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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

fed up with my partner using my house as his base

571 replies

amedeusamadeus · 04/09/2024 09:04

As with title really.
he lives in house share , when we got together had his own (rented) house. It was lovely, is very solvent, good job etc and all fine.

some months in the landlord was selling up so he moved into a house share as a stop gap.

it’s now been a year of him at this bachelor pad, younger housemates/ workmates , their younger girlfriends etc.
he is ‘saving’ with no plans to buy anywhere and seemingly no plans to move on from this fun bachelor pad.

there’s no space for me there, I don’t feel welcome in the slightest and quite honestly I’m not sure I want to spend time there.
its a nice house but it’s like something from my 20s (we’re middle aged)
his kids are grown and he has grandchildren while I still have kids.
im nowhere near ready to move in together and him suddenly slot into our lives for convenience and more money saving which is what I think he and everyone else thinks will happen.
I probably won’t even entertain it until the kids have left school

it’s become the norm for him to spend my free weekends at mine and some time during the week.
it also means that his adult kids and grandchildren have been visiting more and more at mine because there’s also no space at his really for family visits .

I have good relationship with them too but it’s starting to feel like encroachment, they stay longer and longer cos of baby’s sleep time interfering with journey home, we don’t get privacy as a couple and most importantly , I am not getting time to myself to enjoy my home and feel I’m running on empty with work, housework, my kids, and I’m not finding energy to fulfill my needs.
obviously I love him and his company so I find setting the boundaries hard because I want to see him but the only place where we can be comfortable together is my house.

he helps out with jobs and buys groceries so he feels he’s not taking the mickey and it gives us more time together but I don’t want my romantic/ sexy time to be spent doing housework together because I haven’t had time to catch up elsewhere.

he is a good earner but in a highly stressful job.

as well as supposedly saving is always arriving with new and expensive items and clothes so I feel a bit shortchanged in terms of my space and time.

ive said this to him numerous times, he says it will change and then does something like book us a hotel for a weekend so I get a break but I feel it’s all unevenly weighted in his favour.

house prices and rentals have skyrocketed here and there is a dearth of available accommodation for everyone so I feel like it’s unfair to force his hand by giving an ultimatum but I don’t know how else to deal with it.

ive asked him to tell me how he plans to make a space for me and his family (and my family) in his life.

in my head I’m giving six months to see him make changes

I feel this may well be a hill I choose to die on and can’t quite work out if I’m being selfish/ petty because of the stressful housing market and the fact he’s happy living with his friends.
also we have a great relationship if I ignore this (lol) and am I throwing the baby out with the bath water if he doesn’t change and I end it?

OP posts:
amedeusamadeus · 09/09/2024 14:21

pinkyredrose · 09/09/2024 14:13

Hope you're ok Op.

What was his revelation?

I don’t want to share it for various reasons but it’s quite specific so could be outing!
suffice it to say it is a small thing in itself but there’s several important aspects linked to it and the withholding of all that is symptomatic of the inequality of our ‘relationship’
conversely he was using this revelation as a way to make me back off ref my needs and it’s backfired on him.

im ever so sad and shaken up, i was really shocked , i guess to have it compounded that I was barking up the wrong tree all along

OP posts:
babbi · 09/09/2024 14:22

Sorry that you’re upset but I’m incredibly proud of you and I’m in awe of how you have handled this and conducted yourself .
You are amazing and worth so much more .

