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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

Signs your long-term relationship is petering out

351 replies

Tesla · 01/06/2010 01:58

If your partner of 8 years lives many miles away and when he comes to visit stays a week or so, but ignores you most of the time, does not wish to go out anywhere with you and now claims he can't sleep in the same bed with you because he's become allergic to the perfume you're wearing -when you don't wear any - and also responds to the question, "Are we still a couple or not?" with either, "I refuse to answer that/ I don't want you to know", also does not phone you, takes days to respond to text messages and then only brief/succinct, emails only in response and then never,ever, ever signs off with any sentiments such as miss you, love you, etc. Never sends birthday, Valentine, Christmas cards or presents, claims to be too busy to stay at Christmas, and can't afford to drive down to see you because he's skint, or when he does visit, it might be very irregular such as for a week, then nothing for 6 months, then another few days, then nothing for a couple of months, and you never know when he'll next visit nor will he commit to any kind of regular visits,...

does it means he's just not that into you anymore, his love long since faded, and you're just hanging on out of stupidity? Should you just bear the heartbreak and dump him and find a new man who actually wants to be with you, love you and cherish you?
especially if there's young kdis involved?

I've tried every measure going to keep communication alive in this long-distance relationship and pine for him when he's not here but can hardly bear the anxiety anymore of never knowing when he'll next visit. I'm utterly in love and always have been, so how can I get him to communicate with me and reassure me he still loves and wants me, depite the distance.

I've asked for an occassional "Hang in there, I know you miss me, I'll see you soon" but he refuses to give me even that tiny morsel of reassurance

I'm slowly becoming heartbroken, I feel like the most important relationship in my life is slipping into history.

OP posts:
Tesla · 01/06/2010 14:23

Sorky, he didn't have a job when I met. He sells bits and bobs online to make a living.

OP posts:
Portofino · 01/06/2010 14:26

I am literally that you consider this man your partner, when there is absolutely NO partnership taking place. Sorry to be blunt, but sperm donor would seem to be a more realistic description of him. Get rid!

PortiaNovmerriment · 01/06/2010 14:27

He sounds utterly charming. I can see why you'd be wild about him.

thumbwitch · 01/06/2010 14:29

Tesla - please, please tell us what makes you think this man is worth hanging onto?
He doesn't like you, he doesn't want to be with you, he didn't want to have DC with you, he has no respect for you, he won't even touch you now - WHAT is in it for you??

Tesla · 01/06/2010 14:30

Well, we have a history of 8 years, so something must have been good! he's one of those 'treat em mean, keep em keen' types I think.

OP posts:
sorky · 01/06/2010 14:30

He sounds completely nuts!!

sorky · 01/06/2010 14:32

what on earth do you family think about this situation?

RumourOfAHurricane · 01/06/2010 14:32

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Tesla · 01/06/2010 14:32

I have to go now baby's waking form afternoon nap but I hope people can keep advising me.

Occassionally, thumbwitch, there's glimmers of hope from him, he might give me the odd hug or the way he acts here, doing DIY jobs and playing with the children makes me think he must still love and want me too?..

I have to go now baby..thanks all so far

OP posts:
PortiaNovmerriment · 01/06/2010 14:33

And what type are you? Put up with any ol' shite type?seriously, get it together here. You sound stronger that it seemed last night, you're not interested in getting help (I was thinking cbt/talking therapy btw rather than pills)- so how are you going to sort this out then? What's next?

GooseyLoosey · 01/06/2010 14:33

Tesla - I almost never comment on relationships, but its not clear to me that you have one. This really, really, really is not good for you or your children. What kind of relationship model is it for them to see that one party can get whatever they want but give nothing.

I understand that you love him and will take whatever he gives you, but I think that if you made the decision to break it off with him, you would quickly feel better in yourself and stop pining and feeling anxious. That is no way to live.

RumourOfAHurricane · 01/06/2010 14:36

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StealthPolarBear · 01/06/2010 14:38

what do you mean he only stays with you because he can't afford a hotel?
So if it was all up to him, you wouldn't see him at all??

RumourOfAHurricane · 01/06/2010 14:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

StealthPolarBear · 01/06/2010 14:39

hugging you once in a blue moon and playing families under duress is his way of keeping you hanging on

arsesandoldlace · 01/06/2010 14:41

Is it just me who really hopes this is made up? Too weird for words.

livingthehighlife · 01/06/2010 14:42

Is this for real?

thumbwitch · 01/06/2010 14:45

Tesla, I feel really sorry for you - I don't know what has happened to you in your life that you think these crumbs of affection, once in a while, are in any way meaningful.

"treat 'em mean, keep 'em keen" - or in other words, be an abusive arsehole and know that the little woman will take whatever crap is thrown at her and be pathetically grateful for the occasional crumb.

He might not be physically abusive - but he is abusing you - he isn't treating you with any respect at all and you are letting him.

Please lose this deadweight from your life - at the moment he has nothing to offer you that will make you feel like a valued person. I agree with the others - whatever lessons are your sons learning from this?? Not good ones, that's for sure.

squeaver · 01/06/2010 14:49

Agree with the very early post: in what way could you possibly consider this person to be your "partner"?

GoingPostal · 01/06/2010 14:57

Tesla, I'm sorry that you feel this is a relationship and that the fact he hugs you or plays with the children on rare occasions means he might feel something for you.

He also sounds rather odd (understatement) - "he has two houses" (so could in theory have another family in one of them?) and has to "guard his possessions"? That sounds as though he may have mental health problems?

It seems as though as you are getting nothing from him in terms of financial or emotional support, you may as well "separate" (what difference would that actually make in your lives do you think?) and get him to pay some maintenance for the children.

Fliight · 01/06/2010 15:17

Oh God, this is awful.

The more I read the closer to tears I get.

Tesla, what does your family think about this situation? It is so far from OK that I can hardly believe it is happening.

I'm so sorry.

He sounds very cruel whether he means it or not - he also sounds as though he may well have some serious mental health problems.

Have you any friends, other than this...person?

madonnawhore · 01/06/2010 15:18

That 'guarding possessions' thing makes him seem really weird. How is this siuation in any way good enough for you and your children?

Tesla · 01/06/2010 15:27

The area he lives in is prone to theft, he's had stuff stolen from his back yard several times, also had vehicles stolen, although he does go away on weekend jaunts to the lake district or music festivals with his friends...can't see how that's any different to staying with us afew days in terms of how safe is his property then!

No, he cna't house another family in either house, need to drop this other family idea, it's just daft! One house is being renovated and the other not suitable for family life and also in process of renovation, of a kind.

My family are puzzled that he doesn't see his children as often as he could and are concerned for me as obviously I just want a normal, happy family life.

OP posts:
PortiaNovmerriment · 01/06/2010 15:35

So what are you going to do then?

Fliight · 01/06/2010 15:35

I think from what you are saying, he is someone with some deep issues that mean he is either afraid or otherwise unable to sustain this normal family life you so desire.

He just can't do it. It's not your fault,and I doubt anything you do will change him unless he wants to change and actively seeks some counselling etc.

He sounds in some kind of emotional limbo tbh.
and rather disturbed, depressed, something or other is not right with him.

If you really want a normal family life you are going to need to look elsewhere to fulfill this, I think.

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