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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:
GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 11/01/2022 20:10

My exh would frequently behave like this on my dc’s birthdays, or when it was their party. He couldn’t bare the spotlight not on him.

He wasn’t cheating. He was just a bastard.

KO81 · 11/01/2022 20:12

@WorriedGiraffe

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
Three dispersible aspirin in original Coca Cola. Absolute winner.

Don’t be unkind to yourself OP. He was an arsehole to you. It’s not up to you to think “hmm, why is H being an arsehole? Maybe he’s developing a migraine and it’s a sign of Covid.”

ifeelabitsad · 11/01/2022 20:13

Sounds like Covid symptoms.

KO81 · 11/01/2022 20:13

Also I get appalling migraines and I’m never cruel to the people I love. They’re not any different or worse for men. It’s not an excuse.

Rocket1982 · 11/01/2022 20:18

OP did you tell 111 that the headache is worse lying down? I think you should keep an eye on him over night

FriendshipsAreHardForMe · 11/01/2022 20:20

You're absolutely right.

He's being abusive. I would be issuing an ultimation and mean it. He either apologises, moves on and doesn't ever do it again. OR he packs his bags.

It may seem exaggerated for a long term relationship but what he's doing isn't right and you can't live like that. You must be feeling like utter shite ☹️ I'm sorry he's being so horrible.

LittleMG · 11/01/2022 20:22

Oh no op! Don’t feel bad how were u to
Know? Please update tomorrow I really hope he’s ok! X

Pinkflamingo87 · 11/01/2022 20:23

Op you mention photosensitivity and nausea/vomiting, does he have any other symptoms…
how does he describe the headache, for example was it a gradual or sudden onset and would he describe it as a thunderclap type pain or the worst headache he has experienced?
Does he have any neck stiffness, blurred/double vision, slurred speech, limb weakness?
Please don’t think me excusing his behaviour yesterday or today but you seem to suggest his behaviour appears out of character for him.

MagicKit · 11/01/2022 20:26

Hi, yes they did say aspirin but he's allergic to non steroid anti inflammatory meds so he can't have them, just paracetamol. I have cocodamol, can I give him that? I did tell them the headache is worse if he lies down, they said to call if it gets worse but it's probably because it's a totally new type of headache for him and he's not tolerating the sensation changes when he moves. I hope he falls asleep soon because it looks incredibly painful.

OP posts:
AndSoFinally · 11/01/2022 20:31

Yes, you can give him co-cocodamol as long as he's not allergic to codeine.

I would be keeping quite a close eye here. Lots of red flag symptoms there.

If it is a migraine, I would be giving him the benefit of the doubt for now. It affects everyone differently but it can cause confusion and personality change which isn't his fault.

If he gets more confused or drowsy, please ring 111 again, or just take him to A&E.

WonderfulYou · 11/01/2022 20:34

Also I get appalling migraines and I’m never cruel to the people I love. They’re not any different or worse for men. It’s not an excuse.

I agree.

He could genuinely have a migraine but I also think there’s something more going on and the parking issue was the last straw.

I’d give him a couple of days to get over his illness and then I’d be keeping an eye on him.
You say he isn’t cheating but he might be something else like financial worries if stress at work.

GettingStuffed · 11/01/2022 20:35

I can't take NSAIDs either, I take paracetamol and codeine at the first signs of a migraine it works well.

KO81 · 11/01/2022 20:41

Can you get him a triptan? You can buy single doses of it over the counter in out-of-hours pharmacies and it is truly the only thing that wipes out the pain for me. They’re not without their own side effects but anything is better than migraine pain.

phishy · 11/01/2022 20:48

I highly doubt he is that ill. He’s just playing you, OP, and you’ve fallen for it,

SeaToSki · 11/01/2022 20:52

So the chances are that it is a migraine. Solpadeine or a specific variant of one of the over the counter pain medicines for migraine might help. Interestingly caffeine also often helps so see if he would like a coke (regular not diet). Try and think what he might have eaten or done from about 3 days ago until before he was an arse to see if you can pin point a trigger. Flashing lights and MSG are two common ones.

His symptoms are also linked to meningitis and TIAs so have a quick google of them and note the symptoms and keep a quiet eye on him for anything else that might be going on. If you are worried about either of them its a straight to A and E issue, dont hang around with 111

Cas112 · 11/01/2022 21:09

They usually start acting like this when they want out of a relationship

Boopeedoop · 11/01/2022 21:23

Can he put his chin to his chest?
Can you check him for a rash?

I would have concerns about meningitis with these symptoms. Keep a close eye on him.

Fringellacoelebs · 11/01/2022 21:49

I was just coming to say meningitis. My dad had all of these symptons when he had it very badly.

He was also awful to my mum when he was coming down with it, she remembers him looking at her like he wanted to kill her. He is the gentlest, kindest man you can meet.

I really hope it isn't and that he is ok.

whumpthereitis · 11/01/2022 21:51

I do think it sounds like he genuinely feels awful. I hold my hands up to being a complete dick at times when I’m sick. My patience is non existent, I’m snappy, and all I want is to be left alone, preferably in a dark room.

reddevilunited · 11/01/2022 22:06

@whumpthereitis

I do think it sounds like he genuinely feels awful. I hold my hands up to being a complete dick at times when I’m sick. My patience is non existent, I’m snappy, and all I want is to be left alone, preferably in a dark room.
This. I'm a total cow and I know I am when I'm ill.
Walking4You · 11/01/2022 22:08

Other possibility is that the whole thing yesterday was brought up by something (him cheating/thinking about it/whatever) and the stress of it all brought the migraine
I’ve had many stress related migraines…..

GrannytoaUnicorn · 11/01/2022 22:09

So many posters purposely ignoring the many times OP has emphasised just how out of character this is for him. I know there's a lot of bastards in the world but if OP says he's normally very nice, lovely even then I would be very concerned about his health. Yes he managed to be nice to the children but he was still lucid enough to recognise that a child is a child! He wouldn't have been that out of it! It's totally plausible that whatever is going on has massively skewed his judgment of conflict. The children weren't causing conflict.

Personally I'd be taking him to out of hours or if he doesn't improve at all by say, midnight/1am then I'd be taking him to A&E.
IF (God forbid) it's a brain tumour or meningitis, then the sooner he's seen the better.
I know I'd much rather waste NHS resources and know he's ok, than potentially have his life put at risk by waiting longer. Sorry to be blunt.

Ps, re: Migraines, I've had them since I was 11 including Aura migraines and I even lose partial eyesight during them. However I've never ever experienced a change in mood prior to one. I'm absolutely not saying it's not true, just saying that it's certainly not always the case.

Best of luck

ClaudiusTheGod · 11/01/2022 22:13

Three dispersible aspirin in original Coca Cola. Absolute winner

Especially if you fancy a bleed of your stomach lining…

Migrainesbythedozen · 11/01/2022 22:14

If his behaviour is unusual and he has a bad headache, I'd be worried about a tumour or something, and if the headache lasts I'd get him to the GP where they might order a head scan.

Teacupsandtoast · 11/01/2022 22:16

Certainly a quick google mentions mood changes can happen pre-migraine, with anecdotal reports of feelings of irritability, severe depression, even suicidal thoughts. So it is possible that it's all linked