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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

I'm so angry!

24 replies

helppl · 19/03/2020 23:21

Me and DH have been together 5.5 years, married for nearly 4. We have two young DC and I have one older (primary aged) DC from a previous relationship.
My oldest DCs dad was abusive. We communicated mostly by email since our separation. However, around Christmas we were at a school event and managed to have an amicable conversation. My oldest was there and commented that it was nice that we'd talked like friends, and I felt very guilty. My own parents divorce was less than amicable and I sometimes bore the brunt of that.
So I decided I would try to update the way we coparent. I discussed this with DH and had a meeting with ex to sort this. We have both moved on, and were able to speak maturely about our DC. I am confident we can coparent more amicably (whilst I always maintain a healthy boundary, remembering he has a dark side and what I went through.)
Since then, we've largely kept to text message/email as before, but occasionally if there is a lot to discuss we can speak on the phone. All fine.
However, I have noticed an increasing dissatisfaction of this from my DH.
A couple of days ago, I spoke to ex on the phone about sorting his contact arrangements due to changes with Coronavirus. Again all was fine and got sorted quickly and easily.
Last night me and DH fell out. He had asked about the phone call (he was aware it was going to happen) and again got stroppy about it. When pushed, he announced that he thinks I "still have feelings" for my ex. Out of fucking nowhere.
I have always been trustworthy, loyal and loving, even through some very difficult times when he hasn't treated me brilliantly.
I have been totally transparent about this. I have said when I'll need to speak to ex, what about etc. whether it's by phone or text. Ex and I have spoken on the phone less that a handful of times. It then transpires that DH has checked my phone for a previous phone conversation and was angry that we'd spoken for 20mins. We had to discuss DC going on holiday, some changing around of contact, and school progress.
DH and I have barely spoken since, despite all of the stressful things happening recently. Tonight he came upstairs to show me some work he's been doing. I tried to talk to him about my worries around home educating my oldest and managing my younger two. He immediately starts barking questions about whether I've spoken to ex in light of announced school closures. I calmly said I'd like to finish what I was saying first, he refused and said that my oldests schooling is "nothing to do with him and I need to speak to their father about it." My DH has been in my oldests life since they were three, and has always been a welcome big part. I have never excluded him from anything.
I tried one more time to state that I have no feelings for my ex (if I'm honest the suggestion is insulting given what I went through, DH knows this.)
I said that I was not going to be controlled by anyone around who I speak to, that this arrangement is better for my oldest and that my/our children will always come first. I also said it was crazy to be throwing a marriage away over some ridiculous jealousy.
He maturely (!) replied that losing the marriage wasn't that tragic anyway.
I'm so angry. Am I in the wrong here?

OP posts:
Leaannb · 19/03/2020 23:24

You are definitely not in the wrong. He is being a twat and starting to exhibit concerning behaviors in reguard to your oldest
Is telecounseling a thing in the UK?

shinyredbus · 19/03/2020 23:27

Good god - your dh is an fucking idiot. What are his redeeming features?

OhioOhioOhio · 19/03/2020 23:29

He's winding you up and watching you go.

Sorry. Been there. Done that.

Watch. Wait. Leave.

Or get rid of him.

DamnYouAutoCarrot · 20/03/2020 00:02

Ask yourself honestly, if the shoe was on the other foot. Would you react in the same way? Or would you be mortified if you did?

Idontkowmyname · 20/03/2020 00:10

You don’t have an ex problem you have a dh problem. Lots of red flags. So sorry op

Onandonandons · 20/03/2020 01:11

You're not in the wrong. He's being controlling and jealous. Has he displayed any other concerning behaviours?

Astella22 · 20/03/2020 01:53

Sounds like he perhaps has a guilty conscience about something especially since this has all come from no where.....maybe check his phone...

Aquamarine1029 · 20/03/2020 02:17

You left one abusive man and married another. You just haven't admitted it yet.

Travis1 · 20/03/2020 02:24

Wow he’s a cock and a half. I couldn’t live like thaf. This will not get better

Thepigeonsarecoming · 20/03/2020 02:30

Op abuse can come in different forms, you know your first husband was abusive and you’ve taken measures and sensibility moved on. However it seems you’re now in a relationship were everything is happy as long as you conform and don’t do anything that upsets your now partner. I think you need a break

Idontownatoiletpapermountain · 20/03/2020 03:34

Sorry op I agree with Aqua. He's just another abusive man.

TiggerOfThigh · 20/03/2020 03:42

I agree this isn’t right. However, I’m going against the grain here.

You say that DH has been in oldests life since they were 3, so I’m guessing years?
Is it possible that he thinks that he’s no longer important in decisions? You used to communicate via email, maybe discussed decisions with DH before/during emails back and forth.
If it’s suddenly all sorted in a phonecall and he’s then just informed, maybe his nose is out of joint and he’s sulking?

If that possible, maybe make the next call when he’s around? On speaker? 3 parents making decisions? Or even if he’s just listening?
If that’s definitely not it, try to make sure you start making provisions to leave, just in case. Separate bank account, copies of documents etc

HelgaHere1 · 20/03/2020 06:09

No doubt DH is being unreasonable. But this is quite a sudden change.

