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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to think he should have forgiven me by now?

69 replies

brownrabbit · 19/12/2018 09:41

Ok, will try and keep this brief. Haven't posted on here for ages but am so frustrated that I need some perspective!
Sunday morning, DH wanted sex, I didn't. I was happily reading my book, DCs were downstairs but inevitably come up as soon as we get to it, and are getting suspicious about locked doors. I said this, he got in a huff, went downstairs complaining that I was treating him like another chore etc. It is true that he wants sex more than I do generally.

Bit later, I followed him down, tried to make up with him. Can't remember exact conversation, but I ended up saying "surely I don't have to always agree to it". He flew off the handle, effing this and that, telling me I was accusing him of being a rapist, which obvs I wasn't. I told him he was being ridiculous, which definitely didn't help. He does get very sweary when we argue badly, tells me to eff off and that he can't speak to me. It's true that there's no point trying to talk to him in that mood, but I hate not being able to talk things through.

Now three days on and he's still barely speaking to me except when kids are around. I got really upset last night and was crying - he was working and I was in another room, but he came in and said it wasn't helping that I was getting upset. He doesn't want to talk, be affectionate at all, just wants to be left alone.

I understand that he was hurt and that he probably feels rejected, but I'm also hurt by the way he spoke to me. I've also been making a big effort to be nice to him, and not getting much back in return.

Whenever we argue he makes me feel that I'm being totally unreasonable, and just shuts down and refuses to talk. Most of the time we do get on really well, but I find his extreme reaction in arguments really hard to deal with - his family all talk to each other like that, but mine don't and I don't think it's right.

Rant over!

OP posts:
TeaPot496 · 19/12/2018 11:26

Flying off the handle, swearing at you, sulking and stonewalling is emotional abuse, regardless of what the original disagreement was about. An emotionally intelligent person would have taken your decline on the chin and shelved their desires for a more appropriate time. You have done nothing wrong, you have nothing to be forgiven for.

MsLexic · 19/12/2018 11:28

I have to say, a considerate partner would not behave like an enraged teen when denied sex. He would say 'That's fine, darling, I love you anyhow.'
THIS IS WHAT YOU SHOULD EXPECT
What your partner is exhibiting is cold shouldering, control and anger plus abusive language which you don't specify.
If this language is directed at YOU, then is very serious.
Stop trying to understand him, he's a bully and a tyrant.
You need to make plans.

MattFreisCheekyDimples · 19/12/2018 11:29

I think I'd need to know more about what It is true that he wants sex more than I do generally means before knowing who's BU here. If you've been saying no all year then his reaction is more understandable than if you've been saying it all week. Whichever it is, you need to be talking about your different expectations and he is BU if he's unwilling to do that, but equally perhaps he's tried to in the past and been shut down. But no, obviously you don't need to agree to unwanted sex and YANBU about that.

It was obviously a good book!

Grimbles · 19/12/2018 11:30

@hannahmates I think you were out of line saying "surely I don't have to always agree to iT".

How is that out of line? No one is obligated to agree to sex they don't actually want Hmm

SpongeBobJudgeyPants · 19/12/2018 11:32

Are you a man Hont? Hmm

XJerseyGirlX · 19/12/2018 11:33

sulking and swearing wouldn't make me want sex with him, would turn me off completely

katseyes7 · 19/12/2018 11:34

My ex husband used to be like this. Used to sulk for days if we hadn't had sex (l worked shifts so we weren't always even in the house at the same time!) and said things like "well l'm not cutting the grass, then...."
At one point before we split up he announced that "it would be my fault if he went out and raped someone"!!
Our counsellor wiped the floor over him with that one. And not surprisingly, it didn't really induce me to want to have sex with him, for some strange reason....

Didiusfalco · 19/12/2018 11:34

So he’s trying to emotionally blackmail you into having sex with him? He sounds like an absolute peach.

Assuming no long term intimacy problems that would lead him to be at the end of his tether he is completely out of order. Don’t apologise, you have autonomy over your own body and have done nothing wrong.

