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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:
callmeblondee · 29/06/2023 17:34

I often read some of these threads and feel like if you removed the "husband" or "partner" and read it without any labels, it would be like reading a battle between enemies. Who does these things to people they are meant to love, bottom line. They dont love you, they just like to posess you and the things you do for them. Simple as that, sorry to say.

willWillSmithsmith · 29/06/2023 17:35

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.

I agree with this. He wants the trip to end with a sour taste so you’d be hesitant to have another one as it would be associated with bad feelings. Personally I’d be planning another bloody trip (without him)!

MrsElijahMikaelson1 · 29/06/2023 17:37

Don’t clean up for him! He is a prick

Anxioys · 29/06/2023 17:38

Totally agree on the enemy post. The message is clear that if you as the designate domestic application leave again then he will get someone else in

MissChanandlerB0NG · 29/06/2023 17:41

Have you checked the glasses for lipstick? OR were they newly cleaned

BanditsOnTheHorizon · 29/06/2023 17:43

My first thought is what you came home to, was him being passive aggressive. Rather than being a grown up and talking to you about his insecurities he's tried to punish you.

Leaving the house in a mess was done on purpose (especially if he's usually clean and tidy), not giving the cats their medicine is to punish you and make you feel guilty, and I reckon he probably poured the Prosecco down the drain, left a bit in there. Put it in the fridge deliberately and swilled a couple of glasses with it to make you think he'd had someone round to upset you or make you jealous.

He's being a monumental dick to try and punish you for doing something for yourself and to ensure you won't even dream of doing it again

gamerchick · 29/06/2023 17:44

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.

Yep. I wouldn't be playing that game.

If be focusing on his taking it out on defenceless animals. That's his way of not making you dare to away again. Someone who is capable of that isn't someone I'd want in my life tbh

Miscellaneousme · 29/06/2023 17:44

I’d think twice before you stay and have kids with this man.

Plbrookes · 29/06/2023 17:45

What pathetic and childish behaviour. And @callmeblondee is spot on!

OrbandSpectacle · 29/06/2023 17:46

Incidents like this are why so many women now choose to be single, and actually enjoy their lives.

UnwaxedLemon · 29/06/2023 17:48

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.

100% agree. He wants you to feel guilty for going away, he's set up a trap for you to ask about, so he can get cross at you for suspecting him. It's really devious and malicious behaviour, really manipulative. honestly I'd be scared of someone who did this. I think it's really controlling.

gamerchick · 29/06/2023 17:49

Why are you tidying up after his tantrum OP? Leave it. He's gone out on purpose just so you'll do that.

Frogmila · 29/06/2023 17:51

I find it sinister that he has neglected the cats to make a point to you. That is a big step further than just sulking. He's also had a woman round or is pretending to have, and has trashed the house. None of this is normal behaviour.

And then he has been cold and unsupportive while your DF was ill.

Wouldn't it be easier and more pleasant with just the cats?

J0S · 29/06/2023 17:55

Frogmila · 29/06/2023 17:51

I find it sinister that he has neglected the cats to make a point to you. That is a big step further than just sulking. He's also had a woman round or is pretending to have, and has trashed the house. None of this is normal behaviour.

And then he has been cold and unsupportive while your DF was ill.

Wouldn't it be easier and more pleasant with just the cats?

This. It’s terrible that he hurt the cats to get at you. Im not even a cat person and that troubles me reading your posts.

GabriellaMontez · 29/06/2023 17:56

Think carefully before planning children with him... yellow flags waving here.

Aquamarine1029 · 29/06/2023 17:56

I think there has been loads about your husband's behaviour that you have minimised and/or ignored over the years, and this incident has finally opened your eyes.

Decent men don't just start acting this way. This is part of a long pattern of behaviour.

Greytshakes · 29/06/2023 17:57

@amberisola you sound lovely. He sounds like a childish little prick. I'm sorry.

SpongeBobJudgeyPants · 29/06/2023 17:58

So rt of thing my XH would have done. If you want to go away again, is putting the cats in a cattery an option, so that the nasty bloke can't neglect them?

WatieKatie · 29/06/2023 17:59

Why are men like this never single?!

Namechangey23 · 29/06/2023 18:00

He is a covert narcisist. They love to be passive aggressive. He was angry you went away without him, tried to play it cool but then simmered whilst you were away. Got paranoid and convinced himself you were cheating so either decided to cheat to 'get back at you first' or make you think he'd cheated. Either way he is a dick and waving a big fucking red flag over his head. Do not on any account have kids with this man..it will get worse..if you are pregnant all the attention will be off him and his ego will not be able to take it.

willWillSmithsmith · 29/06/2023 18:04

OrbandSpectacle · 29/06/2023 17:46

Incidents like this are why so many women now choose to be single, and actually enjoy their lives.

Yes and I’m one of them. No more relationships for me. These last few years have been the most mentally peaceful I’ve had since my dating life began decades ago. I have my kids (adults) and I have my dog. Although we get on pretty well now, when my path crosses with my ex I still see all the annoying traits he had when we were together and I feel so grateful not to have to worry or care about them anymore. We get Even my future plans don’t include a man in them. I’m single for good and I love it!

keyboardkat · 29/06/2023 18:05

WatieKatie · 29/06/2023 17:59

Why are men like this never single?!

They live with their mother.

TattoedLady · 29/06/2023 18:05

People who hurt animals hurt people.

willWillSmithsmith · 29/06/2023 18:05

willWillSmithsmith · 29/06/2023 18:04

Yes and I’m one of them. No more relationships for me. These last few years have been the most mentally peaceful I’ve had since my dating life began decades ago. I have my kids (adults) and I have my dog. Although we get on pretty well now, when my path crosses with my ex I still see all the annoying traits he had when we were together and I feel so grateful not to have to worry or care about them anymore. We get Even my future plans don’t include a man in them. I’m single for good and I love it!

Typos that I can’t edit out. So annoying you can’t edit within the first couple of minutes of posting 🥴

WitcheryDivine · 29/06/2023 18:06

angsty · 29/06/2023 17:06

I had a partner who could not believe that I could go away overnight for work and not be shagging someone. He could literally WhatsApp me any time and I would always answer and he could see exactly where I was (i.e. actually AT WORK or in a HOTEL ROOM ON MY OWN or in a train/plane) but he still insisted I must be having an affair. As I often had to go to the city where my XH lives, he often accused me of shagging him (notwithstanding the fact that XH many years ago came out as gay and has been married to a man for over 15 years!). Very wearing.

OP I think your husband is having an affair or at least trying to.

@angsty I thought I was the only one who'd had a partner be jealous of my gay ex. He didn't speak to me for days after I visited my ex, despite the fact that we broke up decades earlier and I visited him at the house he shared with his (male obviously) fiancé, we all had lunch together. I remember telling him that I was statistically more likely to be sleeping with the guy who just walked past with his girlfriend than my ex, given the old lack of penis. Didn't help.