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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:
Exasperatedhousehunter · 03/01/2022 11:29

@Thatsplentyjack

Honestly if this was about a man posting this he would have been ripped to pieces. The double standards on here are embarrassing!
Why do you think that? I really don’t think so. I’d also think it was fine for a man who was the primary carer for a child to see his disabled mate once every two weeks and have a drink after having put the kids to bed. I’d think a woman who moaned about it and who said or did the stuff he has done would also be bad news and controlling. And this is NOT the same as blokes who rarely lift a finger at home then also pissing off to the pub constantly or doing their hobbies. The key being that they are not the primary carer.
OnaBegonia · 03/01/2022 11:29

Very disappointing to see PP tell OP she's in the wrong for not pandering to this sulky man, going out once a fortnight is perfectly
reasonable, it's not OPs fault her DH is unsociable. His attempts at shaming her and judging her fiends are disgusting.
OP you'll be better off without him.

lechatnoir · 03/01/2022 11:31

Oh jeez if the last (shitty) year has taught me anything, life is too short to put up with this shit. It doesn't really matter who is right or wrong, yeh fact is he you are clearly incompatible and he is making your life worse not better. When a relationship has more negatives than positives, what is the point?

Walking4You · 03/01/2022 11:34

Going out on your own ONCE every other week is fine.
And I dint understand how it can be an issue with the OP going out on NYE.
He doesn’t like NYE, doesn’t see the point, she does. Why should she stay at home with him?

If he wants to spend more time with his dwife maybe he should start by organising something. Like going out together for a meal? Not telling lies about the OP to people/family and being PA about her going out.
This also means that, as this is something that is obviously an issue for him, he should be organising some babysitting for HIS ds (this child isn’t only the OP’s child after all, it’s his too) so they can go out.

@Wazza89 your description makes me feel you are doing a lot to appease him (paying a lot of stuff on your wage so you have no spare money left whilst he pays his debts, cleaning and preparing everything for him so he has nothing to do whilst you are out, etc etc).
It feels like he has been PA about you living your life your way rather than his way (or what he thinks he is ‘acceptable’) so you feel like you have to smooth things very and over again.

Walking4You · 03/01/2022 11:38

@Thatsplentyjack

Honestly if this was about a man posting this he would have been ripped to pieces. The double standards on here are embarrassing!
If a man had been posting about his dwife being PA because he is going once every two weeks (and is rarely drunk etc…), is telling lies and is trying to make him feel guilty because he doesn’t do as she is telling him, I’d tell that make poster to LTB and that is is controlling.

I’ve living with someone who was doing what the OP describes. Never saying NO but being PA about it, always leaving me wondering if his YEs meant Yes or No. it’s exhausting, you end up walking on egg shell constantly. And imo it’s as damaging as full on aggressivity (and at least with someone being aggressive rather than PA, you know what you are dealing with instead if always second guessing yourself)

fuckoffImcounting · 03/01/2022 11:47

He is horrible and controlling. Having a child does not mean you have to live in the 1950's. You will end up never going anywhere because he will be such a sour pus about it. Every evening will be spent staring at his miserable face.

RightOnTheEdge · 03/01/2022 11:48

The OP invites him out with her but he doesn't want to because he's "a lone wolf" Hmm
She asked him if he wanted to do something together for New Years Eve and he said he doesn't see any point in celebrating New Year.
She goes to see her friend one evening a fortnight so spends 13 other evenings with him and their child.
I can't believe people are saying she's taking the piss or it would be different if it was the other way round! What is she doing wrong? Should she give up her life to sit in forever with this miserable, boring, sulky baby?

OP my ex made my life a misery with the sulking and ridiculous accusations on the very rare occasions I went out. I hardly even drink. It was mostly just a meal and a quiet catch up with friends.
It was a bit different to your situation because he went out and got totally pissed every weekend, and and some weekdays and just came and went as he pleased. That was OK though obviously Angry

I still go out very rarely but the feeling when I get home to a house without his moods and sulking and kicking off is the best! Smile
To not have that feeling of dread and anxiety as I walk in the door.

I know you thought you had sorted it out but I'd have one last serious discussion about whether there is any point in this relationship when you are so incompatible.
Don't spend the rest of your lives making each other miserable.

