Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

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:
DuckbilledSplatterPuff · 24/08/2023 17:17

Dramatico · 24/08/2023 17:10

Would your feelings about the situation be different if instead of the Xbox, he'd whipped out his box set of Dostoevsky, or his cello?

Because I don't see what difference it makes and people are getting way too hung up about the xbox.

You are right, I think those would have the same effect as an Xbox, and possibly the cello would be more annoying, but XBox is an activity that screens out those around you, they can't interrupt the game until they do xyz etc. It is hard to talk to people when they are engrossed in it, not the same as watching for TV etc. They get told dinners on the table, but forget because its all about the game. So I can see why people are going on about it.

Sceptre86 · 24/08/2023 17:18

On the face of it your relationship sounds very much tit for tat. That doesn't bode well for the longevity of your relationship. He does sound immature and of course most people would be upset if their partner left them to sob.

You know your partner better than I do. You would know if this is out of character for him or not. All I would say is don't let your desire to have a child make you blind to his shortcomings, if there are more negatives than positives then he isn't the one.

LifeExperience · 24/08/2023 17:19

You are unreasonable for TTC with this oversized child. Please don't.

VariantHela · 24/08/2023 17:20

He isn't the one to have children with, sorry.

JANEY205 · 24/08/2023 17:22

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?

Usually alongside, but I did most of my testing by the time they tested my husbands sperm. His bloods were done same time as mine tho so not sure what her husbands hold up on that is.

NewName122 · 24/08/2023 17:22

You say he come up to bed eventually, is that right? And you said he could hear you crying? How bloody loud were you crying if he could hear you from downstairs, that's madness. He wanted alone time. Yabu.

AuntieEsther · 24/08/2023 17:23

Are you trying to have a baby with him because you want a baby at all costs?

TheBarbieEffect · 24/08/2023 17:23

This relationship won’t survive children. He doesn’t really want them (even if he says he does), he’s too selfish to have them and you’re plowing on ahead while knowing this.

Why do you think children is a good idea? Unfortunately “because I want them” isn’t enough.

CleverLilViper · 24/08/2023 17:26

Honestly you both sound immature and like your relationship is transactional.

I don’t see an issue with the XBOX it’s a hobby like many things. But are you sure he even wants a kid?

Scottishgirl85 · 24/08/2023 17:26

I would gently suggest that if the 2 of you can't manage your life/households tasks and 2 dogs - then a child is not a good idea. You both sound immature, him more so.
We had infertility, male factor, and it took us years and IVF before we got there. You need to be a team, because believe me if you're not a team for fertility treatment or when a child comes along your marriage is doomed. 14 months isn't too long, but good you're having investigations. Good luck.

RobertaFirmino · 24/08/2023 17:26

Take off your baby blinkers for one moment.

This is the man who you are actively choosing to be the father of your child.

He will not change. Chances are, he will get worse.

Do not saddle a poor, underserving child with this man for a father. It's selfish and unfair.

Wishihadanalgorithm · 24/08/2023 17:26

Please leave him. He is a shitty man-child who has to grow up hugely before he’s ready to be a father.

He has not treated you well either. Why have you tolerated this?

I know you are worth more.

OhComeOnFFS · 24/08/2023 17:27

This is a sign from the universe, OP. You are not meant to have a child with this man. He's not worthy of you. I'm sure you'll say he's nice to you sometimes, but if this is an example of how he is then everyone here knows you can do much, much better for yourself and your future children.

JANEY205 · 24/08/2023 17:28

I’d find my partner crying for hours on end quite alarming honestly. And if it was loud enough I could hear it downstairs I would find it performative and he’s probably annoyed by it if it happens anytime someone announces a pregnancy (are they actually telling you in real life or are you seeing them in social media?)

frazzledasarock · 24/08/2023 17:29

Run as fast you can away from him.

you’re already skivvy in the household things will be a million times worse when you have kids and then you’ll be tied down to him forever.

gave your tests but seriously rethink having a baby with this manchild.

ChilliNoodleGoodness · 24/08/2023 17:29

Do not have children with this man

cinnamonfrenchtoast · 24/08/2023 17:31

You know your partner better than I do. You would know if this is out of character for him or not. All I would say is don't let your desire to have a child make you blind to his shortcomings, if there are more negatives than positives then he isn't the one.

Yes, this.

Leaving the rights and wrongs of the argument aside, do you really want to have a baby with someone who sits downstairs for hours while you cry alone?

threebean · 24/08/2023 17:36

OP.

I am genuinely sorry to hear that you are struggling TC

He sounds like an absolute immature ass and I would beg you to think long and hard about having children with him. He doesn't sound ready at all.

TaigaSno · 24/08/2023 17:37

You both sound immature. You are tit-for-tat arguing over who has done more "work" to look after a puppy, how on earth will the two of you manage a baby?
I understand the heartache of infertility but don't let the yearning for a child lead you blindly into parenting when the relationship isn't ready for it.

AuroraForever · 24/08/2023 17:37

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.

Oh my god ^^this 100% with bloody bells on.

You are both allowed to deal with your infertility issues in your own ways. If that’s separately - you crying, him gaming - then that’s the kind of people you are. Deal with it and either move forward together or don’t but I don’t think either of you are ready for having kids.

Rubiconmango · 24/08/2023 17:38

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?

Oh no OP. Do not conceive when you are with a boy and not a man. He can't even recognise you need comfort and you expect him to raise a child?

I also saying gently think you may also be quite young with how you self regulate. It's very telling of your age when someone else's pregnancy has you this level upset, and your crying upstairs hoping this manchild hears you and comes running to rescue a damsel in distress! That's just not how the world works.

You both sound immature, but he clearly gets the trophy on immaturity in this scenario and behaving like a royal twat.

Neither of you is ready for children.

FMSucks · 24/08/2023 17:40

I had secondary infertility and after my 3rd miscarriage the best my DH could muster up was a pat on the shoulder and a “sorry for your loss.” We went on to have DS2 but our marriage didn’t survive. I will not sit here and blame him for everything (although I did at the time and my resentment was palpable) and agree with others who have said that he is entitled to deal with it in his own way and he is doing what he needs to cope. You do not seem to understand each other and you expect him to be something or someone he actually isn’t. I was exactly the same. I never actually saw my DH for who he was, I wanted him to be someone else. I see that now but at the time it was all his fault and he couldn’t do anything right. Bringing children into this relationship has disaster written all over it. I wish you well OP I really do x

Andthereyougo · 24/08/2023 17:40

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’.

I think you have a lot of your answer in just that. Does he really want a child? Not just a baby, but a demanding, expensive child he is responsible for for at least 18 years? Is he prepared for the long term care, you can’t go off and play X-box when your child is ill, in hospital, has a school play, parents evening, stressing over exams, goes awol as a teen.
I can appreciate your hurt and longing for a baby but is he the right father?

fetchacloth · 24/08/2023 17:42

Sorry OP but it sounds like you're married to a child 🙄

XiCi · 24/08/2023 17:42

Have a read back of your posts and ask yourself if you would really want to bring a baby into your dysfunctional relationship. You sound over dramatic, hyper sensitive and needy. He sounds lazy, selfish, sexist and quite frankly like he doesn’t give a shit about you. Why bring a baby into this shitshow

Swipe left for the next trending thread