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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

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Help need advice about sulky unforgiving DH

224 replies

Demonchops · 14/03/2015 19:35

Please wise MNers- I'm at my wits end. DH has been sulking with me all week since an argument we had last Sunday. I'd been cooking for a long time- Sunday dinner nothing fancy but also doing some biscuits and flapjacks at same time for the weeks packed lunches for the 3 dc - also a pudding made as well so quite busy in the kitchen- meal time was fine until, after one of the kids said 'mummy this is a yummy' I said 'on a scale of 1 - 10 how yummy is it ? Or something- so they all rated it - DH chips in he'd give it 8/10. He didn't say it jokey or with a wink...it was serious
I tell you I wanted to poke his eyes out that second- I felt hurt truly esp since I'd made him a lovely meal! With hindsight how I reacted was not perfect but I was hurt- and realise I was pre-menstrual. I truly feel that he was tactless and unkind and should have said 10/10 just to be a nice hubby and a role
Model for the kids not the honest arsehole he was - so we had an argument about it.

Next few days he sulks and sulks ignoring me and generally withdrawing. I continue to try and talk to him as normal- I asked him to help me mid week by helping to wash up if he sees some accumulated in sink on a week night and he didn't like being asked - and I quote " it's not his mess" so we had another bicker /
Argument about that- I have continued to try and make amends and smooth things over but he doesn't want to nor cannot forgive and forget and move on - it's nearly been 7 days! I think he is being totally petty and childish and unforgiving! He texted me today to say he can carry on sulking for ages if he wants and thinks that he's only good for beig weekend dad anyway??? What shall I do? Ignore and keep on as normal? Some previous history of this sorta behaviour but we have always got through it- 3 dcs 10, 8 and 4

OP posts:
pocketsaviour · 16/03/2015 18:42

Does he have a habit of emotionally manipulating you, OP, or do you think he is genuinely depressed and needs help?

It kind of sounds like he's PA punishing you for not having all your focus on him because you have been helping out your family.

Let's lay this out...

Last weekend he made a comment which upset you, you totally over-reacted but then apologised later for taking it so personally. Normally, I would have expected him to then step up from his side and say "And I'm sorry I upset you. Friends again? Cool" and that would be it.

Instead he punished you with a week of sulking and refusing to do any household chores.

You then asked him to stop sulking and he threatened to continue sulking indefinitely and made vague references to being a "weekend dad" which you were then supposed to say "What do you mean?!"

However you then ignored him as you were at your parents. This worried him as he wasn't getting the reaction he wanted, so now he has ramped up to emotional blackmail and played the "I might as well be dead" card.

Unfortunately you have played into his hands and spent all day texting him emotional strokes...

Personally I'd have probably replied "Well, don't let the door hit you in the arse on your way out" but then I'm a bitch like that Grin

Demonchops · 16/03/2015 19:12

Pocket - thanks for response! When you say it like you do it does seem like that I know - but do I really want to say yes bugger off then and leave us?? Surely I'd be pushing him to it

OP posts:
Demonchops · 16/03/2015 19:14

Ps I genuinely think he's depressed he's been like this before 5years ago and also in his very short first marriage- when it got tough he upped sticks !

OP posts:
Demonchops · 16/03/2015 19:17

He's very worried about his leg and also had a MS scare last year which touch wood he is deemed now as low risk for Ms but it's still taken its toll I think-

OP posts:
l12ngo · 16/03/2015 19:18

I think originally you were a bit silly but he's acting like a child. I'd actually be asking him what his life insurance policy details are if he's so intent on not waking up from his foot op, but then I have little tolerance of guys who act like 4 year olds.

AnyFucker · 16/03/2015 19:21

ah

this is his version of saying "I might as well kill myself then" because you have dared to pull him up on his unreasonable behaviour

complete and utter emotional blackmail...how utterly tedious

QuintessentiallyInShade · 16/03/2015 19:21

You sound really precious.

8/10 is a really good score.

Who are you? Nigella ? Delia Smith? Lorraine Pascale or a Hairy bikeresse?

pocketsaviour · 16/03/2015 19:25

The way you've described his texts, he has said he would rather either end the marriage or die. I would personally take him at his word and say OK, pack your stuff and fuck off then.

I'm afraid after years of doing the co-dependent jolly-him-along please-don't-leave-me dance thing with a couple of previous partners, I've got terribly bored of that. Any partner now who tries the "I'll leave you unless X" tactic gets handed his belongings in a small bag and wished good luck for the journey onward!

I have come to realise that a relationship shouldn't be about me sitting there trying to puzzle out "Oh he said X but I think he meant Y, or possibly Z." I now just act on the basis that if he said X, he meant X, and if he was lying then its tough shit on him.

At one point... not my finest moment I admit... I was sat in relationship counselling with an X. He was moaning on because he had told me, repeatedly, that he didn't want to celebrate his birthday that year. I had asked him if he was sure several times, and he kept saying yes. So I didn't buy him a card or present, or take DS to buy him one. He then said in counselling "You should have known I really meant yes I did!" I said "So you were deliberately lying... why?" He couldn't answer that sensibly but kept repeating "You should have known I was lying and gone against my wishes, which were really the opposite of what I said they were!"