Take care and hold your head high x

amedeusamadeus · 09/09/2024 14:25

achipandachair · 09/09/2024 13:28

I'm sorry @amedeusamadeus . If I am reading you correctly it feels like he has just revealed something like some kind of problem or glitch in his life that you feel he should have been upfront about, or some kind of plan that affects you, like moving for work or something, and he's positioning it as "Of course I protected you from this / you are putting me under so much pressure along with all the other pressure I am already under / woe is me" or something like that. in other words just more meaningless words. I am sorry you are crying and I am sorry you feel it's a joke relationship. It's not a joke even if he is crap. you are amazing. You will be ok

Yes, pretty much this. It’s the sort of thing he would have told me about a year ago but for whatever reason didn’t happen and it has left me asking why with his response that I’ve been complaining about feeling put upon but this series of events started before I said all the stuff about feeling encroached upon and of course it leaves me wondering what else I don’t know.
i be really appreciate everyone here, I do feel stupid, I’ve had my doubts for a while but squashed them down and now feel bereft and stupid

OP posts:
Sandunesandseashells · 09/09/2024 14:46

Please know that you are NOT stupid. You are trusting and honest and thought it was reciprocated.
If you stopped trusting you would be a cynical woman with too much ‘baggage’ to trust another. Be exactly as you are, it’s all on him. You are enough and shame on him for ballsing it up.

Sandunesandseashells · 09/09/2024 14:48

The Lundy Bancroft book is available free to download as a PDF. If you can’t find it, pm me and I’ll attach it - if that’s possible (not done it before)

amedeusamadeus · 09/09/2024 14:53

Sandunesandseashells · 09/09/2024 14:48

The Lundy Bancroft book is available free to download as a PDF. If you can’t find it, pm me and I’ll attach it - if that’s possible (not done it before)

Thank you that’s really kind of you. I thought I was too old for this sort of crap

OP posts:
mummytrex · 09/09/2024 14:58

Don't feel stupid OP. He sounds rather manipulative. At least you know now. Look after yourself.

Uricon2 · 09/09/2024 14:58

You're not stupid @amedeusamadeus Flowers It takes intelligence to go "whoah this isn't OK for me" and guts to put it right, even if painful.

BirthdayRainbow · 09/09/2024 15:03

You are NOT stupid!

You are very smart as you sensed something was wrong, you dealt with it and you've held your line.

I am not sorry your relationship is over as it is the best thing for you but I am sorry you are hurt.

edited for typo.

TwistedWonder · 09/09/2024 15:07

You are not stupid. Hes manipulative and a liar. And sadly these men are very convincing.

Hold your head up high OP - you realised you were worth more and you’ve walked away with your dignity intact

Crikeyalmighty · 09/09/2024 15:18

I'm so sorry @amedeusamadeus I had a feeling that you were being fed a few half truths or he was hiding something - not necessarily financial - and if you are in what you think isa committed relationship you need honesty- warts and all - certainly at this stage. Please don't feel a fool- I lived with someone for 3 years who turned out to be a raging alcoholic with controlling tendencies and champagne tastes and beer money wages and I'm a smart cookie who never thought I would be taken in!!

BabaYetu · 09/09/2024 15:30

I’m sorry, OP. It’s horrible when people he relationship you thought you were in is undermined by what you learn later.

But I am glad you aren’t being taken for a mug by someone who doesn’t deserve you. You are clearly bright, compassionate, principled and a good parent. You deserve more.

Dogdaysareoverihope · 09/09/2024 16:15

I’m really sorry to hear this @amedeusamadeus - even though it was becoming clear from your posts that he was no good.

it’s a shock when someone isn’t who they say they are or pretend to be. At least you know now. this wasn’t your fault at all- his behaviour was very subtle and it takes a while to see it for what it is. Wishing you all the best.

SheilaFentiman · 09/09/2024 16:16

You are absolutely not stupid. As you have said, it all changed gradually and you have now been able to come to a definite conclusion, which is good.

SensibleSigma · 09/09/2024 16:32

You were acting upon the information you were aware of. That’s not stupid.

He chose not to share all the other information you needed, so you were building a relationship on sand. That isn’t your fault.

If only we could get surveys on people, the way we do on houses we are considering investing in! Basically you were strung along by a dishonest seller who encouraged you to start deciding what furniture would go where neglecting to mention the underlying land was leasehold not freehold.

I’m sorry you’ve had such a disappointment- but well done for spotting the weaknesses and so poking a bit further.

