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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

AIBU to want to be able to talk to DH without arguing?

6 replies

Jacq217 · 07/10/2019 20:54

I'm sorry this is a long and complicated one.

DH and I been together for 10 years. I'm in my 40s We had a difficult start through many issues but things settled down into a loving caring relationship and I thought I was on cloud 9 after my previous marriage (and all other relationships I'd had) had been physically abusive.

Lately though have been in an argument cycle almost constantly. Its goes something like this. I bring up a subject that something has annoyed or upset me (it may be about nothing to do with him) , he immediately launches into a tirade of things like "and how many times have you done x,y,z?" " It's always about how you fing feel, never about me." "Of course I must be in the wrong I always am cos I'm such a f*ing useless person", "I'll just learn to keep my gob shut and not have any feelings". The arguments have always followed the same course. We had more in the start, then I learned to control what I said around him and how that my filter isn't working so well as I'm so worn down and tired, the arguing has started again.

I am very careful not to be critical of him personally. We argue, he swears at me gives me the "whatever" answer to anything I say, he storms out, he ignores me for a day or 2, constantly moody. Sometimes he packs his bags and threatens to leave to which I end up begging him to stay. I try to apologise for upsetting him, he rejects me, I try to kiss him goodnight, he turns so I kiss his cheek. I ask him how I can make things right and he rejects every attempt I make to put things right. Then it is suddenly forgotten by him, he's in a different mood and and we move on with nothing resolved. Its almost always me apologising. Very rarely he will apologise to me and buy me flowers and chocolates. It feels like he hates or despises me.

My memory seems to be so poor these days. He says I never tell him of any plans, when I am pretty sure I always ASK him if it's ok for me to make plans for visitors, visiting, spending money etc. He says I never listen to him as I can't always remember what he's told me when I try so hard and even use my phone to remind me of everything now but even then it seems some things I don't remember.

We were so happy for years and the only times we ever argue is when I disagree with DH or I bring up something that I'm annoyed/upset/worried about. So often I can tell he's upset by something and when I ask him if he's ok, I get "I'm fine" when he quite clearly isn't because he's so often moody these days around me but always so smiley and sociable with everyone else. I'm trying so hard to avoid anything that will set him off. Unlike previous relationships I am so lucky, he has never been abusive towards me and has never threatened me so I am so lucky. I just can't stand upsetting him. How do I learn to keep my feelings to myself? I feel like a teenager the amount this is making me cry these days.

OP posts:
richteasandcheese · 07/10/2019 21:36

You don't learn. You're being abused. You need to leave. He's got you doubting your sanity and keeping your mouth shut to keep him happy. Get out as soon as you can

Jacq217 · 07/10/2019 21:50

I was rather shocked reading your message so I reread my post and realised I wasn't very fair on DH...... I did miss out a couple of very important facts in his favour. I am being very hard to live with at the moment due to a major depressive episode so more moaning than usual which doesn't help.

My DH was my full time carer for my uncontrolled Epilepsy up until the last few months so he had had to put a lot on hold for me and basically clean me up at times so he's a nice caring loving man!. I'm probably just putting a lot of stress on him with my depression.

OP posts:
richteasandcheese · 07/10/2019 21:59

I am very careful not to be critical of him personally. We argue, he swears at me gives me the "whatever" answer to anything I say, he storms out, he ignores me for a day or 2, constantly moody. Sometimes he packs his bags and threatens to leave to which I end up begging him to stay. ** abusive/gaslighting/manipulative
**
**My memory seems to be so poor these days. He says I never tell him of any plans, when I am pretty sure I always ASK him if it's ok for me to make plans for visitors, visiting, spending money etc. He says I never listen to him as I can't always remember what he's told me when I try so hard and even use my phone to remind me of everything now but even then it seems some things I don't remember.

Has you doubting your sanity

And the only time you argue is when you disagree with him....all sounds pretty shit to me!

Techway · 07/10/2019 22:05

How do you manage now? Do you need a carer?

Your h is being toxic and abusive. Do you have family?

Jacq217 · 07/10/2019 22:26

I don't cope very well. DH had to go back to work as my benefits got cut even though my health didn't change all because I was reassessed under the new PIP so I'm doing the best I can whilst having fits several times a week...its scary but can't afford anything else.

I have family but I am not close to my siblings or parents. Their view on my Epilepsy is "we don't talk about it"...or anything else for that matter.

I am very close to my eldest daughter but being my daughter I can't offload onto her when she has her own family and was manipulated by her own father as a child and loves her Stepdad. Middle daughter is a teenager and our son is only 7. Also have 2 stepsons in their 20s and stepdaughter 18.

I don't have friends as where DH was my carer and went everywhere with me for my safety I never managed to make any...not that he stopped me, it's just different when you're couple and they are Mums going out for coffee etc. So not the best support network... in fact the most supportive person I have is MiL!!! Can't exactly talk to her about this subject. Mind you she has been fantastic since DH gone back to work, having DS after school when I've had seizures.

OP posts:
30to50FeralHogs · 07/10/2019 22:37

Unlike previous relationships I am so lucky, he has never been abusive towards me and has never threatened me so I am so lucky

Low bar.

A lack of physical violence in your relationship doesn’t make you lucky. It’s the bare minimum you should expect. On top of that you should expect to be able to talk about your needs and emotions without him storming out, swearing or making you feel like you need to squash down your feelings. That’s emotional abuse.

FWIW my DP and I also have the same argument time and time again, I think most people do. It’s almost like you keep going over it,
replaying it until you can get it right.

But nothing is changing for you, the way he’s dealing with it isn’t improving with practice. You’re learning just to never upset him, rather than both learning the right way to talk about it between you.

Sorry but he sounds awful. I think you need to leave him and be on your own for a while, look at your expectations for a relationship and get some boundaries in place.

I understand that your situation may make you feel like you don’t have options, but you can’t stay with him as he is, and he doesn’t seem to want to do any better. I feel sad that I can’t give you any useful advice as your situation sounds difficult, but please know that you don’t deserve to be treated this way.

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