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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:
Useruserdoubleuser · 31/07/2024 20:31

The Air BnB thing. It was a lovely thing to do. But he doesn’t want to feel he has to be nice to you so had to create some issue with it so he could justify being nasty.
He doesn’t like you.

Lavender14 · 31/07/2024 20:32

It sounds like he's gaslighting you op.

You should be able to express whatever sexual boundary you want and he should be like "ok cool I respect that" end of.

It's your decision when he meets your dc noone else's and again while he might not agree with it, he should respect it.

I think the air bnb is him trying to push his way into staying with you and he is deflecting the fact that he is actually the one being controlling.

I think op, he's showing you who he is. It really isn't meant to be this hard and you're only a year in- this should still be the fun and enjoyable stage. The red flags are hanging out of this guy and I'd be cutting him loose. I think you've made absolutely the right choice not to let him near your kids or family.

CocoapuffPuff · 31/07/2024 20:32

I would:

Invite a pal to come use the air bnb if you can't get your money back.

Stop seeing him, or having any contact. No relationship should be that bloody hard, never mind one that's barely a year long.

Change my locks if he had keys to my place, and block him if I felt he wasn't going to take no for an answer.

SamW98 · 31/07/2024 20:33

Stop justifying him and questioning yourself - every single post on this thread is telling you straight, he’s a vile, controlling, coercive, gaslighting piece of shit who doesn’t deserve one more day living rent free in your head.

Ive rarely seen a thread where the responses are so unanimous - he’s a cunt with more red flags than a Moscow May Day Parade

bonzaitree · 31/07/2024 20:33

Too much arguing- first year should be dreamy!!!

Throw him back.

He can find his perfect woman who doesn’t book air b and bs and want to be jizzed on.

DorisDoesDoncaster · 31/07/2024 20:34

Next. Run for the hills.

More red flags than a communist parade.

RedditFinder · 31/07/2024 20:34

That “only sex with you” comment is weird. Given it’s a LDR I’d bet he’s not being exclusive with you, and you should get checked and dump him.

LivingDeadGirlUK · 31/07/2024 20:34

You are giving this too much thought OP, just dump him.

NZDreaming · 31/07/2024 20:37

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!

Does it actually matter @guardcat2? I think you know deep down that this relationship needs to end. I was exhausted by him just reading your post. Let’s make a list of what the issues are:

  • he has a short temper and is unnecessarily argumentative
  • disrespects your boundaries (sexually and emotionally)
  • uses manipulative language to get his way/confuse you
  • poor communication, resorts to anger to get his way
  • him calling makes you feel anxious
  • He regularly reduces you to tears
  • you feel uneasy about him being around your children

I’ve been with my DH over 20 years and if one of these things were present in my relationship I’d be seriously considering why I was still with him let alone all of them.

He may well have had a bad childhood and horrible experiences but that doesn’t excuse his awful behaviour towards you. Saying he acts this way because he loves you so much is the language of an abuser, disrespecting your boundaries, gaslighting you into thinking you’re the problem, these are all abusive tactics. He may not be aware he’s doing it because of his past but it doesn’t excuse or justify it and definitely doesn’t mean you need to tolerate it.

He is draining the joy from your life when he should be adding to it, relationships shouldn’t be this hard.

End this relationship, cut him out of your life, go to therapy to work on your self-esteem, stay single until you are strong enough to see these massive red flags in a man before you embark on a new relationship and be glad you got out before things escalated.

Neveranynamesleft · 31/07/2024 20:39

I hope the message has got through loud and clear now OP.....Do not give this muppet another minute of your time, you deserve better....Get rid !!

beetr00 · 31/07/2024 20:39

guardcat2 · 31/07/2024 19:28

I think its sunk costs fallacy honestly,i used to really love him but now it all feels a chore and i dont know how things like booking him a nice airbnb can be taken badly, and he just seems to love arguing and twisting things! Its just not fun anymore.

Sunk cost fallacy really does not apply here @guardcat2 You've been together just over a year!

Go enjoy the airbnb (eta) on your own, with your children.

This is not a healthy relationship, at all.

DreadPirateRobots · 31/07/2024 20:40

I'm getting the seriously bad abusive vibes off this one, OP. I'm actually a bit worried for you, especially as you don't seem to see that this is abuse and control.

Please end it via text and keep yourself safe from him afterwards. Block him and don't give him any way to manipulate his way back in.

AdviceNeeded2024 · 31/07/2024 20:45

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.

Sounds like he’s got a lot of baggage he needs to work through. This is NOT your problem and it’s not on you to solve, it is also no excuse at all for treating you appallingly. Which he is.

TellMeWhoTheVillainsAre · 31/07/2024 20:46

He seems to be constantly testing how far he can push you. And when you don't bite he backs down. Please think long and hard about where this relationship will go. This is supposed to be the fun and exciting bit. You should not be filled with anxiety when you see his number calling you.

Delphiniumandlupins · 31/07/2024 20:48

You are not making each other happy. That's enough reason to end things. It doesn't matter whether you are controlling or a prude. It doesn't really matter that he has a bad temper and doesn't like you having boundaries. You are not compatible.

Escapingafter50years · 31/07/2024 20:56

Google "Why does he do that by Lundy Bancroft free pdf" It will give you a chilling insight into tye minds of controlling men.

victoriapauncefootjones · 31/07/2024 20:58

Agree with everyone else but also... He's pushing to meet your DC AND stay with them in your house instead of the lovely BnB. Did I understand that right?! Wtf, why is he pushing so hard to meet your kids??

Please be safe Op, dump this fucker over text and block.

Poppinjay · 31/07/2024 20:59

He is a typical narcissist in that he is accusing you of what he is doing.

He is controlling and he doesn't care whether you enjoy sex or do the right thing for your children. He fully expects you to prioritise his wants over your and your DC's needs and, when you don't, he will call you controlling and anything else he can think of.

Walk away and don't look back.

Blueuggboots · 31/07/2024 20:59

He sounds like an absolute twat and it won't get better!

Get rid of him.

TheAverageJoanne · 31/07/2024 21:01

Ugh no. He's one of those who has to argue and cause trouble to feel superior and even to exist. Whizz him out the window.

Devilsmommy · 31/07/2024 21:04

SamW98 · 31/07/2024 19:16

The whole sex conversation would have me outing there let alone the rest of it.

He sounds like a manipulative controlling cunt and I’d say he’s definitely capable big being abusive.

Cut you losses and get rid. This man won’t get any better.

This 100%. No genuinely good relationship looks anything like this at all

MumblesParty · 31/07/2024 21:08

bouncybouncingboobies · 31/07/2024 19:33

Of course not. He hoped for a chance to stay at yours. The Air BA is the nail in that coffin- that’s why he’s angry.

This. He was clearly hoping to persuade you to let him stay with you, and by booking the AirBnB you made it clear that wouldn’t happen. So he’s grumpy.

Franjipanl8r · 31/07/2024 21:09

he is hot headed and has a blunt attitude where he questions everything and often seems annoyed if i don't agree with him

bin.

Deadringer · 31/07/2024 21:14

I an exhausted just reading about him! Op please, please dump this man, my dh can be difficult but he is a boy scout compared to this fella.

softmauve · 31/07/2024 21:24

He's given me the ick just from reading your posts.
The first year (at least) of a new relationship should be fun not anxiety inducing.
LTB