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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

A holiday with friends gets this response?

224 replies

SunshineSally99 · 17/01/2026 12:06

What are people’s views on this because I for the life of me cannot get my head around this.

I’ve decided to book a day trip abroad with my friend. We havnt done this since pre Covid so will be looking forward to it.

I told my boyfriend who I’ve been with for almost 2 years and he was really annoyed about it.
we’ve started doing those extreme day trips and overnights abroad after seeing a few groups online about it and we’ve had 2 trips and have a few more booked.

I enjoy travelling and me and this friend had been away before for her divorce and years before I met my boyfriend.

he went quiet and what I think was going in a mood over it saying he was bothered because I’m now doing something with someone else when he thought it was “our thing” and “special to us”

he then said he feels really embarrassed by thinking we had something that was special to us and that he held such a sentiment to it and now it’s not something we do that’s special to us as a couple it’s something I do with whoever.

He then said it’s ok if I don’t go you can just ask someone else or someone else so it’s fine. I said would it be any different if I went away in this country and he said yes because it’s all the time we’ve spent planning and talking and discussing different destinations.

he said not many couples do it and he feels stupid to think that way. He said his ego feels bruised and he feels stupid for thinking we had something together and that I don’t think of it the same way.

He also now says he’s realised that if he doesn’t go I can just ask someone else and I’m like yeah… again pretty normal.

I said I wouldn’t have an issue with him going away with a friend because that’s what people do. I could see his point if I stopped asking or planning holidays away and just went with my friends then I could see his point but a one off trip that I havnt done in years?

I said it’s not so much the activity itself but it’s about the people you spend the time with that makes it important. He’s now saying he’s not that bothered about booking anything else anytime soon because it’s not special anymore and refused to book anything else. I said he was cutting his own nose off here.

I said he’s showing protest behaviour and actually this can look really controlling. He said he doesn’t have an issue with me going away if it was for a birthday, hen do or a reason but he’s struggling with the whole extreme day trip idea.

he says I havnt done anything wrong which I know this and that his feelings are his own and he has to deal with them. I won’t stop myself from going because I’ve not got no reason not to go. I’m only going for a day and it shouldnt be this hard!

I don’t know if he’s jealous or envious because he hasn’t got hardly any friends to do things with but that isn’t my issue.

it’s really concerning because any partner should be like that’s amazing hope you have a nice time… but I get this response? I’m trying to see it from his point of view in thinking that we had something for us but to be honest travelling I feel is a pretty ordinary part of life.

his last relationship they both never had much outside of each other and he felt guilty for having a life outside his marriage because she would guilt trip him for going… and yet now he’s behaving in the same way.

OP posts:
oscalo · 17/01/2026 12:08

Run.

ThatWasMyLastFatFreeFrush · 17/01/2026 12:09

Your boyfriend is a bit of a knob.

Unhappyitis · 17/01/2026 12:10

Wow more red flags than a communist party. He is a manipulative piece of work!

You must go on this trip and dump him too!

Heatingneedstobeontoday · 17/01/2026 12:10

Ah bless him. Send him home to his dm. His bedroom probably needs tidying...

WryNecked · 17/01/2026 12:11

Tell him you’re emigrating to get away from his juvenile histrionics.

Anonomoso · 17/01/2026 12:11

Irrelevant I know but what ages are you?

I only ask as this type of behaviour is what I'd expect to hear of from children in their early/late teens.

Friendlygingercat · 17/01/2026 12:12

Ah diddums. Agree with other PP. Throw this one back.

SunshineSally99 · 17/01/2026 12:13

Anonomoso · 17/01/2026 12:11

Irrelevant I know but what ages are you?

I only ask as this type of behaviour is what I'd expect to hear of from children in their early/late teens.

Mid to late thirties 😂

OP posts:
Sandcaaarstle · 17/01/2026 12:14

What’s to get your head round? He’s a prick.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 17/01/2026 12:14

He will continue to try to control you like this to the point you will not know which way is up. You and he should no longer be together because this behavior from him is abusive.

Resd Why does he do that by Lundy Bancroft.

Bruisername · 17/01/2026 12:14

Did you point out to him that he is behaving the way his ex did?

it’s ok for him to have those feelings but it’s not ok to act on them! He’s acknowledged it’s his issue so he needs to get over it

Willowskyblue · 17/01/2026 12:16

oscalo · 17/01/2026 12:08

Run.

