Help end medical misogyny. Sign our petition.

Help end medical misogyny.
Sign our petition.

Sign the petition

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think this is enough DH is?

36 replies

Burntoutandsevered · Today 20:07

I think I've had enough.

DH and I have been married ten years. He's not a bad person. But I'm not sure we're good for each other. I think we've come to the end of the road. We have a 8yr old DD.

It's hard to explain. I'm so sick of being unseen. Of everything I say being minimised and disregarded, and everything he says being gospel. I'm sick of his opinion having moral weight and significance, and mine being an emotional, silly response. I'm sick of him being tight and controlling the purse strings, but splurging on things he thinks are worthwhile. I'm sick of him being seen as the good guy because he's calm and measured and handsome. And me being seen as the problem because I'm gobby and impulsive and overweight.

Some examples. DS and TV/gaming. What hours he can spend watching and playing are strict and regularly reviewed at DHs instigation. But if I'm not here, or its something he also wants to play/watch, the rules go out of the window. If I don't uphold them I'm failing or not towing the line.

We don't have loads of money. I've improved my career prospects and earning potential in the last 10 years. DH has gone backwards in earnings but does something he loves. We can't have foreign holidays, dinners out, or buy DS new clothes /shoes DH deems unnecessary. That's irresponsible. But we can buy him a VERY expensive new bike, because bikes are an investment. We both pay the vast majority of our wages into the joint account. If DS needs something DH deems unworthy, I'll buy it from 'my' money. If DH has to supplement our monthly Outgoings with his savings, we 'owe his account' x amount.

DH plays music, in every room and every car, ALL the time. He has quite niche tastes. If me or DS don't want to listen to his choice, we're ridiculed or eyes are rolled. If DS and I want to listen to radio 1 on a car journey and sing along to a chart hit, we're unreasonable because DH doesn't like it.

It's my birthday soon. For his (admittedly big) recent birthday we threw a huge party. I catered for 50. We had 8 people stay over, despite a small house, the weekend before my new job started. I raised our plans to go away for the weekend for my birthday. He brought up a work trip away which means we can't. It's my first birthday without either of my parents. Nothing will happen to mark it. He has three trips away with work / friends between now and then all of which he's planned meticulously.

These aren't good examples. I don't know. I just know I've spent years trying to walk a line that means everyone's needs get met at the cost of my own. And now I'm fucking sick of it.

He works away sometimes. I used to miss him. Now I can't wait until he's gone.

How did it get to this? This is just who he is, right? Am I unreasonable to feel like this? How do others make it work?

OP posts:
Bringemout · Today 20:11

The thing for me is he’ll make sure he gets what he wants but deprioritises his own child and expects you to be fine with that. He sounds really selfish, I’m not sure you should bother trying to make it work.

Dribblo · Today 20:13

Have you discussed or attempted to discuss any of the above? This seems to be yet another situation that could be resolved (or otherwise) by communicating with one another.

Elsvieta · Today 20:14

They seem like good examples to me. No, YANBU.

Maybe put all this in an email, to be sent when you're not together? Just change all the he's to you's, tell him you are considering ending the marriage because of it, and ask if he cares, and if he wants to stay married.

WhosGotTheKeysToMyBimma · Today 20:15

Bringemout · Today 20:11

The thing for me is he’ll make sure he gets what he wants but deprioritises his own child and expects you to be fine with that. He sounds really selfish, I’m not sure you should bother trying to make it work.

This also struck me

I'm not sure if you can actually do anything about a fundamental selfishness

Gardenisablooming · Today 20:18

The joy when I threw exh out and could actually use the remote control for the TV myself was huge. Buying dc small things without abuse. Always money for golf equipment and beer money though.

Get rid op. He's supposed to be your partner not your dad...

danglethedingle · Today 20:20

Sounds like he thinks of himself as your boss, not your partner. In my mind a good marriage is him and me against the world, looking out for, and after each other. You don't seem to be treated as an equal, or even a grown up, you come a very poor second in his life.

Only you can decide if this relationship has any chance of changing enough to meet both your needs. Or if it is worth you putting up with second best all the time for the sake of whatever you are getting out of this marriage.

Personally I would be planning for the end of the road with this man sooner rather than later.

Burntoutandsevered · Today 20:20

Dribblo · Today 20:13

Have you discussed or attempted to discuss any of the above? This seems to be yet another situation that could be resolved (or otherwise) by communicating with one another.

I have tried. It's not like I haven't raised it. It all gets filed under me being mental/hard work/irrational.

