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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think my husband is being unreasonable

217 replies

householddog · 09/06/2025 17:59

im on a diet since having a baby 9 months ago I wouldn’t really call it a diet just cutting out rubbish and making healthier choices. Last month my husband asked if I wanted anything from the shop. I said yes grab me something nice he came back with chocolate and crisps galore. I thanked him but said I couldn’t eat any of this as I’m eating healthy. He then said well what could he have got me and I said my favourite magazine a melon some nice bubble bath some flowers etc. I’ve done so well to loose some weight so far I’m not huge but the biggest I’ve ever been and since having the baby I had resorted to sugar to keep me going and relying on snacks for fuel. Today he text me while I was in the middle of dealing with the baby and preparing dinner to ask if I want anything so I text back saying yes please a treat would be lovely surprise me. I had to rush off as baby was crying and then left my phone up stairs so couldn’t say what I wanted. Hes come back with chocolate galore again profiteroles Pringles and sweets. I said I can’t eat any of that but that I appreciate the thought. I’ve had a hard day with the baby I’m also in a lot of pain with my period on codine and taking morphine when he’s home to keep an eye on the baby. I just wanted a nice treat and he’s done it again. He also randomly brings home junk and offers it to me and I say no. I haven’t fully restrained myself I had some cake at my mums birthday I also had some pudding when out just us too for our anniversary. But I’ve made it very clear that I’m being really determined at home. He says I’m being unreasonable and how was he to know as I didn’t say what I wanted

OP posts:
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Permanentlybewildered · 29/10/2025 08:49

This is a man we are talking about - psych yourself up to request one item (like a one item command to a dog). That should do it.

The13thFairy · 12/06/2025 16:49

He wants you to stay overweight, b/c (in his eyes) overweight you will not be as attractive as slimmer you, and other men may find slimmer you attractive.

MyLemonFox · 12/06/2025 16:09

Men are simple creatures . My husband still asks me if I take milk in herbal tea after a years of explaining it only goes in English tea and early grey lol.

Amba1998 · 12/06/2025 16:00

Sorry Yabu

Hes nipping to a shop not going to a department store so if someone said to me something nice I’d presume a nice food treat.

you need to say something nice non food related

Unrelated38 · 12/06/2025 15:56

"Surprise me" "not like that"

YABU say what you want if there's things you don't want. If someone said they wanted a treat while I was buying food I'd buy them treat food.

saltandvinegarchipsticks · 12/06/2025 15:52

Bluedenimdoglover · 12/06/2025 14:58

I have to ask, why does your doctor prescribe morphine for period pains, especially as you have a young baby?

RTFT

Bluedenimdoglover · 12/06/2025 14:58

I have to ask, why does your doctor prescribe morphine for period pains, especially as you have a young baby?

GivingUpFinally · 12/06/2025 11:25

IfYouPutASausageInItItsNotAViennetta · 12/06/2025 10:05

I once saw a range of colourful star-shaped sponges with faces on them randomly in the middle of a completely non-toiletries-related aisle in Morrison's.

They were labelled as 'fun sponges'. I presume it must have been entirely coincidental that the sponges just happened to bear a starkly uncanny likeness to Jacob Rees-Mogg!

Ypu know the ones where the scrubby bit actually stays on for the whole week before chucking it.

JenG256 · 12/06/2025 10:37

It can be difficult for partners to adapt to changes in diet. Especially if theyou see treats as chocolate/unhealthy food choices. Help your partner by being specific; Fruit salad/grapes/kiwi fruit/strawbs would be good.
Mixed messages don't work with diets and your attitudes need to shift to healthy food is a treat.

IfYouPutASausageInItItsNotAViennetta · 12/06/2025 10:05

Paperweight7 · 11/06/2025 22:59

What does a posh sponge look like?

Just imagining your DH brandishing a bouquet of fragranced, multicoloured, heart shaped sponges 🤔

I once saw a range of colourful star-shaped sponges with faces on them randomly in the middle of a completely non-toiletries-related aisle in Morrison's.

They were labelled as 'fun sponges'. I presume it must have been entirely coincidental that the sponges just happened to bear a starkly uncanny likeness to Jacob Rees-Mogg!

