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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To feel about 2cms tall?

142 replies

Stuckinsilence · 29/08/2018 15:30

Last week was a special anniversary for DH and I. We had gone away for a few days and had a nice time. I had bought DH a special present (nothing expensive but special nonetheless and something he liked). He hadn't bought me anything, not even a card, but we had been away for a couple of nights so I was happy even so. On the way home, he appeared agitated and asked where I had bought his present from, and then said 'so I paid for it then'. I said no, I paid for it and would transfer the money later. I told him to stop being so spiteful and he apologised.

A few months ago for father's day i surprised him with a day out and took all his family out for dinner. It took so much effort to organise and keep it a surprise. All he could say on the way home was, when asked if he had enjoyed himself, 'yeah but I paid for it'. I told him no, I had worked a couple of days in my parents family business to pay for it. Again he apologised.

Last month i bought car insurance on our joint credit card. He was furious and said how dare I buy it without asking him. I told him i buy it every year and there's not a problem, how else did he think i was going to pay for it? He carried on and on until i said i was phoning my mum to loan me the money to give back to him. He all of sudden changed his tune and said to forget about it.

AIBU to feel about 2cm tall? I feel small and silly when he makes these comments. I feel like nothing and so embarrassed.

FWIW, I am a sahm to our three children (two with sn), do everything around the house and 99% of childcare. He would never make these comments in front of anyone else because he knows that they'd be appalled - it's only in private.

OP posts:
HermioneGoesBackHome · 29/08/2018 17:38

He is financially controlling. That’s why it all happens behind closed doors. He KNOWS that he would loose some of that control if it was out in the open.

I wouldnt be surprised if the issue is that he is actually overspending but wouod prefer to make you responsible rather than changing his ways.

harshbuttrue1980 · 29/08/2018 17:40

Someone has already asked this and had no reply - how old are the kids? If they are at school then I don't see why you couldn't get some sort of a job while they are in school. Could it be that your DH wants you to go back to work if the kids are older? You seem to be totally ruling work out, but if you divorced then you'd have to work, even part time.

MsMamaNature · 29/08/2018 17:40

Life is too short to spend it with a man ( and I use that word loosely in your husband's case ) who begrudges spending money on shoes for his own children. Your life seems miserable and he needs to shape up or ship out.

Tawdrylocalbrouhaha · 29/08/2018 17:43

Even if your family is in good shape financially, with savings, it is still worth watching all financial activity closely (to check all of his pay is going into the accounts you can see, see where he is spending, cash withdrawals etc).

Him suddenly becoming sensitive about "his" money suggests to me that he may be up to something. (That could be pure paranoia and he may just have an unfortunate personality, of course).

ChimesAtMidnight · 29/08/2018 17:46

Stuckinsilence just what is it that you love about this man ? What is it that makes you want to spend the rest of your life with him ?

Is this really how you want to live for the next forty, fifty years ?

eddielizzard · 29/08/2018 17:47

Hmm so you gave up your career to care for your 3 kids, 2 of whom have SN. How is he going to compensate you for your extraordinary sacrifice? It doesn't seem like he's sacrificed or compromised a damn thing. Instead you're putting your family first, at great expense to your personal ambitions and being made to feel guilty or not deserving because of it.

Fucking disgusting. Shame on him.

Pandamodium · 29/08/2018 17:48

I have two DC with SN one at school one not. It's not as easy as saying going back to work.

He sounds like a bellend, I'm in the same situation DH working, I get carers for DS. If he spoke to me like that I'd have his bags packed.

You shouldn't have to feel like you can't buy yourself anything. Being a carer is hard going and it can be isolating.

AnoukSpirit · 29/08/2018 17:49

This is what financial abuse looks like.

If it was the "financial stress" some have suggested, or inadvertent, it would slip out in front of other people rather than being so carefully contained behind closed doors. Somebody who was genuinely so stressed they didn't want to buy their child shoes would not be able to contain their anxiety and stress everywhere except when you're alone.

  • he's left you feeling afraid to approach him about anything financial (or anything at all?)
  • he's made you feel shit and worthless
  • he's gradually tightened the noose around you so that what you're able to spend has gradually reduced down to nothing before you really appreciated how bad it was getting
  • because it's been gradual and been done in such an intimidating way he's normalised it so that you felt it was acceptable to ask for permission for spending
  • he only makes his digs or kicks off at you when there are no witnesses
  • he uses anger and nastiness to bring you back in line
  • he rejects loving gestures to keep you in your place
  • he's using the children's needs as a tool to control you and increase the impact on you
  • he calls it 'his' money, that he controls. It's not, it's family money.
  • he spends frivolously while denying you basics, emphasising who is in charge
  • he uses money to hurt and control you

Please look at going on the Freedom Programme, because nothing about this is acceptable, normal, or has any place in a healthy relationship. They won't tell you to leave him, or judge you, but they will help you get back perspective on this whole situation so you can figure out what you want to do.

Www.freedomprogramme.co.uk

It doesn't matter if there are no other abusive behaviours, this is terrible enough on its own. Somebody who loves you would want to build you up, not leave you feeling 2cm tall.

And no, it's not your fault, and I don't hate him or think he's a monster. I hate how he's treating you. You do not deserve to live like this.

MrsTerryPratchett · 29/08/2018 17:50

You might not be brave enough for you, but try to be brave enough for your children. He's arguing over their NEEDS with you FFS. Think about that, insurance and shoes and stuff people need.

He's financially abusive and you'd be better off without him.

Tistheseason17 · 29/08/2018 17:51

I'd suggest he looks up divorce and what he'd have to give up financially to support you and the children every month.

