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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

Am I the problem?

72 replies

Thewho21 · 17/03/2024 19:29

Thank you to anyone taking the time to read this. Any advice would be appreciated.

My partner and I have been together 4 years. Live together and engaged. No plans or even conversations about getting married have happened. He has a son who he has on the majority of days every week. We do nothing together as a couple other than go to the supermarket once a week and he waits in the car. I do everything for this man and his son who has severe LD/ASD/ADHD as well as working full time.

He makes no effort to keep me interested in this relationship. I do everything around the house and his tea is made every night for when he finishes work. Every night I put his son to bed which can take hours, I go down stairs to find him asleep on the sofa for the rest of the night. He seems to be in another planet tbh. What ever I say to him such as important dates or events coming up he says I’ve never told him that which is highly annoying and I feel like I’m questioning my own sanity. I told him yesterday that it was my mams memory today and won’t feel up to leaving the house for the weekly shop. He has never asked how I am or if I’m feeling ok. He asked why I seemed like I was in mood so I said I told you yesterday it’s my mams memory today and his only reply was you didn’t tell me that. Nothing like are you ok, do you want to talk about it? I honestly feel like I’m going insane.

At the beginning of the year I said we would see how things go over the next couple of months and if nothing improves I’m leaving. Things have got no better and I feel like I’m banging my head against a brick wall. He makes no effort with my family whatsoever. I told him a week ago my brother was calling round with his birthday card and gift, also reminded him the night before and he decided to go out before my brother arrived. He didn’t even text him to thank him for his card and gift. When I got onto him about it he said this shouldn’t be an issue and that I’m causing a problem out of nothing and said right if it makes you feel any better I will text him now. I make an effort with his family and go above and beyond for them. We were at a family event on New Year’s Eve and even his own brother and his wife spoke to me in private and said that if he doesn’t change his ways he will end up losing me. When his brother wished me happy new year he said I hope my brother treats you better this year. I brought this up when we were in the middle of argument when he was saying I’m the problem so I said I know I’m not perfect but even your own family have said if you don’t treat me better you will lose me, he asked his brother about this and he denied saying it. It’s so frustrating.

He literally gives the bare minimum to this relationship. Never says I look nice if I’m dressed up unless I say it to him first. No little gestures to show that he cares. Nothing. He says these things shouldn’t be an issue and that I’m the problem making a deal out of it all and he feels like he is working on egg shells around me. Are these little things that shouldn’t be an issue?

Am I the problem?

OP posts:
Yoe · 18/03/2024 03:26

Your definitely not the problem if you want to continue in this relationship well my advise is new rules 50/50 with the household stuff including meals prep. Date nights weekly and he will have to look after his son. If that doesn’t happen time to walk away you sound like a wonderful kind and giving person and a lot of men would be delighted to have you as a partner

Codlingmoths · 18/03/2024 03:36

just… don’t. He doesn’t love you. He doesn’t care about you. You need to stop thinking about how to get emotional support from him and focus on planning your move. So, do less. After dinner, say I’m not putting <his son> to bed anymore, that’s your job from now on. Also, I’m not shopping and cooking for you anymore. You can go in with me and get stuff to feed you. That gives you a week or so extra money saved from the shop, and time to think. And find a way to leave, the important thing is you aren’t in the same house as this man anymore.

SunflowerTed · 18/03/2024 03:36

Yes you are the problem for enabling a useless, lazy, entitled waste of oxygen. I can’t believe your standards are so low that you would allow somebody to treat you like this. I can’t believe you are even disappointed that you’re not planning a wedding????!!!! Unbelievable.Pack your bags and leave ASAP.

Stickyricepudding · 18/03/2024 05:21

Go through your bank statement and total up how much extra you spent on top of the bills. Then on tlne next pay day, transfer that money into a premium bonds account to save towards your exit from this mess.

So when he needs a bail out during the month, you will not have any spare money to give him. Repeat each month, until you have enough money to exit this relationship.

Remember if you marry this man, he will inherit everything from you instead of your daughter. Do you really want this? I'd plan to leave by the Sumner, save as much as you can and don't get pregnant.

HollyKnight · 18/03/2024 05:35

Yes. You're the problem because you're the one not walking away from this waste of space. You're settling a terrible example for your daughter. Do you really want her to think this is what to expect in relationships? The woman being a handmaiden while the man does fuck all.

unsync · 18/03/2024 06:44

You need to leave now or you'll be posting again in X years wondering where your life went. Be the example your daughter needs on not settling for a shitty man who treats you like his property. Go and live a happy, fulfilled life with her.

