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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Aibu- dh deflecting all decisions back to me

78 replies

Tiredandfedupofitall · 27/12/2019 22:44

It’s driving me mad, and I don’t know what to do about it. DH will deflect every single decision about everything to ensure that anyone but himself is r esponsible for it.

It’s so innocuous, each individual query alone. Do you want me to put the bins out? Do want to try Ds’ phone Vr headset? (I wouldn’t have a clue). Do we want to invite xx round? Do you want me to run ds a bath?

I don’t know how he has managed to hold down a good job, when he can’t take responsibility for a decision. But he has.

Can you see, how innocuous it is? He says ‘do you want me to run ds a bath?’ Well, yes, that would be useful as you know full well its ds’ bath day so you could just go up and run it. But, no bother, I can do it myself.

Do we want to try out the headset we’re giving as a gift to make sure it works? Well, yes, we could, but I was assuming you had the tech knowledge to do that. I don’t, so we can’t. ‘Do you want me to put the bins out?’ Well, no, I’d rather pay someone to do it. But, if you’re offering to put the bins out because you notice it’s actually bin day they need doing , that is great.

I know the examples I’ve given aren’t great. It really is innocuous, one example at a time makes hi sound d so considerate and loving,

But, honestly, every decision that dh has to make, he makes it because he puts the responsibility of that choice onto someone else. He never, ever, ever makes a decision of his own. Ever.

If you think I’m being unreasonable, maybe I’ll log all of the decisions he offloads for a week, then come back and post them in context. Honestly, he doesn’t take responsibility for any family decision. Meaning everything that goes wrong is my fault, as it wasn’t his decision,,..

What do I do?

OP posts:
DontDribbleOnTheCarpet · 27/12/2019 23:40

I get this. Every decision has to come from me and I have no peace, ever. It really isn't sexy, is it?

I don't know how to stop it, I'm afraid. I've tried everything I can think of and none of it has helped. The only real difference is that now he is much more aggressive towards both me and the children.

orangeisnotmycolour · 27/12/2019 23:43

To be honest, I make so many decisions at work that I'm all decision-ed put by the time I get home.

DH asks 'what do you want for dinner', I say 'I don't care, do what you feel like' cos I truly don't care what I eat when I come in from work, I just need feeding. He's the cook in this house so I just let him choose. Bowl of cereal would be fine!

I do make decision about the important stuff and the stuff that's blindingly obvious, like putting the bins out or laundry on. But things where there's a genuine choice, like what are we going to eat...nope sorry I'll eat whatever, you decide.

Not sure if that makes me lazy but sometimes I just can't face making any more decisions.

mediumbrownmug · 27/12/2019 23:43

My dad does this to my mother. My DH used to do this with me, too, until he got fully sick of my responses: Let me use my X-ray vision to see, from here, which bin needs to go out even though you’ll be outside in literally two seconds and are also a functioning adult; Sure, I’d love nothing more than to hand hold you through yet another eye wateringly simple task even though you manage at work just fine; I can just take care of that for you, darling, and don’t worry I’m already planning on aiming for you later; etc. Funnily enough, it didn’t last long. Must’ve been a phase. Grin

LionelRitchieStoleMyNotebook · 27/12/2019 23:44

DH used to do this,

MeTimeInProgress · 27/12/2019 23:45

This is my life! My DH does the same.

I now repeat the questions word for word back to him so he can see how annoying it is.

Butterymuffin · 27/12/2019 23:46

So, if it’s wrong, it’s my fault ;(

Is this what actually happens? So if something doesn't go to plan, what does he say?

RandomMess · 27/12/2019 23:46

How about

"I'm not in charge/the boss you
decide"

I think that clearly states you refuse to take on the responsibility for the decision?

LionelRitchieStoleMyNotebook · 27/12/2019 23:47

I would just answer with 'why are you asking me?' or just rephrase the question 'should I empty the cat litter tray', 'hmm I don't know, should you?'. Sometimes I'd just be really blunt and say 'there are two grown ups in this house, both are capable of making decisions' or just 'I'm not deciding for you' . He doesn't do it anymore

Tiredandfedupofitall · 27/12/2019 23:52

I try and deflect decisions back at him. But he simply won’t make the choice, I have tried saying ‘you decide’ ..., and then he asks dd what she wants! I don’t want dd to end up like me, giving answers to please her dad :(

Is thee a behaviour type that I can google? I can’t leave, I have to deal with it.

OP posts:
Whatdoingmummy · 27/12/2019 23:56

You have just described my DP, it drives me insane! When I give him an answer most of the time he replies with "but XYZ". Well why fucking ask if you've already decided. EG- Dp - shall we take the dog for a walk now or after we've been shopping? Me- After. Dp - Well i think we should go now because xyz 😠😠🤬

I've started shrugging or just saying "I don't know"

WillyWasAWatchdog · 27/12/2019 23:57

I also have this with my DH, part of it is lack of self confidence, he's worried I will say he made the wrong decision so it's easier for him if I tell him what to do. He's also very laid back about most things so if I try to push the question back at him his default answers (without even taking any time to think) are "I dunno" or "I don't mind". Very frustrating but we're working on it ...

