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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:
FloralVelvet · 29/06/2023 23:40

You have no children, and you can escape. I wish I had been so lucky years ago. So I might have been lonely, but I might not have been.
But had a child, and another on the way.

Escape while you still can.

ClairDeLaLune · 29/06/2023 23:44

I’m sorry OP but your husband is a heartless twat. That’s so awful that he’s not supporting you over your dad and that he was mean to your cats. Either of those would cause me to reconsider the relationship, let alone the sulking and gaslighting. He doesn’t deserve you. I’m very sorry about your dad, I went through the same with mine, it’s so stressful and I don’t think I’d have coped if my DH wasn’t supportive. I really think you should put yourself first and dump him.

HighEndGrifters · 29/06/2023 23:46

Toss this one back.

Mmhmmn · 29/06/2023 23:48

keyboardkat · 29/06/2023 21:15

There is an awful lot to be said for living alone own if one can. I do, but have a 25 years + relationship with a great man. He's bloody great because he lives in his house and I in mine! Well if it's good enough for Charles and Camilla it's Ab Fab for us!

I realise that few can adopt this lifestyle, but if you can, do it.

And while I feel for OP, we must remember that we only read about the awful men here, rarely about the good uns. And there are many of them too, so OP when you divest yourself of this excuse for a husband, choose wisely, live apart but be together, and you will never look back.

I truly think this is the way ahead.

Chopchopbusybusyworkwork · 29/06/2023 23:56

He sounds so childish, what an unattractive trait. Good for you, leave the ridiculous man child to his silly dramas and pootle off into a much happier life! Best revenge is living well etc etc.

HelloTreacle9 · 30/06/2023 00:03

This is the most universally supportive thread I’ve read on MN for ages. My first thought was thank god you don’t have kids, because neglecting pets, being unsupportive about your dad’s health crisis and not being lovely and welcoming after a much-needed break are game-ending moves. Whatever his twisted reasons for the shit-tip and the Prosecco weirdness (punishment or wanting you to see red and end it because there is someone else), these are all his true colours and it sounds very much like you know it. Good luck, OP, you sound like a strong woman and you absolutely don’t need this bellend in your life.

HyperionWarbonnet · 30/06/2023 00:36

hellsbells99 · 29/06/2023 16:38

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

This. Life is short. why spend it with a head fuck knob like this when you could find someone who behaves like an adult.

HyperionWarbonnet · 30/06/2023 00:50

I left my DP because of lack of support when my DMum was dying. It was never great anyway but when my Mum got ill, his behaviour was appalling. It was like he reverted to being two when he was a grown man. Whiney, needy and pathetic and just another thing I had to try and deal with and yet I had got him through some really bad stuff, including financial.

Mum went downhill really fast and it was ten weeks start to finish. His lack of even the smallest shred of decency around it, when, in the rest of his life he came across as a functioning adult, left me cold and I walked away after four and a half years. Even after I left, I heard that he had been calling me names.

Newestname002 · 30/06/2023 03:58

Don't get mad @amberisola, get organised. As Mumsnet often advises, discreetly get your ducks in a row to see what your financial situation would be if(when?) you separate/divorce so you have a better future with your cats and without him.

Great but of grey rocking - keep it up and keep drawing on your zen, deep healing breaths and separate bedroom. Keep him confused whilst you make your plans.

Love the fact that your cats relaxed and were cuddled up purring next to you when selfish husband had left the house. Tells you all you need to know really. 🌹

Mix56 · 30/06/2023 08:56

It's all about wanting to be boss, he doesn't want you going off to yoga, or god forbid out with the girls, or anything that may allow you to meet other "normal" people. It is totally the typical "sulker" in the abusive hand book.
He left the mess, so that it would let you come home to discomfort, the end game being so that you don't do it again as it's not worth the misery.
Whilst he can still have an "outside" of persona of nice, caring empathetic, dude.
It's sad he couldn't welcome you home with a huge hug, ask you say it went, if you feel yoga zen, & that he missed you.... It would reenforce the love, the caring, the support, the bond.
No, ultimately he has decided to punish you, either with or without a flooz.
This is an ugly ugly trait, all about selfishness, lack of confidence, & control.
I can talk to you to till the sun goes down about this sort of bully. but ultimately, life is so much better without the smoke & mirrors, the double guessing.
"I can hold my hand better than you can", comes to mind.

