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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to feel hurt that he cares more about a messy table than being together.

223 replies

Periperinotsospicy · 14/06/2026 19:46

Husband came back after taking DD5 to his parents. I had had a lovely weekend with DD11 doing 11 year old things and just hanging out. He seems to have had a good weekend with DD5.
DH is a stickler for neatness. When ai met him I was quite relaxed about tidiness but I have learnt to keep surfaces as clear as possible, stay on top of laundry etc. I've been doing this all weekend.
When he got back we were at the shops. There was an array of homework books on the table as we'd rushed off to get to shops before they closed. Nothing dirty. Just papers and books.
Now I know any mess on the kitchen table irritates him and he sees it as people not caring about what bother him.
I've missed him lots over the weekend.
Background. He is not one to tell me he loves me. I'm not sure he does but he tells me I'm being silly when I say that.

So my AIBU is around- he was in a mood when we got home. Fine with the kids but a bit off with me. I had bought a new knife (half price!) And he had a bit of a go about how we don't need a new knife. I hadn't bought anything else for myself. Dd11 had got some bits and pieces and I'd got some kids stuff for our summer holiday.

I feel like I'm just not good enough for him. That he just wants a reason to be mad with me. He doesn't notice what I do do just what I miss. I haven't seen him for 3 days and he's not happy to see me, just irritated.

He feels really upset that I left the table like that as it reflects my disregard for his feelings and I should have made sure it was tidy before he got back. That I think he's not allowed to be upset because it doesn't bother me.

Is this a nothing argument? Am I being stupid? I think I'm upset because his feeling about a not totally clear table exceed his feelings for being happy to see me.
This sounds so stupid written out.

OP posts:
gamerchick · 14/06/2026 22:51

Periperinotsospicy · 14/06/2026 20:15

I'm reading this all and it makes me want to defend him. I appreciate that might sound nuts as I asked the question
But he does do his fair share around the house. He does do his faur share of childcare. He does work hard. And he doesnt disappear for hours on a hobby.
He does get in low moods easily. And its usually my fault. I try to keep my sadness about his lack of expressive love to myself because he isnt a bad man at all. He's a good son and a good father. And I love him very much for all his positives.

Just a shit husband then?

Man he's really done a number on you hasn't he? Got you well programmed. Most of us can't believe what we're reading because most of us would have hauled that table out of the door and smashed it up in the garden. Stop being so passive and trying to match his constant rising bar while you squash your own needs into nothing OP.

Tell him to fuck off elsewhere if you don't live up to his standards.

Lotsofsnacks · 14/06/2026 22:56

worldshottestmom · 14/06/2026 20:54

He has a go at you over books on a table, he has a go at you for buying a reduced knife, he isn't happy to see you after a weekend apart, he claims he can't express his feelings. Really? Fucking really?

He can express his feelings perfectly fine; as he expresses them everytime there's a book on the table or a sock on the floor. I dread to think what he does if you leave a spoon on the kitchen counter. The difference is, he doesn't want to express positive feelings because there aren't any. He can express his anger perfectly well and without hesitation.

OP, do you think you would be questioning if you are loved, if you were loved? I have lived with someone like this and got used to the fight or flight feeling when they come through the door or in the room. 'Oh shit, I didn't do this, I didn't do that, now he's going to be in a mood'. That is not what love looks like. That's what control and abuse looks like.

I wonder, do you think he sits there wondering if you love him? Do you think he sits there panicking that he has not fulfilled the things that matter to you? Does he race home to clear the table before you get back? I doubt it, as it is important to you for him to communicate his feelings of love to you for one, yet he can't muster up the energy to utter those three words.

You sound like a great, chilled person who just wants to live a happy life with her kids and be loved by her husband. So why not go find one that loves you?

This! So, on the flip side the fact he never expresses his love to youas he said he can’t do this?!! This in turn make you anxious and feel unloved and it really bothers u, things haven’t changed after you communicating this many times though! Even though it makes u feel down.

But, you have to bow down to his anxieties and improve, and make sure you are running about before hes home and make sure everything is straight in the house etc.

why do his anxieties trump yours?

gamerchick · 14/06/2026 22:56

I will say that good dad's don't abuse their mothers. Kids are sponges and they're learning about relationships from you both. You owe it to them to show what a strong woman looks like. Or you'll find yourself looking at miserable adult children being abused or being abusers.

TheWineoftheChicken · 14/06/2026 22:57

What does he do that makes you happy? That shows you he cares about you? And don’t say that he does his share of the housework, because he does that for him, not you. What does he do for you?

