Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

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

Disagreement led to being cut off for 4 days

55 replies

Lucyloo42 · 22/07/2025 16:48

A couple of weeks ago, I brought up concerns about the future of our relationship—specifically that I felt he wasn’t making much effort with me and including my children into his family plans . His response was to cut me off completely for four days: no calls, no replies, while leaving his location visible so I’d know I was being ignored. I initially gave him space, hoping he’d reach out, but by day 3 I felt panicked and convinced he’d ended things silently.

When he reappeared, he said he’d shut down from everyone due to financial stress and unresolved issues with his ex-wife. He apologised and admitted it wasn’t fair to treat people like that, especially me. I appreciated the honesty and was sympathetic as always, but I explained this kind of emotional abandonment triggers old trauma for me—it’s not something I can absorb again.

Since then, I’ve felt disconnected. His best friend and wife confided that although he’s struggling, it’s not okay to leave me in limbo—and asked me if he mentions our future - the truth but I didn’t say it to them , things he says have ended up more than often coming to nothing and that hit me hard.

I’m full of doubt now. Are these just fragile moments or well-crafted excuses? We only see each other once a week, and with limited face-to-face time, it’s hard to rebuild trust. I’m left questioning: is this acceptable behaviour because he’s struggling—or is it a sign we’re misaligned? Thanks ♥️

OP posts:
BoredZelda · 07/08/2025 08:16

His ex has addiction issues which is what broke up their marriage

Was it though? I think there might have been a lot more to that story!

Many years ago I dated a guy for about a year who would do this. He was friends with my brother, who kept saying “yeah, he does this, just disappears for days or weeks when he isn’t in a good place” I was told just to let him be and he’d come back when he was ready to face the world. I was in my was and really liked this guy. He would come back full of apologies and we’d carry on as ‘normal’. We eventually split after a year although I don’t remember actually splitting up, he went away and didn’t come back for a couple of weeks and we never went out on a date again. Thinking back, I think I just stopped arranging them.

He’s been married now for 25 years and has 3 kids. I’m still friends with him and his wife and as an outsider looking in, I can see he is a very controlling guy. He is incredibly strict with his kids, expects them to act a certain way and if they don’t he just refuses to talk to them. We had gone out for dinner one night and his then 7 year old son had a bit of a face on. It was nearly the summer holidays, we were out quite late, the kid was clearly knackered. He wasn’t rude or trashing the place, he was just being a tired 7 year old, I barely noticed. Next day he marched this kid over to ours and made him “apologise for his behaviour”. It was bizarre. His wife has spoken quite a few times about when he “has gone off to clear his mind” Nowadays this involves being involved with a dodgy sounding religious group and heading off to some retreat or other whilst she wrangles 3 kids. It always seems to follow some disagreement they’ve had.

As a friend, I really like this guy. He is funny and considerate, he is generous to a fault and would do anything for you without question. But I thank my lucky stars I didn’t end up married to him or in a long term relationship with him.

Go on the holiday. Change the seat allocation, book your own taxi to the airport, and enjoy the time with your child. This relationship is doomed, time to move past it.

Lucyloo42 · 07/08/2025 08:19

BonneMaman77 · 07/08/2025 07:18

His behaviour is unacceptable to you, as you say you answered your own question. What do you intend to do about it, have you decided to stay or go, or are you thinking about it?

I ask because that is the emotion you need to manage. Any of the scenarios you’ll need your own room now. If you’ve decided to end it then don’t play happy families, take turn watching kids and doing your own thing without him. If you’re staying or undecided use it to talk to him.

I know I can’t hack this behaviour, it’s had a huge impact on me and the. I cannot allow it to affect the other areas of my life - I know that . Think I’m coming to terms with it’s been a shock he could switch off like this , I will wake up one morning very soon and have the strength to remove the pics on social media , finalise it properly - but obvs until the holiday is over I feel like I can’t and I’m still in a limbo . I don’t want the kids to have a rubbish time so I show face as me and involve myself with the kids and bare basics with him x

OP posts:
BoredZelda · 07/08/2025 08:21

“In my was” = “in my 20s”

dragonfly52 · 07/08/2025 08:28

This is abuse. Emotional, controlling manipulative gaslighting
Get rid of him.
Go on holiday for you and your children.
I'm sorry you are going through this, you are worth more 💓

regista · 07/08/2025 09:08

Just do your best to minimise the contact, change your seats on the plane, make your own way to the airport, arrange activities for you and the kids alone. Talk to the holiday company, see if there is any chance you can change hotel. If you can do this - amazing, explain to the kids it was some sort of awful admin error. On holiday, grin and bear it, be perfectly pleasant, expect no emotional support from him. You may need to do some heavy lifting emotionally to put him at ease and make it all seem smooth for everyone (he does not deserve this but needs must). It will be so tough for you but it would be rotten for the kids if you cancelled.

