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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:
FloweryName · 24/08/2023 16:41

I don’t think the xbox criticisms are fair, especially coming from people that are sat on social media discussing other peoples problems. We all have our guilty pleasure and can’t just dismiss someone because they like gaming.

I don’t think he’s done anything wrong tbh, at least no worse than you. You were as petty and immature as each other with the dog walking/saucepans saga. When you were upset he comforted you but that wasn’t enough for you. He didn’t want to indulge in a whole pity party just because you did. That doesn’t make him selfish.

Grumpy101 · 24/08/2023 16:41

This may be a blessing in disguise. He sounds unsympathetic, immature and lazy. Leave now and find someone else. Having a baby with someone is for LIFE. You will always and forever be tied to him and he will always have that power over you. If you split you won't be able to move to a different city, he will dictate contact, holidays, everything. Picture the next 20 years of this.

Hibiscrubbed · 24/08/2023 16:42

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’.

His actions tell me he is very much the wrong person for you to embark on a fertility journey with, @TS45. He will be no support, he doesn’t care, he won’t do anything, he won’t put himself out for you… and I expect he’ll be a pretty shit father.

MrBlobbyWasTrulyAwful · 24/08/2023 16:44

I really don’t feel that you have a true partnership, it’s very point scoring by the sounds of it.
I wouldn’t be happy having a baby with someone who behaved like this, you don’t seem to be a team.
Unless you can fix that, don’t have a child. Unless you are happy to raise it mostly alone.

Nanny0gg · 24/08/2023 16:45

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’.

You really don't need to be with him

Whether you can have children or not, he is not the person to spend your life with

Somanycats · 24/08/2023 16:45

Bollocks to all this. You let your sadness out by crying. Why can't he let his out or distract himself by gaming? And as for people saying doesn't he realise that he won't be able to do whatever he wants when he is a parent - well op did what she wanted (going to bed for a cry). Doesn't she realise she won't be able to just bugger off and do that when she is a parent? It cuts both ways. Failure to conceive is hard for all parties. Everyone deals with it in their own way and neither of you were wrong.

Warburtons · 24/08/2023 16:46

I wouldn’t want a baby with him. I wouldn’t even want to have sex with him. It must be very hard to struggle the way you are but maybe it’s a blessing in disguise, get out while you can!

JANEY205 · 24/08/2023 16:46

Sorry OP but it does sound very childish. Very tit for tat and I did this and then he did that etc etc. and I did this so he then should be doing xyz.

I just do whichever chores I do and my husband does the ones he wants to do and then we both see what needs to be done and just do it rather than waiting on the other person, that’s how you have to operate with children, otherwise are you going to let your baby sit in a dirty nappy because ‘I made lunch so it’s my turn to not do it?’

He possibly didn’t know what to say to you about you getting upset over other people’s pregnancies? He probably feels uncomfortable with you being upset that his brother is having a baby as if it was my husband he wouldn’t understand how other people being pregnant is relevant to us. Whether other people are or aren’t pregnant, you still aren’t, and that is what is the hurtful part here. Even if nobody around you was pregnant you would still want to be. Try to focus on what you can control and yes he should go get tested as well.

AvocadotoastORahouse · 24/08/2023 16:48

He also said I should have done the dishes because I made the lunch and therefore used the dishes and he didn’t

What a cock. I'd be stopping cooking for him right now after that!!

Unlike a lot of MN, I have no problem with gaming. My DH (who is a techy geek) is a gamer but he is ALSO a responsible husband and father and gaming does not take over his/our lives. It's a pleasant pastime for a few hours a week. If I was upset, there's no way he'd disappear to play a game!

Your one on the other hand sounds like he's very emotionally stunted and very selfish. Neither of which bode well for having a baby which can put a strain on the strongest, more mature relationship never mind where one is being a dick!

JANEY205 · 24/08/2023 16:48

Somanycats · 24/08/2023 16:45

Bollocks to all this. You let your sadness out by crying. Why can't he let his out or distract himself by gaming? And as for people saying doesn't he realise that he won't be able to do whatever he wants when he is a parent - well op did what she wanted (going to bed for a cry). Doesn't she realise she won't be able to just bugger off and do that when she is a parent? It cuts both ways. Failure to conceive is hard for all parties. Everyone deals with it in their own way and neither of you were wrong.

I agree with this.

Itick8outof10boxes · 24/08/2023 16:49

Please do not have a baby with this man, you'll end up with two babies to look after until he gets bored and goes off 'to do what he wants to do'.
He sounds a complete twat on so many levels.

WorkingOnMyMindset · 24/08/2023 16:49

Is it possible though that going on the X-Box is self-soothing behaviour for your DP, one of those things you do to part process, part numb yourself?

