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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To feel down that dh had a go at me when he come in from work even though I feel unwell

62 replies

Toatallyfedup · 29/04/2009 21:13

I have a bad head cold caught from ds2 probably and probably feeling a bit sorry for myself. Also have had a splitting headache. Not the end of the world but still... Anyway I tried to keep the house reasonably tidy today but did the bare minimum really. When ds2 had his nap this afternoon and ds1 fell asleep on the settee aswell I too went to sleep!

Anyway dh came home in the middle of tea. He finishes at different times each day. He was then annoyed that he had to heat up his own tea wanted to know where his cup of tea was. Then when he came in the dining room with the usual "fall out" around ds2s highchair and ds1 not eating he was fuming. When I told him that I had a splitting headache and feel rotten he said well get some tablets then as you are no use to me like this! Ds1 had literally no tea tonight and ds2 was crying because he didn't like being left on his own for ages while I tried to deal with dh in the kitchen etc. As I said the house really wasn't that bad I do try to tidy up as I go etc.

Also when I asked dh if he had had a good day he said he had till he come home now he wished he hadn't bothered! I said well I am sorry if you don't have a perfect wife and perfect children and a perfect home but thats life! He apologised later by the way but it often ends up like this with us. If the house isn't as he wants it he has a go he says he tries not to let it get to me but he cant help it! Name changed btw but a regular!

OP posts:
RumourOfAHurricane · 29/04/2009 21:14

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

andlipsticktoo · 29/04/2009 21:16

Sounds like he needs to have a weekend of looking after the dc.... on his own!

Toatallyfedup · 29/04/2009 21:18

Its the comments like its do it yourself tea tonight is it (he had to put it on a plate from the oven as I'd been keeping it warm!) It made tea so unsettling for the dc too its no wonder ds1 wouldn't eat.

OP posts:
imoverhere · 29/04/2009 21:19

Cheeky sod. I agree with shineon, tell him to piss off and clear up himself if he doesn't like it. I'd also leave it messy for a few days just to annoy him (but that's me and I can be a belligerant cow!)

Toatallyfedup · 29/04/2009 21:22

He does/did clear up himself and spent the entire time getting annoyed with ds1 aged 3 because he wanted to help. Ds1 always wants to help want wrong with that! He gets annoyed with ds2 aged 17 months because of the mess he makes grrrr!

OP posts:
IheartNY · 29/04/2009 21:25

That would annoy me so much that I think I'd do the following...
calmly explain to him that I do a lot for him and the whole family and that to make him dinner when I was feeling so ill was nice enough and that he should not be complaining that he had to put it on a plate himslef!
I would say that he is to re-think his attitude going forward.

If he still acts like you are his unpaid general dogsbody and moans when you have an off day then I would do absolutely nothing at all except look after yourself and the DCs.
He'll soon see exactly how much you do when you stop doing it!
When he gets in from work, you just sit on the sofa and relax and tell him that if he wants dinner/a tidy house then he can bloody well do it himself!!!

Toatallyfedup · 29/04/2009 22:04

That should have read "whats wrong with that"! Feeling a bit guilty now as to be fair he DID apologise later but then again he always acts like this when I have off days and he always apologises afterwards but always with a comment afterwards like "I try not to let it get to me/get me down but...." I feel he does this because I'm a sahm as he never behaved like this when I was working.

OP posts:
Booboobedoo · 29/04/2009 22:08

Um, you are working. Hard.

He needs a kick up the bum.

He's being massively passive-aggressive even when he's apologising.

Don't feel bad for complaining: this is not something you should put up with (imho obviously).

hmc · 29/04/2009 22:10

Is he usually like this, or has he had a shitty day? (not condoning his behaviour, but perhaps there is more to it)

Hope you feel better soon - problem with a head cold is that nobody takes it seriously, but it can make you feel really pants

MillyR · 29/04/2009 22:13

You are a stay at home mum, not a stay at home cleaner; he should be doing half of the house work and cooking half of the dinners.

controlfreakythecontrolfreak · 29/04/2009 22:15

blimey... if my dh behaved like that his dinner wouldn't be in the oven but in the dog. rude ungrateful fucker.

Wilkiepedia · 29/04/2009 22:15

He is being totally unreasonable. Maybe when you have both calmed down you need to explain to him that although you are a SAHM, your job is 24/7 whereas his is only X hours per week. Therefore you cannot possibly be ON CALL for the entire 24/7 hours as you will burn yourself out.

