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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 different behind close doors…

33 replies

dublinderby34 · 05/01/2025 19:08

My husband is nice and friendly and caring with me when we are outside of the house, usually even when it’s just us, but more so infront of people. Behind close doors, he mostly refuses to talk about anything of meaning or depth, is very condescending towards me and often tries to make me feel stupid.

Examples
We was watching a show in bed last night and I asked maybe 3 questions in an hour about the show as I didn’t fully understand what was going on. He was fairly snappy with me and even if he knows I’ve noticed he purposely won’t tell me or pretends not to know.
This morning I wake up in a good mood, but apparently my energy is too much for him he says. First thing he says to me is that everytime he looks over I am getting off my phone when I was texting my sister? So I said oh I didn’t know it looked like that I didn’t know you was awake but that is a coincidence. Then he starts saying how I asked too many questions last night. Few minutes later I come back and hug him from behind and he is just cold and proceeds to tell me my energy is too much which I reply he is being miserable, but then apparently he accuses me of trying to tell him what kind of mood he is in and he’s fine?

I proceed to get ready as I’m really trying not to let him affect my mood. I play my music quietly and get ready. He proceeds to want to argue it seems.

What is this? Is it depression? It’s usually always in the mornings. He cuts of any chance of feeling an emotional connection and usually only touches me when he wants something sexual.

I am in his country and I have to stay with him for 2 years unless I get deported. I do love him but I can’t be treated like this. Does anyone have any advice? I have tried to discuss it and he goes into denial mode or just says maybe I should have said it differently and a few days later goes back to normal.

When we have date nights and his friends or family texts him he always wants to go drinking with them, and I can tell usually doesn’t enjoy doing things just us two. When I ask him to walk my dogs with me he trails along behind me miserable trying to ruin it for me. I have started going without him. I am going to sign up to the gym just to give me some independence as I dont Have any friends here.
It’s almost like he has contempt.

OP posts:
CurlsLDN · 05/01/2025 19:14

How do you feel about him? Do you still love and want to be with him, given this is how he now acts?
you deserve to be treated better than this, keep that at the forefront of your mind

dublinderby34 · 05/01/2025 19:16

dublinderby34 · 05/01/2025 19:08

My husband is nice and friendly and caring with me when we are outside of the house, usually even when it’s just us, but more so infront of people. Behind close doors, he mostly refuses to talk about anything of meaning or depth, is very condescending towards me and often tries to make me feel stupid.

Examples
We was watching a show in bed last night and I asked maybe 3 questions in an hour about the show as I didn’t fully understand what was going on. He was fairly snappy with me and even if he knows I’ve noticed he purposely won’t tell me or pretends not to know.
This morning I wake up in a good mood, but apparently my energy is too much for him he says. First thing he says to me is that everytime he looks over I am getting off my phone when I was texting my sister? So I said oh I didn’t know it looked like that I didn’t know you was awake but that is a coincidence. Then he starts saying how I asked too many questions last night. Few minutes later I come back and hug him from behind and he is just cold and proceeds to tell me my energy is too much which I reply he is being miserable, but then apparently he accuses me of trying to tell him what kind of mood he is in and he’s fine?

I proceed to get ready as I’m really trying not to let him affect my mood. I play my music quietly and get ready. He proceeds to want to argue it seems.

What is this? Is it depression? It’s usually always in the mornings. He cuts of any chance of feeling an emotional connection and usually only touches me when he wants something sexual.

I am in his country and I have to stay with him for 2 years unless I get deported. I do love him but I can’t be treated like this. Does anyone have any advice? I have tried to discuss it and he goes into denial mode or just says maybe I should have said it differently and a few days later goes back to normal.

When we have date nights and his friends or family texts him he always wants to go drinking with them, and I can tell usually doesn’t enjoy doing things just us two. When I ask him to walk my dogs with me he trails along behind me miserable trying to ruin it for me. I have started going without him. I am going to sign up to the gym just to give me some independence as I dont Have any friends here.
It’s almost like he has contempt.

NOTE I’m also 32 so feel like I would like to have kids soon. I wonder if it doesn’t work out is 34 too old to meet someone and start a family. I’m feeling really stuck. He is seeing someone in therapy but he basically is using that as a chance to complain about me.

OP posts:
tweddler · 05/01/2025 19:18

This is no way to live. Be thankful you haven't had children with this guy and find someone who actually likes you.

dublinderby34 · 05/01/2025 19:18

tweddler · 05/01/2025 19:18

This is no way to live. Be thankful you haven't had children with this guy and find someone who actually likes you.

Do you suggest trying to ride it out for the 18 months I need to stay here? I’m so stuck. I have started a life and job here…

OP posts:
TheHighPriestess1 · 05/01/2025 19:21

I think I’d rather be deported than live like this. Why do you have to stay 2 yrs? Was he like this when you met?

