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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To be LIVID at "d" H? (long and ranty)

344 replies

Schizophonic · 26/01/2012 14:09

I am so, so angry. When we first got together he seemed to think it was the "woman's job" to cook, clean and basically "look after" the house and everyone in it. I enlightened him pretty quickly that a) if I cooked, he would be washing up. B) if I was to wash up, he'd be cooking. C) the washing machine is not just set to accept commands from me, he can use it too and d) I work more hours than he does and bring home more money - therefore he can't even use the "but I provide" bullshit excuse - and neither would I. 50/50 housework.

So I thought we were doing really well with that, he hasn't needed reminding since really and has pitched in with 50/50 housework.

Over Christmas however we were invited to his parents for dinner. As soon as we got there he and FIL settled themselves in the living room in front of the TV and I was called into the kitchen to help MIL so "the men can relax"!!! wtaf??? I assumed after spending so long cooking, it was a given that "the men" would be washing up. Imagine my horror then when after the meal, MIL took the men's plates away for them and beckoned me back into the kitchen to help her wash up! Not wanting to cause a scene I gave DH the 'look' which he chose to ignore and went to join FIL back in front of the TV where they compared bloated stomach sizes. Half way through clearing the kitchen I said to MIL "wow, thought the blokes would have offered to wash up for you" and she screetched "HA! you must be joking!!" before saying to me "oh just pop into the living room and ask them if they want a drink or any biscuits bringing in love". Sweet Jesus. So I went in and said to them "MIL wants to let you know the biscuits are in the kitchen and the kettle is working should you need to use it". Didn't go down too well with FIL as you can imagine who went in a grump for the rest of the night.

When we got home I asked DH who the fuck he thought he was sprawled out expecting to be waited on hand and foot. Bare in mind I'd done a 13 hour shift the day before and he'd been off work for 3 days. His excuse was "I can't help it if that's how mum and dad do things" Hmm

I let it go but let him know I was really disapointed in his treatment of me and his mother.

THIS WEEKEND we had PIL around for dinner. Before they arrived I said to DH "what will you be doing then, cooking or cleaning?" and he mumbled "cleaning".

So PIL arrived. I busy myself in the kitchen, MIL comes in and asks what needs doing. I tell her to take it easy, get sat down - go and chill, go and read my new mag etc etc - alien concept to her, she wanted to help. So we cooked dinner together.

After dinner MIL starts gathering up DH's and FIL's plates. I said "oh actually, DH is washing up tonight as we cooked dinner". MIL replied "oh no that's ok, son - you've been at work all week, me and Schiz will do it". Waiting for DH to tell MIL that I'd actually done 45hours this week myself as opposed to his 36 - he said fuck all and crept off into the living room with FIL.

I could not hide my anger. MIL could tell I was angry, couldn't understand why. They left early, mil upset thinking she'd upset me.

I just cannot let it go. I am SO SO SO angry with him. I'm so angry, it's actually made me wonder if we should stay together.

OP posts:
Kayano · 26/01/2012 16:11

It's still makes a fucking joke of real domestic violence though by letting people think that.

If a woman says DH did it and then he has to say 'she walked into a cupboard...' how many people would believe him? She could ruin his reputation and people will be whispering about him being a wife beater behind her back when it isn't true

I think it's shocking and stupid to be playing games around an issue such as violence in a relationship.

Seriously people are saying that's ok?

Kewcumber · 26/01/2012 16:12

yeah what WilsonFrickett said (saves time and energy)

ShirleyForAllSeasons · 26/01/2012 16:14

I am also with Wilson - again. I liked the pots and went Grin, went slightly Hmm at the socks and went deffo Hmm at the bleach and then went Shock at the black eye.

My feeeeelings in emoticon.

ABatInBunkFive · 26/01/2012 16:17

Thanks I would say the other stuff is ott if she did it without warning, he had plenty warning and tbh how hard is it to put stuff in a basket? I'm lazy but therre are some things i do that i only do because i know they get on DHs nerves if it's not done, mind you i did wipe a damp tissue on DH after finding his dribble on the toilet seat (yet) again, funnily enough he doesn't leave piss on the seat any more!

frownieface · 26/01/2012 16:18

OP you are starting to sound a little unhinged, cutting up socks, putting clothes in the bath with bleach, really? It seems as though he is behaving in a way to get you to leave him, so that he doesn't have to make the first move.

Anniegetyourgun · 26/01/2012 16:20

The black eye thing is OK, IMO, only as long as she told it when he was present and therefore able to put the audience straight immediately so they were all in on the joke.

