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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

DH called me a vile, nasty piece of work

264 replies

StripeyBalloon · 18/05/2025 12:44

Long-ish story… Taking our two children to the park this morning, our oldest has injured his leg and is on crutches-he hasn’t really left the house much since he hurt his leg (possible ligament damage) and is beginning to fester! I said it would be nice if he had a spin in the car and sat on a bench in the sun while his sibling played.

It was a fight to get him off the couch and to leave the house and in the car he said “It’s (insert my first name’s) way again” etc. It’s the sort of thing my husband regularly says when I suggest taking them out for an hour etc. it’s a fight then that’s what he says. In the car I said DS was just parroting what DH says that’s it’s my way again and that I’m pushing my agenda, it’s not really a normal thing for a kid to say? It’s him parroting an adult.

DH got very angry, said I was a nasty piece of work, vile, a horrible woman and that I’m determined to ruin the day.

We got to the park and he then started joking around and trying to make me laugh. I was still upset and he said he’s been watching a lot of TikTok videos about mothers who ruin family days out and I’m like that! WTF. He then backtracked and said oh they are just comedy skits, don’t be so serious etc.

I’ve basically noticed DS repeating word for word phrases he has heard DH say about me - another is shouting at me saying “Stop talking over me!” when we are having a conversation etc.

AIBU? It’s triggering me now that DS is parroting his Dad 🙄

OP posts:
StripeyBalloon · 18/05/2025 14:02

BountifulPantry · 18/05/2025 13:59

Well your husband should know that ADHD is a disability and if conversations overlap a bit that’s normal for someone with adhd, and whilst it can be frustrating, it is understandable.

I really really try hard to listen and not interject etc. DS also has ADHD and has the same difficulties. He talks over us all too lol.

OP posts:
whitewineandsun · 18/05/2025 14:00

Your husband does sound horrible, though. Hope you can get out of there.

BountifulPantry · 18/05/2025 13:59

Well your husband should know that ADHD is a disability and if conversations overlap a bit that’s normal for someone with adhd, and whilst it can be frustrating, it is understandable.

nomas · 18/05/2025 13:59

Your son is learning to be abusive to women like his dad.

I think you need to tell your DH he either shapes up or ships out.

londongirl12 · 18/05/2025 13:58

YABU for allowing your child to grow up in a household like this. Your kids deserve better.

StripeyBalloon · 18/05/2025 13:57

Orangemintcream · 18/05/2025 13:48

Interesting you haven’t address the “talking over” comment or the suggestions that you always want it your way.
Are you going to ?

I try not to - I have ADHD so I really try not to do this - with DH sometimes it doesn’t feel like I am talking over him, more reacting to what he’s telling me (I can’t believe they said that! Or OMG no way!) then he will shout at me that I’m talking over him etc. I try not to but conversations are fluid and sometimes people do? Phrases overlap etc. Sometimes I definitely have to interject if he’s talking absolute rubbish about me and I jump in to defend myself then he shouts saying I’m talking over him etc.

OP posts:
DrinkFeckArseBrick · 18/05/2025 13:56

Yanbu OP

Of course its not unreasonable to get a teen to spend one hour, out of an entire weekend, out the house moving.

It sounds like:
Your husband is horrible about you
He frequently says stuff about you infront of the kids (most kids won't parrot things they've heard just once)
He argues with you infront of the kids

None of this is ok. It's really damaging for children to hear one parent slagging the other one off.

Do you want to stay with him? Have you ever had a general discussion about jt, does he even think this is wrong? Would he go to counselling?

Lolapusht · 18/05/2025 13:56

I assume that everyone saying just leave the teen to wallow in the dark gaming is basing their opinion on the multiple scientific experiments that have been carried out that say infinite screen time, minimal exercise & zero exposure to the outside world is actually the most beneficial thing for children/teenagers?

BunnyLake · 18/05/2025 13:56

StripeyBalloon · 18/05/2025 13:25

Well we can still chat about life, the world and interesting topics and we still can laugh together but there’s obviously issues there.

Yes but do you like each other, which was what the pp was asking. I think it’s an important question.

whitewineandsun · 18/05/2025 13:52

ExtraOnions · 18/05/2025 12:51

Why would you force an injured person, who is on crutches, and probably still in pain, out the house, to go sit on a bench .. watching someone else playing ? If you thought they needed fresh air, open a window, or put a chair outside.

Agree. They're right. You wanted things your way.

Orangemintcream · 18/05/2025 13:48

Interesting you haven’t address the “talking over” comment or the suggestions that you always want it your way.
Are you going to ?

Monster6 · 18/05/2025 13:48

Not nice behaviour OP. Not read the whole reply thread, sorry, but I’d say schedule some time where you’re calm and ask to talk to him. Tell him how hurt you are, listen to what he replies. Agree on a way forward. With cool heads. No point in getting all het up and emotional in front of kids, do it behind closed doors. Easier said than done. Fingers crossed for a good outcome. Relationships are really difficult sometimes especially with kids in the mix!!!

Imdoodleladie · 18/05/2025 13:48

I think most people are missing the point here. For DH to call you a vile etc etc. Leave him or kick him out. Easier said then done, I know. But if you have no have self respect. Without this DS will speak to you EXACTLY as his father does. Much to the happiness of DH. Go girl. It will only get worse.

