Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

DH angry about my behaviour at playdate

234 replies

Plastictreesofgold · 02/08/2026 08:01

I'm feeling a bit unsettled about DHs behaviour so looking for people's perspectives.
For background Me and DH are in our 40s married 10 years with one DD who is 6. I would say since having DD the relationship has become strained, very little intimacy and in general he just seems withdrawn and unhappy. Ive raised concerns asked for us to attend couples counselling he has refused. My main issue is that he will often go silent fully ignore me if I say something to me or give one word or grunts as answers.

My DH suspects he is autistic I agree it seems likely though he has severe childhood trauma too so that could be a factor, he blames his behaviour (silent treatment) on the autism but he's never moved forward with diagnosis. He drinks a bottle of wine at least 5 nights a week he says its because of the stress of masking.

On Friday we had a playdate with my childs friend and her mum who I've become good friends with we hadn't seen each in ages she brought a bottle of wine and we had the nicest catch up. I rarely get to see my friends and had a tough week work wise so it was nice to laugh and connect with someone. My husband would also be friendly with this woman but immediately when she arrived he said he was going upstairs and didn't sit down at all (he finds social interactions draining so assume he was happier watching TV upstairs) he came down twice over the 3.5hrs once to ask me if the dog was fed. I joked " we got carried away sorry no, not a child in the house washed or fed" and the second time he came back from walking the dog I was in the middle of telling my friend a story about something we had been discussing when she first arrived and when he came in I said "I promise we've chatted about other things too haha" he was otherwise silent when he came into the room.
When my friend left I could tell the energy with DH was off he went to bed without saying goodnight (he wasworking early sat morning,) and when I text him the next morning to say my DD ended up vomiting during the night he didn't respond.
When he got home he told me that I was obnoxious and treated him like a "c@#t' in front of my friend and that I "always do it," when questioned about what I said he said it was my tone. He was really angry but said he wouldn't discuss it further and announced he was going for a nap.
I'm baffled, because I thought my awkward jokey responses when he came in were fine..... certainly not meant to upset him and I'm still confused as to why they upset him.

I feel so unsettled and weird now because i feel like when me and my DD were downstairs having fun with our friends he was sitting upstairs silently seething at me over something I had no idea about. Its made me not want to have anyone over while he's here and honestly I'm starting to think there's no saving this marriage now but the thoughts of having to share custody and not live with my daughter all the time terrifies me.

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
disturbia · Today 18:47

SweetnsourNZ · 02/08/2026 14:06

Good point. You would think.if he wasvto lazy or embarrassed to buy it himself he would just order online.

Ask him why he is unable to buy alcohol himself and don't buy it for him stand up for yourself

Shinckle · Today 10:55

Plastictreesofgold · Today 08:31

I dont expect him to quit cold turkey it's more the fact that he is angry at me for not getting it for him that's annoying me.
Like go buy it yourself if you are so determined to drink why involve me in it when I've repeatedly said I'm not buying it anymore. If he went and bought it himself i wouldn't have said a word but he wants me to "okay," it buy being the one who buys it.

In the end he didn't drink at all last night he was a bit sulky but I can live with that. I'm happy he didn't drink. I think he's starting to understand I am not backing down this time.

He's been trying to bargain a bit with me asking will I at least agree to buy one bottle a week with the weekly shop.... would that be a bad idea? I feel like it's not a good idea as its a slippery slope but maybe it's more reasonable to reduce his amount at first.i don't know. I feel very in over my head.

He is pushing you into the role of "parent" and casting you as the gatekeeper to his alcohol. This doesn't sound like a relationship dynamic I would be encouraging. And long term it won't work - you holding the car keys is not enough for you to be able to fix this for him.

He needs professional help with this. GP, AA? If he won't take it, then what does that tell you?

Separation/divorce is far from easy, but so is day to day living with this man.

MrBenFreakedMeOut · Today 10:07

He's been trying to bargain a bit with me asking will I at least agree to buy one bottle a week with the weekly shop.... would that be a bad idea?

This is just so controlling - WHY is he making you feel that you should buy him stuff? Dont you see how he is controlling you by doing this?

He is a grown-assed man, not a 13 year old hanging out by the offy getting someone to buy him a bottle. Like the "calories dont count if the cookies are homebaked" joke - if YOU buy it, he isnt then responsible for his alcohol intake

Tell him to grow the hell up and not keep blathering on about it to you. He wants it, he buys it.

Svelty · Today 09:07

This is all backwards op. What is currently controlling his drinking is not his desire to be present for his family but his means to accessing the alcohol. He doesn’t seem to have expressed any particular desire to address the drinking, and anyway this isn’t your only problem with him. It seems like you are hoping to reach some level of things being more bearable at least. But the concern is that without much more active willingness to change on his part, it isn’t going to happen.

