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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:
FMSucks · 24/08/2023 18:46

I don’t get the hate for the Xbox tbh. I’m not a gamer but my 2 DS’s are and there are some phenomenal games out there. It can certainly be a huge stress reliever for people. I don’t see the difference between time spent on an Xbox versus cycling, horse riding, golfing, scrolling mindlessly on Facebook, instagram, Twitter and mumsnet.

Parky04 · 24/08/2023 18:47

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.

Indeed, or if he spent 3 hours on mumsnet!

VyeBrator · 24/08/2023 18:47

The people looking down on gamers aren't coming across as very bright.

It's no different to spending a couple of hours on Mumsnet to relax.

Shocker: People like different things 😯

VyeBrator · 24/08/2023 18:48

Parky04 · 24/08/2023 18:47

Indeed, or if he spent 3 hours on mumsnet!

X post!

Xrays · 24/08/2023 18:48

FMSucks · 24/08/2023 18:46

I don’t get the hate for the Xbox tbh. I’m not a gamer but my 2 DS’s are and there are some phenomenal games out there. It can certainly be a huge stress reliever for people. I don’t see the difference between time spent on an Xbox versus cycling, horse riding, golfing, scrolling mindlessly on Facebook, instagram, Twitter and mumsnet.

I agree. My dh goes on the Xbox to relax and that’s fine with me. I read. As long as someone isn’t getting aggressive or shouting on it - as that would drive me mad- I couldn’t care less. For me it’s more about the rest of the post. That’s why I think he’s awful.

IpsyUpsyDaisyDoos · 24/08/2023 18:51

NotQuiteHere · 24/08/2023 18:46

The difference between a kind request for emotional support and emotional blackmail is pretty subtle.

I don't like emotional blackmail. But from seeing friends and family deal with infertility I know it can make you behave in ways out of character, such as a seemingly innocent pregnancy announcement or conversation with a pregnant friend winding up with you being inconsolable. It's a kind of grief.

Imagine dealing with grief, or a loss (because not being able to have the life you envisaged is a type of loss), your partner giving you a brief hug and then acting like you were emotionally blackmailing them for still being upset.

Snowpaw · 24/08/2023 18:51

Add a baby into that equation and see how it pans out...Who does the night feeds when he wants to play Xbox? Who walks the dogs? Who supports you when you are feeling at your lowest? Who does the housework while you're feeding the baby etc?

ImABox · 24/08/2023 18:52

‘it’s not my (his) fault you can’t get pregnant’.

yeh, unless you’ve both been tested it might be him!

NotStayingIn · 24/08/2023 18:54

When you are there doing all the housework, looking after the dogs, being ignored because he wants to spend time doing something he likes doing that doesn't involve you, do you then not wonder what this would look like with a child thrown into the mix? You sound so lovely, I really worry you are settling for something not so great here.

DeadbeatYoda · 24/08/2023 18:54

He is not ready to be a good dad. Please don't inflict a selfish prick on your future kids; trust me, I'm breaking my heart right now over how selfish my ex is as a father, my teens are paying the price for my 'hope' for my ex, he said all the right things but when it came to it, he can't get past his own selfishness. Please don't choose this for your children.

ErinAoife · 24/08/2023 18:54

Think carefully. Do you really want a child with someone that act like one and don't really care about having one otherwise he will be as upset as tou are.

Milkand2sugarsplease · 24/08/2023 18:55

Why exactly do you want a child with this man.....growing up would be a start for him - telling you you should do the dishes because you've used them is utterly ridiculous.

That aside - you need to get on the same page about all this. My ds1 was my much longer for ivf baby and it's a long process to face when you're not on the same page.

Yujismum · 24/08/2023 18:58

Janieforever · Today 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.

This.

TheAOEAztec · 24/08/2023 18:58

Xbox is fine. I play old pc games to relax or watch stupid movies🤷 People going on about xbox players being immature whatnots (as in all of them) are up to their arses.

The issue is the dynamic at home.

BlastedIce · 24/08/2023 18:59

Jesus what a performance from both of you!

BustyDin · 24/08/2023 19:00

This is all too tedious for words.

You and he aren't in a happy relationship, and you'd both be better off out of it.

He's happy to do his own thing without giving any thought to you, and you're happy to martyr yourself in order to tell him how much you have done for him and thought about him.

Obviously a puppy needs to be cared for - but why are you spending your spare time cleaning and making his lunch? Why aren't you going out and seeing people and having fun? His Xbox (which I think is unspeakable, btw) is his version of having a fun and relaxing time; you should be doing your version of this.

