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Am I overreacting, or is my partner being controlling about my phone use?

91 replies

Sunshineandrainbows99 · 21/09/2026 17:25

I really need some perspective here..

been with partner 2.5 years. I’ve always had issues with some behaviour that I feel is “controlling”

so the weekend we went away abroad for my birthday. We sat down for a meal and I put my phone on the table and messaged my friend a few times.. 3x to be precise. She had some really good baby news so I was thrilled for her.

he said to me “it seems to me that you’ve been on your phone a lot today”. I look at him and I’m like what? And he’s like yeah.. I don’t know what you’re doing on it but it’s been a few times. And at this point I say no I havnt? I’ve been on a few times to message 2 of my friends.

he then said “ it would be nice to feel like your prioritising your relationship rather than prioritising your friends”.

at this point I lose it… I said I’ve barely messaged them and went onto my activity log and said look I’ve been on what’s app for 6 mins in 8hours. I sent 2 messages at 1pm and 4 messages at 2pm.

I said both my friend today are struggling with baby loss news and they have no one to talk to? i said I am not the type of friend to ignore them just because I’m away and on holiday. I said I could understand if I’ve spent the whole meal on my phone but we’ve just sat down..

we’ve not even ordered… I’ve spent all day with you. He then said well you might have only been on it 6 mins but it’s the constant checking to see if someone’s messaged you, you going onto social media and looking.. doing your usual check of the 3 social media accounts, checking in with your son, checking in with your friends. He said you’ve messaged 7 people today.. I said no I’ve messaged 2 friend and my son because my bank card has been hacked.

I said had my bank card not been hacked I wouldn’t even of been on my phone in that time period?

I said he’s being unreasonable and out of order. He said that he had spent a great deal of money and time to take me here and all he’s asking is a reasonable request. I said it would be reasonable if I spent the whole day on my ohone but the evidence and facts are there in black and white.

I went mad and said if you think that I’m a type of girl to be told when I can and can’t go on my phone and not message my friends and be self centered then your with the wrong girl.

he said “evidently I’m with the wrong girl” I’m with someone who’s ungrateful and hasn’t even shown appreciation for being here.

i went to the toilet and I came back still fuming. And then it was “ your over reacting, this reaction is not normal, why are you being this way” which infuriated me even more.

there is numerous times where he accuses me of being on my phone too much, saying he doesn’t know what I’m doing on there, telling me that it’s shady.

the day before he told me in the car that the 2 weeks In a row I’ve got my hair and nails done and not come over to have dinner with him and his kids and basically he’s a bit miffed over it because I’m prioritising that over spending time with his kids. I said I could understand if it’s a pattern but it’s twice and I get them done so infrequently anyways.. and self care is important to me.. I have a stressful job, I share custody so can only do things like that when I don’t have my kids so i just book it in on a day my kids are with their dad.

i said this is the straw that broke the camels back and I’m sick of the constant finger pointing, blaming me for everything, telling me it’s my tone, how I speak, if I didn’t attack him he wouldn’t have to be so defensive.

i posted on here before about his over reaction to me going on an abroad day trip with my friends and I got the cold shoulder and guilt trip.

he’s now messaging me saying I’ve over reacted and my reaction didn’t warrant this. I’ve said he’s controlling..

I said I can understand to a point about having quality time and I’d be more open to it if he was like can we have some quality time babe do you mind putting your phone away.. but to say “it seems to me you’ve been on your phone a lot” .. and then when I got his phone usage up.. he had been on his phone more times than I had and spent more
time in general on it.. and had been speaking to his daughter for 15 mins consistently over messages!! I mean it doesn’t bother me but it’s pot kettle black here.

on the evening we got home and I said I’m done with this I’ve had enough he said I was acting mental and behaving mental… he said he didn’t say I was mental but acting it? Same
thing to me..

I just feel like it’s really unfair and to me controlling? I’ve told him he’s controlling and actually showing signs of narcissistic traits.

OP posts:
AutumnLoverButNotYet · 21/09/2026 17:57

NotMajorTom · 21/09/2026 17:36

I think I’m with him tbh
are you on your phone too much? Honestly?

Well 6 minutes, I wouldn't call that 'too much'
& he's got a fucking nerve when he's been on his phone more times and more time than she has!

@Sunshineandrainbows99

I honestly think this has come to the end of the road or it should have, he's very controlling & seems like he's trying to close down your friendships as well so you're more reliant on him.

