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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Is he being controlling? Am I right to keep screenshots?

166 replies

Wazza89 · 03/01/2022 09:25

It feels like every time I hang out with certain friends, there’s an issue!

One of my best friends has a genetic, chronic illness. She has a feeding pump and tube attached to her and it’s a lot easier to go to hers than for her to come to me. We’ve been friends for a long time (longer than I’ve even known DH) and we arranged to meet up fortnightly on a Friday evening. I usually go to hers, maybe have 2 or 3 glasses, then get a taxi back before 12. I make sure DS is fed, bathed, changed, etc., and I always ask DH if it’s okay or I check he hasn’t made other plans. He usually says it’s fine, but the way he acts says otherwise. He makes digs all the time. Says I’d rather hang out with friends than him (I see him 7 days a week!). We were in the shop and he asked me if I wanted to have a drink with him that night, I told him I couldn’t manage 2 days in a row (because I’m on Mirtazapine) and he said, “It’s like that, it is. You’ll have a drink with friends, but not with me.” Then stormed off. He’s told
me, in front of his mother, that I’m always at the pub or out on the piss! 😂 This simply isn’t true! I’ve been to the pub three times this year. Once for my father’s wake. The other time was a birthday meal with the girls, and the last time was for a meal with said friend (her Christmas present to me). I’m hardly out on benders every week. Likewise, I can count on one hand how many times I actually got drunk last year. I was a bit upset he said that to his mother, but now he denies saying it or says he can’t remember.

I have invited him to social events but he’s not interested and says they’re my friends, not his. He isn’t keen on the friend in question because of her lifestyle. She got out of a violent relationship a few years ago and has had a few failed relationships and one night stands since. He actually called her a slag which annoyed me (not to her face, obviously). She also smokes cannabis for her chronic pain and he hates the stuff! I borrowed her handbag to go out and there was a condom in one of the compartments, he was convinced it was mine even though it’s obviously her handbag.

Before Christmas, we were close to breaking up as I was sick of feeling like I do everything and pay for everything. We managed to resolve things and had a lovely Christmas together. I didn’t see any of my family over Christmas (as my mum and siblings all had Covid) so we’ve sort of been in our own bubble and I thought things were improving. My old friend from school texted me to ask what I was doing for New Year’s. Before replying, I asked DH if he wanted to do anything together or had anything planned. He said no because he doesn’t see the point in celebrating New Year’s. I do like to celebrate New Year so I asked him if it were okay for me to go a friend’s house and he reluctantly agreed. He told me not to get too high or drunk though as he wants to start the new year on the right foot. (He knew my cannabis smoking friend would be there as her and my other friend are sisters in law). Before going out, I cooked for DH and DS, changed his nappy, and got him ready for bed, so DH could have a relaxing evening.

I came home at half 12 and said hello to DH who was sat in the front room. He muttered something back then I went to lie down because I was drunk 😂. Next thing I know, he walked into the bedroom and told me I was taking the piss by not even asking him how his evening went. And it’s one thing to piss off out all night, but another to not even stay downstairs and talk to him. It’s a joke. Then he stormed downstairs. I messaged him to see if he was okay (as I didn’t fancy coming down to a confrontation) and he replied that he’s tried to be okay with me going out and stuff, even though it makes him feel lonely and out of the loop. I told him that I felt he was guilt tripping me for going out and he said that I glaze over the fact he feels lonely because I make everything about myself. I was so upset I couldn’t asleep as I felt it ruined a good night. He later came to bed and tried to initiate sex but I refused and went downstairs. The following day, he wrote a Facebook status about how 2022 is “out with the old and in with the new” and how his only regret is not telling enough people to f* off. I sent the screenshots to a friend and she went mad. Told me he’s a controlling man-baby, etc.

He did apologise later, but told me he’s in a no win situation as he can’t tell me not to go out, even though it makes him feel like crap. I told him it’s his issue, not mine, and he’s going to have to deal with it. I have kept all the screenshots though because I don’t like him implying I’m a drunk, etc., to his mother.

Is he being controlling?

OP posts:
Shoxfordian · 03/01/2022 09:28

Yes he’s really controlling
Sounds like your friend is totally right about him
Take his Facebook post to heart and end it

CaMePlaitPas · 03/01/2022 09:30

Ugh, call his bluff, he can pack his bag and sling his hook. It'll be the start of the year he has been so desperately craving, poor lamb.

Shedmistress · 03/01/2022 09:32

Do you do everything and pay for everything?

I mean, I look at these sorts of posts and wonder what it is that these men bring to a relationship.

mumda · 03/01/2022 09:32

Do you spend good quality time with him like you do your friend?

PigeonLittle · 03/01/2022 09:33

I think he sounds lonely and depressed. They dont have to be your problems.

Does he have no one to socialise with?

