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Levels of support in a relationship

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13

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  • Doodles
    Doodles Posts: 413 Forumite
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    I don't think your boyfriend has done anything wrong.

    Some people are pretty much black and white about life (your boyfriend) and other people are more intuitive/feeling (you). Just different personality types.

    He did offer to cancel his plans, and when you said no he would surely have taken that as you were 'ok'. What you are expecting him to do is read your mind or just know that you needed something from him more.


    With people who are more black and white, you have to be direct and clear to get the best out of them.

    As another poster has already pointed out, I agree with them that maybe your boyfriend is not the right person to lean on over the loss of your husband. Perhaps your boyfriend finds the fact you still have such a bad day as long as 8 years after his passing, difficult? And hence why he wanted to go out. (I don't mean to be heartless when I say this, I do realise grief doesn't have a set time).


    Let this go, say sorry for the passive aggressive text and perhaps lean on friends or family for those difficult moments remembering your late husband.
  • Marvel1
    Marvel1 Posts: 7,188 Forumite
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    edited 15 March 2019 at 4:44PM
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    He is not a mind reader and you said no to cancel!

    I'm not surprised at his reaction to your text.
  • Janey3
    Janey3 Posts: 417 Forumite
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    Sounds as if your boyfriend has been supportive over the years, so I wouldn't dwell on this and would let it go. Agree with others, perhaps it wasn't the best thing to do in texting him.

    Of course it's a very sad and special day for you and I would suggest maybe chatting with a close friend and sharing your emotions with them.
  • onwards&upwards
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    Maybe his ex was on to something, you’re only getting his side remember.
  • ska_lover
    ska_lover Posts: 3,773 Forumite
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    Awww no OP, you poor thing

    It is a very sad day for you

    In my opinion, I think you need to clearly communicate your needs and expectations to your other half

    There is no shame in asking for support at all, when we are in need..
    None of us are mind readers and like others have said, if you don't say, how is he to know

    Take care x
    The opposite of what you know...is also true
  • pollypenny
    pollypenny Posts: 29,394 Forumite
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    74jax wrote: »
    My dad died a few years ago, and this weekend is really hard for me as everyone takes different anniversaries differently. I'm Irish, it's St Patricks Day, I can't have a hug off from the most huge, warm, loveable arms. Last year, I think I pretty much locked myself away. My husband would say did I want anything and I'd say no. He then left me alone. Because that was what i wanted. I wanted to be sad, I wanted to mope, I wanted to wallow in self pity because i didn't have my Dad. And I did. I woke up the next day, dusted myself down and got on with a new day. It was like the last 24 hours hadn't happened.


    Had I wanted company I'd have said yes and he would have been there. I think you are being particularly harsh on him, but I think your other feelings are causing this.


    Had you said yes to his OFFER to cancel, you don't know he would have resented it, you are playing out a situation in your head that didn't happen. If he did - then you'd be in the right to feel annoyed, after all he offered. But that wasn't the scenario you took.


    text him, call him, say yesterday was a horrid day for you, you appreciate the thought and are sorry for texting what you did and move on. Because being sad for 24 hours is fine, but don't bring the past into the present.


    Excellent, wise post. :T
    Member #14 of SKI-ers club

    Words, words, they're all we have to go by!.

    (Pity they are mangled by this autocorrect!)
  • caprikid1
    caprikid1 Posts: 2,155 Forumite
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    Its a very difficult day for both of you, you spending all your time thinking about an Ex, him having nothing he can do.


    I am with a Widow too and I know how your other half feels. I think your sarcastic message was out of order.
  • trailingspouse
    trailingspouse Posts: 4,035 Forumite
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    I think what you wanted was for him to simply cancel. Not to ask if he should, but just to do it. He asked, and you said no - because by asking he was missing the point.



    It's very hard for you. I wonder if, going forward, you could make a little tradition, something you do on his birthday, that's just for you. Watch a movie you both enjoyed, or visit a place you both liked, just you.
    No longer a spouse, or trailing, but MSE won't allow me to change my username...
  • Pollycat
    Pollycat Posts: 34,774 Forumite
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    I think what you wanted was for him to simply cancel. Not to ask if he should, but just to do it. He asked, and you said no - because by asking he was missing the point.



    It's very hard for you. I wonder if, going forward, you could make a little tradition, something you do on his birthday, that's just for you. Watch a movie you both enjoyed, or visit a place you both liked, just you.
    But the OP was expecting her partner to read her mind.
    It was only 'the point' for the OP.

    I think it's very hard for the OP's partner too.
  • seven-day-weekend
    seven-day-weekend Posts: 36,755 Forumite
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    edited 23 March 2019 at 9:36AM
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    He is not going to feel the same about that day as you are, and because you told him not to cancel going out, he assumed you were OK.

    Him offering to cancel WAS his way of showing support.

    The text you sent was not nice, you need to apologise for that.. And when you do so, explain that it was because you were feeling down (not that that excuses it), and you just wanted a hug or whatever.

    Next time TELL him what you need, he is not a mindreader.
    (AKA HRH_MUngo)
    Member #10 of £2 savers club
    Imagine someone holding forth on biology whose only knowledge of the subject is the Book of British Birds, and you have a rough idea of what it feels like to read Richard Dawkins on theology: Terry Eagleton
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