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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

Aibu - exhausting, difficult man

104 replies

guardcat2 · 31/07/2024 19:08

Feeling sad and could use a sense check/hand hold. Been with dp for just over a year. We were both newly separated and i think we got together too soon, there's been a lot of drama and conflict, he is hot headed and has a blunt attitude where he questions everything and often seems annoyed if i don't agree with him (e.g. on when he should meet my dc as he says a year is very long, or if i dont agree on frequency of contact/communication between us etv). We have also been long distance for a few months now due to work. I've become sick of arguing as it seems like almost every phone convo turns into a row. I thought he realised how much his argumentative streak was killing us as he promised not to start a row with me for the whole of July, but.... when we finally met up after 6 weeks apart, he got in a mood because i hadnt introduced him to family i'd been staying with (although they live 2 hr drive away from where we were meeting) and he said he didnt want to spend the weekend with me anymore, which felt so mean after so long apart and looking forward to it. Also when i called his bluff he totally reneged and begged me not to leave.

But then, within just a few days, something else happened. He is meant to be coming to stay near me for the summer and we've been planning it as he can't stay with me when my dc are with me, but I sent him a text saying I'd booked him a nice airbnb my treat for a few nights to cover this period, and then he said i was being controlling and 'i didnt even ask him', even though it was supposed to be a nice thing, to ensure he had a comfortable place to say. He also argued with me about a throwaway comment i made when we talked about sex, about how i don't like someone.. erm, 'finishing' anywhere near my face (as i hate porn-y stuff like that) and he took offence and said i should want to try anything with him, he felt rejected by me and that if he is only going to have sex with me, he doesn't want our sex life to be constrained. So 2 arguments about irrational, unrelated things, and that was in the space of just one day. I'm particularly upset about the airbnb as i couldnt understand how he would take offence at that. he says he's not going to use it and will stay at a campsite instead!! He's heavily implied i am controlling because a)i booked him a couple nights at an airbnb and b)because i expressed a sexual boundary.

Of course, he always says his behaviours are because he love me so much, has never felt this way before, can't control it, etc...

It's just odd and exhausting - right? Things should not be this difficult. I just feel like all my feelings have evaporated :(

OP posts:
chocobaby · 31/07/2024 20:06

guardcat2 · 31/07/2024 19:57

And stating sexual boundaries is fine, right?! its normal!? Not rejecting?

Look he’s already making you question everything!! I’m a queen at stating sexual boundaries. Nobody finishes anywhere on my body- nobody! I don’t care if they have a 🍆 made of gold and diamonds. I find it disrespectful and disgusting so no.

it is fine to state sexual boundaries and if he has any respect for you, he will not try to push it by being manipulative. 🗑️ chuck him in there

Balloonhearts · 31/07/2024 20:07

So you're just like, i'm a woman and i don't have to be degraded, i'm not doing xyz...

Erm...YES!

What is wrong with this guy?

AGodawfulsmallaffair · 31/07/2024 20:08

guardcat2 · 31/07/2024 19:29

lol, he said my response to the 'finishing' thing should have been more 'playful' and 'open' as its like i am not open to an adventurous sex life and i was calling him disgusting. Neither of which is true! Actually i am more experienced than him. i just hate really degrading/porn stuff personally.

Ask him how playful he’d feel if a bloke wanked and ejaculated all over his face, then dump the creep.

guardcat2 · 31/07/2024 20:10

he actually said its no different to when he does oral on me which i totally disagree with. And also, if he didnt want to do that, it would be ok with me.

OP posts:
Playingchesswithpigeons · 31/07/2024 20:14

guardcat2 · 31/07/2024 19:54

sadly its non refundable!! URGH..

Can you not stay with your children at the air bnb? it would be an adventure?
It's apparent he doesn't really care about your feelings.
"You HAVE to do what he wants in bed, otherwise your constraining him" !!!!
Just over a year in a relationship, should be still new. Especially if you're not living together. He's making no effort whatsoever in pleasing you.
Get him in the bin.

twodowntwotogo · 31/07/2024 20:15

guardcat2 · 31/07/2024 19:31

Does anyone think me booking the airbnb could in any way be malicious?! I feel like he tries to argue black is white sometimes!

Absolutely not, he's just spoiling for a fight and you shouldn't be put in this position where you've done him a favour and he's ungrateful and gaslighting you over it. Just tell him it's over and move on, he sounds really nasty.

BobbyBiscuits · 31/07/2024 20:16

He sounds pathetic quite frankly. I'm certain you'd be better off single.
You loved him, you don't anymore. These things happen. But life's too short to waste another moment with this arse.

Bobbybobbins · 31/07/2024 20:17

Anytime anyone says 'it's only because I love you' is a huge warning sign. Get rid OP.

