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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

Can’t disagree with husband

72 replies

twoandeights · 16/09/2021 07:58

I really need some advice. I’m having trouble with my husband and need to know what steps to take. We’re at the point that he’s throwing tantrums and shouting every time we disagree over anything because I’m “telling him he’s wrong”. He seems to have a huge chip on his shoulder about me disagreeing with him. I can say “that’s not my recollection of what happened” or “my opinion is different” and it leads to him ignoring me until I apologise. He is on tenterhooks and the slightest hint of me telling him he’s wrong sends him into a sulk. It’s becoming incredibly hard to live with and I don’t know what to do. Surely a disagreement is people having different opinions or it wouldn’t be a disagreement. It feels as if he just wants me to agree with him all the time! Has anyone else been through this? How did you resolve it?

OP posts:
AttilaTheMeerkat · 16/09/2021 08:34

The only acceptable level of abuse in a relationship is none.

You're being trained by him not to express yourself and what you're really describing here is a pattern of emotionally abusive behaviour from him towards you. Abuse is about power and control and he wants absolute power and control over you. He is probably nicer towards you on occasion too but the nice/nasty cycle of abuse present is a continuous one. His desire to be right all the time and blame you for any of his problems or wrongdoings far outweigh any desire to actually be nice and or treat you as an equal.

How does he behave around people in the outside world?. My guess too is that he does not behave like this to work colleagues either. If counselling is to be at all considered here you need to go on your own. Joint counselling is never recommended where there is abuse of any type within the relationship.

If a friend was telling you all this what would you be advising?. I would start to slowly but surely plan my exit from this relationship because its not going to improve and you will become further ground down by this from him. If you have children as well they will pick up on all the vibes here too, both spoken and unspoken.

Weenurse · 16/09/2021 08:36

Has he always been like this or is it getting worse?

Wombat96 · 16/09/2021 08:38

He's either trying to control you or engineer you organising a split.

Is there any chance he's got another woman?

Mintjulia · 16/09/2021 08:42

Of course you should be able to disagree calmly. In your situation, he's trying to bring you to heel and teach you that he is always right. He's abusive and controlling. I'd be planning my escape before it gets worse. Which it will.

Sorry, that's probably not what you wanted to hear. Sad

Babymamamama · 16/09/2021 08:49

I had this with the father of my child. It wore me down over more than a decade. The constant sulking until I would apologise for things when I actually didn’t want to apologise but just wanted to clear the air. It made me feel I was actually losing my mind and sense of self because any view I might hold wasn’t valid if it wasn’t in line with his world view. We aren’t together any more. Which was my choice but it took a long time for me to see clearly what he was doing was emotional bullying. Due to this experience I honestly don’t see me ever wanting to get into another relationship with a man, sad though that is. I’m much happier without a relationship and thank god every day that I managed to extricate myself.

twoandeights · 16/09/2021 10:09

Somebody asked above…yes it’s getting worse. He now tries to involve the kids. He’s shouting in front of the kids about whatever it is. He has no filter. There’s no chance of another woman. It’s not that. He’s become firmly belligerent and happy to ignore me/withdraw for days upon days to prove his life is better without me and that I should just “live my life”. It’s incredibly childish, hurtful and painful. This all comes as a result of him getting annoyed about something then me saying how do we move on from this and resolve then he rants at me about whatever it is that I’ve done “wrong”. If I don’t agree that his opinion is valid and agree. If I say “well it’s not like that” or say anything in opposition then he flares and storms out because I’m telling him he is wrong. It is then marriage ending until I capitulate. He will not back down or apologise. He recently went nuts at me about Sunday roast vegetables and he did try and make amends over that one by saying “let’s not fall out over vegetables” but it’s still not an acceptance of how unreasonable he is. He’s firmly entrenched in his utter rightness. What do I do? Surely it’s ok for me to hold a different opinion. The fact he is quite happy to hold a mood and ignore me night after night over a disagreement isn’t reasonable and I should be able to voice that

OP posts:
AttilaTheMeerkat · 16/09/2021 10:15

How can you be helped into leaving your abuser?.