If I were you I would go see a solicitor for advice. I’m sorry you are in this situation but it sounds as if you are beginning to take back some control of your own.

Plastictreesofgold · Today 08:31

QuizNight · Yesterday 23:09

If he really is an alcoholic, then you can’t genuinely be expecting him to just quit cold turkey and not find it difficult? Whether you are willing to stick by him whilst he goes through withdrawal and probably relapses is entirely up to you, but obviously he won’t just be happy as Larry the first week. Especially if it’s not his decision to quit. No one will think less of you if you decide this is something he needs to sort by himself but it you are sticking around you need to be prepared for the reality and decide how much support you are willing and able to give.

I dont expect him to quit cold turkey it's more the fact that he is angry at me for not getting it for him that's annoying me.
Like go buy it yourself if you are so determined to drink why involve me in it when I've repeatedly said I'm not buying it anymore. If he went and bought it himself i wouldn't have said a word but he wants me to "okay," it buy being the one who buys it.

In the end he didn't drink at all last night he was a bit sulky but I can live with that. I'm happy he didn't drink. I think he's starting to understand I am not backing down this time.

He's been trying to bargain a bit with me asking will I at least agree to buy one bottle a week with the weekly shop.... would that be a bad idea? I feel like it's not a good idea as its a slippery slope but maybe it's more reasonable to reduce his amount at first.i don't know. I feel very in over my head.

OP posts:
Shinckle · Yesterday 23:16

Wise words from @QuizNight. It's a Friday night a week in and he is blaming you for his lack of alcohol.

You can still choose to leave at any point. You don't need to wait for a particular incident, a lot had already happened and you are already carrying a heavy burden day to day.

QuizNight · Yesterday 23:09

Plastictreesofgold · Yesterday 19:01

He didn't drink Tuesday Wednesday or Thursday night and I was delighted thought we were really moving forward. Then this evening he asked me why I didn't get wine with the weekly shopping delivery. I explained again I wasn't buying it anymore. (I've told him this on 4 separate occasions at this point)
Then later we ordered takeaway and he asked why I didn't order wine with the food.... then was really annoyed with me when i told him again and stormed off. Its exhausting repeating myself and he's making me feel like I'm unreasonable and a terrible wife for not buying him alcohol

If he really is an alcoholic, then you can’t genuinely be expecting him to just quit cold turkey and not find it difficult? Whether you are willing to stick by him whilst he goes through withdrawal and probably relapses is entirely up to you, but obviously he won’t just be happy as Larry the first week. Especially if it’s not his decision to quit. No one will think less of you if you decide this is something he needs to sort by himself but it you are sticking around you need to be prepared for the reality and decide how much support you are willing and able to give.

Plastictreesofgold · Yesterday 20:08

He announced he was going for a shower and then going out in town and wouldnt be back until tomorrow because he's sick of me "punishing" him.
When he came out of the shower he just ate his food and is sitting down he's not dressed to go out so seems like it was just a threat.
It is becoming very sad.
I'm going to have to leave him aren't I?

OP posts:
Gymnopedie · Yesterday 19:35

he's making me feel like I'm unreasonable and a terrible wife for not buying him alcohol

You're not a terrible wife, he's a terrible husband. He gives you the silent treatment, objects when your attention is on anyone but him, gets angry and calls you obnoxious, but somehow you've managed to convince yourself that you were to blame for his reaction to what you said at the play date. Either he's done a number on you or you've done it to yourself.

He's an adult. You are not responsible for him however much he tries to make out that you are. He played on his anxiety to get you to buy his alcohol and he's still trying it on.

Please take a step back and see this relationship for what it is. Him expecting you to jump to his wishes and you doing it. Or not doing it but feeling guilty.

You are separate from him, you have a right to be yourself, not his fixer and enabler and it doesn't make you a bad person or a bad wife.

Plastictreesofgold · Yesterday 19:01

He didn't drink Tuesday Wednesday or Thursday night and I was delighted thought we were really moving forward. Then this evening he asked me why I didn't get wine with the weekly shopping delivery. I explained again I wasn't buying it anymore. (I've told him this on 4 separate occasions at this point)
Then later we ordered takeaway and he asked why I didn't order wine with the food.... then was really annoyed with me when i told him again and stormed off. Its exhausting repeating myself and he's making me feel like I'm unreasonable and a terrible wife for not buying him alcohol

OP posts:
PrizedPickledPopcorn · 06/08/2026 08:07

Good luck. Hopefully it’s going to shift his behaviour for the better.

