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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:
Sharpandshineyteeth · 26/02/2019 17:51

I am going to make a prediction that if you seperate from him then most of your anxiety would disappear. It’s sounds like he’s
Keeping you in a constantl state of worry over his moods

lottiegarbanzo · 26/02/2019 17:52

FWIW I suspect you did marry too young, for him at least and he wants a few years of freedom, before settling down with someone else.

You're still young enough to have all your options open too. I'd suggest you follow his example.

mayathebeealldaylong · 26/02/2019 17:57

It isn't that you married too young it's the fact he's married and doesn't want to be. So if you had married him 5 years later and he had the chance to do more shagging that would make him feel happier now?... bs!!!"
I'm all for working through relationships and having low times but he's an arse.
I think you need to think about YOU! What can you do in this situation, not how you can work with him or help you with him. He's doing what he likes and that's not a relationship. Sorry op what a horrible mess for you

NerdyBird · 26/02/2019 17:58

I agree with the others, he wants to end the relationship but doesn't want to be the one who finally does it, despite his awful behaviour. He probably needs to be able paint himself as the wronged party in his and others eyes.
I think you would be much better off without him.

amusedbush · 26/02/2019 17:58

It sounds like he wants out of your marriage. He has cheated on you twice and was horrified when you said you wanted to stay together. Then he decided to threaten to leave if you don't have a baby immediately. Now it's this travelling thing.

He is tell you loud and clear that he wants to leave - let him.

FlyingTingTing · 26/02/2019 17:58

The last time he cheated, I left and packed my bags and went to my mum's, thinking it was over.
I was so angry.
After a few days I started missing him like crazy it was insane. I knew he'd done wrong but it didn't stop those feelings.

Am I pathetic? I must be mustn't I?

OP posts:
SassitudeandSparkle · 26/02/2019 18:01

I bet he hasn't booked anything yet, but make sure he does. Start telling your friends and family that he is leaving. Watch him back pedal. Don't let him!

TheABC · 26/02/2019 18:01
  1. Gather up all paperwork
  2. See a solicitor
  3. Start looking at separate iving arrangements. Safeguard your finances.
  4. Agree with him it's a fabulous idea to go travelling alone! When you both get back, you can sort out the separation details.
  5. Book your own holiday.
Sallycinammonbangsthedruminthe · 26/02/2019 18:02

He sounds like he is being honest OP....I am sorry but you are hanging on to something thats finished. This isnt a marriage its killing you both.He is so over the relationship I dont know how he could make it any clearer to you....So sorry it must be horrible for you but you have to face facts.Look after yourself x

LordVoldetort · 26/02/2019 18:03

Am I pathetic? I must be mustn't I?

No, you just love your husband.
I would try and sit down and tell him the reasons why you don’t want him to go and ask him to be honest about if he wants to be with you as his behaviour is suggesting he wants out.

You cannot have a child with a man who one minute doesn’t want them, the next minute wants them but wants to go travelling. Has he mentioned prior to all this (in the early days) that he wanted to go travelling?

CrispbuttyNo1 · 26/02/2019 18:03

He wants out. But hes too much of a coward to tell you and wants you to be the one who ends it.

Folf · 26/02/2019 18:05

What do I do?

Run the fuck away as fast as you can.

Your marriage is over, get rid of the prick and get on with your life.

Purpleartichoke · 26/02/2019 18:08

I left my selfish man-child of a spouse at 30. It was terrifying, but it is the best decision so ever made.

I now have a wonderful spouse and a child.

Please get out of this mess before you are tied to him forever with a child. I feel so lucky that my ex and I had did not have children. Decades of co-parenting would have been misery.

Kathulu · 26/02/2019 18:09

You're not pathetic OP. You're scared, and that's ok. Change causes stress and anxiety and sometimes it seems easier, but not better, to push aside any negative feelings and plod on regardless.

He's not happy, he's showing you he's not happy and you have to believe what he's showing you. Let him go, it will hurt like hell, you will be scared, you will question every decision you make. But his behaviour is affecting your mental health. He's looking out for his. You have to look after yours.

Dimsumlosesum · 26/02/2019 18:12

It's like he's looking for/been looking for any action over the years that will force you to leave him. I.e the much beloved cowards way of getting out of a relationship. Get rid of this waste of air and energy. He's poison. He's cheated on you, verbally abused you, and treated you like you're nothing.

lunabody · 26/02/2019 18:14

No, you're not pathetic, but you do sound scared to be alone. It's totally understandable - it sounds like you've been with him your entire adult life?

