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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:
ExplodingCarrots · 03/01/2022 10:21

Fucking hell , some of these responses 🤦‍♀️

So the OP isn't allowed out to have a good time because she has to stay home with poor lonely DP.

He chooses NOT to go out . Why should the OP have to stay in just because he's a misery guts and doesn't want to do anything?

He is very controlling . 'If I'm not going out , I don't want you to go out ' . Basically using you 100% for his social needs. It's not healthy.

Seeing your friend once every 2 weeks isn't 'taking the piss' . Soon as anything alcohol is mentioned on here , suddenly you're taking the piss or have a problem. I'd bet most of these posters have a few glasses of wine at home regularly . My mum and her best friend have a catch up once a week at each other's houses and have a couple of glasses of something . Been something they've done for 40 years !

OP, this man will wear you down until you won't want to go anywhere because it's 'not worth the hassle of his moods' . You are spending more than enough time with him. He is not a nice man. A normal caring partner would encourage you to go out and enjoy yourself .

Wazza89 · 03/01/2022 10:21

@girlmom21 he has a car and pc on finance which doesn’t come cheap, but that was his choice. As is not bringing food to work. A taxi twice a month doesn’t cost as much as a car on finance. As for alcohol, 2/3 drinks a month (especially indoors) doesn’t cost a lot.

I suppose he doesn’t spend much time with me outside of family activities, etc., which I can understand is frustrating so it’s something to work on, definitely.

OP posts:
StellaGibson118 · 03/01/2022 10:21

Every bloke I've ever encountered who describes themselves as a lone wolf has been an utter dickhead. Just an anecdotal observation like

Tal45 · 03/01/2022 10:23

Are you smoking weed with this friend? Is that really what his problem with the whole situation is? He hates people smoking dope and knows you do it with this friend? I'm with your DH if so. Oh and you clearly don't pay for everything if he pays all the rent.

OnwardsAndSideways1 · 03/01/2022 10:24

'Lone Wolf' is how some men within these weird 'how to be a man' stratification systems describe themselves, they also tend to think feminism has ruined everything.

You are doing nothing wrong, OP. I wouldn't be with someone who called women slags anyway, so that's an absolute deal breaker for me, as would the sulking, snide remarks about you going out. You are a great friend to your friend and shouldn't have to apologise for going out and having friends. He sounds awful.

OnwardsAndSideways1 · 03/01/2022 10:25

They are called 'Sigma Males', they are all awful.

TueWed · 03/01/2022 10:26

@Peas252

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

OP goes to see her friend once fortnight - and makes sure that DS is fed, bathed, changed, etc., and always ask DH if it’s okay and check he hasn’t made other plans.

She's 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).
(if she really means this year, then... but I think this was last year)

When she goes out he makes her feel bad

NearlyAHoarder · 03/01/2022 10:26

My abusive controlling ex had a derogatory nn for all of my friends too. there was the lesbian (she has short hair. She is happily married now). There was the loser. (she worked in a shop). I was a loser too though. After I left him and my friends were supportive, they were the ''lesbian back-slapping brigade''. Honestly OP, life with these men is just miserable. I hope you find strength and peace without him.

Echobelly · 03/01/2022 10:26

I agree with @ClaudiaJ1 - it just sounds like an issue of incompatability. DH doesn't want to do much and to stay at home, you're more gregarious and want to spend time with friends. It sounds like you are trying to check with him whether things are OK and he's agreeing but secretly feeling a bit hurt - I don't really think he has a right to me, but it's not necessarily about being controlling, it's just perhaps he can't understand people being more outgoing than him.

girlmom21 · 03/01/2022 10:28

[quote Wazza89]@girlmom21 he has a car and pc on finance which doesn’t come cheap, but that was his choice. As is not bringing food to work. A taxi twice a month doesn’t cost as much as a car on finance. As for alcohol, 2/3 drinks a month (especially indoors) doesn’t cost a lot.

I suppose he doesn’t spend much time with me outside of family activities, etc., which I can understand is frustrating so it’s something to work on, definitely.[/quote]
I'm not suggesting your taxis or drinks are as much as his loans. I was wondering whether he was left with less than you each month.
I assumed he was paying off debts from before you met but that's obviously not the case.

His PC especially should come out of his spending money. It shouldn't mean you're paying more bills.

I'd definitely work on quality time together - but he needs to make the effort there too

Wazza89 · 03/01/2022 10:28

@tal45 I used to smoke weed before I got pregnant with ds. I’ve had a few drags since when I’ve had one or two drinks, but I probably won’t do it again. It’s not something I’d spend my money on or something I do regularly,

OP posts:
2Hot2Handle · 03/01/2022 10:29

Ending the relationship would solve the problem of you both wanting to live very different lives, if that’s the point that you’re at. Difficult to initiate and carry out, but the long-term payoff would be that you can live your life as you’d like, without someone making you feel guilty.
If you’re not at a point where you want to go your separate ways, sit him down, away from DS and tell him how you want to live your life (going out, seeing friends) and want you want from the relationship with him (how do you want to spend time together). Then ask him the same and see if you can agree on some compromises. Don’t give him attention with any negative behaviours (sulking etc) and if he picks a fight when you get back in after a night out, try something like, “oh here we go again. The old ‘I’m angry you went out, so I’m picking a fight’. We agreed on what I was going to do this evening. You need to have a serious chat with yourself about why you feel the need to try to ruin my evening.” Then walk away and refuse to engage further.