SooPanda · 14/06/2026 22:57

This does sound like a “him” problem.

He needs to learn that not caring about a messy table isn’t the same as not caring about him.

Also, he does sound a bit self-obsessed. Does he always expect his feelings to come first, before the needs of you and the kids?

So you needed to pop to the shops and your Dd had been using the table. Why is his need for a neat table more important than your needs and your dd’s needs?

Does he seriously expect you to stop what you’re doing and tidy everything up nicely before he steps in the door? It’s totally unrealistic and very selfish!

CaesarAugusta · 14/06/2026 22:57

Periperinotsospicy · 14/06/2026 20:40

Yes. I get that. Which i why I do make an effort to try and keep things clean. But sometimes it isn't.

Thanks for saying that. I need to understand his point of view else I can't help him. But he just says I'm saying he's wrong.

Well, he is wrong. He wants unrealistic standards of tidiness and expects you to keep to them as well as dealing with your normal responsibilities, and feels he can get into a mood if you don't keep up to those unrealistic expectations. He needs to accept that, if there is something he can do about his mental health so that he is not making life miserable for himself and everyone else, then he just needs to get on with it.

CaesarAugusta · 14/06/2026 23:01

Odelally · 14/06/2026 20:53

I can totally see his side - while not really thinking OP did anything wrong either. He has said it makes him feel like his opinion doesn't matter, that's valid. He's allowed to like having the table clear, and it sounds as though he's been pretty transparent and honest about why.

If I'd made it clear that an untidy table really bothered me and I came home to a messy one, I'd be hurt and annoyed too. Everyone saying it OP's home too and can't he just tidy it are basically saying OP can do what she likes and he just has to suck it up - that doesn't seem very balanced.

OP, I understand you saying that you try your best and I believe you - he's obviously got riled up about this and it's a sticking point where he sees it as a personal attack. But there has to be some middle ground - if he's generally OK with most other clutter occasionally but it's JUST the table then I'd be inclined to see it as valid (albeit expressed a bit childishly and you didn't do it maliciously).

The lack of affection is something that bothers you though, and it feels like you feel you can't express that to him.

But it's perfectly clear that it's not just this table he obsesses about. He obsesses about mess everywhere. So it isn't valid.

Yourcousinrachel · 14/06/2026 23:02

I dont know if it will help you to explain it to him, as i once had to have it explained to me!

Love is an action and a deliberate conscious choice each day and each moment to actively choose to believe the best of your partner and not use an infrequent event as evidence that you dont matter to them. Its a choice to create the happy atmosphere you both need. You need to tell him you are walking on eggshells, as your children will be, if this goes on. Its not a healthy dynamic for you or your kids. You can accept and understand he has anxiety but its his responsibility to manage it and seek help to manage it. Its not your responsibility to avoid triggering it. His anxiety doesnt mean that he loses the ability to be kind and uncivil does it? He is saying you are not thinking about his feelings but actually youre doing nothing but thinking of them, worried about making sure the surfaces are clear. And is he thinking about your feelings? The perfectly reasonable desire for some expression of love from him? No hes dismissed it as something he doesnt "do". Its rubbish, what he means is he doesnt care enough to give it or doesnt think he needs to accommodate you in this way. It can be a simple gesture, taking your hand at the dinner table, smiling when he sees you after an absence, talking about you with pride in front of the kids..........
Your needs are as important as his. ❤️

3luckystars · 14/06/2026 23:04

The person I know that is like this and he has autism (and ocd). Believe me I am not diagnosing your husband here on this thread.

im just wondering is that a possibility? If so then it definitely explains the behaviour but doesn’t excuse it or mean it doesn’t hurt. It just means it’s coming from a different place.

Just to be clear I’m not diagnosing anyone.