SpryCat · 07/08/2025 09:14

He cuts you off for days and then gets back in touch with a bullshit story for sympathy so you don’t ask questions and if you do he won’t answer. He is showing you he’s not interested but too cowardly to say it.
He is a commitment phobe, he has nothing to give or offer you, only disappointment and hurt. You are the only one making any effort, take that away and there is nothing between you.
I bet he won’t turn up for the holiday and will expect you to be so upset you don’t go and will be frantically trying to get in touch with him. Or he will go but will be so distant to try to ruin the holiday, it’s about control and being the centre of attention. You go with your DC, do your own thing with them otherwise you will get sucked into his mind games, the kids can play round the pool together but no pretending you are in a relationship.
His behaviour is a pattern in all relationships, everything he has told you about his breakups will omit his own actions that destroyed their relationship.
You have been in a very distant relationship with him, only face to face once a week, he can’t even handle that @Lucyloo42 so learn to be single and enjoy being on your own with your DC.
You’re with a ghost, you’re not in a relationship only the illusion of one, the pain of trying to make it real is worse than facing reality that you are in fact on your own.

Lucyloo42 · 07/08/2025 09:22

dragonfly52 · 07/08/2025 08:28

This is abuse. Emotional, controlling manipulative gaslighting
Get rid of him.
Go on holiday for you and your children.
I'm sorry you are going through this, you are worth more 💓

Thank you for your words , I do everything for my boys - I will get through it for them somehow , .

how did I miss it :(, people can be so cruel and deceptive .I’ve lost faith completely now in men . x

OP posts:
Lucyloo42 · 07/08/2025 09:26

regista · 07/08/2025 09:08

Just do your best to minimise the contact, change your seats on the plane, make your own way to the airport, arrange activities for you and the kids alone. Talk to the holiday company, see if there is any chance you can change hotel. If you can do this - amazing, explain to the kids it was some sort of awful admin error. On holiday, grin and bear it, be perfectly pleasant, expect no emotional support from him. You may need to do some heavy lifting emotionally to put him at ease and make it all seem smooth for everyone (he does not deserve this but needs must). It will be so tough for you but it would be rotten for the kids if you cancelled.

I can’t change anything I’ve already looked into so I’m going to have to bite the bullet . I will do this , I will do it for my kids and his too ( I am going to miss them ) , but I won’t be acting with him . I was desperate for this holiday for a break - the only only we have this year , I am going to try my best to make it my own too , thank you for your words x

OP posts:
JanefromLondon1 · 07/08/2025 09:30

In your next relationship only go for someone who has worked on themselves to fix their demons already. Start a relationship with someone who isn’t bringing issues into it and then expecting you to either fix them or ignore them using said issues to excuse bad behaviour.

I hope you manage to have a lovely holiday.

dragonfly52 · 07/08/2025 09:30

Lucyloo42 · 07/08/2025 09:22

Thank you for your words , I do everything for my boys - I will get through it for them somehow , .

how did I miss it :(, people can be so cruel and deceptive .I’ve lost faith completely now in men . x

Op. Please take care of yourself. I hope everything goes well 🙏 be strong and you'll get through it, you have your boys xx

Lucyloo42 · 07/08/2025 09:34

SpryCat · 07/08/2025 09:14

He cuts you off for days and then gets back in touch with a bullshit story for sympathy so you don’t ask questions and if you do he won’t answer. He is showing you he’s not interested but too cowardly to say it.
He is a commitment phobe, he has nothing to give or offer you, only disappointment and hurt. You are the only one making any effort, take that away and there is nothing between you.
I bet he won’t turn up for the holiday and will expect you to be so upset you don’t go and will be frantically trying to get in touch with him. Or he will go but will be so distant to try to ruin the holiday, it’s about control and being the centre of attention. You go with your DC, do your own thing with them otherwise you will get sucked into his mind games, the kids can play round the pool together but no pretending you are in a relationship.
His behaviour is a pattern in all relationships, everything he has told you about his breakups will omit his own actions that destroyed their relationship.
You have been in a very distant relationship with him, only face to face once a week, he can’t even handle that @Lucyloo42 so learn to be single and enjoy being on your own with your DC.
You’re with a ghost, you’re not in a relationship only the illusion of one, the pain of trying to make it real is worse than facing reality that you are in fact on your own.

