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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Was just screamed at... But maybe I need to accept it?

239 replies

Sophia878 · 25/11/2019 13:42

Hi all
Complicated one I guess. Partner has just screamed at me for about 10 mins. Whilst 6 month old is in her high chair. Tensions are fraught as his dad is terminally ill. He has had to leave work in tears today and is going to visit them 3 hours away as his dad has taken a turn for the worse.
I've been as supportive as I can be, haven't asked for anything and just been there for him. I've done all the caring for our daughter and have been making sure he had what he needs. I've offered to go with him but he says no.
Last night he was really snappy with me, obviously I just accepted it, he's going through hell. I took baby to bed to give him space and he spent the evening slamming doors and generally making me aware he's annoyed. (he snapped because I turned the channel when he was watching something even though he was watching videos on his phone and laughing).
I had plans today but he needed collecting from the train station, I went no problem and then he snapped at me again whilst we were discussing his dad. (I don't understand the situation enough and the suggestions I was making weren't good ones).
We've come home and I've taken daughter for a nap. I've stayed with her so she can sleep a little longer.
His snapping at me is a bone of contention in our relationship, he does it frequently and when I get upset he accuses me of playing the victim and that 'he's always in the wrong'. If I ever do anything I apologise but he seems to forget that and I apparantly act like I'm always in the right.
So I came downstairs after her nap and didn't say anything. He then followed me upstairs and put his arms out for a hug. I said 'look I don't want a hug right now I think we just need a little space from one another' he then screams 'well my mum has just told me my dad's been admitted to hospital and has swelling on the brain! So thanks!'
I said 'hang on I would have given you a hug if I'd known that!' then he continues screaming. Then, and this is where I know I'm in the wrong, I've said 'that was quite manipulative, why didn't you tell me that when I just downstairs?'. This really set him off and he screamed so loudly for about 10mins right by me.
I told him that I was as supportive as I could be but that everyone had a limit to how they are treated. Thing is, I've let so so so much' slide', Ive taken plenty on the chin as I know how devastated he is with his dad (he's been unwell for 3 years). I've tried so hard.
Did I deserve that? I don't even know. He's left now and I'm not sure when he's coming back from his parents. I won't message him as clearly that's not what he wants. I don't know if I've been totally unsupportive and should just accept the way I'm treated? Sorry if this is disjointed, just getting my thoughts down.

OP posts:
EmmiJay · 25/11/2019 14:12

I know 'they' say we hurt the people closest to us because they will 'always' be there but he needs to calm tf down. Theres a baby in his presence. Its sad about his father but he needs to keep a level head and realise he's not angry with you but the situation so he has to wind it in a bit.

GreenEyeBlueEye · 25/11/2019 14:13

Oh I’ve just read the part of the “hug” sorry I missed that. Well that’s emotional blackmail Op. I can’t stand that, how immature

Beveren · 25/11/2019 14:13

No, you don't deserve any of this, and your child especially doesn't deserve to hear it. If, as I suspect, he manages to avoid screaming in people's ears at work, he can avoid it at home.

ThatsMeInTheSpotlight · 25/11/2019 14:16

It sounds as though his behaviour is appalling but this isn't the point where I'd be drawing lines I'd have drawn them before now . But I'd let a lot slide atm because his father is dying.

The idea that you'd hug him if he gave you a sad update on his DF, but wouldn't hug him otherwise shows poor boundaries and lack of care in every way. I think you need to tease out your feelings for him and decide how much support you can give him in light of how much you resent his behaviour. Then stick to your decision. Clarity will help you both.

plightofthealbatross · 25/11/2019 14:17

Then, and this is where I know I'm in the wrong, I've said 'that was quite manipulative, why didn't you tell me that when I just downstairs?'. This really set him off and he screamed so loudly for about 10mins right by me.

Actually, you weren't in the wrong. You were absolutely right. He is being manipulative and vile, and using his dad's illness as an excuse. And this has been going on for quite some time by the sounds of it ... all three years?

People go through terrible things. People watched loved ones go through terrible things. Every day. But most people don't use it as an excuse to berate and abuse people who love them. Frankly, I think he's showing you who he is: someone who feels he can mistreat his wife because he's unhappy, scared, under pressure or whatever. and that's just not on.

I would tell him he goes to counselling immediately or you're out.

Vulpine · 25/11/2019 14:17

Funny how thousands of people manage not to scream at their partners when they have a terminally ill parent - its no excuse

Harriett123 · 25/11/2019 14:17

My mother in law is terminally ill and has been for about 8 months now. In and out of hospital has careers and were currently preparing for what will probably be her last Christmas.
My partner might occasionally be a bit quite and withdrawn when I know hes thinking about it or stressing about careers however he would never snap at me in the way you are describing.
Honestly what your describing sounds more borderline abusive. It goes back to the usual domestic abuse statement that if he can control him temper at work /around friends then he should be able to with you. Hes treating you like an emotional punching bag.

Tensixtysix · 25/11/2019 14:17

He needs to grow up!

BumbleBeee69 · 25/11/2019 14:18

Do not give fucking LEEWAY to anyone screaming in your face.. I don't care who is dying ?! that is not acceptable or appropriate behaviour ?!

Annasgirl · 25/11/2019 14:19

I just want to reiterate what @Beveren said - he is not shouting at people at work (why because it is not acceptable and he can hold it in ) so he should not be shouting at you.

he is abusive OP and his father's illness is no excuse for his behaviour - and I say this as someone who has supported Dh though his father's terminal illness while we had 2 toddlers and also went through my parent's terminal illnesses - and never did this, although I did shout about something I immediately apologised.

You can be grieving without being aggressive.

