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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:
Hurr8cane84 · 18/06/2021 22:07

Abuse ramps up when a woman is pregnant/just had a baby. He probably feels 1) you can't leave so he can treat you any way he likes and 2) annoyed that kids are taking your attention away from him. He's not depressed, he's a selfish gaslighting twat and your little boy is already showing signs of livng in an abusive home. If you stick around your son will learn that this is how women should be treated and will probably start behaving the same way to you. I mean why not since it works so well.

Honestly, LTB.

diamondpony80 · 18/06/2021 22:07

I’d be giving him an ultimatum - sort himself out or I’d be gone. The kids don’t deserve to see that kind of behaviour or be influenced by it as they grow up. You shouldn’t have to be embarrassed by his appalling behaviour. Depression is a poor excuse for it. He may be depressed, but many people are and don’t behave like dicks because of it.

me4real · 18/06/2021 22:12

If I had £150 spare each month meals at pizza express wouldn't be taking up any of it!

@MobyDicksTinyCanoe Presumably you'd do something nice with it sometimes though, whatever you/your family prefer, not have your life 100% bleak? Pizza Express is expensive for what it is but that's not the point. Not everyone can afford to save at every phase in their lives.

Personally I consider a meal or snack out to be one of the greatest pleasures in life and I do it as often as possible.

@Vaterinadf Maybe discuss a budget with your husband for the extra bit of money, how it will be spent etc? I live on a low income- that's enough for you to do some things. You need something nice now and again.

When do you finish maternity leave? You shouldn't have to rush back to work before you want, but he's being such a PITA it might be nice to have more of your own money for you and your DC to do some nice little things in the week sometimes, more meals out (with him if you want and he promises to behave) etc.

But yes it's not even about meals out etc if he can be a twat or cause bad vibes at any time.

pointythings · 18/06/2021 22:19

Robin233 how long do you think OP should try with her husband? For the situation to improve, he needs to admit that he has a problem and that his behaviour is unacceptable - OP has already made it clear this isn't likely to happen. So what's your solution?

I spent almost 7 years trying to support my late husband, keep the family together, encourage him to seek help for his issues. It damaged my DDs. How much time should OP's husband have to damage his children with his behaviour?

Robin233 · 18/06/2021 22:21

@KurtWilde

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.
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!

^^
So did op pay for the meal from her part time maternity pay ?
Dh did not want to go out for expense fast food.
Maybe he needs better boundaries
He did something he did not want to do , for his wife and family.
That sounds like people pleasing to me. Which leads to resentment and passive aggression and, yes Depression.

It all to easy to blame the man.
But I have sons and there is always 2 sides to every story.

No it's not the 1950's but it seems whatever the problem it's the mans fault.

And there has got to be a better problem solving answers than the stock answer if LTB

KurtWilde · 18/06/2021 22:24

Pointy I did much the same with my exh, even took him back after quite a long stint apart where he was supposed to be 'fixing' himself. Ultimately all I did was put my kids and myself through further misery. And they don't get a do over of their childhood.

OP it doesn't sound like you want the marriage to end, but something needs to give. Whether that means he gets proper treatment for his depression or not, you and your DC will always be walking on eggshells if the current status quo remains.

Chamonixshoopshoop · 18/06/2021 22:25

He sounds fucking dreadful.
This is not new information for this thread.
Just joining the overwhelming amount of people who have said this to ensure we get through to you.
You've got one life, there are no do-overs. You deserve better and he isn't normal, he's a dick.

Chamonixshoopshoop · 18/06/2021 22:30

Oh and I agree with other posters, I've had depression and not once was rude to a waitress because of it.

Robin233 · 18/06/2021 22:31

@pointythings
I'm sorry that was your experience.

I think op needs to get to the route of the problem.
Is her dh stressing about money?

I couldn't enjoy expensive fast food if money was short

You need to be on the same page.

My ex dp would spend his last £10 and not worry - it was a nightmare
Never had any money.

Luckily my dh thinks the same way as me , so when the kids were small and I was part time we rarely had meals out.

Now we could eat out every night if we choose .
We are luckily but I still remember £50 spare at the end of the month being a fortune.

