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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Anyone else’s DH ruining Christmas?

185 replies

Nastyoldbastardatchristmas · 16/12/2025 17:40

We’re the typical couple of 2 small children. Both work, no family help, kids 6 and 2, never spend any time alone together. Life is generally very full on, and I won’t pretend I’m a saint who never gets grumpy/upset/tired but he is MISERABLE.

He doesn’t shout but he relentlessly rants and moans and swears under his breath. The first thing I hear in the morning is him muttering ‘for fucks sake’ as one of the kids shouts out for us (even if at a reasonable time like 6.30). All day he grumps, complains, strops, nags the kids. Nothing is ever to his liking, he treats every day setbacks (like spilling something, or one of the kids knocking something over) like the house is on fire.

It’s utterly draining but worse right now because it’s noticeably ruining what are supposed to be happy Christmas events. His road rage is getting worse, he’s so negative and just like a black cloud which saps the joy from everything. I’m treated with nothing but contempt, like my presence is actually unreasonable. He plonks himself in front of the TV every night and if I go in the lounge he pauses whatever he’s watching and says ‘Yes?’ In a really shitty voice.

Yes I’m leaving but this cannot be for another 18 months, for complicated reasons. So please don’t bombard me with ‘YOU NEED TO LEAVE NOW’ comments as I’m pretty sure nobody here would change their DC’s schools, move away from their friends and plunge their kids into virtual poverty just to speed things up by 1 year. In 18 months I will be in a much better financial position and some other ducks will be in a row.

Just looking to vent really to women in the same position.

OP posts:
WilfredsPies · 16/12/2025 18:35

I know quite a few men who have hit their early 40s and have turned into unbearable miserable old bastards.

If you’ve decided your marriage is over and you’re just biding your time, then that frees you from including him in trying to make happy memories for your DC (because they won’t be happy memories if they’ve had to walk on eggshells in case he kicks off). So refuse to get in the car with him and make your own arrangements to get places. If you want to take the DC somewhere, don’t invite him. Don’t even tell him. If you walk into the room and he says ‘Yes?’ give him a hard stare and ask him who the fuck he thinks he’s talking to (yes, you do need to swear). If he tries to be intimate with you, ask him why he thinks you’d want to have sex with him when he’s unbearable to be around. If he snaps at the children then get them out the way, and then tell him that you’ll tolerate the moany old bastard act for their sake, but if he upsets the children then he’ll be out on his arse so fast his feet won’t touch the ground.

Rhaidimiddim · 16/12/2025 18:29

Nastyoldbastardatchristmas · 16/12/2025 17:59

Little choice in the matter. We only bought this house early this year, because things did look like they were improving since last summer but have since gone downhill again. This last few weeks have been noticeably much worse though. Before I don’t think the kids really noticed it as a lot of the negativity was aimed at me, but I think they are now.

If I left now I would be penniless. I’m getting a substantial pay rise summer 2027, and by then will also have a car as I’m due a small inheritance and that’s what I plan to spend the money on. I’m disabled (autoimmune conditions - so physically able but feel unwell, tired etc a lot of the time) and would only cope if living close to my sister for support. She is a SAHM and has offered to help with school runs etc (she’s dependable and offered sincerely).

Leaving now would mean a dependence on UC, taking the bus everywhere, a rundown house on a rundown estate, a school move, and being further from family. I can’t face that

Are you sure he doesn't have a legal claim to any of your inheritance?

OriginalUsername2 · 16/12/2025 18:19

Glad to hear you have a good plan to leave 💪

Have you told him straight that he’s bringing you all down?

Enduser1 · 16/12/2025 18:05

Nastyoldbastardatchristmas · 16/12/2025 18:00

We do this anyway. It’s very a much a relationship where once the kids are in bed we barely speak and he can’t stand to be in the same room as me. I just sit in the bedroom until it’s time for lights out.

So it sounds like the hatred for one another is reciprocal

do you share a bed?

why not suggest a split,
so you co parent and live under same roof just until 18 months. At least then you will have time apart and can focus on planning new life

Nastyoldbastardatchristmas · 16/12/2025 18:00

MostlyHappyMummy · 16/12/2025 17:50

Is it possible to spend less time on his company until you are able to leave? Sort of coparenting under the same roof so you aren't too impacted by his bad behaviour

We do this anyway. It’s very a much a relationship where once the kids are in bed we barely speak and he can’t stand to be in the same room as me. I just sit in the bedroom until it’s time for lights out.

OP posts:
Nastyoldbastardatchristmas · 16/12/2025 17:59

LaurieFairyCake · 16/12/2025 17:49

Do you really think you should put the kids through this for 18 months 😔

that’s a lifetime to kids

Little choice in the matter. We only bought this house early this year, because things did look like they were improving since last summer but have since gone downhill again. This last few weeks have been noticeably much worse though. Before I don’t think the kids really noticed it as a lot of the negativity was aimed at me, but I think they are now.

If I left now I would be penniless. I’m getting a substantial pay rise summer 2027, and by then will also have a car as I’m due a small inheritance and that’s what I plan to spend the money on. I’m disabled (autoimmune conditions - so physically able but feel unwell, tired etc a lot of the time) and would only cope if living close to my sister for support. She is a SAHM and has offered to help with school runs etc (she’s dependable and offered sincerely).

Leaving now would mean a dependence on UC, taking the bus everywhere, a rundown house on a rundown estate, a school move, and being further from family. I can’t face that

OP posts:
MostlyHappyMummy · 16/12/2025 17:50

Is it possible to spend less time on his company until you are able to leave? Sort of coparenting under the same roof so you aren't too impacted by his bad behaviour

LaurieFairyCake · 16/12/2025 17:49

Do you really think you should put the kids through this for 18 months 😔

that’s a lifetime to kids

Enduser1 · 16/12/2025 17:43

He’s not “ruining Christmas”

he is ruining your life and your children’s childhood.

Roll on 18 months OP and good luck

Enduser1 · 16/12/2025 17:42

No! Why? Because we split 6 years ago, and now christmases are chilled, happy and utterly tense free christmases.

Happily we are very amicable and he comes over on Christmas Eve for mince pies but the relief of waving him goodbye and knowing Christmas is now me and the kids…. Bliss