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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

Boyfriend says I am controlling and lying over everyday things

190 replies

KiraChris · 01/06/2026 11:02

Boyfriend accuses me of ….

controlling him if I ask during the heatwave would he mind not frying so many foods, maybe use the air fryer or oven? Because I have an open plan kitchen and I’m aware I’m very house proud maybe too much, I never fried things due to smells but since I’ve met him I’ve wanted him to be happy so I say nothing but the day before with all the heat it lingered. He said ok no worries, then ten mins later he started doing it, and I said please can you not so he chucked the frying pan with oil in the sink

lying about being asleep earlier than I used to be (while he’s working away and finishes late shifts and I’m unable to talk due to being in bed)

lying about not being able to hear him on the phone due to bad signal, I was then told im insecure because I was testing to see if he wants to talk to me? I called him right back when I moved rooms as I get bad signal in living room

lying about falling asleep on the sofa… so basically we were together, I’ve been exercising a lot lately, it’s a hot summer night and before bed, it was all quiet, I lid on the sofa thinking I’d rub my sore legs, and before I knew it I dozed off. He came blasting in saying how dare you fall asleep, you should always tell me if u are going to sleep not in the bed together but I explained I didn’t mean to, it just happened. He said I’m avoiding him, going on and on at me until I snapped go away leave me alone then he said why can’t you just relax, by which point I was back in the bedroom but riled up un relaxed and yet by now he was totally relaxed, and asked why can’t I be normal and relax and I said I was very relaxed until u made me jump by screaming at me that I’m disrespecting you for falling asleep on the sofa. I tried explaining I wa tired and wasn’t intending to doze off but it just happened

lying about forgetting things. We were due to go out for the day a nice sunny day, I released I forgot a few things and went back up (I live in a second floor flat)… he went down the communal stairs, I went down the lift (no particular reason) just there’s a lift in the mirror and I like to check I look okay because he says if I wear leggings or certain things I look disrespectful so I make sure in this lift mirror I don’t look too revealing, and he refuses to be seen with me if I wear leggings and this day I had a little summer dress on and was a bit worried… anyway I realised gosh I’ve forgotten xyz. ( random things like sunscreen, and lip care etc, I love looking after my skin)… when I came down to the car park, all happy, my heart sunk and his face like thunder yelling how dare I make him wait and that I must have stood in the communial hallways for five mins just to make him wait, that I purposely waited for him to go downstairs but I truely didn’t, I simply forgot things. This day I shouted at him in the car that I’m exhausted from being accused of daily things. Also on this day he said I had made him wait three hours prior but the reality is it’s a Sunday morning, we had food, some breakfast, I put a lot of my clients records from the day before onto my app, I cleaned up, showered etc… I didn’t purposely make him wait

Also on this morning, it’s been a heatwave, I’m always on top of hoysework and can be labelled as OCD even, but I said do u mind if I don’t do washing up this morning it’s so boiling hot (when he’s home not working and he doesn’t live with me btw, he uses soooo many cooking pans etc) and it’s soooo much washing up, it actually hurts my skin even with gloves on… so he shouted no you are not leaving until it’s done, washing up must always be done, that I’m purposely trying to be difficult but I wasn’t snapping, I just said in a light hearted way can I leave it until later hoping he’d say sure based on the fact he says I’m the cleanest woman he’s been with which he loves but he then started chucking food he brought in the bin shouting if you’re going to misbehave then so will I. I was just flabbergasted. And begged him to stop. In the end I did wash up (when he’s here I promise I’m washing up about 5 times a day he’s a chef so cooks loads which is fine but so much washing up)

for a while I wasn’t working for health reasons, I was and am still fat but trying, my sleep was bad so he told me to get back working, sleep earlier, excersise… so I have started all of this. Now I try to sleep sometimes as early as 9.30 and the gym etc tires me out, I’ve started self employed, built up my clients again, but he says that’s not like me to sleep earlier and that I must think I’m better than him now I’m working, I’ve lost 4 stone since I met him, and he says things like I’d be quiet if I were you, with all that weight…, says he doesn’t like I now have a personal trainer so I agree to train on my own and ask maybe he can come too because as well as the gym I do circuit training outside… but he said he doesn’t want to come and why should he because he doesn’t need to get fitter, that I should do it… but if I do do these things and get tired, he says I’m avoiding him…. I’m really drained from it

I’ve given him no reason to not trust me. I’m a boring homely girl, I love it. And when I do slip into sleeping late again he says I need to get my act together
for context he has fallen asleep many times on the sofa

So why is he one thing but another? Is it bipolar? Am I just simply not loved? If I don’t do something I’m grilled for hours upon hours, but if I do do the things I’m told I don’t do, eventually IM told I’m trying too much and getting ahead of myself. WHY I CANT MAKE SENSE OF IT

OP posts:
Pancakeflipper · 01/06/2026 14:00

I read one third of your post and wondered why the hell you want to live like this.

