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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Horrible wife - didn't contact DH enough

287 replies

Unrulywifey81 · 02/02/2024 12:55

DH has been away for a week on a course. I've been at home working full time and looking after the children. So hard on both of us.

DH has come home today in a massive strop as I didn't contact him enough. Apparently the fact I messaged him a few (maybe 5) times during the day, made sure he spoke to the children every night while trying to keep on top of work, household chores and keeping us all alive wasn't enough

He messaged one evening when I was enjoying the rarity of having the TV to myself and a couple of early nights and I wasn't in the mood for sexting and now thinks that I didn't make enough effort

During the day when I messaged him there were delays between messages as I was on calls (camera on) so apparently because I wouldn't stop the call to message him is rude.

OP posts:
wronginalltherightways · 04/02/2024 09:59

Unrulywifey81 · 04/02/2024 09:03

So after yet another argument the issues have come down to the fact that I don't make enough time for him and we don't have sex enough. Apparently I should be blocking time out in my diary when he at home and I'm working to make time for it.

On days off that I have, instead of wanting to enjoy the day and go out shopping in the morning and for lunch I should be planning on how to have a good session and make him feel like I want to spend some time off with him rather than going out shopping and lunch with him.

When I said that if he helped more around the house or with childcare when on nights I might want to, I got told that I don't understand how hard night work is and I need to suck it up

When I said that I could maybe take 20 minutes out during the day but would need to catch up on work later (after the kids are in bed) I then got told that I already neglect the kids enough as it is by working too much so this just will neglect them more

Can you not see what he's doing to you, OP? He is grinding you down. He is controlling and emotional abusive, and a sexist arsehole as well.

Please please please listen to what people are telling you on here.

Abouttimemum · 04/02/2024 10:30

God this is fucking awful. Both DH and I work and neither of us message each other during the day unless it’s urgent (re child pick up etc) I work from home a lot and I’m at work when I’m at home, not tidying the house or having a shag.

I was away for a couple of nights last week and I rang once each evening to speaking to DH and DS and then messaged goodnight / good morning. I’m not a child, I’m perfectly capable of entertaining myself on my own.

Jesus. He’s is at best a massive baby and at worst….well….i’d be out the door either way.

Nicole1111 · 04/02/2024 11:21

He sounds like an abusive and controlling bellend. This image is helpful.

Horrible wife - didn't contact DH enough
jannier · 04/02/2024 11:26

Unrulywifey81 · 04/02/2024 09:03

So after yet another argument the issues have come down to the fact that I don't make enough time for him and we don't have sex enough. Apparently I should be blocking time out in my diary when he at home and I'm working to make time for it.

On days off that I have, instead of wanting to enjoy the day and go out shopping in the morning and for lunch I should be planning on how to have a good session and make him feel like I want to spend some time off with him rather than going out shopping and lunch with him.

When I said that if he helped more around the house or with childcare when on nights I might want to, I got told that I don't understand how hard night work is and I need to suck it up

When I said that I could maybe take 20 minutes out during the day but would need to catch up on work later (after the kids are in bed) I then got told that I already neglect the kids enough as it is by working too much so this just will neglect them more

Do you really need this shit? He hasn't got a clue how hard it is for you effectively being a single mum it's all about him....ditch the shit he doesn't give you anything

Lancia72 · 04/02/2024 11:39

Relationships are like Celebrity Big Brother. Nobody can keep up the effort of hiding their true selves in the end. This guy's insecure and infantile.

HippyCritical · 04/02/2024 12:36

He must know he's unreasonable

Oh he does, that's why he sets impossible tasks. @Unrulywifey81 you could do everything he asks of you, to the letter, and it will still not be right. People like him (abusers) change the goalposts all the time so that you don't know which way is up, so that you'll never get it right and, most importantly, so that they can always be the hard done by one. He'll probably start accusing you of doing to him what he's doing to you, if he hasn't already.

Have you thought about contacting Women's Aid, just for a chat? There's no obligation to do anything, they'll support you while you try and work through your thoughts.

Please do not tell him you know he is abusing you and try not to change your behaviour, they can sense the change and will either escalate or allow you a short 'happy' time but that's just his tool to keep you there.

Flowers
Nanny0gg · 04/02/2024 12:48

Unrulywifey81 · 04/02/2024 09:03

So after yet another argument the issues have come down to the fact that I don't make enough time for him and we don't have sex enough. Apparently I should be blocking time out in my diary when he at home and I'm working to make time for it.

On days off that I have, instead of wanting to enjoy the day and go out shopping in the morning and for lunch I should be planning on how to have a good session and make him feel like I want to spend some time off with him rather than going out shopping and lunch with him.

When I said that if he helped more around the house or with childcare when on nights I might want to, I got told that I don't understand how hard night work is and I need to suck it up

When I said that I could maybe take 20 minutes out during the day but would need to catch up on work later (after the kids are in bed) I then got told that I already neglect the kids enough as it is by working too much so this just will neglect them more

How much worse do you want this to get before you start making plans?

He's a nasty piece of work and it's only going to get worse

BlueGrey1 · 04/02/2024 12:52

Oh God, your husband seems like one of these people who has an answer for everything and always thinks they are right, there is no talking or reasoning with people like that….Arrogant

Inefficient · 04/02/2024 13:19

What would happen OP if you showed him this thread?

RantyAnty · 04/02/2024 13:24

I just knew he'd also be a sex pest.

This guy is controlling and abusive.

He's probably mediocre and slack at his own job which is why he has all this free time to pester you.