Lurkingandlearning · 18/03/2024 07:13

Thewho21 · 17/03/2024 23:34

@Bestyearever2024
i don’t think this is appropriate for my situation as he is not abusive, I wouldn’t want to use this service and potentially take away from someone who desperately needs it and is in a far worse position than me.

It would only take a couple of minutes of their time to tell you if you qualify for their help or not.
I think he is abusing you. I think your daughter is growing up in a very unhealthy environment. As far as I know these are the things womens aid help with

CharlotteCollinsneeLucas · 18/03/2024 07:14

Right, so this is going to take planning, then. You sure your family wouldn't have you both on the sofa for a few weeks? Have you started looking for cheap places to live? They don't need to be perfect, they just need to be good enough

Where were you living before?

hopscotcher · 18/03/2024 07:19

Does he have any redeeming features AT ALL? He sounds awful, and like someone you're now wasting your life with.

CharlotteCollinsneeLucas · 18/03/2024 07:25

And I agree with talking to Women's Aid. They helped me get out of a similar situation. I managed to find somewhere to rent for me and DC, but WA gave me someone to talk things through with. When you live with someone dismissive who makes you feel you make bad decisions, that alone is really valuable.

ErinAoife · 18/03/2024 07:56

My opinion he is just waiting for you to break up with him as he wants to be seem as poor him his partner broke up with him and he will say he doesn't know why he was doing plenty

WoodBurningStov · 18/03/2024 08:17

He's using you as a live in cook, cleaner, nanny and childminder. Leave this useless sack of shit !

Toptotoe · 18/03/2024 08:23

Yes you are the problem in as much as you think this man is going to change. He has been given plenty of opportunity to change and he hasn’t. You need to ask yourself why you are prepared to be an unpaid servant to him?
IMHO you need to leave him and do some serious work on your self esteem before you get into a new relationship.

determinedtomakethiswork · 18/03/2024 08:34

Why on earth are you with this run? What kind of life do you want to have? It's almost as though you haven't realised you only have one life and that you are in charge of it.

Thewho21 · 18/03/2024 08:55

@Stickyricepudding Thanks for your advice. Being pregnant wont be a problem as he doesn’t want anymore kids and that department is non existent on my part as I don’t want to due to his behaviour.

OP posts:
Thewho21 · 18/03/2024 08:58

@CharlotteCollinsneeLucas i only have my dad and he has no room and is unwell so I couldn’t go there. I was living in rented accommodation prior to moving in with him. I search for properties to rent but they are very expensive. I have also registered with social housing and said I am going to be homeless.

OP posts:
Thewho21 · 18/03/2024 09:02

@hopscotcher i honestly can’t think of any redeeming features or anything positive at this point. Everyone outside of the relationship other than his ex wife thinks he is a lovely man which is why I’m questioning my own sanity and wondering if I’m the problem.

OP posts:
idrinkandiknowthings · 18/03/2024 14:09

Oh my days, what a giant twat he is. Ditch the freeloader and find yourself a man more worthy of you.

Ejvd · 18/03/2024 16:46

You are the problem, or rather you have a problem. You have allowed yourself to be in a relationship where you are the unpaid live-in help/servant AND work to pay half the bills on top. And he doesn't even need to go to the trouble of servicing you sexually either. What a sweet deal this guy has. Can you be my DP please lol? Although id prefer a live-out servant myself, so maybe we wouldn't be compatible.

You need to figure out how to make sure you never end up being made a mug of again with a future DP.

MissRabbitIsABoss · 18/03/2024 20:15

Hes gotten lazy in the relationship and complacent in his behaviour cos there isn't any real consequences.
It's awful to say but an argument is washing over him and the only way it ACTUAL consequences...you leaving. Sounds a bit like things have died between you and you're not even treading water. He doesn't respect you, doesn't show real interest, doesn't and l won't appreciate any effort you put in. The time has come to go.
I guess you are part of the problem, as in you haven't shown any real consequences to his in-action but, he's an adult, you shouldn't have to police him acting like a proper functioning person

SheerLucks · 18/03/2024 22:14

Oh gosh OP, this is sad, I'm so sorry.

I think you've both got into a bit of a rut though and you probably both realise things aren't going anywhere, but neither of you have the energy to do anything about it.

I think you need to separate and then things will improve for both of you. It's not going to be easy for quite a while, but then it will start to get better and better.

Good luck Flowers

Thewho21 · 18/03/2024 22:21

@SheerLucks thank you for such a kind and gentle reply x

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