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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To feel annoyed by their behaviour

176 replies

TLDC · 02/11/2025 08:57

I have a very passive DH, it's an ongoing frustration. He doesn't organise anything nice for me or the kids, he also doesn't do confrontation in any way.

We moved to a new area 6 years ago. I made a huge effort to get to know people, resulting in a lovely group of families who hang out regularly and he benefits from this with his kids having close friendships with the children and us receiving regular invitations to parties or outings with these people. He has never organised anything, and it's always me who arranges the outings with them or invites their kids over. He says often how lovely it is that we have met these people.

Previously we weren't in the position to host, but this year we moved to a new house and we both said it would be lovely to now be able to have friends over as we'd have space for guests.

Each year a family always hosts a party in the surrounding neighborhood to celebrate a local holiday. We've never been the hosts, so this year I suggested we take our turn and DH agreed. His family member asked if they could visit on same day and I said yes of course! Kids were very excited for their child staying over and I made sure bedding was ready, spare bedroom clean and towels etc.

Party was lovely, kids had a blast. It was only a few games and food. I did all of it - decorating the house with the kids, buying and prepping food and drinks, arranging games, I also took day off work and cleaned the whole house in preparation. The only thing he did was pour a few drinks for people and take the pizzas out of the oven.

I took the kids including family members child out to a neighbour's after the party, asking if he'd mind tidying up. He said he was happy with this.

Got home after an hour or so, house was tidy and he was on couch with wine. I said wow it's so tidy that's brilliant. But then I went upstairs and discovered he hadn't made up bed for his family member and child to sleep. So I said oh I thought you might have made up the bed?

To which both him and family member rolled their eyes and said oh FFS typical you point out the one thing not done! Made big deal saying he'd tidied up and this is all I could mention. I said well hang on, I organised everything and cleaned house? Plus took kids out to give them a chance to catch up. Family member said that the party was my idea and not DH choice. DH also said the party was my idea. I went upstairs and made up the bed, then went to bed as I didn't want to speak to either of them anymore.

I felt so sad that I'd gone to all this effort, but there was no thanks for that or that I'd prepped everything and made family member welcome. The next day I again took their child out, paid for their lunch and entertainment, because I love the child and my kids love hanging out with them. The family member and I had a short chat, during which they called me moody and controlling.

Today I feel very lonely in my relationship and unappreciated. I've felt very lonely for a long time and that my DH doesn't appreciate me. This family member always makes these sorts of comments to me and I've previously brushed it off but I'm annoyed. I'm also annoyed at the family member for being so blunt.

Aibu to be upset or am I being oversensitive and actually should have not expected him to tidy up and make up the bed.

Yabu - yes oversensitive
Yanbu - they were unkind

OP posts:
LouiseK93 · 03/11/2025 19:12

I was about to press YABU then saw this.

I think you should have said what exactly you wanted him to do.

Him not defending you and pretty much joining in is very unreasonable of him!

Lollipop81 · 03/11/2025 19:19

GarlicBreadStan · 02/11/2025 09:02

I could be in the wrong here, but personally, if you asked me to clean the house, I would expect you to tell me that the bed also needs to be made. I need clear, concise and full instructions.

To me, part of cleaning the house does not involve making the bed. Making the bed would be part of tidying the house, but yes I would still expect this to be specified.

However, I do not think you're unreasonable for being pissed off that you always do the housework and are always the one organising everything

Well as a grown adult who has their family staying with them you should probably be able to grasp a bed needs to be made up for them without having another adult point it out. Who tells the OP these things need doing.

Ohnobackagain · 03/11/2025 19:39

@TLDC you could say to DP you were sorry you mentioned the bed in front of relative, and you could repeat that you thought the rest of the house was lovely and tidy. You can also say you thought relative saying you were moody and controlling was out of order and they need to butt out in future and you will be telling them so if they say anything untoward in future. Just so DP knows exactly what’s what!

Whothought · 03/11/2025 19:45

Hadalifeonce · Yesterday 09:22

Why on earth did you bother making the bed after the way they spoke to you?

