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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

AIBU to think my DH is a bit of a c**t?

376 replies

Slutdrop · 25/11/2022 16:27

I'm probably going to get blasted for this, but here goes. I've been married since 2020. My husband is quite a bit younger than I am (just letting you know in case you feel this makes a difference to the problem I've got).
Issue 1: My daughter comes round to my house most days, and brings my grandson (who is at present being investigated for ADHD and autism). I think she just likes to chill here as she is very stressed and gets little to no help from his father. My grandson DOES tend to make a big mess, and I've always cleared up when they've gone, which I don't mind doing. My DH works from home
Issue 2: my DS lives at home, he's 23 and has started work recently. He is going back to uni in January. I've always told my kids that whilst they are in education, I would support them financially, or at least not take housekeeping money from them.
The reading for my post is that my DH is fuming because my daughter comes round "shits the house up and just leaves" and let's my grandson "scream his head off" whilst he's trying to work. I've tried to explain that I don't mind her coming here to have a break but he's saying it's not acceptable for me to be cleaning up 24/7 and for my grandson to be slamming doors and being noisy (he's 2yo) My DH goes in the office once a fortnight and I feel like having a party because I can breathe. He also had a moan today and has said that after Christmas, if my son doesn't contribute to the household financially, then he isn't going to either.
He basically wants me to tell my daughter to stop coming round as often, and have a 3 way discussion about the household finances with my son (DH, DS and myself). I don't want to do either and feel I am being 'bullied' into it (for want of a better word) as he goes on and on and on and the oy way I can shut him up is by saying 'oh for christ's sake, ok I'll do it'
I would like to hear your opinions. Please be kind as I'm menopausal and very hormonal and get upset at the drop of a hat at the moment! (This is why I've not argued with him about anything - yet...) as I don't feel I've got the emotional energy to do it. Sorry for the long post 😬

OP posts:
BadNomad · 25/11/2022 19:09

How old is your DH? I'm just wondering if there is a bit of an age/power dynamic going on here.

Citycentre3 · 25/11/2022 19:09

WeeWillyWinkie9 · 25/11/2022 18:51

Your grandson needs to be doing the tidying. He is old enough at 2 to be encouraged to clear up his mess and to put things away. His mum should be the one modelling this to him and encouraging him to do this.

Lol.

Slutdrop · 25/11/2022 19:10

He's 38

OP posts:
00100001 · 25/11/2022 19:17

Huh, so you supported HIM 100% until recently?

And now he's throwing his toys out of the cot about paying his share of rent etc because his Step-son isn;t paying rent...

Sounds like you've got a keeper there....

BelleMarionette · 25/11/2022 19:17

Can you meet your dd and grandson in a soft play, child friendly cafe or similar? It's not fair on your husband to have a lot of mess and noise while working.

Regarding household finances, I think that should also be a joint decision.

Slutdrop · 25/11/2022 19:19

Yes, he likes soft play. It's just my dd often turns up unannounced, that's the problem.

OP posts:
WhereYouLeftIt · 25/11/2022 19:19

You've been married to this younger man since 2020, you have two adult children. Can I ask - did your husband move in with you, to your already-established home, or did you both find a joint house to move into together? Because "He also had a moan today and has said that after Christmas, if my son doesn't contribute to the household financially, then he isn't going to either" strongly suggests to me that your husband moved into your already-established home.

The reason I'm asking is, your husband could be feeling like more of a lodger than a husband if he moved in to your home. He lives there, but has no say in how the household runs. Has no say in who lives there, has no say in who visits and how often, cannot control his working environment, has no say in the overall finances. I'm not saying he should have a say in all this, but I am pointing out that you calling all the shots could leave him feeling like a lodger. Insecure.

Your adult children are presenting you with two separate issues.

Your son - "I've always told my kids that whilst they are in education, I would support them financially, or at least not take housekeeping money from them." and he goes back to uni in January. That's a pre-existing agreement between you and your son, to take no financial contribution from him. Quite common, I did the same with my son. From your husband's point of view - how much longer will your son be living with you both? When can he expect to you just living as a couple?