Gliblet · 05/01/2025 19:21

dublinderby34 · 05/01/2025 19:18

Do you suggest trying to ride it out for the 18 months I need to stay here? I’m so stuck. I have started a life and job here…

Why on earth would you settle for another 18 months of misery and isolation? Consider the last 6 months an experiment. You've learned what you needed to from it - I.e. whether or not this is someone you want to be with longer term. He's been on probation and he's failed it. Time to cut your losses and go and find someone you do want to be with.

username0763 · 05/01/2025 19:21

He doesn't seem to like you very much and you irritate him. He doesn't want to spend time with you but he wants others to think he's a nice guy in a good relationship.

Zoomo · 05/01/2025 19:22

Where are your family? It sounds miserable staying with him just to get residency.

dublinderby34 · 05/01/2025 19:22

TheHighPriestess1 · 05/01/2025 19:21

I think I’d rather be deported than live like this. Why do you have to stay 2 yrs? Was he like this when you met?

No he wasn’t like this when I met him. He said things would be better when I move here (we was arguing before) and he blamed the distance. He was open, complimentary, affectionate and couldn’t stop telling me how great I was when I first met him. Of course he blames me for the change, saying I changed how I was first? I have been consistent.

OP posts:
Zoomo · 05/01/2025 19:24

Sorry my about assumption about residency based on what you said about being deported. Anyway you both seem unhappy. Can you leave him?

dublinderby34 · 05/01/2025 19:24

username0763 · 05/01/2025 19:21

He doesn't seem to like you very much and you irritate him. He doesn't want to spend time with you but he wants others to think he's a nice guy in a good relationship.

He is very easily irritated. If it’s not me it would be the next person.

OP posts:
Thornybush · 05/01/2025 19:24

Did you only marry to get your visa OP? Sounds like you should cut your losses now, it doesn't sound like a happy life. Why are you so keen to stay in that country, can you not go home?

AttilaTheMeerkat · 05/01/2025 19:25

You are in an abusive relationship with him. He wants to present a nice family man image to others, a good outside image is all important to abusive men. Cut your losses now and get away from him. Do not stay another 18 months there.

Do not get pregnant by him, that will be a sure fire way of keeping you trapped with him. He will be unlikely to permit you to keep your child with you.

dublinderby34 · 05/01/2025 19:25

Zoomo · 05/01/2025 19:24

Sorry my about assumption about residency based on what you said about being deported. Anyway you both seem unhappy. Can you leave him?

Of course I can leave but I would mess up my process and I changed my career to this country for him.

OP posts:
Zoomo · 05/01/2025 19:27

I agree with @AttilaTheMeerkat you should cut your losses, imagine what this situation will be like in 3 years time.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 05/01/2025 19:28

You now need to rebuild your life without him in it. All your words are those that an abused person writes.

Where is your support network in his country?. Importantly too what are women’s rights where you are re divorce and property?.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 05/01/2025 19:30

He got you to his country under false pretences and hid the full extent of his true nature until you arrived. There were some red flags re him before you got there (there were arguments ) but sadly you minimised these or simply did not recognise them.

Semiramide · 05/01/2025 19:33

I am in his country and I have to stay with him for 2 years unless I get deported

Leave now. Whatever you do, do not have children with this man. You'd be well and truly stuck.

Cut your losses now.

dublinderby34 · 05/01/2025 19:39

Semiramide · 05/01/2025 19:33

I am in his country and I have to stay with him for 2 years unless I get deported

Leave now. Whatever you do, do not have children with this man. You'd be well and truly stuck.

Cut your losses now.

Is 34 too old to start over if I manage to stick it out and save up to be independent of him?

OP posts:
Zoomo · 05/01/2025 19:47

Please leave him. Your future self will thank you. You have one life. Why stay??

Ellie56 · 05/01/2025 19:48

dublinderby34 · 05/01/2025 19:39

Is 34 too old to start over if I manage to stick it out and save up to be independent of him?

Why would you want to "stick it out"? He sounds awful. This is no way to live. Just get rid.

unsync · 05/01/2025 20:00

He's choosing to treat you like this. It won't get better, but will most likely get worse. Fortunately you don't have children. Leave. Now.

rwalker · 05/01/2025 20:08

To be blunt it hasn’t worked out he more than likely wants to end it and would of done if there wasn’t a visa issue

ultimately he must feel trapped as the only way he can end it is by deporting you hence being unhappy

I think you have to realistically look at leaving his country

Irridescantshimmmer · 05/01/2025 20:14

He's toxic.

SorryNotSorry00 · 21/11/2025 04:32

dublinderby34 · 05/01/2025 19:39

Is 34 too old to start over if I manage to stick it out and save up to be independent of him?

You sound like so many women who marry Irish men to stay in Europe. I am guessing you are from Brazil?

Don’t waste either of your time and just leave.