Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To be so ashamed of my husband causing a scene?

588 replies

Vaterinadf · 18/06/2021 19:51

It was so horrendous. We have 2 DC, 4 and 5 months. Yesterday we couldn't be arsed cooking and our 4 year old has never been to a restaraunt so I suggested we go to the local Pizza Express for dinner. 'D'H whinged about money. He is always complaining about money. Yes things are tight but we are able to stretch to the occasional treat as we have around £150 spare each month, but DH always gets in a tiff about it. I'm not regulary hounding him for treats, but the occasional "Ah shall we just get a takeaway for tonight?" will subject me to a half an hour long rant about how hard he works and about how I waste all his money. I work part-time but am on maternity leave. He reluctantly agreed to go.

As soon as we get in and are sat down, the whinging starts. "It's way too expensive, I want to go somewhere else, come on" (I was BFing 5mo at this point and didn't fancy traipsing around town for somewhere else to eat). I firmly said no, and that the DC will need to be in bed as soon as we get home and I'm not spending time wandering around.

Then he's rude and demanding to the waitress who was literally only a teenager. She asks if we're ready to take our order and we say yes. There's a technical issue with the order taking system she's using and she says "One second, sorry." and DH does a loud, extremely obvious tut that he clearly intended for the waitress to hear. The technical issue was sorted in literally seconds and was an absolute non-issue, the tut was just obnoxious and unnessecary. We then noticed her and another waitress kept glancing over our table so we'd clearly been marked as 'problem' customers. I've worked in hospitality previously and I've found myself risk-assessing tables before, so I felt awful. I did not want to be 'that' table.

I take baby to the bathroom to be changed and come back and the food is being served. DH again continues to just be rude and blunt. The waitress doesn't do anything wrong so he doesn't make complaints but I heard him say "No." (without a thank you) when the waitress asked if he'd like anything else. I thought that was rude. He whinges the whole time while we are eating about the food, the service, the decor etc. I didn't get to have a word in edgeways. The idea of a casual chat over a meal seemed to be lost on him. It was tense and I hated it. Even our 4YO could barely say a word over the monologue.

The waitress ends up dropping a fork on the floor when collecting our empty plates and is extremely apologetic and clearly nervous. DH again tuts and says that he's found the service disgraceful and it's horrendous we weren't offered a high chair for baby (Baby is 5 months ffs, the high chair at home is still boxed up so he was just looking for anything to complain about! It was quite obvious that baby was too young for a highchair so of course we weren't asked.). We ask for the bill and I tell him I think he's been absolutely disgusting and I'm ashamed of him and tell him to go and get the car. He then leaves but starts whinging and being sarcastic, saying crap like "Sorry for breathing." He's gone by the time we get the bill, it's a different waitress to the one who served us. I go up to the one who served us, apologise profusely and give her a £10 tip.

We argue about it when we get home and then he started the pity party about how he is depressed. I'm not saying he makes up his depression, but he only talks about it when I'm upset with him for something. "It's my depression that makes me like this!" and yet he never seeks help. I would never, ever say he just uses depression as an excuse but surely it is now his responsibility to seek help? He's a completely unpleasant human being and I dread him coming home from work every day. He is not the man I married, who I loved. He was kind and loving. I mean it, so kind. Everybody told me I'd got a goodun with him. I miss that man so much. He changed after first DC but has been absolutely insufferable since our recent baby. I don't know what to do. I enjoy being at home during the day with my 2 little ones, and then once DH comes through the door suddenly there is an unbearable tension.

OP posts:
DifferentHair · 19/06/2021 23:36

I'm sorry you're in this situation OP. It's incredibly sad and unfair to you and your DC.

I'd be giving DH an ultimatum- marriage counseling or separation. Let him pull that 'oh but I'm depressed' defence on a professional who will obviously respond by talking to him about a treatment plan.

It's not your duty to be treated like crap because a man has depression he refuses to treat. That doesn't cure depression.

HarrietPierce · 19/06/2021 23:36

Robin233

"Being parents is a complete game changer. It's not easy.
I do hope that's cleared that up for you."

Oh thanks for that robin . I must have missed that gem when bringing up 3 children single handed on a budget that allowed for far less than £150 at the end of the month and no savings.
So patronising.

