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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

Worried about possible red flags early dating?

149 replies

Sheshappy123 · Today 17:25

Ive been dating a guy for the past 6 weeks (although it feels much longer and things have moved fast and we do have strong feelings for each other already) but a few things have rang small alarm bells in my head and wanted to see wether others would think these are red flags

He looks at my phone when I’m texting and asks who I’m talking to

i noticed one night that he’d looked through my phone as it was open on messages that I hadn’t looked at in ages

He was messing around like play fighting with me and put his arm hard against my throat I got upset and did cry as my last relationship was a little violent at times and I suffered abuse as a child from my mums partner, he did seem upset though and apologised and said he was worried that he’d messed it up but since then he has been quite heavy handed and hurt me a few more times

He’s is a little bossy and will ask me to go in the Kitchen get him a drink etc or ask me to pass him something that’s right next to him

he likes to slap me in the face during sex or grab my throat but he knows I don’t mind this as long as it’s not too hard

He drinks quite a lot mostly every day- goes to bed with a can of alcohol

has thrown up in my garden a few times from being drunk (I did tell him the second time I didn’t like this as it bought back traumatic memories of my mum being an alcoholic) he did kind of apologise but also kind of turnt it round on me saying are you really gonna get funny about it and why didn’t you at least rub my back (I did the first time)

he used to be addicted to cocaine but has been clean 6 months

he’s really charming and gets along with everyone has lots of friends but when on a night one he met one of my friends and she said he’s really nice but said it seems “smoke and mirrors” and just go slowly/be careful

when on a night out another guy grabbed my arm to get me to sit back down (we were with a group of people we just met) and he got aggressive to him and nearly got in a fight”

he’s told me openly that his last relationship went downhill because of drink and drugs on both sides and it becoming toxic and it came to an end when they had a fight and they both became aggressive and he accidentally hurt her, he’s not seen his children since then as his ex moved away, he also openly said she has accused him of being controlling and coercive

He openly admits he struggles with jealousy and he sent aggressive texts to one of my clients that he saw was being a bit flirty and made him block me

On the flip side he’s very emotionally open with me and admitted he’s done lots wrong and has cried when talking about things he’s gone through

He checks on me through the day and we’ve seen each other mostly every day since we’ve met, he’s good with my children (yes he’s met them, when we met each other I was with my children) he gave spending money when i was taking my kids on holiday, brings flowers and is attentive and loving.

he tells me he just wants to be loved, says he’ll look after me and his dad says he’s got a good heart

I don’t know what to think and if I’m thinking too much of things?

OP posts:
Escapingafter50years · Today 17:27

Run. And don't look back.
Get help for yourself, your bar is set way too low.

Norberta · Today 17:28

it’s hard to believe this is not a wind up but in case this post is even half serious….

run for the hills.

sprigatito · Today 17:29

Is this a serious post? This guy has more red flags than a Communist party parade. Get rid of him before he murders you.

TheThingOnTheIce · Today 17:29

Oh come on op do you really need to ask?

HedgehogsOnTheWall · Today 17:29

And all of that just rings small alarm bells?! Fucking hell.

amber763 · Today 17:29

Run.

moderate · Today 17:30

Sheshappy123 · Today 17:25

Ive been dating a guy for the past 6 weeks (although it feels much longer and things have moved fast and we do have strong feelings for each other already) but a few things have rang small alarm bells in my head and wanted to see wether others would think these are red flags

He looks at my phone when I’m texting and asks who I’m talking to

i noticed one night that he’d looked through my phone as it was open on messages that I hadn’t looked at in ages

He was messing around like play fighting with me and put his arm hard against my throat I got upset and did cry as my last relationship was a little violent at times and I suffered abuse as a child from my mums partner, he did seem upset though and apologised and said he was worried that he’d messed it up but since then he has been quite heavy handed and hurt me a few more times

He’s is a little bossy and will ask me to go in the Kitchen get him a drink etc or ask me to pass him something that’s right next to him

he likes to slap me in the face during sex or grab my throat but he knows I don’t mind this as long as it’s not too hard

He drinks quite a lot mostly every day- goes to bed with a can of alcohol

has thrown up in my garden a few times from being drunk (I did tell him the second time I didn’t like this as it bought back traumatic memories of my mum being an alcoholic) he did kind of apologise but also kind of turnt it round on me saying are you really gonna get funny about it and why didn’t you at least rub my back (I did the first time)

he used to be addicted to cocaine but has been clean 6 months

he’s really charming and gets along with everyone has lots of friends but when on a night one he met one of my friends and she said he’s really nice but said it seems “smoke and mirrors” and just go slowly/be careful

when on a night out another guy grabbed my arm to get me to sit back down (we were with a group of people we just met) and he got aggressive to him and nearly got in a fight”

he’s told me openly that his last relationship went downhill because of drink and drugs on both sides and it becoming toxic and it came to an end when they had a fight and they both became aggressive and he accidentally hurt her, he’s not seen his children since then as his ex moved away, he also openly said she has accused him of being controlling and coercive

He openly admits he struggles with jealousy and he sent aggressive texts to one of my clients that he saw was being a bit flirty and made him block me

On the flip side he’s very emotionally open with me and admitted he’s done lots wrong and has cried when talking about things he’s gone through

He checks on me through the day and we’ve seen each other mostly every day since we’ve met, he’s good with my children (yes he’s met them, when we met each other I was with my children) he gave spending money when i was taking my kids on holiday, brings flowers and is attentive and loving.

he tells me he just wants to be loved, says he’ll look after me and his dad says he’s got a good heart

I don’t know what to think and if I’m thinking too much of things?

