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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 about dp- feel like i am going crazy

125 replies

aroundtheworld88 · 01/10/2024 16:02

I am in a relationship of 1 year and 4 months and I have started to have enough, but it feels like this relationship has eroded my sense of normal (also, i was just out of a very volatile, EA 5 year marriage when I met him), and I think i have become a bit isolated. So can the good people of mn help me to know if these are red flags? My gut has started yelling at me and i have become quite depressed and anxious which i put down to my busy job, but now I think it is actually at least partly my partner.

He is 45, to my knowledge has never had a steady job/career... he changed career from a chef in his late 20s and then did short term mechanic style jobs, before giving up work for about 8 years seemingly when he was married to a high earner, in which time he wrote several 'novels' which are unpublished.

Now, he has only worked about 3 months out of the whole time i have known him, and otherwise seems to live off interest from some investments, and his divorce settlement. No plans for work except for another 2-3 month stint short contract where he supposedly will make enough to not have to work for several more months.

He 'moved to be with me' as we were LDR but due to airbnbs being expensive and me not being ready to move in as i have one school age dc, he set up a tent in my local camping field, and has stayed there. He wants us to live together.
Since coming here 2 months ago he has basically not given me any time to myself and is around me all the time whether on the school run, or while i am doing meetings (I wfh), he almost never is out on his own.

I paid rent on my little house upfront for a year this year and pay all bills. pay for all petrol on the car which i own (he doesnt have a car), he pays for a lot of groceries but that's it. I work FT as a consultant from home, juggling single parenting, meetings, cooking dinners, shopping for food, cleaning, planning activities. It is really starting to grate on me that he doesnt work. He will sit and watch netflix on mute while i am doing a meeting at my desk in the corner, or he will take a nap. My job cab be stressful and i get so exhausted. Some days i have meetings wiht another timezone and don't get done with the day until 11pm or later, then i have to go back to sleep the next day after the school run to compensate, and he gets a bit irritated as he is an early riser and I have to sleep 'so much' and I am often too tired for sex. But he doesn't work, at all. And i don't see it changing. I don't even think that hvaing a passive income stream is a good enough reason not to be working or pursuing a career when he is very healthy in his mid 40s. It makes me feel horrible and judgy, but I am beginning to feel like we have totally different work ethics.

He gets moody and seems to have emotional dysregulation and i wonder if this is why he doesnt work. We argue a lot, more and more, and i am even starting to get the ick. I need time to myself but if i ask for it he acts rejected. I need someone who is on the same page as me with work, but he acts like iam a golddigger if i ever mention it. Oh and he wants us to have kids!! But what, with him not working? He keeps himself in great shape and is romantic but i'm in my late 30s and i dont want or need a trophy boyfriend. I just want some equality. I feel like i spend every second either working or with him or doing chores and I am getting really depressed. but he just keeps saying he loves me and wants to prioritise our relationship over anything else.

Aibu? Sorry if this is so jumbled. Not sure what i am looking for, maybe just opinions on this situation.

OP posts:
Allthehorsesintheworld · 01/10/2024 17:22

“but it feels like this relationship has eroded my sense of normal”

Any man who makes you feel like that has to be thrown back.
He lives in a tent.
He's hardly ever worked.
And wants you to have children with him…..that he has no means to support.
Why do you think the woman who put up with him for 8 years ended the relationship?

Get rid, this won’t ever improve.

Iwishminebigger · 01/10/2024 17:24

Get rid of him quickly, get help if necessary to see him off your premises and not take any keys.
He will soon start begging for sympathy because it's winter.
Freedom Prog is good advice OP

CeffylCoch · 01/10/2024 17:25

How's he going to live in a tent all winter? he will be round yours even more!

yeesh · 01/10/2024 17:26

This is crazy. Why the fuck would you stay with someone who lives in a field and doesn’t even have a job? He sounds like a leech on your time, energy & money

outdamnedspots · 01/10/2024 17:27

Shoxfordian · 01/10/2024 16:06

He doesn't work and he lives in a tent, isn't that enough of a reason to dump him? Do the freedom programme, if you haven't, and don't date any more losers

This!

You sound lovely. You deserve much better!

imnotsickbutimnotwell · 01/10/2024 17:28

He’s a cocklodger get rid of him. Block him and move on. Spend some time working out what you want from a relationship and what qualities the other person needs to bring to the table. I personally would not date someone who has zero work ethic whatsoever.