Darkstar4855 · 03/01/2022 11:50

He sounds exactly like my controlling, emotionally manipulative ex. He would not tell me I couldn’t go out because he knew he was being unreasonable but he’d make it as difficult and unpleasant for me as possible. He never wanted to go out and didn’t want to socialise with my friends because he said they were all idiots so the. he tried to keep me at home with him.

Your partner probably only asked you if you wanted to go for a drink the night before because he knew you’d say no and it would give him something else to make you feel bad about.

Ask him what he’s going to do in 2022 to make himself feel better and stop guilt tripping you. If he’s a “lone wolf” then why is he needing you home to hold his hand seven days a week?

PurpleThursdays · 03/01/2022 12:02

What's his job situation OP? Does he have work mates? Does he friends he can see if he wanted to but chooses not to?

I think his attitude is shitty towards you, but I can understand to some degree he probably would like to spend more couple time with you. Not focused on the baby but focused on yourselves and your relationship.

If you are actively avoiding his company I can appreciate he feels hurt and rejected which probably feeds in to his "lone wolf" mindset. Has he always been a loner?

I think you both need to reassess your relationship and your priorities and emotional needs. Maybe marriage counselling would help, and individual counselling for him if he is depressed. Best of luck OP.

Opaljewel · 03/01/2022 12:05

What a horrible little man. Ugh get rid.

girlmom21 · 03/01/2022 12:06

[quote frazzledasarock]@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?[/quote]
Honestly, if he'd started going out on regular nights out (I'm assuming it's a new behaviour as the friend is newly single and was previously in an abusive relationship), smoking weed etc then I wouldn't automatically believe it was his friends condom, no. I think it would be quite naive to do so.

CheesyWeez · 03/01/2022 12:09

Pre-COVID I used to go out once a month with a women's group and I used to love it. I would go out and leave DH to feed the kids. I didn't prepare anything and it was totally up to him what he gave them for dinner.
When I came in usually everyone would be asleep so I would go quietly to bed. If DH was still up I would talk to him for a bit about how our respective evenings went.
I'd say that's what happens in a normal marriage. Op's DH sounds a grump and if he doesn't want to go out with her, that's fine, he can stay home, but he shouldn't grumble about it, She goes out so infrequently - once every two weeks - and at New Year when he decided not to go with her.
Crumbs tell him to take up cycling or something (mumsnet joke).

Sidehustle99 · 03/01/2022 12:10

I bet he says your friends are a bad influence? Are all the divorced, strong ones turning you against him? 😏 He sounds really dull and extremely coercively controlling. It isn't health to stay in a relationship with someone as controlling as this.

'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'

He has no right to try to control who you are friends with or when you go out. Asking him to look after his own DS should not be an issue. Does he ask you to look after them everyday? You are not taking the piss OP.

The bubble you mention from Christmas is not sustainable but this is what he is hoping to achieve longer term by guilting you about spending time with your friends and shaming you in from of his mother.
The amnesia about that is also classic behaviour because he knows he's being unreasonable. You are in the isolating phase of a relationship with an abuser.

There are lots of threads similar to your on MN you can use for advice but you will find Women's Aid resources useful www.womensaid.org.uk/the-survivors-handbook/am-i-in-an-abusive-relationship/

My advice is to start getting organised to leave this relationship while your DC is still young enough that it doesn't affect them longer term. Good luck OPThanks

me4real · 03/01/2022 12:21

Would you be ok with your partner leaving you at home on NYE whilst he got drunk with his mates?

@Soontobe60 OP's husband said he didn't want to do anything. They had a conversation where she asked if she could go out with her friends to celebrate NYE, and he agreed to it.

The condom was in a bag of her friend's, not in OP's pocket or anything.

@Wazza89 You shouldn't be having to put so much of your income towards bills etc, or to be doing most of the stuff that needs doing.

IDK what's wrong with PP's, it's not like you should've celebrated NYE with your husband rather than your friends- he said he didn't want to celebrate it.

He sounds like a fun sponge, controlling lazyarse.

I'm sure you'd be happier without him.

What he said in front of his mum was not ok.

Everydaydayisaschoolday · 03/01/2022 12:26

You know he is unreasonable and controlling. Stop arsing about taking screen shots and end things.