Calmly explain how rotten you have been feeling and that sometimes you need a little help/lee-way (sp?).

FWIW, my DH used to do this a little although his wasn't verbal just body language when he came in. Usually the house is a bit messy cos I sleep when DS has afternoon nap (I am pg) and he used to huff around and put things away noisly which made me feel guilty. We have had a chat and he now understands that I am trying my hardest but do need a little help from time to time.

Toatallyfedup · 29/04/2009 22:23

I asked him if he'd had a good day and he said it was fine until he came home! He is often like this. When he comes home (the back way through the kitchen as we park the car down the side/back of house) he always starts off by checking around making sure everythings tidy he will then usually start sweeping the floor! Ds2 comes running in arms up saying pick pick! Ds1 doesn't bother anymore tbh he stays in the front room until dh eventually decides to go in to see him sometimes ten minutes later or more!

OP posts:
hmc · 29/04/2009 22:25

So Toatally - is he particularly stressed atm? (or just a bit of a shit)

hmc · 29/04/2009 22:25

X-posts. I'm afraid he sounds a bit like the latter ...

Toatallyfedup · 29/04/2009 22:27

My dh does that putting things away noisily and being huffy etc! I just wish he would greet the kids first and foremost as priority thats all I ask!

OP posts:
Thebolter · 29/04/2009 22:28

It's a common misconception among all those who have never had to trudge the weary and relentless treadmill that being at home all day with young children can be, (especially when ill), that just because you are at home and not having to deal with shitty business-related stuff you have it easy.

I have been on both sides of the fence and my position is pretty much on the fence here.

You are knackered and ill. I was a SAHM for five years and I had a lot of health issues which have involved days on end of looking after my children while ill. It is the hardest thing I have ever done, so my sympathies are with you.

However I have recently gone back to work and can now remember how exhausting and draining a day in the office can be. Good days are great, bad days are awful and sometimes it's really hard to shake the day's issues off. When I return home sometimes all I want is peace and space. Of course, that is impossible when children are running wild at home.

So while we all laugh and mock the fifties marriage set-up, it is not completely unreasonable to understand that the WOHM/D wants a calm home to return to.

Of course, we live in the real world, and it is impossible to live that kind of bollocks Utopian dream whereby the (relaxed, happy and rested) SAHP is on hand to offer a home cooked meal, rested babes in pyjamas, a fixed drink and later a good shag.

All I can say is... you're not alone. Looking after children while ill is shit. No one understands how difficult it is until they've had to do so themselves. Not day upon day upon day... But my point is that your dh doesn't understand because he has no idea how fucking hard it is... and for that I think you should forgive him that ignorance! He has after all apologised.

Dh and I are still squabbling like mad and our dds are older than your dcs. It's the age-old argument I'm afraid: who has it tougher. Until you've walked a mile in each other's shoes it's not easy to say who does.

Toatallyfedup · 29/04/2009 22:29

Well not all I ask but it would be a start!

OP posts:
hmc · 29/04/2009 22:32

Very perceptive post Thebolter...

solidgoldSneezeLikeApig · 29/04/2009 22:38

Unfortunately he has picked up the myth that when one parent is SAHP, the parent who is in paid employment is now the boss/owner of the other one, and is entitled to full domestic service. Suggest to him that if mess bothers him that much, he could perhaps pay for a cleaner as your job is, in fact, childrearing and the domestic chores are to be shared.

Toatallyfedup · 29/04/2009 22:39

Xposted yes I must admit a very good perceptive post and and now I feel even more guilty and with that I am off to bed!

OP posts:
hmc · 29/04/2009 22:40

Or alternatively you could just re-read Thebolter's post

Toatallyfedup · 29/04/2009 22:42

Xposted again I meant the bolters post btw!

OP posts:
hmc · 29/04/2009 22:42

Guilt? - for heavens sake, nobody is suggesting you should feel guilty!

Just that it's a two way street (although, based on what you've said about your dh he sounds a bit controlling and lacking in empathy)

Haribosmummy · 29/04/2009 22:44

I agree with solidgoldsneezelikeapig - it's a common problem.

My DH works and earns all the money. I stay at home and do all the housework / childcare.

But, whereas he gets evenings and weekends off, I don't.

I don't mind much of the time, but I'm PG at the mo, and struggling to find clothes that fit.. I constantly get told to 'go and sort it' but HOW, exactly!??! When I have DS in tow all the time and his fave activity is NOT watching mummy try clothes on!

SO, anyway, OP you are not being unreasonable, but you are not alone either!