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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

I was in the wrong, AIBU to be disappointed anyway?

390 replies

DopamineDeficient · 14/07/2026 07:18

About a month ago I went for an over 40s health check. The healthcare assistant who performed it was genuinely lovely and chatty and put me at ease, I remember leaving the appointment thinking he has a lovely bedside manner. During the conversation it came out that he is 27.

A month later I was in work and a friend request popped up and it was from the practitioner. I remembered his name and accepted.

About an hour later my DH asked me who this new guy was on my Facebook, I told him who it was and all hell broke lose.

Durning the course of the evening I fully accepted that I shouldn't have accepted, I was in the wrong, gave a genuine apology and deleted him. I explained I hadn't really given any thought to it beyond, oh yes I know who that is, accept and carry on with my day. However I can see how it looked to my husband and I was sorry for hurting him.

So far I guess I am unreasonable. However I don't necessarily think it was a huge deal and a conversation and an apology should have sufficed.

Now I have spent the last couple of years studying for a chartered qualification and my final exam result was due on Wednesday. We were so busy still arguing about this friend request that my husband didn't even ask me how I got on, wish me luck or acknowledge it was results day at all.

On Thursday he checked my phone to see if I had passed but still didn't mention it. Friday in amongst many emails still berating me for my terrible behaviour he finally emailed me to congratulate me on passing.

The weekend came and went and not a single mention in person of the massive thing I have achieved. He didn't even mentioned n it to his mum, (his mum is in the same field and has been very interested in my progress).

So my AIBU to be disappointed that a whole week later he is still arguing about this friend request to the extent that we haven't mentioned let alone celebrated my achievement?

I just feel very flat. I am not saying I wasn't in the wrong originally but I feel it was blown out of all proportion and totally ruined something that should have been a huge deal for me.

OP posts:
Thechaseison71 · 14/07/2026 10:55

chocoluv · 14/07/2026 10:45

When you share pictures of yourself and personal information?

I don’t think anyone is that stupid.

Perhaps on accounts that are wannabe influencers but OP obviously isn’t one of them.

I have personal pictures etc set for only some people not all friends.

Rarely I put anything like that on it anyway

GreenCandleWax · 14/07/2026 10:53

Your DH is not a nice man. Get out of there OP while you still have sanity. This is not something you should be contemplating beig in in the future. Huge congratulations on your achievement! Raising a glass to you. 🍹

Omgblueskys · 14/07/2026 10:53

Op your h is so insecure, wonder why op, as the saying goes ' dog knows his own tricks best'
Why does he feel the need to monitor your SM,
Why is he belittling you and making you walk on eggshells op,
This is on him not you op,

BillieWiper · 14/07/2026 10:52

SummerDive · 14/07/2026 10:22

I agree if it’s inappropriate.
But the guy didn’t ’lift her data’.
He knew her name as she went to see him. He saw her so could match the picture in FB.
Inappropriate but not a ‘he went to look up details he shouldn’t have access to’ type of scenario.

More to the point. It’s a minor issue compared to how controlling tge OP’s dh is

But your name is your data if he only knew it in the course of his work. I used to work for a data collection place and you'd get sacked if you copied or took any of the information off the premises/onto your own devices including people's names.
Unless it's a business directory entry and the name and info are in the public domain. But not personal information of any kind.

SparklyGreenTiger · 14/07/2026 10:51

OP this is so sad. You are so brow beaten by this man’s insane insecurities that you can’t see the wood from the trees. Who in their right mind checks their partners Facebook friends lists? Assuming you are a fully grown adult, I’ve found over the years that I’ve acquired various friends and acquaintances on Facebook, many of whom I am no longer in touch with. Unless I was posting regularly about my life, DC etc, who cares??

Do you have other people in your life that you can celebrate your success with? Your achievement is worth noting and celebrating and if your husband can’t see that well then that’s on him.

Trickedbyadoughnut · 14/07/2026 10:47

Jeez, when you read all your messages together, it's a frightening level of control he is exerting over you.