I think you'd be much happier without him in your life. I know I would be.

Happy belated birthday 🎂 go do something nice with your friends to celebrate 💕🌷

Pedant61 · 21/09/2026 17:59

Having your phone out at the table, and checking/using it during a meal, is simply rude.
However, your partner shouldn't be monitoring your phone use either.
Maybe you both need to learn about better communication, as well as manners.....

Brummyhelpplease · 21/09/2026 17:59

I don't know in general if you and he are meant for each other and maybe he is controlling but honestly there is NOTHING worse than going for a meal with someone and they on their phone. The only reason I have my phone with me while out is in case of an emergency and my son knows to ring me rather than text. I actually cannot understand people needing to check in on people when away for a day or two, surely quality time with the person you are with is more important? You can ring or meet your friends upon your return.

Whisperwaves · 21/09/2026 18:02

He sounds controlling. Bin him.

Reluctantlyonhols · 21/09/2026 18:04

Yes he's controlling and probably just wants you to help him with his kids. I would LTB.

Onwards2627 · 21/09/2026 18:10

I think you were very rude at the table, especially when someone has taken you away for date / special outing. You could have checked in with your friends at another time.

You also seem very uncompromising - like it's your way or the highway the hair and nail appointments. I can see how it feels to him like he is not your priority.

Your reaction "I lose it" etc is very defensive. If someone called me out for having my phone out at dinner (especially a special dinner) I'd do nothing but apologise unreservedly.

Just end things. You 2 don't seem able to accommodate each other's views. I am not sure whether he is controlling or not, but you aren't really making it clear that spending time with him and being engaged and present is important to you.

pinkdelight · 21/09/2026 18:13

Someone looking at the menu isn’t a cue to pick up your phone. It’s may be a cue to chat about what he fancies, what you’re having etc. Thinking it’s your chance to text says a lot. Just split up. It shouldn’t be this way so early on.

Cora0 · 21/09/2026 18:15

Lots of people struggling to read the OP today.

He’s waving red flags in your face left and right. Yes he is controlling, yes he is showing narcissistic traits. He is also showing other alarming behaviour, picking an argument with you and then turning it around and acting like your reaction to his unpleasantness is the problem. This is goading behaviour, trying to get a bigger and bigger reaction out of you so that he can feign innocence and play the victim.

Dump him. He will continue to escalate.

beenanddonethat · 21/09/2026 18:21

Why has he ‘taken you’ on holiday ? Why isn’t it 50/50 .. ? ‘You’ve recently had a miscarriage ? With him ???

beenanddonethat · 21/09/2026 18:23

You’ve been with him 2.5 years but have a ‘toddler’ ? How does that work …

Sunshineandrainbows99 · 21/09/2026 18:23

beenanddonethat · 21/09/2026 18:21

Why has he ‘taken you’ on holiday ? Why isn’t it 50/50 .. ? ‘You’ve recently had a miscarriage ? With him ???

He took me on holiday for my birthday..

50/50.. I don’t know what you mean. If you mean why isn’t it 50/50 that I pay for stuff… because I do.

and yes I lost a baby too 6 months ago

OP posts:
RinklyRomaine · 21/09/2026 18:27

He didn’t say she shouldn’t respond to a message at the table, he said ‘you’ve been on your phone too much”. When it had been 6 minutes all day. And has complained about trips without him, or not dropping appointments for his kids.

Bin him. I’m surprised at all the responses here. Checking in with an upset friend before you’ve properly ordered and haven’t looked all day doesn’t warrant this, even without the backstory. He’s testing to see if he always comes first. You have a toddler, you don’t need a bloke chucking tantrums for attention too.

NotMajorTom · 21/09/2026 18:28

I found the reference to you “losing it” quite telling…

abitscaredarentI · 21/09/2026 18:33

People are so perfect that they would never dare to look at their phone to send a quick message in public, with their partner, aren't they? I mean, the phones are away? What is a phone? 🙄

YANBU, in my opinion.
Your card got hacked you had to contact people
You're a grown adult entitled to use her time as she wishes: voicing concern is different than accusing. You got accused, and you pulled him up on it.
Quality time is important but trust is as well, i can occupy myself for a minute while my partner texts someone quickly. I'd be miffed if it were 15 min on the phone or throughout the whole meal, but still, I would not accept the lack of trust.