I do sympathise with you TTC, but he's right that someone constantly crying is very wearing and it can come across as manipulative.

If you're at this stage of a relationship, you are better off leaving it.

(And how does he know it's not "his fault" that you haven't yet conceived?)

cinnamonfrenchtoast · 24/08/2023 19:01

FMSucks · 24/08/2023 18:46

I don’t get the hate for the Xbox tbh. I’m not a gamer but my 2 DS’s are and there are some phenomenal games out there. It can certainly be a huge stress reliever for people. I don’t see the difference between time spent on an Xbox versus cycling, horse riding, golfing, scrolling mindlessly on Facebook, instagram, Twitter and mumsnet.

It's just MN snobbery and it happens anytime anyone says their partner plays Xbox. It's just boring stereotyping at this point.

Notooserious · 24/08/2023 19:01

Cut and run from this man child. He sounds immature and selfish. He can’t even do his fair share with a puppy, so there is zero chance he will step up when it’s an actual baby.

SnowWhiteAndTheTwoKids · 24/08/2023 19:02

OP...there are some unkind replies here. I've been in your shoes after multiple miscarriages and it's tough so I totally get it. The feeling of life in limbo and not being able to move forward or make any plans is awful.
I think men experience TTC very differently to women. It's not their body and it's not happening to them. They carry on playing golf, football, Xbox and nothing changes while for the woman who is TTC, you are completely paralysed while waiting for the positive test and then when it is positive, you're so careful about everything and hoping you don't lose it.
I remember breaking down in a store once when I saw a lovely dress and didn't know whether to buy it or not cause I didn't know if I would get pregnant the following month or not. Things that helped me:

  • Really explaining my feelings to DH...the limbo feeling especially and explaining really practically how he could support me
  • Getting on with life...making all the plans, book holidays, buy the shorts, apply for the job, have the glass of wine...I stopped putting my life on hold and it really helped *Acupuncture...not something I would ever have considered for health needs but the talking therapy that came with the acupuncturist was amazing and really helped me feel in control Good luck! 🤗
roarrfeckingroar · 24/08/2023 19:02

Don't have a child with a child

ColonelOfTruth · 24/08/2023 19:02

ChristmasCrumpet · 24/08/2023 16:01

This sounds incredibly juvenile on both sides to be honest.

I can’t see anything that makes me think OP has been juvenile here.

Optionyougot · 24/08/2023 19:03

I initially was going to say that the xbox was maybe his way of coping, but your subsequent updates about not getting his tests, assuming the issue is with you and being unbothered with announcements as time goes on makes him sound quite hateful. The argument this morning sounds more like a symptom of a bigger issue

Is this out of character? If not, why do you want to be with him?

roarrfeckingroar · 24/08/2023 19:04

But also, walking a dog and making lunch isn't hard work. He's thoughtless and selfish and immature. This isn't a good situ to b a baby into.

Newname01 · 24/08/2023 19:04

Ledwood85 · 24/08/2023 16:00

Sounds like a right twat.

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

This

Seryse · 24/08/2023 19:05

CollagenQueen · 24/08/2023 18:12

TS45 If your DH was really upset, and crying about something, are you honestly saying, that you would ignore him and immerse yourself in a game?

Come on now.....

(I'm assuming this is the question, correct me if I'm wrong and repost and I'll reply after bathtime.)

Honestly, it depends. As others have said further up the thread, it sounds like OPs crying was performative (checking to see if he was listening etc) he gave her a cuddle etc, then went to tend to his own needs most likely (by immersing in a game) so in that case, no I wouldn't go up as I'd be dealing with my own head shit and assuming she was dealing with hers in her way.

I might absolutely be wrong and he might be a dickhead, but it does sound an awful lot like what a lot of friends who I game with do too - escapism for a little bit. There are folk who go overboard, like by the sounds of it in this case (housework not being done/shared etc, everything's done in my house before either of us turn our pcs on, kids are in bed, house is tidy... well, as tidy as it can be with a 15 month old and a 12 week old etc) but that could also be depression making him go to the game to zone out Just like some people pour themselves into a book, scroll through instagram/Facebook or... mumsnet, indont understand why gaming has such a big shit sign around it, its a hobby just like the others mentioned - although I do absolutely agree some people get a bit too wrapped in it, whether it's due to depression (as I have done myself in the past) or just they enjoy the game too much and let it take over.

Everyone copes differently, people need to think about that before jumping on the games are bad nonsense.

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