I understand the just buying a house and no energy for divorce, but you really need out because you really won't get the energy levels back until you're free.

But please be really, really careful.

LambsieLoo · 14/07/2026 10:47

Hey girl, you sound stressed. Your comments are worrying. You did nothing wrong and hopefully the support on here shows you that.

The HCP contacting you IS weird and I wonder if perhaps they were also concerned about you if you perhaps mentioned something during the health check about your DH (really???) and his behaviour. From the outside, it is CLEARLY controlling, manipulative and coercive.

It sounds like you deserve better. You’ve made the first step in realising this situation is out of order and posting here, but do you have a person IRL you can confide in? Someone at work perhaps who doesn’t know your husband? Maybe someone at the healthcare practice who asked if your husband has authority to talk on your behalf?

You’re clearly doing really well at work and I presume well respected - congrats on the exam, that’s a HUGE achievement and you should be proud of yourself xx

chocoluv · 14/07/2026 10:45

Thechaseison71 · 14/07/2026 10:41

Some people just add all and sundry. Never actually communicate with them though. Not a bug deal. Every heard of personal choice?

When you share pictures of yourself and personal information?

I don’t think anyone is that stupid.

Perhaps on accounts that are wannabe influencers but OP obviously isn’t one of them.

Dweetfidilove · 14/07/2026 10:45

DopamineDeficient · 14/07/2026 08:47

I have seen a lot of comments saying to change my password. That wouldn't be accepted. That would be a clear indicator that I have something to hide and I can't be trusted.

I read your first post thinking - convenient time for him to piss all over your parade...

Then I read the others and increasingly realised that you're in a dangerous relationship.

You have done well to pass your exams, but the lack of congratulations is the very least of your worries.

wfhwfh · 14/07/2026 10:42

I havent read all the responses but your husband is massively out-of-line.

Accepting a facebook friend request is a very low-level of engagement. I would not be concerned with who my own husband is “friends” with on facebook as I am not his keeper and I trust him. If I ever felt uncomfortable, I would speak with him openly.

Obviously everyone’s relationship is different but his reaction is hugely disproportionate to any perceived offence and is unacceptable. I would feel exactly the same were the sexes reversed. I’d think very carefully about whether your DH is a good (or even decent) man and what this relationship offers you.

Congratulations on your exam success and I hope you have other people in your life who are celebrating you.

Thechaseison71 · 14/07/2026 10:41

chocoluv · 14/07/2026 10:39

Any you sound extremely naive adding random men you barely know.

Like why?
What would the reason be for you to add complete strangers or men you barely know?

Some people just add all and sundry. Never actually communicate with them though. Not a bug deal. Every heard of personal choice?

chocoluv · 14/07/2026 10:39

Allisnotlost1 · 14/07/2026 10:37

Surely you know it’s not acceptable to add a man that you don’t know/barely know?

Not acceptable? To who? She can add anyone she wants. You sound as controlling as the husband.

Any you sound extremely naive adding random men you barely know.

Like why?
What would the reason be for you to add complete strangers or men you barely know?

chocoluv · 14/07/2026 10:38

FudgeFudy · 14/07/2026 10:18

It's a Facebook friend request not a weekend away in Paris. Means fuck all.

Stop adding random men to your Facebook where you share pictures of yourself, family and potentially children.

Allisnotlost1 · 14/07/2026 10:37

chocoluv · 14/07/2026 10:15

Surely you know it’s not acceptable to add a man that you don’t know/barely know?

I can’t help feel that you are playing dumb and this isn’t the first time something like this has happened.

But if you share passwords, go through each others emails and messages then the relationship isn’t working and I’d end it.

I would be more sympathetic if you guys were early 20s figuring stuff out but you’re 40 and too old to be both acting so childish.

Surely you know it’s not acceptable to add a man that you don’t know/barely know?

