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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

Continuing an AIBU …

961 replies

PithyBeaker · 10/04/2026 19:22

Just continuing a thread I started a few days ago in AIBU for support as I figure out next steps ending my cohabitation.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
7
diddl · 12/04/2026 15:40

Ah, nothing is working so he's becoming nastier.

If you lacked empathy Op you clearly wouldn't have put up with him at all for so long.

S0j0urn4r · 12/04/2026 15:40

Anonanonandon · 12/04/2026 15:38

Forgive me if this has already been asked and answered, but I haven't been able to find OPs first thread.
Where did he have the children 50/50 before he moved in with OP?

The 1 bed flat. But not for long.

RedToothBrush · 12/04/2026 15:42

PithyBeaker · 12/04/2026 15:13

💯 nobody worry. It’s all so shameless and repellent and very clear he doesn’t actually give a shit about me. Just said I lack empathy and maybe AI could explain it to me. I’m done.

Someone really needs to write a BBC comedy on The Script.

Woodfiresareamazing · 12/04/2026 15:44

PithyBeaker · 12/04/2026 14:52

Now saying he wishes he could afford to marry me and that he is desperately trying to think of ways to earn more money to be with me but also now he knows I don’t Iove him unconditionally so it wouldn’t work. Guess I need to prove how much I love him by letting him move back in. Not.

Has he completely forgotten the conversation where you told him you wouldn't marry him?

He's so totally focused on himself, he's not thinking about you at all.

He is unwittingly speeding up your journey down the breaking the ties road...

Fleetbug · 12/04/2026 15:44

A PP nailed it. These aren’t messages of love and reconciliation but designed to manipulate you. Every response from you will feed his expectation of you caving in. Every time you explain to him, all he sees is an opportunity to get back to how things were.

He has never shared financial info with you so why on earth do you believe a word he says on any of it? He’s successfully running his 3 kids and himself on £12K a year. Wow! No wonder he’s panicking - his income is drying up! He will promise and/or threaten anything to get back to status quo.

Anonomoso · 12/04/2026 15:46

PithyBeaker · 12/04/2026 14:52

Now saying he wishes he could afford to marry me and that he is desperately trying to think of ways to earn more money to be with me but also now he knows I don’t Iove him unconditionally so it wouldn’t work. Guess I need to prove how much I love him by letting him move back in. Not.

What doesn't he understand, is he not capable of seeing this is all on him?

How manipulative to say you need to love him "unconditionally"...wow...just wow.

He doesn't need to earn more money...
Unless his ex is asking for extra.

He just needs to come and collect his belongings...maybe he needs reminding that that is all your asking from him now.

For you it was never about money, it was partly about not spending time with you, which costs him nothing, and he couldn't even spare you something as easy, as cheap and as simple as that.

He really is turning this fully round on you.
What sort of a man person would do that other than a controlling one that's trying to make you wonder if it is actually you in the wrong here.

It's definitely you and he's getting more desperate by the hour.

ThePollutedShadesOfPemberley · 12/04/2026 16:00

PithyBeaker · 12/04/2026 15:13

💯 nobody worry. It’s all so shameless and repellent and very clear he doesn’t actually give a shit about me. Just said I lack empathy and maybe AI could explain it to me. I’m done.

The only thing to admire about him is he is throwing everything at this and the kitchen sink to try and get you to relent.

It's clear he is not used to being told "NO!"

Imtornanddontknowwhattodo · 12/04/2026 16:01

Anonomoso · 12/04/2026 14:19

Any advice gratefully received.

The only advice I can give you is his messages are still all about him and his needs.

You didn't want the relationship to end you just asked for some consideration in how your home is treated by his DC and for your DP to consider spending some time with you, not expensive holiday's or meals out......just a walk, maybe stopping for coffee or a pub drink, but no he couldn't even afford you that...not even a 'left over crumb' of his time.

You asked him to give you space...

His answer to you is to not do as asked, or understand how you feel or even acknowledge that his DC should respect your home but to just tell you if you can't accept him and all that goes with him in their own ways he's ending the relationship but it's all on you, all your own doing...

He's really showing that he isn't capable of comprising, your feelings don't even matter to him, to him there's no other way but his own.

With his wage he can rent a house big enough for his own DC, after all as a parent that's his job to fulfil and not for him to pass on to you while keeping his ex well funded and happy.

This.

