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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

Advice needed after argument

83 replies

BeSpryRubyScroller · 24/04/2025 15:43

I would be grateful of any advice as I am feeling really low. I’ve been married to my husband for nearly twenty years and we have two children who are both teenagers.

I work part time 3 days per week and part of my wages goes on a cleaner every two weeks.

i finished work yesterday and picked up my children from school. We have just come back (Tuesday) from holiday over Easter and everything was fine. Obviously the house was in chaos. Clothes / suitcases etc everywhere and everything was untidy so as soon as I got home yesterday I started tidying up and putting stuff away in readiness for my cleaner coming today whilst I would be at work.

I emptied all the suitcases of clothes but left the suitcases downstairs as they were still heavy and cumbersome with all the shoes and remainder of toiletries in them.

I solidly was tidying away for at least two and half hours when my husband arrived home from work. I was upstairs in our bedroom. He came in and went straight to say hello to the children and then when he came into our room he walked in and said a vague hello and then said I hadn’t opened the side curtains of the windows and could I do it. I explained that I had been super busy and hadn’t occurred to me to open them. I was then pottering around whilst he was getting changed to go to the gym and I asked him if he could bring the suitcases upstairs to which he replied he’d do it when he would be back from the gym. I explained I could be getting on and emptying them whilst he was at the gym so he said he would bring them up. He then said “you still haven’t opened the curtains” to which I replied “you still haven’t picked up the bath mat which I’ve asked tou to do countless times” and he responded with “I can’t wait to go out you are always moaning” so I responded with “I can’t wait for you to go out either” to which he replied “f* you”. I asked why he had said that and he said because I said I can’t wait for you to go out which was nasty. He then went downstairs.

I followed him down and asked why it was ok for him to say such a thing to me but when I replied with a similar comment he told me to f* myself. He didn’t listen. Wasn’t answering told me to get out of the way and then walked out in a different direction. I asked him to take the suitcases upstairs and he refused. So I said well I won’t make your dinner then.

Then and I’m not proud what happened then but I just lost my rag. I called him a name, said I hated him. Really saw Red mist. Started lagging the suitcases upstairs but ended up throwing them back down. My children were crying and I am upset that I upset them. My husband was shouting at me to “get out” of the house but I took myself off upstairs to calm down. I very quickly calmed down and apologised to my children. By this point my husband had left and gone to the gym. When he came home I apologised for calling him a name, throwing the suitcases and upsetting the children.

However he doesn’t think he’s done anything wrong in how he spoke to me prior to all this happening. Yes my reaction was totally over the top and I’m sorry this happened. Im really upset with myself too over it. But I can’t get past how he now thinks he’s done nothing wrong. Almost as through because I’ve reacted in the way I did he is the victim.

I would be grateful of any advice. In my opinion he always is the instigator of arguments and for the most part I keep my cool but as I said I saw red yesterday and I’m not proud of that.

OP posts:
RunLikeTheWild · 24/04/2025 17:51

This sounds like reactive abuse, google it, I can't post the link for some reason.

Op's DH was manipulative, winding up op until she snapped, then he acts like the victim.
It's a classic narcissistic behaviour.

MooseAndSquirrelLoveFlannel · 24/04/2025 17:55

He was trying to get a rise out of you, put you in your place. He thought you'd be a good little wife and open the curtains and wait for him to finish expressing his manliness at the gym.

But you didn't, you fought back and he couldn't handle it.

You saw red, these things happen. Your kids are old enough to understand that even parents sometimes just have enough and you had hit that point. Of course, it's not great but unless this is a constant event, it's hardly going to scar your children for life.

I'd suggest all of you sit down and set a plan of who does what in the house.

Snoken · 24/04/2025 17:56

What a mess! Yes, you were too aggressive and he was too nit-picky, that was the result of something. There seems to be a lot of resentment between you. Does he think that because you are working PT you should keep the house in better order? Do you think that just because he works FT that doesn't absolve him from doing anything around the house? There is such an inbalance between the two of you and by the sounds of it, zero affection. I also think you have two very lazy teens. If you spent 2.5 hours emtying suitcases (that on its own must mean you travelled with about 18 suitcases between you), why were they just sitting there watching on?

