Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

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

Tell me about your wonderful men...

92 replies

onecandream · 13/05/2021 01:13

My husband is a selfish prick. He shows no affection, apart from when he wants sex, puts me down when the opportunity arises, talks to me like a child and doesn't listen to me. He steps over stuff on the stairs, doesn't close drawers or cupboards after himself, will often randomly stop 'helping' at bath time to play video games and will often leave his dinner plate on the table. His only redeeming qualities is that he reads to son#1 at bedtime, makes me a coffee in the morning and loads the dishwasher. He empties the bins, as do I, and will cook once a week... I have to say thank you and praise the meal at least 4 times though otherwise he gets moody. He point blank refuses to wash up ever.
To counteract these depressing aspects of my own marriage, please can you tell me all the lovely and kind things that your partners do or say to you? I think reading about a normal, happy marriage would be nice.
Don't tell me to LTB as I can't.

OP posts:
LolaSmiles · 13/05/2021 12:42

I read the title and thought what a great thread to highlight that good men exist, but it sounds like you're feeling quite rotten OP. I hope this thread begins to give you the courage to know your worth and begin to plan your exit, even if it isn't possible right now.

DH is lovely because he respects me. His actions flow from this starting point.

Rozziie I met DH through friends and his father is also a hands on dad, active around the house, respectful of women. I think it makes a big difference if boys grow up with male role models who treat women well and pull their weight.

lastqueenofscotland · 13/05/2021 13:08

I met my DP on tinder of all places!

He’s lovely. Makes me proper coffee in the morning, humours and actively gets involved in a weird family in joke that an ex of mine once refused to even acknowledge as it was juvenile, puts up with the expense and tedium of me owning horses. He’s super tidy, has dinner ready when I’m back late and is al all round good egg

I think I got a real idea of his character when fairly early on we attempted a fairly technical scramble while out hiking and I essentially got stuck, he was incredibly kind, patient and reassuring.

Stockholmvillage · 13/05/2021 13:09

My husband is completely devoted to me. He's also very handsome, kind, witty, outgoing, driven, determined, loving and always puts me first. Everyday I realise how lucky I am.
I met him on Tinder!!!

RJnomore1 · 13/05/2021 13:12

I’ve been ill with Covid for 3 weeks and he’s looked after me, made sure I have everything I need, phoned the docs for me and insisted I went to be seen when I was really bad (needed antibiotics).

He’s great at the best of times but he’s just been amazing when I’ve felt so awful. I feel bad for every time I’ve ever taken him for granted at the moment.

OP, you deserve this too. You do. Someone who cares and looks after you.

1990s · 13/05/2021 13:17

This thread has made me well up!

@onecandream don't spend your life unhappy. Easy to say I know.

My DH is so good at pulling his weight, we are equally responsible for household shite. He's makes an effort on understanding and countering mental load the patriarchal society.

He is also thoughtful and kind, and gently tells me off when I don't ask for help. He also doesn't give a shit if a I look a bit shit, tubby, bad hair day etc.

I'm sure there is more. I'm pretty good most of the time too, we are equals in most things like looking after each other, which I think is key!

1990s · 13/05/2021 13:20

I also think it's important to say he is not perfect. Neither am I.

But we are both aware and willing to take on criticism from the other and make an effort to change behaviour.

bunny85 · 13/05/2021 13:44

I met my DH 11 years ago at a friend's birthday party. We just instantly clicked.
He's not perfect, nor am I. We have ups and downs but always manage to sort them out, have a grown up talk and find a solution. He's thoughtful, kind, funny, he works a lot and I don't but I have unlimited access to the money as he considers 'family money' and never questions. He does his share around the house and is very hand on dad, when our toddler was a baby he was getting up almost every night helping to settle him. And he brings me flowers just because every now and again Smile

deathbyprocrastination · 13/05/2021 13:49

My DH is by no means perfect, and neither am I, and we don't have a perfect relationship.

But, he is 100% loyal, we share the same sense of humour and laugh a lot every day - I just couldn't be married to someone who didn't laugh at stuff with me - he works incredibly hard in a job that enables us to enjoy a really nice lifestyle. And, though he isn't a flowers and chocolates kind of guy, I never doubt how much he loves and cares about me and our DC. He's a handsome man who has made a big effort recently to look after himself better because he knows I was a bit worried about his health. I know that if something serious happened and I needed him, he would be there in an instant.