Franjipanl8r · 14/06/2026 23:27

What a miserable git.

ec5881 · 14/06/2026 23:28

OP you say he isn’t autistic; I’m not sure you know what autism is, as he sounds very autistic to me. Start to have a read about it. Look into the terms people have been mentioning online. I’m ND and my husband denied it; I then showed him the symptoms and traits one day, he rolled his eyes, then went away thought about it came back and apologised saying he thought I was right and it explained so much. Please have a read as I think understanding can really help in this situation. However!!!! I have a local friend who is an ND support group leader and she has rightly said, just because you’re autistic doesn’t mean you’re not a dick. I think she’s so right. Your husband is making you walk on eggshells. You are gravitating to comments thar reinforce his “point of view” so you can continue like an ostrich with your head in the sand rather than stand up to his coercive controlling bullying. He has said you are making him think its all his fault. I think this is correct and needs agreeing with. This is not your fault. The problem in this scenario is him - having impossible expectations which you already work hard to respect; not thinking of you and how your time was while away and being supportive of your purchase of the knife etc; not listening to your sharing that your love language is words of love and reassurance. If I were you I’d definitely look into the meaning of autism on the internet, and also look into coercive control and emotional manipulation and bullying on the internet. Also explore all other terms people have recommended on here. Let this information open your mind and gradually sink in. If you realise, like so many of us here think is the case, that your husband is ND and also not treating you as you should be treated, you can do something about it. Go to the GP to discuss autism, get therapy for him and you or you both together, to help realise what he’s doing to you and that its not acceptable or sustainable, and work away at it. It will be damaging your daughters and teaching them to follow in these patterns sadly, so please be proactive about this. Let us know how you get on X

ManyATrueWord · 14/06/2026 23:35

He's done a number on you. I don't want to repeat what everyone else is saying but I do want you to urge centering yourself and your own day to day happiness.

Some of the previous posts make me very sad for you, @Periperinotsospicy . I really hope you stand up for yourself and your right to happiness.

Twotoned · 14/06/2026 23:38

His communication style is to bully and berate you the minute he comes through the door.
Certainly not happy to see you or his daughter.

Kills the mood for both of you.

You are determined to defend him, but he is destroying your childrens childhood and you need to wake up to that.

They may not have the words to describe the tension, but they will feel it.

He will cause anxiety and depression which will follow them.

Good men don't bully their wives and children over 5 or 6 bloody books on the table.

Psycho men do.
I am very house proud by the way, but this is not normal.

You need to decide whom is more important to you, a bullying husband or your children.
At 11 I suspect there is already a lot of damage done to your poor daughter already.
Poor little mite.

Seek help and protect your children from him.

Clearly you have been tolerating this for too long.
He cannot hear the slightest criticism either.
Its all about him.

I feel desperately sorry for your children.
I really hope your daughter speaks to a teacher and tells them what is going on at home.

BananagramBadger · 14/06/2026 23:42

It bothers me when the sink isn’t clean. I am irritated every time my husband washes up and doesn’t clear bits of food from the plug thingy. I think it’s gross and a half arsed job where he has decided that’s my job now because he doesn’t fancy it.

He thinks that he should be praised for doing 90% of the job rather than told off for missing the 10%. He also doesn’t care whether the sink is clean or not.

I have made my feelings about this heard, he hasn’t changed at all. I don’t make the whole house miserable because of it. Nobody is walking on eggshells here. I’m just slightly irritated. I am sure there are things that bother him that I do, frankly I don’t want to open that pandora’s box.

Your husband needs to get a grip. I am both autistic and perimenopausal and still don’t make as much fuss as him. (And bits of food in the plug drainer thing is way worse than some books on a table!)

LizandDerekGoals · 14/06/2026 23:42

Periperinotsospicy · 14/06/2026 20:15

I'm reading this all and it makes me want to defend him. I appreciate that might sound nuts as I asked the question
But he does do his fair share around the house. He does do his faur share of childcare. He does work hard. And he doesnt disappear for hours on a hobby.
He does get in low moods easily. And its usually my fault. I try to keep my sadness about his lack of expressive love to myself because he isnt a bad man at all. He's a good son and a good father. And I love him very much for all his positives.

What a shame he doesnt feel the same way about you or the children.

he has a problem with things out of place, he can het himself therapy.

Jeska7 · 14/06/2026 23:49

Loulou4022 · 14/06/2026 20:15

Oooooo nooooo his low moods are NOT your fault!

I was going to say exactly this too! He’s extremely controlling. There’s no compromise with him at all, is there?He says “it’s my way or no way” I’ll make everybody miserable by complaining if everything isn’t tidy. You’re mad to put up with this. What an awful way to live. He needs to compromise. He’s not the only one in the house. There’s three other people including children It’s totally unreasonable for him to have everything tidy all the time! You’re so wrapped up with him, when he complains (when he’s been ridiculous expecting a totally tidy house all the time with children), you automatically think it’s your fault. It isn’t!!!

