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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

Why does he say these things

9 replies

Perpetualmisery · 28/09/2021 23:47

Married 13 years 2 dc. Dc are generally well behaved, do well at school and have pretty good manners. Obviously they are children and not perfect, they sometimes tantrum and are very messy but both dh and I get them involved in cleaning and tidying. They are 9 and 6.
Dh very very often complains to people about how he can never get things done because he has a wife and dc or says life is hard because there's no time because I have a wife and children.
It makes me rage when he says it because he is the one who wanted dc even more than I did.
He complains when he gets home from work that the house is a mess or that he has to do everything ( he doesnt) he comes home to a cooked meal every single day, laundry done, ironing done etc..
Yes the house can be a bit messy as dc have been playing or reading etc..but it's not dirty and things are always put away before bedtime.
The complaints are usually about how he can't get DIY done basically because we exist and want time with him or because we're in the way apparently.
I've told him he can fuck off and live alone if he thinks it's that bad but he just ignores me.
My mum once told him off for saying it to her and said he should never have got married then and that he needs to realise he's not the only one with dc and everyone else manages.
Whos in the wrong here me or him? It just makes me feel shit for existing when he says it.

OP posts:
IveShaggedSomeMingers · 29/09/2021 00:22

He's using it as an excuse to not do the DIY.

CheekyHobson · 29/09/2021 00:51

It's him. 100 percent. There's no excuse for denigrating a partner and children and acting like they're a burden when they're the result of his own free choices.

The key to this is where you say you tell him that if he doesn't want kids and a family then he can fuck off and live by himself and he ignores you, and you presumably accept his silence. He's learned that he can denigrate you, make exaggerated complaints, act like a victim when he's not... and there are NO ACTUAL CONSEQUENCES.

What you need to do is find your centre, sit down calmly and set some real boundaries. Next time he complains or says he does everything or acts like you and the children are an imposition on him, make a note. Later, when the kids are in bed and you're calm, sit down and tell him something like:

"DH, today you said [insert whatever he said]. For many years I have noticed a pattern of you blaming me and the kids for stopping you from doing what you want to, complaining when the house isn't perfect, exaggerating your contribution to the household chores, ignoring and not appreciating the effort I put into parenting and keeping our home comfortable and generally acting like you don't enjoy the life you have. This is incredibly hurtful to me, it kills the love I feel for you and it makes me not want to continue a relationship where I don't feel loved and appreciated. It also hurts my heart for the kids, to see the disappointment and shame on their faces when their Dad treats them like a burden.

I work hard to make this house clean and comfortable so it feels like a slap in the face when you nitpick something that's not perfect or say you do everything because that's simply not true and it ignores my hard work.

When you blame the kids and I for your poor time management or lack of communication about what you need to get DIY done, I feel frustrated and resentful because these are problems we can't solve for you. And I feel sad and worthless when you agree to spend time with us and then clearly show you're not enjoying our company and would rather be elsewhere.

I don't like living like this. It hurts a lot. And it's hurting the kids. I want to be in a relationship where I feel seen and appreciated, not a chore to put up with or an inadequate partner who is constantly failing to meet your standards. I am who I am and you chose to marry me. The kids are who they are, you chose to have them and you raised them so if you don't like how they behave, you need to think about how you haven't taught them better. And yes, family life can be busy and involve a lot of juggling and frustration but you chose this life, you chose ME as your partner, you chose to have kids, you chose to buy this house with the DIY it involves, you chose it all.

If you now really feel that family life isn't for you, if taking care of the home you own isn't the way you want to spend your life, that's fine. I'm not going to force you to keep living a life you don't like. If you think you'd be happier separating, selling the house, doing 50/50 care, living a different life, you can and should, because right now, this marriage feels goddamn miserable for me too. But if you still want a family, a shared home, a marriage, then the complaining and blaming and acting like a victim has to stop NOW because I'm done putting up with it.

If you don't know how to manage your feelings when you're frustrated and communicate your needs in a respectful way, then I'm happy for you to get counselling, or for us both to go to counselling. But I'm not going to continue a relationship with you if you keep treating me like I'm worthless and our children are burden to you. So, decide. What do you want? Because you can't keep enjoying the upsides – and there are a lot of upsides – of having a wife and family home, and keep behaving like your wife and kids and home are something unpleasant that you have to put up with."

That's what a firm line in the sand looks like. And you have to mean it that you're done putting up with it, too, and be prepared to leave yourself. Because if he knows he can say something like "Oh for god's sake, stop making a big deal out of nothing. Jeez, everything has to be a drama with you. Fine, I'll try to be more cheerful. Happy?" and you will just sigh and keep putting up with his shitty treatment and disrespect, then guess what you're going to get more of? That's right! Shitty treatment and disrespect.

So this isn't really about him making a choice about what he really wants. It's just as much about you making a choice about what YOU really want.

GummyBearWhere · 29/09/2021 04:17

He’s lazy and whinges, that’s why.

Aquamarine1029 · 29/09/2021 04:46

He has no respect for you. I'd do him the courtesy of showing him the door.

Pemmican · 29/09/2021 04:49

Because he hates you. Simple as that.

IrishMel · 29/09/2021 05:25

He really sounds selfish and you need to tell him if he says that again that he can leave simple and he can have all the time in the world to stick the drill where the sun don't shine. Tell him all that you do. He also sounds very old fashioned if he thinks you should do everything and having some kids things around the house is not messy but life. I would take myself and the kids away for a few days and he can sit on his own and look after himself and give you time to think. Very unkind to say that to you and very mean. Does he put you down in other ways. Hope you get things sorted but don't let him walk over you like that.

Dillydollydingdong · 29/09/2021 05:41

Well said, cheekyHobson

sleepyhoglet · 02/10/2021 22:16

Sounds like someone who is very defensive. Knows he is in the wrong but blaming you. He needs to start appreciating you and showing some kindness. Sadly my H is the same. Doubt anything will change.

Thisladyisforturning · 02/10/2021 22:49

Thank you CheekyHobson, I really needed to hear that

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