Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

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

Am I going crazy?? Or is my husband a c*ck?

137 replies

CalicoPony · 01/05/2023 22:10

Really struggling to validate my position and could do with some help figuring it out.

we are due to move to France in 3 months (husband is french, we lived there together for 6 years, we have 2 kids born in France)

Husband is very avoidant when it comes to anything important - fear of failure makes him sort of freeze up and he buries his head in the sand. We both know this and we (mostly me) try and mitigate it by planning ahead and breaking big tasks into smaller ones to make them less terrifying.

anyway, the move has him very very stressed and he is refusing to talk about it, do any planning, organise his work etc.

tonight I tried to talk to him about it, said we have 3 months left so we should start thinking about finding a place to live (we will rent while we look for a place to buy), think about packing, etc.

he is scrolling on his
phone and generally irritated that I’ve brought it up. So I ask when would be a good time to talk about it. He says he doesn’t know. Then I say how should I respond when you say that (I genuinely don’t know) - he says he doesn’t know. I ask when would be a good time to talk about it. He gets annoyed, bangs his hand on the table, says ‘Fine! What do you want to say?!’ I’m taken aback and pause. He carries on ‘Go on then!!!’

I say I’m not wanting to just announce something, just that we should have a conversation and do some planning, or it will be more stressful because everything will be last minute. He says it’s already too late, it will be a shitshow. Gets up, walks out of the room. I give him a couple of minutes then go in and calmly (I was very sure to be calm) tell
him that I think he’s being unreasonable and that his behaviour is upsetting. He laughs facetiously and mutters something like ‘what a surprise’ and leaves the house.

this isn’t an isolated incident, it happens pretty much any time I talk to him about important stuff. In fact pretty much every time I talk to him about anything.

i know he is stressed and I want to support him. I want us to be a team and work together through the challenges. But he always seems to want to set himself against me - like it’s easier for him to blame all his difficulties on me than to actually face up to life.

im trying not to black and white about it but genuinely feel that he doesn’t love me, doesn’t enjoy being part of our family, and just wants to be left alone with his phone.

for context, we both work full time and with two young kids, life can be pretty full on. But we’re not on the breadline and have a lot to be grateful for.

i have lost all sense of perspective on whether I’m being unreasonable or not. He seems convinced that I’m a nagging bitch and that he has done nothing wrong. But his entitlement and disengagement and ingratitude are really getting to me. Am I going crazy???

OP posts:
BanditsOnTheHorizon · 02/05/2023 07:10

It could be he doesn't want to go, it could be that he doesn't want to make any decisions, it could be something completely different. But that doesn't excuse his behaviour. He's being rude and unhelpful. How are you supposed to get anything done if he won't have a conversation about it. I can image it's hugely frustrating if he won't discuss anything.

How does he function in daily life if he can't discuss anything and won't make a decision. Who decides which broadband package you use, or what car you drive?

In your shoes op I'd make a decision based on what you want to do, where do YOU want to live, what do YOU want, but keep in mind that it might just be you and the kids. Then make that decision and tell him that he can join you if he wants.

Or you tell him that it's up to him to arrange everything as you won't be spoken to like that and let him get on with it (or not).

CaroleSinger · 02/05/2023 07:14

The only thing 9n your mind should be where things stand if you do split once you move. Will you be trapped there unable to return with your children? Don't sleepwalk into that one when the signs are already there.

Serena73 · 02/05/2023 07:24

Does he even want to move? It sort of comes across as though he's not on board and is bad at expressing his feelings.

SpringIntoChaos · 02/05/2023 07:31

@CalicoPony you know that you are NOT being unreasonable here!

Fuck that shit! He's not only an utter cock, he's REALLY fucking nasty, bordering on violent (slamming the table...could be your face next time!) and immature (checking out on life skills and leaving it all up to you to organise!).

