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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:
Caramellatteplease · 03/01/2022 21:14

Yes you're right in an ideal world.

Unfortunately the no big deal brigade have led many people to believe its... well... no big deal. Often it is pre kids
Sadly when you have a family the impact becomes way more apparent and when you are the drug free partner you realise just how much crap it is. Users rarely have an realistic idea of the impact on the rest of the family or actually themselves. Or if they do dont care.

You might he right and he might be controlling. But "controlling" and "no fun now" can also be used to dismiss genuine concerns especially when weed induced paranoia starts sneaking in.

But he knew what he was getting into when he married you right? Because nothing has changed since then....its not like you have a child and responsibilities now....

Wazza89 · 03/01/2022 21:52

@Caramellatteplease if I were neglecting my parental responsibilities to run off and smoke weed all day, I would agree with you. But I pay the bills, clean the house, take care of ds. DH is not left at home with an abandoned child, picking up the pieces.

OP posts:
Caramellatteplease · 03/01/2022 22:00

I've never found weed smokers to be the best people to ask about this kind of thing. They are always the most responsible individuals. Its everyone else that doesn't know how to chill.

Your friend. Did her domestic abuse partner smoke weed? The one night stands? I suspect the environment you are choosing to engage with is more chaotic than you are letting on

theremustonlybeone · 03/01/2022 22:01

Wazza89 how do you pay the bills etc when your a SAHM? I am confused? I am assuming you pay using your universal credits? Perhaps if your so annoyed at your DH not earning enough you could head off and get a job. He can share the childcare load and you can pay your way

Wazza89 · 03/01/2022 22:34

@Caramellatteplease no, he preferred alcohol.

OP posts:
Wazza89 · 03/01/2022 22:42

@theremustonlybeone I’m not annoyed at my husband for not earning enough. I don’t know where you got this idea? I work a couple of hours a week and universal credit substitutes the rest. DH pays rent (£600), internet and tv license. I pay the rest.

OP posts:
caringcarer · 04/01/2022 00:00

He sounds like a nightmare. Does he have any attractive traits, or is he a jerk most of the time?

Justheretoaskaquestion91 · 04/01/2022 07:22

Pfft, people are missing the point.

It’s not about you seeing your friend for 2-3 drinks - it’s about you then not “being able” to go for drinks with your husband the next day.

It’s not about you going out for NYE - it’s about you coming home and fucking off upstairs without even chatting to him

The smoking weed would piss me off. The condom in the wallet would worry me if you’re out once a fortnight. Your friend being disabled is not relevant snd I don’t know why you mentioned it. You also don’t pay for everything because he pays for rent.

If we had a small baby and DH was going out every 2 weeks and then didn’t want to spend time with me afterwards I would seriously take umbrage. That’s not being controlling, it’s expecting to be my partner’s priority. Smoking weed when you have a baby isn’t great either. Your partner sounds a bit depressed btw but no doubt as this is MN that’s his own fault and you shouldn’t be expected to care about that.

Offmyfence · 04/01/2022 07:24

Run!

Wazza89 · 04/01/2022 10:43

@Justheretoaskaquestion91 I had no idea there was a condom in there. Yes, I understand him being suspicious, but it’s not my bag!

My friend having a disability is relevant because it’s easier for me to go to hers (also because I drive) than for her to come to me.

He knew I smoked when he got with me. If he didn’t like it, he shouldn’t have married me. That said, I had a few drags… it’s not like I’m taking smack in an alleyway. And to be honest, I probably won’t do it again as I don’t like feeling too out of it.

OP posts:
Dizzylizzy22 · 04/01/2022 11:12

@Heatherjayne1972

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 )

Yes this. OP I could have written your post. I am going through a horrendous divorce with exH sounding very much like your partner.

He didn't have his own friends and didn't want me to either. I went out about twice a month like you. He never said 'no'... but would sulk and give silent treatment every time I did. Over the years I encouraged him to connect with old friends, get a hobby, try to make new friends as I thought it would help with the guilt tripping he did every time I wanted to do something.

He like your partner would say he felt 'lonely'. We literally never did anything as a couple or a family. I gave up trying to encourage him to form relationships outside of me. I was made to feel guilty for wanting to go to bed in the evening because he felt 'lonely'. He slowly started to dislike my friends, my family, my work colleagues and my job. He was happy to have me all to himself. This behaviour worsened over the years to the point where I am an anxious mess on medication.

We are divorcing but sadly it won't end there as he is now replicating his controlling behaviours with my now young teen DS. He makes him sit with him in the evenings, he tells him 'to stay with your dad instead of going out with your friends. It makes me physically ill to witness this. I feel like if I had left him years ago my DS would have been less damaged by his emotional blackmail.

It is at the point now where STBX is exhibiting worrying twisted behaviour and projecting onto DS because he cannot do it to me anymore.

As your situation sounds so similar I wanted to tell you my story as it resonates and hope you are very wary OP. This is how it starts for a lot of people. Please don't be blinkered to his behaviour x 💐

girlmom21 · 04/01/2022 11:24

@Wazza89 was he a bit of a loner when you got together?

Muthalucka · 04/01/2022 11:27

Everyone who is giving op @Wazza89 a hard time go and read some of their other threads. The DH is not good to her at all.

girlmom21 · 04/01/2022 11:30

@Muthalucka

Everyone who is giving op *@Wazza89* a hard time go and read some of their other threads. The DH is not good to her at all.
They're an awful couple. She should leave him, realistically.
ClawedButler · 04/01/2022 12:22

FFS, she ASKED him if he wanted to do anything on NYE and he said no.

She didn't have a condom in her wallet, coat pocket or any other possession - there was one IN HER FRIEND'S BAG.

She's not getting jazzed off her gourd every night while her family is neglected. She goes out once a fortnight, after DS is bathed and fed, sees a friend and has a couple of puffs and a couple of drinks then very sensibly gets a taxi home (cf Sarah Everard if you want a reason).

He's trying to control you. It's like something from The Aspiring Control Freak handbook: first, isolate your target from their friends. Next, make going anywhere without you such a massive arse ache that they don't bother because they can't face the aggro.

He sounds like a horrible man-baby.

Wazza89 · 04/01/2022 12:35

@girlmom21 yes, to an extent. He’d talk about his friends but we wouldn’t go out and socialise with them. I’ve met his friends a handful of times (once was at our wedding) but he even admits now he can’t be bothered with them. Most his friends are online.

When we got together, he’d not long gotten out of a three year relationship. He said she was clingy and didn’t want him going out, but she said the same. When we first got together, he’d go out and socialise with me. But he doesn’t want to anymore. I’ve never really been a one-to-one person though. It would drive me nuts being stuck inside all the time.

Another thing I’ve observed is that he always had a very insular family unit. When I told him I was out and about with my friends at 11-years-old, down the park, or at the shops (obviously my friend was a bit older than me), he was shocked. He had to stay in the street where his mother could see him. He didn’t stay over friends houses as they would always go out together as a family (the five of them) to the zoo, etc., every weekend. He said once that doesn’t agree with how I was raised and doesn’t want to raise DS like that. For example, my dad would take me to the pub with him to watch the rugby and I’d have a coke and crisps with his friend’s daughter. DH believes that’s wrong and children shouldn’t be in a pub. Full stop. When we went to a friend’s wedding, I wanted to DS to stay a bit later with the other kids as I’m concerned about his lack of social skills (he does exhibit ASD traits, tbh) but DH said no because there was alcohol and it was nearly his bedtime. I personally felt it would be good for him as he’s always so excited to see other children (we don’t have many friends with kids the same age). So, yes, it’s a compatibility issue.

OP posts:
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