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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Husbands dark moods always end in an argument

117 replies

Alvaa · 24/01/2026 19:12

I feel like he’s looking for an argument all the time.

today, I went with his to the junior football match he coaches. Got up at 8am, got ready and was pleased to be there. End of second half a boy gets tackled and looks like he’s broken his foot. Me and husband rush him to A&E because his parents weren’t at the match. Sat with him, I bought him food and a drink, comforted him, and stayed with them both until his parents got there around 2 hours later.

Then husband had to go and collect his sister who’s been discharged from hospital. I walked to the shop, bought dinner and cooked it for him.

He gets back saying “I’m this close to breaking”, slams doors, shouts at the dogs for no reason. Then sits on the couch next to me and stares ahead. I asked what’s wrong he said “I’m tired”. I say do you want to eat and then go to bed? He said it’s not that kind of tired.

then he says his day was ruined, he just wanted to coach, then says he doesn’t have enough time to do his hobbies anymore. This is because he’s increased his PT hours to FT as I was paying 75% of bills, and him 25%.

I said there has to be give and take and that family men can’t always do what they want. He then said why aren’t I comforting him/cuddling him? Then he said that I’m acting as if he’s hurt me?

that’s just one example.

The issue of him not being “allowed” to spend money on ridiculous stuff is an ongoing issues - in the past he’s not contributed to bills because he’s bought a new item for leisure, like new golf clubs without consultation.

Im actually quite scared/awkward to respond well when he’s slamming around or moody so I keep quiet. When I do speak he says I’m not helping.

when I disclose that I find something hard or feel low (ie when hospitalised for an operation) he’s always telling me to look on the bright side etc

AIBU to feel like he needs to get in the real world and family men can’t gallivant around spending their own money and filling time with all their leisure time?!

OP posts:
Alvaa · 24/01/2026 19:18

And I don’t expect a lot but I did support him today and it wasn’t even acknowledged.

OP posts:
Caughtletren · 24/01/2026 19:19

You don’t have children with him.
Please don’t.

Alpacajigsaw · 24/01/2026 19:21

It doesn’t sound the funnest day but equally also not breaking point level. I hate moody sulky men. Do you have kids witnessing these pathetic strops?

lifeisgoodrightnow · 24/01/2026 19:23

He knows full well what atmosphere he’s creating. He’s punishing you to make himself feel better about his world.

Dolamroth · 24/01/2026 19:27

He's having a strop because he wants you to say he can go back to part time.

thistimelastweek · 24/01/2026 19:27

He's trying to manipulate you into suggesting and agreeing his return to part time work . Because he's a lazy selfish git.

Gliblet · 24/01/2026 19:28

He's sulking because he hasn't got everything his own way, and because he's never learned effective coping techniques for not getting his own way he's projecting that 'it's not fair' foot stamping behaviour so it's someone or something else's fault and you're the closest and safest target.

You can stick around and teach him coping strategies, accountability and self-control but, and here's the important bit, IT IS NOT YOUR JOB TO DO THIS. Whether you already have children with him or not, you have a choice and it is perfectly reasonable and sensible to protect your own sanity and wellbeing by leaving him to manage his own.

DierdreBarlow · 24/01/2026 19:29

He sounds awful, OP. Have you seriously thought about the life you could have without him?

GrumpyInsomniac · 24/01/2026 19:30

He’s an emotionally abusive prick. That’s why you feel the way you do. He’s got you conditioned to take responsibility for everything for fear of one of his moods, including curing him of it by comforting when he’s being an unreasonable shit.

Cut your losses. If you can’t even have a sensible conversation with him about it, this is what your marriage will always look like.

InterestedDad37 · 24/01/2026 19:30

He sounds utterly selfish, and lacking in empathy. You don't have to live in fear of his moods. Tell him to sling his hook!

EmeraldShamrock000 · 24/01/2026 19:32

He is a house devil. Oh, no, OP. You deserve to feel safe, comfortable and respected in your home.
I know that it’s easy to say leave him, but you should as he’ll get worse over the years, it never improves, he’ll chip away at you until you are a shell of your kind self.

Alvaa · 24/01/2026 19:32

Since he’s gone back full time he’s been terrible. So much drama over small things.

we’re looking for a house, as our landlord is selling. I have £15k savings, he has none. I’ve asked him numerous times what kind of house he’d like, what area etc

every house I find:
”that’s an awful area”
“I don’t like houses that are on a main road”
”terraces are so common”
“flats are extortionate”

when I book housing viewings that are well within our plans, and that he’s said he likes the look of - “please check with me ahead of time I don’t know what I’m doing at 4pm on a Sunday 🙄”

irs action stations! We’ve got 5 months to find a house and complete on it.

