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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Husband being mean?

159 replies

MagicKit · 11/01/2022 16:35

I think he is, but AIBU to?

Was our child's 5th birthday yesterday. Not to Dc but to me he sulked and snapped for most of the day because I motioned for him to park in a certain spot in the school car park as it is where DC and I meet his friends every morning.
He ignored me and parked somewhere else. Then me and DC got out of the car and I said "come on, let's walk up to the grass and meet Eric and Jamie!" DH did not follow us and stayed sitting in the car. He got out when we walked into school and came with us but as soon as DC was in school he went marching off ahead. We were going to breakfast together- our first time just us in months actually- and he was giving me nothing more than "mmhmm" and eye rolls so I asked him what was wrong. He said "I won't be told where to park. I know how to drive and where I'm going thanks. I don't need to be belittled and snapped at." I asked him where I had snapped and belittled him when all I did was point and say, perfectly neutrally, "look, park in there, that's where I normally park." He claimed that is not what I said and he was made to feel ridiculous.

All day long he was just unpleasant to me. Not in front of the DC but when my mum came to visit I asked him if he'd like a cup of tea as I was making one and he looked at me, flatly stated "nope" and immediately put his headphones on. I was embarrassed for how he was treating me in front of my mum and said to try and inject some humour "oh, stop being such a grump!" He replied, "maybe you shouldn't be such a bitch." Me and my mum were totally shocked and neither of us have ever known him to be like that.

Later on when I did DC's birthday cake, I asked him to turn the lights out and he just said "why?" I said "because I am bringing in the cake with the candles for DC" and he just stared at me as if he was trying to work out what on Earth it had to do with him.

He sulked off upstairs and I had just about had it. I went up and said to him that he's being vile and I consider that kind of behaviour toward me to be abusive. Basically punishing me because his male pride got so hurt because I suggested a parking space! And no, you don't get it to mope about upstairs when your child is excitedly waiting to play with everyone and his new toys, so pull your damn self together and get downstairs for your son! And don't you dare give him the same horrible attitude you're giving me! Neither of us deserve it but he definitely doesn't at all!

He was perfectly lovely to DC, but kept giving me absolute evils.

And then later when I was talking to oldest DC about injuries that can happen to feet due to his having stepped on a drawing pin, I recalled to him the time I stood on a nail. DH, who wasn't even part of the chat, chimed in with "Ah, there you go. We're back on Mum. Conversation is now all about Mum." DC said "what are you on about?" and laughed, but I felt totally shit because actually, I never make anything about me and he knows it, he's told me so many times that I should be more assertive about sharing my opinions and experiences!

Seriously, I was so taken aback by his sulking and nastiness all day long. We've been together a decade and I've never known him be such a twat. I mean that- never.

Today he's being frosty and complaining of a terrible headache and joint pain and is quite scandalised that I don't give a shit at all. Normally I'd make him a drink and bring him some painkillers as he would for me if I was ill, but I'm so bothered by his nastiness. I told him he was a bastard to me yesterday and he said, "um...what?!"

Wtf!!

OP posts:
Nomorescreentime · 11/01/2022 17:43

If you've been together ten years and this is totally out of character...then something's up. Work/money/illness? But for it to be directed solely at you...it sounds very strange.

FOJN · 11/01/2022 17:46

I would be concerned about such a radical change in behaviour BUT you said he was perfectly lovely to DC which would seem at odds with unusual behaviour due to illness. It's possible he's having an affair but you don't give any other information to suggest that.

You said he feels unwell and is still being frosty today, I think I would keep things civil, let the dust settle and then have quite a serious talk about his behaviour when it seems more likely to be productive. I'm not suggesting having it it with him right now because its quite a confusing picture, he's still not back to behaving normally so it might just invite more upsetting behaviour from him.

When he recovers his senses he owes you a big apology. I would not tolerate the behaviour if it becomes a repeating pattern and he would only call me a bitch once.

Santaisstilleatingmincepies · 11/01/2022 17:54

Is he like this on every occasion that isn't about him?

SummerHouse · 11/01/2022 17:55

No excuse for it but it does sound like he is ill. Illness makes many people short tempered. That said an apology is due and he should have recognised he was being an a hole.