Couchbettato · 19/06/2021 23:37

[quote Robin233]@mathanxiety
So because I offered a different view to you.
Told I'm wrong am I not Allow to express a opinion?
I only wanted to help op.
I did not mean to offend anyone.
[/quote]
Your opinion is dangerous because you're not only offering it as an opinion but as an instruction to the OP.

And it's wrong.

It goes against anything and everything my therapists have ever told me about abuse, about avoiding abuse and about spotting abuse, and about recovering from abuse.

You've been present throughout this entire thread pushing an agenda that OP needs to stay and make her marriage work when she's been the only person making it work full stop.

She can't make her husband change. Stop putting that on her. It's dangerous.

Pumpkintopf · 19/06/2021 23:41

He was out of order op and I agree with pp who say he was probably doing it on purpose to make sure you didn't ask to go out again.

A good father should want his dc to have lovely experiences to be honest, not to spoil or veto everything.

RealhousewifeofStoke · 20/06/2021 07:27

@converseandjeans

realhoysewifeofstoke

Where is the facepalm emoji when you need it..,,,

Sorry I probably haven't expressed what I meant properly. I don't think OP can rely on her DH. She needs to get her independence back so she can decide what she does with her money.

Unfortunately not everyone can afford to be a SAHM (I couldn't) & the amount spare they have probably isn't really enough to have meals out.

Her husband's behaviour is totally out of order. He was rude and nasty.

I think OP should consider if she wants to be with him.

She isn’t a SAHM. She’s on bloody maternity leave!
RealhousewifeofStoke · 20/06/2021 07:30

@wewereliars

Your updated post just proves your complete lack of understanding of the issue.
This.
Sadiecow · 20/06/2021 07:34

@Robin233 it's not his money it's their money! So OP has a right to how it is spent also. One meal in four years is hardly frivolous.

Also that doesn't excuse his acting like a complete cunt, does it?

As for suffering from depression, sorry that doesn't wash either. Four years and he's never sought treatment? Just whenever he acts. badly he plays the I'm suffering from depression card? Nope sorry that's bull shit! It's not a reason at all. It gives people suffering with depression a very bad name.

Also the stress and pressure of children has made him this way? Jesus poor little man. It's called family life, it's supposed to be a (mainly) wonderful experience.

He's a complete nasty bully, simple as.

Not only to his family but to a waitress who was merely doing her job! Do you think that had that been an older fit and big bloke he would've spoken to him like that? Or would his depression have made him act like a reasonable person then?

SallyCinnabon · 20/06/2021 08:23

As for suffering from depression, sorry that doesn't wash either. Four years and he's never sought treatment? Just whenever he acts. badly he plays the I'm suffering from depression card? Nope sorry that's bull shit!

Especially as his ‘depression’ only seems to mean he takes it out on women (OP has said as much).

If he was truly depressed it’d effect his relationships with everyone and mean he’d act like this with work colleagues too (he doesn’t)

This and the fact he called it his money because OP is on maternity leave (carrying his baby I assume) just makes him a misogynist.

Sadiecow · 20/06/2021 09:17

*Especially as his ‘depression’ only seems to mean he takes it out on women (OP has said as much).
*
Yes exactly, it's that type of depression!

KurtWilde · 20/06/2021 10:20

[quote Sadiecow]@Robin233 it's not his money it's their money! So OP has a right to how it is spent also. One meal in four years is hardly frivolous.

Also that doesn't excuse his acting like a complete cunt, does it?

As for suffering from depression, sorry that doesn't wash either. Four years and he's never sought treatment? Just whenever he acts. badly he plays the I'm suffering from depression card? Nope sorry that's bull shit! It's not a reason at all. It gives people suffering with depression a very bad name.

Also the stress and pressure of children has made him this way? Jesus poor little man. It's called family life, it's supposed to be a (mainly) wonderful experience.

He's a complete nasty bully, simple as.

Not only to his family but to a waitress who was merely doing her job! Do you think that had that been an older fit and big bloke he would've spoken to him like that? Or would his depression have made him act like a reasonable person then?

[/quote]
I agree with every word of this.

FunMcCool · 20/06/2021 12:52

Op what stuff do you spend the spare £150
Ok if you’re not allowed to say have one meal out a month? Or take the kids to a farm? What are you allowed to spend money on?

converseandjeans · 20/06/2021 12:56

realhoyewifeofstoke

She isn’t a SAHM. She’s on bloody maternity leave!

