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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

Demanding my phone or the relationship is over

137 replies

Thewrongsideof40 · 28/08/2024 10:37

I have been with my partner on and off for five years. He has a habit of ending the relationship or walking out and not talking to me for weeks before I try and coax him back round or he would call me names and blame me for him having to leave me, and I shouldn’t keep giving him reasons to leave.
Last year he ended the relationship because I was due to give him a lift for a day out with his mates and he never committed to the time and expected me to wait around until he decided if he was actually going. I was supposed to be going for my Sunday lunch with family which he knew and he went absolutely crazy when I said look I’m going for my dinner. Expecting him to ring and say right I’m ready can you take me as my parents live only minutes away. He left me.
we got back together after a nine month break and my male friend from school who I did have a relationship with 30 years ago but we remained friends was texting me as we have done on and off for years. My partner saw the notification and went to bed. The next day he questioned me on who it was. I have mentioned him as a friend to my partner but that wasn’t enough. He said if I didn’t show him my phone there and then he would end the relationship. Que the name calling and how I’m a charlatan and a cheat and a liar. It’s my mate and he’s married and lives nowhere near me. This time two years ago I’d found out he was texting his ex and another female friend who would ring him at night and they’d discuss her losing her husband and he was helping her. When I found out I asked to see his phone and he said if I ever looked at his phone ( I did slyly read some messages and I admitted that to him and apologised) he said he would end the relationship if I ever looked at his phone again.
Am I being controlled or is he right to demand my phone?

OP posts:
TheStroppyFeminist · 28/08/2024 10:41

Leave him, he's abusive.

MrsTerryPratchett · 28/08/2024 10:41

It's a terrible relationship. YOU should end it, regardless of what he does.

Why do you think you deserve such an arsehole as a partner?

PashaMinaMio · 28/08/2024 10:43

This is toxic. Do you really want to be in a relationship which is so muddled with tensions, arguments and stress generated by your phones? Really?

It’s all a bit tit for tat childish. He’s bullying you.

Id get out now.

shellyleppard · 28/08/2024 10:43

Throw this one back you deserve so much better.

lemonsaretheonlyfruit · 28/08/2024 10:43

Yes you are being controlled in this situation but that sounds like the least of your worries.

He is controlling you by walking out and disappearing. He is controlling you by deciding if and when he will come back.

He is calling you abusive names

He has double standards in your relationship.

He does not respect or love you, and much more.

I know it can be hard to leave a relationship but I think that's absolutely what you should be doing here. You are setting yourself up for a lifetime of misery if you stay with this man - even if there are undoubtedly some 'good bits' in the relationship.

SonicTheHodgeheg · 28/08/2024 10:45

The question is why do you keep on returning to this horrible man ?

Bullshots · 28/08/2024 10:46

He has a habit of ending the relationship or walking out and not talking to me for weeks before I try and coax him back round

Just....whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy?

Purplecatshopaholic · 28/08/2024 10:48

Stop ‘coaxing him back’ ffs. Let him go, this is toxic and he is a dick. HTH

Sassybooklover · 28/08/2024 10:49

To be quite honest, he sounds massively immature and childish. I read the thread half expecting you both to be a teenagers, until I got to the part of your friend who you've known for 30 years! If you keep splitting up and getting back together, regardless of who instigates the split, what does that tell you? It tells you that your relationship is not working, you are not compatible with each other and you will be stuck in the same on/off cycle in another 5 years time. As for your phone. It's yours, you've given him an explanation, if that isn't enough, then tough. I'd end this relationship as soon possible, and find someone else who's actually mature enough to have an adult relationship.