XChrome · 31/07/2024 20:18

OP, he is a massively controlling emotional abuser. Eventually it may become physical. It often does. Sorry, but I see no hope here. He is the problem. You can't fix him and he doesn't think he should fix himself. Just get out before it gets even worse.

ElleintheWoods · 31/07/2024 20:18

A relationship is meant to bring joy and excitement and make your life better. Reading this, I don't see how it brings anything other than stress and drama. Personally if I regularly argued with someone during year 1, I'd not want stick around.

It all just sounds too difficult and exhausting and not the kind of relationship anyone should aspire to have.

guardcat2 · 31/07/2024 20:21

Unfortunately he has severe dv and ea in his childhood so i think it could just be part of him and yes, i have questioned how this could all get worse. Again, just a weird gut instinct.

OP posts:
XChrome · 31/07/2024 20:22

guardcat2 · 31/07/2024 20:10

he actually said its no different to when he does oral on me which i totally disagree with. And also, if he didnt want to do that, it would be ok with me.

That's bullshit. Women don't spooge all over the man's face as he's doing it.
Your face represents your humanity. To have it jizzed on is dehumanizing and degrading. That's why misogynistic men like it.

CheekyHobson · 31/07/2024 20:23

He's an emotionally abusive head-fucker. For future reference, feeling this confused and self-questioning about a relationship is a clear sign that the person you are with is abusive.

His behaviour also perfectly validates your choice to wait a year (or longer) before introducing him to your children. People often don't show their true colours clearly in the first few months, and it can take more than six months for behaviours like this to emerge. So you have absolutely been doing the right thing and the fact that he's been giving you a hard time about it is just one more black mark against him.

dontcryformeargentina · 31/07/2024 20:24

You don't need this awful specimen of a man. What you need is therapy. Reconnect with yourself.

zeibesaffron · 31/07/2024 20:24

There are some excellent responses on here which I hope give you the courage to text that piece of shit tonight-and say its over - then block him on everything. Good luck - nothing you have done is wrong!! Relationships should not be this hard work 1 year in xx

BeeCucumber · 31/07/2024 20:25

Stop with the excuses. Throw him back. He’s abusive. What more do you want MN to say for you to make your mind up? It’s not you - it’s him.

FictionalCharacter · 31/07/2024 20:25

guardcat2 · 31/07/2024 19:31

Does anyone think me booking the airbnb could in any way be malicious?! I feel like he tries to argue black is white sometimes!

NO! All of this is him not you. He’s absolutely awful and I was repulsed just reading your post.

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 31/07/2024 20:26

I can’t see him getting any better, to be honest, @guardcat2. The beginning of a relationship is usually when people put their best foot forward, to make a good impression - he clearly doesn’t care about how bad an impression he is making, so I see no chance of him realising he needs to improve, let alone actually improving.

And to answer your questions, you have EVERY right to decide what is best for your children, and EVERY right to assert a sexual boundary. He is trying to manipulate you into letting him overstep your boundaries, and a decent person would not be doing this.

I’m sorry you are going through this.

Didshejustsaythatoutloud · 31/07/2024 20:27

FoxtrotOscarFoxtrotOscar · 31/07/2024 19:12

I'm worn out just reading that! Sounds utterly exhausting.

Oofft, me too.
Bloody hell A YEAR. That's meant to be the fun bit. Sorry, I would be out.

Kelly51 · 31/07/2024 20:28

weird gut feeling
it's right there in front of you; he's a cunt, get rid!

Jellylovescustard · 31/07/2024 20:28

He is the epitome of vile. Get him gone.

daisychain01 · 31/07/2024 20:29

he said i should want to try anything with him

get rid. How dare he dictate your sexual boundaries. Ick.

Strawberriesandpimms · 31/07/2024 20:31

Cancel the air bnb and dump him. Your boundaries are fine and now you are seeing why he split with his previous partner. You jumped in too soon with thos relationship. Take some time to heal and look after yourself.

AdviceNeeded2024 · 31/07/2024 20:31

And he’s saying you’re the controlling one??!

Sounds utterly exhausting. People argue but if someone does not improve your life by being in it, get rid.

It will only get worse from here, can you imagine another 10yrs of his constant complaining, whinging and gaslighting??

AquaFurball · 31/07/2024 20:31

guardcat2 · 31/07/2024 19:57

And stating sexual boundaries is fine, right?! its normal!? Not rejecting?

A man who tells you that you are rejecting him for stating your sexual boundaries is sexually abusive.

You don't even need to be told that, you've made it clear you find something degrading, (which many, many women agree with you including the adventurous and experienced ones hahaha!) and his response is you should want to do it for him.

You're an excellent mum not letting this man into your children's lives. Be kind to yourself too and get him out of yours as well. Strong women stay strong by removing weak men from their environment.

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