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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Can anyone shed light on this dynamic?

115 replies

DaphneLaurel · 19/12/2024 23:56

DP and I are having a lot of arguments lately. From my perspective he seems to get upset with what feels to me to be innocent comments from me. Is it me? An I bring irritating and unreasonable?

Example 1: DP went in to the hospital for medical test (a scan). I asked if the doctors were able to say what was wrong. He got really upset and angry with me because they never give out scan results on the day and 'everyone knows that'. He went on and on about how he was surprised that I asked that question. I said sorry I didn't know. He just wouldn't let it drop, for about an hour. I found it upsetting because I'm not really used to hospital tests and I didn't know that they definitely wouldn't be able to tell him anything on the day.

Example 2. DP and I live separately. He mentioned that he'd been to buy some compost on the way over. I said "Oh is that for your raised beds?". I knew he was planning to build some but i knew they weren't yet built, but he is very industrious, always doing stuff and likes to buy stuff in advance. He doesn't have a garden as such so I wasn't sure what else he would be using compost for. He got very upset and angry at me. Apparently he felt that I was completely unrealistic in asking if they were for the raised beds because they months away from being complete and he would need tonnes of compost, not just one bag. It was for planting a climber apparently. He said it showed how disconnected i am from his life. I said sorry, but again he didn't let it drop. It made me feel a bit stupid tbh.

Example 3: DP has been on the waiting list to be seen about a health condition. He's been on there for months, almost a year. He said that he's called them and he's heard absolutely nothing from them for ages. I said something like 'oh dear, are you sure you haven't dropped off the list somehow?'. He went ballistic at me basically saying that he felt like I didn't trust him to be chasing them and of course he would know whether or not he's on the list. Again he wouldn't let it drop and I felt like I couldn't escape the argument.

Example 4: DP was telling me about his decorator who has been promising to come and finish some work in his house. He was meant to finish it last Christmas and now it's this Christmas and he's still not done it. The decorator promises and then cancels again and again. I asked him gently where his boundaries were and asked if he'd considered finding someone else to finish the work. DP said he was never going to let this guy off the hook and he would hassle him until he came and did the work. I said something like "God you could be waiting another 3 years". DP then got angry with me. He seemed to think that I was making a judgement on him that he would let the situation go on for that long. He went on and on about how I don't trust him. That wasn't what I was saying at all, I just know that even when you hassle people if the guy doesn't want to do it then he'll find a way out. I wasn't saying that I didn't trust DP to make it happen. He said I'm always being pessimistic.

Example 5. Driving out of the train station after picking me up DP says he's going to take a different route back to mine. I said something like "Really? Are you sure this is right? I've never been this way before". He brought this up as an example of me not trusting him. I just honestly didn't know you could go that way.

He's made it clear that I should under no circumstances make any comments whatsoever during parking. He would hate it if I said "What about this one here?" or "That space looks a bit tight" as he thinks it shows I don't trust him. I basically learnt that I have to remain completely silent. I mean literally not a peep.

In summary, he said that I am always questioning him and his judgement and that I don't trust him and I don't trust that he's handling whatever situation he's in. I do trust him and know he is doing his best and does wonderfully most of the time. I don't feel like I'm being critical. It just feels like normal chat from my side. Can anyone give any insights into this dynamic? So confused about what's going on. Is his outrage justified? Maybe I'm a really irritating airhead to be around?

OP posts:
lionloaf · 20/12/2024 09:53

Only 3 sounds annoying.

Either you’ve told us half the story, and you never listen to what he says, are dismissive of him and micromanage everything he does, which is why he is totally fed up with you.

Or he’s quite stressed/worried about something and is taking it out on you.

Or of course he could just be horrible, but my money is on one or two.

RB68 · 20/12/2024 10:12

hmmm why would you mistrust him - is there something on his conscience for him to be constantly harping on about it.

Another time try "well not in this instance as frankly its clear the car wont fit"

A little bit of this too and fro is normally the constant blaming you and having a go is not. DH was a bit like this - until I explained my thought process one time when I just said, its not about trust, I am trying to save you bother ie getting lost, taking ages, scraping the car, not being able to get out etc. etc.

Aliflowers · 20/12/2024 10:22

I very rarely call LTB, but seriously, throw him back in the sea. He sounds like a miserable, demeaning, piece of shite.

This 100%. Seriously throw him back. You dont live together so don't have the worry about moving houses or financial ties. Hes just short of throwing you a treat and giving you a pat on the head for good behaviour. What does he actually bring to your life?