I’m losing my mind.

OP posts:
DrinkFeckArseBrick · 24/01/2026 19:32

This isn't an equal partnership type relationship. This is a parent - child relationship and I'm not sure there is any way to get out of it. He seems to think that you're the grown up who's responsible for him, his happiness, his finances, his moods, and his comfort. And yours isn't relevant (or at least ita nothing to do with him). You shouldn't be in a position where you have to tell another adult that they have to pay their share of the fucking bills. Or comfort him because something went wrong that affected both of you equally

cinnamongirl123 · 24/01/2026 19:32

I’m so sorry you married this pathetic man-baby.
Wtf is wrong with him?
Pathetic, moody, aggressive previous cock-lodger.
Why do you call him a ‘family man’? Do you have children?

TFImBackIn · 24/01/2026 19:33

Honestly, you'd feel such a sense of relief if you lived separately.

DierdreBarlow · 24/01/2026 19:33

This may be the perfect time to buy/rent a new place just for you.

outerspacepotato · 24/01/2026 19:34

You married a immature boy who expects you to fund his soft life. He's a sugar baby wanna be and he's having nasty moods to try to bully you into agreeing to his barely working and not contributing to the household.

What's he got to offer in exchange for you financing him? Is he a supportive partner who contributes to your household and your peace of mind? Is he an exceptional parent? Superlative lover?

He's an entitled man child is what he is. Enlighten him as to how he will be contributing half and having an attitude adjustment or he's out.

EmeraldShamrock000 · 24/01/2026 19:34

Don’t buy property with him. If he genuinely has mh problems then he needs to see a therapist but you shouldn’t stay with him. You’re already losing your self rapidly.
Stop mothering him.

Alpacajigsaw · 24/01/2026 19:35

DierdreBarlow · 24/01/2026 19:33

This may be the perfect time to buy/rent a new place just for you.

This is what I’m thinking but will he be able to snaffle half her savings?

Morepositivemum · 24/01/2026 19:36

Sometimes you do just want a rant and it kind of sounds like you turned it into a talk that definitely wasn’t needed at that time, and actually the buying of stuff should be a car by case thing- I’d hate someone saying to me the last line of your op, now you’re a family woman you can’t go gallivanting etc etc. Saying that if he scares you then it’s not a relationship and I’d agree you need to reconsider your relationship

cinnamongirl123 · 24/01/2026 19:36

And do not buy a property with this broke fuckwit! Honestly OP I can’t see why you’re with him. I am almost certain that you will look back and wish you’d left sooner!

HarvestMouseandGoldenCups · 24/01/2026 19:40

He wants to go PT again. Until he’s able to do that and until you pay most of the bills and let him spend what he wants he will punish you this way. He’s straining against the confines of ‘family
man’ because he is not a natural family man and never will be. I’d say he needs to be cut free.

Even his annoyance at the house that he’s paying nothing towards but has demands for shows that he just doesn’t want this life. He wants more and for someone else to work for that more.

Gliblet · 24/01/2026 19:41

Alpacajigsaw · 24/01/2026 19:35

This is what I’m thinking but will he be able to snaffle half her savings?

As galling as it might be, if the other side of the balance is spending the rest of her life with someone who tantrums or sulks every time he's forced to put someone else's comfort or happiness before his own, it could be money well spent.

Alpacajigsaw · 24/01/2026 19:42

Gliblet · 24/01/2026 19:41

As galling as it might be, if the other side of the balance is spending the rest of her life with someone who tantrums or sulks every time he's forced to put someone else's comfort or happiness before his own, it could be money well spent.

Yes true. Better to cut her losses before she ends up more intwined with him

DrinkFeckArseBrick · 24/01/2026 19:43

Just read your update. Please do not buy a house with this man. He can't even be arsed to pretend that he is contributing even a tiny bit to your house hunt. He hasn't saved and is finding fault with everything. Either he doesn't actually want to live with you, he is letting you choose so he can then complain that you got it wrong and hold it over you that you made the wrong choice (which is a form of abuse) or he is a man baby that can't make any decision or take responsibility for anything

None of these scenarios bode well for the future. If you do want to stay with him, maybe having to fend for himself for a bit and live life as an actual adult will be the short sharp shock that your relationship needs