Bikergran · 12/06/2025 08:12

householddog · 09/06/2025 18:47

I admit I should have told him exactly what I wanted but I didn’t that’s on me. The fact being for the last 3 months I’ve not brought any rubbish told him repeatedly mentioned every other day atleast that I can’t have any chocolate or no I won’t eat the ice cream I’m on a diet. I buy myself treats from the shop when we both get paid and he knows what I get and like as we’ve only just spoken about it. It just makes me think he doesn’t listen.

I am 71 years old and have been dating/involved with/married to various men since I was 15. Occasionally I still forget that, in general, they can't see what's right in front of them, what is super important to you seems irrelevant to them, and they have a very selective memory, so although they can tell you every name in the 1966 England World Cup squad, including reserves, they will be totally unable to remember your birthday/anniversary, child's school play, or when the window cleaner needs paying. Unles he is on a diet himself, when he will bore the pants off you telling you about every calorie he has or hasn't consumed, he has no concept of what constitutes a good or bad diet, and your DH obviously loves junk food. Buy your own nice treats and hide them so others don't use them.

Paperweight7 · 11/06/2025 22:59

GivingUpFinally · 09/06/2025 18:07

I think there's been a miscommunication overall. If me or my h is at the gorcery store and we ask for something it's usually food related and junk. Or cheese and crackers which is also not that healthy.

If I want I special treat I have to be more specific. But my H can be pretty dense with buying gifts and things like that. He needs diagrams, pictures, screens shots and a map. He will still often get the "wrong" thing. But he tries. He's pretty decent in all other areas, in gifts and treats he's clueless.

I once said surprise me. He got me a huge multi pack of sponges for washing up. He was made up, they were on offer and the "posh" ones. And couldn't see why I was although amused also annoyed.

What does a posh sponge look like?

Just imagining your DH brandishing a bouquet of fragranced, multicoloured, heart shaped sponges 🤔

MyLimeGuide · 11/06/2025 22:54

Hmmm he is a man!! It needs spelling out for them, have a word tomorrow, hopefully he starts behaving then, you need support right now I can see xx

householddog · 11/06/2025 22:47

I think it stems from the fact I feel he doesn’t no me very well or care to remember what I like. He’s not romantic at all. We’ve been married a long time and had he actually gone to the shop and got me junk food I like he should know that I’m a savoury junk food person. Think that’s where it stems from I should have communicated to him better about what I wanted. Every day I mention I’m not eating rubbish. It also gets discussed when we both meal plan or do the food shop. yes I did have some cake at family birthday and on our date night but I made it clear it was some off. I should have said what I wanted but struggle to understand how he just doesn’t know me that well at the moment we are going through a rough patch I’m craving more romance and affection and not getting it.

OP posts:
MyLimeGuide · 11/06/2025 22:37

pinkyredrose · 09/06/2025 22:46

😂 You are not alone!

Same!!!

MyLimeGuide · 11/06/2025 22:36

Ungrateful much???!!!!

BumblebeeG · 11/06/2025 21:46

Feels like it's probably less about the junk food and more about not feeling heard/supported etc. You have a young baby which is when you want to be heard and supported the most. But your husband can only go on what you tell him, and in in this case buy you what he thinks a treat is.

Think you are being quite hard on yourself by putting pressure on yourself to lose weight already. You have enough going on looking after a baby, and everything that comes with it, restricting yourself atm is probably something else to think about/worry about and not make you feel great.

MummaMummaMumma · 11/06/2025 19:46

"get me a treat" says to me "get me something yummy like chocolate". If this is upsetting you this much then you need to make it very clear, when he asks you, what exactly you want.
That's very unfair on him.

Brightyellowspyrograph · 11/06/2025 19:01

So he got it wrong and you gave him acceptable suggestions like a melon or a mag or bubble bath. So he had a list of possible ideas for the future. So he offered again and you said "yes please" and he again bought the stuff that you said last time you couldn't eat.
He's being an arse. He knows what you don't want and yet he bought it again. He's not supporting you He's trying to sabotage your diet. Why do we let men be so useless?

