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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

Struggling With Husbands Moods is This the End?

16 replies

Crikeyohreilly · 23/03/2024 09:00

I’ve been with my husband for nearly 14 years. When life is good it’s really good but when it’s bad it’s horrific. He struggles to regulate his emotions and moods. Will be fine and a brilliant person to be around but then if he’s stressed at work or not well he has these thunderous moods that last weeks. Speaks to me like I’m trash makes me feel like crap and is essentially walking around with this rain cloud over his head.

Almost two years ago was a particularly bad phase where work was horrendous and he used me as his emotional punchbag. During this period he had a 6 month emotional affair with another woman at his work. He swears there was nothing physical- I don’t truly know this to be true as when he was first caught out he lied and deleted lots of things. Initially he blamed me for this said he couldn’t talk to me that I was the problem. Said he didn’t want to divorce or be with her but took him a while to cop to it and fully admit everything.

I've always stood by him - tolerated his moods and supported him where I can. Sometimes, when he’s so horrible to me I will give him a reality check and tell him he needs to grow up and put his big boy pants on. Once he gets out of the moods life is great but this can go on for weeks.

i got over the affair, had some counselling and we moved forward. His moods have been less frequent since then but still at least every 3 months although when I breakdown and tell him he can’t treat me like this he often apologises and sorts himself out.

He’s been in one of these moods since before Mother’s Day. Didn’t get me a card or plan anything etc spoke to me like crap and was extremely short with me. This has continued. I’ve pulled him up on it several times but after he apologises he’s right back to treating me like crap again.

For the last 3 weeks I’ve been ill with the flu. I take immunosuppressants so my immune system doesn’t cope well, I am also having cervical cancer tests as I’m presenting with symptoms and have a family history and im terrified also I found out my Grandmother is dying and although we are estranged she was a good woman to me and I’m having lots of emotions around that. As a result I haven’t been as on top of the housework. Dinner hasn’t been on the table etc. The house is clean but untidy some days. The washing and ironing are all done though. I’ve felt in a bit of a fog and spend lots of my time trying to take my mind off things.

Last night he blew up at me for not pulling my weight which I hold my hands up to entirely he knows what’s going on but I tried to explain to which he said I always have an excuse. I told him it wasn’t an excuse just an explanation.

i think he treats me like this because he thinks i won’t leave. I don’t have a steady income after I gave up my career for my children. I don’t speak to my family so I don’t have a support network etc. I left last night and went to a hotel. I didn’t take the car I walked. He didn’t contact me to see if I was okay or safe. I’ve come home this morning as I have to be a mother and he hasn’t said two words to me or apologised.

Don’t know what to do tbh. I’m not the perfect person but I am a good wife and a good mother and although I haven’t been pulling my weight it’s not because I’m out drinking and partying I’m just struggling to cope. Don’t really know why I’ve posted just feels good to say it all
out loud I guess.

OP posts:
hellsBells246 · 23/03/2024 09:03

None of this is acceptable. He's abusive. You don't deserve to be treated like this.

If you divorced, you would be entitled to a fair share of family money to set you up. I suggest you ring Women's Aid and a solicitor to find out your options.

You poor love. I'm sorry for everything that's going on in your life. 💐

RightOnTheEdge · 23/03/2024 09:08

Oh OP, that's really awful and so sad to read.

I'm sorry for everything you are going through and I really hope you get good news about your tests.

Your husband should be looking after you, he's supposed to be the person who is on your side, your partner in life.

He sounds absolutely horrible and you deserve so much better. You've given him every chance and he has given nothing back.
Do you really want to waste any more time on this marriage that is making you miserable? He doesn't care about you.

Aquamarine1029 · 23/03/2024 09:11

You've wasted enough of your life on this man. He's abusive and pissed off his domestic appliance isn't currently working to his standards. I also wouldn't be surprised if he's still cheating on you.

Get the fuck rid of him.

Channellingsophistication · 23/03/2024 09:14

Im so sorry you are in this situation it sounds utterly miserable for you. He should be supporting you not treating you like this!

I think you should think about ending the marriage. You deserve better you really do

duende · 23/03/2024 09:16

He sounds awful.

It also sounds like it was you who has put the effort and work in after his affair, not him.
He stayed because you make his life comfortable, not because he loves you (sorry!).