I do hope you give women's aid a ring for at least a chat.

HippyCritical · 04/02/2024 13:25

Inefficient · 04/02/2024 13:19

What would happen OP if you showed him this thread?

He would punish her.

PickAChew · 04/02/2024 13:26

OP shouldn't show him this thread. It's her thread and he would no doubt try to stop her using this site.

MountainBarbie · 04/02/2024 13:27

BTW OP him suggesting you have to plan intimacy is so not right. If you're not naturally just engaging in this with each other why would he want it anyway? He sounds like a total creep. Please crush his ( probably cheating ) sad little ego by telling him the reason you don't have sex and spend a lot of time working is to distance yourself from him because he's a wanker.

ghlily · 04/02/2024 13:36

He is afraid of the day will out earn him. He cannot control you because you work and seen to have your own mind, but he is doing his best to change all that by emotionally blackmailing you. Doesn’t sound as if he is prepared to understand your reasonable point of view so you will be miserable in this relationship. Time to leave, before you end up dependent on him,

Gcsunnyside23 · 04/02/2024 14:27

He's realised you don't need him and he's trying to exert his control now because he knows that very soon you will earn enough to be non reliant in him. Him wanting constant contact is down to him again wanting to consume you and needing you to be reliant on him for contact and comfort. This too where he tries to be strict with the kids, meaning you need him even when he's not there and he hates he can't control everything and everyone. Don't give up your job, keep your anger to keep perspective and remember he only wants you to leave your job so he can control you not because you are neglectful

Turquoise123 · 04/02/2024 16:12

I hope you have people in your life to support you clearly things are very tough for you right now.

mandlerparr · 04/02/2024 16:22

Unrulywifey81 · 04/02/2024 09:03

So after yet another argument the issues have come down to the fact that I don't make enough time for him and we don't have sex enough. Apparently I should be blocking time out in my diary when he at home and I'm working to make time for it.

On days off that I have, instead of wanting to enjoy the day and go out shopping in the morning and for lunch I should be planning on how to have a good session and make him feel like I want to spend some time off with him rather than going out shopping and lunch with him.

When I said that if he helped more around the house or with childcare when on nights I might want to, I got told that I don't understand how hard night work is and I need to suck it up

When I said that I could maybe take 20 minutes out during the day but would need to catch up on work later (after the kids are in bed) I then got told that I already neglect the kids enough as it is by working too much so this just will neglect them more

I worked 12 hour nights as a single mom of 3 and kept my house clean (no one was home, easy) and went to my kids doctor appointments and school stuff and took care of them and took them out to parks, etc. If I could do that alone, he can spend some time each day taking care of his home and family. Tell him to suck it up.

AcrossthePond55 · 04/02/2024 16:37

@Unrulywifey81

Oh Love, I'm sure I'm old enough to be your mum and I've had one hellacious 5 year marriage as a young woman and one wonderful marriage (35 year and going strong) so listen when I say that it's time to call it a day. We only get one go round on this beautiful Earth, don't waste yours in unhappiness and misery. No amount of 'he's a good guy some/most of the time' is worth the amount of time when he makes you miserable. And he's NOT a good father. The most important thing a father can do for his children is treat their mother with respect and kindness. And he doesn't do that, does he?

No, it won't be easy. Yes, you'll shed tears and be angry and all those emotional things. And yes, you may come out of it with a 'less good' financial position, but believe me, your personal happiness and that of your children AND your sanity is worth all those things. I've said it before, I'd rather eat beans in a bed sit than dine on filet mignon in a mansion with a man like yours.

If I may suggest? Quietly see a solicitor. Take them a financial snapshot of incomes and assets, both his and yours. Get yourself educated as to what divorce might mean for you, financially speaking. Think about what you'd like as far a child arrangements and ask about the 'norm' in your area compared to what you'd like. Ask about the possibilities of moving 'home' or to a less expensive area, if that's something you'd be interested in. Seeing a solicitor doesn't mean you're going to 'do anything', it just means you're educating yourself as to your possibilities.

Also, please seek support IRL. You've been carrying this emotional load all by yourself for too long. Time to find a relative or friend to lean on, one you can trust to keep your confidence and provide a nonjudgmental listening ear as you work through what you want to do. Tell them the truth about your marriage.

You can get out of this misery you're living in and you will be happy again once you do. It will take time and some hard work, but you'll get there.

And whatever you do, do NOT show him this thread. Don't even tell him you're on MN. You need to 'go stealth' right now as you think about what you want for your and your children's lives.

Middleagedspreadisreal · 04/02/2024 16:47

Sexting?? Is that really a thing??
Gross

HippyCritical · 04/02/2024 17:37

Beautifully said @AcrossthePond55 .

Tiddlywinks63 · 04/02/2024 18:15

He sounds so utterly off-putting and insulting I wouldn’t want to spend any more than the minimum amount of time around him.
His behaviour is abusive and misogynistic to say the least. Repugnant and disrespectful.

ac9077 · 05/02/2024 10:47

Totally agree with @AcrossthePond55

FlipFlop1987 · 05/02/2024 16:25

I started off thinking how embarrassed I was for him because he was in a strop after his week away. It was quite comical. Now after all the updates I’m in total agreement you need to start your preparations to leave. It’s not a funny situation anymore, it’s the beginnings of a very dysfunctional and worrying relationship

Wednesdaysphiltrum · 05/02/2024 16:56

Please stop trying to accommodate the absolute CUNT that you are married to. My god.

WSJ · 05/02/2024 17:29

Hard for him?

Going on a course for a week without kids is not hard!