He may think again about being such a dick. You are not an employee, you are his wife and the mother of his children.

Show him the posts from here and then when you are with other people, start saying things like, " is it ok if I pay for the food shopping, kids school uniform on the joint account or do I need to get my mum to lend me money again?"

His control of you financially is abusive and coercive as is his hidden conversations. Asshat.

ferrier · 29/08/2018 17:51

If op gets carer's allowance for one of her dc it's unlikely she'll be able to pick up work just like that. Except something with extreme flexibility as in the work her parents gave her.

billybagpuss · 29/08/2018 17:55

I am far too embarrassed. Mainly of myself, that I'm not brave enough to walk away.

Op you have nothing to be embarrassed about.

What do you want to do deep down? try writing it down (and probably deleting it a few times) threads like these usually have some excellent advise and support so please use it. Flowers

BeefyCakes · 29/08/2018 17:57

This is financial abuse. He's abusing you and he is not a good man.

Get this thread moved to relationships, you're not being unreasonable, and there are lots of women in the relationships topic that have been through and are currently going through the same thing.

HollowTalk · 29/08/2018 18:02

One thing I would do, OP, is to record him when he talks to you like that. For one thing it stops you feeling like you're going mad, because he's acting one way in public and another way in private, but you can also let others hear what he's really like.

Just be very, very careful that you're not found out. A man like this would hate to have his private persona exposed.

findingmywaytoday · 29/08/2018 18:02

Christ. I agree with others that he sounds financially abusive.

A close friend's husband did this when she was on mat leave (receiving statutory pay) and told her to "pay her way". She calculated the value of her doing all housework and childcare and deducted it from what he was insisting she contribute despite being fully aware she didn't have the funds to hand over. He soon learnt the value of what she does!

FYI, I'm arranging live in care for a close adult relative. It is going to be £1300 a week. You're a carer for two an children and running your house so You're contributing financially to the household by doing things that would otherwise need to be paid for! Don't let him grind you down.

Missingstreetlife · 29/08/2018 18:10

Hope you get child benefit op

ciderhouserules · 29/08/2018 18:11

OP - there was a thread quite recently with an OP in your same position. DH brought home all the money, she did everything else, and had to account for it all. One day she was out walking his parents dog whilst they were away,and she stopped and bought a coffee. He kicked off, big time - she had no 'reason' to stop, not reason to spend money, she wasn't 'doing anything'...Angry

At that point she realised that she had no idea where the money went, how much she should have access too, where her own inheritance was going.... and she confronted him.

That coffee cost him a whole lot more that a couple of quid!

Get angry!

ViserionTheDragon · 29/08/2018 18:12

Sorry to hear this OP, as other PP have said, that's financially abusive. If your child needs new shoes, they should bloody have new shoes!

I think you need to find out why he's being like this, it isn't normal behavior at all. Has he always been like this? Do you have separate or joint bank accounts? Does he have other financial pressures you know of? Something's not quite right here Hmm

Motoko · 29/08/2018 18:13

Show him the posts from here

God, no, don't do that! He'll only tighten his control and it could be dangerous.

I know it feels embarrassing, I felt embarrassed too, but I really shouldn't have, as it wasn't my fault, and it's not your fault.

Please, speak to your family if they're decent people (I know not everyone has a good, supportive family), they'll want to help you get out of this mess. Anyone who loves you would not want you to be living like this.

Failing that, please ring Women's Aid and speak to them. You need real life support. You and your children deserve better. You CAN do this! None of us feel strong when we're going through this, that's why it often takes women a long time to leave, but you ARE strong! Find your anger, and harness it, but if he's more than financially abusive, be very careful, and do things in secret, and get advice on the safest way to leave.

cameltoeflappyflapflap · 29/08/2018 18:16

Why are you letting him speak to you like this OP? If the kids need shoes, buy them. You don't need permission.

Same with the car insurance.

If he speaks to you like that again, tell him to take his attitude elsewhere and leave it at that. Let him sulk, moan, whatever. Ignore him.

Don't let anyone speak to you like that, you don't deserve it. I would leave my husband if he spoke to me like that constantly.

hipposarerad · 29/08/2018 18:23

Don't show your husband this thread, show your mum.

I have a feeling that she has already worked out what you're not telling her and she will try to help you however she can.

hipposarerad · 29/08/2018 18:24

Posted too soon

I don't mean for your mum to keep giving/lending money, but practical advice or a place to stay if it gets to that point.

isadoradancing123 · 29/08/2018 18:26

He is totally financially abusive and will get worse as the children get older

woodfires · 29/08/2018 18:26

All sorts of people have budgets OP, they aren't a sure sign of money issues just a sensible way of allocating the money you have.
Also someone has noticed what your DH is like, you. So even if it is in small steps you need to start getting some control back.
Don't feel embarrassed about not wanting to leave, you are in tough situation. But you don't have to deal with everything at once. Try and think really clearly about what you would like your life to look like, imagine it in as much detail as possible. Then break into tiny little steps and start working towards them. Also try and talk to people in rl for support.

Parisbun · 29/08/2018 18:35

If your DH was careful with money I can see that he might question how much was spent at one time - school shoes can be expensive especially times 3. But He grilled me for about 20 mins on where i was buying them from, how much, did they really need them, why can't i buy them from a cheaper shop, etc. tells me that this is much more than just being careful.

You need to get angry OP. Really .You do because this is your life now , and your DC lives, with a mean man who begrudges them every bite they eat.
Stand up for them and make sure that you have your own money and make your own decisions from now on.