Dump and jump for joy.

wheresthesnowgone · 01/06/2026 14:02

You're not compatible.

Dump him and move on, he's not worth the aggro.

DreamingOfGeneHunt · 01/06/2026 14:07

I haven't read the full thread but Jesus fuck. None of this gets any better. No matter what you do, he will find new things to bully you about.

Get as far away from him as you can and enjoy your life, which is too short and too precious to waste on cunts like this.

Tweedledeedledum · 01/06/2026 14:08

KiraChris · 01/06/2026 12:18

He won’t make me a cup of tea, snaps at me if I don’t make him one, even if I’m in the middle of things, I’m just a bit of a wreck now. Full of nerves

I'm not surprised you're a bit of a wreck!
You do not need to change anything but the locks!
He is in your home, what you say goes.
If he doesn't like it, he can leave!
You sound beaten down by him. Programmed to do his bidding and not listening to what others on here can all see. It takes courage to chuck someone out and he sounds very volatile. Make sure you're not alone when you get rid but, honestly, your life would be so much easier without him.

Asiana · 01/06/2026 14:10

He's gaslighted you into thinking something is wrong with you while he's the controlling nut job. I've never said this on here before but the sooner you get away from him the better. If you have help and support, rile it up, I would even call a women's hotline for advice if you haven't any got any, because he sounds volatile. I've been with creeps like that when younger so I've a gut feeling it won't be easy but you must get away for your health and sanity. All the best

Elsvieta · 01/06/2026 14:10

OneDogTwoCatsHalfaDH · 01/06/2026 13:42

Could you imagine this in 20, 30 years time? Always questioning yourself, worrying about upsetting him. Nah, a partner is supposed to be your friend, your supporter.
I can imagine it, I've been married for 18 years to a similar man.
I have become so accustomed to being unhappy and frustrated with his behaviour that it no longer really affects me.
@KiraChris please gather the strength to get out of this relationship NOW.
And get some help around you to ensure you stick to it. I actually left him a few years ago, but he wore me down with alternating between threatening suicide, drunken aggression and being all sweet and reasonable.
Please don't be me, don't waste your life with this man.
You are not being controlling or unreasonable at all, he is totally gaslighting you. The moving targets will always be out of reach, you can't change your behaviour to make him happy because making you miserable is what makes him happy.

It's not too late. You can end it again and end it forever. You don't deserve to be treated like this.

twinmum2007 · 01/06/2026 14:11

Someone's controlling here, but, gently, it ain't you. Leave him. He's an arse. Leave him now.

Lurkingandlearning · 01/06/2026 14:15

I stopped reading at the word "misbehave". Why, seriously why are you even breathing the same air as that turd?

BountifulPantry · 01/06/2026 14:42

KiraChris · 01/06/2026 12:38

@bittertwisted What you just said. That’s done it for me. I don’t know who you are, but in that moment of reading your post, it’s suddenly hit me. I’m going to leave ! THANKYOU XXXXXXXX

Good for you

BloodySoddingFlies · 01/06/2026 15:11

You can't tell people to stop cooking in their own home. Cooking is reasonable. Smells will dissipate

When dh excitedly returns home from the fishmonger with fresh mackerel, I remind him that he will have to cook it outside on the bbq.

That's the only thing though, in all other areas of life we both do what we like.
We can fall asleep where and when we want and wear what we like. Come and go as we please. Nobody gets shirty with the other and we don't walk on eggshells.

Op's boyfriend sounds horribly abusive and I agree with everyone else here that she needs to get rid of him pdq

TheresAsilverLiningInTheSkyee · 01/06/2026 15:13

Boot him out of your home permenantly. Why are you choosing to continue living like this?

Restlessdreams1994 · 01/06/2026 15:19

It’s not you, it’s him.

Snaletrale · 01/06/2026 15:29

She’s not hearing anything. The only person she responded to for most of the thread, was the one about her being controlling.