Isn't DH reassured if you assure him that these long calls are one offs because of the situation.
To leap to the conclusion that he is abusive and you must leave seems a bit extreme - but maybe you will always choose abusive partners.

What about some proper conversation for a start.

FirmlyRooted · 20/03/2020 06:53

This doesn't sound good at all, it's really immature and childish behaviour. You're definitely not wrong, in fact, you're doing something good for your child and being responsible and mature. Your DH should be supportive for the sake of DS.

DH is probably suffering from a bruised ego, sadly many men can't deal with their partner becoming more independent and it sounds like he's punishing you for it. Probably in the hope that you will give in and cut contact with your ex.

ChewChewIsMySpiritAnimal · 20/03/2020 06:54

You've jumped out of the frying pan into the fire.

Cocoandclive27 · 20/03/2020 06:57

What a complete tool. You've tried to be improve things for the sake of your dc and your dh is punishing you for it.

Boulshired · 20/03/2020 07:05

Trying to see it from his point of view and finding a reason for his horrible behaviour the only thing I can think of is insecurity. He may find it strange that you have gone from emailing an abusive ex to talking on the phone for 20 minutes. Especially if you have confided to him about the abuse, to let the abuser slowly back in your life has set alarm bells in his mind. But none of this is an excuse though for his behaviour. But maybe an honest conversation could save this relationship.

Washyourhandsyoufilthyanimal · 20/03/2020 07:41

He’s showing abuse I’ve traits. Is the really a one off or if you look closely are there other signs?

Washyourhandsyoufilthyanimal · 20/03/2020 07:42

Wow that made no sense let’s try again. He’s showing abusive traits. Thanks autocorrect!

MordredsOrrery · 20/03/2020 07:51

When you say DH hasn't treated you brilliantly, can you give any examples? It might help give an idea of his behaviour up until now

helppl · 20/03/2020 10:41

Thank you all so much for your replies. Sorry if I'm a bit slow, I have two little ones at home so getting some quiet time on here is a bit tricky.
I think you all make really good points, and it's probably why I'm so angry. It felt like, if I had said "yes ok I see your point, I'll stop the phone calls" he'd have been happy with that. That's not what's best for my oldest, who will benefit hugely from having parents who can been civil with each other.
I can also understand a pp's point about him finding this difficult and feeling insecure. I do get that, it's why I've been transparent and tried to talk things through, but I can't do that if he just gets shouty and then shuts me down.
In answer to pp, the difficulties have been largely around his lack of communication skills. He will just get cross, rant, then won't talk about it for days. It's exhausting. I very nearly left because things just got so difficult, but he put huge effort into recognising the issues and trying much harder....until now.
He hasn't been possessive before, but in fairness we don't really live a life where he'd need to be. I work part time but in the same place as him (different department) and we don't really go out much due to small children. He's a good dad, can be very funny and loving and is a very committed family man. This mean streak is definitely an unwelcome development....

OP posts:
TerrorWig · 20/03/2020 10:55

He’s being an absolute twat.

And no, I wouldn’t be placating him but making sure he’s included or whatever. When he can act like a mature adult you can treat him like one.

Incidentally - I’m step mum to an 18 year old. I’ve been in his life since he was three. It’s nice when I’m included in the important things but it doesn’t matter when I’m not included in the specifics.

NoMorePoliticsPlease · 20/03/2020 11:04

He is behaving badly but I guess it may be because he has been seriously derailed by the changes in your relationship with your ex. He would prefer it if he were out of the equation and the children relayed first and foremost to him. This needs some serious conversation without anger. I think first it must be acknowledged how unsettling this is for him, and how can you work together, that you are not getting back with your ex but in the light of your own childhood need to think of the children. Let him have his say entirely until he has finished. As the advice goes " Seek first to understand, and then to be understood" in any conflict. Otherwise the other person cannot hear you. Negotiate, dont confront. Ask him how can you make it work so he can accept it

helppl · 21/03/2020 16:26

Thanks for replies.
Things are very difficult. There's been no improvement since the fall out, we've barely spoken (he's not even really acknowledging me) and because of the current coronavirus situation I'm at home with the kids constantly which is feeling very lonely. He isn't working this weekend (we work in healthcare, me pt him ft) but he went out food shopping this morning for four hours, came home, put it away and went out in the garden for two hours. Back inside and he's off out cycling. Meanwhile I'm stuck inside with two small kids, one who's not yet a year old and another who's preschool age.
I have to collect my oldest from my ex later, again he asked when this was but didn't want to discuss anything else, was rude and left. He isn't interested in how I'm going to manage work with no childcare (grandparents usually cover this) and said it's my problem as without his job we aren't paying the mortgage.
I'm gutted. I think pps were right and this is another abusive situation. I didn't see it before because there were no jealously issues to contend with, but now another side of him has come out. I'm going to be unable to leave the house for months and he's now pretty much checked out of family life. I'm exhausted, my youngest is very difficult to get to sleep at night and doesn't nap reliably during the day, I've got to try and homeschool so I don't let my oldest down and my preschooler is high energy and very difficult to manage without lots of activity and stimulation.
Sorry for the rant. I'm so tired. I'm feeling rather desperate.

OP posts:
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