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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Feel like I can never win - am I always to blame?

9 replies

PopT4rts · 19/04/2024 21:20

My husband and I argued tonight. He made a joke and it hurt my feelings. I expressed that it hurt my feelings and his reaction was to say I make jokes about him all the time and he doesn't react like this. When I said 'do I upset you when I make these jokes', he says no because he knows I am joking and I should know when he is?

I sensed it was in jest but I am feeling a bit delicate at the moment and it still hurt - he basically said he's sorry that I feel this way...

I do teaching agency work and not a lot has come up recently so I haven't worked a lot in the last few months. I am a mum of 2 so look after my 2 year old a few days a week, and the rest he's at childcare so I can pick up agency work. I also have a school-aged child. So after a busy half term with them both, trying to job hunt for something permanent, do studies, school/nursery runs this week (husband doesn't drive and does shift work so he can only do DC1 after school pick up, which also limits to what work I can apply and look for...another issue), I've just done 3 days work at a school 1:1 with a SEN child which is taxing! Anyway, as I've got a job interview next wednesday (for a job I am pretty sure I can't work around 2 different childcare drop offs/pick ups/husbands early shift work) so I just said I'd be looking forward to a day off - I haven't had any time to myself in the house for weeks! He said "oh you've done 3 days work and now you're ready for a break scoff" - it got my back up a bit and if I wasn't so tired and drained I'd normally laugh, but I am just exhausted. Constantly trying to do my best for the family, look after everyone, fit in work around things and it just hit me hard.

Naturally I tried to explain this but I can't take a joke, and I make jokes all the time at his expense and he doesn't get upset etc etc. Why am I always like this?

Am I over reacting? Do I not do enough to warrant wanting a bit of a break?

There's a few other issues in our relationship, I often wonder if we're better apart. He looks after us financially, does the cooking, helps with cleaning etc but when it comes to our "mental" relationship, I feel he can talk down at me. We usually have a good laugh but lately, I dont know. Having 2 children is hard (1 still doesn't sleep through!) so I know we're both struggling with tiredness and needing breaks.

He's been on a course this week so wasn't needing to leave the house as early. I was getting ready for work, getting the kids up and dressed. Made myself breakfast and took him up some toast & coffee whilst he was home. He didn't help once getting the kids bags ready, getting them dressed, seeing if I needed help... he finally came down "oh I've got to go now" - I said "thanks for helping me with the kids" and he got angry at me. He said "you made me breakfast, ive been having that upstairs whilst I got ready" - I said that was over 20 minutes ago and he just kept saying no it wasnt. I know it was because I did ours both at the same time, had mine and cracked on getting everything ready. Any way, he's swearing at me telling me to f* off, that I'm being unreasonable. Fortunately this doesn't happen often and even when he came home I never got a proper apology despite asking. He really couldn't see why I was irked. We kinda just moved on from it but I don't know... I am just really fed up and sad at the moment and needed to write it down. Sorry

OP posts:
TheBottomsOfMyTrousersAreRolled · 19/04/2024 21:30

He pays and nothing else. Awful

Prydddan · 19/04/2024 21:40

Stop making him breakfast as a starting point.
Then start looking for jobs you can do.
He is not a partner, you are currently his maid and he doesn't appreciate a damn thing you do for the family.

BoxOfCats · 19/04/2024 23:03

He has no respect for you.

Catico · 20/04/2024 08:55

You work three days a week, if that. He does the cooking and pays bills? That seems a reasonable contribution . You need a permanent job. Are you a TA or a teacher? There is so much supply around for teachers. Not so much for TAs.
Remember if you split, you would need to work more. He would need to pick up more childcare.
He may well resent being the bread winner and you do have a number of days when you are not working and your child is at nursery.
Would it help if you went full time and he dropped to three days a week? You both might have a better understanding what the other one does.

parietal · 20/04/2024 09:02

Everything is hard when you have kids under 5 and they don't sleep.

Also, does he know what you are struggling with? Not just from the odd comment about being tired but an actual conversation where you set out what is hard for you. And listen to find out what is hard for him.

Do you & dh do positive things together? Even just watching a tv show you both like or a meal together after the kids are in bed?

I think try to stick it out for a bit longer because once the kids sleep and get easier, things will be much better.

FeistyFrankie · 20/04/2024 09:02

Sounds like you’re both stuck in a bit of a rut and some resentment has built up. Would he be open to trying couples counseling? This might help you get back on track.

Can you work full time, could that be an option to help change things a bit?

Icanseethebeach · 20/04/2024 09:04

There is a lot of passive aggressiveness and lack of clear communication going on here.

Quitelikeit · 20/04/2024 09:08

So many people break up when they fail to understand the early phase of having children is the biggest challenge they will face

No he doesn’t realise how much harder it is for you but that doesn’t mean he is useless

Let him walk a day in your shoes - get him more involved, ask for more help and both of you should work to your strengths within the division of labour

one if you might prefer bath time and the other bedtime

mamajong · 20/04/2024 12:14

It sounds a bit like you are both falling into the 'my life is harder' trap and possibly both are feeling unappreciated. I can see his frustration, why would you make him breakfast if you're already struggling with getting DC ready and if you need help why not ask instead of being passive aggressive after the fact, but I can also see yours that why would he not come and help you without being asked and not just apologise for touching a nerve with an ill thought out joke.

Can you talk when you're not arguing, share you're frustrations but be willing to hear his without getting defensive and then try to agree to 1 thing each you'll both do differently as a starting point?

Having young kids is hard on everyone, whether you are at home more or working more, I think you both need to try being less critical of each other and get back to being a team again

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