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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

Enabling behaviour of DH and boundaries

11 replies

Millymollymoomilly · 13/07/2022 11:53

Both in our late 50's second marriage of around 4 years. DH let's his adult children in their thirties manipulative him, I think he still feels guilty about leaving their mum. I know he gives them money (his money) even though they both have decent jobs and earn more then him. He doesn't know I know this but it's happened a few times now, sometimes it's a bit sometimes it's hundreds. This is money we could well use for ourselves and they are using him like they have done ask their lives, they've always had everything they wanted. We keep having a talk about how I hate concealment and want him to be open so I get why he didn't tell me because I don't approve. Also my MIL is annoying, she'll expect him to do a 20 mile round trip to take her milk, I have no idea why it started in lockdown except now she's demanding he do to a certain shop as it's goes off from anywhere else, which is rubbish. He takes her shopping and she's never thankful nor offers to pay it's just expected. He lets her berate him like he's still a child and never answers her back. I need him to have a backbone and I'm fed up of him letting himself be used by them all. When we got married he said I'm not getting to be their cash cow any more but it's still going on and I'm getting resentful, when I try to talk he just rolls his eyes then I feel bad because I understand he's stuck in the middle trying to please everyone.
I just don't know how to deal with this any more.

OP posts:
NoitsNott · 13/07/2022 12:10

Its a hard one to navigate but if he wants to get out of it , he's just gonna have to put his foot down.
The milk thing is ridiculous, there are other ways around that. Her food shopping can be delivered.
Giving his adult kids money because he feels guilty is even more ridiculous but its as if he wants to be in everyone's good book so he's bending over backwards to please everyone. He's gonna be bankrupt soon if he doesn't stop.

Millymollymoomilly · 13/07/2022 12:14

The milk situation is ridiculous, initially it was 2 pints now it's 4 ( yeah why not I'm not paying for this!) But it's too heavy, despite being able to carry home bottles of wine!
It's just he's buying their affection and it pisses me off so much

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Millymollymoomilly · 13/07/2022 12:15

I need him to want to stop but it appears he doesn't, that's the problem and he thinks I'm not aware.
Is his behavior for allowing them to treat him like this and the fact he lets it happen even though he knows I hate it, he carries on.

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EvenMoreFuriousVexation · 13/07/2022 12:29

Are you aware that adult children of alcoholics are statistically much more likely to be people pleasers?

It will take a great deal of work and self reflection on his part to break the habit of a lifetime and stop enabling those around him. The question is, does he want it enough?

Millymollymoomilly · 13/07/2022 12:42

That's the problem I don't think he does want to stop. How do I get him to want to do this?

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Mistystar99 · 13/07/2022 12:59

Lol, how do I get my DH to do what I want and spend all his money on me!
Keep nagging away like you are? Steal his bank card? Use your feminine wiles? Warn off his elderly mum and adult offspring?

Millymollymoomilly · 13/07/2022 13:13

Ok not really helpful.
I suppose what I'm asking is how can I make him WANT to change how he is?

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NoitsNott · 13/07/2022 13:42

Mistystar99 · 13/07/2022 12:59

Lol, how do I get my DH to do what I want and spend all his money on me!
Keep nagging away like you are? Steal his bank card? Use your feminine wiles? Warn off his elderly mum and adult offspring?

That's vile. Her DH has a problem and is being taken advantage of! If you can't help then don't comment

Millymollymoomilly · 13/07/2022 13:45

NoitsNott · 13/07/2022 13:42

That's vile. Her DH has a problem and is being taken advantage of! If you can't help then don't comment

Thank you 💓
He really does and it's starting to make me resentful.
I've tried talking but I don't think he sees it as a problem. Even though I've told him how it makes me feel it appears it's not enough to make him stop, like my feelings important.
I can see how they treat him and it really upsets me it's disrespectful if nothing else.

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noirchatsdeux · 13/07/2022 14:24

I suppose what I'm asking is how can I make him WANT to change how he is?

Short answer is, you can't. You can't change or control anyone else expect yourself.

Even if he's not happy with the current situation, if he's not willing to do anything to change it, there's nothing you can do...except decide if you are willing to put up with it any longer.

Millymollymoomilly · 13/07/2022 16:00

I agree, if he's not bothering how I feel as his wife it's disrespectful for me too.
I just hate seeing him be used like this oh and MIL shopping comes out of our money, it's not a lot but it's in ingratitude and expectation that upsets me.
I love him bits but I feel like I'm being petty or make to feel mean when I address it.
I can't tell him how to react to them but it's horrible to witness, seeing him pandering to them is unattractive.

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