ColadhSamh · 21/09/2026 18:34

6 minutes on WhatsApp but were you on Tiktok, Instagram, Facebook, email etc as well?

Like others have said its rude to be on your phone at a restaurant table.

abitscaredarentI · 21/09/2026 18:35

Plus, him inviting you on holiday is not supposed to mean that you owe him your full time and attention 24/7 does it? Is he effectively saying that since he mating for your time, you shouldn't look anywhere else? Are you allowed to go to the toilets or anything else?

outerspacepotato · 21/09/2026 18:40

Is he still married?

If so, tell him to work on his divorce.

Yes, he's being extremely controlling. He wants your attention fixed on him 24/7 and that's a pretty irrational expectation.

Tell him you'll give his thoughts on your phone use all the consideration they deserve.

Hint. The answer to that is zero.

Sunshineandrainbows99 · 21/09/2026 18:41

ColadhSamh · 21/09/2026 18:34

6 minutes on WhatsApp but were you on Tiktok, Instagram, Facebook, email etc as well?

Like others have said its rude to be on your phone at a restaurant table.

No I wasn’t. I was checking in with 2 friends 5 lx in 8 hours and messaged my son as my bank card got hacked so had to ask him to remove my card details.

what I’m baffled about it he was on his phone more throughout the whole day.. the proof was in the data between us.

and yes I lost it as this has been constant and this is the problem you post half a story on here and people are quick to judge a reaction.

im sick of being told off for going on holiday with friends because it’s our thing, that me
seeing my mom on my birthday was choosing to see her over him, that me going out for dinner with a friend to somewhere he wanted to go is unfair and I get the silent treatment all night.. but he can message 15 mins in a day, he can be on his work phone during dinner or when we’re at home. That’s why I lost it…

OP posts:
BeardySchnauzer · 21/09/2026 18:43

I’m assuming the toddler isn’t his so you don’t have any ties to him?

it sounds like the relationship isn’t making you happy so I would just end it

thisismeithinkorisit · 21/09/2026 18:54

well you lost it, and you went mad, all whilst it seems he's spoken to you calmly, and I understand why he's upset that the minute you sit down you start texting your friends. you say nothing mates have had sad baby news, but then you say your friend had good baby news. so which one was it and what was so urgent you had to message over dinner?

I think you're both better off not together

whippersnapper55 · 21/09/2026 19:24

Sunshineandrainbows99 · 21/09/2026 18:41

No I wasn’t. I was checking in with 2 friends 5 lx in 8 hours and messaged my son as my bank card got hacked so had to ask him to remove my card details.

what I’m baffled about it he was on his phone more throughout the whole day.. the proof was in the data between us.

and yes I lost it as this has been constant and this is the problem you post half a story on here and people are quick to judge a reaction.

im sick of being told off for going on holiday with friends because it’s our thing, that me
seeing my mom on my birthday was choosing to see her over him, that me going out for dinner with a friend to somewhere he wanted to go is unfair and I get the silent treatment all night.. but he can message 15 mins in a day, he can be on his work phone during dinner or when we’re at home. That’s why I lost it…

This is quite a drip feed! If you're fed up with his controlling behaviour, why have you been putting up with it? Just dump him and enjoy the freedom!

gardenflowergirl · 21/09/2026 19:34

Sorry but if you're out for dinner with someone it's very rude to be on your phone messaging someone else. You need boundaries and manners.

Iloveacurry · 21/09/2026 19:51

To be honest he sounds awful and controlling, you’re probably better off without him.

DozyCrow · 21/09/2026 19:52

His tone wasn't great, I wouldn't have liked someone talking to me like that.

You mention a toddler. Is that his child? You've also lost a baby, and I'm sorry you've experienced that. If you stay with him I'd consider carefully if you want to have a baby/another baby with this man.

GretaBritain · 21/09/2026 20:24

Whether you were rude or not to be on the phone isn't the real problem here. Having to over explain how many mins you used the phone, justify why your hair and nails appts were at certain times, only allowed to go to his on certain nights, explaining why you want to go on a girls trip..thats the issue.
You want someone in your corner working with you, and this is just exhausting. It will increase too until it won't be worth getting hair/nails done, taking the girls trip etc due to the guilt tripping and explaining. Its no way to live. For many couples all of above is a non issue. Do you really want to live like this?