Mix56 · 30/06/2023 08:58

"ask you say it went" = how it went,
Why oh why is there no edit on this site?

billy1966 · 30/06/2023 09:05

Clymene · 29/06/2023 22:58

Umm this is a really terrible thing to say but I have to say it. I very much hope your dad isn't terminally ill but if you stand to inherit anything, you may want to talk to a solicitor if you're thinking of ending your marriage to this wanker.

OP, @Clymene usually nails it.

Be aware of any inheritance being gifted to YOU ONLY, if applicable, so it is not part of a divorce.

Your marriage is over, make sure you protect yourself from someone whom has shown you to be a complete liar about who he is.

MzHz · 30/06/2023 10:07

@amberisola you mentioned that he wasn’t like this before you got married. What’s the timeline of your relationship? How long have you been together/lived together/been married. Was it quite a quick transition?

you will get yourself out of this and you will be ok. Better than ok. You’ll find happiness when you’re out of this relationship.

this situation will only ever get worse. That’s how things like this always go. No exceptions.

sorry. I know it’s hard and scary to consider, but there’s nothing you can do to fix this.

whoever he pretended to be in the beginning will never return.

ButImNotOldEnough · 30/06/2023 10:18

PP’s have already given you a wealth of advice so just posting to say I’m also furious on your behalf, he’s a massive twunt if ever I did hear if one. I’m sorry your dad is ill, I hope everything works out and that yoga retreat sounds heavenly Flowers

amberisola · 30/06/2023 11:47

Thank you so much everyone for all these supportive comments and I'm sorry I haven't been able to reply to them all but it helps so so much to have my thoughts and feelings validated like this. I have been at the hospital today and sulky arse is apparently at home and has done a big shop and probably wants a round of applause for it. No doubt he wants to behave like nothing happened. I'm going out for lunch with a friend.

OP posts:
Anxioys · 30/06/2023 12:03

Yes the "nothing happened" stage is important in you not making a fuss.

I hope you left the house in a mess: because he's definitely hoping you have done it so he can look great with his big shop.

If the mess is still there, then so too is his passive aggression which you were supposed to eat up on your return

Newestname002 · 30/06/2023 12:44

@amberisola

No doubt he wants to behave like nothing happened. I'm going out for lunch with a friend.

Good! I hope your friend is someone you can confide in so you can get "in real life" support and revalidation. 🌹

billyt · 30/06/2023 13:32

amberisola · 30/06/2023 11:47

Thank you so much everyone for all these supportive comments and I'm sorry I haven't been able to reply to them all but it helps so so much to have my thoughts and feelings validated like this. I have been at the hospital today and sulky arse is apparently at home and has done a big shop and probably wants a round of applause for it. No doubt he wants to behave like nothing happened. I'm going out for lunch with a friend.

With Prosecco, I hope.

Just make sure to finish it.. Grin

DemelzaandRoss · 30/06/2023 13:46

There is no point in prolonging your relationship with this unpleasant man.
He will only get worse in the future.
It must be difficult to absorb all this advice.
We can’t all be wrong.
Escape now & no need to encounter this behaviour again.

LavenderfortheBees · 30/06/2023 13:52

Enjoy your lunch. Agree best strategy is to continue to ignore any weird behaviour and act brisk and breezy until you are ready to have The Chat.

MzHz · 30/06/2023 15:07

@amberisola Can you confide in your friend? You may be surprised that she knows more about him than you think

billy1966 · 30/06/2023 16:49

Lunch is an excellent idea, as is detaching.

This is not a good honest man, so talking to friends and family, telling them the truth will help you protect yourself.

LivingDeadGirlUK · 30/06/2023 18:38

I hope he has cleaned up his bloody mess.

notsofamous · 01/07/2023 09:30

How’s it going op?

VikingsandDragons · 07/07/2023 16:51

Hope you're okay OP