Let him go / leave him - he's messing you about left right and centre, has done for several years, and shows no signs of stopping. You will have way more stability and potential for happiness without him. Yes, you'll miss him at first, and then it'll pass. The first few weeks will be the worst, like there's part of you missing, but it won't feel like that forever, and you'll find strength and awesomeness that you never knew you had Thanks

Heybreya · 26/02/2019 18:14

I really feel for you but it sounds a lot like he simply doesn't want to be married to you any more. I think you need to try to find the strength to leave and thus rip the plaster off quickly. He's just putting you through agony by delaying the inevitable. Flowers

Springwalk · 26/02/2019 18:18

The travelling is a red herring, this relationship is over, he just doesn’t have the courage to tell you,

Why are you allowing anyone to damage your mental health so much?
Yes you will miss him, but you grit your teeth stay busy and get through it op.
Please do not ever consider having a child with this man, esp given he already feels ‘trapped’ (short hand usually for wanting to be free to meet others)

Gather your dignity and LTB for good this time 💐

Horsemenoftheaclopalypse · 26/02/2019 18:18

what do I do

Categorically

  • DO NOT HAVE A CHILD WITH THIS MAN (unless you want one and are prepared to raise it alone - emotionally and financially)
  • LEAVE
starting over now will be so much easier now (even though difficult) vs in 10 years.

And the harsh realty is your real won’t survive another 20 years no matter what...

FlowersFlowers good luck

YouokHun · 26/02/2019 18:18

*The last time he cheated, I left and packed my bags and went to my mum's, thinking it was over.
I was so angry.
After a few days I started missing him like crazy it was insane. I knew he'd done wrong but it didn't stop those feelings.

Am I pathetic? I must be mustn't I?*

No you’re not pathetic but you sound like you’ve spent a big proportion of your adult life in a difficult relationship and perhaps your mental health would improve rapidly once you move on? I think that you should do what others have said, say ‘go and travel’ and use the distance to sort out the practical as theABC says, but also to sit down and do a real cost benefit analysis of what the pros and cons long and short term are of staying in this marriage - I suspect you’ll find the cons of staying will be a long list and the only cons of leaving him will be the initial feeling of loss/missing him that you describe, but that WILL pass. Your mum must be in the picture? So seek real life support; surround yourself with people you trust and tell them what’s been happening. Do it now, not next year, not in 10 years because it WILL get harder to do.

BlimeyCalmDown · 26/02/2019 18:19

You need to take control of your life/destiny and leave him.

He has already emotionally left you but for what ever reason (guts/know how?) he hasn't physically left you. At best he might be willing to keep you waiting in the wings incase he doesn't find an alternative whilst travelling. Sorry to say all this, my heart really does go out to you but this is going to need you gather all your self respect and courage and kick him to the kerb, he is essentially already doing this to you but making it long and agonising. Even though right now it seems impossible you can and will move on and look back on this feeling angry you didn't leave sooner. There is a better life waiting for you but you need to go through this shit first, you can do it. xxx

BlimeyCalmDown · 26/02/2019 18:20

I've actually read a novel about his very situation but can't remember the name of it.

FizzyGreenWater · 26/02/2019 18:21

I think counselling would be a very good idea, to explore why you feel so dependant on an unpleasant cheat of a man who basically brings nothing to your life except selfishness, criticism, childishness and lack of support.

Do it now, so that (I hope) you ditch him in time to not miss out on a chance of children and happiness with someone worth it.

Has it occurred to you that you have been put into a state of such permanent slight anxiety and unhappiness with this horrible man as a life partner, that you kind of think you can't stand for one more bad thing to happen, and so you keep trying to shore things up?

When the real truth is that if you got rid of him, the root causes of how horrible you feel would be gone.

You've been with him since you were a teenager, too. So you've really never experienced that happy sense of peace and contentment that comes with being partnered with someone who respects you, cares for you, makes you feel secure and happy.

This is a case of short term pain for long term UTTER gain.

Get rid.

This man is just awful and will make you sadder and sadder.

1moreRep · 26/02/2019 18:21

listen to him- he wants out of the marriage - let him go, you deserve so much better

BlimeyCalmDown · 26/02/2019 18:21

*this not his