Edited

Thank you , he was the one that promised the world and was always “the lead “ until recent if that makes sense , I probably only fully let go in the last year to trust throughly and enjoy and then he prob knew he had me hook line and sinker . He obvs got bored . I’ll be ok I know it’s just the initial pain and shock from the the breaking of “ the norm “ I will try to find a way to enjoy my holiday for myself but I will ensure the kids enjoy .

Yes I hear what you are saying , looking back at snippets over little things that have said and happened - the jigsaw starts to form. Which is why I am embarrassed I fell for him and “ us”.x

OP posts:
Lucyloo42 · 07/08/2025 09:45

JanefromLondon1 · 07/08/2025 09:30

In your next relationship only go for someone who has worked on themselves to fix their demons already. Start a relationship with someone who isn’t bringing issues into it and then expecting you to either fix them or ignore them using said issues to excuse bad behaviour.

I hope you manage to have a lovely holiday.

Thank you for your words x . Yep change of approach if ever again , although I barely believe I could trust anyone now .
just us from now and I’ll will certainly try and push through x

OP posts:
SpryCat · 07/08/2025 09:48

He love bombed you and then distanced himself, it’s nothing to feel embarrassed about, lots of people fall for it. Once you let go he may well try to hook you back but it will all be fake promises with no substance, it’s all he is capable of. You recognise the pattern now, the hardest realisation is letting go of any hope that it would work out. Your actions or words won’t make any difference to the outcome so let that hope go and move on from him. It’s not him getting bored it’s just he is incapable of telling the truth, that he is full of shit and has no intention of being real to you or any other woman.

BrunetteBarbie94 · 07/08/2025 10:19

Im sorry this has happened to you @Lucyloo42. You sound lovely and he sounds like a typical avoidantly attached man! You talk about the future and then he gives you the silent treatment and needs space! You can already see It is a pattern. It is very common that this happens around the 2 year Mark and that this would have happened after you let your guard down. Whilst you are not all in, they don't have their freakouts about intimacy and commitment.

Enjoy your holiday but be aware he is likely to play super nice on holiday as if nothing happened at all. Ive been there. Don't get reeled back in, youve seen the pattern and this man will waste your life! Be strong for your boys and for yourself because you deserve better!

BernardButlersBra · 07/08/2025 10:23

@Lucyloo42 l have read your updated and he has children! Does he do this nonsense to them?

Do you have any proof it was her with the addiction issues? My ex husband went on about me cheating, when in reality he cheated on me and is now married to the woman he had the affair with. As someone else said l bet his ex has some "insights" into the way he really is. The 5 days of AWOL just made me think bingeing (and probably sulking!). Well, whatever he is doing in that time probably isn't great

The only person who needs to be embarrassed here is him by the way. He needs to grow up, sort himself out and treat others more respectfully

Lucyloo42 · 07/08/2025 13:01

BrunetteBarbie94 · 07/08/2025 10:19

Im sorry this has happened to you @Lucyloo42. You sound lovely and he sounds like a typical avoidantly attached man! You talk about the future and then he gives you the silent treatment and needs space! You can already see It is a pattern. It is very common that this happens around the 2 year Mark and that this would have happened after you let your guard down. Whilst you are not all in, they don't have their freakouts about intimacy and commitment.

Enjoy your holiday but be aware he is likely to play super nice on holiday as if nothing happened at all. Ive been there. Don't get reeled back in, youve seen the pattern and this man will waste your life! Be strong for your boys and for yourself because you deserve better!

That’s exactly what happened , I asked when he would be following through trying to get his finances signed off from divorce as he’s been saying for over a year he was on with it but his ex was refusing - but no further action on it ever came and our friends started to ask questions what was our plan - yet he had talked about moving in altogether but I had suggested both moving to separate house but nearer to each other. I wasn’t pushing at all but obviously I have a right to talk about our/ my future plans just so I know where I am going in the next couple of years it’s just natural surely , then he said it was an ultimatum because I wanting a timescale and this has played on his mind for weeks with him realised he’s stuck his head in the sand which he said led him to silent incidents and needed to “sort himself” .

I won’t and can’t be reeled back ( not that I think he will try as I feel maybe there’s someone else ) it’s left me in a mess, feeling lost and raw . I can’t put myself through this again. I will go and try to make the very best of it .
Thank you for your advice it’s helped , as has everyone’s on here x

OP posts:
Lucyloo42 · 07/08/2025 13:03

BernardButlersBra · 07/08/2025 10:23

@Lucyloo42 l have read your updated and he has children! Does he do this nonsense to them?