I know what I'd do! And I think you know what you should do...question is, will you? 🤷‍♀️

Forfrigz · 02/05/2023 07:36

Honestly if you hadn't said he was French I'd have said cock but theyre all a bit like this in France

Iliveinanoodie · 02/05/2023 07:39

I've just read your previous thread and it's shocking that you are still with him, let alone considering moving back to France.
You seriously do need to get help. You have your own income and can move yourself and your children away from this man.

bd67thSaysReinstateLangCleg · 02/05/2023 07:48

Iliveinanoodie · 02/05/2023 07:39

I've just read your previous thread and it's shocking that you are still with him, let alone considering moving back to France.
You seriously do need to get help. You have your own income and can move yourself and your children away from this man.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/relationships/3943197-Can-I-save-this-marriage ?

Yeah, @CalicoPony you need to LTB. He threw a clothes airer at you.

Can I save this marriage? | Mumsnet

It’s my two year anniversary today and I think my marriage may be over. Could do with an objective viewpoint on my situation as I feel I’m slowly goin...

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/relationships/3943197-Can-I-save-this-marriage

LizzieSiddal · 02/05/2023 07:56

He also has a bad temper, he pushed me over once when I was pregnant, threw a metal clothes airer at my head and made my face and ear bleed, raised his fist, throws stuff at me...last night we had an argument and he screamed at me, waking both children so I went upstairs. He followed me up and shouted swear words at me in french while I was breastfeeding the baby then spat on me and left the house.

@CalicoPony From your thread in 2020, why the heck are you still with this man?! If you can’t protect yourself then protect your children and get the hell out of this marriage! He sounds so disinterested in the children that he’ll hopefully go back to France on his own and you’ll never hear from this abusive arse again.

PumpkinsAndCoconuts · 02/05/2023 07:58

Stay in the UK. You have probably much more support here. And you won't be in the unfortunate situation of being potentially trapped in France if you end up divorced.

I'm not knowledgeable enough to consider the differences between French and English (are you in England?) divorce and custody laws and regulations. But there may be differences in regards to pension splitting, child support etc. I would inform myself about these.

Venturini · 02/05/2023 08:02

LizzieSiddal · 02/05/2023 07:56

He also has a bad temper, he pushed me over once when I was pregnant, threw a metal clothes airer at my head and made my face and ear bleed, raised his fist, throws stuff at me...last night we had an argument and he screamed at me, waking both children so I went upstairs. He followed me up and shouted swear words at me in french while I was breastfeeding the baby then spat on me and left the house.

@CalicoPony From your thread in 2020, why the heck are you still with this man?! If you can’t protect yourself then protect your children and get the hell out of this marriage! He sounds so disinterested in the children that he’ll hopefully go back to France on his own and you’ll never hear from this abusive arse again.

☝️

Tinkerbyebye · 02/05/2023 08:06

Well I would t be going. I would stay out, not do anything and leave it to him

he can go in his own

Hellno45 · 02/05/2023 08:11

FangsForTheMemory · 01/05/2023 22:23

Is he deliberately creating a situation where you have to take responsibility for everything?

This with bells on.

MrsElijahMikaelson1 · 02/05/2023 08:21

Fuck that shit. He’s an abusive cock. S you were told last time LTB.
Definitely do not isolate yourself in France with him.

3FriendsAndADog · 02/05/2023 08:23

@SaySomethingMan except the OP is clear that it’s ALWAYS his default position. It’s not just about the move to france, which is his own country, not some foreign place he has no link to btw….

Surely, with only 3 months to go, he should have decided which tasks he wants to have ownership of? And told the OP

slowquickstep · 02/05/2023 08:29

Has he given any thought to where his children will live once you get to France, ask him where that will be ? Unless he can give you an answer don't bother packing and tell him you are staying in England.

SmallFerret · 02/05/2023 08:29

Forfrigz · 02/05/2023 07:36

Honestly if you hadn't said he was French I'd have said cock but theyre all a bit like this in France

Are they, aye?

3FriendsAndADog · 02/05/2023 08:29

Tbh the risks you are taking by moving there with are huge. You really are risking being stuck in France fur the forgeable future. (As I have)

Remember that this means being stuck there until your youngest is 18yo but probably also afterwards. Now that my dcs are adults, leaving the U.K. is ‘allowed’ but in no way easier.

