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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

How do you cope with extreme grumpy husband?

39 replies

Onedayillflyaway9 · 01/06/2024 21:05

I’m at my wits end with being married to a really grumpy man.
within seconds (I timed it yesterday, was 11 seconds) of him coming through the door after work he finds something to moan about. Yesterday it was some dirty washing (tea towels) that I had piled up after sorting my washing, waiting for the cycle on washing machine to finish current load then I was going to take out clean washing, put in tumble dryer then put the dirty greasy tea towels in on their own. But he started on me about this. I said do you always have to moan as soon as you get home? He told me to F off then stormed upstairs and went to bed in spare room, ignoring the lovely tea I had spent ages cooking for him. Every single night when he walks in my tummy is in knots checking nothing is out of place, for example no washing up in sink, make sure the sink doesn’t have a speck of dirty washing up water in it or a coffee splash. I sweep the floor but he still grabs the sweeper and starts to sweep imaginary dirt into it so I’ve stopped sweeping if that’s what he does as soon as he gets in anyway!
he moans about absolutely everything. Everything. We have recently had a new kitchen installed but myself and two children are so nervous when we cook incase we spill anything, god forbid grease were to get splashed up the wall! We are told where we can put our saucepans down incase we make a mark on the worktops etc but this isn’t normal cooking in a functioning family kitchen! He does not cook a thing; not even toast so he hasn’t a clue the mess that cooking can make (granted, I am messy but tidy as I go along) he moans if there’s a speck of dirt in the bath that hasn’t been cleaned out etc. and today he noticed that the slow cooker has splashed gravy (slow cooker does spit when boiling) onto the worktop and blew his top saying he wants a divorce! My son has had enough of his terminal bad moods and is looking to move in with his girlfriend. I actually think he hates his dad. The only time he’s happy is when he has had a drink, which is every night and then he’s as nice as pie, like a completely different person. I went out today after his vile mood outburst but on my return I could see he had had his 4 beers and was as happy as Larry!! I think it’s so sad (sad, pathetic) that he needs a drink to be nice and approachable. You can’t ask a simple question without being made to look an idiot for the questions you ask. He will make fun of some of the questions I ask him, often to do with stuff in the house. He tries to make me look stupid but I say I’m asking because I don’t know! Can you help me please. I’m far from thick, but don’t know a thing about DIY. I’m just wondering is this narcissistic behaviour? He’s constantly glued to his phone following all the latest conspiracy theories which he fully believes whereas I’m more of a “I will believe it when I see it” kind of person to which he loses his temper. I can’t put into words how he blows up but it’s the bright red face, veins bulging in his head and neck type anger if I challenge him on the latest conspiracy theory he’s read and believes. An example is that Donald Trump is gonna save the world! He’s right into all this Q conspiracy which may or may not be true. However, I would rather he concentrate on our family and not what Donald Trump is up to ffs! I’m just feeling very confused. I have thought in the past he has ADHD or bipolar and needs the alcohol to dumb him down and to be nice and approachable. I think it speaks volumes when me and my two children all feel the same. Sorry for such a long post but had to give as full a picture as I can. I can’t leave as I have nowhere to go. Rent in this area is eye watering expensive and could never afford anywhere just on my wage. I just need to be able to somehow create a life for myself while living here with him. I look at it a lot like I house share with someone who is an absolute nightmare to live with, like a uni housemate and just have to make the best of this situation. He’s always had a temper but now he’s just downright miserable and grumpy. I don’t even think he loves me. I’ve gained so much weight since menopause which will not shift, he often tells me how fat I am too but he’s no bloody oil painting himself! Thanks for listening.

OP posts:
Olivia2495 · 01/06/2024 21:12

Get in touch with WA and get some help with housing. He’s disgusting and he’s abusing you.

Onedayillflyaway9 · 01/06/2024 21:16

@Olivia2495 Thank you for your reply. I think I needed the validation that this is abuse. I dread him coming home each day. Me and the kids have a bet to see how long it will be before the moaning starts and what it will be about. He’s an awful man, even worse when the kids were little. My son often feels like knocking him out but I say violence is not the answer. I just do not understand how he can’t see what a wonderful family he has waiting at home for him. Our children really are the sweetest, kindest and caring kids.

OP posts:
LindorDoubleChoc · 01/06/2024 21:24

Most people would deal with this by filing for divorce.

Iudncuewbccgrcb · 01/06/2024 21:26

Going through alcohol cravings/withdrawal is probably a significant factor of what is making him an arse when he first comes in if he's mostly OK after he's had a drink. The body quite quickly adapts to getting a dopamine hit from 'beer o clock' and gets grumpy if that dopamine hit isn't being met.

That doesn't excuse his behaviour in any way as he is still making a choice to act on it and be an arse (i bet he wouldnt be if someone else was there when he got home for example) but it might go some way to explaining it.

sparkleowl · 01/06/2024 21:30

Either ask him to see the GP who may prescribe something for depression as it sounds like that, or have a large drink waiting for him when he comes home.
Also talk to him about his moods and what a terrible effect it’s having on you all and make him see you can’t carry on this way.

lollilou2 · 01/06/2024 21:31

I’d be gone. This is not okay.

Motnight · 01/06/2024 21:32

It is abuse, Op.

Ladyj84 · 01/06/2024 21:33

An alcoholic and abusive I married one and left 6months later

catsnore · 01/06/2024 21:34

My first LTB. For yours and your kids sake.

Onedayillflyaway9 · 01/06/2024 21:36

Thank you all for your replies. He would NEVER see a doctor as he doesn’t trust them, seriously paranoid about doctors agendas. If I bring up his moods he says it’s my fault due to the house being such a mess but I work full time too! I have to cook tea every single night when I get in no matter how tired I am. I annoy leave because I cannot afford to live alone. My sage is a pittance, it would all be gone on rent with nothing left over such is the price of renting where I live. I think I was more looking for advice as how to cope living like this as I, like many women are financially trapped.

OP posts:
Craftycorvid · 01/06/2024 21:36

He’s not grumpy, he’s abusive. Please contact your local women’s aid service and get advice as to your rights.

Onedayillflyaway9 · 01/06/2024 21:37

@catsnore what does LTB mean?

OP posts:
zeddybrek · 01/06/2024 21:41

This is no way to live your life OP, you deserve more.

LTB

However, if you really can't leave could you find a job where you're not around him as much. Or a hobby that means you can spend your evenings socialising and just not having to be made to feel like this. Just anything to not be there when he first gets home.

PatternedLlama · 01/06/2024 21:42

LTB - leave the bastard.

You deserve better, your children deserve better. Start looking toward getting a divorce and being free of dreading your husband coming home. I love my Dh to bits, I look forward to spending time with him. Your relationship is not normal nor is it nice.

sparkleowl · 01/06/2024 21:46

I understand your problem, you can’t leave him for money reasons.
Tell him how tired you get and it isn’t fair for him to criticise all the time.It really is a form of abuse tho.

C0untBinFace · 01/06/2024 21:48

this is no way to live. As you’re married you should get half the value if the house and his pension in divorce settlement. Hope that helps.

Scrambledchickens · 01/06/2024 21:50

It’s abuse and you can’t fix him. You need to separate and divorce. Your children will thank you for it. You are so conditioned by his behaviour you can’t see it clearly. Keep posting here and talk to your gp about you not him. Contact women’s aid if you can.
Your life can be happy but not living with him x

Onedayillflyaway9 · 01/06/2024 21:52

Leave the bastard! I should have guessed that!! I have thought about looking for extra/alternative work and hobbies. If I lost weight and looked like my old self he would be all over me! And I like to think if I work on myself (I’m very depressed being so overweight so would be doing it for me) I would get attention and compliments from other men as a confidence boost because at the moment I’m invisible to people, men especially which just adds to my feelings of hopelessness. He definitely is an alcoholic, he can’t go a day without drinking and if he does he has to go straight to bed. He’s a very weak man to not be able to face up to his alcoholism and to try and belittle me when he can. I would love to look hot and sexy again but alas, this menopause has been brutal in the 5 stone I’ve gained in two years. I am going to make an effort to concentrate on me I think. Next time he threatens he is leaving I’m going to tell him to pack his bags and fuck off but then I will get “this is my house, you fuck off” I’ve been through this cycle so many times but as it was only me he aimed it at I could cope with it but now that my son says he’s had enough and is moving out, that has made me feel things very differently.

OP posts:
Seaside1234 · 01/06/2024 21:53

Sounds hellish and you deserve better. You would be entitled to half the equity in the house and half his pension over the time you've married, if that would help financially (he would of course be entitled to half your pension too).

JustPleachy · 01/06/2024 22:00

I have a grumpy husband. He is regular grumpy - he moans and mopes about stuff and then pretty much immediately recognises that he is being an arse, apologises, and we laugh about it. I can tell him when he is “channeling Victor Meldrew”.

Your husband is not grumpy. He is abusive.

Contact Women’s Aid and get help from them. See a solicitor and find out what you are entitled to in a divorce. This is no way to live.

Olivia2495 · 01/06/2024 22:00

You need some financial advice. You might be entitled to some benefits and depending on your children’s ages some CM. There is always a way.

Your relationship with your son is at risk, it must be horrible for them to live like this. I would speak to WA who will be able to help you with all the barriers that prevent you from kicking him out.

rumred · 01/06/2024 22:04

Please plan your escape. Neither you nor your children deserve to live with such an arsehole. You've got 1 life, don't waste anymore on such a dysfunctional relationship

WoodBurningStov · 01/06/2024 22:06

Next time he tells you he wants a divorce agree with him

mathanxiety · 01/06/2024 22:15

I had one like this.

The solution is divorce.

Your husband is abusing you and the children.

Make plans to end the marriage. You'll end up a shell of your former self if you don't find a way to get free of this abuse.

I'm not kidding here - it will destroy you, and your children too. You need to take this abuse very seriously and understand that the only thing you will be able to change here is how you respond to it.

theDudesmummy · 01/06/2024 22:16

That's not a "grumpy husband". It's an abusive one.