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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Is this controlling?

7 replies

SpringTime2020 · 20/02/2020 22:42

I've NCd
I've been with my DH for 4 years. We have a DD (1) and I have an older DD (7).

I'm not sure quite how to explain this. We both grew up in quite disfunctional families where our DFs were abusive. Very strict and DV with our DMs. We are both very against violence - wouldn't lay a finger on the DC and he says he'd never lay a finger on me (and hasn't). Despite us being able to look at our backgrounds and realise we don't want the same I think we both have some ingrained thoughts/behaviour that we do without thinking. For example I can be quite critical about the house not being super-tidy when I get stressed. He says things to me sometimes which sound to me like 'his dad talking' if that makes sense - in that they are things his dad would say to him and his mum. Sometimes he will tell me to do things (usually out of genuine caring for me like making sure I take my medication) and if I don't do it he'll say to me 'do as you're told'. If we get into a disagreement he will sometimes tell me to 'behave myself'. Tbh I grew up with my DF telling my DM, me and siblings this too so in the moment it doesn't strike me as odd and I will usually back down. But obviously looking at it from a different perspective later on I think it could be seen as him being controlling/treating me like a child. The thing is I haven't actually raised it with him and this sounds really silly but I feel a bit embarrased about it and like he'll say 'well if you behaved and did what you were told I wouldn't have to say it'. Even though I think we're both good at discussing things and noticing behaviour/patterns we don't like and working to change. I have to admit when stressed I can regress and act quite child like so maybe I invite it? I just wanted insight as to - would this worry you? Is this behaviour I really should deal with to keep our relationship healthy? I sometimes struggle to know what is 'normal' or not due to my upbringing, I think.

OP posts:
Notajogger · 20/02/2020 22:45

Yes that would worry me, no it's not normal. I would tell DH where to shove it if he said those things to me.

billy1966 · 20/02/2020 22:54

"Behave yourself"..."do as your told"....from your husband?

Adult to adult.

Yes OP that is controlling and completely inappropriate.

That type of language has absolutely no place in a healthy relationship.

And if you are nervous to bring it up with him, that is even more unhealthy.

Pumpkintopf · 20/02/2020 22:56

You're not a child or somehow inferior to him. You are a fully autonomous adult. Make him speak to you as such.

CSIblonde · 20/02/2020 23:06

Yes it's controlling. He's infantilising you, so you're the naughty child & he's the adult. That's not an equal, adult relationship. Growing up with abuse whether emotional or physical can normalise it & set a template for children's future relationships even if they're intelligent, articulate, self aware etc. I'd seek Counselling so you can address it & before your children start noticing.

pallisers · 20/02/2020 23:21

He shouldn't say it - but he is probably repeating his childhood script of how a man talks to his wife.

You shouldn't tolerate it for a second. You shouldn't worry about saying "hey I'm not a child here". But you are - probably repeating your childhood script of what a woman takes from her husband.

Maybe he is a bad guy and that is why he says this and you are afraid to speak up. Or maybe he is an ok guy with an inadequate means of relating to his partner and you are a nice woman without the ability to call him on it - all because of your fucked up childhoods.

You will have a better idea than us which it is. If you say it to him and he shuts you down, that is very bad. But my understanding is, you don't call him on it - at the time or later.

Maybe some counselling for you both - separate and together eventually?

SpringTime2020 · 20/02/2020 23:34

Thank you, everyone. Counselling sounds a good idea.

I think it is like a script from his childhood. I think he tends to say it when stressed and more on autopilot. I think if I raised it he would take it seriously - we talk about other things. I think I need to work out why I'm allowing this.

OP posts:
DesignedForLife · 20/02/2020 23:49

That’s not healthy adult conversation. As others have said I think you should both seek counselling to work through unhealthy attitudes from the past.

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