He also snores loudly, is totally addicted to sugar, work and his iphone and can be a bit Victorian in his attitudes. But if I explain my perspective (when I'm not in full rage mode) he will listen to my perspective and and often soften his position on things.

I think we are pretty good together. Nothing is every going to be perfect but your situation sounds really hard OP - I hope you can at least feel able to talk to him about how you are feeling. What I would add is that myself and DH are in a much better place having been married 15 years than we were at 5 years married - he wasn't always great when the DC were small and over time we've come to understand each other much better.

Anordinarymum · 13/05/2021 13:50

I had a horrible marriage. He wore the trousers (his words) He did a lot of other horrible things - too many to mention and the very best and nicest thing he did was to leave.

Now I have someone who smokes and throws his tabs all over the place. He never lifts the loo seat up. He slops coffee all over when making a drink, he leaves dirty washing in the bedroom and never in the basket in the bathroom... I am sure I can think of more...

He has never ever raised his voice to me
He has never hit me or thrown anything.
He has put up with my children :)
He supports me in anything I want to do.
He encourages me but equally so tells me when he thinks something is not a good idea.
He takes me to Maccy Dees in the rain
He talks to me and listens

He'll do.

Lovemedo345 · 13/05/2021 13:58

Dont usually post but have been with my DH for 21 years both early 40s now so have kind of grown up together in our relationship. No one is perfect and relstionships go through seasons but my DH makes me laugh, makes me relaxed amd i completely trust him. We still have a real spark and he's my favourite person to go out dancing with. 2 kids and he's a lovely involved dad who does 50:50, sociable, funny. Sarcastic, opinionated, loves reptiles and always thinks he's right: still love him to bits anyway. OP sending you hugs, i hope things improve whether you stay or leave x

fantasmasgoria1 · 13/05/2021 14:03

My Fiance is awesome. He's loving, caring, kind, considerate, supportive, understanding, respectful, generous, funny etc. He encourages me in everything I do or wish to do, I have a serious and complex mental illness which he's done so much to read and learn about. I could go on. My first ex husband was abusive sexually, physically, financially, emotionally, psychologically etc he controlled me so badly that when it ended I did not even know what my own opinions were.

Iamthrough · 13/05/2021 14:06

I was divorced just over 3 years ago. I'm not going to lie, life has been a roller coaster of good and bad ever since and I'm currently in a down...

However I don't miss my ex at all and have never regretted splitting from him.

I am now in a new relationship - so I am very aware still in the Honeymoon phase- but - being with him simply feels like coming home. I can't really describe it any better - it just feels right being with him. He's kind, makes me laugh, helps with the washing up and has helped with lots of odd jobs around my house and managed to hold me together through some pretty tough times recently. I couldn't be without him.

JohnsRaincoatLost · 13/05/2021 14:11

Firstly, a lot of people miss this sticky thread that was posted by the lovely Reality way back in 2009 but it still stands. Read her opening post. MN thought it was so good they kept it at the top of this board

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/relationships/698029-Right-listen-up-everybody

Secondly, I have been married to Dh for just over 20 years. I am partially disabled, most days are okay for me some are horrific. He makes me cups of tea all the time, makes meals for me and our two teenage sons. He will buy me lovely foot creams for my birthday and give me foot massages.

Every night we go up to bed together, he will take off my top and bra, bends me over the bed and whoah this isn't going to go where you think it is, he gives my back a lovely scratch all over. It is such bliss. Grin

He leaves me notes stuck in the fridge with hearts on, has a secret stash of my favourite chocolate so when I am on my period it magically appears for me (he has to hide it otherwise I will eat it all)

He shows me how much he loves and cares for me. We laugh every day together, he sends me twitter stuff or Reddit as do I with him. This is a two way street. I look after him, I also leave him notes, he knows how much he means to me.

Your life should be filled with love and joy. Flowers

Lan2020 · 13/05/2021 14:25

@onecandream I'm do sorry, you're having such a hard time. My partner is very similar to yours.

It's lovely hearing all the positives but I must admit, it puts my relationship into perspectives.

So trying to think of the positives...
I was working yesterday, so my partner has our DS. When I came home he had hoovered and put some washing on.
He held an umbrella over my head today in the rain...
I'm trying to think of more but have given up!

TheDogsMother · 13/05/2021 14:45

OP I am so sorry, I wish your situation could be so much better.

My DH is the kindest person I know. He delivers kisses and cups of tea all day, pulls his weight round the house, does DIY/gardening, surprises me with flowers and little gifts too. One year he couldn't be here for my birthday so he arranged a treasure hunt of clues around our house and when I found all the clues he'd a booked trip for us to go to Paris.