Anonymouseinthecity · 15/06/2026 00:43

His behaviour is borderline abusive. Most definitely bullying. Have you tried telling him to go fuck himself? I'm not being flippant, but wondering if you've really stood you ground and told him his feelings are for him to deal with. Why should his standards be your standards? Sounds like a bloody miserable existence for you and your kids.

MeinKraft · 15/06/2026 00:59

Were you happier when he was away OP? More relaxed? It sounds like you and the kids would have a much happier home without him in it.

Strawberry53 · 15/06/2026 01:28

Sounds like it’s his way or the highway. You could just as easily say your feelings aren’t considered in wanting to have a relaxed approach to tidying up at least now and again. That it makes you feel on edge to ensure you never put a foot wrong with tidying for fear you’ll upset him. That’s just as valid.

You shouldn’t be rushing around making sure it’s all spotless for fear of his mood. We all deserve some grace sometimes and sounds like you give him plenty of that and he doesn’t return it. Also you deserve somebody who looks you in the eye, says they love you out loud and somebody who makes you feel special. All humans deserve that.

Strawberry53 · 15/06/2026 01:32

worldshottestmom · 14/06/2026 20:54

He has a go at you over books on a table, he has a go at you for buying a reduced knife, he isn't happy to see you after a weekend apart, he claims he can't express his feelings. Really? Fucking really?

He can express his feelings perfectly fine; as he expresses them everytime there's a book on the table or a sock on the floor. I dread to think what he does if you leave a spoon on the kitchen counter. The difference is, he doesn't want to express positive feelings because there aren't any. He can express his anger perfectly well and without hesitation.

OP, do you think you would be questioning if you are loved, if you were loved? I have lived with someone like this and got used to the fight or flight feeling when they come through the door or in the room. 'Oh shit, I didn't do this, I didn't do that, now he's going to be in a mood'. That is not what love looks like. That's what control and abuse looks like.

I wonder, do you think he sits there wondering if you love him? Do you think he sits there panicking that he has not fulfilled the things that matter to you? Does he race home to clear the table before you get back? I doubt it, as it is important to you for him to communicate his feelings of love to you for one, yet he can't muster up the energy to utter those three words.

You sound like a great, chilled person who just wants to live a happy life with her kids and be loved by her husband. So why not go find one that loves you?

Nail on the head here 👏🏻 couldn’t agree more.

IamtheDevilsAvocado · 15/06/2026 01:46

Boxoffrogs21 · 14/06/2026 20:06

I think I would be saying: I do my best to consider your feelings about clutter and tidiness and as a result you usually have a tidy home despite not doing it yourself (perhaps don’t say that bit if you’re trying to keep the peace a bit more!) On the other hand, you don’t consider my feelings about showing me appreciation for the things I do or by telling me you love me. So, either we both need to let go of some stuff, or you need to step up and do your part in considering my feelings. Let me know which you’d prefer.

He’s being selfish and uncaring. Your children will live on edge, never being allowed to leave anything out for a short while is horrible and they will start to look forward to when he’s out or away and they can relax a bit in their own home (ask me how I know…). He needs a wake up call and you need to consider whether you’re prepared to live this way for the next 40 years.

I had a parent like this.

He wanted every surface tidied like a dentist waiting room every time he deigned to come home..
It made our lives really unpleasant.... As kids we were really on edge.

Why does it have to be ALL about what makes him 'happy' ?? It's not just him living in your house.

Friendlygingercat · 15/06/2026 02:35

What a pity your husband returned from his trip with two broken arms so he could not tidy the table himself!

He sounds like the psychotic husband in "Sleeping with the enemy" who uses a tidiness fetish to control and subjugate his wife. The stripy towels in the bathroom have to line up perfectly and all the tins in the cupboard face outward. Oh jeeze.

PlayingDevilsAdvocateisinteresting · 15/06/2026 03:37

Periperinotsospicy · 14/06/2026 20:09

I'm trying to be balanced as there are always two sides.

We have that repeatedly told to us from an early age, and from every angle, but @Periperinotsospicy I don't agree with it at all. I strongly believe that, that sentiment is just wrong, and that:

There are not always two sides.* *

I agree that on many occassions, maybe even on most occasions, there are at least two sides to any 'argument', in fact, there will often be three sides within a couple, which would be of couse, his side, her side, and then the truth.

From what you have already told us OP, I am quite certain that the vast majority of the time it is not you being at fault at all, your husband is making life miserable for you, and probably for your older DD as well, as I am sure that the both of you are doing the mental equivalent of 'walking around on egg shells' for far too much of the time.

