Why does everything have to be a competition?

[Bookaholic73]

I have a lovely DH, but....

Why does everything have to be a competition?

If I feel ill...a few hours later he feels more ill.

If my kids have accomplished something great at school...later that week his kids have accomplished something better.

We both had abusive childhoods and when we mention it in regards to something that happened to me...it happened to him worse.

If something bad happened to me at work that week and I need a little support...later that week something worse has happened to him at work.

It’s exhausting! Any advice (apart from LTB)?

Have you spoken to him about it?

You could try gently pointing out what he does and see how he responds and if he tries to change behaviour.

Or you could take the piss, and say "yeah I say I went to Tenerife and you always have to say I went to Elevenerife" etc.

Oh I’ve tried making a joke of it but it just carries on!

So what does he say about it, if you try talking to him seriously about it?

He thinks I’m imagining it and being petty

I'm sorry but ANYONE who called me 'petty' when I was trying to discuss a concern that was obviously important to me would be out of the door so fast there would be skid marks.