It's time for a family shake-up. It sounds like you are stuck somewhere when the kids were tiny and couldn't do anything and your husband unfortunately never left the 1950s.

AnonAnonmystery · 24/04/2025 18:44

Feelthesunswarmth · 24/04/2025 17:30

Of course a woman can carry suitcases upstairs!

But why should she when she has already done most of the unpacking for the whole family and spent a couple of hours cleaning the house!

I assume you are suggesting it SHOULD be the woman's job to carry the heavy suitcases upstairs because perish the thought the lord and master of the house should lift a finger and contribute to the household chores.

And he seeks more than happy to go to the gym and probably lift some weights!

WakingUpToReality · 24/04/2025 19:10

he responded with “I can’t wait to go out you are always moaning” so I responded with “I can’t wait for you to go out either” to which he replied “fyou”. I asked why he had said that and he said because I said I can’t wait for you to go out which was nasty.*

I see that he escalated (swearing at you) when you wouldn’t back down. You didn’t escalate, he did. And he wouldn’t allow you to say to him what he had just said to you. He sounds entitled. In the end you were apologizing. Did he apologize equally? From this glimpse of your exchange, looks to me like has to win and be in control. Is he often like this?

PeggyMitchellsCameo · 24/04/2025 19:50

I can understand why OP lost her shit.
He sounds like an absolute knob. If he’d have just come and helped with the one thing he was asked to do, the red mist would have been averted.
OP is exhausted at this point, and he’s been vile and buggered off to the gym.
And I’m sorry but the DC should have helped, too.
OP is not the domestic slave.

Screamingabdabz · 24/04/2025 19:59

So he comes home from work and fucks off out to the gym leaving you to do everything and your only threat is that you won’t ’cook his dinner’? God what is this? Some 1950s kitchen sink drama? Why are you the default domestic drudge? I suspect he has no respect for you because you have none for yourself.

Catoo · 24/04/2025 20:01

SaraSosej · 24/04/2025 16:43

I’m not understanding why you had to open the curtains? Does your DH not know how to?

Admit I’ve been ruminating on this also.

BeSpryRubyScroller · 25/04/2025 06:38

Thank you so much for the replies so far. I really appreciate it.

We are still not speaking. I didn’t finish work until 630 last night and then had to be straight out at 7. I picked up one of my children and made them a quick meal before I left. I obviously didn’t have any dinner myself as was in a rush so he would have had to sort himself and my eldest out.

I got home around 10, made lunches for myself and my children for today and had a couple of crumpets for my dinner and then went to bed.

He came up saying “how has it gotten to this” and then went and slept in another room so I guess we are still not speaking!

i guess at some point this weekend it will come to a head but I am going to hold my ground.

OP posts:
BeSpryRubyScroller · 25/04/2025 06:40

Sulu17 · 24/04/2025 15:51

It's all very well to feel stressed with each other, but if this is happening frequently and if it is 'never his fault' then I think there is a problem. Do you think your DH would be open to couples counselling?

we last had a blow up in January and after this I sorted some therapy for myself and they suggested that we have couples therapy which he said he didn’t think was necessary for him. To be fair I haven’t had mine yet though as on a waiting list.

OP posts:
Curioushoney · 25/04/2025 06:40

These children are both teens op?

op, fgs this sounds hellish for them. Their parents behave like vicious toddlers scrapping

Curioushoney · 25/04/2025 06:41

I’m failing to see the relevance of all the dinner, making lunches and a couple of crumpets details

BeSpryRubyScroller · 25/04/2025 06:42

SaraSosej · 24/04/2025 16:43

I’m not understanding why you had to open the curtains? Does your DH not know how to?

In our bedroom we have three windows. One big one at the front and two at the side. I always open just the big one and leave the two smaller ones and he always moans that I never open the smaller ones x

OP posts:
BeSpryRubyScroller · 25/04/2025 06:44

Curioushoney · 24/04/2025 17:01

*He then said “you still haven’t opened the curtains” to which I replied “you still haven’t picked up the bath mat which I’ve asked tou to do countless times” and he responded with “I can’t wait to go out you are always moaning” so I responded with “I can’t wait for you to go out either” to which he replied “fyou”. I asked why he had said that and he said because I said I can’t wait for you to go out which was nasty.

did your kids hear this exchange op?

