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Normal behaviour?

67 replies

Anonaonanon · 28/06/2026 01:02

I just want opinions on this scenario. Obviously there's a lot more going on but I'm asking about this scenario in isolation because I wonder if maybe I am just selfish and expecting too much and can't trust my own perceptions anymore.

Been with partner 10 years, two children; one his and one mine.

Partner has an air con unit, when his brother died it was one thing he has from his house. For context, his brother had mental health issues and nobody bothered with him, despite me telling my partner on numerous occasions that he should visit him and check in on him.

Obviously the weather has been boiling and like many places we had 34°C weather, house was boiling (especially upstairs) and nobody really got sleep. DP sleeps downstairs in his "games" room, long story but he chooses to. He has the air con unit and has been sleeping downstairs with it on all night and sitting in the room all day with it on. I asked if we could take it to the childrens room to cool it before bed and he said "no, it's mine not yours. If you want air con you can busy it yourself with all your money...oh wait, you can't afford it". It just blows my mind because if I had air conditioning, I would go without it for the kids. I don't even expect him to care about me, but his own child? He would even go up to his room in the evening and say how hot it was. We would all be awake early having not slept due to be heat and he was having lie ins in his air conditioned room.

Several times I asked if he could please share it with the children and each time was told "no it's mine..it was my gift from my deceased brother. It's not yours". I said I don't expect him to care about me but what about the children, again he just said if I want one I can buy it. I eve asked if we could just roll it init the living room (where I was with my children) for a bit to cool the room down, again was told "no, it's heavy and you can't move it yourself and I'm not helping you, so if you want it you do it".

Then on Thursday I invited around a friend and her son to play with our son. 2 hours before she came, he puts the air con into the living room. He starts telling me proudly that he's out it in the living room. I just looked at him and said "why, I've been asking you for days to share it and you refused". So he said "well if you don't want it I'll take it back"...so we got a few hours of the air con when guest came over on the last day of the heat wave.

Be honest, was I being selfish in expecting him to share it with the children? I just looked at 2 of my friends, both who have husbands who went out and bought and air con unit and set it up for the family.

OP posts:
PetrolFrogs · 28/06/2026 01:45

No I wouldn’t say that’s behaviour I would expect from a partner or father. I would say that clearly shows his character if he’s not even willing to share with his own child and is just leaving everyone else to suffer.

GOATYOAT · 28/06/2026 02:13

Sorry, I can’t see any joy for you in this relationship. I wouldn’t stay with such a selfish man.

Yogafiend · 28/06/2026 02:19

I don’t even know how to begin. I know that MM is all about LTB and I tend to move the other direction but you have to think that someone who is happy to treat you and children this way is not someone you want in your life. And it saddens me that you said a couple times “I wouldn’t expect him to care about me”. What shouldnt you? I certainly expect my DH to put me and our children first as I would do the same for him.

MrsPorridgepot · 28/06/2026 02:25

Do you feel cherished and respected? That is how a loving relationship is supposed to be.

Life is so damn short, don’t waste it on someone who doesn’t care.

PaperMachePanda · 28/06/2026 02:27

He’s a cunt.

What more else is there to say?

I hope you leave for your child’s sake.

Peakyblinder18 · 28/06/2026 02:30

Get him gone.

OohOohOohWahAhh · 28/06/2026 02:50

I’ve been long trained into the “it’s not for me it’s for them” because that is the exact stance you take as a parent - you want the best for your child. This guy is an arsehole and would rather target you than consider the kids. He is the one allowing your child to suffer. Imagine being such a complete bastard! Get away from him. It will only get worse.

Gettingbysomehow · 28/06/2026 03:47

Id dump that fucker. And he's a gamer too....all round loser.

CamillaMcCauley · 28/06/2026 03:53

The only thing I can see that you’re unreasonable about is not expecting him to care about you.

WhatTheHellsGoingOn · 28/06/2026 04:11

These are the worst losers. It would be bad enough that he thinks he’s right and has the strength of his convictions - but he obv knows he’s in the wrong or he wouldn’t have lumbered the air con into the living room for the benefit of your friend and their child. This was so he could impress her and/or not look like an utter arsehole in front of her.

Did you ask why he cared more about her and her child than he did about you and yours (and HIS)?!!!

Also WAS it a gift from his brother or did he just end up with it unfairly by default as he was next of kin? It doesn’t sound surprising he couldn’t be arsed with his vulnerable brother when he needed him, but was happy to benefit by him from his death.

Utter loser, I hope you can get away, but then his poor kid will have no one in their corner when they are round there. Maybe contact SS before you leave so they are aware and can check up on them.

Wecanbeheroes26 · 28/06/2026 04:18

What an absolute wanker! Seriously. Who plays those stupid kind of mind games? I'm bewildered.

MrTiddlesTheCat · 28/06/2026 04:18

He's showing you that he doesn't care about you, your child, or even his own child. What a horrible, selfish man.

