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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Comments from DH on appearance

116 replies

LiarLiarKnickersAblaze · 26/07/2024 22:29

A couple of weeks it was that he noticed I'd gained weight. Yep promotion at work and not been able to get out as much. I've rectified this by starting running club and fasting. I've been a lot healthier since, it was an adjustment with new role.

Helped him with a work issue this week during my own work breaks. Meant I didn't have time to sort dinner & put make up on before going to a kid's theatre show. Cue comment on my face with no make up on.

He'd also pissed me off by wanting to do buy new carpets on credit so he could take the money from house sale and put it in a savings account. He didn't explain this, was annoyed when I said I don't want ongoing credit agreement and that I should have known without him explaining it to me that he would want to put it in a savings account to earn interest.

Tonight I showed new sandals I bought. They are chunky and I am tall and then it was comments about their/my height. I don't see why I should exclusively only wear flats because I'm tall. I like the sandals but if I wear them his temperament will shift.

He's made me feel like a fat, ugly monster. And I'm not, I get hit on sometimes. His taste in clothes isn't always to my taste but I love him more and like his clothes because it's what he likes. If he was wearing something ridiculous I'd tell him, which is what he thinks he's doing to me but it's a couple of times a week - am I really making crap choices that frequently??!!

OP posts:
LiarLiarKnickersAblaze · 27/07/2024 12:23

greenwoodentablelegs · 27/07/2024 10:02

So you work in banking, have been promoted, have got an agent for a book, are tall and gorgeous, adhd which probably makes you fun to be with.

and he went on rock climbing holiday - not one with you ?

to echo a pp - Try reading Why Does He Do That by Lundy Bancroft.

and go see a solicitor to find out what would happen if you spilt. you have a chance now that is perfect.

maybe the shock of that will get your DH to stop being an unpleasant dick to you.

and the sex thing isn’t good. Sounds too much like you do it for him, what happens if you don’t? Sulking?

It's the reverse. He's a much nicer husband in the lead up and if he gets what he wants aka how he should be all the time.

OP posts:
LiarLiarKnickersAblaze · 27/07/2024 12:24

MostlyHappyMummy · 27/07/2024 09:02

Would be a good time to live apart and maybe see if a relationship living separately will make him treat you nicely?
And if it doesn't, then it's easier to split because you've each got your own property
He sounds like he's deliberately horrible to you - what an awful way for you to live

Edited

This is it - it's like he doesn't like me sometimes. He wants me to have a good job, but not too good. He wants me to have hobbies, but not be too good at them. Traditional, maybe? Competitive? I don't know.

OP posts:
Comtesse · 27/07/2024 12:28

Tall poppy syndrome? Horrible if so - my husband is delighted if I am successful at something.

LiarLiarKnickersAblaze · 27/07/2024 12:35

Comtesse · 27/07/2024 12:28

Tall poppy syndrome? Horrible if so - my husband is delighted if I am successful at something.

I think he does want good things for me but instantly reflects on his own stuff and projects like if he hasn't met one of his personal work targets.

OP posts:
NoSnowdrop · 27/07/2024 12:42

He sounds horrible and no good father treats their child’s mother like this. Nasty piece of work. Stop engaging with him and putting him on a pedestal, he’s not worthy of you.

please think about what you want from life and for your child, he’s not going to change and I’d find the comments about weight and make up unforgivable.

Sunnydiary · 27/07/2024 12:45

The fact you are thinking about how this could be the perfect time to separate says it all really…

He sounds like a dick.

You sound awesome.

greenwoodentablelegs · 27/07/2024 13:39

@LiarLiarKnickersAblaze but if he is so nice to get sex…… then it is his choice to be a dick to you, it’s not your being sensitive. He chooses to do it.

yeah that is living with the enemy

Maray1967 · 27/07/2024 14:19

Lemonlily · 27/07/2024 00:09

My father is like this, he comments on my mums weight, tells her she should still weigh 9stone like when they met, comments on her clothes, just generally criticism. And best believe he comments on me too, a favorite of mine was at Christmas he told me good job my husband likes rugby because I've gained weight and now look like a rugby player so much so he could hide behind me (I'm a size 12-14)

You need to nip this in the bud now before he starts on your daughter too.

That’s very sad. What a vile man.

I know how lucky I am - but neither DF nor FIL ever behaved like this either. Both are very complimentary about MIL/ DSM.

Pumpkinpie1 · 27/07/2024 14:27

I don’t think you realise how poorly he is treating you OP. Your daughter however does…….
Would you really want her to be in a relationship where she is bullied and gaslighted ?
You are allowing to think being treated like ….. is all that a woman deserves.

Skyrainlight · 27/07/2024 18:34

He sounds nasty and controlling.

Hankunamatata · 27/07/2024 19:11

Your partner should lift you up not put you down. It sounds like you will never be good enough for him even though you are. It sounds exhausting

AllProperTeaIsTheft · 27/07/2024 19:34

It sounds like he thinks he should be superior you (because he's a man,obvs), so he takes you down a peg or two when he can, to bolster his own self-esteem. You helping him with his work issue probably made him feel weak and emasculated, so instead of being grateful, he chipped away at you a bit to make himself feel like top dog again. What a pathetic creature. If you're not going to leave him, then you need to put him firmly in his place and make it clear that you will leave him if he doesn't stop this.

LiarLiarKnickersAblaze · 27/07/2024 20:26

Today I've been tired & run down. It's the double whammy of work and personal life at the moment.

He has a colleague visiting with his family from another country. He wanted for us to do something with them this morning.

I originally said yes to this morning with hesitation because I wanted to be supportive of him. It would have meant giving up my monthly volunteering morning which means a lot & has been sacrificed for family stuff lately. I considered it based on behaviour this week and my need to please & said no to him this morning (DH & DD went - he knew I was on the fence). Had such a good morning doing something solo. It requires a lot of effort (gardening) so it was good for me.

He wanted us to go for dinner with the family tonight, planned last minute. I was putting my make up on and just felt and looked shit. Got anxious at the comments he would make about how I look and didn't want to go out and pretend everything was fine when it wasn't. Told DH/DD to go without me. He wasn't concerned about me one bit just asked what my reasons were as we had arranged it earlier. I said I didn't have an answer for that as didn't want an argument.

I should feel bad at the drama of bailing at the last minute which is not like me (usually reliable) but don't tonight. Worried it's emotionally manipulative for me to behave like this in a 'public' way. Something has cracked inside me & I'm not going to keep supporting him and not getting the support back.

OP posts:
LiarLiarKnickersAblaze · 27/07/2024 20:29

I know that when he gets back I will want/try to get things back to normal than carry on with uncomfortability of conflict which will lead to discussions which will lead to things being temporarily OK. I hate things feeling tense.

OP posts:
AvocadoDevil · 27/07/2024 21:11

When he implies you are tall, tell him he is short.
When he says you have gained weight tell him he is also overweight.
etc.

but basically he wants a little subservient doll of a wife…

CeruleanDive · 28/07/2024 21:28

I think DD can see it as well. She hugs me sometimes after his comments.

This is so damaging for your DD. And it it’s at complete odds with:

He’s a good father….

However much you manage not to react to him, or whatever strategies might seem potentially workable to you, nothing apart from separating from him will address that awful dynamic your DD is repeatedly put in. This is her blueprint for ‘normal’ adult relationships.

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