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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think DH was being needlessly unkind

364 replies

dellacucina · 05/10/2018 15:09

DH and I are on holiday. Last night, we ordered some post dinner wines which we (apparently) were sharing as they were two different varieties. I was about to take a sip of my wine, which I probably would have had another couple of drinks from, when DH demanded another taste. He proceeded to down the whole thing.

I suggested we get another glass of this particular wine to share. He handed me his glass and said I could finish it. I said again we should order another glass of my wine to share. He responded that I didn't need any more. I asked what he meant and he said I was slurring my words and I drink too much. This was our third glass of wine, so I had had quite a lot but I don't think a crazy amount?

After more discussion, it was established that I wasn't slurring in the sense that my language was garbled, but I was enunciating slightly differently than usual. DH insisted again that I drink too much and mentioned a wedding we went to recently where I was quite drunk (a little obnoxious and somehow lost a shoe which I suspect fell out of my bag on the Tube). Then he went on about how I am nearly 40 and "it's not a good look."

I usually have one glass of wine every night (I buy single serving bottles to avoid overpouring) and I rarely go out. I probably get quite drunk once or twice a year at events like girls' nights.

Was it unreasonable of him to suck down the last of my wine?

Am I unreasonable to think he should not have jumped all over me about drinking in general? His attitude definitely wasn't one of concern.

OP posts:
dellacucina · 04/11/2018 22:57

DishingOutDone

That sounds like a very tricky situation. I'm really sorry that you have felt trapped in it for so long. How have you coped day-to-day?

It's quite scary to imagine taking that leap. But it really must be better to be able to just live your life without constant criticism and control being exerted over you. Have you ever tried counseling or anything? Do you think your husband understands that there is a problem?

OP posts:
DishingOutDone · 04/11/2018 23:50

I haven't coped very well, our marriage is over - its been 30 years Sad. And interestingly, no he thinks he is fine! If only I'd do what he told me to everything would be great.

But I am here as a warning to you, not to de-rail your thread - don't be me in 20 years time; as you say it really must be better to be able to just live your life without constant criticism and control being exerted over you - so I hope you can start making your plans now.

dellacucina · 05/11/2018 08:50

DishingOutDone

Warning taken. I feel like you're the ghost of Christmas future! Good luck.

DH is the same. He thinks we have small problems that will easily be solved. He thinks that I am very unreasonable.

OP posts:
RandomMess · 05/11/2018 09:13

Yes your DH doesn't Think there is a problem he believes once you get in line and do as you are told (like the rest of his staff) all will be fine. He doesn't think your opinion, needs or wants need consideration.

I don't think joint counselling will get anywhere it may get him to compromise on a few things but that will come at a cost either in or outside of the sessions.

I would invest in therapy for yourself to help you mentally cope until you can end it. You are kind and loving your H isn't he only serves himself.

Thanks
dellacucina · 05/11/2018 10:43

RandomMess

I think therapy is a great idea. I am clearly having trouble coping as evidenced by my performance here Blush

DH will no doubt support this as we had a couple of sessions with a different counselor (had to drop due to a scheduling conflict) and based on something the counselor said, he came away with the belief that I needed a lot of extra help and therapy to help me work out issues from my childhood. (I told the counselor this and she was clearly annoyed that he had reached that conclusion). He clearly believed therefore that our problems arise due to my oversensitive nature

To be fair to him, he has also said he understands his attitude toward money is a problem and he will take whatever free therapy he can get through his employer to work on this. (Probably only like 6 sessions)

OP posts:
DishingOutDone · 05/11/2018 12:28

I am the Ghost of Christmas Future. I should be held up as a warning to other MNetters.

Sad
dellacucina · 05/11/2018 12:50

I hope that didn't sound unkind! Then difference between you and the Ghost of Christmas Future is of course that you have your whole life ahead of you. You can give others advice based on your experience (in my case, in a cautionary tale type of way) but from the sound of it you have lovely children and you have determined that you will make a better life for them and you moving forward. Flowers

OP posts:
DishingOutDone · 05/11/2018 13:43

Aw della I know, I was just being moribund. It didn't sound unkind at all. But I am 56, and I am looking back with huge regrets.

dellacucina · 11/11/2018 00:57

DH told me tonight that he thinks we should start trying for another baby...I am speechless.

OP posts:
RandomMess · 11/11/2018 07:57

Hmmmm

Sounds like he wants to keep trapped - "barefoot and pregnant"

ohfourfoxache · 11/11/2018 08:54

He can sense that he’s losing control and he wants to keep you trapped.

