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I am so upset by my husbands reaction

284 replies

IamAWallFlower · 28/06/2019 13:35

Recently I booked and went for a boudoir photo shoot. I am not a confident person, hardly ever have photos taken in general and it took me so much courage to actually ring up book and go to the shoot.

It’s taken a good few years but I’ve dropped almost half of my body weight and worked my ass off to get where I am now. I needed to do something for me to celebrate my achievement and this was it. Something to look back at and be proud of as I am as I’m sure most of us are, too hard on ourselves. I’m aware this photo shoot is probably not to everyone’s taste.

He knew I was booked in for the shoot last month. The day came and I went and it was totally amazing. My hair and makeup was done and I honestly felt wonderful, the best I have ever felt about myself. My hair is straight and they curled it beautifully, I’ve never had curls before but I loved it. I felt like me but better, they did the makeup similar to how I would but it just looked better like HD almost.

I came home beaming and asked my husband what he thought of my new look. He barley looked at me, just raised one eye from over his phone and just said “I think you should go and wash that crap off your face” I was honestly gutted, I walked away and held back the tears. My husband never pays me compliments, ever. Not once since our wedding day 15 years ago has he said I looked nice.

This photo shoot was never done for him, it was for me. I actually had no intention of showing him the pictures as I didn’t see any point as he clearly doesn’t find me attractive anymore.

When I went back to view the pictures I was amazed how lovely they were so I bought some images and a canvas.

Two days ago I picked up my canvas, he saw me with the box when I came in and asked what it was. I didn’t show him as it’s for me. I was planning on putting on putting it up in my walk in wardrobe, no one goes in there and it’s behind a door anyway.

I haven’t got round to hanging it yet. But he’s opened up the box and had a look and confronted me when I got back from work yesterday. He’s really angry I’ve degraded myself in this way. He was shouting at me that I must be so vain to have that done and I must absolutely love myself. He’s unhappy I bought the canvas and he doesn’t want it put up in the house. Apparently he hates now I’ve lost weight I “ponce about in the mirror now” ( I really don’t, we’ve only recently had a full length mirror put in but I do take more pride in my appearance now)

I am so upset by his outburst yesterday. I just can’t understand it. He doesn’t watch porn because he prefers pictures. I’ve seen them in a folder on our shared pc. I actually bought a few digital images and had considered perhaps in the future sending them to him once I plucked up the courage as I know that’s what he “likes” I won’t be now that’s for sure.

I feel so sad about this all I’m even contemplating leaving my marriage over this.

Sorry for the long post I just needed to vent.

OP posts:
MulticolourMophead · 28/06/2019 20:04

You wanna know what is irresponsible?
Telling women that if he's horrible to you it's because he is feeling insecure cuz men are just silly. Even though he has repeatedly been awful. That it's the women's responsibility to work it out.
Fuck that. If a man tries to wipe out your confidence you leave.

Totally agree. I have an ex who was like OP's DH. Constant fat dogs, and I ended up a comfort eater. Now that he's an ex, I'm finally getting the eating under control, and my self esteem is rising.

I agree with Graphista too.

MulticolourMophead · 28/06/2019 20:06

Actually, that should be fat digs, not dogs.

mrsb345 · 28/06/2019 20:07

What the.... bin him off

Cersei61 · 28/06/2019 20:07

Is the OP in competition with me? Seriously?

Said no abused woman EVER :(

Whisky2014 · 28/06/2019 20:15

Anybody with a modicum of compassion and empathy would agree this is abusive though surely?!

Well, you'd hope so!

Sagradafamiliar · 28/06/2019 20:23

Argh I hate the way you're justifying yourself throughout your post, OP. Your name is even wallflower. Well you bloomed and your DH can't cope with your newfound confidence and pride in your appearance. His response was to be an abusive cunt as opposed to confronting his own insecurities. What a lowlife bully he is!

Maryqueenofscots83 · 28/06/2019 20:27

@NoFucks I don't agree as someone who has worked in mental health. OP's description is concerning and some of the hallmarks of emotional abuse & toxicity are present.

A quick read about emotional abuse:

www.huffpost.com/entry/youre-not-going-crazy-5-s_b_8889808

I'd be interested to hear whether this is part of a larger pattern of disrespect and if it's not I'd wonder what has changed (and I'd be surprised if it's not)

IamAWallFlower · 28/06/2019 20:29

Thank you for all the lovely messages of support and advice. I am taking it all on board.

I’m not the same person he married as I was only 19 when we married and 16 when we met.

I was going to say he’s not controlling over me as he’s happy for me to go out whenever I want. Spend money on whatever I want. But he doesn’t want me to get a “proper job” I currently just run a little online business from home. I don’t get much money from it. But I have full control over the finances and savings.