He's panicking now, messaging constantly and trying every side of you to get back in. He's having a hissy fit because you've stood up for yourself, he can no longer walk over you no matter what he says and now has to adult for a change. But that's his issue now instead of yours. He's old enough, has his own property and the kids have a second home with their mother. He also has a well paid job. They're hardly out on the streets. He just doesn't want to because he's lazy and selfish. He's unlikely to meet somebody else willing to do the same and he may know this.

What a shame he didn't think and couldn't be bothered to make this much effort when you so kindly put him and his kids up for years, isn't it? You didn't want much in return, and not all if many would have tolerated that. At least not for years. You told him this again and again while he was selfish and ignored you while using you all the way around. Because you cared and wanted to work things out, but it was a one-way street that got too much in the end and you were left with no other option. He just thought you'd continue to put up with it as it's gone on for years. There were so many opportunities. All he had to do was sit down and have a proper conversation where things were sorted and contribute a bit.

YOU ARE TOO GOOD TO BE TREATED LIKE PART OF THE FURNITURE.

It's very hard at the moment. When the initial upset is over, you will get used to a calmer life and hopefully find your anger. He brought nothing to the table except misery and hard work. How dare somebody treat a kind lady like that and push your son out. It was all so unnecessary and now it's too late, but easier to blame you rather than face the consequences of his own actions. He underestimated you and you deserve better.

I agree about them not coming to the party to cause further upset and manipulation. It's not fair on your son. Good idea to sort the admin and bag their stuff up now giving an ultimatum to collect, a month maximum or it'll be dumped outside. No further discussions or answering messages. It'll help keeping you busy, get rid of reminders of them and after that you can block once and for all.

ThisJadeBear · 12/04/2026 16:03

RedToothBrush · 12/04/2026 15:42

Someone really needs to write a BBC comedy on The Script.

Somebody really, really does. Where the wife/partner works out what it is, and then completely ruins his life.
As in destroys each and every plan he has, has her own in place, and wins the day.

bitterbuddhist · 12/04/2026 16:12

Stop the back and forth with him, OP. Get some garbage bags (or storage boxes), a pair of marigolds, pack up all of the stuff. Get it to a storage facility (as directed above) or a man with a van, advise him of same and then block him.

He's not going to admit that he's done wrong (just hide behind his autism, the CF). If he wants to vent, he can do it in a journal. Or chat GPT or whomever.

Luluissleeping · 12/04/2026 16:16

De-lurking. When you return his stuff beware him accusing you of losing any of it/ keeping it back and him demanding entry to your home to search for it.

nomas · 12/04/2026 16:28

PithyBeaker · 12/04/2026 14:52

Now saying he wishes he could afford to marry me and that he is desperately trying to think of ways to earn more money to be with me but also now he knows I don’t Iove him unconditionally so it wouldn’t work. Guess I need to prove how much I love him by letting him move back in. Not.

What a knobbead. Tell him if he loved you unconditionally he would have been happy to have a relationship with you that wasn’t contingent on you providing him with a house for him and children.

I think you already said this to him though. He just isn’t listening, is he?

But it’s a good thing he didn’t agree to have a non-cohabiting relationship, as there was a chance he would have wormed his way back in. Possibly there would have been a ‘plumbing disaster’ which meant he and his brood would have had to move in with you as an emergency.

Imtornanddontknowwhattodo · 12/04/2026 16:36

nomas · 12/04/2026 16:28

What a knobbead. Tell him if he loved you unconditionally he would have been happy to have a relationship with you that wasn’t contingent on you providing him with a house for him and children.

I think you already said this to him though. He just isn’t listening, is he?

But it’s a good thing he didn’t agree to have a non-cohabiting relationship, as there was a chance he would have wormed his way back in. Possibly there would have been a ‘plumbing disaster’ which meant he and his brood would have had to move in with you as an emergency.

Yes.

It's manipulative and unfair. He's sitting there trying everything whilst in victim mode as it's all about him, trying to gain sympathy and a way in. A genuine person would have bothered to sort things out. He could have moved out whilst agreeing to work on things. He wanted it all his own way but the OP is no longer accommodating this.

nomas · 12/04/2026 16:41

PithyBeaker · 12/04/2026 15:13

💯 nobody worry. It’s all so shameless and repellent and very clear he doesn’t actually give a shit about me. Just said I lack empathy and maybe AI could explain it to me. I’m done.

lol why is he suggesting AI? I asked AI how you should respond to his last message and it suggested this

Continuing an AIBU …
Holdinguphalfthesky · 12/04/2026 16:42

These men are utterly predictable. A genuine person would have listened to OP long ago and tried to make amends, and in the case that they got to the point of moving out, would now be doing everything she asked him to, in order to show that he was putting her first and trying to repair. But these manipulative types just can’t bring themselves to put anyone else first, can they?