Why on earth didn’t you leave it for family member to do it themselves after this?

sunshinestar1986 · 03/11/2025 19:50

TLDC · 02/11/2025 08:57

I have a very passive DH, it's an ongoing frustration. He doesn't organise anything nice for me or the kids, he also doesn't do confrontation in any way.

We moved to a new area 6 years ago. I made a huge effort to get to know people, resulting in a lovely group of families who hang out regularly and he benefits from this with his kids having close friendships with the children and us receiving regular invitations to parties or outings with these people. He has never organised anything, and it's always me who arranges the outings with them or invites their kids over. He says often how lovely it is that we have met these people.

Previously we weren't in the position to host, but this year we moved to a new house and we both said it would be lovely to now be able to have friends over as we'd have space for guests.

Each year a family always hosts a party in the surrounding neighborhood to celebrate a local holiday. We've never been the hosts, so this year I suggested we take our turn and DH agreed. His family member asked if they could visit on same day and I said yes of course! Kids were very excited for their child staying over and I made sure bedding was ready, spare bedroom clean and towels etc.

Party was lovely, kids had a blast. It was only a few games and food. I did all of it - decorating the house with the kids, buying and prepping food and drinks, arranging games, I also took day off work and cleaned the whole house in preparation. The only thing he did was pour a few drinks for people and take the pizzas out of the oven.

I took the kids including family members child out to a neighbour's after the party, asking if he'd mind tidying up. He said he was happy with this.

Got home after an hour or so, house was tidy and he was on couch with wine. I said wow it's so tidy that's brilliant. But then I went upstairs and discovered he hadn't made up bed for his family member and child to sleep. So I said oh I thought you might have made up the bed?

To which both him and family member rolled their eyes and said oh FFS typical you point out the one thing not done! Made big deal saying he'd tidied up and this is all I could mention. I said well hang on, I organised everything and cleaned house? Plus took kids out to give them a chance to catch up. Family member said that the party was my idea and not DH choice. DH also said the party was my idea. I went upstairs and made up the bed, then went to bed as I didn't want to speak to either of them anymore.

I felt so sad that I'd gone to all this effort, but there was no thanks for that or that I'd prepped everything and made family member welcome. The next day I again took their child out, paid for their lunch and entertainment, because I love the child and my kids love hanging out with them. The family member and I had a short chat, during which they called me moody and controlling.

Today I feel very lonely in my relationship and unappreciated. I've felt very lonely for a long time and that my DH doesn't appreciate me. This family member always makes these sorts of comments to me and I've previously brushed it off but I'm annoyed. I'm also annoyed at the family member for being so blunt.

Aibu to be upset or am I being oversensitive and actually should have not expected him to tidy up and make up the bed.

Yabu - yes oversensitive
Yanbu - they were unkind

I don't get why you made a bed for his family member?
You should've just left it to him to figure out.
As for the rest, yes he should've helped
But ur just gunna have to decide on what to do really
Clearly he's unwilling to change since he sees you as the problem

BigAnne · 03/11/2025 20:23

TLDC · 02/11/2025 09:23

As I said, I asked him if we should host this year and he said yes

He invited the family member.

Why couldn't the family member make up the bed?

Eenameenadeeka · 03/11/2025 22:32

I think it's a bit unnecessarily dramatic. Instead of saying "I thought you would have made the bed up" (which can sound a bit snarky) you could say "would you mind making the bed up".
Also, just that you feel like you did everything and he didn't help much - but he was working while you had a day off (it would be different if you did all the work while he sat eating chips but it doesn't sound that way?)

FeetLikeFlippers · 03/11/2025 22:41

You are perfectly reasonable to be pissed off with him in general, not just on this occasion. However, given his history of incompetence, would you really expect someone as useless as him to think of making up the spare bed unless you had specifically asked him to? He sounds like a nob but you know that and you know he’s not prepared to do anything about it so unfortunately you either put up with it or leave him.