Wheresthebeach · 19/12/2018 11:35

Jesus wept - he's a bully. I couldn't have sex with DD awake and wandering around the house...talk about a buzz kill.

My DH would have a lot more sex than we do...he doesn't sulk, bully, stonewall or blame me. When we're talked about it he's always said a lack of affection would be a deal breaker, not lack of sex. Your DH is being horrible and verbally abusive.

katseyes7 · 19/12/2018 11:37

Sorry, posted that too soon.
lt is actually abuse, him behaving like this. lt is not normal behaviour to sulk and throw a strop because you don't feel like having sex with the kids rattling the door handle. l certainly wouldn't want to!
He's being juvenile and controlling, and no doubt he now wants you to apologise and grovel and be all over him like a rash for your 'behaviour'. Which only reinforces his thinking that he's right, and you have no right to turn him down. He's a dick.

brownrabbit · 19/12/2018 11:37

I don't think he's annoyed because I didn't want sex, although I think he does feel rejected as he's usually the one to initiate it. He's annoyed because I called him ridiculous and he felt (I don't agree) that I was accusing him of coercing me. I did apologise (and I meant it) for calling him ridiculous, and for the fact he took what I said as accusing him of being a rapist.

icannotremember - thanks, that's helpful to get the perspective from the other side. I think that's probably how he does feel. I do love him, but I probably don't make enough space for him and I guess I generally put the kids first etc.

Don't really think it's appropriate to suggest we shouldn't have brought kids into the relationship - my kids are great and generally very happy, though I don't like them overhearing us when we argue.

So... I guess, make more time for him (once he's calmed down!), try and rekindle my flagging libido, but don't put up with the shouty sweariness?

The correct response to 'I don't fancy a shag this morning' is 'shame, I really fancy you, want a cuppa?' Not a mega sulk.
Love this - if only! I've got a feeling that if I'd just said "actually I don't fancy it this morning" it would probably have been fine, but I feel embarassed saying that so I just sort of ignore him and hope he'll go back to sleep. That's probably not very helpful or kind of me either...

OP posts:
hellojason · 19/12/2018 11:37

So he wants to get you to do his bidding for fear of him making things awful at home for days on end? Immature, controlling, bullying....does this show up in other aspects of your relationship or just as regards sex?

Once he's got over his big strop can you talk calmly about it with him? He doesn't sound particularly reasonable. The 'rapist' comment was ridiculous and offensive.

brownrabbit · 19/12/2018 11:44

Glad it's not just me that doesn't want a shag whilst the kids are up and about! I just really don't feel in the mood when I know someone's about to ask me for breakfast.

I do wonder if he is a bit of a bully. Bad arguments (and I'm not talking often here, but every few months) will always end up with him telling me to fuck off, calling me a bitch etc. This was completely normal between his parents so it's what he grew up with, but I don't think it's acceptable. I know they're only words, but they do hurt, and the kids hear them too, which isn't right. My daughter was crying and asked if daddy still likes me. I really try and stay calm when they're around, but he doesn't always. I don't want to make out like he's like this all the time, and he's generally a great dad, but I don't think they should have to hear that sort of language directed at their mum.

OP posts:
abacucat · 19/12/2018 11:44

You hit it on the head when you said - surely I don't have to always agree to sex. You are right you don't. You spoke the truth at that point.

Sex should not be something that one partner gives in to. It should be something that both people actually want.

He is emotionally abusing you.

You will get people on here defending him. I suspect that some women on MN defend the indefensible from partners, because this is how their partner is, and they are not ready to face the truth yet.

SlowNorris · 19/12/2018 11:45

So... I guess, make more time for him (once he's calmed down!), try and rekindle my flagging libido, but don't put up with the shouty sweariness?

Yes - give him more time because he is such a delight Hmm

AtrociousCircumstance · 19/12/2018 11:46

This is bigger than you both pulling your socks up etc.