Not acceptable? To who? She can add anyone she wants. You sound as controlling as the husband.

dizzydizzydizzy · 14/07/2026 10:34

it is totally reasonable to accept a Facebok friend request from a man your husband doesn’t know. Your husband is controlling you with this and sounds abusive. How is his behaviour the rest of the time? This sounds like a massive red flag.

massive congratulations on your exam!!!!

fireandlightening · 14/07/2026 10:32

Another one to think your husband sounds unhinged. How have you got yourself in this position with your husband monitoring your every friend request and access to all your passwords?!

LondonLass2026 · 14/07/2026 10:30

Why would you want to be "friends" with a stranger who performed your health check? Facebook is so bloody weird.

Well done on the exam.

Your husband is a knob.

Wheresthebeach · 14/07/2026 10:27

Your husband is either controlling or paranoid. This will only get worse.

JacquelineOrange · 14/07/2026 10:27

SummerDive · 14/07/2026 10:22

I agree if it’s inappropriate.
But the guy didn’t ’lift her data’.
He knew her name as she went to see him. He saw her so could match the picture in FB.
Inappropriate but not a ‘he went to look up details he shouldn’t have access to’ type of scenario.

More to the point. It’s a minor issue compared to how controlling tge OP’s dh is

I agree, he couldn’t “lift her data” as healthcare professionals have to confirm name and DoB so the blood results etc. go on the correct person’s record. Looking a patient up on social media and friend requesting them is unprofessional and I’m sure he will have been spoken to about this.

Silent treatment, emails, “vile and disgusting” is an entirely different matter because OP has to live with this, day and night.

waitinginwonderland · 14/07/2026 10:26

DopamineDeficient · 14/07/2026 08:47

I have seen a lot of comments saying to change my password. That wouldn't be accepted. That would be a clear indicator that I have something to hide and I can't be trusted.

Do you trust this man? My ex was like this, all interactions with men monitored and checking socials etc. Turns out he was a massive cheat and holding me to his standard.

BaronessBomburst · 14/07/2026 10:26

Please make sure that your children are provided for in your will (if that is your wish), as your husband won't leave them a penny.
Sorry if it seems a bit random but I have seen too much on MN over the years.

JudgingJudy · 14/07/2026 10:24

Your DH has called you "vile and disgusting". This is not normal.

My 'appeasing' conversation would be like this.
" John, I've done something which is a massive issue for you, but was trivial to me. Your expectations of my behaviour are miles from my reality. To the point where it is an insurmountable gap. I am not interested in fighting, or aportioning blame, but clearly we are not making each other happy. I want a divorce'
Followed with - I'm not doing the blame thing. I no longer love you, and believe you no longer love me. I want a divorce.

DrinkFeckArseBrick · 14/07/2026 10:24

Your updates are extremely worrying OP. He is controlling and abusive. You do need to look to leave for your own aelf esteem and sanity. Has he always been like this?

SummerDive · 14/07/2026 10:22

BillieWiper · 14/07/2026 10:19

Yeah it's super inappropriate that the guy tried to friend you. You do realise that's a breach of medical regulations? He's lifted your data and tried to find you on socials. That is super intrusive.

But your DH is overreacting big time.

I agree if it’s inappropriate.
But the guy didn’t ’lift her data’.
He knew her name as she went to see him. He saw her so could match the picture in FB.
Inappropriate but not a ‘he went to look up details he shouldn’t have access to’ type of scenario.

More to the point. It’s a minor issue compared to how controlling tge OP’s dh is

Tabarnak · 14/07/2026 10:21

OP, I am worried about you.

You are clearly an intelligent capable woman with the earning power to be independent.

You are being emotionally and psychologically controlled by an abusive partner.

Lots of us will say LTB , but it isn’t easy when you are in the middle of being controlled, treading on egg shells, afraid to change passwords etc.

I think you could benefit from RL support , including counselling / therapy to give you the strength and perspective to save yourself.

With your new qualifications would you have the earning power to buy him out of your house? Talk to a mortgage advisor. You might be surprised. Call from work if necessary.

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