Discombobble · 03/11/2025 22:45

GarlicBreadStan · 02/11/2025 09:02

I could be in the wrong here, but personally, if you asked me to clean the house, I would expect you to tell me that the bed also needs to be made. I need clear, concise and full instructions.

To me, part of cleaning the house does not involve making the bed. Making the bed would be part of tidying the house, but yes I would still expect this to be specified.

However, I do not think you're unreasonable for being pissed off that you always do the housework and are always the one organising everything

So if a member of your family was staying the night it wouldn’t occur to you that they might need a bed making up? Or that it would be a good idea if you made it up?

JayJayj · 04/11/2025 05:22

GarlicBreadStan · 02/11/2025 09:10

No. I'm autistic and if I don't have clear instructions, I will assume it doesn't need to be done.

Edited to add: or, it'll not even occur to me.

Edited

So what would you do if you lived by yourself? Never clean up or do anything because no one told you!

You can’t use autism as an excuse to not adult.

Flippineck67 · 04/11/2025 06:21

Given how rude and critical the family member is, I wouldn't be personally inviting them to my home again. If I wanted to see the child, I would do meet ups outside of the home.

If DH invited family member (or the family member invited themselves), I would write a list for DH if all of the things that he needs to do for hosting this family member, such as:
Shop for extra food
Make dinner for whole family plus guests
Make up beds
Put towels out for them
Make their breakfast
When they've left, strip bedding.
Put bed away
Wash family members' bedding and towels
Hang up family members' bedding and towels.
When dry, out away family members' bedding and towels

You shouldn't have to write a list for him but I would do it to make it clear to DH that it's his family member and therefore his responsibility. Especially given that both of them feel that you're so uptight and demanding.

I would make his rude family member DH's entire responsibility going forward. It's not on that they are being blatantly rude to you.

I would be sat there drinking wine and let DH get on with it. If any of it doesn't happen, remind DH that it's his problem to solve.

Flippineck67 · 04/11/2025 06:23

Basically stop caring when family member comes to stay. Become a lady of leisure when they visit. Let DH host and run around after the offering food and drinks.

Don't put yourself out for them when they're so damn rude to you in your own home.

PoppyFleur · 04/11/2025 06:54

TLDC · 02/11/2025 18:12

Right, I'm out with DH and we're having a chat. I have read through all messages thank you, consensus seems to be that iabu to have said anything in front of relative which I accept and will try not to do that in future as yes it must appear like I'm being critical / PA.

I don't seem to be being unreasonable about the comments from relative.

This relative is someone I'm close to, to the point where they probably feel they can say anything to me and me put up with it. But next time they do it I'll tell them to bog off. We normally have a bit of a laugh so I was upset.

I'm going to enjoy my evening, thanks so much for all the comments. My first aibu after ten years of lurking!

OP ask yourself one question, would you leave your child to be taken out alone by a relative you deem as controlling and moody? I certainly wouldn’t!

This person is a guest in your home, enjoying themselves whilst you entertain their child. What should have been forthcoming was a thank you to you and appreciation for your hospitality.

Your husband’s relative, who I assume is a sibling, is used to your pushing around your passive DH when they were children and this has continued on. I suspect your DH has been so used to being pushed around by this relative that he was just grateful to not be in the firing line on this occasion.

MusicMakesItAllBetter · 04/11/2025 11:01

PollyBell · 02/11/2025 09:05

You are an adult why do you need someone else to stand up for you?

Sometimes it's nice for the one who is supposed to have your back, actually have your back.

MusicMakesItAllBetter · 04/11/2025 11:03

JayJayj · 04/11/2025 05:22

So what would you do if you lived by yourself? Never clean up or do anything because no one told you!

You can’t use autism as an excuse to not adult.

Are you neurodiverse?

MusicMakesItAllBetter · 04/11/2025 11:06

OP this doesn't sound like a happy marriage for you..

Like everything in life, we have choices.

