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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 troubles

24 replies

Bluebanisters · 23/06/2024 07:49

What do you think of my husband's behaviour? I just need outside perspective because I feel he is being unreasonable but he manages to make everything seem like it's because of me and I don't know what's true really.

Just for context. He is away alot on deployment with work (military) and says when he's home he often needs to train for next course or whatever and needs rest. I am a sahm with no support/friends or family near here so i am often very tired aswell.

Never gets up with the children in the morning, maybe done one or two get ups in 4 years. Never made them any of their meals. When he's home, he might play with them a bit but will sit on the sofa on his phone alot aswell.

Takes long baths (like 40 mins to an hour) and trains a lot but this is important for his job and recovery, he says. I let it go a lot but told him I want to do things as a family on weekends, especially as I have the kids alone all week with no break and not really any company (we've recently moved to a new area. He has been away alot and I don't know anyone here).

He will come out with us if I ask him but then will need his own time when we're back whereas I have to carry on taking care of the kids.

Apparently I don't care about him because I want to go out with the kids after he's trained and he hasn't had time to eat/drink and I haven't asked him or made sure he has. I have two kids to focus on. It's not like he will pack their snacks or anything so I don't need to worry about him aswell. Surely I can manage to eat and hydrate myself without being reminded by him, he can aswell.
Even if he comes out he will moan that he needs to go home to eat or whatever.

Has now told me he doesn't know if he wants to be with me because I never listen to him. and he feels I don't care about him. Sounds like a flimsy reason but there we are. I told him it's probably because he doesn't ask nicely. He'll say "shut the door" or something, instead of please can you just shut the door. So I get defensive and upset and question him or something. And also im busy with the children. I always offer to make food for him aswell if I'm making it but I can't be checking if he has drunk or whatever. I don't really know what he wants from me or means by it to be honest.

Apparently he used to ask nicely but got sick if it because I always asked why and never just did it. This means I have no respect and don't trust his judgement apparently.

Apparently I should leave the kids to play alone more so I can get on with jobs ect because I'm not good at keeping up with the washing. I said it's hard because I'm alone with them all the time and they are still very young. Youngest is one and still very clingy. Wants to be carried alot and the eldest is not the best with him. So if I leave them for a minute she'll hit him or steal his toys. I do my best to keep up with housework but it is hard.

He says he doesn't ask anything of me-he does his own washing, cooking ect. Apparently he's keeping uo his end of the bargain by providing for us (working ect) but I guess he feels I am not or I'm asking too much of him by expecting him to help out more when he's back.

I don't know. What are others husbands like and what is the share of things like for other sahms?

I just don't know if I'm being unfair but it all seems very difficult and doesn't feel right to me.

Looks like he wants to end things anyway but would help me to know what's gone wrong.

Thank you

OP posts:
Bluebanisters · 23/06/2024 07:51

Also, he once came back from deployment and was annoyed and told me all he asks of me is to keep the house clean.

I had cleaned it, there was a bit of food on the floor from the kids at dinner when he was there aswell.

I told him he could have cleaned it himself or said nothing because he knew I'd been alone with the kids for 6 months and was very overwhelmed and doing my best.

Feel like it's never enough but I don't know how to do more.

OP posts:
haveatye · 23/06/2024 08:04

He sounds like a child expecting you to mother him. He wants to come home to a sparkling home and you waiting on him hand and foot and being so grateful that he's come back.

In return he gives... Some money but no love or time, consideration or understanding of what life is like for you.

Honestly this set up would make me feel dead inside, what with being isolated from any friends as well. You could have a much more fulfilling life without him, somewhere you can live on your own terms.

Is he young? Did he come straight from living with his mum to you?

It also sounds a bit like he gets all these orders and expectations in the military and comes home thinking he's your boss. Just not capable of a relationship. Sorry op.