Your husband is not being at all reasonable in either his demands, or his awful treatment of you. I have my own experience from when I was a child, of my father behaving in a similar fashion, and nearly 70 years later it still screws me up at times.

Since joining Mumsnet, I have come to believe that the occurance of fault is far more often than not, due to the failure of the male partner. So many women appear to have spent years trying to keep their husband/partner happy, and not cross with them, only to be cast aside when they find a new woman to 'tickle their fancy', and in the process of starting up a new relationship they seem to be able to discard their 'old/er' relationship without a backward glance.

My own first, and so far only, ex husband - I have a still present husband of 30+ years - left me for a female work colleague of his, shortly after we had had our 4th child together, actually within a matter of weeks of that wonderful event. I am convinced that my ex would not have left if he hadn't had another woman to go to!

In fact, it has become increasingly obvious to me, that most men need to have another woman, both ready and available, to give them the courage to exchange one well trained wife, for a new one, one who, in their eyes, will be fresh, and eager to learn and follow their husband's views of the right way for a wife to behave - sorry OP, I think it is your husband's nasty side that has prompted me to think in this rather alien way to how I normally would 🤭

In those seemingly, exponentially, occurring cases, I lay practically all the fault at the men's feet, and other - even more relevant - body parts...
I know that that is not what you are experiencing in your life, as your husband appears to not be looking outside of your marriage for any of his 'fun'. However, I am lucky enough to still be certain that my ex did love me a lot when we married, and actually pretty much until the day he started seeing his work colleague in a rather different light. So it makes me very sad knowing that you don't feel secure in that knowledge from your husband

Therefore, I can't help feeling that you are being very short changed by your husband, and I really hope that one day you can be truly honest with yourself when allotting blame for his behaviour within your family. Maybe that will be the day when you can give your husband the shock of his life, with a very serious ultimatum about a choice that he has to make, which would be something along the lines of, whether he wants to keep his family together, and if so, he will need to agree to see someone qualified in mental health, preferably combined with a course in anger management, or, whether he would prefer to split up with you, and leave the family home, and his children, while you would hopefully be granted day to day care and responsibility for your DDs.

I hope you don't mind me suggesting Peri, that it might be a good idea for you to get some professional help with your present lack of self worth, and to learn how to be more assertive, without changing your obviously lovely and loving character. 💐

CamillaMcCauley · 15/06/2026 05:09

Periperinotsospicy · 14/06/2026 20:37

He just came to speak to me and said that mess makes him really anxious.
I said then let's get you some help to deal with that anxiety because otherwise its me (and the kids) stepping on eggshells.
He's got really upset as he thinks this is me saying "sort your problem out". But its not. I'd happily go to therapy with him to help reduce his anxiety around it but he wouldn't want me there.

I am definitely a tidy-freak and like things clean and clear. I don’t like clutter because a clean space helps with a clear mind for me. For me it’s in part a bandwidth issue; I’m a single mum with a demanding job so an untidy space weighs more on me when I’m already stretched.

Having said that, I think your husband’s reaction over a few books is by any standard over the top.

If he won’t deal with the anxiety as a standalone issue, perhaps he needs to think about why he is stretched so thin that he can’t tolerate some very ordinary household clutter. If he’s not stretched thin and he literally wants his house to look like a show home at all times, he needs to address the underlying issue as that’s just flat out unrealistic.

He also needs to understand that he’s allowed to he annoyed about something, but he needs to communicate respectfully. He could have just asked you to tidy it up politely rather than take it as a personal attack. Sulking and punishing people with a bad mood is actually emotional abuse, but it seems he feels entitled to behave that way when other people don’t live up to his frankly insane standards.

the7Vabo · 15/06/2026 05:52

CaesarAugusta · 14/06/2026 23:01

But it's perfectly clear that it's not just this table he obsesses about. He obsesses about mess everywhere. So it isn't valid.

It sounds like OP feels under pressure to be a good girl all weekend & keep the house up to DH’s standards all weekend even in his absence.

He then walks in the door & sees 5/6 schoolbooks on the table & jumps to nobody respects his anxiety. Not that OP is being a good parent doing work with DD. 5/6 books isn’t even a messy table. A messy table in one where stiff has built up from meals & activities.

I’d anyone should be suffering from “anxiety” is should be OP who didn’t get a nice greeting. She just got told what she’s done wrong. Again.

And him labelling it anxiety is manipulation. Meanwhile OP who sound very very anxious has her feelings dismissed by him & he also creates anxiety by imposing his standards.