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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

Please help me, give me honest feedback!

22 replies

Motherhen86 · 18/05/2025 14:42

Hi, soooo, it was my birthday yesterday (39 nothing too special)
Just for context together with my husband 20 odd years, married 7 been through lots of ups and downs. 5 children together (21,18,15,10,7)
I’m always organiser of the birthdays/christmas/occasions but we do have some usual small birthday traditions (cupcakes, choice of takeaway/dinner, presents always put out for the morning with card and banner) I do the same
for my children and my husband with as much thought as possible and save up as necessary.
Woke up and made myself a coffee and had a parcel still sealed “lobbed” my way by my husband saying I didn’t have wrapping paper as our daughter ran out while she was wrapping presents (she had bought) and then he asked what the plans were and I said our son has football and youngest daughter has a party after, to which he replied he didn’t know, I said I’d told him a few times and he angrily mumbled he can’t remember everything!
My 18year old daughter organised and bought cards and presents for the younger kids and helped them to wrap because they love to be involved in the process and they brought them down for me open- which was lovely.
So off to football for my 15 year old that morning, perfectly fine, up and out early, husband came and sat next to me through the game (albeit mostly on his phone) had some other football mums there and a nice sunny day-absolutely fine. Next on to the birthday party that I also needed to stay at (party with a few friends at the park/river bit of a buffet) on the way I said “don’t forget it’s at place” to which he replies “I hate when people do that and tell me like I don’t know” he drops us off and I said if you're going home instead would you tidy up a bit as my family was popping over in a bit. Just quick run the hoover around, wash up, take school bags washing up from the night before.. he comes back to pick us up at the designated time and it was hot and he seemed a bit miffed at waiting for us for about 20 mins as I tried to prize the kids from the park/said our goodbyes. Got home, nothing tidied, oh well, I’ll have a cuppa and crack on with it.
Sat down with said cuppa to put a new watch strap on my new smart watch and couldn’t find the little metal attachments, I asked did you throw the wrapping paper away as I think there are some bits missing? A big huff from him and “I suppose I’ll have to go through the outside bin!” After some searching couldn’t find them so started trying to use the pieces from the original strap to fasten new strap on, proceeded to break the new watch completely and then stormed outside after being short with me about it. Fine 🤷🏻‍♀️
He stayed outside in the shed watching videos on his phone for a while and made it in when my family arrived to which he seemed to sit in the corner sulking.
He had enlisted my daughter (18) to buy and sort the birthday cake/candles. So she came down to put that together and then he brought it in without rounding up our children from
the garden. My family left and that was it for the evening. I said it’s lovely out it would be nice to pop out for a drink in a garden somewhere, to which the reply was we don’t have money to waste at this time of the month! The kids asked if we were having a takeaway, nope apparently not.
i would have been happy if he’d offered to cook dinner but i cooked the kids dinner and then cooked myself something from the freezer later.
I just feel a bit deflated but just not sure if I’m overreacting?
I haven’t said anything to my husband as I don’t want to seem ungrateful just was hoping for a bit more effort or positivity for the day.
I know it’s got nothing to do with it but I’m finding my job very stressful at the moment and was looking forward to a lovely weekend and I feel a bit meh about his part in it. I tend to gaslight myself into “grow up” about these things so I welcome any feedback of how you would feel if it were you?

OP posts:
MounjaroMounjaro · 18/05/2025 14:44

Ugh what a selfish and lazy bastard he is. If this is typical, start to think about the years ahead and how you want to spend them.

And happy birthday - I'm so sorry you had to spend it with him.

MounjaroMounjaro · 18/05/2025 14:45

You're not sounding ungrateful as he didn't do anything you should be grateful for.

S0j0urn4r · 18/05/2025 14:52

Your kids are more mature than this dick head.
I would ignore his next birthday and see how he likes it.
Can you have a girls day out with friends and/ or your older two next weekend as a belated celebration?

perfectcolourfound · 18/05/2025 16:45

I agree with pp - you aren't ungrateful. He did nothing to be grateful for. No effort. Not even when you made suggestions of nice things to do. It looks like your 18 year old knows he's pretty useless and tried to make up for it. That makes the 18 year old more mature and thoughtful, and a decent person. I would be a bit worried she would see that as normal, and end up with a similarly thoughtless / lazy man.

WhoAmIToTellYou · 18/05/2025 16:56

From what i am reading, his input into the day was lobbing a parcel (present?) at you and then some help with organising your 18 year old to do the cake. The rest of the day he was fucking grumpy and snappy, right?
My verdict is, he was shit tbh. Perhaps he felt he was outdone by kids doing presents for you and like he couldn’t compete? Still not a reason to be grumpy all day long.
Ask him what the problem was. I assume that is not his typical behaviour on your birthday?

happy20218 · 18/05/2025 17:28

Are you sure he’s playing games on his phone ? He sounds abit checked out xx

GreenCandleWax · 18/05/2025 17:39

I could not be married to someone like this. He was totally miserable, selfish, uncaring and immature. No way. I am astounded that you ask if you are ungrateful. What have you had from him to be grateful about? This kind of modelling to your DC of uninvolved and selfish, uncaring behaviour in what should be a loving partnership is a real worry. Tell him in all seriousness to either shape up as an involved partner, or ship out. Don't put up with this.💐

TimeOutTimeOut · 18/05/2025 18:16

You should have gone out for that garden drink in the sunshine !

