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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

Communication breakdown with husband

22 replies

Wouldliketobehappy · 30/06/2022 14:38

My husband and I can't seem to spend one evening these days without it turning into an argument. We have been married for 25 yrs. He has never made any new friends since I've known him and has one old school mate & another guy who he sees a few times a year. I have a few friends some of which are close and whom I can talk to about anything really incl difficulties relating to work / life in general. My husband is a loner really but is happy to mix with my friends and take over the conversation (disregarding me and can be somewhat flirtatious - not in a harmful way)! If we are out with other people it's as if I'm not there. He has turned his back on me many times and has left me standing behind him whilst he engages in conversation with people. I find it rude but when I've mentioned it he thinks I am being ridiculous! I consider myself the type of person who is empathetic and supportive. I am quite sociable too. My husband never suggests going out unless it's for a bike ride/walk which i enjoy but not with him. I know it's an awful thing to say! But it's because I find his company annoying and boring. His idea of conversation is asking me what someone who he's never met before but has heard about through me is doing for their holiday! I have no interest in discussing that with him. So I say I don't know, then he'll say they must have told you?! When I say perhaps they did but why are you asking .. he gets stroppy and says he's trying to make conversation and asks what is wrong with me! I don't want to talk about work colleagues that's why!!
He never listens either. If I explain something that happened, he will say something like ... why don't you do so and so! But in my explanation I had already mentioned that! He will then argue that I didn't mention it! This is one example of a continual frustrating cycle with him. He also finds it odd how i can meet with friends and chat for 4 hrs. He says he runs out of things to say when he meets his friend! We argue constantly- he is not on my wavelength at all and I generally get on well with most people. I don't feel like I want to hug/kiss him. We haven't done you know what for five years as I don't enjoy it with him! Sorry quite a long moan, hope it makes sense!! Not sure where to go from here as he's not the type to self reflect in order to grow and make changes 😏.So it's difficult to try and improve things between.

OP posts:
AttilaTheMeerkat · 30/06/2022 14:44

Why are you with this millstone of a man?. Is this really all you think you deserve and should have from a relationship?. Did your parents treat each other like this too?.

This is who he is and he is not going to change. You can only change how you react to him and your choices furthermore are stay or leave.

AnneLovesGilbert · 30/06/2022 14:51

It’s dead in a ditch. You seem to absolutely loathe him. You haven’t had sex for 5 years and don’t want to touch him. Just tell him it’s over. You both deserve to be away from each other. It sounds miserable and shit. There’s nothing to improve from anything you’ve said. Your resentment is streaming off this post and I’m sure he’s realised how you despise him so just call it a day.

Watchkeys · 30/06/2022 14:52

he's not the type to self reflect in order to grow and make changes

Are you?

Potstip · 30/06/2022 14:56

This isn't a breakdown in communication. You're trying to have a relationship with a selfish man-child with no social skills. I can't imagine that change us going to happen after 25 years.

Wouldliketobehappy · 30/06/2022 15:07

Yes I am. Very much so. 😊

OP posts:
Watchkeys · 30/06/2022 15:09

So why does he have to make any changes, or know how to?

He's rude, antisocial, he doesn't listen, you argue all the time, you don't like spending time with him.

What changes do you think need to be made?

Bunty55 · 30/06/2022 15:13

It reads as if he has no filter! I think you are totally unsuited. After 35 years of this I am surprised you are not bonkers

Wouldliketobehappy · 30/06/2022 15:19

I don't loathe him in the least. In fact I would like things to be good between us, but I find that it's difficult to have a conversation with him. It's like crossed lines when I talk to him about anything - as if we are having a discussion about different topics. It's hard to describe. He's very literal too!

OP posts:
Watchkeys · 30/06/2022 15:21

Wouldliketobehappy · 30/06/2022 15:19

I don't loathe him in the least. In fact I would like things to be good between us, but I find that it's difficult to have a conversation with him. It's like crossed lines when I talk to him about anything - as if we are having a discussion about different topics. It's hard to describe. He's very literal too!

But this is the bedrock of a relationship. You're essentially saying 'I'd like to build a house, but I've got no way to dig foundations, and I've got no bricks.'

You find him boring and annoying. You can't talk to him, he won't listen, he's not interested, and he's rude to you.

What is it you're hoping to build your relationship on?

Wouldliketobehappy · 30/06/2022 15:39

I see your point!

OP posts:
Endlesslaundry123 · 30/06/2022 16:08

It sounds like you want him to be a different person so you can enjoy his company and stay in your marriage without the pain and inconvenience of splitting up ... it's an understandable fantasy but he is who he is.

I think you know what the answer is but don't like it.

Aquamarine1029 · 30/06/2022 16:12

Fucking hell, why are you wasting your one life with this man who you are totally incompatible with? It's madness.

Minimalme · 30/06/2022 16:26

Why are you with a man you loathe? How have you spent 25 years together?!

Fgs get a divorce and set each other free!

ThisisMax · 30/06/2022 16:39

Have you considered his ability to communicate/ read the room/ not interject as being ADHD or ASD?

Yellowhase · 30/06/2022 16:44

Does he have asd? He sounds very set in his ways. Do you want to fix it? Can you try counselling?

Watchkeys · 30/06/2022 17:00

For the armchair psychologists: it doesn't matter what the name is of his behaviour. OP doesn't like it. She's not happy. If he wanted to find out what was 'wrong' with him, he would have done. It's not for OP to guess.

Catlover1970 · 30/06/2022 17:11

You can’t change somebody who isn’t on the same wavelength . He bores you - how are you going to change that?

Ithinkiminlimbo · 30/06/2022 18:30

Sounds like we are married to the same person OP, uncannily so.

We both know what we need to do, but it's difficult and messy, so here we still are.
I'm currently very close to the conversation but, I haven't quite the courage yet although I already fantasise about the wave of relief when it's done.
Even my DCs have picked up on it and complain about his behaviour, I need to be responsible and let us go our separate ways for our family but he's the homeowner and I'm a student and leaving my children in his care alone is not ok with me.

I hope you get the strength to let yourself be happy

Wouldliketobehappy · 30/06/2022 20:03

Thank you. He's not a bad man and I am fond of him and love him, but I just can't communicate with him. He's the breadwinner too in our household - which makes every decision harder. I wanted & have tried to work at our marriage but I guess we are who we are and can't change that!

Sorry to hear you are in a similar situation. My kids have left home so it isn't as complex as your situ. I hope you find a way through. Best of luck.

OP posts:
Raow · 30/06/2022 20:13

Thus isn’t even a friendship let alone a relationship. Your kids have left home, I presume you have assets? Don’t waste anymore of your time. You say you love him and are fond of him but it doesn’t sound like you are. It reads like you loathe him!

Ridingoutthewaves · 30/06/2022 20:15

I know exactly what you mean about it feeling like you’re having separate conversations, I feel the same with DH. Even the simplicity things end in me getting frustrated because he just misses out really important detail or like your husband starts telling me something I have just told him. I don’t know what to do either, we just don’t have fun.

Ridingoutthewaves · 30/06/2022 20:15

*simpilest things

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