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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:
GabsAlot · 19/12/2018 12:27

once a week is plwnty-hes an arsehole calling u a bitch over this-hes tying to twist it to make u feel guilt that isnt right

TeaPot496 · 19/12/2018 12:29

It's said that you should never attend couples' counselling where there is emotional abuse, because the abuser often manages to manipulate the counsellor into agreeing with them!

In your position I'd tell him straight that his current and past behaviour is unacceptable and abusive. He can either seek professional help for it on his own, or he can leave.

TeaPot496 · 19/12/2018 12:30

Of course you can also get counselling for yourself, separately x

ChocolateCoins567 · 19/12/2018 12:41

I think maybe some couples counselling? It sounds like perhaps you both are struggling to have your needs met, and while you're being an adult about it all he's being an abusive man child. It's not on. He is an adult and can choose to behave differently, if he wants. Learning how to argue safely and without being called a bitch or whatever is really important.

Can you make some time to go out for dinner, perhaps, and talk? Away from the kids and distractions? If he's unwilling to work on it, then LTB - you and the kids deserve better!

brownrabbit · 19/12/2018 12:48

Learning how to argue safely and without being called a bitch or whatever is really important.
This. We don't argue in a healthy way. I avoid arguments altogether and withhold, he gets shouty and sweary. I always start by feeling I'm definitely right and end up thinking I'm a terrible person, he thinks I don't listen because I'm so convinced I'm right. Like you say, neither of us is getting our needs met, and we need to learn how to talk this through sensibly without getting upset / angry.

OP posts:
EKGEMS · 19/12/2018 13:09

I got a news flash for you he isn't a "great dad"if he tells you to "fuck off bitch" in front of your children and it causes emotional distress to your children! As far as the other posters on here advising you to "apologize" ignore them because they must have "Welcome" tattooed on their forehead

Stompythedinosaur · 19/12/2018 13:24

Someone having a strop about me not wanting to have sex would make my vagina seal closed forever. How unappealing!

I think that he doesn't sound very nice at all.

Shoxfordian · 19/12/2018 13:32

Yeah he's not a great dad if he calls you a bitch in front of the kids and he doesn't sound like a great husband either. He's aggressive.

When you say you get on well when you don't argue, does this mean its all fine if you do what he wants? That's not getting on well

BettyOcean · 19/12/2018 13:39

we need to learn how to talk this through sensibly without getting upset / angry.

That's a good attitude to have, but and it's a big but, it is yours. He does not sound like he shares it. You can't make someone learn a new way to be about any given thing when they don't/won't see a thing wrong with how they go about said thing now.

I'm sorry but the way he is around arguments will not change in any meaningful way. Any change will be a facade and temporary.

Motoko · 19/12/2018 13:44

OP, he IS abusive, and your children are seeing this behaviour.

He wants you to move to another city? Away from your family and friends, your support network? Abusers like to isolate their victims, and moving to another city, will do that. Stick to your guns and stay where you are.

DO NOT have couples counselling! As a pp said, it's not advised in abusive relationships.

A couple of people have asked if the times you're getting on, is when you're not saying no, or disagreeing with him, but you haven't answered that question. I think you should have a think about this.

NonaGrey · 19/12/2018 13:44

He’s training you.

To do what he wants because the fall out of not doing it is so horrific.

He’s training you to give in.

Everyone gets to say no, for any reason at all, without fear of censure.

Everyone gets to raise concerns about the relationship without fear of shouting, screaming and swearing.

If he wants to move house then you both need to sit down for a proper discussion.

If he’s concerned about your relationship then you both need to sit down for a proper discussion.

No relationship issue has ever been resolved by shouting swearing and sulking.

brownrabbit · 19/12/2018 13:45

When you say you get on well when you don't argue, does this mean its all fine if you do what he wants? That's not getting on well

No, we do get on - we have fun, laugh together, chat about stuff... In all honesty, I do make most of the decisions - where we live, what we do at weekends, how to bring up the kids....

BUT, there is a bit of walking on eggshells - like if he's stressed and busy with work I'm never sure whether I should talk to him.

OP posts:
arethereanyleftatall · 19/12/2018 13:48

Crikey, you set the bar low for what you expect from a husband, op. He sounds like an absolute bell end.

JudasPrudy · 19/12/2018 13:48

You need to be really firm that this isn't acceptable. And by that I mean tell him that he is abusive and if he ever acts like that again you will call the police. And mean it.

brownrabbit · 19/12/2018 13:50

He'd be totally horrified to be thought of as an abuser. I really don't know if I'm blowing it out of proportion. He would say that I make it difficult to have sensible discussions (e.g. about moving house - which he wants to do because of work) because I get upset, which is true - I hate the thought of leaving here and it does upset me. I'm prepared to talk things through but can't guarantee that I won't cry when I do! He would feel that's me manipulating him to get what I want. Argh....

OP posts:
UpstartCrow · 19/12/2018 13:57

He is allowed to feel rejected when you don't feel like sex but you are not allowed to have feelings and are accused of manipulating him.
You walk on eggshells around him.

Do not move away from your support network. Get an outside perspective on whats happening and some advice and support.
Please phone Womens Aid for a chat.

Stompythedinosaur · 19/12/2018 21:32

But you are entitled to have and express feelings!

I think he thinks he is in charge and is frustrated if you don't fall in line with his wishes. I agree with the pp who says he is training you and it is emotionally abusive.

AyoadesChinDimple · 20/12/2018 00:37

He sounds like my ex. Ex for a reason.

Now I'm with a man who accepts that sometimes I don't feel like sex. And would never dream of telling me to fuck off.

And now I understand what a healthy relationship looks like.

GabsAlot · 20/12/2018 18:32

to say he fels like youve accused him of rape is abuse he wants you to feel so bad u apologise and give in-disgusting

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