TheTrollFairy · 25/11/2019 14:19

He’s being a dick.
I get that his dad is unwell but it doesn’t mean he can go around treating you like dirt

hammeringinmyhead · 25/11/2019 14:20

The idea that you'd hug him if he gave you a sad update on his DF, but wouldn't hug him otherwise shows poor boundaries and lack of care in every way. I think you need to tease out your feelings for him and decide how much support you can give him in light of how much you resent his behaviour. Then stick to your decision. Clarity will help you both.

I think it was a test, and it absolutely was emotional blackmail. My ex boyfriend did this once. Emailed me to ask how I was doing, I didn't reply as we were NC and he then went "My grandma is dying, thanks for your support" etc.

Doingtheboxerbeat · 25/11/2019 14:20

Hi Op, I'm sorry for him having to go through this but it also sounds like you can't win, whatever you do. Give him space and he'll accuse you of ignoring /neglecting him in his hour of need.
I think you need to keep an eye on this and monitor how supportive he is of you when you're going through stuff.

Mix56 · 25/11/2019 14:21

He still laughing at facebook/other. & seconds later you are the whipping boy
Sounds like he is just a nasty piece of work

Aquamarine1029 · 25/11/2019 14:23

Your husband is an abusive prick. His father being ill has nothing to do with it. You have to decide if you want to live your life as his personal punching bag. I also hope you are aware of how damaging this is for your child. His abuse is going to affect her for the rest of her life.

Owlsintowels · 25/11/2019 14:24

I can be a bit of a snappy arsehole when I'm stressed, especially with family stuff.
I always make sure I warn DH when I'm in that sort of mood and explicitly tell him that I apologise in advance and I'd appreciate a bit of leeway.
Then if I do act like a nasty bastard to him I apologise afterwards and tell him I really appreciate him being understanding and not picking me up on it. I've got nothing of the magnitude of death in my family going on, but some pretty big stuff still. I think a calm explanation when possible is necessary from him, regardless of what's going on you deserve to be treated with love and kindness

Charley50 · 25/11/2019 14:25

Completely unacceptable and abusive. I would have kicked him out by now. You and your baby will be happier and less scared.

Sophia878 · 25/11/2019 14:25

Thank you for your responses. I have read them all. I just feel like I don't know what I'm meant to do? I've been with him for 5 years and his snappyness is definitely something that we argue about a lot. When I get upset he accuses me of 'playing the victim' and then just rants at how he is always a prick etc etc. I've told him once before how it feels like gaslighting and quite emotionally abusive. Just now before he left he said 'Yeh and I'm emotionally abusive too.. And now manipulative'..
I just found the whole hug situation manipulative but as I said I've let so many things slide when his dad's health hasn't been great.
Thing is, if don't message him etc. He will turn around and say I was unsupportive when his dad was dying.
I've just messaged him a very simple 'can you let me know when you get there OK please and also let me know how your dad is'. He's just sent me a text exchange with him and his mum as his way of updating me.
I'm not messaging again. Im still shaking from being screamed at. If I was screaming at him (I wouldn't in front of my daughter and wouldn't generally) then yes, I suppose I'm giving as good as I'm getting but I was literally stood preparing her food while he screamed.
I think maybe this is space we need.

OP posts:
Mammatino · 25/11/2019 14:26

Oh dear. It's not acceptable at all. Yes it's an awful situation and I suppose asnap at a loved one can happen at any point when we are frustrated or cross. Then we apologise as we shouldn't take our shitty feelings out on people, we don't carry on screaming and manipulating. You turned the channel over whilst he was laughing at his phone. He is using you as his emotional punch bag "I feel shit so I will make sure DP feels shit too". Normally I'd tell him to get to fuckery. Not acceptable he needs telling, he's a father too.

diddl · 25/11/2019 14:27

" 'Yeh and I'm emotionally abusive too.. And now manipulative'.."

Well yes, he is, so what's he going to do about it?

hammeringinmyhead · 25/11/2019 14:28

Him sarcastically saying he is a dick, doesn't mean he isn't being a dick. Tell him so next time he starts that up (and yes it is gaslighting).

champagneandfromage50 · 25/11/2019 14:29

Sounds like he has always been like this and the stress of his dad is making him worse. He is a manipulative bully. My DH has cancer and my mum has it, I didn’t become and aggressive angry manipulative ass when my mum was ill or when my dad died. My DH has been awful to me but he is trying to deal with being diagnosed with two cancers and is scared. I give leeway but he gets told to cut it out if he starts being nasty....

yasle · 25/11/2019 14:30

Manipulative and you were correct to tell him so.

He only screamed afterwards because you called him on it. What he wanted was for you to feel guilty for not hugging him.

He sounds really horrible. It is terrible to deal with family illness and death, really fucking horrific. But he has used it as an opportunity to manipulate you. If you had been having disagreements and then he got bad news, a normal person would have said, my dad has swelling on the brain, please can we just forget about the arguments for the moment and have a hug.

endofthelinefinally · 25/11/2019 14:31

His behaviour really isn't acceptable.
DH and I have been through the prolonged illness and death of our respective parents and the horrific death of our eldest child.
Only once have we had a shouty argument. Then we both apologised to each other.
Your DH isn't being fair.

BumbleBeee69 · 25/11/2019 14:32

OP he really is a manipulating piece of shit isn't he... he's using his Dads illness to abuse you even more, and expects you to accept it, or your 'just playing the victim' Hmm what a prick...

You will feel this behaviour escalating too.. becoming his new 'Normal' .. as his rages get worse and worse.. please don't accept this...

Please consider what is best for you and your child OP... and bless you and take care of yourself at this difficult time.. Flowers