Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

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for about 8 years seemingly when he was married to a high earner, in which time he wrote several 'novels' which are unpublished.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:
BellesAndGraces · 02/10/2024 08:03

REGDOLKCOC. It’s already been said by other PPs but thought I’d say it backwards too so there’s no mistake, this man is a cocklodger. And for good measure - LTB.

Nicebloomers · 02/10/2024 08:04

2Old2Tango · 02/10/2024 07:56

He's becoming a cocklodger by stealth, spending almost all his time at your place where he's getting free electricity, heating, tv, showers, etc. Is he also helping himself to your food and car OP? I'd have got the ick long ago.

Will this man's investments keep him going into old age? He doesn't seem to be forward planning. And what skills does he have that a short stint of work will keep him going for several months? Will his investment income allow him to contribute 50% if he were to move in? Could he provide financially for a child? These are all questions to ask yourself.

I'd be ending this as soon as possible, before winter really sets in and he makes you feel guilty for sending him back to his tent at night. I would most certainly not let him move in officially. Does he have a key? Get the barrels in the locks changed once he's gone.

Youll feel a lot better once your rid of this chancer. Please give yourself time before rushing into your next relationship, for both your and your child's sake.

Cocklodger by stealth nails it.

Even if it wasn’t for the fact that this guy is clearly looking for a meal ticket you’ve gone off him and feel suffocated by him. Get rid. I’m sure he’ll try being all ‘I moved here FOR YOU’, but he didn’t. He moved to cocklodge. Absolutely get rid asap because of the weather and tent situation.

aroundtheworld88 · 02/10/2024 18:19

I feel like this may be a dripfeed and i am sorry but he moved to my country and he cant get a work visa here very easily, which if on its own i would dismiss, but he hasnt made any effort to get a work visa in one of the 2 fields where he is qualified and he just suggests we get married to solve the problem!! also i used to live in his country when we first met and he didnt work then either for those 8 months i knew him, i just dont think he has that work ethic. he is always talking about how he had this great career as a chef but it was about 15 years ago he last did it. he also says that through very 'hard work', his investments net him about 5k a month and he even accussed me of resenting his lifestyle of 'freedom' because i have to work! yet having all this passive income and freedom does not seem to extend to wanting to put down roots even in his home country. i pay for a house for me and dc, pay the bills, work nights and do overtime when needed but he gets to choose to live in a tent (which realistically he hasnt been doing because the one time he stayed over at mine when it was raining, every night after he also expecred to stay over so he has de facto moved in, as PPs have predicted.) today i kind of kicked off at him as i was feeling so resentful and he accused me of wanting a 'meal ticket' (evidenced by the fact my exH was a high earner in tech). he denies that his high earning exW had anything to do with this apparently huge investment stream he has managed to create, esp as he wasnt working for 8 years when married to her.

above all, he just seems so irritated that the real, 24/7 me has bad days, gets really tired (i also have CFS that comes and goes and is exacerbated by work stress and this is a very busy season in my work), doesn;t want sex every night. and now he is saying we want 'different thing's from a relationship. i have the major ick. i think i found my anger...

OP posts:
category12 · 02/10/2024 18:23

Of course he'd love to marry you instead of having to work.

You'd then have an obligation to support the lazy git and he'd have a claim on your assets.

Illpickthatup · 02/10/2024 18:24

aroundtheworld88 · 02/10/2024 18:19

I feel like this may be a dripfeed and i am sorry but he moved to my country and he cant get a work visa here very easily, which if on its own i would dismiss, but he hasnt made any effort to get a work visa in one of the 2 fields where he is qualified and he just suggests we get married to solve the problem!! also i used to live in his country when we first met and he didnt work then either for those 8 months i knew him, i just dont think he has that work ethic. he is always talking about how he had this great career as a chef but it was about 15 years ago he last did it. he also says that through very 'hard work', his investments net him about 5k a month and he even accussed me of resenting his lifestyle of 'freedom' because i have to work! yet having all this passive income and freedom does not seem to extend to wanting to put down roots even in his home country. i pay for a house for me and dc, pay the bills, work nights and do overtime when needed but he gets to choose to live in a tent (which realistically he hasnt been doing because the one time he stayed over at mine when it was raining, every night after he also expecred to stay over so he has de facto moved in, as PPs have predicted.) today i kind of kicked off at him as i was feeling so resentful and he accused me of wanting a 'meal ticket' (evidenced by the fact my exH was a high earner in tech). he denies that his high earning exW had anything to do with this apparently huge investment stream he has managed to create, esp as he wasnt working for 8 years when married to her.

above all, he just seems so irritated that the real, 24/7 me has bad days, gets really tired (i also have CFS that comes and goes and is exacerbated by work stress and this is a very busy season in my work), doesn;t want sex every night. and now he is saying we want 'different thing's from a relationship. i have the major ick. i think i found my anger...

