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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:
EmmaEmerald · 29/06/2023 20:02

"Surprise surprise, he showed no signs of sulking and whatever this ridiculous behaviour is until after we were married. "

such a familiar thing.

so he's not been supportive while your father was ill, neglected the poor cats and left the house in a tip, set up something to worry you, and you think being alone with the cats sounds like bliss? Sorry OP but something is very wrong here.

truthhurts23 · 29/06/2023 20:03

This is only the beginning for the rest of your life

BoogiemanSam · 29/06/2023 20:05

As a PP said “wouldn’t it be nicer with just you and the cats?” - that sounds like heaven.

This really jumped out. If this is true, put in motion making it happen. Ruminating about the cats and the Prosecco is pointless if this is what you think. No point being tied to someone who makes you miserable.

FuckTheLemonsandBail · 29/06/2023 20:10

He withheld medical treatment from your cat.

He either a) had someone over and is childishly refusing to tell you who it was to worry you, or b) pretended he'd had someone over to make your jealous/worried

Even without all of the accompanying histrionics, fuck that guy. Honestly wow. Couldn't get past this.

amberisola · 29/06/2023 20:19

Update:

DH has just texted to say he’s staying at his parents’ house tonight because he “doesn’t want an argument”.

(It is very likely he’s really staying there, although after today I can’t say I would care that much if he was somewhere else.)

I’ve just been to the shop and bought a new bottle of prosecco, crisps, and some treats for the cats.

OP posts:
Luhou · 29/06/2023 20:20

Please tell me I'm not alone with just having emotional break downs. Feel like everything has just got to much tonight. Feeling like my DH is just not understanding how hard I'm finding thing at the moment. Just got so wound up asking for help to get DD to bed, just broke down and threw baby wipes across to bed at DH. Now just hysterically ashamed of how I behaved infront of my DD. Just can't keep my emotions in check at all.

I have real anxiety about coping when baby arrives, not feeling like DH stepping up yet at all and not only am I exhausted feel like it's making me more and more worried I won't manage with two.

Sorry for the rant, just hysterically sobbing to myself and nobody else to talk too. Feeling like the worst parent.

Luhou · 29/06/2023 20:21

Sorry wrong thread.

notsofamous · 29/06/2023 20:26

The thing is, he has knowingly done things you can’t argue about. Didn’t clean the house, so what didn’t have time or feel like it. Didn’t give the cat medicine, I thought it didn’t need it or else I would have. Prosecco and two glasses, you can think what you like but I drank it myself. He is asking for a fight and he has got his foolproof stupid arguments ready that will only make you look like an unhinged wife who doesn’t trust her dh. So pretty smart to tidy up, give no reaction, ignore him. It’s the opposite of what he was after. No fight, just nothing, he is not worth it. Then leave, just tell him he is simply not what you want in life anymore.

winterchills · 29/06/2023 20:26

I think hes left the wine glasses out on purpose too!!

LemonTreeSkies · 29/06/2023 20:27

Two wine glasses - clean glass two nights running? That would be my first thought

notsofamous · 29/06/2023 20:28

amberisola · 29/06/2023 20:19

Update:

DH has just texted to say he’s staying at his parents’ house tonight because he “doesn’t want an argument”.

(It is very likely he’s really staying there, although after today I can’t say I would care that much if he was somewhere else.)

I’ve just been to the shop and bought a new bottle of prosecco, crisps, and some treats for the cats.

What did you reply?

Travelfan2021 · 29/06/2023 20:29

This reply has been withdrawn

Removed at poster's request due to privacy concerns.

ReadingSoManyThreads · 29/06/2023 20:29

@amberisola please don't get pregnant with his baby.

His behaviour is controlling and it will only get worse.

I'd be planning separation/divorce.

unsync · 29/06/2023 20:32

He doesn't like it when he's not the centre of your attention does he? He's gone home to Mummy and Daddy to look after him? My ex was emotionally abusive and he really ramped up the sulking, silent treatment and gaslighting when my mother died and I spent a lot more time looking after my 83 year old father.

Luckily he found someone else to tell him how wonderful he was. When I found him canoodling with the OW after a works do, my immediate feeling was one of relief. Looking back, he was a right cunt but i didnt realise how bad things really were as he had messed with my head so much. I am so much happier without him.

determinedtomakethiswork · 29/06/2023 20:35

So he wrecked your house, left it in a completely disgusting mess, and now he's pissed off to his parents? I wish his mother and father had arrived home at the same time as you and had seen the state he'd left it in.

Incognitoergosumlol · 29/06/2023 20:35

He's a complete nutter it sounds - he's doing everything he can to goad you. Is he having an affair and hoping that if he's nasty enough you'll end it for him? Regardless - I think you and dcats would be 100% happier without his sulking manbaby arse in your lives. Ditch the fucker.

missymousey · 29/06/2023 20:35

Glad he's out the way. Have a lovely evening researching your next yoga retreat!

FictionalCharacter · 29/06/2023 20:37

amberisola · 29/06/2023 20:19

Update:

DH has just texted to say he’s staying at his parents’ house tonight because he “doesn’t want an argument”.

(It is very likely he’s really staying there, although after today I can’t say I would care that much if he was somewhere else.)

I’ve just been to the shop and bought a new bottle of prosecco, crisps, and some treats for the cats.

So he thinks he’s still punishing you, by making you wait longer for his “we’ll talk about that later”.
Enjoy the Prosecco (don’t wash the glasses 😄), cuddle the cats and plan your escape.

Teaslurpershutup · 29/06/2023 20:39

What a shame, he's almost undone all the good that the retreat has given you. Well, on the plus side, if he's staying away then he's given you some space so make the most of it being away from an attention seeking, sulking, unreasonable, selfish, immature dick. Been with exact type of person who also comes across as a bit of a charmer to other people and would go out of their way to help other people, seeming caring on the outside but a complete shit to me.

RandomMess · 29/06/2023 20:41

He's digging deep 🤣

NotNowGertrude · 29/06/2023 20:41

Why would he have set up the glasses & Prosecco? More likely he had someone round

amberisola · 29/06/2023 20:45

willWillSmithsmith · 29/06/2023 19:59

So you’re staying with him? (Re:leaving cats with friends in the future). Do you even like this man, he sounds pretty unlikeable to me.

What I meant was in case I go away again in the near future, since I can hardly move out tomorrow, and I doubt he would either, as he owns half of the house.

I certainly don’t like him very much right now. I hardly recognise him.

OP posts:
HairyKitty · 29/06/2023 20:45

@amberisola he is definitely trying to manipulate and punish you, making you wait for the confrontation so that’s you will grovel.
I’m not sure how you will get past this? Unless he apologised. If you’re not going to get rid of him I don’t think I’d want to give him the satisfaction of knowing I was upset or bothered by any of it.

amberisola · 29/06/2023 20:46

notsofamous · 29/06/2023 20:28

What did you reply?

Just "Ok, sounds good"

Probably not the response he wanted.

OP posts:
ArtixLynx · 29/06/2023 20:50

i'd have told him he can stay there indefinitely... then take his shit around and hand it to his mom and dad.

fuck him.

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