My ex was moody and sulky although never for as long as you describe. It made me hypervigilant, anxious and eventually wore me down, I left recently after almost 20 years.

What does he bring to the relationship?
In what ways does he make your life better?
How can you rely on him?
What effort does he make for you and the family?

How dare he acuse you of not pulling your weight, when you have been ill and had so much on your plate?

We only have 1, precious life. Imagine it without him.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 23/03/2024 09:16

I also hope you get some good news re your hospital based tests.

How can you be helped into leaving your abuser?. Your childhood as well set you up good and proper into accepting this type of behaviour from another adult. Your boundaries here, already skewed by poor life experience, have been further eroded by this man now.

What do you want to teach your children about relationships?. Look too at what you learnt. You are parents and your children as a result are being profoundly affected by what is happening within their home which is akin to a warzone. It is not your fault nor theirs that their dad has decided to embark on his own private based war against you.

Please look at both contacting Womens Aid and a local firm of solicitors re divorce.

HesterPrincess · 23/03/2024 09:18

It doesn't sound like he likes you very much.

Don't you deserve better?

AttilaTheMeerkat · 23/03/2024 09:18

"When life is good it’s really good but when it’s bad it’s horrific. He struggles to regulate his emotions and moods. Will be fine and a brilliant person to be around but then if he’s stressed at work or not well he has these thunderous moods that last weeks. Speaks to me like I’m trash makes me feel like crap and is essentially walking around with this rain cloud over his head".

Your first sentence here describes the nice/nasty cycle of abuse which is a continuous one.

The above are all hallmarks of an abusive relationship and all your words are those that an abused person would write.

Daleksatemyshed · 23/03/2024 09:20

You have so much on your plate at the moment Op and yet all he can think of is himself. This is no way to live, always waiting for his next tantrum. See a solicitor and get him gone.

Sicario · 23/03/2024 09:24

You are in an abusive marriage. You have reasoned with yourself that it's not that bad because there are brief periods when things seem ok. They are not ok. This is no way to live.

Please reach out to Womens Aid and speak to them about how to leave an abusive marriage.

Be prepared for your husband to do a complete 360 and make all the usual promises to change, begging and pleading, trying anything he can to make you change your mind. He will not want you to divorce him for myriad reasons. The current set-up suits him just fine.

If you go ahead with the divorce, he will then turn nasty and try to make your life hell.

This is the way men like that operate.

You do not have to live your life like this. Your life belongs to YOU and you can decide to create a better, brighter future for yourself with full autonomy. You have been brow-beaten for years. This will of course have taken its toll.

Have faith in yourself. You can take your life back.

Crikeyohreilly · 23/03/2024 13:18

From the bottom of my heart to each and every reply thank you. I needed to hear this. I needed to hear from other people that this isn’t ’normal’ or okay and I don’t have to tolerate it. I’ve felt weak and to blame. I’m not weak though and I don’t deserve this. You’ve given me a strength I never knew I had. Thank you for taking time to read and reply.

OP posts:
theworldie · 23/03/2024 13:38

Imagine if this was your daughter or best friend telling you this and living in this situation - what would you say to them?

He is horribly abusive, has cheated on you (and I would assume slept with her too - they always minimise it) and gives no care or consideration that you are going through a rough time health wise. It sounds like he is pushing his abuse more and more to see what you will put up with.

I guess you have to ask do you want to spend the next 30-40 years living like this?

Prelapsarianhag · 23/03/2024 13:59

He is an abuser and a cheat. Live your one wild and precious life without this horrible man in it.

LittleWeed2 · 23/03/2024 14:02

Make a plan on how you would leave, how is money shared, who gets the house, does your job fit with being alone, etc etc Speak to a solicitor so you know what’s involved.
You don’t have to carry it through but means you are talking from a position of confidence when you next call him out - if you tell him you’ve had enough you will mean it.

Sunsetlove · 24/03/2024 20:15

So sorry you are going through all of this.

you deserve better and I’m sure you are an amazing mum and person, you need to know you are worthy of more than feeling this way.

Make sure you take advice and look after yourself. Sending your all the positive vibes.

RickyGervaislovesdogs · 24/03/2024 20:19

He’s a pig of a man.

I am so sorry for all you are going through, you must be so stressed. I hope you have good friends around you.

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