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Relationships

Selfish Husband - will they ever change?

52 replies

SouthPole · 24/09/2016 17:30

I had a weekend away with my mates in July, this is after many years of growing, birthing and feeding babies. I wanted to travel to my hometown, go out on the Friday night, have a mad one and take two days to recover, coming home on the Sunday - my hangovers are notorious.

This was my first night out since New Year, which was a mad night in the house with friends.

So, we end up staying in on the Friday and heading out on Sat instead, I am dying all day Sunday but eventually get us in the car to drive home. I make it back and in good form about 4pm.

HUsband texted me in the morning 8am to say something along the lines of "I hope you're back at a reasonable time today". Totally him and totally PA. I was embarrassed for him in front of the girls, whose partners hadn't texted them with a chaser.

Anyway, he's gone home for a week to see his mate who is visiting from Vietnam for the first time in ages.

I am totally happy with this, and have told him plenty of times. He needs to see his male friends more, he works like a dog and I am always trying to get him to take time out to go golfing with his buddies, but work comes first - never family.

I said to him this morning and I know now I shouldn't have, but I did - I said do you see the difference between my actions here and yours in July towards me? i.e. I'm all like "take the week, have a mad one!!" whereas he was chasing me home at 8am on the fucking Sunday.

Anyway, it all kicked right off.

Right down to things that happened a million years ago. He thinks I engineered the argument to ensure he has a shite time. I genuinely didnt (and even took a minute to check whether I had on a sub-conscious level). I am truly happy he's going to have such a wicked week. He deserves it. I wish I could join him! I wish he gave me this freedom to party ad recover once a fucking year.

I couldn't cuddle him before he went.

I fucking hate him right now.

He cannot see the hypocrisy and |I can't let this one slide.

Where do we go from here? I expect no one can tell me. I'm sorry I've gone on.

I'm confused and sad and angry and I feel at the moment if I didn't see him again it wouldn't bother me.

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SouthPole · 26/09/2016 07:49

He'd heading back to our home town for the rest of the week. He's angry that I don't want to meet him for lunch (only get half hour - what's the point?!) and that I didn't expect him back. I just want so space from him to try and miss him and see if I can get some counselling in the diary for when he gets back.

Isn't it a shame the way things go?

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LostSight · 26/09/2016 07:53

I realise you know you handled the situation in a way that didn't serve your needs. But just some thoughts on how I would have reacted. If he texted me to hurry up home, I would discuss it immediately I came home, or as soon afterwards as possible. If a behaviour is unacceptable to me, I mention it at the time. Saving things up to raise later is very suggestive of trying to use timing to your advantage in some way. Also it sends a message that it's okay in your relationship to drag up past events at a time that suits you, which to me, is a problem in itself. You have to be strong enough to nip things in the bud.

I think on some level, even if it is deep in your subconscious, you selected your time to spoil his week, as he spoiled your weekend. Even if you are absolutely sure it isn't true, he would be justified in suspecting that in my opinion.

I think your relationship will always be tough. You will probably always have to be conscious of your own boundaries and police him when he oversteps them. It just depends whether what you have together is otherwise worth that cost.

Did the two of you chat? Do you know why he came home yet?

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LostSight · 26/09/2016 07:55

Sorry, took me ages to post that and I see you have kind of answered.

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SouthPole · 26/09/2016 08:37

Maybe it want to sabotage his week but it's honestly not my style. I'd love him to give me a week's pass so I happily give him one, iyswim?

Anyway I am completely deflated. Can't believe I've got to work and actually face people now. Just want to curl up under the duvet and have a cry.

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SouthPole · 26/09/2016 10:21

He's left me a letter at home apparently.

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Gobbolinothewitchscat · 26/09/2016 10:35

This is all horribly passive aggressive

Can you leave work and go home and read the letter? This needs confronted and dealt with head on.

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Blueskyrain · 26/09/2016 10:36

I can see why you are annoyed at him, but it was inevitable that bringing it up right before he goes away would either cause an argument, or would make him feel terrible, so I can see why he thought you did it on purpose.

You then say that you don't want to speak to him for the week. Of course it is going to impact on his break away. He then rushes home early to try to resolve it, and you are angry at that.

It sounds to me like you have a lot of resentment for him, and that needs sorting out ASAP. I don't agree with what he did in July at all, but I don't think he is to blame for this latest argument. If you want to bring up the double standards, do it when he gets home, a few days later, and bring it up in relation to future breaks away, don't focus on the past so much.

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SouthPole · 26/09/2016 10:44

I can't leave work today unfortunately. I did think about asking him what was in the letter.