Plastictreesofgold · 06/08/2026 07:41

We had the discussion Saturday and despite this he still he drank Sat, Sun & Mon he didn't drink Tuesday but he was on evening shift so was home at midnight and he usually doesn't drink those days.
Yesterday he was off and is off for the rest of the week so i was on high alert all day thinking he was going to buy alcohol or ask me to buy it as i had to go to the shop for other things. He seemed in bad form but he stayed sober he didn't drink at all yday.... that's the first time in years he hasn't drank on a day he's been off.

I know it's a small thing but it gives me a bit of hope when it's been seeming very hopeless at the moment.

OP posts:
Wecanbeheroes26 · 04/08/2026 02:09

He is trying to isolate you! Sulking and behaving like a child. He's hoping his moody, pathetic antics will stop you from inviting friends around, he's hoping you'll think it's "easier" to stop socialising, in an effort to avoid upsetting him.

pikkumyy77 · 03/08/2026 12:14

AgnesX · 02/08/2026 08:19

He wasn't drinking. OP and her friend shared a bottle of wine so not exactly tanking it?

Edited

You don’t know that and he is habitually drinking a bottle of wine 5 nights a week.

Get out now, OP. My sweet friend was married to a handsome fellow who drank a bottle a night. He had liver issues, and a stroke quite early in their marriage, lost his job, became mentally a shadow of his former self while quite dependent in her and abusive, and she never got away from him. 30 years and three children where if she had realized she could leave right away she would not have been left holding the bag.

Haikuing · 03/08/2026 12:03

Plastictreesofgold · 02/08/2026 16:30

Odd behaviour this afternoon he came home from work and suggested we take our DD to the park which wouldn't be usual for him he never wants to do anything especially when hes tired after work. After the park he took us to cafe and was suggesting we go out with family for lunch tomorrow (again unusual for him to suggest that). On the way home he pulled into lidl carpark and asked would I go in and get him.a bottle of wine I said "no like I said earlier I'm not buying alcohol anymore" so he stropped off in and bought it himself (apparently miraculously cured of his anxiety around shops). It's annoyed me but also validating that there is a clear problem.
If we go ahead with meeting family tomorrow he will likely drink there also.... its not going to be straightforward

Subtle (not) attempt at manipulating you. Well done for not falling for it OP. And I love how quickly so many mental health “issues” seem to miraculously cure themselves when a man wants something.

“Mental health” is the current patriarchal ploy to get women to accept and facilitate bullshit-don’t fall for it.

AgnesX · 03/08/2026 09:38

PhaedraTwo · 02/08/2026 11:04

OP said

He drinks a bottle of wine at least 5 nights a week he says its because of the stress of masking

Yeah, I misread it.

EvieBB · 02/08/2026 23:07

Springtimeinsunshine · 02/08/2026 21:19

He was trying to earn brownie points off you for doing these extra family things, all so he could use them to send you in to buy alcohol. How could you possibly refuse him after all the effort he has made! What a manipulative piece of shit he is. It was a performance for alcohol and not because he wanted to spend time with DD/you.

Send him to AA. No ifs or buts.

Agree.
However...you can send him to AA all you want, but if he doesn't want to change it will (sadly) be a waste of time in any case.....

Springtimeinsunshine · 02/08/2026 21:19

Plastictreesofgold · 02/08/2026 16:30

Odd behaviour this afternoon he came home from work and suggested we take our DD to the park which wouldn't be usual for him he never wants to do anything especially when hes tired after work. After the park he took us to cafe and was suggesting we go out with family for lunch tomorrow (again unusual for him to suggest that). On the way home he pulled into lidl carpark and asked would I go in and get him.a bottle of wine I said "no like I said earlier I'm not buying alcohol anymore" so he stropped off in and bought it himself (apparently miraculously cured of his anxiety around shops). It's annoyed me but also validating that there is a clear problem.
If we go ahead with meeting family tomorrow he will likely drink there also.... its not going to be straightforward

He was trying to earn brownie points off you for doing these extra family things, all so he could use them to send you in to buy alcohol. How could you possibly refuse him after all the effort he has made! What a manipulative piece of shit he is. It was a performance for alcohol and not because he wanted to spend time with DD/you.

Send him to AA. No ifs or buts.

disturbia · 02/08/2026 17:12

Plastictreesofgold · 02/08/2026 08:01

I'm feeling a bit unsettled about DHs behaviour so looking for people's perspectives.
For background Me and DH are in our 40s married 10 years with one DD who is 6. I would say since having DD the relationship has become strained, very little intimacy and in general he just seems withdrawn and unhappy. Ive raised concerns asked for us to attend couples counselling he has refused. My main issue is that he will often go silent fully ignore me if I say something to me or give one word or grunts as answers.

