Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

DH is being selfish - please tell me if I'm BU

275 replies

FlyingTingTing · 26/02/2019 17:05

I'm so miserable right now.
Background info so as not to drip feed:

Been married to DH for 12 years (we're both early 30s.)
He's always been quite inconsistent, e.g. one minute he wants to do something, gets all excited and passionate about it, then the next minute he changes his mind.
We've mostly been happy. He suffers from depression and anxiety and goes through periods of deep, dark depression where he tends to act a bit selfishly , doesn't want to do anything or see anyone, can be quite horrible, says hurtful things like he wished he'd never got married, thinks he'd be happier being single etc Sad

He's cheated on me twice. Once was 10 years ago, the last occasion was 2 years ago. The last time was the worst. The affair lasted 6 weeks and he lied to me constantly during this time. I only found out by accident. My mental health was quite bad (I suffer with anxiety myself) and this almost killed me. I had to be put on strong meds and was under the care of a mental health team.
He was surprised when I said I wanted to forgive him and was somewhat taken aback I think . I made it clear that i wanted to forgive him and make it work but the road back from infidelity is a difficult one ,and I expected him to do certain things (delete her number, never contact her again) which he did.
He swore he would get help, swore he loved me to bits, swore it was a terrible terrible mistake, swore it would never happen again because he couldn't bear to do that to me again. He swore to do whatever it took, for as long as it took.

Fast forward 2 years to now..He's recently been through another selfish, depressive phase (I've tried my best to be really supportive. ) I've tried to ignore his mean comments.

The last few weeks have been hell. He wants to travel alone. Says it's always been something he wants to do, ALONE. Abroad, without me.

I'm not comfortable with it at all. I think it's because of the previous way he's behaved, but if I'm honest then I probably haven't ever been comfortable with it, even before he cheated. I feel like I would miss him too much, and my anxiety would be too much while he's gone, not knowing where he is or who he's with.
Now he has two affairs under his belt, the trust between us is understandably damaged a lot, and this is a huge factor now too.

I am starting to trust him again (or I was.)
I'm trying to leave the affair in the past and move on, but I can't pretend to be ok with something that would make me uncomfortable.

He's really angry with me for not agreeing to what he wants and is accusing me of being controlling and of keeping him "trapped. "
Last week I tried to compromise and said why didn't he book a few days away with his sister? He agreed. Then I asked why doesn't he go away travelling by himself to visit our friend who lives in Italy ? (This would make me feel more comfortable. )
He agreed and I thought we'd reached a compromise.

Today he comes in saying how unhappy he is with life, he shouldn't have got married at such a young age (22) and he's "just going to do it whether I like it or not."
Apparently I'm controlling him by dictating what he does with his life and who he sees. The compromise we reached isn't enough. He wants to go abroad ALONE and he's booking it right now.
He also made it clear he's not happy about my wishes regarding meeting up alone with female friends (This was because of his past infidelity).

I get sworn at every time I try to talk to him about the subject.

AIBU to not want my husband to travelling by himself?
Apparently "other wives let their husband do it" and I need "to let go and deal with my own anxiety issues. "

OP posts:
ohfourfoxache · 03/04/2019 18:56

Tough shit if he doesn’t want to stay at his mum’s. He doesn’t bloody want to stay with you either Hmm

Please, you have to stop giving this cunt control. Take back the power and tell him to get the fuck out. I promise, you will feel better when you do Thanks

What RL support do you have?

FlyingTingTing · 03/04/2019 20:23

My mum is really supportive and my brother and sister.

Husband has gone to work and will be staying at a friend's house overnight.

I've currently drunk far top much vodka. It's made me feel really woozy.
This isn't good for me is it!

OP posts:
Motoko · 03/04/2019 21:06

No, it isn't. Go and make a coffee, stick something funny on Netflix, and try to take your mind off things for now.

ohfourfoxache · 03/04/2019 21:28

I’d love to say that vodka will make everything so much better and is the best cure-all I know.

But sadly life is a bitch, and the hangover is never worth it.....which is a bloody shame really.

Motoko is right - lots of water and coffee, and something funny on TV.

Do you know what? Look at how unhappy you are now. Look at the sadness, the hopelessness, the heartache. One day that will be GONE. And not because he’s going to change - wankers like that NEVER change. But you’re going to be free and happy. You are going to be so much happier than you are now x

AcrossthePond55 · 03/04/2019 22:51

Not sure if this has been mentioned, but if you haven't already, STOP doing anything for him. Do NOT do his laundry, run errands, cook, clean, or do admin for him. If he makes a mess, gather it up and put it in the spare room for him to deal with. Separate your food and toiletries and make sure he understands that what is yours is YOURS and he is not to touch it nor use it. You need to make being there as uncomfortable and unpleasant for him as you possibly can.

AcrossthePond55 · 03/04/2019 22:53

And please, please....don't try to drown your sorrows with alcohol. It never works. Try taking a brisk walk or pounding a pillow. Start a journal. You'd be surprised how cathartic writing shit down can be.

PurpleRobe · 03/04/2019 23:00

It sounds like the marriage is over for him and you'd be happier without him

Definitely don't have a kid with him.

Good luck x

PurpleRobe · 03/04/2019 23:04

Ooops sorry i didnt see the other 2 pages.

Youve done the right thing and it will get easier with a bit if time. You will be happier in the long term

Xx

FlyingTingTing · 04/04/2019 20:54

Thank you all. I'm not having a good time right now but I just have to hold on to the hope that it won't always be like this.