NearlyNewNonny · 28/06/2026 04:40

Get rid. What a selfish prick! You keep saying you don't expect him to care about you, why not? Why are your expectations so low? You are also modelling this behaviour to your DC, please leave before they accept it as normal too

KateSixer · 28/06/2026 06:07

Why on earth did you have children with this man?

There must have been signs previously.

If you are going to tell me that he has always been the perfect partner and father prior to this point then I will apologise and suggest that he must be having a mental health issue himself.

But sadly I doubt it.

SMDX3 · 28/06/2026 06:19

Anonaonanon · 28/06/2026 01:02

I just want opinions on this scenario. Obviously there's a lot more going on but I'm asking about this scenario in isolation because I wonder if maybe I am just selfish and expecting too much and can't trust my own perceptions anymore.

Been with partner 10 years, two children; one his and one mine.

Partner has an air con unit, when his brother died it was one thing he has from his house. For context, his brother had mental health issues and nobody bothered with him, despite me telling my partner on numerous occasions that he should visit him and check in on him.

Obviously the weather has been boiling and like many places we had 34°C weather, house was boiling (especially upstairs) and nobody really got sleep. DP sleeps downstairs in his "games" room, long story but he chooses to. He has the air con unit and has been sleeping downstairs with it on all night and sitting in the room all day with it on. I asked if we could take it to the childrens room to cool it before bed and he said "no, it's mine not yours. If you want air con you can busy it yourself with all your money...oh wait, you can't afford it". It just blows my mind because if I had air conditioning, I would go without it for the kids. I don't even expect him to care about me, but his own child? He would even go up to his room in the evening and say how hot it was. We would all be awake early having not slept due to be heat and he was having lie ins in his air conditioned room.

Several times I asked if he could please share it with the children and each time was told "no it's mine..it was my gift from my deceased brother. It's not yours". I said I don't expect him to care about me but what about the children, again he just said if I want one I can buy it. I eve asked if we could just roll it init the living room (where I was with my children) for a bit to cool the room down, again was told "no, it's heavy and you can't move it yourself and I'm not helping you, so if you want it you do it".

Then on Thursday I invited around a friend and her son to play with our son. 2 hours before she came, he puts the air con into the living room. He starts telling me proudly that he's out it in the living room. I just looked at him and said "why, I've been asking you for days to share it and you refused". So he said "well if you don't want it I'll take it back"...so we got a few hours of the air con when guest came over on the last day of the heat wave.

Be honest, was I being selfish in expecting him to share it with the children? I just looked at 2 of my friends, both who have husbands who went out and bought and air con unit and set it up for the family.

he sounds absolutely VILE
One of those typical addicted the gaming man child’s who is so selfish he is prepared to be abusive to his partner and children.
what decent man who really cares for his family would do this.
as you said there is a lot more going on - get rid of him, get out even if you have the start again with nothing because he won’t change. He does not care because if he did he would never speak to you or treat the children like this.

BiddlyBipBipBeeBop · 28/06/2026 06:23

What a horrible, selfish man.

Jossse · 28/06/2026 06:32

His behaviour is disgraceful. Time to sort your and your children’s life out. This man is VILE and is not what any family needs. He is cruel and heartless and doesn’t care about you. Wake up, it’s time to protect yourself and your children. It’s not going to get any better.

FlorenceBlack · 28/06/2026 06:34

Your child will remember this when they’re older, you haven’t said their age but they’re at least 10 aren’t they? They’ll either think it’s completely normal to treat a partner and children in this way which could lead to issues in their own relationships or they’ll wonder why their mum stayed with such a selfish wanker. Hopefully they’ll just resent him and not you.

StarlightLady · 28/06/2026 06:35

PetrolFrogs · 28/06/2026 01:45

No I wouldn’t say that’s behaviour I would expect from a partner or father. I would say that clearly shows his character if he’s not even willing to share with his own child and is just leaving everyone else to suffer.

This.

AtlasPine · 28/06/2026 06:39

The bigger issue in this post is the financial abuse. What is with this - wait, you don’t have any - about money? If he has it, surely the family has it? Are they his children? It’s sounds like they are from your post. Why is he withholding financial benefits from them which he is enjoying himself?

Seaoftroubles · 28/06/2026 06:39

To answer your question, no, of course you are not asking too much! Your partner has demonstrated that he is an utterly selfish and horrible man who has no love, care or respect for you or his children. Why on earth would you want to stay with such a vile person? You say there's a lot more going on in your relationship but surely this incident is enough to show you exactly how truly mean and nasty he is and that it's time to get rid of him.

Marwoodsbigbreak · 28/06/2026 06:48

LTB

BlondeFool · 28/06/2026 06:52

Divorce him. He’s a seriously nasty piece of work.

DozyCrow · 28/06/2026 06:54

He sounds quite selfish. What's behind the comment of "If you want air con you can buy it yourself with all your money...oh wait, you can't afford it"

Is there some battle over finances?

PussyGaylore · 28/06/2026 06:59

Please find some self respect. This man is incredibly selfish. You do not need him in your life.