Saradegrey · 11/01/2022 17:55

@ANameChangeAgain

He behaved unacceptably yesterday. If this is just a one off, and if you are usually a good, happy team, then once the dust has settled you need to sit down and have a conversation about his sulking and his nastiness, especially in front of your mother. Let him now that his behaviour was appalling and something you won't put up with again. Don't expect a response, otherwise he will go into self defence or denial mode. Just let him know that he crossed a line and it is not to happen again.
Yes, that's really going to work - talking to him like he's ten year old kid. Pffft
SummerHouse · 11/01/2022 17:59

I think I would make him a cup of tea and take some pain killers up and say "look DP, yesterday you called me a bitch. That's totally out of character. We have literally never called each other names Is something up or could it be because you are ill?"

Fidgetty · 11/01/2022 18:02

Jesus... if my husband called me a bitch in front of my mum she would be utterly horrified. That's awful. Is there more to this? Have you been on rocky ground lately relationship wise?

Wandda · 11/01/2022 18:02

@BlueRoseInBloom

In my own unfortunate personal experience, when they start acting like this, they are either cheating or thinking of cheating. Doing everything to paint you as a complete bitch in their mind in order to justify sticking their knob in the new not-a-bitch.

Or just plain old thinking of leaving you and trying to make you kick them out to save being the bad guy.

The crazier the shit they nit pick, the more likely.

Sorry, probably not what you want to hear.

Keep an eye out, have a think about any more recent weird shit and have a snoop about.

This was my experience too
MagicKit · 11/01/2022 18:04

Hi everyone. He's definitely not cheating. I know they all say that but he's not. Totally transparent with phone and laptop, doesn't use SM, works nights in a 100% male workforce and sleeps all day when he's on shift: when he's off shift he's here with me and DC.

People who said about the headache. He's done a lateral flow which is negative but he's refused food all day due to nausea, and this evening has got incredibly snappy about the lights needing dimming (they don't dim)?? Keeps saying he feels like someone has his head in a vice . He's never had a migraine before, no. Neither have I. I guess he might have one. Im still pissed off about yesterday so I've not been particularly sympathetic. I've felt like it's very convenient to be ill on a day where if I'd behaved like him, I'd be expecting him to be disgusted with me.

OP posts:
Velvian · 11/01/2022 18:04

Is it a weird jealousy/awkwardness about birthdays? Birthdays (especially my own) make me feel a bit icky, but I hopefully don't show it.

It was not acceptable behaviour from him and sounds very odd. Was there another incident prior to the parking incident? Something that he may have been embarrassed about?

MagicKit · 11/01/2022 18:05

@Velvian

Is it a weird jealousy/awkwardness about birthdays? Birthdays (especially my own) make me feel a bit icky, but I hopefully don't show it.

It was not acceptable behaviour from him and sounds very odd. Was there another incident prior to the parking incident? Something that he may have been embarrassed about?

No, he's great with birthdays! All special events really. He's usually so laid back too. I mean, he can get pissed off like anyone but he usually goes quiet. I've never known him be such a twat
OP posts:
solania · 11/01/2022 18:08

I’d be worried about it being illness, not shady behaviour. In fact, if he’s bothered by the lights and complaining his head is in a vice, I’d be tempted to call 111.

I’m sorry OP, sounds very stressful and it must be so unsettling for you.

Teacupsandtoast · 11/01/2022 18:08

Op, if this was truly out of character (and the calling you a bitch in front of your mum seems very unusual - abusers aren't so blatant!!!) and now his head is agony/he cant cope with the light, I'd maybe call 111 for him...he might actually be unwell (menigitis??)

Teacupsandtoast · 11/01/2022 18:08

*meningitis

solania · 11/01/2022 18:09

@Teacupsandtoast meningitis was my thought as well, or a migraine. Nausea isn’t surprising for a migraine or other headache.
For all that he’s been a twat, I feel rather sorry for DH. He sounds like he’s feeling rotten.

MagicKit · 11/01/2022 18:10

I will try 111.

OP posts:
Graphista · 11/01/2022 18:15

In my own unfortunate personal experience, when they start acting like this, they are either cheating or thinking of cheating.

My experience too - spoiling for arguments starting them outta nothing!

@HaudYerWheeshtYaWeeBellend those of us saying it are mostly talking from personal experience - please don't negate that!

