicked off on Mother’s Day, when you might be occupied with your own children. What a prize. Just because a narc says he loves you doesn’t make it true, his actions contradict this entirely. You don’t need him, what a waste of your time. Please ignore him and move on. Xx

TheFormidableMrsC · 11/03/2024 08:48

Toooldforthis36 · 11/03/2024 08:42

Funny that he kicked off on Mother’s Day, when you might be occupied with your own children. What a prize. Just because a narc says he loves you doesn’t make it true, his actions contradict this entirely. You don’t need him, what a waste of your time. Please ignore him and move on. Xx

I agree with this. Narcissistic red flags everywhere. They will ruin any occasion where they are not the centre of attention. The man is hideous. OP, you and your kids deserve better than this. You will spend your life treading on eggshells if you allow this manipulative prick to continue. It has to end.

Risun · 11/03/2024 08:49

Making you responsible for his drinking/not drinking is reason enough to end it OP, it's blackmail.

Ulysees · 11/03/2024 08:49

Toooldforthis36 · 11/03/2024 07:39

“Clearly I don’t make you happy and it’s threatening your sobriety. Likewise you are not good for my wellbeing so the best way forward is to end things - all the best, I won’t be contacting you again”

Then block on every platform and never ever go back to this arsehole.

Brilliant. Do this.

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