At 23, is your son doing a Masters, or did he take a couple of years out? Is there anything in the set-up that might make your husband feel that your son is milking it? I do feel that this is resolvable through a bit of conversation and managing of expectations.

It's also possible that your husband might just be kicking off about your son because he's 'kitchen sinking' - your son is a small problem but he's overwhelmed by the big problem of your daughter, so drags in this smaller problem to convince you that something needs to change.

And so to your daughter.

"... she just turns up saying "I'm knackered" or something similar, so I feel bad and make them breakfast or lunch (depending what time they turn up) and try to help out with dgs. I try to contain him to the living room whenever possible".

From your husband's point of view, your daughter "comes round "shits the house up and just leaves" and let's my grandson "scream his head off" whilst he's trying to work". You also mention slamming doors. These are legitimate complaints on your husband's part.

You do this for your daughter because you believe it's helping her. Have you considered that in the bigger picture - it might not be helpful at all? That you are instead facilitating her partner's continued crapness by picking up his slack? That you are effectively making it bearable for her to stay in a crap relationship, rather than supporting her to either sort out or to exit her crap relationship? Instead, she comes to mummy; has a moan; has mum feed her, watch her son, clean up afterwards - and goes back to exactly the same situation she left that morning. And then starts on the same hamster wheel the next day. Big picture - not in her best interests, is it? And frankly, not in your best interests either. It's not just the menopause leaving you short of emotional energy - your daughter is draining you.

"I just feel like I'm trying to do my best by my dd as she's very depressed and overwhelmed and has little support from dgs's father. I don't want her doing anything stupid, she's spoken of suicide before and I couldn't bear it."
You are trying to do your best, but it's draining you. And once you are fully drained, you won't be able to do anything to help her. Not a thing. So please, prioritise YOU. Use the analogy of an aircraft in bumpy weather. The oxygen masks come down, the instructions are to fit your own mask before fitting your children's masks on. Because you're damned all use to them if your unconscious from lack of oxygen. Your health, your wellbeing - you need to prioritise these.

You need to explain to your daughter the effect she is having on YOU. That you need to change the dynamic. When she comes round - can you three go out? To the park, a soft play (doesn't sound as if a cafe would work with your DGS) or just back to HER house? It's unfair for her to come and affect your husband's workspace and to prevent you from working too. And if she's depressed, you are not going to be able to affect that. You need to point her to her GP, therapy - professional help. I find myself wondering if she spoke of suicide to keep you on her leash. Because you are putting your own life on hold, just to keep her on her hamster wheel. And it's not working for either of you.

((hug))

Zanatdy · 25/11/2022 19:21

I can see his point about the noise when he’s working to be honest. That would get on anyones nerves. Can’t you go to your daughters? People have a habit of thinking if people are working at home it’s a free for all for noise etc, which isn’t fair.

Your choice if you charge your son. If he’s at Uni he’s not going to be able to contribute is he, what’s he expecting? If he doesn’t want to contribute either he knows where the door is. I might be able to see why he’s a bit annoyed as he’s 23 but I’d tell anyone who tried to give me an ultimate to do one. Not a chance I’d be bullied into doing that if I didn’t want to

Thefaceofboe · 25/11/2022 19:22

Nah sorry YABU

Togoodtobeforgotten · 25/11/2022 19:22

Your husband has a point if he's trying to work and the child's screaming and slamming doors all the time how can he work? As for your son he's currently working so yes he should be contributing I think I would be cheesed off too.

Slutdrop · 25/11/2022 19:22

Thank you. That's very helpful. I will explore this with her ❤️

OP posts:
BadNomad · 25/11/2022 19:23

Do you think because you supported him financially prior to this that it means you own him? Does that make him less important? He pays 50% of the cost of three adults. You don't think his need to work uninterrupted is important. You don't think what he thinks is important. You seem to resent him for thinking he should have any say in your partnership. It sounds like you just wanted him to fit into your life and keep quiet.

Slutdrop · 25/11/2022 19:25

No, absolutely not. I'm actually pleased to be able to take my foot off the gas (financially speaking) tbh, which is what he promised me when we got married.

OP posts:
Citycentre3 · 25/11/2022 19:26

I guess it is what you sign up to when you create a step family. Your dh will never treat your kids or love them like his own.

