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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

What is his problem? Arsey DH. Am I the problem?

101 replies

Aboutreadytopop · 17/10/2021 19:07

I'll give full context so bare with me.

I'm 39 weeks pregnant and have 2 young DC. I've been SAH for the past 3 months as I have SPD, painful hernias and rely on crutches so could no longer do my very physical job that requires me to be on my feet all day walking between places (I'll be returning to work later). I have a DH who works 4 nights a week.

We don't have a tumble dryer so we take our washing to the laundrette on the next block, 2 mins walk. DH has taken on that job for the past few months because I can't lift heavy bags of wet washing.

Despite my limited mobility I have been doing 99.99% of the housework (I'm nesting like crazy so if there's something I can do, I will gladly do it and then some)

DH worked last night (but has two nights off in a row now) and we had the mundane "what do you fancy for dinner" conversation this morning when he got in as we don't have much in because we do the food shop on a Monday.

He said he wanted a fry up which we didn't have ingredients for. I said if he wants a fry up he'll have to cook it when he's up as it's too much faff for me and I'm indifferent. He said sure. My DM who was visiting at the time kindly offered to go to the supermarket and pick up what was needed so I didn't need to hobble down there myself. He says sausages, bacon, beans etc.

He goes to bed for his 7 hours sleep and all is fine.

During the afternoon I put a wash load on whilst cooking the kids tea, no expectation that he needed to take it across to be dried today as we have racks it can sit on until tomorrow.

6pm comes and he gets up. As soon as he hears the washing machine on his mood changes and he's clearly in a strop.

He starts his fry up. He then moans about the lack of oil we have left and the fact the tin of beans doesn't have a ring pull so he has to open them with a knife. I said they were the only ones the shop had when mum went, he then replies "well personally I would have left it then"

so what was my DM supposed to do then, then?

No gratitude for the fact she went out of her way to go shopping for us, it's all shit because the beans don't have a ring pull.

It's now clear he's regretting the fry up and feels inconvenienced. I asked why he asked for one in the first place on a Sunday knowing we don't have much in. He said it's because I'm a fussy eater and he couldn't think of anything else I might want.

(I eat plenty btw. I'm not that fussy at all - infact I took out a subscription to simply cook because he moaned that we always ate the same stuff, then he moaned about that and said the meals were shit and not filling!)

Eventually I ask him what his problem is as his mood is starting to grate and he starts listing off all these inconveniences.

The washing machine being on which means he has to take the laundry across. The fact we have to do a food shop tomorrow and he hates doing food shopping and it's inconvenient (we both go together btw, me crutches and all)

He even throws in a moan about how he usually has to take the kids to nursery on a Monday, which is null and void because they're off for the next month so no nursery runs nessecary. He has been doing the nursery run, to his credit, but it's only when he's off work and not due in to work.

Then he says there's too much to do, including bathing the kids.

I tell him he doesn't need to take the washing over today it's not nessecary, I remind him the kids aren't even at nursery, I'll bath them and if he doesn't want to do the food shop tomorrow then that's fine we don't need to and I'll do an online shop instead.

He responds with silly excuses about how my solutions to his perceived problems won't work and says I'm escalating things into an argument (by offering solutions to things he's annoyed about?!)

After going round the houses for 10 minutes I've excused myself to sit in the bedroom as I simply can't be bothered with his mood.

I would love to switch places with him and be back at work, not stuck indoors all day anxiously awaiting a c-section (which I'm really scared about to be honest)

So do you think I expect too much of him? Which is absolutely sod all in my opinion, short of minute contributions toward the running of the home (drying washing 2 x a week which I didn't even expect him to do today) and child rearing (dropping the kids to nursery 2 mornings a week when he's not at work!)

Your take please mumsnet.

OP posts:
Aboutreadytopop · 17/10/2021 23:35

@AutumnLeaves21

Meh I disagree with the women vs men comment. My opinion wouldn’t change if the roles were reversed. I wouldn’t lug wet washing anyway after waking up from nights. Sleeping in the day is totally different to sleeping at night and is usually broken sleep and disturbed. I’m fit for nothing between night shifts.
He wasn't expected to lug wet washing anywhere after waking up. I certainly didn't expect him to take it over tonight. He assumed I did, I set it straight and said no not at all - it can sit on the racks until tomorrow. No rush nessecary.

