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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:
peboh · 18/06/2021 21:34

I'm terms of money £150 a month leftover isn't a lot. Are you saving money monthly, or is the £150 after all your bills and other outgoings not including savings?
Could money be a contributing factor to his mood? Like he doesn't like spending because he wants to save, and you'd rather spend?

I think you need a serious sit down with him and lay all your cards out, he can lay his out and then you can decide wether to move forward in your relationship, or leave and find a situation better suited for you.

Mrbob · 18/06/2021 21:35

I was suicidal at one point. Still wasn’t a dick to anyone.

Leave him. Unless you want your children to also be horrible inconsiderate humans when they grow up because they think it’s normal.

As an aside I think there are few things that demonstrates someone being a truly shitty person better than being rude to wait staff

Robin233 · 18/06/2021 21:35

@peboh
^^
Seriously well put.

Labradooodle · 18/06/2021 21:36

You poor thing. He sounds so horrible :-/

Onlinedilema · 18/06/2021 21:36

If it was my dd your husband Spoke to like he did the waitress I would call him a cunt to his face.
A fucking rude cunt at that.

shouldistop · 18/06/2021 21:36

I would give him an ultimatum that he seeks and accepts help for his depression or you'll leave him.
I only say to give him this chance as you mentioned how lovely he used to be.

giantwaterbottle · 18/06/2021 21:37

So sorry OP. He sounds awful! How utterly sad for you that he changed so much for the worse.
The thing that really jumps out as well is him complaining about you spending "his" money. That is not ok! I really think you should leave him, even just for a short amount of time, maybe it'll shock him to change.
Also as PP said, maybe a really good heart to heart about how he's changed.

baldafrique · 18/06/2021 21:37

Men who bully waitresses are scum

DragonDoor · 18/06/2021 21:38

I’m so sorry about your evening. It sounds very uncomfortable tbh.

He doesn’t appear to understand currently that he is part of a family unit, not just an individual weighing up how good value the prices are on a restaurant menu.

Mental health conditions such as depression can sometimes make people quite insular, but to use it as an excuse again and again indicates he could be loosing a sense of perspective.

You say he refuses to get help. That must be very frustrating, as you are on the outside looking in. In this scenario, you can begin to feel helpless, but He needs to buck up his game.

I wouldn’t go as far as saying LTB at this moment though.

It’s not your responsibility to find solutions for him, but one suggestion I have is to reframe things when you are talking to him.

If he says it is ‘ my depression that is making me like this’ you can acknowledge that is how he feels, but then at the same time make it clear that your view is that he as to now seek support, not for himself but for his family- this is having an impact on you all.

You can reassure him at you are there for him, but make it clear that you are not a mental health professional, as you partner you will support him, but it’s now become clear that he needs to take care of his mental health and at least reach out to professionals to find out what’s on offer.

Toebean · 18/06/2021 21:39

Ltb seriously... your 4 year old is absorbing this and your baby will soon.

flowerbell2020 · 18/06/2021 21:40

Op I completely understand what you're going through. My relationship changed so much when I had my dd. He became mean, snappy and obnoxious. Life was unbearable. Like you I would love being at home with my dd in the day and dread him coming home from work not knowing what mood he'd be in. I stayed because I felt trapped, had no money and nowhere to go. I'm now 3 months as a single mum after finally getting the courage to ask him to leave. It's hard but so worth it. I don't miss him. I don't feel anxious anymore. It's me and my dd and I couldn't be happier. I finally realised my self worth. You need to do what's best for you and your dc. It's hard but there is a lot of support out there. I really do wish you the best and hope things improve for you Thanks

TurquoiseLemur · 18/06/2021 21:41

@Southwestrunningmum

It’s brutal having 2 under 4 and when you work and then evenings and weekends don’t seem as relaxing.

He was clearly rude but the root cause is he is probably struggling/sleep deprived etc.

Are you show that finances are not bad at the moment?

Can you try chatting to him?

Being at home with two pre-school children is also work.

Chances are the OP is also struggling and sleep-deprived. This affects almost all parents of small children to some extent, not just fathers.

If someone is struggling, etc, they need to seek professional help.

You're making excuses for this man. As if you think men can't be expected to behave any better. He spent the evening sulking like a small and tantrummy child and was rude and unpleasant to restaurant staff who, from the sounds of it, were doing their best. Not acceptable.

iklboo · 18/06/2021 21:47

It’s brutal having 2 under 4 and when you work and then evenings and weekends don’t seem as relaxing.

He was clearly rude but the root cause is he is probably struggling/sleep deprived etc.

Are you show that finances are not bad at the moment?

Can you try chatting to him?