Do you have any proof it was her with the addiction issues? My ex husband went on about me cheating, when in reality he cheated on me and is now married to the woman he had the affair with. As someone else said l bet his ex has some "insights" into the way he really is. The 5 days of AWOL just made me think bingeing (and probably sulking!). Well, whatever he is doing in that time probably isn't great

The only person who needs to be embarrassed here is him by the way. He needs to grow up, sort himself out and treat others more respectfully

I’m not sure if he does this with the children ( really hope not ) but I know he does something similar to his brother , but I never got involved so when he told me he wasn’t speaking to him I never measured times or looked any deeper into it .
thank you for your advice, it’s helped x

OP posts:
WorcsEdu · 07/08/2025 13:16

Please look at this more objectively.

Picture you’re a child who has a mum that sees her boyfriend once a week. The man sometimes ghosts/stonewalls her for 4+ days at a time. Despite this, she finds the obstacle of a pre-booked holiday insurmountable. This means she will have you bond with the man and his child for a full week in order to avoid awkwardness. You’re confused, but learn that if this is how you’re wonderful mummy loves, then this is what love looks like.

Please, if not for yourself, then for all children involved, just break up and go on the holiday separately. Book a different taxi, say ‘hello’ cordially on the plane and at the hotel. Be the grown up and role model. Teach the children how to gracefully end a toxic situation.

Catoo · 07/08/2025 13:21

He’s a future faking love bomber. Sounds like he has some financial issues and maybe event substance addiction (what’s the betting it wasn’t his ex with the issue?). Or maybe he’s met someone else.

He's been able to hide all this from you by only seeing you once a week. Is this your first holiday together? Did you push for it?

If he has addictions he won’t want to be away and someone else being around to see what he’s up to all day. Maybe he just won’t turn up to the airport.

I would plan for the holiday as if he isn’t going. Book your own parking or transport to and from the airport. Don’t contact him about any arrangements.

Go minimal contact with him now. And if he does get in touch, grey rock is your friend. If he does turn up for the holiday, he’ll probably do that thing of pretending nothing’s wrong and try and sleep with you and then go cold again when you get back. Don’t fall for it.

Mrsbloggz · 07/08/2025 13:22

I would pretend and humor him whilst on the holiday.
But before I went I would start drafting a plan for how to handle things when I got back, the aim of this would be to manage the breakup in a way that caused the least stress to myself and my children.

Lucyloo42 · 07/08/2025 13:33

Catoo · 07/08/2025 13:21

He’s a future faking love bomber. Sounds like he has some financial issues and maybe event substance addiction (what’s the betting it wasn’t his ex with the issue?). Or maybe he’s met someone else.

He's been able to hide all this from you by only seeing you once a week. Is this your first holiday together? Did you push for it?

If he has addictions he won’t want to be away and someone else being around to see what he’s up to all day. Maybe he just won’t turn up to the airport.

I would plan for the holiday as if he isn’t going. Book your own parking or transport to and from the airport. Don’t contact him about any arrangements.

Go minimal contact with him now. And if he does get in touch, grey rock is your friend. If he does turn up for the holiday, he’ll probably do that thing of pretending nothing’s wrong and try and sleep with you and then go cold again when you get back. Don’t fall for it.

the addiction was definitely his ex wife , I don’t believe he would do drugs but drink Im
unsure now tbh . The reason he went for the blowout at the weekend was because his kids were away for the weekend for the first time in 2 years, which I would of understood if he hadn’t lied about being on call for work and then turning off his location , whilst I sent messages worrying he was on because he was anxious about the kids being away.

no he pushed for the holiday earlier in year so booked and we have been on 3 now in total over our relationship.

I am going to plan own transport , but the reeling in that won’t be happening though when we get to the destination as hard as it is to not want this all to be true . It will
of been 3 weeks of silence at this rate too .

OP posts:
Lucyloo42 · 07/08/2025 13:36

Mrsbloggz · 07/08/2025 13:22

I would pretend and humor him whilst on the holiday.
But before I went I would start drafting a plan for how to handle things when I got back, the aim of this would be to manage the breakup in a way that caused the least stress to myself and my children.

