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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:
AmaryllisChorus · 12/03/2024 15:41

What an utter tosser.
I might be tempted to say; "Have fun with your loved ones. We both know whether you drink or not is entirely on you, as a functioning adult. I have reflected on our relationship and I find it unbearably manipulative and draining. You have walked out so many times. I am now doing the same, but for good."

EG94 · 12/03/2024 15:42

He is making this easy for you. He is vacating your space. You will experience peace for a week and see his absence brings you peace and his presence anxiety. Block and enjoy the silence xx

Begsthequestion · 12/03/2024 16:03

pretaranger · 11/03/2024 03:12

He now says it’s because he’s going to visit people to celebrate his 5 years sobriety “with people who love him” as I only think of myself and in fact me not calling him yesterday or not picking up all his calls today led to him nearly picking up a drink for the first time in 5 years and he had to talk to his family members on the phone “to talk him off the ledge”. Like I am to blame if he did drink. He acts like I’m the worst person ever sometimes. Totally denies this trip is to punish me, he must think I am an idiot.
thanks so much for the support on here. I really really need it tonight.

Ugh how manipulative is he!

It's obviously a lie, but even if he was close to drinking because of a falling out with you, then he's not ready to be in a relationship anyway.

And if you're as bad as he makes out, then the kindest thing you can do is break up with him.

So for his own good - dump him. And if he starts begging to come back, remind him it's the best thing for both of you to break up.

TheFancyPoet · 12/03/2024 16:11

This is not for you. Plain. Not for you. This man is not for you.

YouDidntEvenAskIfSheWasThereMoriarty · 12/03/2024 16:43

I hope you're doing ok, OP.

If you've decided to stay for now, please do some reading up on abusive behaviours and try and emotionally disconnect from him as much as possible.

If he's now love bombing you, remember that's part of his abuse. He wants you to be so relieved that the abuse has ceased for a bit that you'll forget what he's done previously.

I highly recommend Why Does He Do That by Lundy Bancroft. You can download the PDF for free if you Google it.

You do deserve better than this. Keep telling yourself that 🌺

queensonia · 12/03/2024 17:42

Why are women so desperate to be in a relationship they'll put up with any old shit? Being single is fucking awesome!

Priminister · 12/03/2024 21:31

The fact that the OP hasn’t posted again since being identified makes me concerned that she’s going to be yet another of those posters who keep asking about the same situation and thinking they might get a different answer.

Priminister · 12/03/2024 21:40

queensonia · 12/03/2024 17:42

Why are women so desperate to be in a relationship they'll put up with any old shit? Being single is fucking awesome!

I do wonder this.

‘He won’t spend any time with me without the football on, he hates my family and won’t see them, he won’t go out with me, he hates my DC etc’.

I read it and think are you THAT desperate to have a man in your life that you post on MN to ask if other people think it’s normal that your boyfriend hates your kids.

Isthisit22 · 12/03/2024 22:16

Love it when the rubbish takes itself out.
Surely you’re not falling for any of this?
He is acting like a 3 year old having a tantrum.
Worryingly, he has been trying to monopolise your time- even placing himself over your children.
Time to wake up, block him and move on. You will feel so much better when you hear nothing more from him. If you don’t block him then you’ll hear so much more shit and waste so much more of your time.
1 year in- it should be fun. No one in your life should want to punish you like this.

TheFormidableMrsC · 12/03/2024 22:41

queensonia · 12/03/2024 17:42

Why are women so desperate to be in a relationship they'll put up with any old shit? Being single is fucking awesome!

This is how I feel. I'm surrounded by people in shitty relationships with shitty men and I just think, thank the Lord that's not me. I've had my fill of narcissistic, cheating, inadequate men thanks.

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