Now ,maybe she’s had an epiphany by beating bitter and twisted story, but I doubt it as there is no acknowledgement of everyone else’s
collective horror about what she’s putting up with.

Op, open your eyes and actually read the responses on here. Go to women’s aid and get real life advice.

Chilly80 · 01/06/2026 15:31

I stopped reading half way, just toss him out he is controlling

Fullofthejoysofspring · 01/06/2026 15:40

Oh love. He is an absolute arsehole and you deserve so much better. Please get rid.

BoulevardOfBrokenSleep · 01/06/2026 15:44

Oh sweetheart, he's treating you terribly in so many ways!

Like others have said, even a man just using the word "disrespect" about a woman is a massive red flag, it shows a mindset that she should always do what he says without asking questions or having a mind of her own. Never met a guy who talks like that who isn't an absolute prick.

Girlwithavibe · 01/06/2026 15:44

KiraChris · 01/06/2026 11:21

@Balloonhearts how am I controlling I’d like to know where I can improve as I walls want to improve myself but sometimes you can’t always see in yourself where you go wrong

This is the thing your not controlling he is gaslighting u !!
He is controlling I and making 7 think your in the wrong U need to leave this man this is not lovely this is abusive relationship not u him !!!!

bittertwisted · 01/06/2026 15:49

Snaletrale · 01/06/2026 15:29

She’s not hearing anything. The only person she responded to for most of the thread, was the one about her being controlling.

Now ,maybe she’s had an epiphany by beating bitter and twisted story, but I doubt it as there is no acknowledgement of everyone else’s
collective horror about what she’s putting up with.

Op, open your eyes and actually read the responses on here. Go to women’s aid and get real life advice.

I must clarify my story is not an excuse, I need to bloody do something about it, you are all absolutely right, the only resolution is to leave

I have excuse after excuse to not put my big girl pants on and take charge of my unhappiness. I have clutched at the crumbs of nice bits to avoid the disruption and the sadness

I am listening to all of you and know very well only I can change this by getting rid

i feel bad now that my story has come across as a justification, it’s not, it’s an acknowledgement that you can make up all sorts of excuse and be the victim, but there is no other option. I can’t force him to actually change, so by staying I have to blame myself

Girlwithavibe · 01/06/2026 15:52

bittertwisted · 01/06/2026 15:49

I must clarify my story is not an excuse, I need to bloody do something about it, you are all absolutely right, the only resolution is to leave

I have excuse after excuse to not put my big girl pants on and take charge of my unhappiness. I have clutched at the crumbs of nice bits to avoid the disruption and the sadness

I am listening to all of you and know very well only I can change this by getting rid

i feel bad now that my story has come across as a justification, it’s not, it’s an acknowledgement that you can make up all sorts of excuse and be the victim, but there is no other option. I can’t force him to actually change, so by staying I have to blame myself

Big hugs 🤗
It's a difficult situation to be in and u was only trying to help because your also in this situation!
Maybe ring woman's aid for some proper advise I hope u do the right thing x

MirrorMirror1247 · 01/06/2026 15:56

Throw this one back. You can do much better. I guarantee that once the relationship is over you will feel much happier. His happiness is not more important than yours.

xx11x · 01/06/2026 16:00

There’s nothing for you to ‘fix’ or change other than ending the relationship with him.

Ellie56 · 01/06/2026 16:11

Oh God another abusive arsehole.

Just dump him. Your life (and your house) will be so much better without him in it.

jannier · 01/06/2026 16:12

Abuser.....run

Wdutua · 01/06/2026 17:15

Just think about your home without this pig: No more frying (you might need professional cleaners to get rid of the stench), no more dirty filthy outdoor shoes, no more bullying, shouting, throwing stuff.

Plus you would have a lovely peaceful home where you can make a cup of tea, go to bed, clean, wash up, have the tv on whenever you want without criticism of any kind. You could even have friends over.

Get your key back (if he has one), tell all your friends and family he has gone, if you have safety concerns log this with the police.

OneDogTwoCatsHalfaDH · 01/06/2026 19:42

Elsvieta · 01/06/2026 14:10

It's not too late. You can end it again and end it forever. You don't deserve to be treated like this.

Thanks, I do have secret plans in hand, and this time he won't know where I am to snare me back in.
I just wanted to try and open the OPs eyes to how this relationship might go in a few years time.

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