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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Husband suddenly being very selfish?

40 replies

summerpeach22 · 11/09/2024 19:20

DH has typically shared his weight of chores and errands, we are usually a pretty good team. I've always ended up doing a little bit more in the past 10 years we have been together, but he also typically makes generous surprises like going out to get us coffee and pastries, etc. Kind little gestures and I reciprocate too!

In the last few weeks, I have seen a complete 360 of his behavior. To give an example of a few incidents:

Last night I was feeling unwell and went to bed after cooking us dinner. He left everything out/ food on the chopping board etc. in the kitchen so when I came down at 1am to get some water I had to put it all away. He would usually help by putting everything in the dishwasher but left his dirty plate on the table, and it is still there this morning. This has happened a few times in the last few weeks, so not specific to me being sick.

He goes to the gym 3 times a week, and occasionally takes his car to the racing track. I work around 10 hours a day and don't have the time to do similar activities, which means late nights (WFH). On these days he says he is too tired to walk the dog and will play his video games. I end up going out at 9/10pm to walk the dog in the dark on my own, and it's not safe. We used to go together and share this, even if he was tired.

My uncle (who he has met many times) nearly died three weeks ago from Kidney failure and it was extremely traumatic since I found him dying and had to call an ambulance. I've been running around going to hospitals in another city and absolutely exhausted as I'm his next of kin (no other family where I live). He has shown no willingness to pick me up the car (I don't drive), or take anything off my plate at home. I have had to spend 100s on Ubers, restaurants etc. He has been no moral support. However, he is quite happy to drive to the city or go to places when he wants.

This is not the man I was married to a few weeks ago. AIBU that this not ok? Has anyone else seen a shift in their DH behavior so rapidly?

OP posts:
DadJoke · 11/09/2024 19:21

Have you spoken to him about this sudden change?

Autumn1990 · 11/09/2024 19:22

Has he had sudden changes in the past? If he hasn’t probably another woman or someone else influencing him.

poppyzbrite4 · 11/09/2024 19:23

Sorry about your uncle.

Well something has obviously happened. You need to ask him what's going on. It could be resentment from something you've done or he's possibly had his head turned.

Sfxde24 · 11/09/2024 19:23

Sorry to be predictable but - cherchez la femme

whoisjoe · 11/09/2024 19:26

Sorry you’re going through this OP.

my immediate thought was that he’s holding a grudge towards you looking after your uncle ….which is very childish and unsupportive . Is that something he’d do?

Swanbeauty · 11/09/2024 19:26

This reply has been withdrawn

Withdrawn at OP's request.

Butchyrestingface · 11/09/2024 19:26

I'm thinking he fancies someone else even if he hasn't acted on it yet.

Have you challenged him? What did he say?

RedRobyn2021 · 11/09/2024 19:30

WTH

Have you talked to him about it?

Pigeonqueen · 11/09/2024 19:30

Yep sorry I agree with the others. He’s checking out. Someone has tickled his pickle- emotionally if nothing else.

summerpeach22 · 11/09/2024 19:32

@whoisjoe Interesting you say this, I thought so too. I remember once sitting with my MIL and FIL a few years ago who made a very rude comment about my uncle to me - saying he was not a very nice man. They met him briefly at my wedding. My uncle is a little eccentric 'mad scientist', but would not harm a fly. While he has very little, he has never asked me for anything.

OP posts:
DoTheDinosaurStomp · 11/09/2024 20:03

Has anyone else seen a shift in their DH behavior so rapidly?

Yes. My ex partner started treating me like shit on the bottom of his shoe just before he started cheating. Or perhaps he had started cheating already or met someone he'd liked, by that point. I'll never know, he's a liar through and through. I'm not saying it is this for your DH, but that's been my personal experience in the past.

ScrollingLeaves · 11/09/2024 22:29

I am so sorry about your uncle, and think your uncle is lucky to have you. Well done for all you did 💐

Your DH is being very strange. I think the first thing is to try to talk to him about it.

sparkellie · 11/09/2024 22:38

Given the timing I would say it has something to do with your uncle. I don't think it's likely to be another woman as the change is so sudden and seems to be exactly the time your uncle was taken to hospital. Some people really struggle to cope when they are around someone who is very ill (not that this is an excuse for his behaviour or lack of support for you). He may find it helpful to speak to someone if it is bringing up either things from his past, or fears of the future. I hope you can get some answers from him and he can make the changes to support you.

VeterinaryCareAssistant · 11/09/2024 22:44

Sounds like he's jealous of your uncle.

CherubEarrings · 11/09/2024 22:47

Sfxde24 · 11/09/2024 19:23

Sorry to be predictable but - cherchez la femme

Second cherchez la femme

ChristmasPostman · 11/09/2024 22:49

Yup. My husband went absolutely cold on me like this while my mother was dying. I was juggling kids, full time job, studying and traveling over 100 miles regularly whilst losing my mother and he started treating me like I was a housemate and one he rather disliked at that. I was so bewildered but had bigger fish to fry. Found out after she’d died he was having an affair all that time. I do think some men just can’t cope with their partners attention being totally diverted away from them and will allow themselves to behave in ways alien to their normal character out of sheer resentment. It was such a bizarre time.

ForgotThePlantsAgain · 11/09/2024 22:59

I would be asking him

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 11/09/2024 23:25

Did you say you’d just got married a few weeks ago?

It’s often said that men can suddenly become abusive once they think they have you trapped - so often it’s after the birth of a child, or even in pregnancy, but in your case this could be a similar shift following the marriage.

planAplanB · 11/09/2024 23:27

He's probably pissed off that you never drive.

Nanny0gg · 11/09/2024 23:30

planAplanB · 11/09/2024 23:27

He's probably pissed off that you never drive.

So that makes him leave the kitchen a mess when the OP isn't well?

Nonsense.

Someone's turned his head

Sockmate123 · 11/09/2024 23:34

He sounds depressed to me. Sorry to hear about your uncle 😢

ScrollingLeaves · 12/09/2024 08:42

It could be a form of sulking and anger because he feels ignored. He may be reverting to a childish mode.

If so it is an unattractive as another woman.

TheRealSlimShandy · 12/09/2024 08:46

You mention gaming… has there been a sudden uptick in how long he’s spending on the console?

I think people can underestimate how quickly this can turn into an addiction- it could be that (also check that it is gaming and not gambling).

Spinet · 12/09/2024 08:54

It could be all sorts of things couldn't it. I'm sure you're not imagining it though. Best talk to him about it. Cherchez la femme and all that might be right I suppose but I wouldn't assume it without talking to him first. Car journeys are a good place or ask him to go for a walk with you since the driving might be an area of contention. Any arrangement where you don't have to message intense eye contact but are focusing on each other and communicating.

Tbskejue · 12/09/2024 08:56

Is it because he’s not getting the same attention from you now your uncle is unwell and he is having a sulk? Very unattractive and completely unacceptable if that is the case but the part about your uncle does make me wonder.