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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

DH acting weird after I went away on my own

257 replies

amberisola · 29/06/2023 16:16

I’ve just got back from a few days away at a yoga retreat. Absolute bliss and long saved up for. It’s the first time I’ve been away on my own apart from short work trips since before I got married, although I travelled and worked all over the world alone when I was younger. My self-confidence has taken a knock recently and I can feel it bouncing back.

DH was sulky about my work trips early in our marriage. He also got moody after I told him I was going on the yoga retreat, in a passive aggressive way (while insisting he was fine with it). I didn’t pay much attention because I had real problems to deal with - work has been very stressful, my dad has been seriously ill in hospital for weeks, I’ve been coming and going, exhausted, and had no bandwidth for dealing with nonsense. I was disappointed that he hasn’t been at all supportive about my dad, but I left it.

Anyway, DH picked me up today and all seemed fine. Until we got home and I found a complete bomb site, I was so disappointed that I couldn’t completely bite my tongue. He’s normally a bit of a clean freak so it was a shock. I didn’t go mad but asked him why there was mouldy bread and food lying around from 5 days ago, and why he hasn’t given the cat her medicine. Both cats seemed really upset and scared as well which is unusual. He said “they probably don’t recognise you” which seemed a bit nasty.

Later I noticed a prosecco bottle in the fridge with a bit left in the bottom, and two wine glasses in the dishwasher. I asked if he’d had someone round (fine, just unusual) and he said no, he drank it on his own. He hardly drinks and definitely not prosecco! He’ll have a little if I buy it (rarely) but we had none in the house when I left and I never buy that brand. I didn’t tell him I’d spotted the glasses. But it’s obvious he’s lying.

He got angry then and said I was “attacking” him, I’d “come back in a horrible mood” (no, I was really happy and relaxed until I saw the mess!) and I’ve clearly “got it in for him”.

I said neglecting the cat and drinking a bottle of prosecco alone was out of character and I felt like he wasn’t being completely honest with me, and he started going mad saying “what about you? You’re not being honest are you?!” I asked what that meant and he snapped at me “we’ll talk about that later” and stomped off out of the house.

Now I’m left here racking my brains as to what I could’ve done (or what he could think I’ve done). I’m coming up with nothing. I think he’s upset that I went away without him and is trying to make me feel bad - possibly to deflect from something he’s done? Maybe he just made a weird, cryptic comment to mess with my head. I don’t know.

It did mess with my head though, so I’m asking for the wisdom of MN. What do you think is going on, and how should I respond? Should I ignore, should I be worried about the lie, or could I really be in the wrong here?

OP posts:
Velvian · 29/06/2023 16:21

He made a very poor attempt at deflecting on to you. I think yiur instinct that he is not being honest with you is probably right.

You haven't done anything wrong by going away, as planned, so don't entertain that thought.

Do you have DC?

Jewelanemone · 29/06/2023 16:23

I reckon the prosecco and glasses are a set-up. He wants to to think he's been up to something as he resents the fact that you've been away.

amberisola · 29/06/2023 16:23

Velvian · 29/06/2023 16:21

He made a very poor attempt at deflecting on to you. I think yiur instinct that he is not being honest with you is probably right.

You haven't done anything wrong by going away, as planned, so don't entertain that thought.

Do you have DC?

Thank you for saying so, I feel like I’m going a bit mad!

No DC (another reason why the house is usually very tidy…)

OP posts:
amberisola · 29/06/2023 16:24

Jewelanemone · 29/06/2023 16:23

I reckon the prosecco and glasses are a set-up. He wants to to think he's been up to something as he resents the fact that you've been away.

Oh, I hadn’t thought of that! Glad I didn’t mention the glasses then - I’ll pretend not to have noticed

OP posts:
Doggydarling · 29/06/2023 16:25

He's either been misbehaving (or attempting to) while you were away, probably to punish you or he's planted the bottle and glasses to rattle you and try ensure you don't go away again. Leaving the house in a state is just another way of trying to stop you, it's an attempt to make you think it's not worth the hassle. Have you got a family with him?

Businessflake · 29/06/2023 16:25

amberisola · 29/06/2023 16:24

Oh, I hadn’t thought of that! Glad I didn’t mention the glasses then - I’ll pretend not to have noticed

Yes definitely. If he’d had a woman round he would have tidied up. And surely he’s not stupid enough to leave the evidence accidentally?

angsty · 29/06/2023 16:27

I also think it could well be a set up. If he had really had a woman round and drunk the prosecco with her, he would not be leaving the bottle and two glasses for you to find. He's annoyed with you for going away and punishing you. And his comment suggests he thinks you did not go to a retreat but were with a lover.

Mummapenguin20 · 29/06/2023 16:28

I think he’s deflecting

HarrisJu · 29/06/2023 16:28

I wouldn’t live with a sulky man. Ick!