Thewrongsideof40 · 28/08/2024 10:51

I know it seems odd but when we are together it’s so amazing and then I seem to do or say the wrong thing and he’s back to walking out.
it complicated in that we were together over 20 years ago as a young couple and he randomly walked into the bedroom and told me he no longer loved me. I was heartbroken and ended up rebounding with my husband whom I have two children with. One at uni and one at college now. I bumped into him and sadly my husband and I were having difficulties and I filed for divorce and we ended up back together so I’ve always thought we were meant to be.
my friend who I text and have been friends with since school met along with another of our friends before Christmas when I was again single and I told my partner all this because I wanted to be honest and he telling people I’m back in touch and meeting up with my ex. He won’t listen and just shouts. Demanding his tv back and money he spent on a take away and things he’s lent me. It is just so difficult when you genuinely love someone and you know they struggle emotionally.

OP posts:
Thewrongsideof40 · 28/08/2024 10:52

At times he is amazing. Helping me paint my new place. Picking me up and dropping me off. Going the extra mile and then there’s this side.

OP posts:
MayaPinion · 28/08/2024 10:52

Oh my God. Get rid of that controlling fucker. He will get worse. Literally nobody on this thread will advise you to stay with him. You can’t change him. This is who he is, that’s what you’re signing up to for the rest of your life if you stay with him.

Maddy70 · 28/08/2024 10:53

He is mentally abusive. Leave him

Thewrongsideof40 · 28/08/2024 10:53

This definitely resonates with me. I agree but it’s hard to leave someone you love when they do so much but then act in such an awful way only weeks later.

OP posts:
FrillyKnickersAndNoFurCoat · 28/08/2024 10:54

SonicTheHodgeheg · 28/08/2024 10:45

The question is why do you keep on returning to this horrible man ?

Yes, this. Why keep putting yourself through this time and time again.
He is a horrible controlling bully.
Leave and don't get back with him. You deserve better.

Bullshots · 28/08/2024 10:54

Helping me paint my new place. Picking me up and dropping me off.

You could employ a painter and decorater and get taxis and have a whole lot less hassle.

BIWI · 28/08/2024 10:54

What on earth is it that you 'love' about him? I think you're deluded, sadly. In love with someone that doesn't exist.

LadyGaGasPokerFace · 28/08/2024 10:55

This sounds like hard work. I couldn’t be bothered with him. Just get rid.

femfemlicious · 28/08/2024 10:55

Why do you even need to ask?. If all you have said is accurate you should have ended this a long time ago.

MrsTerryPratchett · 28/08/2024 10:55

Bullshots · 28/08/2024 10:54

Helping me paint my new place. Picking me up and dropping me off.

You could employ a painter and decorater and get taxis and have a whole lot less hassle.

Quite. Or paint and drive yourself. I do and my partner is great.

Willyoushutthefrontdoor · 28/08/2024 10:56

I mean I'm sorry but this is just ridiculous. Tell him to fk off. And quickly. Hes nothing but a controlling childish prick despite whatever little good he shows you.

CelestialNexus · 28/08/2024 10:57

"Demanding my phone or the relationship is over"

Bye then

FrillyKnickersAndNoFurCoat · 28/08/2024 10:57

Thewrongsideof40 · 28/08/2024 10:53

This definitely resonates with me. I agree but it’s hard to leave someone you love when they do so much but then act in such an awful way only weeks later.

If you love someone you don't treat them like this. The leaving, name calling etc are all controlling and abusive acts. You don't abuse someone if you love them. He enjoys the drama he creates.

arethereanyleftatall · 28/08/2024 10:57

Everybody is nice some of the time op.

Everyone.

Even Hitler. Even Bundy.

Is this really how you want your life to be? Because this is him. He won't change. And one day maybe you'll have kids and he'll disappear again. And that will be thoroughly miserable for you.

We get one life op.

Stop spending any more time on this awful man.

NameChangedToDisguiseEmbarrassment · 28/08/2024 10:58

Forget this romantic notion that splitting up and getting back together means ‘we are meant to be’. No, it doesn’t. It means the relationship is volatile.

Things shouldn’t be like this. When relationships are genuinely good, you don’t have to cherry-pick the good times to make up for the bad times.

This all sounds exhausting and you’re always on edge trying to avoid his next outburst.

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