OP posts:
Om83 · Today 20:23

Sounds very selfish, no emotional support and sounds like he only cares about himself. You don’t have to put up with that. Have you spoken about your relationship at all? How would he likely take the news you’re feeling like this? I’m betting as a complete surprise as to him, everything is probably rosy in his life!

if it is irretrievably the end then have you thought about what that would look like?

EineReiseDurchDieZeit · Today 20:23

He sounds like a cock. I don’t blame you for wanting to move on. In particular for being scolded for not following his arbitrary changeable standards. Fuck that, take your autonomy back! You won’t miss him!

Swiftsmith · Today 20:25

The music would drive me insane! Sensory overload!! Also not great for children's language and speech development to have background noise all the time.

I think you've answered your own question really, you say you can't wait until he leaves.

Ineedanewsofa · Today 20:29

You can be done for any reason you like but from what you’ve described above I don’t think anyone could say you’re unreasonable. He prioritises himself over you and your child and ‘gaslights’ you into thinking that you’re wrong to question this.
being relieved he’s going away tells you everything you need to know

2boyzNosleep · Today 20:32

Dribblo · Today 20:13

Have you discussed or attempted to discuss any of the above? This seems to be yet another situation that could be resolved (or otherwise) by communicating with one another.

I'm so sick of being unseen. Of everything I say being minimised and disregarded, and everything he says being gospel. I'm sick of his opinion having moral weight and significance, and mine being an emotional, silly response.

It sounds like OP does communicate but he shuts ot down if he disagrees.

ChazsBrilliantAttitude · Today 20:33

If you were to tally up how much he has spent on himself versus how much has been spent on you, your DS or the family would his number be higher than everyone else?

If you did the same on the amount of time away with friends or family trips centred on him how would this compare with time spent on your trips or trips for the benefit of all of you?

Does he do his fair share around the house?

You all feel like supporting cast to his starring role.

JoWilkinsonsno1fan · Today 20:37

Why are you with this awful man? leave… I would not put up with this shit and neither should you and your DC. He’s a terrible dad and nasty, abusive H. Get rid!!

changedusername190 · Today 20:38

I wouldn’t even waste my time trying to get him to see sense I would just get out. You chose to marry him but your son hasn’t got a choice. He is micromanaging both of you and doesn’t care about your feelings.

thestudio · Today 20:40

DH, I'm divorcing you because over the years, you've consistently shown yourself to be an utter, utter cunt.

rainbowsparkle28 · Today 20:43

Life is too short to live like this. Leave.

Thatskarmababy · Today 20:45

Burntoutandsevered · Today 20:20

I have tried. It's not like I haven't raised it. It all gets filed under me being mental/hard work/irrational.

I don’t often say this but LTB ASAP OP

MaybeIamJustABitch · Today 20:46

Oh God, I know where you are coming from, my ex was the same, but worse in a lot of other areas. I’m now married again and in a completely different and happy place, and so are my DS’s.

Please get yourself out of the marriage. I stayed another 10 years than you in a shit controlled existence. I’m well out of it now thank goodness. Do this for you and DD and both of your futures!

CelestialGazer · Today 20:48

Burntoutandsevered · Today 20:20

I have tried. It's not like I haven't raised it. It all gets filed under me being mental/hard work/irrational.

Well there’s your answer. You’ve tried and that’s what he thinks of you. So he shouldn’t mind if you go your own way.

Devonshiregal · Today 20:48

Burntoutandsevered · Today 20:20

I have tried. It's not like I haven't raised it. It all gets filed under me being mental/hard work/irrational.

Do NOT listen to this victim blaming response. And no op, these are not bad example, they’re very clear examples of someone who doesn’t treat you well. and you don’t need any sort of communication session or time period to know this man behaves this way. It is his default. Even if he changes for a week, he’ll go right back to his default. Break up. Get your own space. Play your own music in your own little space and dance. Oh and celebrate yourself for this birthday - he doesn’t get to dictate your happiness.

DontBotherJustChooseYourself · Today 20:53

You are spending your life facilitating his.

He does nothing other than think of himself, his own needs, his own wants.

If you end this marriage you won't miss him (what is there to miss?), you'll find an abundance of joy - maybe not straightaway, but the joy will be there and probably sooner than you think. And you'll just wish you ended it sooner, OP.

Onmytod24 · Today 21:03

Imagine nothing changing and 20 years passing. You got a chance to avoid those regrets.

Aluna · Today 21:14

Burntoutandsevered · Today 20:20

I have tried. It's not like I haven't raised it. It all gets filed under me being mental/hard work/irrational.

On the plus side imagine irrational he will think you’re being when you file for divorce.

NeatPinkFinch · Today 21:15

OP. Please leave this man. He’s absolutely vile.