You and he now need to be apart. This relationship is untenable and he will never give you an equal say in this relationship. Using the children too is something these men also try and do against their chosen target. He shouting in front of them is unacceptable. Such abusive men never apologise nor accept any real responsibility for their actions and always blame others, in this case you, for their own failings. I would think as well OP that if you were to look at his parents, it could well be one or both of them act like this too.

Babymamamama · 16/09/2021 10:24

You are asking the wrong people if it’s ok to have a different opinion! Of course it’s ok. But your partner doesn’t accept that. Nobody on here can tell you what to do you must come to your own decision. But know that you are being emotionally abused and that is not ok and more than likely will never resolve or cease as things stand.

twoandeights · 16/09/2021 10:32

I just don’t understand why he is doing this though and why he thinks it’s ok to be like this? I know I need to leave but it’s incredibly hard because he 100% is fine without me and carries on with life as though I don’t exist and I’m on the floor. How do I come back from this?

OP posts:
Babymamamama · 16/09/2021 10:42

I don’t know why he is doing it. With my ex he was raised in a household where the father used to beat the mother. Therefore my ex thought as he didn’t physically beat me he was a great guy. Also my ex had a strange view about women and their role in the household. So even though I’ve always worked he would tell me regarding any task he didn’t want to do that it was a mother’s role. In hindsight I can see he was sexist and even a misogynist.
Have you thought of doing some counselling on your own to help you work out your priorities. I don’t think trying to understand why he does it will lead to him stopping. Sorry! But only you know your situation.

Newestname002 · 16/09/2021 11:54

@AttilaTheMeerkat

How can you be helped into leaving your abuser?.

You and he now need to be apart. This relationship is untenable and he will never give you an equal say in this relationship. Using the children too is something these men also try and do against their chosen target. He shouting in front of them is unacceptable. Such abusive men never apologise nor accept any real responsibility for their actions and always blame others, in this case you, for their own failings. I would think as well OP that if you were to look at his parents, it could well be one or both of them act like this too.

I'm afraid I agree with this. The fact that his poor behaviour is frequent and becoming increasingly aggressive, especially now in front of your children, means you now need to consider whether continuing in your relationship with such an angry, unfair person is the right thing to do.

You may wrack your brains trying to work out why he's doing this but I doubt you will get much of an answer. Perhaps he just doesn't care, because, if he did, he'd do something positive about his behaviour wound he? He does, after all, have your example as an empathetic person right in front of him as well as, hopefully, examples of good behaviour of people outside your household.

I hope you are looking at ways to live without him. Do your research on how you'd survive without such a poor example of a husband and father in your home, both for you and your children. Review your current finances (including joint savings/pensions) and, if necessary, where you can improve them. What benefits would you be eligible for if you left?

Speak to a solicitor to get the facts on what you'd be entitled to if you ever contemplated divorce. Do NOT tell him you are doing this - this is for you to "get your ducks in a row" should you decide your situation is no longer bearable.

I do believe that if you have a framework of facts in your mind you may be more confident of your current and future life.

Good luck, @twoandeights. 🌹

TigsytheTiger · 16/09/2021 12:32

You don't need to understand, just know it is wrong and it makes you unhappy.

As to how you get it over, leave and live a better and happier life with your DC.

crackofdoom · 16/09/2021 12:39

I genuinely don’t think there’s anything you can do in this situation other than end the relationship.

Why does he do that? Well, there’s a book of that very name by Lundy Bancroft, and it’s very enlightening. But, in short, it’s because he can. If he grinds you down enough, he’s hoping that he will get everything- everything in your relationship his own way, and that you will exist only to service his needs. Your children are simply collateral damage, to him.

marioduck · 16/09/2021 13:00

Surely it’s ok for me to hold a different opinion.

Of course it is.