Fair enough - whatever OPs position he's obviously not happy about paying for fun things. At no point have I said he was behaving appropriately. He's not - he's a knob. But if he's been like this for four years I can't see him improving or changing. OP either sticks with him and keeps things the same, leaves him, or goes back to work so she can decide what to spend money on.

It sounds like he's not what OP expected. But there are so many threads like this,

Sadiecow · 20/06/2021 13:02

@converseandjeans what do you mean OP needs to go back to work? She's on maternity leave and therefore would appear that she is going back to work? She's worked in between children?

So why doesn't she get a say in how the money is spent?

Sadiecow · 20/06/2021 13:05

@converseandjeans and even if she wasn't going back to work, she should still have a say how family money is spent!

Honestly, she's not going out on the lash and leaving the family behind is she?

KurtWilde · 20/06/2021 13:43

@converseandjeans OP also works part time. It's not HIS money, it's THEIR money.

And for the last time - I hope - it isn't just about money. He spoiled a day at the beach and that was FREE. He's sapping the joy from what should be a time of making a few happy memories while the kids are small.

converseandjeans · 20/06/2021 17:20

sadiecow
kurtwilde

I haven't said it's acceptable. I'm not defending his behaviour. He obviously doesn't feel this way & is giving OP no say in how family money is sent.

It's financial abuse & he's controlling her.

What solution do you suggest? I only suggested going back to work to give OP more independence. It's not unheard of for women to go back to work.

What do you suggest? She continues with no money for any fun?

converseandjeans · 20/06/2021 17:23

kurtwilde

OP also works part time. It's not HIS money, it's THEIR money

Yes I agree but her DH clearly doesn't operate the same way we do in our relationships.

What do you think OP should do about her controlling and tight fisted partner who is nasty to women in general?

MadameOvary81 · 20/06/2021 17:28

This is a quote from Women's aid...

Coercive control is an act or a pattern of acts of assault, threats, humiliation and intimidation or other abuse that is used to harm, punish, or frighten their victim. ... We campaigned and succeeded in making coercive control a criminal offence. This has marked a huge step forward in tackling domestic abuse.

Please don't put up with this, if not for your sake, for you kids. I had a Dad who used similar mental abuse tactics and let me tell you, life isn't fun in a household where you walk on eggshells. The minute my Mum and I heard the key in the door, signalling he was home, we both froze, wondering what mood he would be in. We would then get out of his way until he left the house again. It's a miserable existence, love. Don't let it be yours.

Sadiecow · 20/06/2021 17:34

What solution do you suggest? I only suggested going back to work to give OP more independence. It's not unheard of for women to go back to work.

Ffs @converseandjeans she's not given up work!!!

Are you not able to read and comprehend?

KurtWilde · 20/06/2021 17:34

I suggest she gives him an ultimatum and if he doesn't step up, sort out his self diagnosed depression and take a good long look at his behaviour, then he leaves - or she does.

Millions of us manage quite well as single parents, and there may not be much left over at the end of the month but there's still treats and we aren't made to feel shit about it. And there's no financially abusive stroppy man child to contend with day in day out.

I gave a man like OPs DH way too many chances to sort himself out, but all I really did was make my kids' lives miserable and waste years of time and effort on him.

Maybe OPs husband will do what needs to be done, maybe not.

Sadiecow · 20/06/2021 17:37

@converseandjeans and why does that excise him for being a total cunt to the waitress? Was it his "depression" ?

Absolute bollocks he's depressed!

Sadiecow · 20/06/2021 17:39

Excuse not excise

converseandjeans · 20/06/2021 17:42

sadiecow

Ffs @converseandjeans she's not given up work!!!

Are you not able to read and comprehend

Yes I can read! I haven't excused the husbands behaviour. I don't think you can read as I have been supportive of OP. Her husband sounds horrible!

I simply suggested going back to work ASAP - to gain some independence from a controlling and coercive day rather. It's a way of getting away from him. It's really not that bizarre a solution.

converseandjeans · 20/06/2021 17:44

sadiecow

Where have I supported the DH & excused him being a twat? He sounds horrible. I don't think he's depressed either so I concur with you. I don't know why you're being argumentative 🤷🏻‍♀️

converseandjeans · 20/06/2021 17:46

kurtwilde

Yes I agree an ultimatum is needed. OP needs to decide if she wants to stay with him. Personally I think she would be better off without him.

Swipe left for the next trending thread