Oh god it just gets worse. He's accusing you of using him as a meal ticket when he's quite clearly using you for a visa. Send him packing pronto. I'm glad you've found your anger.

Olika · 02/10/2024 18:26

Just end it. It's up to him if he then decides to move back to where he comes from or stay, that's none of your problem.

Tae1 · 02/10/2024 18:26

Truly unbelievable that you would have such a complete opportunist loser around your child.

ATastingMenuButItsAllCrisps · 02/10/2024 18:27

aroundtheworld88 · 02/10/2024 18:19

I feel like this may be a dripfeed and i am sorry but he moved to my country and he cant get a work visa here very easily, which if on its own i would dismiss, but he hasnt made any effort to get a work visa in one of the 2 fields where he is qualified and he just suggests we get married to solve the problem!! also i used to live in his country when we first met and he didnt work then either for those 8 months i knew him, i just dont think he has that work ethic. he is always talking about how he had this great career as a chef but it was about 15 years ago he last did it. he also says that through very 'hard work', his investments net him about 5k a month and he even accussed me of resenting his lifestyle of 'freedom' because i have to work! yet having all this passive income and freedom does not seem to extend to wanting to put down roots even in his home country. i pay for a house for me and dc, pay the bills, work nights and do overtime when needed but he gets to choose to live in a tent (which realistically he hasnt been doing because the one time he stayed over at mine when it was raining, every night after he also expecred to stay over so he has de facto moved in, as PPs have predicted.) today i kind of kicked off at him as i was feeling so resentful and he accused me of wanting a 'meal ticket' (evidenced by the fact my exH was a high earner in tech). he denies that his high earning exW had anything to do with this apparently huge investment stream he has managed to create, esp as he wasnt working for 8 years when married to her.

above all, he just seems so irritated that the real, 24/7 me has bad days, gets really tired (i also have CFS that comes and goes and is exacerbated by work stress and this is a very busy season in my work), doesn;t want sex every night. and now he is saying we want 'different thing's from a relationship. i have the major ick. i think i found my anger...

Any thoughts on the unanimous replies to your thread?

LittleGreenDragons · 02/10/2024 18:30

Why are you with him @aroundtheworld88 ? What does he add to your life? All I can see is red flags and problems which YOU have said, no reading between the lines have been necessary.

Kick him out permanently.
Block him.
Do The Freedom Programme asap.
Get counselling to find your self worth. You have none.

PeggyMitchellsCameo · 02/10/2024 18:32

Good God OP. So he’s not really in the tent any more. He’s a cocklodger and CF who is calling you names.
You have a full-on life and also have to deal with CFS.
What is he bringing? Nothing. He’s got a comfy place to live, money coming in, and he gets to do sweet FA every single bloody day.
You are worth SO much more.
Thank God you are not married.
Get some support from others, pack his stuff up
and tell him he’s leaving. If he had money he’d not without resources so whether he chooses his tent or another form of home, that’s up to him.
He brings absolutely nothing decent to the table.

Nicebloomers · 02/10/2024 18:40

Just tell him it’s not working for you and you don’t want to see him again. And change the locks.

TheBossOfMe · 02/10/2024 20:08

OMG he’s awful. Bin him and find a partner more aligned to your own values.

FictionalCharacter · 02/10/2024 20:10

Well that was a heck of a drip feed, and you say you're angry, but unless you get rid of him very soon you won't achieve anything. You need to rip the plaster off, stop thinking about what he thinks or says, (because those things are irrelevant) and just cut him off completely.

TheCatterall · 02/10/2024 20:36

Just send him back to his tent and tell him to delete your number. Honestly he really doesn’t sound like a catch.

Dotty87 · 02/10/2024 21:46

Of course he wants to marry you, his previous divorce settlement is running low and he's got you lined up. You're already paying for him to lay around your house, use your electric, eat your food. use your house. He must be laughing!

His visa isn't your problem, his lack of housing isn't your problem. Don't allow him to take advantage for the sake of "being nice", fuck that.

As he's doing so well with his "investments", he'll have no issue getting accommodation elsewhere.