My DH suspects he is autistic I agree it seems likely though he has severe childhood trauma too so that could be a factor, he blames his behaviour (silent treatment) on the autism but he's never moved forward with diagnosis. He drinks a bottle of wine at least 5 nights a week he says its because of the stress of masking.

On Friday we had a playdate with my childs friend and her mum who I've become good friends with we hadn't seen each in ages she brought a bottle of wine and we had the nicest catch up. I rarely get to see my friends and had a tough week work wise so it was nice to laugh and connect with someone. My husband would also be friendly with this woman but immediately when she arrived he said he was going upstairs and didn't sit down at all (he finds social interactions draining so assume he was happier watching TV upstairs) he came down twice over the 3.5hrs once to ask me if the dog was fed. I joked " we got carried away sorry no, not a child in the house washed or fed" and the second time he came back from walking the dog I was in the middle of telling my friend a story about something we had been discussing when she first arrived and when he came in I said "I promise we've chatted about other things too haha" he was otherwise silent when he came into the room.
When my friend left I could tell the energy with DH was off he went to bed without saying goodnight (he wasworking early sat morning,) and when I text him the next morning to say my DD ended up vomiting during the night he didn't respond.
When he got home he told me that I was obnoxious and treated him like a "c@#t' in front of my friend and that I "always do it," when questioned about what I said he said it was my tone. He was really angry but said he wouldn't discuss it further and announced he was going for a nap.
I'm baffled, because I thought my awkward jokey responses when he came in were fine..... certainly not meant to upset him and I'm still confused as to why they upset him.

I feel so unsettled and weird now because i feel like when me and my DD were downstairs having fun with our friends he was sitting upstairs silently seething at me over something I had no idea about. Its made me not want to have anyone over while he's here and honestly I'm starting to think there's no saving this marriage now but the thoughts of having to share custody and not live with my daughter all the time terrifies me.

He is behaving like that because he doesn't want you to have any friends so he creates an unpleasant scene afterwards which as you have written is making it difficult to see you. Nothing to do with autism but plenty to do with coercive controlling behaviour in a DA relationship. You have done nothing wrong, don't apologise to him . Read this book 'Power and Control' by Sandra Horley you will see his description...take care

Lararoft · 02/08/2026 16:54

I find it strange really when individuals blame their behaviours on autism or ADHD - then it turns out they don’t have an actual diagnosis!
Only a qualified healthcare professional such as a psychiatrist can diagnose these conditions.
So your DH cannot use Autism as any kind of reason for his actions when he may not even have it!
And if he was a diagnosed autistic person; this would not excuse nasty behaviour towards you.
Plus he clearly has an alcohol problem that he very much needs to address!

Plastictreesofgold · 02/08/2026 16:52

Whatevergoes2025 · 02/08/2026 16:42

Hate to be a pedant, but I thought he worked by himself at home. You said he came home from work?

I said he works by himself i NEVER said he worked from home. I work from home he works from in a private office of an external place.

OP posts:
Whatevergoes2025 · 02/08/2026 16:42

Hate to be a pedant, but I thought he worked by himself at home. You said he came home from work?

Spanglemum02 · 02/08/2026 16:38

He is possibly autistic and he seems to have a problem with alcohol.

MrBenFreakedMeOut · 02/08/2026 16:36

Well done for setting and keeping your boundary with not getting the wine @Plastictreesofgold , even when he was trying to win you around with what are essentially normal family interactions (but he probably thinks are AMAZING acts of selflessness 🙄 - going to the park and cafe)

If only people realised that all that is needed to overcome 'anxiety' is for someone to say no to them, and miraculously - they are cured!!! Almost as if... I dunno... it wasn't real in his case?!

Plastictreesofgold · 02/08/2026 16:30

Odd behaviour this afternoon he came home from work and suggested we take our DD to the park which wouldn't be usual for him he never wants to do anything especially when hes tired after work. After the park he took us to cafe and was suggesting we go out with family for lunch tomorrow (again unusual for him to suggest that). On the way home he pulled into lidl carpark and asked would I go in and get him.a bottle of wine I said "no like I said earlier I'm not buying alcohol anymore" so he stropped off in and bought it himself (apparently miraculously cured of his anxiety around shops). It's annoyed me but also validating that there is a clear problem.
If we go ahead with meeting family tomorrow he will likely drink there also.... its not going to be straightforward

OP posts:
Swipe left for the next trending thread