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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Furious with husband. AIBU?

276 replies

TS45 · 24/08/2023 15:56

I’m so upset.
My husband and I have been TTC for 16 months with no success. After a very late period, I felt so hopeful, but it turned out to just be another negative test. My husband’s brother, who’s 2 years younger, is expecting a baby with his girlfriend, which they have been very open about in how easy they were to convince. I’m absolutely thrilled for them but I can’t help but feel heartbroken that it isn’t me, and it feels so unfair to hear all about an accidental pregnancy when I’m doing everything I can to get pregnant. So many close friends are also pregnant, and last night was a particularly heavy night of hearing, ‘we weren’t even trying, I’m so shocked’, from so many different people. Once home, I broke down. My husband asked what was wrong (he was out with me), and after I explained, he put his arm around me for about 2 minutes then got up and went on his Xbox. I was still crying and asked him if we could do something together, and he responded by saying he wants to play Xbox by himself. I reacted by getting up and telling him I’m going to bed then, and then he got annoyed and said I was ruining his evening by making him feel like he can’t play on his Xbox. I told him he can play on his Xbox, but that I thought he would have wanted to do something together. He said that I shouldn’t use my heartache to guilt him into getting my own way. He then put his Xbox back on and I went upstairs to bed. I sobbed because I just felt like he didn’t care about me and I felt sad because of the complete lack of comfort. He could hear me crying but didn’t come up to bed until 2am (he started his game at 9.30pm).
when he finally came to bed, he asked me why I was upset, so I had to re-explain how down I feel about not being able to get pregnant. I told him I feel so alone when most women in my life are currently pregnant, and I feel like my life is on standstill. He then asked why I’m so upset with him because ‘it’s not my (his) fault you can’t get pregnant’. I explained I’m upset with him because he didn’t comfort me, and chose to sit there and play Xbox knowing his wife was in tears. He said he did comfort me because he put his arm around me. That was for 2 minutes and he stopped doing it to play even though I was still crying. He said he wanted to play Xbox and it’s selfish of me to expect him to not do what he wants to do.
This morning, he got up early to take our puppy out for the toilet. He then got ready and went out with his friends for a few hours. During this time, I watched our puppy, took our older dog out for an hour long walk, then took our puppy out for a 20 minute walk (our older dog pulls so much it’s impossible to walk them together by yourself). I then did work in our garden, cleaned the downstairs of our house, and made us both lunch. He came home and had his lunch then proceeded to lie on the floor with the dogs whilst all the plates, pans, and bowls were in the sink. I asked if he could help me with the dishes which he did. He then followed up by telling me to put all the dishes away because he’s washed them and it’s not fair if he washes and dries. I then pointed out all of the things I’d done whilst he was out and he said, ‘well I got up early with the puppy and you didn’t’. I normally get up early with the puppy. He also said I should have done the dishes because I made the lunch and therefore used the dishes and he didn’t. I’m now sat upstairs really upset whilst he’s sat downstairs. I just feel like he’s been so selfish yesterday and today. But I’m still really sensitive from last night. He also hasn’t asked me once how I am today.

am I being unreasonable or has he been quite selfish?

OP posts:
EVHead · 24/08/2023 15:59

Your relationship isn’t ready for children. He sounds very immature.

Ledwood85 · 24/08/2023 16:00

Sounds like a right twat.

Right from the first mention of the word "Xbox".

Trenchfootinthescottishhighlandstoday · 24/08/2023 16:01

Ttc with him hasn't been successful for a reason imo op..

ChristmasCrumpet · 24/08/2023 16:01

This sounds incredibly juvenile on both sides to be honest.

Gensola · 24/08/2023 16:01

Why would you have a baby with a man who is so immature and clearly not father material …

Annonymiss123 · 24/08/2023 16:02

EVHead · 24/08/2023 15:59

Your relationship isn’t ready for children. He sounds very immature.

I'm sorry for the difficulty you're having, but I'm afraid I agree with @EVHead .

peachgreen · 24/08/2023 16:02

I think you should be relieved you haven't had children with this loser and get out while you can.

Rainallnight · 24/08/2023 16:03

Think of not having conceived by now as a lucky escape from having to raise children with this man child.

CommonVetch · 24/08/2023 16:03

I'm sorry you're so upset, but having a baby with this manchild is not the solution. Not by a long shot.

Rainallnight · 24/08/2023 16:03

peachgreen · 24/08/2023 16:02

I think you should be relieved you haven't had children with this loser and get out while you can.

Ha snap!

CoffeeBeansGalore · 24/08/2023 16:04

Are you sure you want a baby with him? He sounds rather selfish and I think you would end up doing everything as he would still want to play on his X box.
You were a bit over emotional but it is understandable.