One poster recommended writing things down in a diary. I do have one on my phone and I use it for good and bad that’s happened over the last 3 years. Actually it’s a eye opener to read back to this time last year and the year before that and the comments were very similar along the lines of “another years anniversary passes and all I’ve got to look forward to is another year of misery” our wedding anniversary is coming up very soon.

Were actually taking the 2 DC on holiday on the weekend. It’s the first time in years we’ve had a holiday. Mainly due to the fact I said never again after 2 shocking holidays in previous years constantly arguing. It’s for a week. I am wondering how I’m going to be able to cope with him as I haven’t mentioned but he’s fucking miserable sod and a right complainer. Everything is a issue with him. Hence why we haven’t been away for 4 years.

I’m going to see how this holiday goes for the sake of the kids. I’m not holding out much hope tho.

OP posts:
AnotherEmma · 28/06/2019 20:30

I suggest you read these signs of emotional abuse and the book "Why does he do that?" by Lundy Bancroft. If you have a Kindle you could read it without it being obvious.

carla1983 · 28/06/2019 20:44

@NoFucks there is obviously a difference between low level emotional/psychological abuse and the sort of high risk domestic violence you linked to. I think it is obtuse to say this behaviour does not indicate an abusive man. You need to be more aware of the signs of emotional abuse if you are who you say you are.

Most important is what OP thinks. And whether this is a pattern of behaviour or a one off.

shiningstar2 · 28/06/2019 21:08

You've lost half your body weight? You must look fantastic op. Well done you Star Any one who cares about you will feel delighted for you. All that extra confidence and feeling good about yourself. Anyone who resents you being healthier and more beautiful cannot be a friend in any way. Please don't let your husband's negativity discourage you. This kind of attitude is designed to turn you back into who you were before. Don't let it happen! Best wishes.

whatkatydidalready · 28/06/2019 21:13

How old are the dc, and how do you think they feel about the situation? I'm sure they love their dad, but do you think he makes them happy?

JohnMcCainsDeathStare · 28/06/2019 21:19

Maybe continue the weight loss by about another 13 stone. You have 3 children, one of them is a sulky controlling man baby. For the holiday I would think of fun things for you and the kids and let hi have his pity party

Oliversmumsarmy · 28/06/2019 21:22

Can I ask where do you go out regularly and who with

NotTheQueensBirthday · 28/06/2019 21:26

My first LTB.

He's worried that now you've lost weight you'll leave, and is trying to make you feel crap about yourself so you don't.

GoadyMcGoad · 28/06/2019 21:26

Time to make yourself a free woman OP.

You sound amazing.

NoFucks · 28/06/2019 21:27

@carla1983 I didn’t link to high level domestic violence, I suggested you take a look at domestic abuse info from a national organisation and take a look at a DASH assessment which is what any dv organisation or professional would be using to assess an individual.

I don’t think OP’s partner sounds very nice and by her own admission he is a miserable bastard with issues however I still don’t think this merits the standard Mumsnet response of “he’s abusive, LTB”.

There’s children involved in this relationship. I think it’s wholly irresponsible to tell poster after poster that their partner is an abuser. I still haven’t seen anything to me that indicates that we are dealing with an out and out abusive man. I’ve read other posts where the red flags are immediate and I can see that the poster is at risk. The OP on this post has said she is not controlled (which is one of the most alarming traits and one of the most high risk).

By all means, I’d the OP is unhappy then she must leave the relationship for the sake of her own mental health and that of her children; it’s better their mother is happy and healthy than two unhappy parents stay together. But please can we stop this knee-jerk reaction of branding all men who act like dickheads as abusers. They’re not. Some men are just dickheads. Some men are abusers. Sometimes it’s hard to distinguish between the two but it’s doing a lot of men a disservice (it’s one thing being a dick, another being an abuser) and it’s giving some women incorrect advice and information about abusive relationships.

AnotherEmma · 28/06/2019 21:29

Oh come the fuck on Angry

MissPollyHadADolly19 · 28/06/2019 21:36

I havent RTFT but my advice would be get all the pictures, about 100 odd copies, stick them everywhere around the house - on the TV, fridge, walls, shower, everywhere then make yourself up, "ponce about in the mirror" then ponce right out of the house and leave his horrible controlling arse and go enjoy your life!

This is possibly my first LTB but honestly it should be considered.
Oh, and don't ever lose your confidence!
Flowers

AnyFucker · 28/06/2019 21:55

NoFucks, are you saying then that women should stay with dickheads for the sake of the children ?

NoFucks · 28/06/2019 21:56

@AnyFucker Is that what I posted?

AnyFucker · 28/06/2019 21:57

Pretty much, yeah

NoFucks · 28/06/2019 21:58

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

AnyFucker · 28/06/2019 22:01

It's what you are saying though, isn't it ? You think it is unreasonable to suggest that low level abuse is still abuse and that one should leave a relationship because of it.

And really...
melt ?

PeriComoToes · 28/06/2019 22:02

What a squalid little man. LTB.

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