StellaGibson118 · 03/01/2022 10:30

Slag- lack of respect for women
Condom accusation- lack of trust
Lone wolf- no friends? red flag
Jealous and paranoid when you go out- doesn't think of you as a separate entity and is attempting to isolate you from others
Saying he can't remember/denial over saying something- lack of accountability, lack of apology and makes you doubt your own mind
Posting about your relationship on FB- immature and passive aggressive, not something I'd find attractive
Expecting you to help with his loneliness- co-dependent and has shown other signs of this

The nit-picking over whether you should have stayed in on NYE is neither here nor there when you consider the rest of it. What you do next depends on whether you think he's being a prick of if you think he's depressed and you want to help him through it. Either way, don't compromise your social life a few times a year for him.

Wazza89 · 03/01/2022 10:30

@TueWed yes I meant last year 😂

OP posts:
girlmom21 · 03/01/2022 10:31

@StellaGibson118 I have to disagree on the condom. If I found a condom in DP's pocket I'd be perfectly reasonable to question it.

EerieSilence · 03/01/2022 10:31

This sounds like a very unhappy relationship, your DH is a twat.
You are best separated, otherwise you will spend your life pandering to his moods.

StellaGibson118 · 03/01/2022 10:33

[quote girlmom21]@StellaGibson118 I have to disagree on the condom. If I found a condom in DP's pocket I'd be perfectly reasonable to question it. [/quote]
He was still convinced it was hers though after they discussed it and he was informed, therefore he doesn't trust her and thinks shes taking condoms out to shag blokes. He adds to this with other snide comments.

frazzledasarock · 03/01/2022 10:37

So each time you go out, you cook, clean, ensure your child is fed and bathed and ready for bed. So really your H has nothing to actually do bar be aware if your child wakes?

Your H actually says you can go out then sulks.

Your H dislikes your friends and your closest friend who is a DV survivor is a slag (according to him), because she’s dating.

Your H spends most of his money on himself your money goes on the household.

You H doesn’t want to go out or celebrate himself but is pissy with you each time you do.

In your shoes, I’d be looking at my options. He is controlling and abusive.

frazzledasarock · 03/01/2022 10:39

@girlmom21 if you found a condom in a pair of trousers your DH was wearing that he’d borrowed off a friend who you both knew was dating.

You’d still be suspicious after your DH said it wasn’t his?

MadameMinimes · 03/01/2022 10:40

I think this could just a matter of not being compatible rather than him necessarily being controlling. People are different.

If you look at any thread on here about a husband going out drinking, you’ll see a huge range of opinions from different women. What is totally normal for some people would be totally unacceptable to others. It sounds like you just have different expectations. You’re absolutely not doing anything wrong by wanting to go out as often as you do, nor is he wrong to want to stay in more together. You might just not be right for each other.

IamGusFring · 03/01/2022 10:41

He told me not to get too high or drunk though as he wants to start the new year on the right foot

Do you get high with this friend ?

IamGusFring · 03/01/2022 10:42

[quote Wazza89]@tal45 I used to smoke weed before I got pregnant with ds. I’ve had a few drags since when I’ve had one or two drinks, but I probably won’t do it again. It’s not something I’d spend my money on or something I do regularly,[/quote]
Oh I see you just answered this 🙄🙄

ThirdElephant · 03/01/2022 10:42

So I'm getting that basically, he's can't be bothered to make an effort socially and make his own plans, but doesn't actually like being alone. Therefore, he wants your life to revolve around him, because that way he gets companionship but on his terms (doesn't need to leave the house/socialise with anyone other than you). When you go out, he feels lonely because he's alone, but he knows on a logical level that he can't and shouldn't actually stop you going out.

It's an unhealthy relationship dynamic- my parents are like this. They have no friends because my DF doesn't like DM going out. He denies this, but he drops clear non-verbal hints that he's displeased if she ever makes plans of her own, and exaggerates how drunk she got if she ever gets even mildly tipsy. She kept her friendships at first but eventually they fell away and now they only have each other. It sucked growing up because we had no family friends- just my parent's siblings- and it was hard to learn how to manage friendships because I just didn't see any.

Get out now, OP. It'll only get worse.

thetinsoldier · 03/01/2022 10:43

So, too 'do everything and pay for everything', plus your h is controlling baby who makes you feel like shit by gaslighting you. What are his good points??

Your instincts are good. He's a terrible man and this is an abusive relationship. Your friend is right. Get out.

thetinsoldier · 03/01/2022 10:44

You, not too.

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