KatyRebecca84 · 03/01/2022 09:34

Controlling and maybe depressed? Sounds like he’s jealous and doesn’t have a life and friends of his own? If he had ‘me time’ too, maybe he’d be less jealous?

DrinkFeckArseBrick · 03/01/2022 09:35

Yes that's very controlling. Incan understand if it was every day but you go out a completely normal frequency and do everything for your son beforehand to make it as easy as you can for him. Its weird for a grown adult to be 'lonely' by themselves for a few hours and it's even worse that they behave badly towards you for the way that they feel. Also how is having a social life 'making everything about you'?...and initiating sex after he has had a go at you is off too, not reading the room at best and some weird a power game at worst

UnsuitableHat · 03/01/2022 09:36

It doesn’t sound like a very happy relationship & he doesn’t sound like a very happy person. What change would you like to see?

Brigante9 · 03/01/2022 09:36

He is controlling, yes,if you’re only going out 3 times a year. Spending NYE apart was a bit horrible, tho, especially with a dc. I bet if this was a bloke saying he was out on the piss with mates rather than spending it with the wife, there’d be different responses.

Peas252 · 03/01/2022 09:39

It really sounds like you're taking the piss Op, and treating him like shit.

Heatherjayne1972 · 03/01/2022 09:40

This won’t get better
He will complain and complain until you never ever go out with your friends as it’s too much hassle so eventually you won’t bother
You’ll resent him
He will find something else to complain about And then something else and then something else

I’ve been there. (I divorced mine and I can go anywhere I like and do what I like now with no one to moan )

Shoxfordian · 03/01/2022 09:40

Are you the op’s husband @Peas252? What’s the op done wrong?

Ukholidaysaregreat · 03/01/2022 09:40

He is controlling. Happy at Christmas cos you were stuck in together. You asked him if he wanted to go out and he didn't. Then he guilt trips you when you come back. He sounds like a nasty / controlling piece of work. I am seeing a lot of Red Flag behaviours in your post.

Theballoonsinthesky · 03/01/2022 09:41

It doesn't sound like you spend any quality time together or have fun together and to me seems like you see your friends to avoid him? I would be really hurt if my husband went out for new years and left me home alone. He must feel lonely. I dont think he is controlling you I think he is sad you don't seem to spend a lot of time doing anything fun with him.

ThinWomansBrain · 03/01/2022 09:41

Whether you keeo screen shots or not seems the least of your problems.

Soontobe60 · 03/01/2022 09:42

So you went out on NYE with friends, got drunk, came home and went straight to bed? I think I’d be annoyed if my dh did this. If you’d prefer to spend NYE with your friends rather than your partner, maybe this relationship is coming to its end.

MissBattleaxe · 03/01/2022 09:44

In a nutshell, you will never ever please him, so save yourself the trouble and get rid. You'll tie yourself in knots trying to get his approval and he will never give it to you.

You deserve a happy life.

Mofomo · 03/01/2022 09:44

So what would you have done if he had wanted to go out nye, bring the baby? It's a bit mean to say it's his issue not yours, but his responses aren't great

WeeFae · 03/01/2022 09:44

@Peas252

It really sounds like you're taking the piss Op, and treating him like shit.
How is she? For going out one evening a fortnight? Or, as a woman, should she be tying herself to the sink and baby?
Soontobe60 · 03/01/2022 09:44

@Ukholidaysaregreat

He is controlling. Happy at Christmas cos you were stuck in together. You asked him if he wanted to go out and he didn't. Then he guilt trips you when you come back. He sounds like a nasty / controlling piece of work. I am seeing a lot of Red Flag behaviours in your post.
Would you be ok with your partner leaving you at home on NYE whilst he got drunk with his mates?
Merryoldgoat · 03/01/2022 09:44

Is the crux of the matter is he doesn’t want you to go out at all without him, whether it’s once a week or once every few weeks or once in a blue moon?

If that’s basically it the yes, he’s utterly controlling.

WeeFae · 03/01/2022 09:45

OP, yes he is controlling. Red flags all over the place.

Porcupineintherough · 03/01/2022 09:46

Soundsikw the relationship only works when it's the 3 of you in a bubble. Not sure that keeping screen shots is the answer though, how about leaving?

Babdoc · 03/01/2022 09:46

Do PPs not read OP's post before commenting? She asked her "D"H if he wanted to do anything for NY. He didn't.
So she accepted the friend's invite.
OP, this man will only be happy when you have no friends at all, and spend your life stuck at home, ministering to him and his demands. He is selfish and controlling.
I would leave him before he shrinks your life down to being a miserable household appliance, serving his needs.

WeeFae · 03/01/2022 09:47

He said he didn't see the point in celebrating NY and didn't want to do anything! Why should the OP have to do the same when she clearly enjoys celebrating it?