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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:
icelollycraving · 11/01/2022 18:37

When I’ve known men to act in this way, there was usually another woman, job loss or debt. Basically something spiralling out of control. If he could pull himself together for the dc, I think illness is less likely. Let’s hope it’s a migraine and nothing actually awful.

MagicKit · 11/01/2022 18:47

*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.*

@Saradegrey umm, piss off! I love him. I've said it's totally out of character, haven't said he's faking illness, just that I'm not sympathetic and it felt very convenient to me. You could listen to my husbands side if you like. He'd probably tell you the truth which is that he loathes social occasions, prefers to be at home and to invite friends over rather than go out (I don't have to explain why) and has loads of hobbies! Where did I give a breakdown of my husbands hobbies? I don't remember doing that.

OP posts:
MagicKit · 11/01/2022 18:48

@Wotsitsits

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!
He puts his shift rota on the fridge and he definitely can't just not be there or meet people at work because of who he works for.
OP posts:
MagicKit · 11/01/2022 18:49

Still on hold to 111 by the way

OP posts:
Spudina · 11/01/2022 18:58

I also think this may be illness related. Let the dust settle and see what happens. If he is well and not remorseful you have an issue.

billy1966 · 11/01/2022 18:58

His behaviour was really.

Nasty, abusive, and vile.

Calling you a bitch in front of your mother?

Unforgivable.

Your poor mother must be so worried to see you treated like that.

It really isn't normal behaviour.

If this is 100% completely out of the ordinary, I would be very concerned.

If it is not illness, then have a hard look at your relationship because something is very off.

That is a dreadful way for him to behave.

Flowers
musicfeedsmysoul · 11/01/2022 19:00

@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.

Agree that's exactly how it starts
WorriedGiraffe · 11/01/2022 19:07

Glad you decided to phone 111, the timing of being so uncharacteristically horrible and having such a bad head would ring alarm bells for me too. Although I’m sure it’s more likely that somethings been bothering him between you for a while and he’s just letting it slip out now for some reason.

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 11/01/2022 19:11

Apart from work, he has no life of his own, goes nowhere, has no hobbies or nights out with friends - nothing?

Maybe that's part of the problem.

Hope his migraine is better, that's what it sounds like.

catfunk · 11/01/2022 19:27

It honestly sounds like he's having some kind of brain injury or an affair or breakdown. I hope for your sake op it's none of the above and he's just being a twat.

madisonbridges · 11/01/2022 19:32

TBF, how one person says something and how another hears it, can be two completely different things. So I can possibly understand his annoyance with that. But for him to keep it going all day sounds totally unreasonable so it's obviously more than the parking space.

If it's untypical behaviour, why don't you explain your bemusement and challenge him to explain. If he won't, then I'd be tackling him over how he spoke to you and be looking for reassurances not to be called a bitch again.

NoLongerTroels · 11/01/2022 19:35

That awful headache with photosensitivity was my first Covid symptom, I didn't test positive till three days later. I hope he's ok and back to his normal self soon.

Toasterandjam · 11/01/2022 19:44

Sounds typical of a migraine but best to get it checked out either way. Hope all is OK OP.

ana1s · 11/01/2022 19:48

How dare he call you a ‘bitch.’ Some men are hideous. I wouldn’t accept that from a random in the street, let alone my own husband! Where are his standards and integrity? God knows what your mum must be thinking - what did she say?

Matildalamp · 11/01/2022 19:50

I’m usually the first to identify red flags and abusive behaviour. But if his behaviour in the last day or so is really uncharacteristic, accompanied with photosensitivity, headache, nausea I really would get it checked out. Sorry to worry you so Flowers

PearlD · 11/01/2022 19:53

If anyone called me a bitch, never mind my husband in front of my mother they'd need to have a really good explanation and quick.

MagicKit · 11/01/2022 19:55

Just to clarify, he does have a life. 🙄
He has lots of hobbies and he has friends over quite often when he's not on shift. I'm not an overbearing witch who doesn't let him out of my sight. We are very happy and as I said, this is extremely out of character.

He's been sick and is now sitting in the dark with noise cancelling headphones on, because he says sound and laying down hurts his head. He doesn't have a temperature so 111 have said it sounds like a classic migraine and to call the GP in the morning to chase up being prescribed a type of nasal spray medication to stop them before they start in case he has another one. I assume they'll know what it is because I don't! They said he should do lateral flows every day just to be sure because a terrible headache can be an early Covid symptom. I told them he was an arse all day yesterday and they said it's common to be really irritable and out of sorts in the hours or even a day or so before a migraine. I said he's never had them before and she said that doesn't matter, they can start at any time in your life. And he might be even more irritable over the next few days while he deals with it and the symptoms that come after it.

Now I feel awful.

OP posts:
SalmonEile · 11/01/2022 19:57

@MagicKit don’t feel awful , he was able to control himself for the kids he could’ve been better to you.

Fidgetty · 11/01/2022 19:58

I get migraines and they are absolutely rotten. They put me out of action for at least two days. However, I've never, ever called anyone vile names whilst in the midst of one. That's really unacceptable.

solania · 11/01/2022 20:00

Oh @MagicKit please don’t feel awful. Just because he’s actually ill doesn’t mean he wasn’t a complete twat to you, and how were you meant to know it was a migraine (+prodrome)? Nowhere on the NHS website does it say, "Symptoms include calling your wife a bitch in front of her mother"!

I hope DH is feeling much better very soon, and after the migraine passes you will be able to discuss this weekend more calmly and hopefully sort it all out.

I’m sorry it’s been horrid. Thanks and hugs to you both

WorriedGiraffe · 11/01/2022 20:00

Have you got any aspirin in the house OP? The pharmacist suggested this to me for migraines while I was waiting to see my GP

ChocolateCakeYum · 11/01/2022 20:00

He’s ill.

But illness isn’t an excuse for abusive behaviour.

Grumpy behaviour and snappy behaviour sure. It’s not nice but it can make people feel like crap and act out.

However:

Calling you names and treating you like shit is not acceptable. Ever.

SituationCritical · 11/01/2022 20:02

[quote SalmonEile]@MagicKit don’t feel awful , he was able to control himself for the kids he could’ve been better to you.[/quote]
This.
I have horrendous migraines regularly that put me on my arse and I've managed to not ever be a total twat to my husband and family. It is also very possible he was just being an arsehole. I'd still expect an apology.

solania · 11/01/2022 20:03

@ChocolateCakeYum

He’s ill.

But illness isn’t an excuse for abusive behaviour.

Grumpy behaviour and snappy behaviour sure. It’s not nice but it can make people feel like crap and act out.

However:

Calling you names and treating you like shit is not acceptable. Ever.

It's not acceptable, but migraines really can change your perceptions of reality (and the fact that today he couldn’t really recall yesterday's behaviour suggest it was prodromal migraine symptoms). And it’s his first ever migraine. Now that he knows, I’m sure he will be more on his guard when it comes to irritability than yesterday when presumably it was all something of a surprise to him.

But agreed that @MagicKit and DH need to talk it over once he’s better

PigeonLittle · 11/01/2022 20:09

Glad you've spoken to someone. If you can get someone to bring round some migralieve or something it might help.

Its ok to seek support in the night if the pain is unbearable or there are any worsening symptoms

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