He has been sulking for days. He is the one firmly in the wrong. Has he apologised to you, fully and properly?

abacucat · 19/12/2018 11:46

Yes he is a bully, you are right. The fact that he grew up with this does not mean it is acceptable. Many of us grew up with parents behaving in a way that we would never behave ourselves as adults.

SirVixofVixHall · 19/12/2018 11:53

If my dh called me a bitch when we argued, then i would leave him.
Op you really dont have to put up with that. Horrible for your children too. I think your dh needs to learn to manage his anger.

TeaPot496 · 19/12/2018 11:53

every few months) will always end up with him telling me to fuck off, calling me a bitch etc... My daughter was crying and asked if daddy still likes me

This is so sad, and absolute abuse. Don't let your children grow up like this. My DH would be shown the door instantly if he behaved in such an emotionally violent way.

TeaPot496 · 19/12/2018 11:56

It's better to grow up without a dad in the home than have to hear such poison every few months... so damaging to their self-esteem and they may indeed grow up to do the same to their partners x

ReanimatedSGB · 19/12/2018 11:58

Sorry but this man is abusive. He thinks that you owe him sex and it's OK to punish you when you don't obey him.
Is sex with him any fun, or is it something you feel you have to put up with otherwise he'll start sulking and calling you names? Does he pull his weight with regard to the kids and the housework?

It's very common for a certain type of men to do absolutely nothing in the way of domestic work, yet expect regular sex, and sulk when they don't get it - this invariably has the effect of turning sex into another chore the wife is expected to perform for the man's benefit (not least because it often becomes, for the tired, stressed, wife, a matter of despunking the man as quickly as possible rather than something to enjoy on her own account: the 'get it over with for the week' type of sex which is pretty poisonous in the longterm.)

It's not very likely that a man who feels it's acceptable to shout at you and call you names will agree to sit down and have a civilised conversation about how to improve things - his mindset is very probably that everything would be fine if you just do as you're told and never answer back.

hellsbellsmelons · 19/12/2018 12:02

I've also been making a big effort to be nice to him, and not getting much back in return
STOP IT STOP IT STOP IT!!!
He's abusing you.
By stonewalling, verbally, name calling, swearing.
Your poor DC do not need to be in this environment.
That's just horrible.
Stop pandering to him and enabling this shitty behaviour.
Carry on with your life.
No effort for him at all.
Just do yours and DC cooking, washing, shopping etc... and leave your abusive DH to sort himself out.
Don't engage.

brownrabbit · 19/12/2018 12:07

I don't know. It's not really about the sex, it's about him feeling that we live life on my terms not his (there's a whole load of other stuff about him wanting to move cities and me not, but that's another thread!) and that I'm not interested in spending time just with him. Reanimated I think you're right about the chore thing - I do most of the domestic and kid stuff (I work part time, he works a very full time job) and I end up resenting him for not doing more and that's what makes me feel like going on a date or having sex is another chore. It's not that I never want sex (it's probably around once a week on average for us) but I am often just knackered and wanting time to myself because I don't ever feel I get it with two young kids.

I don't think he's as bad as I'm giving the impression, and there's lots of good things that I wouldn't want to change, but I'm kind of reassured that I'm right to think his language towards me isn't acceptable, especially in front of the kids. I think we could really do with some counselling - anyone tried this and did it help?

OP posts:
ReadMyLipss · 19/12/2018 12:10

Like it or not, giving your OH the silent treatment for days is a form of emotional abuse and is controlling.

You really need to discuss this with him and agree ways to deal with all this in future disagreements

fullforce · 19/12/2018 12:15

Pandering for sex whilst the children are in the house gross🤮 can’t he just wait what’s wrong with his self control! My libido has completely gone due to depression and DH hasn’t been bothered for the past 8 months. He knows he’d be straight out the door if he started whining about not having sex. Throw him some tissue and tell him to lock to bathroom door behind him sort himself out! Selfish git. Hope it gets better OP don’t let him make you feel rubbishFlowers