I should have waited til he returned for sure, I know that now.

I'm going to look into counsellors today, though I suppose it depends what's in the letter.

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Whatsshe0naboutnow · 26/09/2016 11:12

OP - reading this, it seems to me like you're both over- reacting if what you describe is all that actually happened. There is clearly a lot of resentment under the surface and this is not at all uncommon for couples who are both working full time and juggling care of young children. The fact is you both need a break, but you are taking it out on each other.

He has got the message that you were resentful about his double standards regarding "passes", as you call it. He has come home, only to find that you now want him to go away and give you space. He tried to meet you for lunch, but you don't want to. Now he's gone off again.

Like most men, he probably sees you (unconsciously ir not) as default carer. Even though you both work. It's bloody annoying, but it does tend to happen. If he's anything like my DH, it won't be that he begrudges you having time out, but more that he has a crap tolerance level for being stuck in the house with young kids. My DH is fantastic at being out and about with our DC -loads of energy for that. It's the humdrum, unstructured time indoors that he struggles with (you know, the basic stuff that is probably 80% of looking after kids). It's a bit different for me as I'm a SAHM, but I've never left DH with the kids for the weekend in 10 years, though there have been lots of times when he's taken them all camping, out for the day etc to give me a break.

So when your DH texted you at 8am on that Sunday, it was probably the boredom of it that was getting to him- "What am I supposed do with them today?" etc -rather than resenting you having a good time. Totally crap I know, but it is what it is unfortunately.

He may also know that he focuses on work too much and it doesn't take much for you to tap into that guilt.

Far worse things happen than this. You both need to stop doing the tit for tat thing - it's so easy to fall into that pattern but it's very destructive. Tell him a few days space is a good thing and you will talk when he gets back. Flowers

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SouthPole · 26/09/2016 11:38

Thank you for that last message Whats very articulate and hit a lot of nerves with me. Thank you again.

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Whatsshe0naboutnow · 26/09/2016 12:06

Hope you get things sorted South -good luck!

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SouthPole · 26/09/2016 13:35

Thanks.

I'm sure it'll be sorted one way or the other. Or it'll just be brushed under the carpet until next time.

I'm tired and afraid.

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SouthPole · 26/09/2016 15:59

So his letter, if anyone is interested, was basically saying that we can't go on like this (agreed) and that we shout too much as a family (agreed) and that it all stems from me, I am the "source". Not agreed!

I should have waited to highlight his hypocrisy over the weekend. True. He shouldn't have called me home the morning after my night out.

I spend money recklessly (agreed - already working on it as he knows).

Erm, he basically said I was being vindictive and vengeful in bringing up his hypocrisy before he went (nog agreed) but I totally ought to have waited. It never crossed my mind that he would really think I didn't want him to go because I did want him to go and have a fuck load of fun!

Anyway, he's back with his mates now and I'm guessing I'll see him Thursday.

Until then I'll keep My own counsel and try and take some space.

This has worn me right out!!

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keepingonrunning · 26/09/2016 16:21

I am hopeful for you both OP. I think it might be quite unusual to communicate feelings by letter nowadays (even if some of it makes you rage inside).

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Naicehamshop · 26/09/2016 16:29

God - he sounds like the sort of person who just has to be right about everything! He also sounds as if he is sucking the happiness out of things.
I would start to think seriously about what he is bringing to your life here.

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SouthPole · 26/09/2016 16:52

There's hope for sure.

But if he doesn't see where he's going wrong and according to him neither can I, where do we go from
Here?!

Counselling I suppose!!

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Whatsshe0naboutnow · 26/09/2016 18:05

Hi OP. I'm not surprised you're tired, but when you say you're afraid, what are you most afraid of?

Apart from these incidents, is he supportive in general?

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SouthPole · 26/09/2016 18:33

Afraid of separating and divorce and raising children like that.

Afraid of failing.

Afraid of carrying on for all the word reasons and waking up in 20 years regretting it.

He is very busy and away 3/4 days a week.

It's easier when he's not here tbh. Things run smoother when I'm running the show alone than when he is here to 'help'!!

He is very good at providing for his family.

It's all very perfunctory and sad these days. I'm thinking we need to work on us.

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SouthPole · 26/09/2016 18:35

For example, had I needed a week to do something there would be much huffing and puffing - but he finds a week to head home to party with the guys all week no problem.

Double standards, selfish. Hypocrite.

