So I know a lot of women deal with grumpy partners (from speaking to friends/family) but I just don't know whether to call it quits or to keep trying to change him/myself so it works better. Have any of you managed to overcome a grumpy husband issue without leaving him?!
Some recent examples of grumpiness: we were carrying a mattress and I was at the front, I started walking and suddenly he drops it, barking at me that I'm going too fast and don't I realise he can't go as fast. I laugh trying to make light of the situation. He picks mattress up and then charges really fast to 'show me what it's like' so that I nearly get rammed into the area outside our kitchen. Again, I laugh trying not to make it an issue, and he barks at me again. (Maybe I should cry instead of laugh next time?!)
He comes home with the kids after school. I've put out two plates of food in the kitchen (one for me, one for him as the kids have eaten). I am elsewhere. When I see him he is eating a sandwich. I tell him there's food in the kitchen for him and he grumbles, How am I supposed to know it's for me when you're always having a go at me for eating food I'm not supposed to? (This is based on stuff like him eating a lollipop, clearly for the kids, or the last biscuit, or the last slice of cake, or even the last of the chocolate spread –and then putting it back on the shelf!)
I am a fairly content person and I feel like I'm constantly trying to up the mood in our house. The older kid says she doesn't want to be alone with him (as in without me) because he's so grumpy/moody. He definitely gets worse when he hasn't had enough sleep or is stressed with work. I work from home (journalist and I also sell paintings) and earn nearly the same as him, but I do 90% of the cleaning and the childcare. This is also a cause for much strife because I think he should do more of the cleaning/childcare.
At what point do you say enough is enough and actually I'm better off without this person in my life? Any thoughts/advice appreciated!