Lampzade · 29/06/2023 16:28

Jewelanemone · 29/06/2023 16:23

I reckon the prosecco and glasses are a set-up. He wants to to think he's been up to something as he resents the fact that you've been away.

This

FictionalCharacter · 29/06/2023 16:29

He’s 100% punishing you for going away. What a nasty man.
The “we’ll talk about that later” outburst is punishment too, intended to confuse you and wonder what you’ve done.

Ilikewinter · 29/06/2023 16:29

Yeah I agree with PP, hes annoyed you went away.

savethegorgeousbees · 29/06/2023 16:30

Jewelanemone · 29/06/2023 16:23

I reckon the prosecco and glasses are a set-up. He wants to to think he's been up to something as he resents the fact that you've been away.

I agree with this , he is trying to set you up.

Lampzade · 29/06/2023 16:32

Your dh wants to make it difficult for you to go away again. The two glasses were definitely a set up
If I were you I would talk about the next yoga retreat you are going to attend.

keyboardkat · 29/06/2023 16:34

Go away more and budget between you for a cleaner.

What's the point of being hitched to someone if every move you make independently is resented. I could not live with someone like that ever, sorry OP, I don't mean to sound like I am lecturing you, but what exactly is the effing point?

Either he is spoilt rotten, has no outlets of his own, or is just one of those people who like to put a downer on anything pleasurable that those close to them do without them! He sounds like he is five years old and Mummy left for the day or something.

amberisola · 29/06/2023 16:35

Thank you all for making me feel less like I’m going mad. The idea he would leave a mess intentionally and set up a little scene to get at me is disturbing, I wouldn’t completely put it past him.

He’s definitely not stupid enough to leave evidence of something dodgy, so my first thought was maybe his sister had been round or something. His reaction was just so weird.

I forgot to say in my post that he also called me "controlling" before he stomped out. Which is so ridiculous and untrue I laughed in disbelief.

OP posts:
Gowlett · 29/06/2023 16:35

I really hate when I’m in good form & my DH says “you came home in a terrible mood”. No! The badness only happens when he starts up… Your DH is trying to take your lovely experience away from you.

CrotchetyQuaver · 29/06/2023 16:36

He's being childish and immature and I would completely shut it down if he starts up again and book your next weekend without him asap. This is an attempt to control you by stopping you going away

hellsbells99 · 29/06/2023 16:38

Why are you with him?
Think carefully about what you want in life.

amberisola · 29/06/2023 16:39

keyboardkat · 29/06/2023 16:34

Go away more and budget between you for a cleaner.

What's the point of being hitched to someone if every move you make independently is resented. I could not live with someone like that ever, sorry OP, I don't mean to sound like I am lecturing you, but what exactly is the effing point?

Either he is spoilt rotten, has no outlets of his own, or is just one of those people who like to put a downer on anything pleasurable that those close to them do without them! He sounds like he is five years old and Mummy left for the day or something.

You’re absolutely right of course. Surprise surprise, he showed no signs of sulking and whatever this ridiculous behaviour is until after we were married.

It is extremely unattractive.

OP posts:
Circumferences · 29/06/2023 16:41

Yikes! What a fucking twat!
I'd have a serious think about whether he's the one for you. I take it you don't have kids?

Hopelesslydevotedtoshrews · 29/06/2023 16:42

You've had a tough few months, saved up for a healthy treat, feel your self-confidence returning to you, and came home feeling restored and bright. A good partner would be happy about all these things.

MsPavlichenko · 29/06/2023 16:42

It’s controlling behaviour, he’s almost certainly attempting to stop you going away again. You say he did it previously about work trips so it’s ramped up now with the mess, the attempt to make you jealous , and to gas light you about being unhappy/moody.

It’s abusive behaviour, impacting both you and the poor cats he’s neglected. He wants your response to be to stop going away so that this doesn’t happen again. His lack of support with your Dad is another red flag tbh.

In the short term ignore it all. Tidy up, sort the cats and don’t engage with him about it. Have a look at the Freedom Programme online, it should be compulsory for women and girls.

If I were in your situation I’d be planning more time away/out by yourself or with friends. Don’t appease him, it won’t get better but worse. You have done nothing wrong, remember that.

Princesspeachee · 29/06/2023 16:43

Were the glasses washed? If not smell them and see if they actually smell of prosecco?
I agree it's a set up he's probably poured it down the sink.

Unless he has some seriously redeeming qualities I'd have a hard think about whether you stay with someone who clearly doesn't have your back.

I assume he thinks you've cheated and your yoga retreat was an excuse also.

He's definitely playing games and there is just no room for that in life.

FireflyJar · 29/06/2023 16:44

My ex used to do this to his ex wife. When she had had a lovely weekend at a retreat and he would have the kids on his weekend, he would be so awful to her when she got back, all her rest and relaxation was ruined. He did it on purpose. To ruin the weekend. Don't let him do it to you

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