Only that wasn't good enough for him and he went on to find fault in an array of other things, including the inconvenient fry up he suggested himself.

OP posts:
NewlyGranny · 17/10/2021 23:35

He's not asking you for solutions when he's grumbling and moaning; he's venting and enjoying having a moan. By offering eminently practical solutions, you're thwarting him.

When he moans, you can basically switch off and just go "Hmm, Ooh, That sounds a right pain," from time to time. Give yourself a break.

It's fine to ask him, "Do you want suggestions or do you just want to vent for a bit?"

He's probably worried sick about you but finding alternatives to focus on as distraction.

Aboutreadytopop · 17/10/2021 23:36

He’d still have to cook, clean, shop and wash clothes for the kids he 50% created though!

He'd be morally obliged to yes, whether or not he'd do it is another matter. I'm not filled with faith that would be the case if he's so overwhelmed with what little he's expected to do at the moment when I'm here doing everything else.

OP posts:
ThePoisonousMushroom · 17/10/2021 23:37

I don’t get why people are blaming you for the washing situation either OP. He is equally as able to sort a solution as you are.

Aboutreadytopop · 17/10/2021 23:38

@TatianaBis

He doesn't like the fact they send substitutes that he wouldn't nessecarily choose himself if they don't have the requested items in stock, he says.

He can tick the ‘no substitutes’ box then.

Ah but he wouldn't want to tick that box because insert whatever silly excuse springs to his mind first Wink

that would also rob him of his right to moan

OP posts:
Aboutreadytopop · 17/10/2021 23:39

@ThePoisonousMushroom

I don’t get why people are blaming you for the washing situation either OP. He is equally as able to sort a solution as you are.
Absolutely!

I've mentioned getting a tumble dryer a handful of times and he says no don't waste money because there's no space for one.

The dehumidifier we have, I sorted out.

I'm the problem solver of the two of us, he just likes complaining and giving reasons as to why my solutions won't work.

OP posts:
StaplesCorner · 17/10/2021 23:40

So really all the OP needs to do is buy a tin opener and a tumble dryer, stop being such a wimp about her SPD, hernias and pregnancy and simply find out how much more she could do to accommodate the poor stressed hubby? Perhaps her DM could help the poor stressed hubby too - I mean FFS the old bat bought the wrong beans. Sheesh. How much more can this guy take?

StaplesCorner · 17/10/2021 23:41

Oh hang on, cross posted, PSH (Poor Stressed Hubby) doesn't want a tumble dryer. In which case how dare the OP consider a tumble dryer, christ this woman is just piling on the stress for him.

burnoutbabe · 17/10/2021 23:44

I had a vented tumble dryer in my bedroom or spare room and just opened window and stuck the vent out when using. Love it compared to the washer dryer I have now which leaves everything a bit steamy.

Aboutreadytopop · 17/10/2021 23:45

@NewlyGranny

He's not asking you for solutions when he's grumbling and moaning; he's venting and enjoying having a moan. By offering eminently practical solutions, you're thwarting him.

When he moans, you can basically switch off and just go "Hmm, Ooh, That sounds a right pain," from time to time. Give yourself a break.

It's fine to ask him, "Do you want suggestions or do you just want to vent for a bit?"

He's probably worried sick about you but finding alternatives to focus on as distraction.

I do lend a sympathetic ear when he needs one. I'm very supportive of him in general and that includes his need to vent sometimes.

It's not nice when he's causing an atmosphere in the house though. I have alot on my plate too.

He was deliberately nit picking at me today, not just in general.

Blaming the inconvenience of the fry up on me to give one example, claiming he only suggested it because I'm a fussy eater.

It was me who came back to him after some time had passed, to resolve things and ask if he was ok.

I didn't even receive a courtesy "I'm sorry for being grumpy" which is what I would have said if the shoe were on the other foot.

OP posts:
Aboutreadytopop · 17/10/2021 23:46

@StaplesCorner

So really all the OP needs to do is buy a tin opener and a tumble dryer, stop being such a wimp about her SPD, hernias and pregnancy and simply find out how much more she could do to accommodate the poor stressed hubby? Perhaps her DM could help the poor stressed hubby too - I mean FFS the old bat bought the wrong beans. Sheesh. How much more can this guy take?
Oh that did make me chuckle. Thank you Grin
OP posts:
ThePoisonousMushroom · 17/10/2021 23:46

I just can’t imagine my DH moaning and stropping about having to take the washing to the laundrette and not actually taking action to resolve the situation that was causing him so much misery and angst!