Thing is I’m having to deal with it now ( as breaking ) because he’s not attempted any more contact since I saw him in person on Tuesday to ask what on earth is happening here . When I come back there will no need to see him again so it will just be done . Yet He’s kept me as his profile pick on fb etc and relationship status ?? , mine is same as I’ve not plucked up courage yet to remove as I’m too upset to face questions , that will go though for me after holiday if not before xx

OP posts:
BonneMaman77 · 07/08/2025 23:04

None of his behaviour is to do with you, it’s him, nothing for you to be embarrassed about. He’s played a long game and you were in a relationship with the person he portrayed to reel you in.

Right now your future is back in your hands and what counts and all that matters is how you deal with it. Loose the holiday if it gives you peace - whether you go or not or pay for changes is entirely down to what you lose and gains and what you can afford to loose now that you are where you are in this relationship. I mean think and do long term. I don’t mean it flippantly but it is just a holiday.

DorothyStorm · 07/08/2025 23:09

Yet He’s kept me as his profile pick on fb etc and relationship status ?? , mine is same as I’ve not plucked up courage yet to remove as I’m too upset to face questions , that will go though for me after holiday if not before xx
If you've made it public on fb that you are away, change the profile picture to a sunset / scenic picture of where you are. Nobody would question that. And just remove relationship status too. You are not 18 and it isnt 2008.

you can also make your profile picture private.

Lucyloo42 · 28/08/2025 18:50

We all went on the holiday, but he ignored my birthday beforehand and never responded to my questions about how the trip was going to work in the weeks leading up . He stayed silent until the day before departure—only then did he ask if I wanted the taxi to pick me up after him. I made my own way there, and I’ll be making my own way home too .

From the airport to the plane, it was painfully awkward. He didn’t ask how I’d been or even try to make small talk. He was cold and completely avoidant. One night, he finally opened up slightly and said he didn’t want to be with anyone right now due to the financial issues he realised , the consent order not being sorted and he couldn’t address ( for whatever excuse he was using ) and a now an internal job change—basically, a lot of vague excuses. I asked again if there was someone else, especially after the “I’m on call but turned into a works night out ” location was mysteriously shut off. He said no, insisted he wanted to be alone and with no one , and admitted he should’ve cancelled the holiday. That hit me like a rock.

I told him I’d given him space - he was sharp and said yeh but you didn’t did you ? I said I disagree I only reached out twice and that was about the impending holiday and to check on him as at one point I thought he was having some sort of breakdown , I was taken aback by his attitude and then said I told you it was over ( he didn’t I swear he made noises but said he needed to work on himself hence I posted on here ?! ) - he still kept me hooked I felt so stupid and so I said there was clearly there was nothing left between us and I asked him to take me off his social media because the signals he was giving were confusing and hurtful for me . He did. I stayed polite and amicable for the sake of the kids for the next two days but inside I was heartbroken. Again He said that he protects people as he is hurting people me and his friends and so it’s for the best he is alone.

Two nights later, he left his phone face-up on the table while I was cutting the kids’ food. I saw two messages from a woman flash up —her name jumped out at me. I checked his Facebook , another single mum from his work … I knew instantly that this was the real reason why he’d gone stone cold. I confronted him and asked for honesty. He claimed they were just commenting on the buffet food?! I laid out all the observations I’d been holding in and told him I knew he was lying, He got really defensive and angry, refused to show me the messages when I called his bluff , and still didn’t offer any real explanation and I said no wonder the location went off on the works night out ! .

I left the situation so emotional unfortunately , I asked if he ever loved me , and I got a hollow yes and said he had to finish it because of his problems - I said well talking to another women is cheating , the lies have become apparent over a number of weeks and I didn’t believe him and that was it.

At that point, it didn’t matter anymore. I’m done playing detective. I wonder if he is a “ dismissive avoidant “ that’s been suggested - but he can’t be trusted, and I’ve clearly been fooled for years like an idiot . He got bored but didn’t have the courage to end things properly all the future promises and big plans were just a smokescreen to get what he wanted ,

It’s been 48 hours since the true colours moment and I’m still so upset but decided I won’t be speaking to him again , as awkward as this is and I have avoided him since . I’m counting down the days until I can get on that plane and go home. I’m making sure the kids are having the best time possible, but he hasn’t tried to speak to me either . I know he will still be angry esp at the liar comment —probably because his charmer image has been shattered. Around the pool and at meals, it’s been nothing but blanking . It’s hell. The kids are still playing together a little but they know something’s wrong.

Any advice on how to hold this together ? When I get home I’ll be blocking him and I know I will never have anything to do with him again . Am so hurt . I am also feeling stupid to be having to go through something like this again . Erase all traces of him and start to heal I guess … Xx

OP posts:
Swipe left for the next trending thread