So for about the next fortnight, every time he asked me for something, e.g. "pass the salt", I would give him something else. And then say "Oh sorry, I assumed you were lying." God it was childish and petty, but it FELT SO GOOD Grin

Demonchops · 16/03/2015 19:25

Agree with ur posts but I have a lot at stake don't i ?? dealing with emo blackmail like this - he's now saying he's going to stay with his dad for a month after his op for space! Like I don't need him here for the help he can give me with the dcs . Ffs

Af- Agee totally

OP posts:
Demonchops · 16/03/2015 19:28

Quintessentially - I've admitted its not my finest moment - I was tired- touchy and pre menstrual not a good combo! But I can't change it now- it doesn't warrant this tho! Come on

OP posts:
l12ngo · 16/03/2015 19:29

After a month with one less child to look after, you may find how much easier life could really be. He's just trying to get you to beg him to come home.

If you actually start planning for his absence and he realises you can cope, he'll play the martyr and insist on coming straight home. I doubt his dad particularly wants to wait on him anyway.

Vivacia · 16/03/2015 19:31

Demon I too think that this is manipulation (and that you've fallen straight for it). I think if said, "And I'm sorry I upset you. Actually, there are some things I need to tell you about..." then I'd be less worried.

Has he accepted responsibility for his part, and apologised?

In terms of the suicidal thoughts, he has to take responsibility for these and get to a doctor. Otherwise it feels like he's attention-seeking and punishing you all in one.

Vivacia · 16/03/2015 19:35

he's now saying he's going to stay with his dad for a month after his op for space!

I agree with pocket you must take him at his word. Say, "Ok, well, obviously we'd rather you were home with us, but you know what you need. I'll get your suitcase out of the loft".

WicksEnd · 16/03/2015 19:36

Oh dear the woe is me card has been pulled by your Dh to make excuses for the fact he's behaved like an utter twat and to make you feel bad.
Don't fall for it OP. I hazard a guess that you have many more sulking/martyrish stories you could tell.

I'd give him a very poor 2/10 for that one.

Curious to know, what was he doing while you were cooking, making desert, flapjack etc? Arse on sofa?

Demonchops · 16/03/2015 19:48

Your responses are helping me see it more clearly but I don't have guts to say that to him- perhaps I should

I couldn't survive financially without him and it would be a nightmare

Yes when I was doing all the Sunday dinner and other cooking he was watching footie in sitting room- admittedly resting said broken leg which does hurt him- but I still
Have to do shit loads!

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Vivacia · 16/03/2015 19:50

If you're worried about money then get some facts. There are websites you can use to do this. It might be bad news, but in my opinion it's better than worrying about the unknown.

I don't have guts to say that to him

Which bit exactly?

pictish · 16/03/2015 19:52

Must agree with everyone else. It's a blatant, self indulgent attempt to emotionally blackmail you into backing down and giving him sympathy, which you have totally fallen for and provided him with.
He's got the status quo exactly how he wants it, with you making all the effort, while he basks in the prime spot being soothed and stroked. Sore paw!

pictish · 16/03/2015 19:55

A week he kept that sulk up.

Demonchops · 16/03/2015 20:03

Pictish I know - a bloody week!
When I'm also going through hell awaiting major news about my lovely brothers cancer too- he knows I'm going through a hard time too so it's doubly worse IMO

I guess I would find it hard to say - well then if that's what you want then pack your bags....

OP posts:
Demonchops · 16/03/2015 20:03

Vivacia the last comment was to
You :) thanks

OP posts:
Vivacia · 16/03/2015 20:08

Alright love. Two things. Firstly, taking him at his word gives him agency. It recognises him as an adult and respects his ability to make choices. Secondly, what's the alternative? That you spend your life second-guessing?

AnyFucker · 16/03/2015 20:10

I could not live like this...hostage to a blackmailing and juvenile tosser like this

I honestly don't know how women do it. The knots you must have to tie yourself in, the misgivings you must have to squash down, the sensible voices saying "wtf am I doing" you must have to tune out

astonishing

and for what ?

pictish · 16/03/2015 20:19

OP this is emotional abuse you know. He has behaved abysmally this week. You've been so upset about his week long freeze out; anyone would be.
Yet somehow here you are now, telling him how much you love him and wondering how you can be a better wife to him.

How did that happen?

Demonchops · 16/03/2015 20:20

Vivacia I totally agree I cannot spends life second guessing and wondering if he is going to do this again if we have another disagreement or whatever- I need a man who is committed to
Me and our children- I feel he is so selfish to even talk like this- I would never leave my children or say that I want to

OP posts:
pictish · 16/03/2015 20:23

That wasn't a genuine ask...sorry. I know how it happened and so do you. He's very manipulative.