I hope you'll listen to the unanimous verdict here and get rid of him, fast!

sparkleghost · 02/10/2024 22:15

aroundtheworld88 · 02/10/2024 18:19

I feel like this may be a dripfeed and i am sorry but he moved to my country and he cant get a work visa here very easily, which if on its own i would dismiss, but he hasnt made any effort to get a work visa in one of the 2 fields where he is qualified and he just suggests we get married to solve the problem!! also i used to live in his country when we first met and he didnt work then either for those 8 months i knew him, i just dont think he has that work ethic. he is always talking about how he had this great career as a chef but it was about 15 years ago he last did it. he also says that through very 'hard work', his investments net him about 5k a month and he even accussed me of resenting his lifestyle of 'freedom' because i have to work! yet having all this passive income and freedom does not seem to extend to wanting to put down roots even in his home country. i pay for a house for me and dc, pay the bills, work nights and do overtime when needed but he gets to choose to live in a tent (which realistically he hasnt been doing because the one time he stayed over at mine when it was raining, every night after he also expecred to stay over so he has de facto moved in, as PPs have predicted.) today i kind of kicked off at him as i was feeling so resentful and he accused me of wanting a 'meal ticket' (evidenced by the fact my exH was a high earner in tech). he denies that his high earning exW had anything to do with this apparently huge investment stream he has managed to create, esp as he wasnt working for 8 years when married to her.

above all, he just seems so irritated that the real, 24/7 me has bad days, gets really tired (i also have CFS that comes and goes and is exacerbated by work stress and this is a very busy season in my work), doesn;t want sex every night. and now he is saying we want 'different thing's from a relationship. i have the major ick. i think i found my anger...

If he’s earning £5k monthly then surely he can afford the deposit on a short term let. Which suggests that either he isn’t actually earning £5k monthly… or again, that he was banking on moving in (which he has, by stealth if not officially).

Glad to hear you are finding your anger. Next time he says you want different things, tell him you agree with him and send him packing back to his tent!! You’re worth more than this leech OP x

Icanttakethisanymore · 02/10/2024 22:30

The irony of a guy who’s living off a divorce settlement calling you a gold digger 😂

MsDogLady · 02/10/2024 23:47

@aroundtheworld88, his accusing you of wanting a meal ticket is RICH, as that is what he wants from you … and so far is getting just that.

He is a deadbeat with an agenda and you are enabling and subsidizing him. He’s a user and a master manipulator who knows how to DARVO you.

As I said before, it is disturbing that your child is being exposed to this toxic parasite and dysfunctional situation.

MeganM3 · 02/10/2024 23:50

Good lord. Dump. Don't even need to think twice.

You'll be relieved when he is gone I promise you.

Snowfalling · 03/10/2024 00:22

MsDogLady · 02/10/2024 23:47

@aroundtheworld88, his accusing you of wanting a meal ticket is RICH, as that is what he wants from you … and so far is getting just that.

He is a deadbeat with an agenda and you are enabling and subsidizing him. He’s a user and a master manipulator who knows how to DARVO you.

As I said before, it is disturbing that your child is being exposed to this toxic parasite and dysfunctional situation.

agree.

what are you teaching your children about relationships? if you hate sharing your home with this sponger, do you think they don't? they don't have a choice but you do. Don't force your dc to live with this man.

OneSharpBird · 06/09/2025 05:02

Hi I read your post and I think you should throw him out because you guys like him will never change I was with somebody for 10 years and he was physically immensely abusive in the end I ended up having to put my children care and move 400 miles away and he threw my life and not having my children was so hard and still is like it's not your job that stressing you out it's in and you've been room for a year so just think what's going to be like in two or three years time you deserved so much more and if you keep if you keep having him staying at yours and being with him evil chipak you a bit more bit until he has made you drawn and have no energy or the strength to even argue back and then eventually you will have so much depression and self lack of confidence and it will destroy your life entirely I'd get out now why you can if you need any more advice please feel free to post a message back and I will get back to you

PussInBin20 · 06/09/2025 07:22

@OneSharpBird as the thread is nearly a year old, I doubt the OP is going to message back.

Fastback · 07/09/2025 08:00

This is such an old thread, but I remember it. I hope @aroundtheworld88 got rid of this disgrace of a man.

LidlAmaretto · 07/09/2025 08:06

Jeez is his divorce settlement running out? He's lining up his next victim and you're handing him the cuffs if you continue dragging your feet on this. Just end it and tell him to take his tent elsewhere.

dancingbymyself · 07/09/2025 08:37

On the basis you hate him, I would probably end it 😅

(no judgement, I would hate him too)

New posts on this thread. Refresh page