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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:
OhDearGodLookAtThisMess · 31/03/2019 09:46

You've had some excellent advice from very wise-sounding people on here.
Yes, it feels very scary, but I PROMISE you, that you will look back on all this and think, "what was I doing, putting up with all that shit?"
ThanksBrew for you.

groovergirl · 31/03/2019 09:59

Daisychain, I'm the last person to suggest OP should race off and land some willing Y-chromosome in the sack. When my marriage ended I stayed single. I'd definitely recommend a man-free period for however long OP needs.
However, I do think OP is in her prime and now is her time to change the way she lives if she wants to.
OP, you might feel shitful now, but the stress of having supported a depressed, bad-tempered H for so long will dissipate, and you'll see happy times ahead. Good luck to you.

JenniferJareau · 31/03/2019 10:07

You need to find your self esteem and let him go. He constantly treats you like crap and you let him.

His leaving is a good thing

greeneyedlulu · 31/03/2019 10:14

I think you're both miserably unhappy and unwilling to admit to yourself that maybe your relationship has run it's course. I would start to seperate before you end up loathing each other!

Calzone · 31/03/2019 10:25

I know you are scared but in thong run you will be so much happier.

He sounds like hard work.

Calzone · 31/03/2019 10:26

*thong run 🤣🤣🤣

The long run

FlyingTingTing · 31/03/2019 14:21

Thanks so much for all your kind messages. I promise I'm going to read them all properly this evening.

So last week we sort of came to a compromise about the baby and the travelling by himself thing. He told me that "our marriage was more important to him" then anything. I assumed he meant it and was determined to move on.

Yesterday morning he did a complete U turn. Told me he can't live like this anymore and having a baby on his terms was more important to him, being free to live his life how he wants to is more important than our marriage.
I broke down crying because I honestly just CANNOT live like this anymore.
I told him he was being mentally cruel and a complete head fuck.
He basically said our marriage is a deeply unhappy one and it's best we go our separate ways. That I deserve a nice, mature man who will treat me properly.

Bottom line, he's moving out at the end of April into a friend of a friend's place.

I've been crying all night and this morning.
He's been crying on and off.

We still have to live together until then.

OP posts:
lovinglifexo · 31/03/2019 14:22

He doesn’t seem to want to be with you.

His cheating was most likely a way to get out

ShastaBeast · 31/03/2019 14:27

You do deserve a man who is mature and will treat you properly. You will be so glad of this in a year’s time.

It doesn’t make sense about the baby and travel - he wants a baby but to piss off and leave whenever he wants to travel? He’s a head fuck.

Try to think of practicalities. What’s your housing situation- own or rent. Can you afford it alone or will you need to hand in your notice and look for a new place. Fresh start, embrace it.

FlyingTingTing · 31/03/2019 14:41

I rent and it will be tight by myself but I think I can manage. If not then I'll have to find somewhere cheaper.

Would I be entitled to a single person council tax discount?

OP posts:
TooManyPaws · 31/03/2019 14:44

Is there anywhere either of you can go for a few weeks rather than having to live together for a month? That is just prolonging the agony when you need a clean break to get your head clear. It won't be good for your mental health either, given his ability to have several contradictory intentions at the same time, changing them at a whim.

Anyway, try to make practical plans about finance and housing - look to the future. Yes, give yourself time to mourn the relationship you wanted but didn't have, but look to the happier times ahead without all the pain and uncertainty that living with him brings in tow.

TooManyPaws · 31/03/2019 14:45

Yes, as soon as he moves out, tell the council.

HedgerowTree · 31/03/2019 14:53

Sorry he’s done this to you, but in the long run you will be happier with someone else I promise. The way he has behaved is not that if a normal loving partner

Meangirls36 · 31/03/2019 14:56

Why did you chase him after the first affair? It sounds like he hoped you got the hint. It's cowardly and shitty but some people are really bad at breaking up with People.