Edited to add - as someone else said, please do the Freedom Program so you can spot these types of people before becoming entwined with them.

duende · 01/10/2024 17:28

God no, run away!

EYP2021 · 01/10/2024 17:30

He keeps his body in shape cause he’s a COCKLODGER! Of course he wants to move in…….. winter is coming!!!!!!!

ginasevern · 01/10/2024 17:43

"He gets moody and seems to have emotional dysregulation and i wonder if this is why he doesnt work."

Umm OK OP, and he lives in a tent outside your house. Does any of this sound vaguely normal? He could be dangerous for all you know or a complete fantasist - or both! Run for the hills, look after your child and if necessary call the police. I don't understand why you're allowing this to continue on any level.

AgnesX · 01/10/2024 17:57

I'm surprised you've not given him notice a long time ago.

Your reservations about him are bang on. Get rid of him sharpish before he wheedles you into staying permanently.

Tillow4ever · 01/10/2024 18:04

I agree with everyone else - throw this one back sharpish! He's likely rubbing out of money from the divorce so now needs another woman to fund his life of leisure.

I suspect he chose to pitch a tent so he'd have reason to be at yours all the time, and so you'd feel guilty about his staying there in the cold months. Don't be suckered into inviting him to live with you - you don't want another 5 long years to get rid of someone.

If you were to stay together and have children, do you think he would do all that being a SAHD entails? Would you resent having to go to work because he refuses to work at all so he gets to stay home with the baby? Would he expect you to pay for childcare for the kids so he doesn't have to have them at home all the time (likely claiming it's for their good and development)? If you split, would he try for full time resident parent so you have to pay him maintenance?

Lots of things to consider - and I genuinely would consider them as I suspect he thinks he's found someone he can bleed dry.

Dillydollydingdong · 01/10/2024 18:14

Oh get rid. I couldn't have any respect for a man like that. Chuck this one back.

SprigatitoYouAndIKnow · 01/10/2024 18:52

I don't think any of the "why" matters. He is not providing what you need from a partner and takes more than he gives. You don't need to fix him or mother him. Time to live your best life. Can you honestly say that should include him?

merryhouse · 01/10/2024 18:52

I need time to myself but if i ask for it he acts rejected.

You do know that is not your problem?

But anyway, tell him now that you don't want to be in this relationship any more. Don't let him change your mind. If he whines about having nowhere to live point out that the plan was never to have him move in.

Daschund · 01/10/2024 19:09

No one falls in love quicker than a hobosexual cocklodger.

Missamyp · 01/10/2024 19:23

The tent did it for me.
Passive income wouldn't be a problem for me.
Nevertheless the tent is grounds for dismissal.
A tent
😲😂

Crikeyalmighty · 01/10/2024 19:27

I lived with a guy like this following a similar situation to you OP- he was a charming guy, decent looking, fun - also a huge fantasist who told me some whopping lies that didn't come out till he was well seconded with feet under the table- took me 4 years to get rid and a lot of horrible hassle- - you really aren't in the same league and deserve way better.

Left · 01/10/2024 19:35

This sounds rubbish - what support do you need to get rid of him?

DomingoinLittleOakley · 01/10/2024 19:37

He's not for you love. That's all I have to say.

GodSavetheJean · 01/10/2024 19:39

He needs to go, now. He is sucking the life out of you and will not improve.

" No plans for work except for another 2-3 month stint short contract where he supposedly will make enough to not have to work for several more months." - Perfect, he can find an apartment.

ATastingMenuButItsAllCrisps · 01/10/2024 19:39

An argumentative hobosexual? You should be laughing whilst dumping him by text. Forget this embarrassing chapter.

category12 · 01/10/2024 19:56

Of course he wants you to prioritise the relationship, that way you don't protect your own sanity, home, work, finances from a complete loser.

FetchezLaVache · 01/10/2024 20:01

For the sake of fuck, get rid of this one before winter comes!

Tae1 · 01/10/2024 20:12

What in gods name are you doing allowing this lazy loser near your home and child.
Get rid of him today.
OP, this is an appalling lack of judgement.

TwistedWonder · 01/10/2024 20:23

Why are you dragging this cocklodging fuckwit into your kids life?

Honestly living in a tent - please raise your bar out of the gutter - hes an absolute waste of space.