You either choose to stay tied to DH who sounds like he treats you quite shitty and then you can feel shitty for the rest of your days.
Or you can treat him as he treats you (tit for tat isn't a good idea in my opinion) but it might make him think.
Or you split up with him.
Not always the easiest thing to do but it 100% is doable.

nomas · 04/11/2025 11:10

Your DH is pretending to the world that he is a committed family man based on your hard work and effort.

You feel lonely now, you would feel a lot less lonely without this albatross man around your neck. Cut him loose and let him flounder.

Refreshing0 · 04/11/2025 11:16

TLDC · 02/11/2025 09:00

So as not to drip feed. My DH has a habit of not standing up for me. It's not the first time this person has made these comments about me in front of him.

You don't need a man to stand up for you, stand up for yourself.

JayJayj · 04/11/2025 11:38

MusicMakesItAllBetter · 04/11/2025 11:03

Are you neurodiverse?

Yes.

MusicMakesItAllBetter · 04/11/2025 14:13

JayJayj · 04/11/2025 11:38

Yes.

So you shall be aware that not everyone functions the same then.
Executive dysfunction is really bad for some people

MusicMakesItAllBetter · 04/11/2025 14:16

I don't think that wanting your spouse to have your back is the negative attitude that some of the comments pertain to.

OP shouldn't be made to feel bad for wanting her husband to have her back.

Lifealwaysgetsbetter · 04/11/2025 14:19

TLDC · 02/11/2025 20:38

As in, he wouldn't feel comfortable confronting his relative.

He doesn't like doing any sort of confrontation like raising an overpayment with a company or speaking to anyone about something that has annoyed him.

The relative is very confrontational, they are quite formidable. I also don't like confrontation which is why I didn't say anything about their comment.

It’s your home though. If they don’t like you then when they ask to visit again say no. My partners best mate is rude when he visits and comments about boxes I have in the spare room and that my food cupboards are too full. I just said you don’t have to stay if it’s horrible for you and he only visits when I’m not here now. I suggest if he calls you moody that you suggest that your partner goes to visit them and they don’t stay at the home of someone they insult.

JayJayj · 04/11/2025 14:29

MusicMakesItAllBetter · 04/11/2025 14:13

So you shall be aware that not everyone functions the same then.
Executive dysfunction is really bad for some people

Still doesn’t stop people from adulting. Too many people are using it as an excuse. It’s not. It’s just harder.

MusicMakesItAllBetter · 04/11/2025 14:51

JayJayj · 04/11/2025 14:29

Still doesn’t stop people from adulting. Too many people are using it as an excuse. It’s not. It’s just harder.

I used to have terrible ADHD paralysis before I started medication.
A grown arse woman who couldn't get her shit together and just get on with xxx. And I'd be like, "wtf is wrong with me?? I know that needs doing so just do it, start it...." And sometimes I could but the energy it took to do whatever it was (mentally) was a lot but sometimes I just couldn't so I'd do another 5 things instead bitching in my head about it.

I know of people who had/have it way worse than I did so I can't really agree with you on this but I absolutely agree with not using our ND as an excuse!

I tell my son, just because he's ND, doesn't give him a hall pass to be an arsehole and not everything is because of his brain.

JayJayj · 04/11/2025 16:05

MusicMakesItAllBetter · 04/11/2025 14:51

I used to have terrible ADHD paralysis before I started medication.
A grown arse woman who couldn't get her shit together and just get on with xxx. And I'd be like, "wtf is wrong with me?? I know that needs doing so just do it, start it...." And sometimes I could but the energy it took to do whatever it was (mentally) was a lot but sometimes I just couldn't so I'd do another 5 things instead bitching in my head about it.

I know of people who had/have it way worse than I did so I can't really agree with you on this but I absolutely agree with not using our ND as an excuse!

I tell my son, just because he's ND, doesn't give him a hall pass to be an arsehole and not everything is because of his brain.

It what you had is completely different to what the person I originally responded to said.

I once had debilitating depression and did nothing for months. I get it. But generally life as an adult means doing things without being told to.

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