Merryoldgoat · 24/08/2023 16:05

Is this unpleasantness normal? Because if so you’re better off finding out now before you bring children into this relationship.

He doesn’t sound like he likes or respects you which should frankly be non-negotiable for any relationship.

Poivresel · 24/08/2023 16:05

Your dh isn’t ready to be a father, he’s lazy, immature and lacks empathy.
How old are you op?
I don’t recommend having a baby with this man.

Gymnopedie · 24/08/2023 16:06

He is being horribly selfish, but this can't be the first time.

I can sense how much you want a baby OP, but if I were you I'd back off ttc for now. Firstly to see if you really want to be tied to his self centred arse for the future, and secondly to come to terms with the fact that if you DO have a baby with him it's quite clear that he will expect everything to do with it to be your responsibility, on top of everything else you have to do because he's too selfish to do it.

SMM2020 · 24/08/2023 16:06

He's being a completely insensitive tit.

Also I'm never a fan of apportioning blame with these kinds of things but how does he know it's not 'his fault' you can't get pregnant...have you had any tests done to determine if there's an issue? It's ultimately irrelevant as no-one is at fault, but that was a stupid fucking comment from him as well.

Tbh, I don't think children are a good idea right now. His emotional ineptitude is only going to upset you more once children come along.

Imogensmumma · 24/08/2023 16:06

Oh I remember the pain of everyone else announcing their pregnancy… and whoopsie babies just to make me so upset!! Your DH is an immature twat!

How is he going to cope being a dad and parent WITH YOU does he understand that he won’t just be able to do what he wants when he wants?!? That attitude was a massive red flag to me.

Also not the point of the post but if you have a baby you won’t have time to walk to dogs separately so best to get it sorted so that big dogs walk together .

BrightGreenMoonBuggy · 24/08/2023 16:07

You are seeing exactly what he will be like (crap, selfish and lazy) if a baby needs his attention. Stop TTC. He’s not remotely ready to be a parent - just look at his behaviour!

PickAChew · 24/08/2023 16:09

This is a man(child) who won't have his sleep interrupted to deal with a crying baby. Take notice!

Janieforever · 24/08/2023 16:09

I’m going to differ a bit, both of you are going through infertility. Both of you have different ways of handling it. If his is to switch off mentally and play Xbox , that’s ok, yours is to cry and want comfort time together, that’s also ok. It’s just incompatible.

you need to listen to each other, and try to compromise. He was telling uou what he wished or needed to do to switch off, he also sat through the chat. You were telling him your needs were more important.

then today you’ve agrued again. You need to learn to respect each others needs during this difficult time, and your differences , as it’s now become a petty war.

Lovehearts82 · 24/08/2023 16:10

How is he usually in dealing with emotional moments. He might have been feeling just as upset as you. It must have hurt him that (he's not able to get you pregnant, but his brother can with his partner). His actions may be his way of dealing with that disappointment or, in fact not dealing with it. So how is he in other moments? Is this just how he is? Avoiding situations with his xbox? If it is, then I agree with other posters that he's probably not mature enough for a child, and you need to really think about the relationship. Either way you need a long talk about how you feel.

HakunaMatiłda · 24/08/2023 16:13

Sounds like the world is trying to make you reconsider if you should be in a relationship with this child man

Inkpotlover · 24/08/2023 16:14

He sounds like a massive man-baby. Also, how is he so sure it's not his fault you can't pregnant - have you both had tests? The fact he just assumes it's down to you tells you everything.

TS45 · 24/08/2023 16:14

He didn’t recognise that I was upset because of the conversations we heard. He had no idea why I was sobbing when we got home so I had to explain why the conversations hurt me. I asked how he felt about it and he said he’s fine, and it doesn’t upset him seeing pregnancy announcements. It genuinely doesn’t upset him.
I’ve got lots of tests coming up. He’s been asked to schedule a blood test to see his hormone levels but he hasn’t done it yet because, in his words, ‘my hormones are obviously fine’.

OP posts:
Noorandapples · 24/08/2023 16:14

He's incredibly self absorbed, you really shouldn't be putting up with this sort of relationship. A relationship that lasts has to have a level of mutual respect that he doesn't seem to give you. Imagine this with a newborn baby. You can do better.

bluebellart · 24/08/2023 16:16

Does he actually want children with you OP? I can sort of see what @Janieforever is saying, but my question is, is he even bothered about the infertility?

He doesn't sound anywhere near mature enough to be a dad to me. If he can't even support you, how is he going to look after a child? He's selfish.