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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

DH wants my birthday presents back

600 replies

BeRedUser · Yesterday 19:12

So a few days ago I bought 2 nice creams for a total of £50 with some birthday money I was given for my 40th. My dad specifically gave me some money amongst a sentimental present for me to buy something for me only as he knows I don’t do that very often. So I thought I’d treat myself as im on maternity leave and don’t socialise or go shopping any more (actually haven’t done since pre kids in 2021). I’m completely sleep deprived for the past 5 years.
Anyways my DH answered the door and asked what the parcel was, I told him and he went mad. he said how incredibly stupid I was spending that much money on creams. I know it is expensive but I don’t go to salons or anything for facials and I feel crap after having kids so I thought it might just perk me up and feel less tired. DH said how dare I spend that money while I’m mat leave and it should be going towards the bills (bearing in mind 100% of my salary goes on bills
and I have no money of my own afterwards). He took the box away, put it in his car to return it.
Now he says he wants my birthday presents back that he gave me (Garmin watch and an led mask) which I did put back in the box for him. So i am feeling rather sad, I’m left with nothing for myself from my birthday, all we did on the day was go to our usual down the road restaurant, he didn’t make much of an effort on the day.

I feel like divorcing this prick now. I wish my dad knew that his money that he specifically gave to me is going in my DH pocket. Dad should have just given it to him directly instead of me.

Am i being ungrateful and a spoilt brat?

thanks

OP posts:
FuriousInventions · Yesterday 19:14

Divorce him.

UncharteredWaters · Yesterday 19:14

That’s abuse and you know it.

spottybegonia · Yesterday 19:14

That’s abusive. I’d tell my dad if that had happened to me, see what he did to someone taking his gift for me. Leave him.

ToKittyornottoKitty · Yesterday 19:14

How could you be being a spoilt brat? You have nothing except a shit husband. Tell your dad and divorce the prick. He’s financially controlling and a looser who doesn’t want you to feel like about yourself. Time to wake up and leave him

WonderingAndOverthinking · Yesterday 19:14

Who the fuck does he think he is?

TheSunIsAlwaysThere · Yesterday 19:15

You know full well you aren't being a spoilt brat. If not, then you need to learn fast.

Tell your dad right now what has happened, let him deal with your husband and then file for divorce.

Macromanage · Yesterday 19:15

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Notellinganyone · Yesterday 19:15

Why on earth did you allow him to take away your presents? This is totally unacceptable OP. I would absolutely not put up with that - it really is abusive behaviour unless there’s some backstory about massively irresponsible spending on your part.

Metromayhem · Yesterday 19:16

He is abusive op. Do you have much support?

Macromanage · Yesterday 19:16

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RowsOfFlowers · Yesterday 19:16

This sounds like financial abuse 😕

murasaki · Yesterday 19:16

What a prince amongst men. He's awful.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · Yesterday 19:16

That’s incredibly abusive.

You really need to divorce this guy.

TheSunIsAlwaysThere · Yesterday 19:16

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This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

Read it properly. She literally said about the kids!

Beachbeach · Yesterday 19:17

I’m so sorry OP xx (this comes from a similarly unhappy place not a smug marriage)

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · Yesterday 19:17

Also - tell you Dad!

Sparkletastic · Yesterday 19:17

Are you scared of him OP?

3luckystars · Yesterday 19:17

He took your birthday gifts from your dad and kept them? Do you need to reread that again?

Tell your dad and get out fast.

itwasyourshowallalong · Yesterday 19:17

You know the answer to this

In the nicest possible way, do you think you’re looking for validation? You sound really ground down 😭

This guy is a mahoosive prick, an abuser and a cunt. Tell your dad what he has done ASAP and divorce him

BlueMum16 · Yesterday 19:18

Why are you allowing him to take YOUR things away.

Why are you not pooling your money so you have some each month.

Get your stuff back from his car. Tell him you will tell your dad if he continues to be a prick.

Then divorce him if things do not improve immediately.

Starburst360 · Yesterday 19:18

oh this is just awful OP

Out of interest, does he have luxuries/buy things for himself?

dolorsit · Yesterday 19:18

Please tell your Dad. I don’t think this will come as a surprise to him.

BeRedUser · Yesterday 19:19

Notellinganyone · Yesterday 19:15

Why on earth did you allow him to take away your presents? This is totally unacceptable OP. I would absolutely not put up with that - it really is abusive behaviour unless there’s some backstory about massively irresponsible spending on your part.

Because he is foot taller than me, was shouting so the neighbours could easily hear and it was in front of the kids. I wanted to diffuse the situation quickly so I didn’t want to fight him to take them back.

OP posts:
cbbo · Yesterday 19:19

What a nasty prick.

IrradiatedHaggis · Yesterday 19:20

He's financially abusive.
Signs of financial abuse

  • Withholding funds: A partner refuses to pay for essential baby items, groceries, or household bills while keeping their own money separate.
  • Forcing unfair splits: Insisting on an inflexible 50/50 split of household expenses despite your maternity pay being significantly lower or non-existent.
  • Controlling spending: Demanding receipts for every small purchase, limiting your access to joint bank accounts, or revoking access to debit cards.
  • Sabotaging work: Pressuring you to return to work much sooner than you want, or criticizing your value as a parent because you are not earning.