DarkCorner · 03/01/2022 12:36

OP, I agree he sounds controlling.

I'm surprised people are mentioning OPs social needs and saying/implying they are excessive when it's one night out of 14 for a few hours! If she went to the gym a couple of times a week it would be much more time out of the house. Also friend is single and she is perfectly entitled to have the odd fling or ONS - it isn't catching Hmm.

I take it that him wanting to "have a drink" with OP as him wanting them both to have an alcoholic drink at home together (as she says they were in the shop) and he was annoyed she didn't want an alcoholic drink 2 days in a row. He has no right to demand you drink and tbh, it just sounds a bit like another stick to beat you with re: your visits to your friend.

Fidgetty · 03/01/2022 12:39

It's a compatibility problem more than anything. He's a miserable fun sponge type who doesn't like socialising but doesn't want you to either. You're the opposite which is great that you have a good friendship circle beyond him. However, I must admit if my DH (who also veers into "lone wolf" antisocial territory so I do get it) was out with drug taking friends who were regularly "on the prowl" so to speak then I wouldn't be happy about it either to be honest. I'd expect that kind of socialising to be left long behind once you're settled with DC. Are you very young? Nothing wrong with meeting friends for dinner and drinks, but this sounds like the type of stuff we'd be at in our mid twenties pre-DC. I can't see this listing to be honest.

Kitfish · 03/01/2022 12:42

I think going out without him on NYE and leaving him at home alone was a bit mean. I would be upset if my husband ever did that to me.

ChiefStockingStuffer · 03/01/2022 13:00

Honestly?
I'd get legal advice about ending the marriage and how to do it quickly and safely.

He doesn't want to do anything. That's fine on its own. But he doesn't' want you to do anything either. But says you can, and then kicks off when you do. And that's not right and quite controlling.

He doesn't appear to add anything to your life except controlling behaviour and negativity. Make your 2022 a happier year and get rid of him.

Muthalucka · 03/01/2022 13:00

@Wazza89 is this the DH who wants to be a gaming content creator?

1forAll74 · 03/01/2022 13:12

Other things seem more important to you, instead of getting into a more harmonious life style at home.

girlmom21 · 03/01/2022 13:27

[quote Muthalucka]@Wazza89 is this the DH who wants to be a gaming content creator?[/quote]
I knew I recognised the username.
In that case OP you shouldn't be going out paying for taxis and alcohol that often when you can't afford your child's shoes.

frazzledasarock · 03/01/2022 13:31

I divorced ex who was incredibly controlling. Like you I’d cook, clean and ensure dc were bathed, fed and down for bedtime before I left.

I would always ask permission from him before going out.

I wasn’t allowed friends because there was always something he disapproved about them.
And in the end it wasn’t worth fighting over it.

This man did not want to do anything for NYE, to posters making out like OP left him on his own when he was desperate to celebrate with his wife. He wasn’t. He didn’t want her to go out either.

OP, LTB. Get legal advice, stop paying for everything start putting money aside into an escape/solicitors fees fund. Discuss this with your friend who’s left an abusive relationship for advice.

And make 2022 where you’re free from this controlling abusive man.

Let him get on with being the lone wolf.

StationaryMagpie · 03/01/2022 13:32

my ex was like this, the only place i went was to see family, i didn't have any friends left.. because he made it impossible to go out.. so i went out in the day when he was at work instead (i worked weekends)

We actually finally broke up (the straw that broke the camels back) when i wanted to go to a hobby meet for an afternoon, had arranged to leave the kids with mom so he could have the day to himself, and he absolutely threw his toys out the pram, called all my friends slags/accused me of sleeping with the men in the group, then told me i wasn't allowed to go.

That night i told him i didn't want to be married to him any more, i left and haven't looked back.

NO-ONE has the right to tell you who you can/can't socialise with, or when, or where, so long as you're pulling your weight at home.

His sulking an attempts to coerce and emotionally blackmail you into ditching your friends to stay home are controlling and deeply unattractive.

What are you getting out of this relationship?

Notimeforaname · 03/01/2022 13:33

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

He doesn't want you to be out without him. For some reason he doesn't trust you or your friend. He sounds like a prick.

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