Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

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

To not know where I stand, feeling at loss

27 replies

lovelyrainbows · 24/10/2019 00:57

Hello mumsnet,

This is my first post, I apologies in advance for all the crying on this post, but I am seeking to understand the situation from different perspective, hopefully to see some sense in this all.

I love my husband dearly, but I feel, I am alone in this marriage. We have been married for 6.5 years now, and been together nearly 10 years.

Last week, we were doing some financial planning, and my husband had asked me to do something specific 3 years ago, and I didn’t. What I did not realise then, is that it affects our next decisions now - a potential house move. I realise the consequence of it is really bad, and we now have to delay the potential move. I do feel very bad about it and willing to correct, make amends whatever it takes.

Husband is however not talking to me, not eating at home for the last few days. I normally drop him and pick to train station every morning/evening, since the disappointment, he makes his own way. There is no communication either. I initiated a couple of times, responses were yes and no, so I thought giving him time is the best at the moment.

My problem is I am in between IVF, I have a transfer next week, and this whole situation is killing me. I am willing to talk it through, but I do not know what to say, and I feel saying sorry is not enough. So, at a loss to communicate to sort this through.

What I am also feeling is my husband is acting this way for something I did not do 3 years ago, and not taking into account the present moment - this IVF. Our current house is not bad, and can live a few more years in this house, I do not see it as a big problem.

I feel lonely as I was hoping he will put this behind, and treat me better, not give me silent treatment when I am taking hormonal medicines. Moreover, we spent 5 years renovating this house, he has been renovating a small bathroom in our house for the last 7 months - DIY, and I have been putting up with it. The house itself is a tip most of the time because he is DIY’ing all the time,and i gave up. He loves doing every task himself to perfection. I spent every day last few weeks decluttering, doing dump runs, cleaning, clearing in preparation for my transfer - all on my own. He spoke a lot on what we should do, but the actual work itself has been minimal. He is in a full time job to be fair, so I try and put up and not pressure him about things, but now, with this situ, it’s all getting a bit too much for me. I suffered 7 early miscarriages in the past years, a failed IVF, family problems. I feel, he is my pillar regardless of his quirks not helping in everyday household, being bossy, authoritative and the educator in our relationship. I can put up with that.

But then when I dedicated so much of my energy and time and everything for him, am I wrong to expect a better treat at least at this stage of my life.

May be I need counselling, he does too.

I told him we should talk about this and re-think where is this marriage going if he continues to give me silent treatment, he told me, you have to leave now then ! I said, yes, I would leave, but now is not good. Then he said, you started this subject first.

I don’t know anymore…should i take the courage to leave or what should i do - i am at a loss.

I hope this is only temporary, but then he gave a silent treatment on the 1st day of January this year for a week, and the disagreement last nearly 5 months, before time itself sorted things out. I felt at that point, I was not his priority in his life. I had just suffered a miscarriage then, and now IVF no.2 is next, he just made it clear, I am not his priority.

Thank you for sharing truely what you think, and I should consider doing next.

OP posts:
Aquamarine1029 · 24/10/2019 01:03

His treatment of you is awful. Yes, he might be upset, but his punitive measures do not fit the "crime." He is being abusive, full stop. I would NOT continue with any plans to have a baby.

EKGEMS · 24/10/2019 01:18

It would appear he's very controlling needing perfection with everything including those he's supposed to love and cherish-you! I can't imagine him as a parent tbh-how miserable to treat you like this!

Cohle · 24/10/2019 01:23

To be honest you've been quite vague about the thing you failed to do three years ago that is having such significant consequences now.

It may well be your husband is justified in being terribly angry/upset about your actions. Perhaps he just needs some time before he's in a place where he can speak to you about it calmly.

FuriousVexation · 24/10/2019 05:57

Last week, we were doing some financial planning, and my husband had asked me to do something specific 3 years ago, and I didn’t.

What? Because if it was "make a phone call" and you forgot, then that's forgiveable. If it's "stop doing armed robberies" then that's a bit different.

Anotherlongdrive · 24/10/2019 06:32

To be honest, as pp said, what you didnt do is really important.

Because you can read this thread 2 ways. One he is bastard and treats you horribly. 5 months to sort something out

Or 2 you promised you clear a debt and had the means to do so, you agreed to and lied about it for 3 years he has spent 3 years planning and looking forward to this and now its not happening because you have hidden things for the last 3 years. And now trying to shift blame.

Again context of what happened earlier this year is needed. Why 5 months to sort out. Had you done something financially that took alot of sorting? If its financial is there theme of you making poor financial decisions that impact your lives? And he has just got to the point that he has had enough?

It's possible that the miscarriages and IVF is causing that much stress in the relationship neither of you are wrong and neither of you are behaving with the relationship and your plans in mind.

Anotherlongdrive · 24/10/2019 06:34

Oh and also not wanting to speak or wanting space, isnt always abusive as some people believe.

If the issue is a recurring theme he may just need space to decide if he cant get over it again.

Also, how did you not know this thing would impact you further down the line?

amylou8 · 24/10/2019 06:51

The context is important. Have you been daft/forgetful/silly or deliberately neglectful/deceitful?

baileys6904 · 24/10/2019 06:56

Echo PP, depends what you did.

With regards to the silent treatment, to be honest its something I do. Growing up in a domestic violence situation, with screaming and shouting all the time, I tend to shut down until I feel able to have a proper conversation without getting emotional. I dont see myself abusive or manipulative, just like to keep my emotions in check.