Catontheradiator · 12/04/2026 16:46

I think you always see the true colours of a man when you tell them no. Well done OP. You will be fine xx

Imtornanddontknowwhattodo · 12/04/2026 16:51

Holdinguphalfthesky · 12/04/2026 16:42

These men are utterly predictable. A genuine person would have listened to OP long ago and tried to make amends, and in the case that they got to the point of moving out, would now be doing everything she asked him to, in order to show that he was putting her first and trying to repair. But these manipulative types just can’t bring themselves to put anyone else first, can they?

Yes they would. He is showing beyond any doubt he doesn't really care about the OP and never did. It's always after the event and years they are shocked it's happened, when there were so many missed opportunities.

WearyAuldWumman · 12/04/2026 16:52

WerewolfOfLoudon · 12/04/2026 14:56

@AcrossthePond55 I'd bet against your "pretty sure he has money in the bank" with "fairly confident he has spaffed most of it on PUBG"

Thank you. My first thought was 'He's gambling,' but I didn't realise that gaming could also drain your finances. That makes a great deal of sense.

GeraniumRoseblush · 12/04/2026 16:52

Happyhettie · 12/04/2026 15:36

@PithyBeaker What a knob. Grey rock is definitely the way forward.
Or maybe agreeing - yes I am truly a terrible person. Good job we’re not together any more. And then grey rock.

Just be aware that one of the things on The Script is often that there are threats of self harm / suicide.

If he threatens either of those things, you must phone 999 immediately. Any threats like that must be taken seriously.
However, it is also part of The Script.

Yes agree with this. Engaging with him gives him the idea that he can continue to manipulate you.

In my case, I did the same as @Happyhettie suggested and agreed that I was 'half the person I was when I met him' so clearly wasn't good enough for him anymore. Listening to him try to work his way round that was hilarious. By this time, thanks to Mumsnet, I knew the sort of behaviour I was on the receiving end of. Its quite enlightening to actually be one step ahead of them as it really is a Script.

You're doing so well @PithyBeaker

WildUmberCrow · 12/04/2026 16:53

nomas · 12/04/2026 16:41

lol why is he suggesting AI? I asked AI how you should respond to his last message and it suggested this

This is so good,lol.

TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne · 12/04/2026 16:55

WearyAuldWumman · 12/04/2026 16:52

Thank you. My first thought was 'He's gambling,' but I didn't realise that gaming could also drain your finances. That makes a great deal of sense.

I thought of gambling, too.

It doesn't seem possible that he has so little disposable income.

Candleabra · 12/04/2026 17:05

Catontheradiator · 12/04/2026 16:46

I think you always see the true colours of a man when you tell them no. Well done OP. You will be fine xx

So true

AmandaHoldensLips · 12/04/2026 17:11

What a plonker. "Unconditional love" doesn't exist in healthy adult relationships. Of course love is conditional, for instance on you not treating me like a doormat / free AirBnB host with benefits. Bloody idiot.

Won't it be lovely to have all his crap cleared from your house? Gotta love a heavy-duty bin bag.

DisappointedofMeryton · 12/04/2026 17:13

My cocklodging ex did this, telling me how awful I was, and that I didn't deserve him/done him wrong. In the end, I just agreed with him, and told him it was a jolly good thing that he was now free to find someone better, and that I was irredeemably awful and unloveable, so there was no point him contacting me all the time. It did the trick, there's not much he could say in response; and I was sick of having to go over and over all his shitty behaviours and justifying my feelings again and again. I didn't care if he badmouthed me as I didn't intend to stay in touch with him or any of his friends and family, and I was happy in the knowledge that I had bent over backwards to please him for 13 years.

MsDitsy · 12/04/2026 17:15

I was once 40, vibrant pretty, but I look in the mirror and don't even recognise the tired old hag looking back at me at 65. I'm not in the same enviable position as you, young with a house and job but if I was and knew what I knew now, I'd be gone like a shot. You have been amazingly strong, taught your dc about respect for yourself and others and are gaining a peace only someone who has been through that kind of relationship decline can know. Very best wishes of happiness going forward. Only other thing I need to say is... ....cats are amazing 😆

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