StripeyBalloon · 18/05/2025 13:47

tripleginandtonic · 18/05/2025 13:43

This.

Because it’s still important with most injuries to move around to aid recovery. Not moving all day long will hinder a speedy recovery and potentially cause other problems.

OP posts:
MounjaroMounjaro · 18/05/2025 13:46

Your husband sounds really nasty and you are his target. Now your son is copying his dad and you will never get your husband to back you up - he will always side with his son.

If you did separate and your son lived with his dad for half of the week, then your son would get to game non-stop and you'd be seen as the bad guy, trying to enforce a healthier lifestyle and a better attitude towards women.

Octavia64 · 18/05/2025 13:45

Hmm.

i’ve had nasty foot injuries including broken bones.

I’ll be honest, if I’m in pain and can’t move very well then going to the park is not high on my list of things to do. Crutches are a bugger to use and really hurt your hands.

garden, yes. Gentle mobilisation, yes.

your dh does sound unpleasant but it does sound a bit like you ride a bit roughshod over your family.

if you do talk over other people then they are reasonable to ask you to stop. It is rude.

tripleginandtonic · 18/05/2025 13:43

ExtraOnions · 18/05/2025 12:51

Why would you force an injured person, who is on crutches, and probably still in pain, out the house, to go sit on a bench .. watching someone else playing ? If you thought they needed fresh air, open a window, or put a chair outside.

This.

Beautifulhaiku · 18/05/2025 13:41

I can’t believe so many people are implying it’s your fault that he speaks to you like that. Please don’t listen to them. He sounds awful and by staying with him you are indicating to your kids that this is a reasonable way to speak to a woman (or anyone!).

BonBon20 · 18/05/2025 13:41

Theunamedcat · 18/05/2025 13:39

When he started why did you not say OK well you two go back inside I will go to the park? Because I would in fact I have my ex used to turn the tables on me like this quite regularly I would take the opportunity to go out leave him with his child and stay a little longer than he was comfortable with usually ended with him having a breakdown and telling everyone how bad I was for leaving him

He didn't want to stay home and be miserable he wanted ME to stay home and be miserable

OP has explained this. As a parent she was trying to get him out and moving for his mental health. She can’t just let a teen do whatever he wants aged 13, imagine what that would end up looking like!

SleeplessInWherever · 18/05/2025 13:41

My first issue is with him first naming you. The level of disrespect.

I would have very quickly been reminded that “it’s mum to you.”

You’re his mother, and are entitled to demand that he doesn’t sit festering in his room all weekend. It’s within his best interests to get out, and he wasn’t going to do it without encouragement.

Your husband sounds like an idiot. If he thinks you’re so vile, he should go and find someone he doesn’t feel that way about. I’d imagine he’d struggle to find a rational grown up woman who is accepting of his desire to game all weekend like a teenage boy.

StripeyBalloon · 18/05/2025 13:40

BonBon20 · 18/05/2025 13:36

I can’t believe how many people are saying that a teen with an injury who has been sitting around festering should have been allowed to stay home if they wanted to - it’s incredibly difficult for adults, let alone teens, to recognise sometimes the need to stretch and get some fresh air and ensure they get blood moving post recovery. I don’t know if there’s more to the story but it sounds to me like a caring mother trying to do right by a teen who stubbornly likes to stay indoors and a man who pretended to agree with her and then flipped it. People love to criticise 😔.

I would never tolerate the way your husband spoke to you, game over for me.

Yes I promise it was meant with good intentions as he really does need to move around a lot more, it’s not healthy otherwise, I wasn’t forcing my agenda or getting my own way - it’s not good for him to just stay in bed or on the couch all day every day etc.

OP posts:
MounjaroMounjaro · 18/05/2025 13:40

ExtraOnions · 18/05/2025 12:51

Why would you force an injured person, who is on crutches, and probably still in pain, out the house, to go sit on a bench .. watching someone else playing ? If you thought they needed fresh air, open a window, or put a chair outside.

That's really your take from all of this?

Theunamedcat · 18/05/2025 13:39

When he started why did you not say OK well you two go back inside I will go to the park? Because I would in fact I have my ex used to turn the tables on me like this quite regularly I would take the opportunity to go out leave him with his child and stay a little longer than he was comfortable with usually ended with him having a breakdown and telling everyone how bad I was for leaving him

He didn't want to stay home and be miserable he wanted ME to stay home and be miserable

BreakfastClubBlues · 18/05/2025 13:38

OhCalmTheFuckDownMargaret · 18/05/2025 13:35

I hope there isn’t a drip feed that he’s actually 19 😂

I would do everything I could to get a 19 yo that hadn't left the sofa in days out of the house for an hour.

Or any aged family member tbh.

StripeyBalloon · 18/05/2025 13:38

MiloMinderbinder925 · 18/05/2025 13:36

You find it unbelievable that a child would copy their dad's language and attitude?

He’s been parroting phrases from his Dad for years, it’s not a new thing-says horrible woman etc when angry at me which is picked up from his Dad. That’s why it was triggering, I should have just let it slide.

OP posts:
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