Cantalever · 23/06/2024 08:11

No advice but just wanted to say Hi, and give virtual hug as it all sounds too difficult. life should be more shared than this with your DH. 💐

Bittenonce · 23/06/2024 08:14

Wow. I might not have been a perfect husband, but this really takes the biscuit.
His job is to provide money - not time, support, anything - yours is to do everything else.
Kids should be left alone so you can do more cleaning? Priceless.
And if he's saying 'he doesn't know if he wants to be with you' - actually he means he's thought about it, and really he doesn't. Or he doesn't care much either way.
I can't see any way that he is going to emotionally invest in you and the family, ever. At some stage he's going to leave. So I think you should make sure you control the timing and terms of this.
Don't torture yourself about thinking 'why did it end like this?' because I think it's just the way he is wired / has been brought up / military life.

VJBR · 23/06/2024 08:19

I don’t often go down the LTB route but honestly I think you would be better off apart. You are practically living the life of single mother anyway. Do you have any support locally?

pictoosh · 23/06/2024 08:25

Poor you - your husband is selfish and disrespectful.
He has some notion of a wife being a handy mix of mother and maid to him.
What a twat.

Ethylred · 23/06/2024 08:44

In your description he is a petulant bully and you are passive. (This is slightly beside the point but what do you do about the older child bullying the younger?)

Bluebanisters · 23/06/2024 08:54

Thank you all for your replies. I really felt none of this was right or normal but it's hard when it's all you really know and he tells me it's my fault, basically.

I don't live near family, no. If we split I would want to move back home because I have nothing else here.

OP posts:
Bluebanisters · 23/06/2024 08:56

Ethylred · 23/06/2024 08:44

In your description he is a petulant bully and you are passive. (This is slightly beside the point but what do you do about the older child bullying the younger?)

I wouldn't say she is bullying. She's only four and just struggles with controlling her anger like a lot of small kids.

I deal with it anyway obviously and yes besides the point.

OP posts:
StMarieforme · 23/06/2024 09:19

Who do men like this think they are? I have 2 adult sons who are fathers and they are exactly that. Fathers and husbands. Not spoilt man children expecting a servant at home.
Christ it's 2024. This shit was bad enough for my generation but it's ridiculous that they're still out there.
Get rid of him. You'll have 1 less child to look after.

Nouvellenovel · 23/06/2024 09:25

StMarieforme · 23/06/2024 09:19

Who do men like this think they are? I have 2 adult sons who are fathers and they are exactly that. Fathers and husbands. Not spoilt man children expecting a servant at home.
Christ it's 2024. This shit was bad enough for my generation but it's ridiculous that they're still out there.
Get rid of him. You'll have 1 less child to look after.

It’s most military though imo.
They do an amazing job as soldiers when necessary but seem to make terrible husbands and fathers.
The police are the same.

Tough guys who are just bullies really.

TwoThousandAcresofBlueSkyThinking · 23/06/2024 09:43

I really felt none of this was right or normal but it's hard when it's all you really know and he tells me it's my fault, basically.

It's very difficult to see things clearly because you're so busy, your head is filled with their behaviour and they can be very believable when they're blaming you for everything.

You'll be able to see it once you are away and have settled down. Life, although you'll still be a single parent (as you are now), will be easier because you won't have the doubts, blame and criticism. And you'll be back to your support network.

I wish you well @Bluebanisters Flowers

ToBeOrNotToBee · 23/06/2024 10:53

He has it in his head that you're his wife, maid, mother, and the only thing he needs to contribute is money.
Ask yourself, what do you get out of life. Whilst he's swanning off on exercise and adventure weeks, what do you get in return.
Life is for living, not treading on eggshells.

Itiswhysofew · 23/06/2024 11:01

He doesn't sound like a family man. Regardless of his job commitments, he'd be all over his DC if he truly wanted to. It's such a shame for them and you to live like that.

Bluebanisters · 23/06/2024 11:38

Thank you so much for all your messages.
I feel a bit of relief really to know this isn't normal or okay.
It's exactly like walking on eggshells and it feels very claustrophobic having no one else to see.
It's very overwhelming to start again but I think it would be a massive weight off my shoulders if I didn't live with him anymore.
He made me feel like a terrible wife and criticised my parenting, even though all I've done for the past 4 years is basically sit at home raising our babies all alone and waiting for him to come back.
Felt like I was never good enough. Like he wanted some 50s housewife, but even then they would have had people they knew and support from other women probably.
I had nothing and just did my best.

OP posts:
pikkumyy77 · 23/06/2024 11:45

You poor thing! This is 100 percent not ok! Move home —why live where you don’t want for this irritable, pouty, man child? Then divorce him. He will never improve.

Bluebanisters · 23/06/2024 11:50

pikkumyy77 · 23/06/2024 11:45

You poor thing! This is 100 percent not ok! Move home —why live where you don’t want for this irritable, pouty, man child? Then divorce him. He will never improve.

I will move.
Thank you.
It's just a hard thing to accept that someone you love actually doesn't think you're worth treating properly. It still hurts even though I know it's him and I deserve better.
I think I'd be a better mum away from him.

OP posts:
Codlingmoths · 23/06/2024 11:54

Move back home, that’s the most important thing, that you have support. Then work out the divorce. Speak to a lawyer.
i wouldn’t even be in a relationship with a man who is away large chunks of the time, as I wouldn’t have kids with one. Children for me are something you have together with a partner- a man who is away for work and when he’s home he is his only priority and he’s upset you aren’t focussed on him too? When you have two young children you’ve been looking after solo for months? Throw the whole man into the bin, he’s not worth another second of your time.

pikkumyy77 · 23/06/2024 11:58

Its really him, not you! Its hard not to take it personally but its not personal. He is, on some level, not competent to be a good husband. This would probably be true for any relationship that includes children. Maybe he could continue being attentive and loving if he were in a more casual dating relationship but that is only because such a relationship assigns more power to the woman: power to date others, make comparisons, make demands, withhold sex, etc…

I’m sure he was more romantic when you were first dating. But that was probably largely performative and didn’t reflect his real style which is sefish and needy. He is in competition with the children for attention. At work with the military he has to perform as a manly msn but st home he wants to be coddled snd fussed over. You don’t have time and energy for thst as you have young children.

Get out before he gets you pregnant again and runs off to play soldiers.

IdLikeToBeAFraser · 23/06/2024 12:02

So he doesn't want to spend time with you or the children, or take any responsibility for any of the tasks that come with a home and a family? I bet he still wants sex though? And for lovely homecooked meals?

Honestly, no OP, this is not normal at all and you are right to question it. It sounds like his job, and his friends/life when he's on deployment are his core life and you and the DC are just for in between. I'm sorry.

Bluebanisters · 23/06/2024 13:25

Thank you everyone.
He says things like I complain all the time because I have said it would be easier for me to live near my family and friends and that I find it hard being alone so much.
I don't complain about him being away, I know it's his job, but it has been very hard for me living away from everyone.
He thinks I'm ungrateful I think. He says things like I don't appreciate the house and life he has provided for me.
He can also be thoughtful with other things which messed with my head. I focused on the good bits and ignored the bad mostly I guess. But I know it shouldn't be this hard.

OP posts:
pikkumyy77 · 23/06/2024 13:33

Flip it around! Why should YOU be more grateful to HIM?

He doesn’t appreciate the sacrifices you have made for him: supporting his career, doing without companionship for months on end, birthing two children, raising his children for him because he us away—these are all non monetary sacrifices you have made for your family. How does he show his appreciation to you?

This is all besides the point. A great observation Ive seen is that a relationship is not a legal case that you “win” by point scoring, logic, or appeals to the rules. A relationship is a single body that has good health or bad health. Is your relationship unhealthy? What medicine will bring it back to health.

Aria999 · 23/06/2024 14:32

Taking a step back; you're not happy and it's not likely to change while you're with him (his attitude seems entrenched and his work pattern would be difficult to deal with in the best of relationships).

Life is short, and goes by fast. Grab your happiness while you can.

TwoThousandAcresofBlueSkyThinking · 23/06/2024 15:56

He can also be thoughtful with other things which messed with my head.

That's what it's designed to do - to mess with your head, to keep you there, to have you living in hope that the next good time will last forever, to confuse you, to make him the hero and you the unreasonable complaining wife, precisely to have you forgive or ignore the bad things. He considers the good times that he allows you the price he has to pay to keep you where you are, accepting his bad side (the real him).

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