This is a creative writing project, yes? If not, get out and don't look back.

whyohwhyisitalwayswet · Today 17:30

Can't believe you need to ask! Be out of there - like yesterday.

TheThingOnTheIce · Today 17:30

Actually yeah , this cannot be real

CurlewKate · Today 17:30

Those aren’t “possible red flags”. They are reasons for you to run and never look back. Honestly, leave him now.

MrsPapillon · Today 17:32

“Possible red flags”? You need to end this now, and get yourself some therapy. This is blatantly, very obviously abusive and the fact that you’re not recognising that and have to ask is proof that you’re too vulnerable to be in any type of relationship right now. I’ve been there myself so I’m not being condescending. My heart goes out to you. You’re worth so much more than vile men like this. x

Sheshappy123 · Today 17:36

its not a wind up post at all, it’s just easier to look at the green flags when you have feelings for someone. Some of these things do seem bad, I know trust me I’ve seen my mum in a violent relationship but it’s hard to not also see his good side

OP posts:
Brightbluesomething · Today 17:36

Surely if this is real you knew you should have left as soon as he hurt you? Fgs it’s been 6 weeks and you have this amount of red flags. Why on earth are you still with him?
Leave immediately. Block and do the freedom programme so you know the signs well before 90% of this happens in your next relationship.

supersop60 · Today 17:39

The red flags outnumber any green ones.
Dump him ( he won’t react well, so be careful)
Then, get some therapy to build your self esteem and your boundaries.
You deserve better.

Joystir59 · Today 17:40

You are in an abusive relationship and it will only get worse and you need to throw him back, move on and seek therapy to understand why you chose him and why his behaviour is abusive. Well done for recognising the red flags and coming on here for advice

DaffodilsAreMyFav · Today 17:40

Please listen to MrsPapillon - your situation will only get worse!

EnjoythemoneyJane · Today 17:40

If this is real, you need to dump him yesterday, and get some therapy before you date anyone else, OP. Seriously.

The fact that your bar is this low and you’re questioning whether your reservations are even reasonable means you’re highly vulnerable and very likely to end up trapped in an abusive relationship - which this already is, after only 6 weeks.

You must be able to see why everyone reading this thinks it’s a total wind up. He’s a physically and sexually aggressive, emotionally abusive, coercive, controlling, angry, possessive cokehead with a booze problem. The fact he’s shown he’s this much of an arsehole within a hot minute of getting with you means only one thing - if you’re stupid enough to stay with him there’ll be much, much worse to come.

Peonies12 · Today 17:41

This is awful, do you really need strangers to tell you that? Breaks my heart a bit. Run fast.

amber763 · Today 17:42

Sheshappy123 · Today 17:36

its not a wind up post at all, it’s just easier to look at the green flags when you have feelings for someone. Some of these things do seem bad, I know trust me I’ve seen my mum in a violent relationship but it’s hard to not also see his good side

You've only been dating him 6 weeks! In that time hes been checking your phone, put his fucking arm against your throat (which isnt playfighting), bosses you around, is an alcoholic, puked all over your garden, hes an ex drug addict and has jealously problems to the extent hes almost got in a fight and has texted one of your clients? Nothing good can come of this. The man is a loser.

Whosthetabbynow · Today 17:42

Stop it

RealEagle · Today 17:42

You are going from one shit relationship to another,take a break concentrate on you and your kid or kids

Unpaidworkmakestheeconomytick · Today 17:42

You saw your mum in a violent relationship, you are in a violent relationship and your children are experiencing the same as you did as a child.
Is this what you want for your children?
For their sake end it.
Do the Freedom Program and read the Shark Tank.

TheThingOnTheIce · Today 17:43

He doesn’t have a good side op . The ‘good side’ is an act . I mean 6 weeks. This is unreal

VickyEadie · Today 17:43

You've got "strong feelings" for a violent, abusive, coercive, drunk drug addiction AND you have children.

If you cannot see that the only "strong feelings" you should have are fear and revulsion", followed by a very strong dose of "get him out of my life NOW!", there's no hope for you. I'm genuinely afraid for you AND your poor children.

Mapleunicorn · Today 17:43

“Small” alarm bells?? These are not possible red flags. These are gigantic, massive, circus tent sized, definite red flags.

Honestly, this is very clearly an abusive man. Even the most abusive men have some nice qualities, but that doesn’t make them good men.

Please stay away from him, for your own sake and your children’s