LosingMyPancakes · 24/08/2023 16:49

It doesn't sound like he's bothered about having a child. And if he's not, then I would absolutely NOT have one with him. Because chances of him being invested in parenting - as you can see on many MN threads - are slim.

Out of interest, what were his reasons for wanting a baby in the first place?

JamieFrasersfurrysporran · 24/08/2023 16:49

I'm sorry you are going through this OP, it can feel like everyone apart from you is getting pregnant and that is so hard

I would take a bit of time to really think about this relationship and this man. If he can't help out and support you now his responsible is he going to be when you have a baby?

Crunchymum · 24/08/2023 16:49

Missing the point slightly but why are you having all the fertility tests?

Don't they usually ask for a sperm test to begin with as it's much less invasive than the tests the females has to have?

Bandyarsia · 24/08/2023 16:49

Somanycats · 24/08/2023 16:45

Bollocks to all this. You let your sadness out by crying. Why can't he let his out or distract himself by gaming? And as for people saying doesn't he realise that he won't be able to do whatever he wants when he is a parent - well op did what she wanted (going to bed for a cry). Doesn't she realise she won't be able to just bugger off and do that when she is a parent? It cuts both ways. Failure to conceive is hard for all parties. Everyone deals with it in their own way and neither of you were wrong.

This.

WorkingOnMyMindset · 24/08/2023 16:50

Just saw @Somanycats response. Yes, I agree (up to a point)

momtoboys · 24/08/2023 16:51

I'm sorry - did I miss the part of your post that said your husband was 12?

Psm92 · 24/08/2023 16:51

Why on earth would you want to have a child with this man? Is this behaviour completely out of character (which doesn't necessarily excuse it, but might help shed some light) or is this fairly usual for him?

SeriousLeigh · 24/08/2023 16:52

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’.

You’ve chosen to ignore the many many comments about how lazy, selfish & entitled your husband is. If you have a child with him your work and mental load will increase while his stays the same, playing on the Xbox, out with his mates occasionally walking the dog. You have a chance to get out, don’t be like the 100’s of women on here who realised too late or just put up with the shit partners just so they can have a baby!

Warburtons · 24/08/2023 16:53

@Somanycats what did I miss, I thought OP wanted to spend time with her husband because she was upset, he didn’t want to be with her so that’s when she went to bed/had a cry, which I assumed in that case was her second preference? So husband got his way, not OP, surely?

Blancc · 24/08/2023 16:54

Also agree with @Somanycats. He's allowed friends and to play games in his free time and to want to be on his own instead of doing something together.

And he's right that you shouldn't try to guilt him into getting your own way.

mn29 · 24/08/2023 16:54

Nit picking over not washing up because ‘I didn’t use those dishes’ etc sounds like my children when they squabble. He sounds too immature to be having a child with - I would be seriously re-evaluating this relationship. Just because many of your circle are having babies, don’t settle for having one with the wrong man.

Dramatico · 24/08/2023 16:57

TBH, it sounds like he's coping with things in his own way. He uses gaming to distract himself from life's issues the same way I use running and social media. We all have different coping mechanisms.

I think you sound a bit manioulative though. "He could hear me crying but didn’t come up to bed until 2am (he started his game at 9.30pm)." How do you know he could hear you? Did you make sure that you cried loud enough for him to hear? For 4.5 hours?

You seem more concerned that he behaves in a way that you deem acceptable. You don't seem that interested in exploring his feelings or even asking about them.

I think you both need better communication with each other as TTC can be a long journey and you will need to be honest and open with each other not play pass agg games.

cinnamonfrenchtoast · 24/08/2023 16:59

FloweryName · 24/08/2023 16:41

I don’t think the xbox criticisms are fair, especially coming from people that are sat on social media discussing other peoples problems. We all have our guilty pleasure and can’t just dismiss someone because they like gaming.

I don’t think he’s done anything wrong tbh, at least no worse than you. You were as petty and immature as each other with the dog walking/saucepans saga. When you were upset he comforted you but that wasn’t enough for you. He didn’t want to indulge in a whole pity party just because you did. That doesn’t make him selfish.

This is my viewpoint as well.

People deal with their pain in different ways. His way is to zone out while playing video games. Yours is to cry and talk things out. Your way isn't automatically better or more valid than his.

Your relationship in general sounds very tit-for-tat. Arguing over who gets up with the puppy and whose turn it is to wash the dishes - if you're already bickering over the little things, how are you both going to manage with a newborn baby in the house?

Despite what everyone is saying, I actually don't think he sounds particularly immature or selfish. I think you just sound incompatible.