They was in the room for the first part where he was asking about the curtains and then they disappeared to their own rooms. When he said “f* you” neither of them was in the room.

OP posts:
Curioushoney · 25/04/2025 06:47

“They disappeared to their rooms”

no doubt the story of their childhoods

BeSpryRubyScroller · 25/04/2025 06:47

RentalWoesNotFun · 24/04/2025 17:09

This.
Id also suggest you work start working full time or nearly full time as teens don’t need you the way small children would. Does your husband expect you to do all the chores etc BECAUSE your job is part time?

Build up your savings. You may need then to leave at some point.

No he doesn’t expect me to do all the chores. He does the loading of the dishwasher I do the unloading. He does most of the washing / tumble and then I fold up. I do allocate everyone’s washing for them to put away. I do all of the cooking / lunches and walking of the dog. I don’t iron as I steam my clothes as and when needed. He irons his shirts and the children’s school shirts. He doesn’t like driving so I do all of the running around for the children.

OP posts:
BeSpryRubyScroller · 25/04/2025 06:47

LovelyCupOfTeaThankYou · 24/04/2025 17:11

Is he normally so cold?

Pretty much yes

OP posts:
BeSpryRubyScroller · 25/04/2025 06:49

YRGAM · 24/04/2025 17:33

The speed at which this escalated suggests a real lack of goodwill between you. Do you spend time together as a couple, touch, have sex, go on dates, chat about random things? It sounds like both of you are so resentful of the other and not prepared to give an inch to each other

No, we don’t. I have pushed for these things over the years to be met with a brick wall so have given up on that tbh.

OP posts:
AnonAnonmystery · 25/04/2025 06:57

BeSpryRubyScroller · 25/04/2025 06:49

No, we don’t. I have pushed for these things over the years to be met with a brick wall so have given up on that tbh.

No wonder things are like this. When you do have love, sex and connection firstly things don’t get this bad. Usually it’s a case of make up after half an hour, kiss, cuddle and forgive each other for being human.

Do you think your husband has checked out? And uou in turn have checked our due to his neglect of the relationship? How old are you both?

CagneyNYPD1 · 25/04/2025 07:36

@BeSpryRubyScrollerIt all sounds pretty miserable for all of you.

Curioushoney · 25/04/2025 07:39

BeSpryRubyScroller · 25/04/2025 06:47

No he doesn’t expect me to do all the chores. He does the loading of the dishwasher I do the unloading. He does most of the washing / tumble and then I fold up. I do allocate everyone’s washing for them to put away. I do all of the cooking / lunches and walking of the dog. I don’t iron as I steam my clothes as and when needed. He irons his shirts and the children’s school shirts. He doesn’t like driving so I do all of the running around for the children.

Your children are teenagers and would appear they do squat all

Bumblebeestiltskin · 25/04/2025 07:40

CagneyNYPD1 · 25/04/2025 07:36

@BeSpryRubyScrollerIt all sounds pretty miserable for all of you.

Agree. @BeSpryRubyScroller why are you still together?

WakingUpToReality · 25/04/2025 07:45

Curioushoney · 25/04/2025 06:41

I’m failing to see the relevance of all the dinner, making lunches and a couple of crumpets details

Edited

The relevance is she is still busy making lunch for the kids at 10pm - why isn’t he? Curtains? He moans about curtains?

Curioushoney · 25/04/2025 07:46

WakingUpToReality · 25/04/2025 07:45

The relevance is she is still busy making lunch for the kids at 10pm - why isn’t he? Curtains? He moans about curtains?

Or indeed why aren’t the teenagers making their own bloomin lunch

nopineapplepizza · 25/04/2025 08:04

So you don’t spend time together as a couple, touch, have sex, go on dates or chat about random things?

You’ve asked him in the past to do these things and he’s declined?

This isn’t a marriage, it’s a house share between two adults that don’t like each other and your DC are growing up believing that the coldness between you is “normal” and how marriage is.

That, above all things, is the biggest shame, because your DC are likely to end up in similar relationships, behaving in similar ways, because they’ve been taught that it’s “love”.

It really isn’t love you know 🤷‍♀️ it’s more like resentment and dislike and distrust and disrespect.