LIZS · 31/03/2019 15:21

Sorry but I think there may be an ow involved. His quest for independence but a baby to tie you down smacks of hedging his bets. Do yourself a favour and let him go, in fact he may as well go sooner and if he has to sofa surf so be it. Have things been financially normal or is there a sudden reduction in funds for bills etc. Nights out with friends alone, being uncontactable at times, away for work?

user1552403235 · 31/03/2019 15:29

No ifs or buts. Think of your own mental health and future happiness. You are still young. Maybe you don't think you are but believe me you are still young. Get out of that marriage as fast as possible. You only have one life on this earth and you are entitled to a much much better one than the hell you are living in now. See a solicitor immediately.

EleanorLavish · 31/03/2019 15:30

Who cares if there is someone else, you’re well rid OP.
Start planning a new life, it’s bound to be better without him dragging you down!
Start detaching now. Shop for yourself only. Cook for yourself only. Make plans to see friends and don’t tell him. And don’t wash his stuff etc. It’s best to get your mind set on the new way of life.
Onwards and upwards!
Flowers

AcrossthePond55 · 31/03/2019 15:42

Why does he 'have' to stay until the end of April? I know the housing situation is different in the UK than it is here (US), but why can't he find a mid-month rental or why can't he couch surf for a month, or even a couple of weeks?

Honestly, if it were me I'd tell him to leave now. If he knows that he's hurt you deeply and he's all that 'concerned for your happiness' he'd do it.

MitziK · 31/03/2019 15:47

He doesn't want to live with you, he made the decision, he is making you unhappy - but he wants to stay for a month to prolong the agony?

Fuck off. Stuff in a bin bag outside the front door and he can go 'find himself' somewhere else.

Aria999 · 31/03/2019 16:05

Oh OP, hugs. Make him leave now! You are better off out of this, don't take him back. 💐

RevealTheLegend · 31/03/2019 16:12

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

Just remember, that’s how a heroin addict feels. Doesn’t actually mean that taking heroin is a great idea.

I can predict how this will go. He will bounce out then crawl back and be a dick for a bit, then threaten to leave again to manipulate you some more. Stay strong, this is your big shot at freedom and a life of mental stability. Bin him off, and keep,the damn door locked.

Horsemenoftheaclopalypse · 31/03/2019 16:29

Yes you can get single person discount.

And massive FlowersFlowersFlowers
It doesn’t feel like it now but this is good.

Imagine if you had a baby and then he dumped this factbomb on you... you need to get a clean break and move on

ScruffGin · 31/03/2019 18:32

Kick him out now, no need for him to wait until the end of April, you're much better off without him.

Yes you can get single person discount, just ring the council when he's gone.

Happynow001 · 31/03/2019 20:54

He basically said our marriage is a deeply unhappy one and it's best we go our separate ways. That I deserve a nice, mature man who will treat me properly.
That's absolutely true. Next time he changes emotional direction or tries to bully or manipulate you REMEMBER THIS!! And quote it back.

Bottom line, he's moving out at the end of April into a friend of a friend's place.
I'd encourage him to move sooner. This is just too long to be living in such a tense atmosphere (for YOU!) He can go AirBnB if necessary or find another friend or family member where he can stay temporarily before his new room is available.

In the meantime do not sleep in the same bed as you are so vulnerable and do not stop your birth control (remember he's still messing you about having a baby). He can sleep on the couch until you can get him out.

Would I be entitled to a single person council tax discount?
yes. Contact the council when he's gone and apply.

JellyBellyyyyyyyyy · 31/03/2019 21:44

@FlyingTingTing I'm so sorry you're going through this.

Your husband is being emotionally abusive; hes made you unhappy for a long time, betrayed your trust and I imagine also shattered your self esteem.

You're so much better than this.

You deserve 100 times better than this small man.

Focus on yourself - do what you need to do to get through the immediate aftermath, and then focus on your future.

Pack his things while he's out and change the locks. Where he stays is now on him, you do not deserve to live like this for a day longer.

Talk to friends and family if you can, and if not stay on this thread.

We're all behind you.

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