ThePoisonousMushroom · 17/10/2021 23:47

@StaplesCorner

So really all the OP needs to do is buy a tin opener and a tumble dryer, stop being such a wimp about her SPD, hernias and pregnancy and simply find out how much more she could do to accommodate the poor stressed hubby? Perhaps her DM could help the poor stressed hubby too - I mean FFS the old bat bought the wrong beans. Sheesh. How much more can this guy take?
👏

And if she doesn’t do all those things, he should just leave so he can live his life peacefully away from his lazy, harridan wife and his needy kids!

toomuchlaundry · 17/10/2021 23:57

I can't believe the posters who think the DH needs a hug and is hugely put upon, and the OP is in the wrong. She does 99% of everything round the house and is 39 weeks pregnant and has SPD

If the DH doesn't want a tumble dryer then he can't complain about having to take the washing to the launderette to use the dryers there

Aboutreadytopop · 17/10/2021 23:58

He'd have the shock of his life if he lived by himself, when the realisation of just how much I do - dawns on him.

OP posts:
Thursa · 18/10/2021 00:14

Sounds like he wanted to be in a bad mood and was enjoying a good moan. Otherwise he’d be looking for solutions.

FuckYouCorona · 18/10/2021 01:07

Sounds like you have 3 kids already OP. Confused

violetbunny · 18/10/2021 01:23

He sounds like a moaning man child. Tell him to grow the fuck up.

On a more practical note, we also though we didn't have space for a dryer. However we found we could buy a stacking kit for our washing machine (basically a fancy plastic tray that goes on top) and could stack a dryer on top of it. It's a condenser dryer, so doesn't need any extra ventilation. Might be worth looking into if you have a front loading wackiness machine with some space free above it?

1forAll74 · 18/10/2021 01:57

Sounds like his stress situation is building up higher now, as when you have your new baby, all home things will obviously become more busy everyday, and they are busy now, so the thought of later things to come, is making him feel tetchy and in bad moods, as he will be expected to do more of course.

He needs a quick course, on how to stay calm in any given situation.

PyongyangKipperbang · 18/10/2021 02:59

"Oh he sounds stressed!" "Oh be kind" "But are you asking too much?!"

FUCK OFF

SPD had me in a wheelchair for six months and had knock on effects for 8 years afterwards. So what should I do? Put myself in hospital or ask my husband to do what I would do if he had been incapacitated, which is just get on with it? He is a parent. His kids need feeding and looking after, their clothes need washing and drying....so get on with it!

If he had a stroke or some other condition that meant he needed to be at home but was struggling with being a SAHP and running the house, you would all the slagging the OP off for not holding down a full time job, running a house AND caring for him!

If the OP (God forbid) were to pass away.....then what? Who would he farm out the responsibilty to then?

This place sometimes......

Shoxfordian · 18/10/2021 05:11

He doesn’t sound very kind or supportive in general, would you say you’re happy in the relationship usually?

Pebbledashery · 18/10/2021 05:14

This all sounds rather depressing. I hope you manage to get some let up prior to having your baby.

diddl · 18/10/2021 08:49

I do get the just wanting a moan with no solutions being offered & someone just making the appropriate noise every so often.

So maybe just try that Op?

But he should be doing as much as possible around the house whilst Op isn't able to-that's a given.

It sounds as if he's never lived by himself & run a house.

Even if he had, one guy out at work for most of the week is different to trying to do it with kids underfoot!

OhamIreally · 18/10/2021 09:05

@violetbunny

He sounds like a moaning man child. Tell him to grow the fuck up.

On a more practical note, we also though we didn't have space for a dryer. However we found we could buy a stacking kit for our washing machine (basically a fancy plastic tray that goes on top) and could stack a dryer on top of it. It's a condenser dryer, so doesn't need any extra ventilation. Might be worth looking into if you have a front loading wackiness machine with some space free above it?

A front loading wackiness machine sounds really annoying. That would give him something to grumble about.
Imagine that after a week of nights.

violetbunny · 18/10/2021 10:23

@OhamIreally Lol. Stupid autocorrect!

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