Nagsnovalballs · 11/11/2018 09:14

Double up on your contraception. Preferably refuse sex. Look for a 2 bed flat. Get your pay paid into your account.

You’re so fortunate to have a good job. Yes you’ll have a drop in living standards but your dd is young enough to get out unscathed.

Good eg: my mum is shit at relationships and tends to end up in abusive ones. She stayed single through my entire childhood and I’ve ended up with a loving, caring pretty much Mary Poppins of a partner (practically perfect in every way). I never learned her crap ways with relationships, although I did nearly sabotage my relationship (but pulled it back from the brink because I was self aware enough to realise what a stupid move that was).

My half sister’s mum stayed married to my man-child narcissist of a dad. Her dh is a selfish man-child who barely earns anything but lives off her money flashing the cash whilst expecting her to do all the boring house shit (just like my dad!). A different kind of financially abusive to your situation, but no happier for my sis and her mum. He’s a small upgrade on dad as he doesn’t constantly cheat on her, but he’s the sort who would if my sister got old/fat.

It’s really true tHat girls marry their fathers, but only if they grow up with them.

Change your dd’s future and get the hell out while you can!

dellacucina · 11/11/2018 10:35

I do actually think he is probably being sincere. He may have thought this would make me happy. His plan has always been 2 children and now that I have DD, it is something that I would like in my life. We are also nearing the end of the time when we could feasibly have children.

Therefore I think maybe the issue is he is shockingly tone deaf. I don't understand how he could think now would be a good time to have another baby in terms of the state of our relationship.

OP posts:
dellacucina · 11/11/2018 12:26

Update: I asked and he said that he was just saying what he thought, wasn't trying to make me happy. My angry response didn't hurt his feelings.

OP posts:
Nagsnovalballs · 11/11/2018 12:41

DO NOT HAVE ANOTHER CHILD WITH HIM!

Better to have an only and be independent and safe faster/sooner.

Don’t screw up two kids lives. At the moment, you can shield your dc from his controlling behaviour, but it will only get more difficult as they get older.

dellacucina · 12/11/2018 09:53

We spoke about what would happen if we split up yesterday. He said that of course he wouldn't lie (to the Home Office) or drag things out to ensure I was able to stay in the country. I asked if he would promise not to leave me before I have the right to stay here. He said that if he is miserable (and he is), then he will end things. His view is that I can get a higher paying job (he emphasised I would need this) which will sponsor a visa.

He also said that DD doesn't need me, would be fine without me.

OP posts:
fuzzywuzzy · 12/11/2018 09:57

Dear God! OP get legal advice he’s essentially threatening to take your child and see your dc grow up without her mother in her life!

I’ve got a friend who’s ex wife went back to her home country taking their child with her as she was able to show the courts it would be in the best interest of the child.

I’d prepare for the worst and get yourself a shot hot lawyer. And no way would I have any more children with this piece of shit!

dellacucina · 12/11/2018 10:02

I really do feel this is a bullying tactic. He said that I am making his life miserable because I argue with him all the time.

I definitely am not just letting things drop - if he is rude or disrespectful, I don't just ignore it. For my own protection I think I just need to learn to.

OP posts:
DishingOutDone · 12/11/2018 16:02

della sorry you have probably covered this but what will resolve the right to stay thing, do you have to be resident for x years in your own right?

dellacucina · 12/11/2018 16:25

DishingOutDone

No. My visa is entirely dependent on being married to him. After about another year I can apply for leave to remain.

OP posts:
Daftapath · 12/11/2018 16:38

Op do you only have to be married or still be living together too? If you were to separate, you could refuse to sign divorce papers and he would not be able to divorce you until two years of separation. Please get some advice about this from a lawyer who specialises in visas and immigration.

I separated from my h 14 months ago and we are still in dispute over finances so the divorce has only got to the decree nisi stage a year on from starting.

PumpkinKitty82 · 12/11/2018 16:41

He sounds like a shit bag and 3 glasses of wine is not a lot and I thought it sounded abit strange to be sharing glasses when you could have a glass each but each to their own ...
He’s a spiteful pollock

dellacucina · 12/11/2018 16:44

It has to be a genuine and subsisting relationship that's the legal test.

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dellacucina · 12/11/2018 16:45

I actually do know how to use punctuation btw! The mobile site sometimes seems to do strange things with autocorrect.

OP posts:
Omzlas · 12/11/2018 17:00

OP, he's a vindictive, nasty, abusive, hypocriticial bully

Do you just stay because of he visa situation?

Please DO NOT think that your DD would be better without you, he's trying to make you second guess yourself

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