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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

Husband doesn’t like me reading

143 replies

JEM61 · 21/09/2023 23:10

Hey all,

So quick one. I want to know if I’m being a total d1ck here. I love to read in bed, my husband sits in bed on his phone and I like to read. However, he gets really sulky and makes a big deal out of it if I read a book in bed. He’s said it’s a tactic I use to ignore him and divide us (!). He’s fine for me to be on my phone and scroll through nothingness, but to pick up a book and read I usually end up apologising for. Anyone else or just me?

OP posts:
CantThinkOfANameAtAll · 22/09/2023 13:07

jazzyfips · 22/09/2023 12:59

Wanker

Perhaps if he did this she could enjoy her book in peace 🤔

RunnyPaint · 22/09/2023 13:10

My XH once told me that if I wasn't too sleepy to read then I couldn't be too tired to have sex... Reader, I divorced him!

SalmonnomlaS · 22/09/2023 13:10

Scruffington · 22/09/2023 10:52

why would she want to read a book on her phone?

I find reading books on my phone convenient. Was a suggestion.

PrinceHaz · 22/09/2023 13:14

This can’t be the only wrong thing he does. I imagine he’s a walking red flag if this example of his behaviour is anything to go by.

Hbh17 · 22/09/2023 13:20

This is obviously grounds for divorce! Tell him to F off, at least.

SchadenfreudeIstMeinMittelname · 22/09/2023 13:50

He thinks he's entitled to 100% of your attention even after you have both retired for the night. Ignore him. And here's a suggestion for bedtime reading:

Divorce for Dummies

Taylorscat · 22/09/2023 13:53

MintJulia · 21/09/2023 23:24

The more I read threads like this, the better being single becomes. 🤗

Same !! THANK GOD

Nat6999 · 22/09/2023 14:00

Exh hated me reading in bed, the first day after I left him & I could read without someone interrupting me every few lines, made me sure I had made the right decision. Not allowing someone to read in bed should be a reason for divorce. I can read in bed whenever I want, since tablets & larger phones came in, I love reading in the dark.

HumanBurrito · 22/09/2023 14:10

Oh there is SO MUCH SCOPE for excellent husband trolling here OP. I suggest you start with Kirsten MacDougall's She's a Killer and go from there.

WereYouListeningToTheDudesStory · 22/09/2023 14:55

No, there's nothing wrong with what you're doing.

An ex of mine and I used to love going up to bed so we could read together. Sometimes we'd read the same book or we'd read different books and then chat about what we liked about them. It was lovely!

TakeMe2Insanity · 22/09/2023 14:58

Give him a copy of the Handmaid’s tale and tell him women should read, as should he!

Mmhmmn · 22/09/2023 14:59

RunnyPaint · 22/09/2023 13:10

My XH once told me that if I wasn't too sleepy to read then I couldn't be too tired to have sex... Reader, I divorced him!

OHMYGOD - what a pig (offensive to actual pigs). Congrats on the divorce!

TGGreen · 22/09/2023 15:11

No one needs that kind of negativity in their lives...

LusaBatoosa · 22/09/2023 15:18

Crikeyalmighty · 22/09/2023 12:34

I have a similar thing with phones- my H wakes every morning and scrolls his phone sat up for at least 30 minutes and yet if I ever do it (rare) and he's not yet awake as such he makes a massive fuss . Some Men seem very fond of criticising behaviour in others that is fine if it's them doing it.

What does he say, I exactly? Having some difficulty getting my head around this sort of behaviour.

spitefulandbadgrammar · 22/09/2023 15:31

Is he stupid in other ways?

Crikeyalmighty · 22/09/2023 16:21

@LusaBatoosa usually 'can you not do that' or ' you've woken me up' yep, it irritates the arse off me .

CatChant · 22/09/2023 16:25

LTB.

QuizzlyBears · 22/09/2023 16:47

I am being entirely genuine when I tell
you that this exact thing was one of many contributing factors in my divorce. ‘You’re not spending time with me if you’re reading….we’re not together…you’re not paying attention to me’ and so on. Massive red flag imo.

rainband · 22/09/2023 17:18

What the hell? If anything scrolling mindlessly on the phone is much worse and alienating! I find reading together in bed really cosy and I often read while DP watches the footy cosied up on the sofa.

DuesToTheDirt · 22/09/2023 17:22

He's the "d1ck". Does he read books at all? Maybe he feels threatened, that you're more intelligent than him?

TakeMe2Insanity · 22/09/2023 17:23

rainband · 22/09/2023 17:18

What the hell? If anything scrolling mindlessly on the phone is much worse and alienating! I find reading together in bed really cosy and I often read while DP watches the footy cosied up on the sofa.

❤️❤️ reading together in bed is the best!

DoomsdayPrep · 22/09/2023 17:34

Leave him. Get more books. And a boyfriend who isn't a controlling weirdo.

Lovesgreen · 22/09/2023 20:42

Kindle app on your phone, problem sorted

Mmhmmn · 22/09/2023 22:56

Reading books on a phone is crap though and the backlight keeps your brain cells awake. And also just why should she? Problem is him being a dick 🤷‍♀️

StaunchMomma · 22/09/2023 23:18

That's so bizarre, especially when he's on is phone.

Is he one of those who are intimidated by the slightest inkling of a woman having a brain?

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