Also NUMEROUS threads by ops who've experienced same

It's not an out there idea!

Headache COULD also be a factor - but a brain tumour or similar far less common than cheating!

Frankly I think it's more likely he's CLAIMING a headache/illness to get out of bother!

It's been nearly 20 years since my divorce - my ex is still scared of bumping into my mum! Grin

If he had called me a bitch in front of her she'd have gone through him! Hell if HIS mother had been present he'd have been lucky to survive!

"He doesn't have the time to cheat" - often famous last words op! I've been on a few threads where that's been claimed, my ex was shagging ow in his lunch break! On work premises! The threads I'm referencing - ow turned up in most cases, in the rest no updates!

Could be illness so yea rule it out if poss but it still could be cheating.

Merryoldgoat · 11/01/2022 18:16

@BlueRoseInBloom

In my own unfortunate personal experience, when they start acting like this, they are either cheating or thinking of cheating. Doing everything to paint you as a complete bitch in their mind in order to justify sticking their knob in the new not-a-bitch.

Or just plain old thinking of leaving you and trying to make you kick them out to save being the bad guy.

The crazier the shit they nit pick, the more likely.

Sorry, probably not what you want to hear.

Keep an eye out, have a think about any more recent weird shit and have a snoop about.

I’m afraid I agree with this.
stuntbubbles · 11/01/2022 18:20

Not necessarily cheating, but doing something equally he shouldn’t: secret binge drinking, gambling family savings, etc. Have a good snoop in the recycling bins and accounts.

Saradegrey · 11/01/2022 18:21

@MagicKit

Hi everyone. He's definitely not cheating. I know they all say that but he's not. Totally transparent with phone and laptop, doesn't use SM, works nights in a 100% male workforce and sleeps all day when he's on shift: when he's off shift he's here with me and DC.

People who said about the headache. He's done a lateral flow which is negative but he's refused food all day due to nausea, and this evening has got incredibly snappy about the lights needing dimming (they don't dim)?? Keeps saying he feels like someone has his head in a vice . He's never had a migraine before, no. Neither have I. I guess he might have one. Im still pissed off about yesterday so I've not been particularly sympathetic. I've felt like it's very convenient to be ill on a day where if I'd behaved like him, I'd be expecting him to be disgusted with me.

Now you are accusing him of faking illness!! He has a severe headache with photosensitivity and nausea.

I would love to hear his side. Apart from work, he has no life of his own, goes nowhere, has no hobbies or nights out with friends - nothing? and that's how you know he's not having an affair!

You don't like him and you don't respect him one bit and you think he is a liar and a faker. You have bigger problems than you ordering him where to park and him kicking off about it all day.

Wheresmywoolyjumpers · 11/01/2022 18:21

So he was mad you seemed to be telling him how to drive (its a stretch but that seems to be what he was saying). Even if you were, normal people would forget that a few minutes later. It is a much bigger issue that he 1. kept it up all day and 2. responded to you calling him a grump (not fun to hear but not massively disrespectful) by calling you a bitch. Both of which he needs to apologize for. I get massively irritable when I am getting sick so it could be that, but either way he needs to take responsibility and apologize.

SummerHouse · 11/01/2022 18:23

Good luck OP. Hope he is ok.

CheshireKitten123 · 11/01/2022 18:27

@BlueRoseInBloom

In my own unfortunate personal experience, when they start acting like this, they are either cheating or thinking of cheating. Doing everything to paint you as a complete bitch in their mind in order to justify sticking their knob in the new not-a-bitch.

Or just plain old thinking of leaving you and trying to make you kick them out to save being the bad guy.

The crazier the shit they nit pick, the more likely.

Sorry, probably not what you want to hear.

Keep an eye out, have a think about any more recent weird shit and have a snoop about.

Absolutely this ^

When My exH started being arsey I thought it was stress at work - how wrong I was.

Wotsitsits · 11/01/2022 18:29

Sorry but he could easily be lying about being on shift! That makes it even easier to cheat as that gives a solid 12 hours!

barbrahunter · 11/01/2022 18:30

I have to say that my ex started behaving in a very similar way too, when he wanted out of the relationship. I'm sorry, OP, I recall all too clearly how it makes you feel.

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