OP works part time, too. Unless it's at night she'll be sleep deprived too, especially as she's BF the baby. She's home with two under fives much more than he is and presumably does a lot of the housework & wifework as well. But he gets a free pass to be rude & obnoxious - and only to women, as OP has confirmed. Bollocks.

She's tried 'chatting' to him. He's still the same.

Vaterinadf · 18/06/2021 21:48

I wouldn’t take the DC anywhere that would cost money while he’s at work. I’d absolutely love to, we live near a big city and there’s so much for little ones but I’d be dreading DH’s “How much?” as soon as he got home from work.

Since baby has been about 3 months we go to the park during the day and sometimes I meet in Costa with a friend, but I’m always getting the absolute cheapest possible drink etc.

I know a spare £150 isn’t very stable but we do have £3k in an emergency fund. We rent as well so don’t worry too much about house repairs. If something big came up and the £150 had already been spent we would cope. I feel like I’m existing and not living. My daughter is very young but I want to be able to do nice things with my little boy. He starts school in September and I’m sad that I’ll have missed that special time of having him at home during the week. Whilst we’ll still have weekends it just feels like a missed part of his life.

OP posts:
StrictlyAFemaleFemale · 18/06/2021 21:49

I try to not to post ltb as a response so I will ask you this: is this how you want your children to grow up? With zero fun? Hes not interested in changing so the only one who can change the situation is you.

whynotwhatknot · 18/06/2021 21:50

Being depressed doesnt make you rude to servers etc-thats an excuse and a poor one

hes got worse since you had kids just sounds like he wants attention all on him-tosser

Gilly12345 · 18/06/2021 21:52

I would be firm with him and tell him that he acted like a spoilt child and stop being such a boring kill joy, suggest that he seeks help for his depression as he is not good company.

me4real · 18/06/2021 21:52

@Robin233 It is the current year. The 1950s is a while ago now. Women and children no longer have to stay in situations like this.

flossletsfloss · 18/06/2021 21:52

Oh god this is so sad. I'm so sorry for you OP, this is no way to live and certainly no way to live for your children. 💐

whynotwhatknot · 18/06/2021 21:54

I dont think the money is relevant op says the whole mood changes when he comes in from work-nothing to do with going out for a pizza

MobyDicksTinyCanoe · 18/06/2021 21:54

He sounds like a misery arse.... However I think stressing about the realities of not having much money is adding to that.. If I had £150 spare each month meals at pizza express wouldn't be taking up any of it!

KurtWilde · 18/06/2021 21:55

[quote me4real]@Robin233 It is the current year. The 1950s is a while ago now. Women and children no longer have to stay in situations like this.[/quote]
Agree. And OP does contribute to the finances, I can't understand why some posters seem to be ignoring that fact and acting like all the strain is on her husband and she has no right to want to do things with their DC!

Aquamarine1029 · 18/06/2021 21:56

Fucking hell, your husband is just a miserable, abusive, horrible arsehole. Please don't allow your children to grow up around this.

Melitza · 18/06/2021 22:02

@Vaterinadf during summer pack picnics and get your ds to choose two teddies and go on a Teddy bears picnic.
One day tell ds that he can pick a colour eg. Red and that day you will wear red clothes, eat red food etc.
Invite a df round with a similar age dc and let them run round in the garden.
Do baking with ds. Let him make a mess.
Buy a cheap child's fishing net and take him to a stream to 'fish.' Or play pooh sticks.

Having fun doesn't have to cost money.

And open an account in your own name and put a few pounds a week in for treats for ds.

CaptainBarbossa · 18/06/2021 22:04

He has robbed you of those special years, how are you not angry? I would be so angry. Obviously you can't undo that now, but you have another little one. In 4 years time are you going to be in the same position?

It sounds like your 4y olds life has not been limited by access to the small amounts of money that can facilitate lots of fun, but through that not being prioritised. IMO that is financial abuse. To make such a fuss about money that your wife and child feel unable to spend a few quid on entry somewhere while you're at work? That's just bitter and mean. When I had very little money, I would make sure to budget for fun. They are only kids once. The cheapest drink in costa and park trips sounds like such a limited life for you and your DC.

If you LTB you might only have £20 a month to spare for activities instead of £150, but you will get a say over that £20. And £20 could be a day out (if you bring packed lunch anyway 🤣) or a meal out on a cheap place with deals or a set menu (or even just McDonald's it's still a trip out to enjoy).

Any man who makes you feel that unable to go out and spend any money without justifying it is being controlling towards you. He is stealing all your fun and joy and all those special memories. Can you stand up to him? If you feel unable to then you really need to leave him.