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Anyone else’s DH like this? Sick of it

366 replies

Nunaluna · 29/04/2025 15:32

DH is ok most of the time. Works hard, does his fair share at home etc never abusive and happily takes kids so I can do things.

But in an ‘emergency’ - any emergency - he completely goes to pieces and becomes angry, flustered, selfish and frankly a third child for me to deal with. I end up having to be the one to stay calm and ‘parent’ everyone while he snipes at me from the sidelines. It’s getting unbearable.

For example DD is off school today unwell and has a GP appt. It’s my NWD so I’m looking after DD as well as a hyperactive 2 year old DS. DD has a GP appointment this afternoon (booked at last minute. No choice over times).

I can’t drive (I’m learning before anyone starts), and the GP surgery is 1 mile away and up a large hill. DD is too unwell to walk this especially as it’s very hot today. I asked if he could give us a lift, to which he agreed.

First of all I have to remind him 3 times to log off and get ready to leave, while snaps back ‘YES YES YES’. He then gets very flustered leaving the house and starts swearing under his breath as we are running late (because he didn’t log off on time). He then drops us off, starts to get DS out of the car and his buggy, and I ask what he’s doing. Turns out he thought I was taking both into the GP with me then walking them home - when it’s completely bloody clear DD is not up to walking, hence needing the lift in the first place.

He then says he has to log on for a meeting in 10 minutes (one he never mentioned to me) and starts ranting in the car park and swearing under his breath again. He throws the buggy in the back of the car and zooms off, muttering the entire time that he’ll have to reorganise the meeting etc

It’s just 1 example but every time our routine goes slightly off piste, or the kids are ill, the implication is I will seamlessly deal with it by interrupting my own work and life while his remains the same. And that if I make him go out of his way, it’s deeply unfair, and he just seems to lose his cool completely.

I’m sick of it. He just seems to think it’s his right to exert all of his frustrations onto me, like I’m some kind of sounding board for his stresses. All the while I’m having to run the show and keep cool when tbh I want to rant and swear myself. He just seems unable to deal with any kind of adversity without acting like some kind of tyrant, and frankly a third child that needs extra parenting and placating rather than a team mate.

His communication is dire, he seems to think I can read his mind as to finer details of any plans, what his work calendar is like etc and I’ve said time and time again SAY THINGS EXPLICITLY. Tell me you have a meeting and what time, and in advance. He springs these things on me constantly.

This isn’t a LTB situation, it’s his only fault really. Anyone else the same?

OP posts:
SummerIce · 29/04/2025 15:49

He sounds really grumpy but to be fair, if I asked DH for a lift, I would mean a lift there and drop me off. Not take me, wait for me and take me back home.

In fact, as I read your OP, that’s what I assumed you meant.

Sue1952 · 29/04/2025 15:47

I would totally ignore him in these stressful situations he’s proved you can’t relay on him any way. Just sort your children and yourself out, order a taxi and get on with it. Before working from home came about my DH would have been in work so wouldn’t have been able to help. You’ve enough to do with the children without worrying about him.

Rememberthis81 · 29/04/2025 15:47

This is your family’s version of an emergency?

Rememberthis81 · 29/04/2025 15:46

Nunaluna · 29/04/2025 15:40

This is his mood only when something goes off piste. The other 98% of the time he’s absolutely fine. But it’s like 1 thing trips him.

Reread own op - it’s way more than that!

and life goes “off piste” quite a lot

and this was hardly a big “off piste” event

Do you work?

outerspacepotato · 29/04/2025 15:46

A doctor's appointment is not what I would class as an emergency. But, your husband gets nasty and sulky if you ask him to help you take your shared child to the doctor. That's being an asshole. The littlest life disturbances turn him into an asshole. I'd hate to see him in a real emergency.

You've got a manbaby on your hands and he's unlikely to change. Get your driver's license ASAP because he's an unreliable, nasty partner. Build a support system because he ain't it.

ScrewedByFunding · 29/04/2025 15:45

I think if you're off and he's working, you should have got a taxi and yes, taken ds. This wasn't a 2 person job and if you needed him because you couldn't manage it then you don't sound v capable in an emergency either.

Though I actually wouldn't even class this as an emergency.

2024onwardsandup · 29/04/2025 15:43

at the end of the day he think he and his time is more important than yours

JifNtGif · 29/04/2025 15:41

This is why people need to go back to the office.

KarmenPQZ · 29/04/2025 15:41

I think you needed to discuss what the plan was after he dropped you and you not he should have assumed where the toddler was going. As you say NEITHER of you can read minds so it’s on both of you.

but his reaction isn’t ok. You need to talk to him when he’s calm about the passive aggressive muttering and swearing.

Elseaknows · 29/04/2025 15:40

Before anyone jumps on the neurodivergent bandwagon (like "has your DH been tested for autism/ADHD?" Which seems to be the go to for shitty behaviour)....my DH has ASD and plans everything meticulously, to the point he syncs up our calendars to stop this kind of shit from happening.

I'm afraid you have a man child who can't communicate well.
They are his children too I assume?

Nunaluna · 29/04/2025 15:40

This is his mood only when something goes off piste. The other 98% of the time he’s absolutely fine. But it’s like 1 thing trips him.

OP posts:
noworklifebalance · 29/04/2025 15:39

I can see it from both sides.

It must be extremely frustrating to be the only driver in a household and then have to interrupt your working day to do the driving when the other parent is not even working.
Could you not have booked a taxi to the GP?

But I don’t think you should be the only one interrupting your work when it falls on both your working days. Doesn’t mean to say if should always be 50:50 - one persons work maybe more conducive to flexible working or more supportive of time off for parental purposes.

loropianalover · 29/04/2025 15:38

Does he treat people this way at work when things go wrong? I bet he’s able to handle it like an adult then.

WallaceinAnderland · 29/04/2025 15:35

No, my DH is a fully functioning adult. Yours sounds like he should not have had children.

Rememberthis81 · 29/04/2025 15:34

This isn’t a LTB situation, it’s his only fault really. Anyone else the same?

reread your own op

it’s a catalogue of “faults”!!

Rememberthis81 · 29/04/2025 15:33

Shudder

sounds awful

and yes i know you’re learning but yet another mumsnetter reliant on her partner to get anywhere!!

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