I have to say I’m wondering what would happen if you tell him that you are lost as to what to do so you are leaving the responsibility to organise the move. To just tell you if he needs help or want you to do anything.
And then wait.

It would probably have been better to do that for something smaller but if I understand well, you’ll have your job regardless of the move so in some ways you’re not taking a big risk.

Shinyandnew1 · 02/05/2023 08:31

CalicoPony · 01/05/2023 23:04

@HadalyEve hmm I thought I knew the answer to that but maybe you’re right - he doesn’t want to go. I’m not sure he does know what he wants.
the idea of moving to France is so we could work less and have better quality of life (my physical health doesn’t agree with the climate here, I have an autoimmune condition)

If he doesn’t want to move to France, then I think you need to stop making plans to go.

Find out what’s going on. If he is abusive-I wouldn’t be moving anywhere with him and would be making plan to leave.

SmallFerret · 02/05/2023 08:35

LizzieSiddal · 02/05/2023 07:56

He also has a bad temper, he pushed me over once when I was pregnant, threw a metal clothes airer at my head and made my face and ear bleed, raised his fist, throws stuff at me...last night we had an argument and he screamed at me, waking both children so I went upstairs. He followed me up and shouted swear words at me in french while I was breastfeeding the baby then spat on me and left the house.

@CalicoPony From your thread in 2020, why the heck are you still with this man?! If you can’t protect yourself then protect your children and get the hell out of this marriage! He sounds so disinterested in the children that he’ll hopefully go back to France on his own and you’ll never hear from this abusive arse again.

Calico - why in the name of living hell are you actively planning to move your abuser back to his home country, where he can leverage your children as a tool to keep controlling you while he continues abusing you?

If you are dead-set on moving to France, do it.
But divorce this violent fucker first.

Are you able to articulate WHY you are still with him?
You have a career, you make things happen ... why are you still allowing a cunt who was violent to a pregnant woman & terrifying front of a tiny child anywhere near you?
What support do you need to convince you to remove this aggressive, stonewalling, non-contributing arsehole from your home?

Bobbylives · 02/05/2023 08:42

Comfywumfy · 01/05/2023 23:12

This sounds exactly like my ex, he was a decent guy and a loving Dad but would throw a strop if he ever had to discuss anything - he’d enthusiastically agree to things but then once it came to any sort of planning or organising around it he’d act like I was forcing my ideas on him when he’d never wanted to go in the first place.

I always assumed that it was because he has ADHD, but maybe it’s some kind of avoidant personality type.

I was going to say ADD/ADHD too - sounds very similar in becoming so overwhelmed with what needs to be done that you're paralysed and can't do anything but your head is screaming.

Bobbylives · 02/05/2023 08:49

Bobbylives · 02/05/2023 08:42

I was going to say ADD/ADHD too - sounds very similar in becoming so overwhelmed with what needs to be done that you're paralysed and can't do anything but your head is screaming.

Just read the later posts - he sounds abusive, ignore my post, i wouldn't be going to France...

helpmyskinplease · 02/05/2023 08:56

As PP have said, do not consider moving to France unless you are prepared for the possibility of being stuck there until the kids are much older if it all goes wrong. I bang on about this on every thread like this because it happened to a close friend. It has devastated her life. They went for a one year 'adventure', now stuck there for 10 years and utterly miserable.

Shinyandnew1 · 02/05/2023 09:08

So, everyone telling you not to go to France and you’ve said you don’t think HE wants to go anyway…what’s your plan?

Toomanylatenightprogs · 02/05/2023 09:15

It really doesn’t sound like he wants to move to France.
Have you looked at cheaper areas of the UK? Rural Wales maybe? Get an allotment? You can grow vegetables in pots, in a greenhouse, on a patio, you don’t need a huge amount of land.

EarthSight · 02/05/2023 09:49

this isn’t an isolated incident, it happens pretty much any time I talk to him about important stuff. In fact pretty much every time I talk to him about anything

He sounds like a neurotic manchild.