I am afraid there is not anything you can do except move towards leaving him.

2catsandhappy · 16/09/2021 13:07

Do you think he is maybe picking arguments to provoke you into leaving?
Is there something that is putting a stress on him? Redundancy/gambling debts/affair/health fear/looming 'big' birthday where he is not coping with the secret and taking it out on you?
Has he ever thrown the word divorce or leaving or separation at you?

It does sound horrible and it would be good to have an explanation, but the escalation is alarming.

Purplewithred · 16/09/2021 13:16

Does it matter why he's doing it? Are you hoping there is a 'reason' behind it and that you can fix him by fixing that 'reason'?
If so, forget it. There is no 'reason' that justifies or explains him being aggressive, controlling, deliberately hurtful.
He has broken your marriage and is harming your children. You need to separate. Even if you take the first step it is him that has broken the marriage.

twoandeights · 16/09/2021 13:17

Thanks for all the advice. Reading everything

OP posts:
wewereliars · 16/09/2021 13:40

OP you will not undrestand him because you do not share his world view and even if you did understand im he would still treat you like dirt on his shoe.

You want a happy life with an equal, he wants to be right, because he's better than you. You will not change this.

Put your energy into getting him gone.

He sounds very like my ex, and the shouting in front of the children is why I left ultimately. He will not change other than to get worse.

DismantledKing · 16/09/2021 13:42

Unfortunately he will probably get worse and more entrenched as he gets older. I’d advise building an escape fund.

MarshmallowSwede · 16/09/2021 13:46

If you’re not going to leave then the only thing you will be able to do is nod and say “yes dear”.

Do this if you want a very shallow, surface level relationship with your husband and to have a somewhat peaceful home. But know that denying yourself any ability to have an engaging conversation or even have your own opinion with your partner is not possible.

Your partner is the one person in the world that you should be able to freely express your mind and speak openly with if nothing else. By doing the “yes dear” strategy you are basically going to have to live without being able to ever speak your mind.

If you choose that then I have to say good luck.

Otherwise you can let him sulk. Turn his whole “his life is fine without you” on its head and you go out and live your life. He’s an adult acting like a spoiled brat. Get some hobbies and when he ignores you be so busy that you don’t even notice.

If you’re not going to leave then these are the only two options you have. Stay married to this man and just agree with everything, or disagree and let him sulk and live a separate life while he was throws a tantrum.

twoandeights · 16/09/2021 13:52

I think I need to make moves to try and separate myself emotionally and psychologically. I’ve just started a new job so I’ve got that as a focus. Build up my CV, build up my support network. I’m starting counselling. Feel incredibly broken and unsure and lost.

OP posts:
wewereliars · 16/09/2021 13:58

It is hard OP but you can make a happy life for yourself without him! I was stuck for years, but took it one step at a time. It can be done.

Mintjulia · 16/09/2021 14:13

Does he see your new job as a threat? You making progress, being valued outside the home, having a route to independence from his control.
When my exBIL behaved like this, he tried to force my dsis to give up her job, stole her car so she couldn't physically get there. tried to have her fired, and then when none of that worked, turned violent. Op be careful. Brew

layladomino · 16/09/2021 19:59

Of course his behaviour is wrong. You are two adults who views and opinions are equally important. You are entitled to disagree. He has no right to try to stop you.

You won't understand him because his behaviour is far from normal. It isn't right. You say he's getting worse as well. Can he explain why he thinks you should always agree with him? Why he thinks he's always right?

I agree with pp, the only answer to this is to separate. You won't make any sense of it, you can't stop him being like this, you won't understand him, he won't change.

Please do what's right for you - you deserve so much better than this.

AnotherEmma · 16/09/2021 20:02

He is clearly abusive.
The counselling will help you, it's a good step you've made to start.
You might find it helpful to read "why does he do that?" by Lundy Bancroft.
You don't have to leave right now. Small steps. You will get there.
Is there anyone in real life who is supportive and you could talk to about the situation?