WillyWasAWatchdog · 28/12/2019 00:04

OP have you ever wondered whether your DH could also be autistic? Might explain a few things (rigidity about table manners, poor executive functioning - ie decision making, difficulty putting himself in your / your son's shoes). Just a thought.

sugarplumtum · 28/12/2019 00:08

Put a Yes or No for a whole week.

Every time he asks a question just say YES,until realises your not deciding or he does something wrong

rudolfsquiffy · 28/12/2019 00:08

My DH dies this too, it's exhausting. No matter how I respond, he won't stop. I've asked, begged. No matter what I say, he just keeps at it. He says it don't want to get it wrong'

Most recent, asking him to give some paracetamol to Dd he shows me piriton and cough syrup and asks which one.

However, he will sort himself out for weekends away without asking me. Wanker.

It's just laziness.

My come backs are:
Why are you asking me
You decide
I don't know
Ask one of their parents (if it's about the DDs)
I'm not your Mother
You work it out
Read the instructions
Look it up yourself

We gave Dd a phone for Christmas, it was an old one. I asked him to sort out. He has owned the same phone for ten years but all of a sudden he was incapable of looking up how to reset it or put the new SIM card in. He moaned at me how hard it was, couldn't do it, then handed it to me 'you try' I said I'm sure you can work it out and he did, complain all the time.
But I just thought, 'you fucking useless bastard' to myself.

Pashola · 28/12/2019 00:08

Yes mine does this @Tiredandfedupofitall it drives me absolutely crazy.
(FTR We separated this year but due to circumstances he is back living here again)
He is a very capable husband, does his fair share and to be fair I never get any blame for 'wrong' decisions but is so bloody passive. Your examples are exactly what happens here..."do YOU want me to cook dinner?", "do YOU want me to put petrol in the car?", "do YOU want me to bathe the kids?" Etc etc, it makes me stabby

pjmask · 28/12/2019 00:14

I sympathise op. I get the questions after I've made the decisions too.
"Why are we walking on the beach when it's raining?"
"Why are we having a pub lunch when you said we're skint?"
"Why is dd still up"?

Infuriated me.

WireBrushAndDettolMaam · 28/12/2019 00:17

“I’m sure you can make that decision yourself”

Redcrayons · 28/12/2019 00:17

My ex is like this. So irritating. I think it’s so he can avoid any responsibility and make everything my fault. He also loved to play the poor hen- pecked husband routine when the reality couldn’t be further from the truth.

justgivememulledwine · 28/12/2019 00:24

I can totally identify with this. Everything had to be my decision until one day I flipped and told him I was sick of being the one who had to make the decision and consequently be blamed if it went pear shaped. Things have improved but I still get the ambiguous “ we should/could/will “ decision making processes because he can never commit to “ I could/should/will” until I force him to.

Savingforarainyday · 28/12/2019 00:24

My ex did this.

Meant he would always have someone to blame....

Sushiroller · 28/12/2019 00:32

I have had this. With mine it came from deferring to me due to him being super easy going combined with a fear of "being wrong".

I inadvertently reinforced / encouraged it I think. Blush

I didn't want it to go on so tackled it head on. I sat down and explained how exhausting it is for me and it needs to stop.
And that if i didnt live with him he'd have to make those decisions on his own so could he please wake up and do that.

Then I started with small stuff and gave forced choices in a kind/not annoyed way.
"How should I cut the peppers?"
"I am browning the meat and chopping veg so I need you to make a decision! Wink chopped or strips - either is fine!"
And then gave positive reinforcement.

Him"What shall we have for dinner?"
Me "Well what do you suggest?"
Him "I don't know"
Me "Well look and see what veg carbs and proteins we have"
Him "we have blah blah and blah... so we could make baked blah...?
Me "yes i like the spund of that! baked blah sounds delicious darling. What do you want me to do to help?"

I physically hand him the remote and say "i dont mind darling you pick something as i found the last film" and go make a tea.

I found once I nailed the small stuff it started failing into place and it is MUCH better now. Also when "bad decisions" are made that lead to spills/damage/annoyance he can get worked up but I am always super chilled and point out it really doesn't matter.... it's a £2 wine glass/we can clean the floor/polyfill the wall/ whatever... this has also helped I think...

Seeingadistance · 28/12/2019 00:43

My DF, now in his mid eighties, was always like this. My DM was able to deny his increasing signs of dementia for about 3 years on the basis that “he was always too lazy to think”.

A man who lived his life in such a way that his wife didn’t notice that he had fucking dementia!

Tell him to start thinking for himself!

Jamieson90 · 28/12/2019 02:55

Men do this because they're scared of getting shouted at for doing it wrong / stepping on your toes etc and it's usually based on prior experience.

If you want men to stop doing it then don't treat them like an idiot and accept there is more than one way of doing a task. Even if the job isn't done EXACTLY how you wanted done but is still done, then show gratitude and this will make him more confident and stop him asking you so much.

caranxy · 28/12/2019 03:14

Just one of the reasons I'm now getting divorced.. can't stand it anymore

Hellofromtheotherside2020 · 28/12/2019 04:28

Gosh, eyeopening - could be reading about my husband here.