KurtWilde · 18/06/2021 22:31

Robin if their finances are pooled its THEIR joint overflow not just her husbands. Are you saying OP and her DC should have to stay in and do nothing because the husband doesn't want to go? Seriously? Or go without him? In which case she may as well be a single parent. She may have less money that way but at least she and her DC won't have the joy sapped out of them day in day out. It's clearly NOT just a one off about pizza express.

Handsoffstrikesagain · 18/06/2021 22:33

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

ArabellaScott · 18/06/2021 22:35

OP, I'm so sorry. No better advice than has already been given, just wanted to send Flowers.

notsogreenthumb · 18/06/2021 22:36

I just realised OP your son is 4! You've been putting up with this for 4 years? Have you never spoken about things changing? Or have they just been snowballing out of control? 4 years is a very long time for someone to behave like this. Whatever happens I think one thing is very clear. You both need a chat.

lastqueenofscotland · 18/06/2021 22:38

£150 a month is insanely tight I agree with that, but a small amount on the DC being able to do fun things (like once in FOUR YEARS have a pizza) is not unreasonable.

billy1966 · 18/06/2021 22:42

He sounds like absolute scum and I can't imagine you wanting tonbe around him.

First off, can you reach out to family and friends for support.

He is dominating you and your children with his misery.

It will be a horror of a home to grow up in.

I think you need to see what your options are before you shock him with the information that you want him out of your life.

Stop tolerating him and accepting his lectures.
You NEED to return to work to protect yourself.
Flowers

Robin233 · 18/06/2021 22:44

@KurtWilde
Well if they can't afford it.
Yes.
£150 a month spare isn't a lot.
Fast food is notoriously expensive.
It certainly isn't worry get into debt for.
Dh didn't want to go. There must be something they can do together as a family for fun that they both want to do.

lastcall · 18/06/2021 22:45

He's just an arse. imagine pretending to have mental health issues every time you're called out for rudeness/bad behaviour, behaviour that is only directed at women, including OP.

I'd start making plans to go. Get your ducks in a row. You'll be happier without him

SilverGlitterBaubles · 18/06/2021 22:46

I agree with@Robin233 regarding funds being tight if only £150 to spare each month. A meal out even in a Pizza Express is not cheap. That's not to say that the OP should deny herself and DC treats or to excuse his behaviour but financial pressure could be a factor.

Rainbowsew · 18/06/2021 22:46

So sorry for you, I'd be ashamed too being seen with him behaving like that.

You are quite right when you say the onus is on him to get help though if he is depressed there is only so much support you can give if he won't help himself.

Think about the example the kids are being setby this behaviour.

ARealHoliday · 18/06/2021 22:47

It’s thrown about a lot, but in this case LTB.
He is sulking he’s no longer getting attention, this isn’t depression, he’s just horrible.
You’ll feel better in your own and enjoy being in your own home.

me4real · 18/06/2021 22:48

My mum finally left my dad when I was about 18 (she had an exit affair.)

If she hadn't left him I don't think I would've seen either of them much as an adult.

She was a different person when married to him too- cold, and never stood up for me when he treated me badly. She felt she had to give a 'united front.'

After she left we finally saw her real, caring, personality.

SilverGlitterBaubles · 18/06/2021 22:48

Was he like this before you had DC OP? Has he got a history of depression?

SilverGlitterBaubles · 18/06/2021 22:50

@Vaterinadf

Before the kids we would go out often. It changed after the kids.
What changed? Is it your financial situation?
SaltAndVinegarSandwiches · 18/06/2021 22:52

If I had £150 spare each month meals at pizza express wouldn't be taking up any of it!

I'm not that bothered by Pizza express either but OP is hardly wasting all their spare cash on fruit machines is she. If she likes it and wants to give her 4 year old the experience of eating in a restaurant, why not?

cauliflowerkorma · 18/06/2021 22:52

Your son sent you a message this evening. He went mute during the treat you wanted for him due to his fathers poor behaviour.

What are you going to do with his message? How many more times will he need to be bullied into silence before change happens.

What is his father teaching him about behaviour and how to treat people?

What are you both modelling about family life and relationships?

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