Boooooot · 25/11/2022 19:27

Imagine if a woman posted saying that her husband had said because he supported her financially in the past then that means he can do whatever he likes. I know that’s not what the op has said but that’s what many posters are saying.
OP’s ADULT children are massively taking the piss.

WhereYouLeftIt · 25/11/2022 19:27

"I had to get married or my DH would have been deported."
Another reason for him to feel like a lodger, and insecure?

ShellsOnTheBeach · 25/11/2022 19:28

WorldCuppa · 25/11/2022 18:46

@LlareggubTripAdviser
it doesn’t really matter whose house it was, they’re married so it’s now a joint asset.

It's not as simple as that but certainly, the longer they are together and married, the greater the risk of the house becoming as a joint marital asset.

@Slutdrop - did you ringfence, i.e. legally protect, your property when you got married? If not, you need urgent legal advice as he might have a claim in the event of a divorce.

Wibbly1008 · 25/11/2022 19:28

Your husband is not being unreasonable imo. He lives in the house that your family have over taken and it’s impossible to wfh with a two year old on the rampage. It’s unfair to expect him to put up with that tbh.

angela99999 · 25/11/2022 19:28

I don't think that I would expect him to help to support my adult DS under these conditions. Also it must be infuriating to have a noisy 2 year old around if you are working from home. Why don't you go to her place? Apologies if someone else has ansered this, I've not read all the posts.

BadNomad · 25/11/2022 19:28

Did he agree to pay for your adult son, though? You need to talk to him properly. It's likely a combination of things that has triggered this. He might have been ok with your son if it wasn't for your daughter coming round every day creating chaos then you dismissing him.

Slutdrop · 25/11/2022 19:29

Maybe? Thank you, I hadn't thought of that. I will mention this later when I talk to him.

OP posts:
CarefreeMe · 25/11/2022 19:29

You need to ask your DD not to come during certain hours.

Maybe say it’s temporary whilst you have an important project at work for a few weeks.

If she does turn up then say you’re really sorry but you need to work upstairs but she can help herself to food etc.

She’ll soon get bored of having to fix herself food and entertain her child herself so she’ll end up not coming over until later on in the day.

Akiddleydiveytoo · 25/11/2022 19:32

Sorry OP, I'm with your DH here. It sounds like your DD is taking the piss big time and is expecting you to run around after her and your DGS so she doesn't have to parent him herself.

Parenting a toddler is stressful and hard work but that doesn't mean she can just 'offload' the job onto you. Allowing a child to just run around screaming and shouting and making a mess in someone else's house is just not on, especially as she doesn't even tidy up after him and just buggers off to her (presumably nice tidy) home.

Offering support to your DD is one thing but allowing her to treat your house as a play centre (with you being the resident 'supervisor') is quite another.

As for your DS, I can understand supporting him through Uni but if he's currently working then there's no reason he can't contribute something to the household finances. If he wasn't earning then that would be a different matter but he is so why does he get to keep 100% of his wages whilst you pay for his accommodation, food, bills etc?

Sorry OP, I think you're a bit of a push over where you're kids are concerned. Understandable maybe as they are your 'babies' but I can definitely see how that might cause some frustration from your DH

ChillysWaterBottle · 25/11/2022 19:32

God I am 100% on your side.

Working from home should never override family life. It's a home, not an office. If he can't cope with the sounds of family life he needs to sort a solution himself or go to the office. Its lovely that your daughter can come to you for support and that you spend so much time with her and your grandson. Please don't let people on here make you feel bad about that.

It's also lovely that you support your son. I agree with supporting children as long as they are in full time education so they can focus on their studies. You sound like an amazing mother to me. Your partner saying if your son doesn't contribute neither will he makes him sound petty, childish and like a massive dickhead actually.

DisforDarkChocolate · 25/11/2022 19:35

Half of me thinks it's far too much to have your grandson there most days making a mess and noise, but I also think that working from home is also stopping you enjoying your home as a home. Perhaps cut down two days and insist he goes into the office more when she does come around?

Your son, I'm entirely with you on that one.

Overall I think your husbands way of going about this is immature and bullying.