Hotchocolate92 · 20/12/2024 10:39

He sounds insecure. He possibly puts you down to try and make himself feel like the big man. Why don't you stop asking any questions and give short but positive responses to his information such as "hope you enjoyed/cool/that's awesome" and then move the convseration onto something else? I wonder how long it will take him to comment on your 'lack of interest'... bet it won't be long. 🙄One of those can't win scenarios!

SleepDeprivedElf · 20/12/2024 10:54

Look up rejection sensitive dysphoria, and see if it rings any bells. It's relentless and exhausting to be in a relationship with someone who overreacts even to perceived criticism. The examples you've given are pretty extreme! Is there really a future with someone like this?

BellissimoGecko · 20/12/2024 11:09

Does he ask you similar questions?

BellissimoGecko · 20/12/2024 11:09

CuriousGeorge80 · 19/12/2024 23:59

God he sounds like an absolute cock.

I don't really like people commenting when I'm parking, but other than that they all sound complete over reactions. He doesn't like to be questioned or challenged and he is rude and childish.

This.

CitiesInDust · 20/12/2024 11:13

Some of this is him being over sensitive and reading things into what you say that aren’t there.
The scan one is just odd. I guess he was stressed. He’s also wrong on that one.

It’s not an ok way to live, though, is it?

sinckersnack · 20/12/2024 12:52

I agree with those who say we've only got one side of the story. Whether we think he's a dick or not, we all seem to agree that the relationship is not great and would be best ended.

I had a family member - since died - who always, always questioned my choices. It drove me mad!

Me: I'm just going to do XXX
Her: but wouldn't it be better to do Y?
Me: No because ABC.....
Her: But if you do Y you could....
Me: Yes but I've already done ** and if I did Y then.....
Her: But why did you do ? You should do / tell / see / change.....and then....

Whether we were talking about feeding the baby, driving to the shops, speaking to a teacher about my DC or deciding what time to have dinner. Luckily she didn't visit often. She was good person but if I'd had to live with her I'd have definitely snapped!

burntheleaves · 20/12/2024 15:35

@prepareforthebacklash

I dunno..."Really? Are you sure this is right? I've never been this way before" isn't something I'd be too happy to hear. I mean, if the OP has evidence to back up her concern that the route might not have been a correct one, then fair enough, but to justify it by saying "I've never been this way before" is pretty crap...none of us can possibly ever do all things once in this lifetime - not having done something is not evidence to question someone else's thought processes.
You've taken one example in isolation but it's not an isolated event. It's a pattern of behaviour and it's new.
Many things as isolated events would be normal. Falling over, interrupting, doing a poop .... but if there is a recent change and it's now excessive and frequent then it's potentially a problem.

PromoJoJo · 20/12/2024 15:47

This reply has been withdrawn

Withdrawn at the poster's request.

Nogaxeh · 20/12/2024 15:59

I'm willing to cut him a bit of slack over some of these. For example, the medical ones he could be a bit anxious about them, and so you asking him a specific question about it forces him to talk about it when he isn't ready. A more general question might be better as it shows interest, but he doesn't have to say so much if he's not ready.

But there are a couple of things that don't sound right. First, it is happening so much, and about innocuous things like compost. And then, he won't let it drop, and he doesn't realise that his initial response was aggressive and unpleasant - he should be apologising to you for reacting in this way.

Sometimes I might be a bit tired and not want to face twenty questions from my OH, but there are kind ways to communicate that, and he doesn't sound kind.

georgepigg · 20/12/2024 16:30

Ugh he has issues and life is too short. Throw this one back!

SoUnsureWhatToDo · 20/12/2024 16:45

Another thing to consider.

If you're starting to think it's a problem, is he willing to talk about it and acknowledge that it's a problem for you? When you're both feeling calm have you tried to talk to him about this calmly, or does he just shut you down or minimise it?

If you are not happy in the current situation and he won't help to redress it, how long will you tolerate it for?

Relationships are hard work at times, but do you generally feel he has your back and is he your biggest champion?

Newgreensofa · 20/12/2024 16:55

This is upsetting. This could be my mum, but she got married young in the early 1960s. Sometimes we see glimpses of what she could have been… more often she’s put back in her place by my dad. It’s sad, and very embarrassing in company. I can’t advise you what to do but I will leave you with this tale of a crushed spirit in the hope it won’t happen in the 21st Century.

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