He could have bought you a mag. Or a plant or flowers or nice handcream, it doesn't have to be food.
YANBU
He knows he shouldn't be eating rubbish.
You are allowed to determine what you eat. If you ate pudding on your birthday that's your call and no one gets to call you out on it.

You are doing well. It's really hard to be tired and deal with it. Totally on your side. You got this, lady!

DraigCymraeg · 11/06/2025 17:48

Congratulations on your baby, and taking care of yourself.
Please give hubby a break.
Daddy would ask Mammy what she would like for Christmas or birthday - she would always say 'oh nothing, just a nice card'. One birthday he did just that. She was upset. So I pointed out 'but Daddy has done what you asked him '.
Please give hubby a break.
Write a little note of what you like - a real mixture of things. Then he can treat you with a surprise.
You love each other enough to have a baby together - please don't fall out over choccies or Pringles!
Blessings to you both and your baby. xxx

UnderratedCabbage · 10/06/2025 12:18

Even as a woman I would not think about magazine, bubble bath or fruit 😳
If DH, who is on a diet, told me "something nice/treat" he would get marinated chicken wings and/or paprika crisps....

Just be clear as pps said. The fact you are on a diet is your thing, not his. Just say what isle you want stuff from. Clarity saves sanity.

Just to add re sabotaging. Sounds like he is eating as before, so I don't think he is sabotaging. He is not the one on the diet.

SeaShellsSanctuary1 · 10/06/2025 12:10

On both occasions he bought you something 'nice' and a 'treat'. It just so happened that your current definition has changed and you failed to inform him of your changing thoughts.

Sometimes you've got to feel sorry for the man

Shade17 · 10/06/2025 11:48

If my DW was in pain and asked me to get her something nice or a treat, I know what she’d say if I turned up with a magazine or a fucking melon 😂

nomas · 10/06/2025 11:47

householddog · 09/06/2025 18:47

I admit I should have told him exactly what I wanted but I didn’t that’s on me. The fact being for the last 3 months I’ve not brought any rubbish told him repeatedly mentioned every other day atleast that I can’t have any chocolate or no I won’t eat the ice cream I’m on a diet. I buy myself treats from the shop when we both get paid and he knows what I get and like as we’ve only just spoken about it. It just makes me think he doesn’t listen.

It's possible because he thought you made an exception for your mum's birthday cake, that you wanted another sweet treat.

It sounds though from your updates that there is a bigger issue though. Do you think he is trying to sabotage your diet?

gannett · 10/06/2025 11:41

LouiseMadetheBestBroccoliPasta · 10/06/2025 11:21

"This thread is in the trenches."

Yes, really.

It's not unreasonable to expect your H to remember you're on a diet - especially when he can see with his own eyes how strictly you've adhered to it - and to know what a treat/something nice looks like to you, when you have literally literally told him weeks earlier:

"Last month my husband asked if I wanted anything from the shop. I said yes grab me something nice he came back with chocolate and crisps galore. I thanked him but said I couldn’t eat any of this as I’m eating healthy. He then said well what could he have got me and I said my favourite magazine a melon some nice bubble bath some flowers etc."

That he did it AGAIN is a clear sign that he is thoughtless, which means: "not showing consideration for the needs of other people."

OP's his wife. He should be attuned to her enough that he knows what she means. She shouldn't have to repeat herself in this situation. I bet he wouldn't have to tell HER twice what a treat to him means.

This thread sure has brought out a lot of himpathizers.

And a lot of ignorant people who have no idea that period pain when one has endometriosis is agonising enough to require morphine.

And women racing to call other women "princesses" for expecting kind, thoughtful behaviour from their spouse. The bar for male behaviour is a tavern in Hades for these women.

SMH

Edited

Nah bollocks to this. "Attuned" is just a euphemism for "he should be telepathic". The thoughtless one is the one who doesn't use her words to specify what she wants when asked.

DP and I ask each other if we want something from the shops most weeks. I couldn't tell you what his reply was last week let alone last month. If you want something specific the onus is on you to request it, not to expect anyone to be "attuned" to you.

If a man asked his wife to bring him something nice back but didn't specify what, then moaned about it, we wouldn't be telling her she'd done anything wrong. The bar is in Hades if you accept poor communication from your partner.

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