He also has my back, is my biggest cheerleader, is feminist and is supportive of me and my work. He also tells me I am beautiful/funny/clever often though I don't feel I'm any of these things. I could go on but you get the idea.

LolaSmiles · 13/05/2021 15:19

JohnsRaincoatLost
The OP of that post has smashed it! Every woman needs to hear that.

onecandream · 13/05/2021 15:21

I think I started this thread to feel something warm and happy. I've enjoyed reading about your wonderful men - they sound amazing. It has struck me how much you feel respected and cared for. I don't. I guess I don't want to leave because my husband used to be amazing and I did feel very loved and maybe I'm hoping our relationship could return back to this. We've been together 20 years and married for 10 with two young children. I don't even know why he wants to stay with me to be honest as he doesn't seem too happy either. There are too many unknowns for me to consider leaving, regarding the children and where I'd live. I have hope that our marriage can get better. I'm surprised at how many of you have exhusbands actually.
Reading your posts has been a pleasure so thank you.
I keep thinking about marriage counciling but as he doesn't respect my opinions or treat me as an equal then what's the point. He's fundamentally sexist which I realise now is how he's been brought up.

OP posts:
TheUnexpectedPickle · 13/05/2021 15:23

I'm so sorry to this and about all the other dickhead men.

DP would literally do anything for me. Anything I asked. I am moving next weekend but am committed to a training course next week so he has taken the week of work to pretty much pack for me and sort out the new flat. We don't even live together yet.

Also my cat is obsessed with him, which can only be a good sign!

1990s · 13/05/2021 15:33

@onecandream I certainly think people can change, but he has to understand why, and want to.

I guess that's the first battle.

I can see why you don't want to throw away shared history, and it's certainly worth trying.

But don't just stay now matter what.

Sexnotgender · 13/05/2021 19:25

I'm dying to know how you all met these men.

Online! Plenty of Fish to be exact.

Wishihadanalgorithm · 13/05/2021 19:33

Mine had made scones today; they were still warm when I came home. Dinner was reheated leftovers but then he washed up (dishwasher broke) and had DD read to him. I was a bit late home as I had had a PT session but I wasn’t expected to do any type of housework. Basically I came home and pleased myself!

Trust me he is not perfect bit he wouldn’t dream of treating me how you’ve described your DH. You deserve much better, OP.

Nowstrong · 13/05/2021 19:44

So sorry that you are treated like this. A bit lost for words. Believe me, life is so short. Take the bull by the horns. Live your life. Love your life. Show your children that a relationship with yourself can be better. 2 ex husbands here.

year5teacher · 13/05/2021 19:54

I’m not married but DP and I have been together for 5 years. He means everything to me. Until I qualified as a teacher I earned very little (TA and then studying) and he made those years as painless as possible for me by paying for meals out, treating me to stuff etc. He paid for holidays upfront and let me pay him back in installments - and he is not exactly a high earner himself. This was so selfless of him as he never once made me feel pressured or held it over my head. It’s lovely to be able to treat him now as I earn (slightly) more!

He works four days a week and on his wfh day he does everything - hoovers, laundry (usually more than one load), washing up, cleans the kitchen and cooks me dinner for when I’m home. He does every job I don’t want to do, so I just get to spend an hour cleaning on the weekend which I enjoy. Last night he came to say goodnight to me and said he loved me, and kissed my forehead and said he would come and cuddle me when he got into bed later (and he did). He makes me feel so loved and he is the person I want when I’m vulnerable, ill or sad. I support him and help him when he needs it. We both step up when the other is busy. I’m going to go and make him a cup of tea now because it’s made me feel happy thinking about how great he is 😂

This is how it should be. To be honest, it’s not even like DP does anything extremely out of the ordinary. A kind, supportive man who does his share of the work and looks after you when you need it is what every woman should have.

Dogladyxo · 13/05/2021 19:54

And women????

I've switched sides and never been happier lol

cakecakecheese · 13/05/2021 20:46

If I'd stayed in my marriage which was just flat or with my partner after that who was selfish and nasty I'd have missed on the best person ever. He's so funny, affectionate and thoughtful, he sent me chocolate in the post even though we live together to make me smile and he's just spent ages looking for the last couple of edge pieces in a jigsaw that I started and got bored of Grin

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

This thread is closed and is no longer accepting replies. Click here to start a new thread.