If you've, for example, not cleared a debt or ccg, which has affected a credit report, and on top of hat lied about it, I do think he has a reason to be upset unfortunately, and the timing is really, really unfortunate. Completely understand why you're in bits about it too, but all I can suggest is ride it out, try to talk and explain. Perhaps a letter so he can read it and see you perspective in a non combative way?

Good luck with IVF xx

sofato5miles · 24/10/2019 07:00

What, exactly, didn't you do?

freeingNora · 24/10/2019 07:08

I once endured the silent treatment for two years

It doesn't get no matter what your crime was he's not dealing with this in an adult grown up manner

Meanwhile you're running round apologising trying to get his attention as if it's your job to please him. As if he's your master

Google Stockholm syndrome or the power and control wheel

I would suggest that there's another undercurrent here regarding the ivf is interesting how he's making a very stressful situation intentionally more stressful.

Mintjulia · 24/10/2019 07:13

Whatever you did, or didn’t do, it’s three years ago to you but your dh found out this week, so it’s brand new to him.

Look at it with his eyes. He works full time, and has spent 5 years doing up a home, presumably to sell and buy something better. For someone to put in that much effort I suspect it really matters to him although you are too fussed.

Then he discovers that whatever you did has prevented all his hard work being realised. In those circumstances, I’d be pissed odd too.
Also, 7 miscarriages and two IVF runs in a year ... sounds too pressured and distressing for anyone to cope with.

Maybe you both need some downtime.

AnnaNimmity · 24/10/2019 07:14

Actually what she did isn't relevant.

At the very least, the silent treatment is an unkind and immature way of dealing with his anger or disappointment - it's crap communication (because if he needs space, he should just say that) - and at its worse, it's one weapon in the arsenal of abuse, designed to keep her wrongfooted, uncertain and under his control. He's punishing and controlling her.

OP I agree, it's a horrible way to be treated in a grown up, loving, relationship.

Mintjulia · 24/10/2019 07:14

...Aren’t too fussed

LFLM1 · 24/10/2019 07:24

He's right to be annoyed at you....I be annoyed if I'd asked my husband to do something important for our future and he hadn't done it. It's continuing this treatment that isn't right. He needs to talk to you about it and make a plan for how you can move on. It's his treatment of you that is disproportionate. Could you say to him that you except it's your fault but you don't want this damaging your relationship, especially at such an important time. To continue to treat you this way is manipulative.

Beautiful3 · 24/10/2019 07:47

It really depends on what you didn't do. What was it? If for example he gave you money to pay off your debt, and instructed you to cut up your credit cards but you didn't then yabu. However if it was something like, transfer some money into stocks, but you forgot then yanbu.

sofato5miles · 24/10/2019 07:53

It obviously has a serious financial implication or you would be able to move. I too would be furious, if that is indeed the case, and rather than tell and day things that couldn't be taken back, would go silent. Until I figured out what I wanted to say/ do.

TheStuffedPenguin · 24/10/2019 07:56

I think that with all your fertility issues the two of you are probably stressed to the max and perhaps you need to get some counselling . Are you both on the same page as to continuing in this desire to have a child ?

I also agree that it is difficult to call this when we don't know what you failed to do.

nomoreclue · 24/10/2019 07:58

Is he acting like this because he doesn’t want the ivf but is too scared to say anything? It doesn’t sound like a healthy marriage to be honest

combatbarbie · 24/10/2019 07:59

The IVF is probably a huge stress factor for you both and is probably magnifying minor disagreements... But I agree with the others, what did you fail to do that has impacted a future move?

KatherineJaneway · 24/10/2019 08:35

To be honest, as pp said, what you didnt do is really important.

Actually it is. We have no idea of what was done and said for us to put his reaction in context.

sofato5miles · 24/10/2019 08:39

The fact that OP is minimising what she did may well be s clue that it was quite bad. I get that IVF is very stressful and all consuming. This may be part of the issue for her DH

hellsbellsmelons · 24/10/2019 09:01

being bossy, authoritative and the educator in our relationship. I can put up with that
Why would you?
You are describing abuse here.
And now the Stonewalling.
Sod that OP.
I've no idea what you didn't do 3 years ago or why something so important would be solely your responsibility.
But yes, move out now.
Get away from the abuse.
Live a better life.
Do you have family or friends you can go to?
You need some love and support right now so reach out.

Anotherlongdrive · 24/10/2019 10:35

Actually it is. We have no idea of what was done and said for us to put his reaction in context.

I know that's what I said. What she didnt do is important.

At the very least, the silent treatment is an unkind and immature way of dealing with his anger or disappointment - it's crap communication (because if he needs space, he should just say that) - and at its worse, it's one weapon in the arsenal of abuse, designed to keep her wrongfooted, uncertain and under his control. He's punishing and controlling her.

This is such bullshit. That jumps to conclusions.

Let's say OP keeps getting into debt, lying and impacting their future plans and lying to him constantly. He may just need time to see if he can work through it.

It can be used as a tool to punish someone. Or it can be something someone does because they need to work out their own feelings and what they want to do.

People are allowed space.

KatherineJaneway · 24/10/2019 11:38

@Anotherlongdrive Apologies, I misread your post.

AnnaNimmity · 24/10/2019 11:42

No it's not. However serious the perceived "crime" as a pp says, he's stonewalling, and that just isn't an acceptable way to communicate in a relationship.

Swipe left for the next trending thread