Campergirls1 · 09/09/2024 16:33

He deliberately withheld information for his own purposes, deliberately keeping you in the dark about things that would have informed your choices.
So deliberate.

Years ago in work a lovely colleague was in what she thought was a real relationship after 18 months. He was all about her. He had also put in for a transfer to the LA office for a 2 year project. She hadn't a clue. He strung her along and suited himself and then upped and left quickly when it came through. She was absolutely devastated and felt so used. He was simply passing time while modelling a guy who was mad about her.🙄 Some men have zero difficulty in compartmentalising stuff.

I am so sorry OP.
You will get through this.
Its just very raw.
It is a horrible feeling to feel manipulated and used.

independencefreedom · 09/09/2024 16:40

amedeusamadeus · 09/09/2024 14:25

Yes, pretty much this. It’s the sort of thing he would have told me about a year ago but for whatever reason didn’t happen and it has left me asking why with his response that I’ve been complaining about feeling put upon but this series of events started before I said all the stuff about feeling encroached upon and of course it leaves me wondering what else I don’t know.
i be really appreciate everyone here, I do feel stupid, I’ve had my doubts for a while but squashed them down and now feel bereft and stupid

Don't feel stupid, it's better to have a good time rather than go around mistrusting everyone. And you stayed really firm on him not moving in, so you put your children and their happiness first and showed great kindness to his kids so well done really, none of this can have been easy and you haven't compromised your values or your good nature, he's just tried to exploit them. I think you're great.

Zucker · 09/09/2024 16:40

You're not stupid. Your spidey senses knew something was wrong or you wouldn't have posted this post in the first place!

amedeusamadeus · 09/09/2024 17:24

Thanks you bunch of absolute angels. You have been kind and challenging and honest and shared your experiences , this nest of vipers isn’t so bad 💐

OP posts:
Cural · 09/09/2024 18:02

Every time your nn comes up OP, I sing it. I wish you so much luck and happiness. He's just a blip. 🍸🍾🍸

TheCultureHusks · 09/09/2024 18:03

amedeusamadeus · 09/09/2024 14:21

I don’t want to share it for various reasons but it’s quite specific so could be outing!
suffice it to say it is a small thing in itself but there’s several important aspects linked to it and the withholding of all that is symptomatic of the inequality of our ‘relationship’
conversely he was using this revelation as a way to make me back off ref my needs and it’s backfired on him.

im ever so sad and shaken up, i was really shocked , i guess to have it compounded that I was barking up the wrong tree all along

OP you’ve done the right thing. So sorry though. Sounds like another classic move - pulling a new ‘situation’ out to make you feel sorry for him and back down from your boundaries. But as you say, it didn’t occur to him that it would be a prime example of how shady he can be. Ooops!

good luck for the future

pikkumyy77 · 09/09/2024 18:04
Celebrate The Bachelor GIF

Pour one out for yourself and all of us! The party is just starting!

5starzz · 09/09/2024 18:07

I am so sorry that this has happened to you.

Do you know why / how his previous marriages and other relationships broke down - is there a pattern?

Some men are so exploitative. A colleague allowed her cocklodger to move in so that they could save to buy a bigger place together. She did everthing for him and compromised her childrens childhoods. He did save hard at her expense and when he had enough cash he floated off and bought his own 1 bed flat.

amedeusamadeus · 09/09/2024 18:11

Cural · 09/09/2024 18:02

Every time your nn comes up OP, I sing it. I wish you so much luck and happiness. He's just a blip. 🍸🍾🍸

Aww I love this! Brilliant video too, I might have a trip down memory lane, it’s so vibrant might lift my spirits

OP posts:
Shinyandnew1 · 09/09/2024 18:12

So have you actually said…‘please don’t arrange for your kids and grandkids to come round to my house-it’s not fair for me to have to keep hosting that, invite them to yours or go to theirs’

and he’s still doing it? Are you telling him to cancel each time?

Edited to apologise-I missed the update. Ignore my post!