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Whatsshe0naboutnow · 26/09/2016 19:21

Well I can totally relate to the double standards thing. I also have a DH who, is quite frankly a workaholic and also travels or works late about 3 nights per week on average. Like your DH, he is very much in the "provider" mindset. It has its benefits for sure, in that he has done extremely well (because he's been able to be so single minded), but there are obvious disadvantages.

Like you I would feel too guilty to go off for a week. DH would not. In the past, this has frustrated me (particularly when the kids were babies), but the reality is that where he's always been in the "financial provider" mindset, I've always been in the "default parent" mindset. Different pressures, different guilt.

I would say, most men would not take a week off work to just hang out with friends. How old is he? Usually with men, there needs to be a purported "purpose" or activity to taking a week off - eg. DH would take time off for charity mountain climbing , "iron man" competitions, that kind of thing.

I suppose I've accepted that you can't really change people. Yes, DH does activities that take him away in a way that I wouldn't dream of. But at least he doesn't laze about, spend 3 nights a week in the pub, etc. Also now that the kids are all school age I can finally get my some time to myself again and I value this so much.

Not sure how I would deal with it if I was also working full-time though?

What are your DH's good points? There must be some!

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SouthPole · 26/09/2016 21:06

I've just started back at work after an 8 year hiatus raising babies.

We have had live in help but she had to leave to return to her studies so we're looking for someone else.

The week off with the fellas is a special occasion, it really is. I don't begrudge him it at all.

He never goes out - because he doesn't have any friends around here. I'm the social secretary here.

He's not a big drinker.

He's funny.

You can take him anywhere and he gets on with anyone.

God there must be loads more than that.

Fuck.

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Whatsshe0naboutnow · 27/09/2016 06:47

SouthPole - I know you're saying you don't begrudge him this week at all, but you do sound resentful of him in general. There's obviously a lot more to it than the fact he tried to call you back from your weekend away in July?

I guess the question is - are you both still feeling connected? Do you still love him?

Maybe, if you've gone back to work recently, you're feeling resentful that the bulk of the housework and child related stuff still falls to you because his attitudes haven't changed to accommodate this? Also, having an au-pair can be great, but it is another person living in your house so can make for a less personal atmosphere iyswim?

What do you do together as a couple?

Going back to work after 8 years is a big step and maybe you're both still readjusting? If it's any consolation, my DH has never done any cleaning, cooking, etc so god knows what would happen if I returned to work. He's amazing in other ways though (fortunately)!

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SouthPole · 27/09/2016 07:12

Certainly resentful yes. He's terrible with helping in the home. I have to direct him, like I would staff, and he never takes the initiative.

He never just heads out with the kids. Never. That would be something I would be required to be involved with. I used to joke he's allergic to taking the three of them out together.

He can't cook of read a fucking cook book, it would appear.

And the sheer inability of the man to be able to find anything gives me stabby rage.

Never does a wash, never puts it out or away.

He irons his own stuff unless I do a session of bulk ironing.

Leaves ALL house admin to me.

Never sorts their school bags, homework, lunch, water bottle.

Half jobs getting them dressed - no shoes or socks.

Good teeth brusher.

Wow. We really need help.

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Whatsshe0naboutnow · 27/09/2016 09:41

Well it's no wonder you're resentful. You've gone back to work, yet you're still doing it all at home. Even when you had the au -pair, managing her would have been a job in itself.

I don't know how you can get his attitude to change. Sorry, I know that's not helpful at all. The problem is that so much of what you do is "invisible work" and it's likely he won't even be aware of it because he's never done it.

As I say, my DH is very similar. No qualms whatsoever about telling me he prefers all his food cooked from scratch, even though he won't even go so far as to make a piece of toast for himself. The constant, "Have you seen my...," I can totally relate to - as if I'm the bloody oracle! He works in Bond St, but is yet to buy his own clothes Hmm let alone wash or iron anything.

I can only cope with this because I don't work. He's very kind and thoughtful in other ways and makes sure we go out regularly as a couple. Also, he will take all the kids away on his own. They've been on more sailing/ camping / survival expeditions than I can shake a stick at! So I do get breaks then, as well as in the day now they've all started school. Also he's not at all weird about money. Happy to pay for cleaners and never questions my spending patterns, etc.

I think every couple has to find a balance that works for them and I think this this is what may be lacking for you?

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SouthPole · 27/09/2016 11:31

We do indeed need to find that balance. I'm thinking it'll be me finding it, as per...and the balance of work tipping in my 'favour' again, as per!

Counselling will help us I am sure of it.

Now I just need to find one.

Thank you for letting me sound off and replying so insightfully.

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