This.

BadgernTheGarden · 17/01/2026 12:21

I sort of get what he's saying, it's something you do together that he thought was special between you and he has to come to terms with it being something you enjoy and can enjoy with other people (just as much as with him). It's not entirely logical and obviously why shouldn't you but he can't help his feelings.

TheatreTheatre · 17/01/2026 12:21

At best: this is his problem for him to sort himself out over.

It is a red flag.

Controlling and jealous.

He doesn't get to dictate the circumstances under which you are 'a;;owed' to have a day with friends (hen night etc)

Do not change your plans with your friend.

How idiotic - how can it be 'your special thing' when it is something you did with your friend before you even met him.

Stay calm, hold your boundaries, and if he does not swiftly come to his senses, punishes you with sulks and revenge (saying he will not now travel with you is a revenge - and an ultimatum designed to make you change your plan) then RUN.

He will get worse and slowly increase the things you are not 'allowed ' to do without him.

Ilovelurchers · 17/01/2026 12:22

OK, well obviously I agree with you and everyone else that your partner is beimg a dick.

I am not 100% sure I would immediately dump him for it - I think I would sit back and see what he does next.

Jealousy is never ok - but it happens. For whatever reason, this has triggered him and he has lashed out with some stupid, childish comments.

But nobody is perfect. If he is able to go away and think about what he has done, and come back with an apology and an explanation, then I feel like this could even be a learning point, and bring you, perhaps, to a better understanding of each other.

If, however, he continues his childish sulk, then I would seriously be considering whether this is a relationship I wanted to be in.

Best of luck, OP. Hope it works out for you. X

Fingalscave · 17/01/2026 12:23

What a big soft baby.

WryNecked · 17/01/2026 12:23

BadgernTheGarden · 17/01/2026 12:21

I sort of get what he's saying, it's something you do together that he thought was special between you and he has to come to terms with it being something you enjoy and can enjoy with other people (just as much as with him). It's not entirely logical and obviously why shouldn't you but he can't help his feelings.

Of course he can help his feelings! He can certainly remind himself he’s being ridiculous and not vocalise them!

SwanLake35 · 17/01/2026 12:25

Why on earth are you trying to see it from his point of view? Theres no justification for being jealous and punishing.

It would give me the serious ick.

QuietPiggy · 17/01/2026 12:25

What a big baby. Tell him there is only one thing you do with him that you don't do with anyone else, and his behaviour is putting you right off the idea of ever doing that with him again.

SunshineSally99 · 17/01/2026 12:26

Ilovelurchers · 17/01/2026 12:22

OK, well obviously I agree with you and everyone else that your partner is beimg a dick.

I am not 100% sure I would immediately dump him for it - I think I would sit back and see what he does next.

Jealousy is never ok - but it happens. For whatever reason, this has triggered him and he has lashed out with some stupid, childish comments.

But nobody is perfect. If he is able to go away and think about what he has done, and come back with an apology and an explanation, then I feel like this could even be a learning point, and bring you, perhaps, to a better understanding of each other.

If, however, he continues his childish sulk, then I would seriously be considering whether this is a relationship I wanted to be in.

Best of luck, OP. Hope it works out for you. X

I won’t be getting an apology I know that much because he doesn’t think he’s in the wrong for his feelings.

i am however going to watch carefully I think how he behaves before I go, during my trip and when I return will be telling. If he’s messaging me normally and stuff but if I get the silent treatment, sulking and refusal then I think it’s a much bigger issue at hand.

OP posts:
TheAdversary · 17/01/2026 12:26

He’s talking crap and just scared you’ll meet or hook up with someone else tbh, very immature.

TheatreTheatre · 17/01/2026 12:26

The only mitigation is if the destination you have planned with your friend is one that you and he discussed and he has a particular interest there that he was looking forward to.

But there is no indication of that in your OP.

TheMorgenmuffel · 17/01/2026 12:27

Quite manipulative of him. Id be concerned

Dunnocantthinkofone · 17/01/2026 12:28

Don’t try seeing it from his point of view fgs!

His point of view is ridiculous, controlling and a huge red flag
Not to mention a complete turn off. 🤮

Twattergy · 17/01/2026 12:28

You know you are right - its fine to do this trip. He's making you doubt yourself. Get rid.

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