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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

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:
AttilaTheMeerkat · 28/06/2026 18:44

So there are really no positives at all re this relationship.

Why did you write you cannot leave?. He won’t leave you because in you he has a ready made domestic appliance who he feels is powerless and is cowed by him. you’re going to have to be the one that leaves here. You know the truth re him , he is an abuser. Where is your real life support?

you are likely trauma bonded to him and feel powerless but you are not powerless but even now you can make choices that will benefit your child and you. Trauma bonds can be broken.

Can you go to Boots tomorrow and ask for ANI?. Staff will direct you to a private area where you can access domestic violence support services.

GrillaMilla · 28/06/2026 18:59

I think you know you need to get away, you're not stupid.
But you're going to need to find a lot of strength, and a lot of support to leave this relationship.
Is there someone in real life you can just speak to as a starting point? Do you feel strong enough to do that?

Anonaonanon · 28/06/2026 19:09

The truth is that people know what things are like, although I've not told them everything. My mum and brother know, as do some friends. Everyone hates him and my family won't go near him. My mum gets upset if I talk about it, so I try not to say too much. It's just me, I'm the problem. I'm just too broken. I have honestly lost all my self respect and dignity and I have to live with that.

OP posts:
knottywig · 28/06/2026 19:11

Why are you with him? Are you just his bang maid? He’s a loathsome twat! He doesn’t even care about his own child. I’d have sent the kids and you down to the air conditioned room to sleep regardless of his gaming, it’s your house as well. Assume you are paying rent/mortgage, and even if you weren’t you should have just invaded the space!

thepariscrimefiles · 28/06/2026 19:13

Anonaonanon · 28/06/2026 17:33

? Partner time surgeon? Neither of us are surgeons.

We are not married and therefore when we separate it will be a struggle. I really don't want to go on the holiday and the only reason I am is because he said he will be taking our child regardless. I don't want him to take him abroad for two weeks and my child has never been away from me kre than a day. He knows this and it is why he was able to blackmail me into paying the flight cost.

Tell him that you will report him to the police for coersive control and taking your son abroad without your permission. He is an abusive pig and you need to speak to a domestic abuse charity for advice and support.

None of his behaviour is normal. He is deliberately cruel to you and he uses the children as pawns in his twisted games.

goody2shooz · 28/06/2026 20:12

@Anonaonanon if ever I heard a case that begs a phone call to a women’s refuge this is one.

JanFebAndOnwards · 28/06/2026 20:28

@Anonaonanon the first step is to speak to a DA helpline. They will help you to start untangling your thoughts, value yourself and also they will know what your options are legally and practically.

You do have proof, presuming you’ve still got the messages he sent you about booking the tickets etc. I bet there are others about other situations too.

Why won’t your mum let you talk, is it because she thinks you’ll never leave him and so has ‘given up’, or because she has endured a similar situation so thinks you’ll never should too?

You might want to look up The Freedom Programme and do it online (if you’re sure he doesn’t check what you do online), that would help you begin to see all the ways he’s abusing you and brainwashing you and the kids, and how you are worth more than this.

Sassylovesbooks · 28/06/2026 20:54

He's a shit partner and a shit Dad. That's not the behaviour of a loving partner or Dad. He's a selfish twat, who should be ashamed of himself. I bet my bottom dollar, that this incident is the tip of the iceberg.

FullLondonEye · 28/06/2026 21:06

Anonaonanon · 28/06/2026 18:33

To answer a few questions -

@JanFebAndOnwards if unreported him, who would believe me? How do I prove it and where do I live when we separate because I've reported him to the police?
He's also done something sexually to me that I didn't want but again, I can't prove anything.

@Marwoodsbigbreak but who will stop him? You don't get stopped or asked at the airport. I've been taking my other child away with me for years and despite having a different surname from me, nobody has ever asked me to prove his father provides consent. It's also difficult in reality when you have a child excited about going away, if I refuse he'll tell everyone I'm a psycho and denying our child a holiday.

@Animatic I don't stay with him because I'm desperate for "dick". I'm mentally broken and at rock bottom. Half the time I wish I didn't wake up in the mornings yet my greatest fear is that if I die our child will be brought up by him.

I know I need to leave but I'm deeply traumatised by the relationship. I can't leave and don't want him to leave me but I also despise him and have wished him dead- which I know makes me evil. I obviously haven't said this to his face.

@AttilaTheMeerkat there is not one positive aspect of this relationship. I less you include the fact he earns a lot more than me, so pays a larger share of bills- and I'm reminded of this every single day and it's used as a threat constantly.

Well it's amazing how easily a passport can go missing... Your child can't get on the plane without one, and obviously they can't stay home alone. Use that time to sort yourself out in legal terms - getting your ducks in a row as they often say here. Get clear advice on where you stand, what you are entitled to and how you can get it. You need to know about finances in particular because if he knows you're going he can hide things you may be entitled to. No idea what the financial situation is but while he's gone get the locks changed if you can legally do so.

It's all very well saying you have to live with this but what about your kids? They shouldn't have to live with this. You might not be able to make the changes for yourself but surely you can do it to protect your children?

Bonkers1966 · 28/06/2026 21:09

You are in a relationship with a cunt

CodeAmber · 28/06/2026 21:54

SergeantHowie · 28/06/2026 13:20

Is this the part time surgeon?

Ahh yes the part time doctor?!! Think OP is a nurse, or at least works in the NHS. It’s been a while since one of these utterly depressing and pointless threads, where people offer pages of advice and support only for the OP to completely ignore and then disappear….

Anonaonanon · 28/06/2026 22:02

I'm not a doctor! I wish I was- at least then I could afford to house my kids!

The only fortunate thing about booking the tickets is that he doesn't have access to our son's. I also have his passport. How we, he is looking forward to going, so I feel stuck.

OP posts:
Zanatdy · 28/06/2026 22:20

He is a selfish pig.

CodeAmber · 28/06/2026 22:20

No you’re not a doctor but he is, right? I recognise your posts a mile off. I can’t believe you’ve stayed in this toxic, abusive relationship for 10 years!! What a waste of a life. And as for subjecting your children to his abuse, I am speechless that you still haven’t done anything to get them away from him.

at least admit the history for context (not that you will take any advice anyway)

Dobeebeedah · 28/06/2026 22:34

If you leave he will have to pay child support. If you earn under a certain amount you will get UC. Go online and find out what you will be entitled to. No matter how little you have it is not worth staying in this relationship. Contact women's aid charities about the abuse. Start the process and do not go on holiday with him.

abracadabra1980 · 28/06/2026 22:42

Wow wow wow. I'd get rid of the selfish nasty prick of a man as soon as humanely possible. Why do such selfish men think they deserve to reproduce?

cluckinell2 · 28/06/2026 23:04

Don’t go on the holiday. Don’t let him take your son. It’s really very simple. Just take your son’s passport and hide it. You have to stand up to him, he’s a bully. Why would you put yourself in a situation abroad where you’re isolated and he can bully you for two weeks. Just don’t go.

Oh and leave him obviously.

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