OP posts:
Aria999 · 04/04/2019 21:54

It won't always be like this. I promise. Xx

FlyingTingTing · 12/04/2019 13:39

Just an update to say I'm doing ok, he's been flitting in and out (still not moved out).

Also he's been messaging a girl he "used to have feelings for " (I asked him outright).
Apparently she's in a relationship and at the moment they're "just friends" but when I asked him about it further, he admitted he "hopes it goes somewhere in the future. "
Confused
What am I meant to do with that information??

OP posts:
marvellousnightforamooncup · 12/04/2019 13:45

You use that information as a springboard to getting angry, getting over him and getting on with your life. Flowers

notmuchmoretogive · 12/04/2019 14:36

He needs to stop 'flirting in and out' and fuck off. He may not want to go to his mums but that is his problem, not yours. Once he's gone you can start rebuilding your life. It will be hard but it will get better.

Innernutshell · 12/04/2019 14:53

Sounds like he's not made any moves to move out because he's waiting to see what happens with this girl.

He's probably keeping you on the back burner as a safety net and if it doesn't pan out with her he'll not tell you the truth but instead say he's had a change of heart and realises it's you he loves and wants to start again.

Classic abuse pattern.

It's likely your mental health has been affected over the years with him and that you are addicted to the rollercoaster he keeps you on. Having him there is just making the painful time of healing longer. He's like an arm riddled with gangrene. Cut him out OP and move on through the pain and discomfort - you will find a kinder and more nuturing happiness without him. Flowers

AcrossthePond55 · 12/04/2019 15:00

What marvellous said. Now you get ANGRY! How dare he use your home as his 'flop house' flitting in and out! Fuck him and the horse he rode in on and then burn down the stable!!! And how dare he tell you, his wife, that he's 'hoping' for a new relationship with this old flame.

And the fact that she's in a relationship and he's 'hoping for something' tells you everything you need to know about him. He's not content with only breaking up your marriage, he's hoping that hers gets broken up too!! What a prize bastard!!!

It's time to see a solicitor. Past time actually. And it's also time to see about getting him out of the house, permanently. He's been having his cake and eating it too for far too long. It's time to shove that cake down his fucking throat and hope he chokes on it.

PBobs · 12/04/2019 15:50

Drop his crap at his mum's house in bin bags and change the locks. He's a prize dick. You need him to get out. He's loving his pathetic little power trip over you. You need to get angry. Hell. I'm bloody angry!

TarragonSauce · 12/04/2019 16:00

It doesn't change anything, you don't have to do anything with that information. You just need t get through the next couple of weeks and then get YOUR life back on an even keel.
Think of the person who is most likely to support you and go and spend Easter with them. Before you go, reiterate that you expect him to be gone at the end of April. Then give yourself a few days free of him to bolster yourself up.

KittyInTheCradle · 12/04/2019 16:38

The issue isn't that he wants to go travelling - it's that he's a liar, cheat, and really mean to you!!

Being depressed is no excuse for this level of emotional blackmail!

KittyInTheCradle · 12/04/2019 16:49

Sorry, just read the rest of the posts. It's totally normal to feel really up and down right now, especially after such a STRESSFUL relationship where you're not given the chance to know where you stand!

Regarding his texting, I think this is a sign you need time not talking to him for quite a while after he moves. Every little thing he will say or do with throw you through an emotional upheaval, the only way to keep balanced and look after yourself is to go NC

Squigglesworth · 12/04/2019 17:00

He's a disgusting piece of crap. I agree that you should hold onto this moment as a reminder, if you start to falter, of just what a jerk he is. It's one more piece of proof that you're doing the right thing by getting him out of your life and moving on to better things. There was no reason for him to tell you that except to try to hurt you. He doesn't deserve you.

FlyingTingTing · 15/04/2019 14:06

Just an update to say I'm doing ok and he's out now. It's so weird and I'm crying on and off still.

On another note, a male friend who I've known for a couple of months has been chatting to me and how I'm doing.
He has expressed interest and asked me out on a date in the future Confused

Is this way too soon?? I don't know how I feel about it. I kinda fancy him if I'm honest Blush

OP posts:
Motoko · 15/04/2019 15:26

Yes, it's way too soon, and a red flag that he's trying to take your ex's place when he's barely out of the door.

You're feeling vulnerable right now, and you are, and he knows it. Instead of waiting, and biding his time to give you time to heal and possibly a relationship to develop naturally, he's pounced.

Men like that are often abusers, so you would be wise to avoid him. You also shouldn't think about dating yet, with anyone. As I said, you're very vulnerable right now and you need time to heal.

Fiveredbricks · 15/04/2019 15:29

Havent rtft but he wants you to dump him OP. He just can't seem to leave on his own accord. He doesn't want to be married and he doesn't want to be married to you. He is just too chicken shit to be a real human being and tell you that and leave.

Fiveredbricks · 15/04/2019 15:30

Ok, I've read the ft. Oops. Sorry OP. Glad he's gone.

Also NO steer clear of other male friend!

coffeeismybestie · 15/04/2019 20:08

It's way to soon IF your not able to recover if it goes wrong or if you see it more than it is. If your able to enjoy the attention and your not doing to get back at your ex then go for it.
This friend isn't to be your next bf, but to have fun and enjoy your time.

You've gone through a lot, and you sound like you've had a hard time with your mh. Relationship good or bad mess with that.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread