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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Am I within my rights to be furious?

108 replies

Autumn12 · 20/04/2013 01:50

DH has gone out with friends tonight. I've not heard from him which is unusual as he would usually text to see how I am. I did text him about 10pm but got no response.

I text him again about 20 minutes after the last train got in and he still wasn't home. He knows that I can't sleep until he gets home after a night out for various reasons. I have literally just had a text to say he is staying over at a friends house.

I am fucking furious. Am I being unreasonable? I personally don't think this is on for a married man anyway but I am 6 months pregnant and have been under an incredible amount of stress this past 2 weeks due to family issues. I am now feeling too stressed and annoyed to sleep after already having been really ill this evening.

Oh he has just text again to say he has had a really bad week as though that makes it ok!

OP posts:
TheYoniKeeper · 20/04/2013 11:54

Well I hope he does at least pretend to be remorseful OP.

I appreciate this is a tough one & you're pregnant with him so have quite a big investment in this relationship.

Maybe try and catch some more sleep? You've had quite the night and will need the extra strength by the sounds of it. (Easier said than done, I know).

Hissy · 20/04/2013 13:25

I read this thread quickly this morning and confess to much eyerolling, many utterances of 'oh FFS!' and 'how would you like it if there was all this Text-Mothering everytime YOU went out.

I think I did this cos I WAS in a controlling relationship and now eschew ALL forms of interference in my life by others.

With time, classes, shopping and chores out of the way for now, I have to admit to changing my mind.

I think there are many facets to your situation Autumn and all of them lumped together are compounding into an overwhelming mountain of 'stuff'

So let's pull it all to pieces and deal with what you CAN influence.

Your mother and her situation? Leave it to her to sort out. You have enough on your plate, and likewise so does she, so can't be support to you. Fair enough.

The fact that you are with someone who HAS form for shenanigans and mishaps/trouble, knows his boundaries with you and STILL does it.

I think you are right to see what his demeanour is when he does get back, but I think that you are well within your rights to decide if you want space from him and his apparent disregard for you.

People here are right. He's not going to change. he would have done so by now, and if he gets stressed now, when there is a little screaming baby in the picture, he's going to get stressed again and he will justify his benders to himself again then.

I think you do need to try to find some way of losing the panic, to try to calm yourself down and start to think clearly.

At the moment you are angry, and that is never conducive to meaningful/successful forward planning.

So, long term, we none of us have the answers, let's see what evolves.

Short term? Understand that there is nothing you can do to make him change, when he has no desire/need to.

This is not a reflection on you, it doesn't mean a single thing about you, it is ALL about HIS inadequacy.

Look past him and see how you want to feel in the future? Do you want to go through another night like last night again? If not, then accept that you need to be prepared to throw the relationship down as the price to pay to live with respect, in peace and calmly with your child.

You need to work out how you are going to sustain yourself in the future, and you need to focus fully on making sure that you CAN make ends meet on your own.

Once you know you can achieve this, you won't feel so trapped and panicked.

At the end of the day, no person is worth this angst. YOU and your child are worth a ton more, and you need to make it really clear to ALL around you that YOU come first and that you WON'T tolerate this level of crap. From anyone.

Keep posting love, we'll hold your hand.

4some · 20/04/2013 13:50

I really feel for you OP and think some of the responses you are getting are a little harsh.

Agree with most of what was said by Mad and hissy.

I would be amazed if this man will ever change to the extent that you need and deserve, with the track record you have described.

I would start thinking seriously about how you will feel if he does not change. As others said it is likely to get worse after the baby arrives. It is not so bad being on your own, especially if you are at the same time freed of the emotional upheaval that comes from being married to a man like this.

I think you know what you need to do, it is just a big thing getting your head around it.

He sounds really unreliable and does not have the respect for you that you need and deserve. Start looking at your options for a life without being married to him.

Pomegranatenoir · 20/04/2013 14:35

Autumn I could have written the very same post as you 4 and a half years ago. Now my story is different. My exh always did what he wanted to do and left me to face the consequences. He did the boozing, drugs, disappearing and general unsupportive thing when I was preggers first time round but he also threw in a bit of cheating for good measure. Fast forward 2 relatively happy years together with ds and we planned another baby. I got pregnant, suffered with hyperemesis and he started a full blown affair. He left for her, came back then walked out again when dd was 5 weeks old. I am now going through a massively stressful and nasty divorce. He is a man child. No sense of responsibility, right or wrong or any morals. I fear that your dh is cut from the same cloth. The lack of aupport when you are having a tough time coupled with him deliberately making things worse for you by going out, taking drugs and then staying out rings massive alarm bells.

If you need to please rememeber that you can do this on your own. It won't be easy but neither is staying in a relationship where you are unsupported and unhappy. Good luck!

Pomegranatenoir · 20/04/2013 15:02

hissy just have to say the advice you just have was amazing. I could have done with you during the dark days!!

Jaynebxl · 21/04/2013 04:08

Wow I'd be really upset if I was the OP, and certainly wouldn't be as understanding as some are on here. I wouldn't mind my DH going out for the evening and coming back really late, or even staying over at a mate's, just so long as he told me. I think it is really disrespectful not to let your partner know, especially if there is history of ending up in hospital on a night like this.

Really hope he came home and apologised.

Madamecastafiore · 21/04/2013 04:39

I'm another one to say you are over reacting. You are not his keeper and its not unreasonable to want to go out and let off steam once in a while.

Yes you have had a rough time with your mum and supporting her but its a bit self centred to want him to what? Stay in with you holding your hand every night? Not go out again? Have a social life?

DH always asks if its alright if he goes out somewhere but I would never dream of saying no or attaching conditions. As long as I know he is safe he is welcome to do what he wants and I don't sit here stressing about what he is doing or I would drive myself doolally!
Give the guy a break, FFS unless you are a trained mental health professional it is hard to judge how much stress someone is under. Maybe he is stressed but is holding it in because what you are going through at the moment?

Jaynebxl · 21/04/2013 08:03

I don't think the issue is whether the man went out, or whether he stayed out all night even. It is in his lack of respect for his partner who had no idea if he was ok, who he didn't let know that he was staying out until she was so worried she contacted him, then leaving her with no idea of when he would be back. That kind of behaviour only works for a single man.

Rosehassometoes · 21/04/2013 09:04

My experience
Ex husband
Would go out drink, not text. End up in hospital (several times), end up at police station, crash our car drink driving....
Never changed
Never listened
I became increasingly anxious and could not relax/sleep when he was out (understandably).
Other people said they didn't mind when their DHs went out/didn't clock watch etc. That is because their husbands were fundamentally different!!!
I tested his ability to change, left for a few weekends, laid the cards on the table. He wasn't capable of changing.....divorce.....immense relief, huge, enormous weight lifted.

Husband 2
Initially felt very anxious when he went out.
He understood why and maintained communication eg texting when coming home/if late/sometimes when out (Espfor reassurance initially).
Over the last 4 years the need for him to do this has reduced dramatically and I am now like all the women who say they don't mind at all what their DH does as I trust him completely.

This will cause some groans but have you googled psychopathic personality- it either will or won't chime got you...if it does I'd BEGIzn to consider going your own way.
Good luck

Autumn12 · 21/04/2013 12:44

Yes I definitely feel some people haven't read the thread and are just jumping on me as though I'm just not letting him go out.

It's not about that and I would love it if I had a normal husband who I could trust to go out and come back without having to worry, but I don't.

As an update he came back about midday yesterday and stayed in another room from me all day and evening. I've only just spoken to him and he doesn't think he has done anything wrong. Says he did text me but sent it to his mate instead which is just not good enough even if its true. Says he needs time to himself which is making me wonder if he hasn't engineered this situation to get out if his responsibilities this weekend.

I've told him to cancel his mothers visit next weekend as I'm not prepared to play happy families for her benefit and to just let him off the hook to keep the peace.

OP posts:
MadAboutHotChoc · 21/04/2013 13:08

cancelling his mother's visit is not a real consequence.

Autumn12 · 21/04/2013 13:20

It's not supposed to be a consequence. I just don't want her here as I will then be forced to either pretend that we are ok and he will think he has got away with it, or else I will be made to look like I'm being difficult and sulky by not joining them in all of their outings.

OP posts:
MadAboutHotChoc · 21/04/2013 13:34

I totally understand your reasons for not wanting MIL to visit.

What will you do now that he is refusing to see he has done anything wrong?

AnyFucker · 21/04/2013 13:35

What consequences are there going to be for him, love ?

nerofiend · 21/04/2013 13:49

Haven't read the whole thread but I think you are right to be furious. You're entitled to feel like that, but obviously how you react or behave is a different matter.

Hard as it is, I think the best is to try to calm down. Go for a walk, have a bath, read a book, watch a good film etc

Once you're calm and can have a chat, try to tell him how you felt and why it's not on to be in a relationship/marriage and do something like that. How would he react if you did the same? Would be he be happy?It shows no respect IMO.

Try to establish the boundaries as early as you can. I had few similar incidents with my DH in the past, as he likes his drink with friends (no drugs, though) and now he has changed and hasn't done it in a very long time.

I don't mind him going out with friends, but he has to show some respect and tell me in advance what time he's planning to come home. Anything later than 12 or 1 am and would be furious too.

MissLurkalot · 21/04/2013 13:56

OP, sorry to hear he's been even more if a twat, making the situation worse.

I understand cancelling MIL's visit.

I don't have much advice I'm afraid other than be strong and decide what your next move is going to be.

He's acting like a child. And that is not what you need.
Maybe it's time to start making ultimatums? x

Autumn12 · 21/04/2013 14:05

I'm not sure what my next move is. Currently I have asked him to stay out of my way as I do not want to be around him.

OP posts:
MissLurkalot · 21/04/2013 14:08

Ok, well catch up on that sleep you missed the other night. Chillax as much as you can... Early night. And then address it tomorrow.
Normal weekly routine can take over, and just try and find a way to really think what you want from all this.
Hopefully someone else will have some more constructive advice for you. Do keep us posted.

BasilBabyEater · 21/04/2013 15:50

I must admit I'm puzzled by this idea that a grown adult with adult responsibilities, needs to "let off steam".

What does that mean, please?

Does it mean reverting to teenage behaviour and treating your partner and/ or friends with no consideration or kindness, as if in fact they are not your partners at all?

Do grown adults need to do that every now and then?

Really?

Am really curious about this, am I misunderstanding what that phrase means?

BerylStreep · 21/04/2013 16:05

Have you checked his phone?

AnyFucker · 21/04/2013 16:15

This puzzles me too, Basil

You can "let off steam" and still be a considerate partner

I could have said to have "let off steam" last night at a rather raucous social event. It didn't make me undergo a personality change though, nor entitle me to treat my H as if he didn't matter.

Hissy · 21/04/2013 16:15

((((Pomegranatenoir))) :)

VitoCorleone · 21/04/2013 16:40

I dont understand the whole "let off steam" thing either.

CinnabarRed · 22/04/2013 08:44

TBH, I get the basic concept of letting off steam/letting your hair down - to me it's about letting go of your responsibilities for a few hours.

But

Only with prior agreement with whoever is shouldering those responsibilities in your absence and only within the limits agreed between you as reasonable.

I suppose you could say it should be able letting go of your responsibilities in a responsible manner.

Autumn12 · 22/04/2013 12:13

I don't understand the "letting off steam" thing either really. Handling the stresses and strains of life is all a part of being a grown up isn't it? You can't just go and get fucked up whenever it gets a bit much and park your responsibilities until you feel like picking them up again.

He has emailed me this morning to say that he was irresponsible but felt that it was his last "hurrah" before the baby comes. That he has been bottling things up lately etc, etc.

Righly or wrongly I can't help but feel that he is responsible for his own feelings and dealing with them. I shouldn't have to try and drag things out of him to stop him from getting stressed and going off the rails.

I don't know what he is so stressed about anyway. But then I wouldn't if he hasn't talked to me. He has just come back off holiday and only worked a couple of days last week, he hasn't been shouldering the burden of my family problems either. So I don't know what is getting to him.

It might be the thought of a new baby but he is not the only one going through that. I am too, and any time I have mentioned that I will miss things about my current life he has made me feel like I am being really selfish and petty. I can't just go out and get pissed becuase I'm scared of the responsibility can I?

Anyway he has offered to find some temporary accomodation. I think he was expecting me to say don't be silly but I just said ok.

OP posts: