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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

DH hiding e-cig AGAIN

46 replies

Starf · 25/09/2024 23:43

I'm having a wobble and need outside perspective.

To be clear, it's lying I have an issue with and the levels of deceit involved.

I saw my DH lifting up towards the top of the kitchen cupboards earlier and when I looked he moved quickly. He left the room and I had a look and there was an e cigarette.

We've had this in the past. He lies about silly things but also bigger things and just has a real issue with being 'judged' in any way and will lie if he thinks I won't like something.

First time was around 8 years ago when I found a plastic bag full of the liquids that go in them. He said it was his brother's and I believed him. The lying hadn't really come out at that point so I just accepted it.

Then a few years later I found the stick thing in his bag when getting something. He said it was old and not his. I've found them multiple times and only the last few years has he admitted it was his. I said to him I don't have an issue, I just don't like the idea of him sneaking around. Once I found it behind the toilet when cleaning. Another he had fallen asleep drunk on the sofa and it was on his chest.

We have a joint account where wages go and so he says he uses bits of cash to buy them. He takes them to work every day and then comes home and hides it right away so it isn't in his bag.

When I find them he says he doesn't want to do it and will stop and even throws them away but it's clearly just a front. I've said just please be honest. The shady behaviour makes me anxious.

I feel like I'm over reacting. I feel upset tonight because last time he promised me he wouldn't hide it again and after a while he said he was stopping and I asked him to tell me if he starts again. He says I'm being controlling and it shouldn't be an issue because hes not hurting me or cheating on me. He can't seem to understand that this constant lying is a problem.

Am I being silly??

OP posts:
llamalines · 25/09/2024 23:46

No, you're not being silly. The bottom line is he lies to you if he thinks you won't like the truth.

It's a childish, cowardly way of avoiding dealing with things.

My ex partner does the same and I hate it.

itsmylife7 · 25/09/2024 23:47

what's the issue with him vaping ?

Did he smoke cigarettes before ?

Birdscratch · 25/09/2024 23:47

What would happen if he told you he was vaping and was going to keep vaping?

Messen · 25/09/2024 23:49

Have to say I think this is just one for him to deal with.

You can’t shame or force someone with a nicotine addiction to give it up.

I mean, if there are other more significant episodes of lying that is a different thing, but the vapes alone, let him deal with that himself. At least he isn’t smoking fags.

Starf · 25/09/2024 23:54

Last time I found it, we had that chat. I tried to explain that in my original post but I am feeling wobbly so maybe wasn't clear.

I said he needs to tell me what he's doing and if he's using it then it can't be a secret. He said he would continue and wouldn't hide it.

After a while he said he was stopping and got rid and that's when I said if he starts again can he needs to tell me. And he said he would. This was about a year ago I think. I've just found it and he said he's been using it since early in the year. So a while. doing the same old things of stashing cash and hiding it and taking it to and from work.

I wish I wasn't upset by it. The thought of the sneaking around to hide it from me is what hurts. It's something that must take up some energy and it makes me anxious that any part of his day is focused on hiding things from me.

OP posts:
Birdscratch · 26/09/2024 00:01

It doesn’t sound like you’re actively doing anything to make him feel like he has to hide it. I’d assume then that he feels ashamed about it for some reason, so he hides it from you.

Starf · 26/09/2024 00:04

Birdscratch · 26/09/2024 00:01

It doesn’t sound like you’re actively doing anything to make him feel like he has to hide it. I’d assume then that he feels ashamed about it for some reason, so he hides it from you.

I think because I get emotional, and his hiding it has caused issues, he just avoids the subject entirely.
It's so frustrating because he's right - why does it matter and why can't I just move past him lying because he wasn't lying about anything that would hurt me. It just feels constant and I really hate this feeling.

OP posts:
Edingril · 26/09/2024 00:04

He is a grown up it is none of your business

Starf · 26/09/2024 00:05

Edingril · 26/09/2024 00:04

He is a grown up it is none of your business

So why is he hiding it? I don't understand. I don't understand a marriage that involves deceit and secrets.

OP posts:
sunflowersngunpowdr · 26/09/2024 00:06

Starf · 25/09/2024 23:54

Last time I found it, we had that chat. I tried to explain that in my original post but I am feeling wobbly so maybe wasn't clear.

I said he needs to tell me what he's doing and if he's using it then it can't be a secret. He said he would continue and wouldn't hide it.

After a while he said he was stopping and got rid and that's when I said if he starts again can he needs to tell me. And he said he would. This was about a year ago I think. I've just found it and he said he's been using it since early in the year. So a while. doing the same old things of stashing cash and hiding it and taking it to and from work.

I wish I wasn't upset by it. The thought of the sneaking around to hide it from me is what hurts. It's something that must take up some energy and it makes me anxious that any part of his day is focused on hiding things from me.

Why does he need to tell you? Why do you need to know? I genuinely don't understand why you are upset by this.

FailureAndSuicide · 26/09/2024 00:06

You're controlling

MarkingBad · 26/09/2024 00:08

Lying to keep the peace goes back to trying to appease family members in childhood.

Did he have someone who went bonkers over ridiculous things when he was little?

Starf · 26/09/2024 00:09

sunflowersngunpowdr · 26/09/2024 00:06

Why does he need to tell you? Why do you need to know? I genuinely don't understand why you are upset by this.

I suppose he doesn't. But it's odd. I'm upset by being lied to. By omission. He literally sneaks around and hides it and I feel weirded out at the thought of that.

Honesty is important to me.

OP posts:
Starf · 26/09/2024 00:10

MarkingBad · 26/09/2024 00:08

Lying to keep the peace goes back to trying to appease family members in childhood.

Did he have someone who went bonkers over ridiculous things when he was little?

Yes. He doesn't have a great relationship with his Dad and his dad wasn't a pleasant man.

OP posts:
Starf · 26/09/2024 00:11

FailureAndSuicide · 26/09/2024 00:06

You're controlling

Why? Because id like my husband not to actively spend his days hiding things from me?

OP posts:
FailureAndSuicide · 26/09/2024 00:12

He can vape if he wants to. Get it now?

Edingril · 26/09/2024 00:12

Starf · 26/09/2024 00:05

So why is he hiding it? I don't understand. I don't understand a marriage that involves deceit and secrets.

To be brutally honest about it because you sound insane over it, why do people have to be accused of hiding something when it is no one else's business that they are doing it

Birdscratch · 26/09/2024 00:12

It sounds like you’ve been hurt in the past and so now you’re very ‘triggered’ by anything that smacks of lying or deception. I think that’s something you can work on if you want to. It’s causing you to be disproportionately upset about this. He’s, very badly, hiding a vaping habit for his own weird reasons.

MarkingBad · 26/09/2024 00:12

Starf · 26/09/2024 00:10

Yes. He doesn't have a great relationship with his Dad and his dad wasn't a pleasant man.

There is your answer as to why then. He's not doing it to annoy or hurt you but because he is trying not to upset you.

He needs help with that not someone else who gives him a good talking to

Starf · 26/09/2024 00:14

FailureAndSuicide · 26/09/2024 00:12

He can vape if he wants to. Get it now?

Why are you so angry?

OP posts:
offyoujollywelltrot · 26/09/2024 00:17

You sound really controlling.

Starf · 26/09/2024 00:18

So I assume from these responses then that it's normal to hide things in marriages. For no reason at all when you're supposed to be rebuilding trust. scary

OP posts:
FailureAndSuicide · 26/09/2024 00:18

Starf · 26/09/2024 00:14

Why are you so angry?

I'm hiding from you

MarkingBad · 26/09/2024 00:21

Starf · 26/09/2024 00:18

So I assume from these responses then that it's normal to hide things in marriages. For no reason at all when you're supposed to be rebuilding trust. scary

TBF no one has said that it's normal to hide things and lie. Your DH has an issue that means that's how he copes with upsetting people when he does something he thinks will cause an issue.

You keep calling him out on it and the more you do it the more it causes him to hide things and make up silly lies

Pooeyskewy · 26/09/2024 00:23

Husband is probably hiding having a vape because of your reaction! Absolutely nothing sinister TBH . Allow him to have a vape , accept and move on .