Hullygully · 26/01/2012 16:20

I don't believe it. If you were that angry, for that long, and you weren't financially trapped, you wouldn't stay.

Unless he has a giant and unstoppable dong.

dickiedavisthunderthighs · 26/01/2012 16:20

I think that maybe OP might have got a leeeeeetle bit carried away with the emotion of the thread, and played to the audience with the last few examples.
That is what I think.

StripeyScarf · 26/01/2012 16:20

The ones high fiving the op and suggesting she kicks him in the nuts, won't mind when he backhands her in return I suppose or kicks her in the crutch

niknakpaddywhack · 26/01/2012 16:20

All those who think the OP is in the wrong - how would you deal with these issues, when you have 'discussed' it many, many,many times with your DH/DP?

Not washing up when it is their turn?
Not putting dirty laundry in the washbin?
Leaving clean clothes somewhere inappropriate?
Not putting rubbish (eg teabags) in the bin?
Etc
Etc

Just out of interest, and to perhaps give her some new ideas?

MrSpoc · 26/01/2012 16:20

ABatInBunkFive - Oh dear. do you realy think your behaviour is ok? That is sick.
No wonder you are sticking up for the op.

ShirleyForAllSeasons · 26/01/2012 16:21

Unstoppable Dong sounds like a really shit Heavy Metal group.

ShirleyForAllSeasons · 26/01/2012 16:21

Or maybe a jazz combo. (geddit?)

Kewcumber · 26/01/2012 16:21

Shisrley - I'm sure could you work in Blush Angry Confused then we'd only have to work on Sad maybe for her DH and Envy - tricky one for a full house.

Hullygully · 26/01/2012 16:22

What do you think ARE his plus points, Shirl?

Nimble digits?

ABatInBunkFive · 26/01/2012 16:23

Mrspoc - So it's ok for me to be covered in his piss but not ok for him? whatever.

MrSpoc · 26/01/2012 16:23

niknakpaddywhack - for starters i would not backdown to her PIL and go into a mental rage afterwards. I would act like a gronw up and put the PIL straight.

Then i would decide if i wanted to be with someone who is a slob and act.

What i would not do is put bleach on the cloths, cut up socks and loads the car up with dirty pots.

Fucking hell, some of you on here are unhinged. "bunny bolier springs to mind"

PocPoc · 26/01/2012 16:24

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ShirleyForAllSeasons · 26/01/2012 16:24

I think he's jolly good at making cheese toasties and also like walks in the rain. He might like pina colada's - but that wouldn't be enough for me.

Now to work on Kewcumbers challenge...Could the jealousy come into play because she got a nice dinner or something? I don't THINK I was jealous but I could always pretend.

MrSpoc · 26/01/2012 16:24

ABatInBunkFive - why didnt you look before you squatted?

ABatInBunkFive · 26/01/2012 16:24

The black eye thing is OK, IMO, only as long as she told it when he was present and therefore able to put the audience straight immediately so they were all in on the joke.

This.

StripeyScarf · 26/01/2012 16:24

If I wasn't happy with his lifestyle choices, and they are his choices, I would find someone more compatible

Not really difficult is it

I don't do violence or demands and wouldn't expect anyone to do it to me , after all we are both adults

ABatInBunkFive · 26/01/2012 16:25

Mrspoc - why should i have to?

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726 · 26/01/2012 16:26

I don't think you're overreacting, OP. Your MIL is 'of an era' perhaps, but your husband certainly isn't - and he knows how angry you were the previous time. My husband is also a product of 'the era' but he will do things if asked/nagged. He needs to be told though, which annoys me.

I think you'll have to firstly set your MIL straight. It's not right that she thinks you're angry with her - even if you are a bit. Your anger is directed at your husband and rightly so. You need to tell her that everybody's marriage/relationship is different and just because she likes to let the menfolk sit and not help, that doesn't mean you should accept that in your lifestyle.

Ask her, nicely, to let you manage your husband in your own way - she has her own husband to 'take care of' if she chooses - you want to do things differently, you work long hours too - and she needs to respect that.

Straight talking with your MIL is the first step - she nees to understand where you're coming from and even if she can't understand it, she needs to accept that's the way it is.

As far as your husband is concerned... he needs a line drawing in the sand. First though, you need to decide where that line is and what the consequences will be if he doesn't pull his weight. It's not fair and he's well aware that it upsets you.

MrSpoc · 26/01/2012 16:26

PocPoc - have you actually read what the Op has done?