If you cannot "waste money" on your birthday, then there is no hope

He was lazy & did nothing to make your day feel special

I would tell him that you felt disappointed & unappreciated

Wakemeupbe4yougogo · 18/05/2025 18:36

Dh used to be like this, and absolutely wrecked a milestone birthday for me with his lack of effort. So on his, I gave him a card at breakfast and a gift voucher for the shop he uses for his hobby. As the day went on, I kept seeing him look at me as if to say what's going on, and I cooked a normal tea as usual. Our kids dropped in but I hadn't made any cake etc and he looked more and more deflated as the night went on. When we went to bed, he pulled a sad face and said "it's not been a very exciting day, has it" to which I replied "yes, it's kinda shit isn't it when someone makes such little effort to show what you mean to them". He's made a lot more effort with birthdays since. I don't want a harpist playing at breakfast, just to feel like it's something to make a bit of an effort for.

Apressheate · 18/05/2025 18:51

Yes, you do need to grow up Mr. Motherhen86.
As for you, Mrs. Motherhen86, celebrate your birthday with those who have shown their appreciation of you and enjoy.

Shesellsseashellsnotinmystreet · 18/05/2025 20:00

My dh ruined my 40th.. He was my exh before I was 41...

Motherhen86 · 24/05/2025 15:30

Sorry for such a late reply!
He’s not like it all the time and sometimes he can be so thoughtful.
We went through a lot around a couple of years ago and he was diagnosed bipolar (not making excuses at all) but it made sense to
a lot of things that had happened in the past.
Obviously a bipolar diagnosis is lifelong and although he’s on medication won’t be cured but still not an excuse to be an *hole. He’s always been kind of difficult but much better since on medication but I feel so conflicted that it’s now that I’m feeling kind of over it all.
I got up this morning feeling a bit poorly and sat on the sofa watching tv. Husband comes in about 11.30am “morning, how are you?” Told him I wasn’t feeling the best this morning and he said “Well..-“ and I interrupted in a joke voice to say “at least it’s during half term!” As that’s what everyone says… he just shouted “F off then!” Stormed out of the room slamming the door and has now gone back to bed..
Im sick of the random outbursts and just want peace, it’s not every day or even every week but the fact is I don’t know when it might come. I’ll be blamed for my “tone of voice” I usually am.
I’ve known him since I was 13 and have so many good memories. Really silly I know but I worry about things like, where will he go, how will his mental health cope?
I’m having such a hard struggle with the mental war of all these feelings but how do you know when it’s time to give up on this?

OP posts:
saveforthat · 24/05/2025 15:35

I don't understand why you cooked instead of ordering a takeaway but yes, he sounds like a selfish price.

saveforthat · 24/05/2025 15:35

Prick not price.

user1492757084 · 24/05/2025 15:49

You have a large stressful family, Op.
Having a great day with your husband would have made all the difference.

Your husband needs to manage his Bipolar better.
To be miserable in attitude on your birthday is pretty grim.

YinYangalang · 24/05/2025 15:55

Do either of you work? Have a life outside of the house and family?

Sunflowers67 · 24/05/2025 16:01

It sounds like you are just generally feeling undervalued in this relationship. I'm sure you have supported him endlessly and unconditionally with his mental health issues and an occasion like as birthday is when we do expect to be considered and spoilt a little and shown some appreciation.
Living with someone with any physical or mental health problem takes a toll on everyone living with them, but you still have the right to be treated with respect. They are all kind, caring, loving people with many positive points MOST OF THE TIME. But consideration and respect for you is something that has to be there ALL OF THE TIME.

Only you can decide when you have really had enough.

When I was at your point of questioning everything and trying to decide if this was my fault or not, did I antagonise him, was I too sensitive, how would he cope if we split up etc etc I made a list of the pros and cons to me being in the relationship - and it was a 15 year relationship - I had three or four things in the pros column and over thirty things in the cons column. Pinning it down further, the pros were more about practical things that he did around the home rather than how he made me feel or what great things he brought to my life. The cons were all about how he treated me, spoke to me, disrespected me. I then tried to tell myself that it was okay as the cons only happened 'now and then - maybe once or twice a week' - which I now know was pretty regular! But I hung in there a little longer because of the nice things he would do - make me a cup of tea, walk the dog, wash the car, cook tea once a week - its all pretty laughable now!

Yes we will worry and feel guilt for them if we end the relationship - that's quite normal. But that does pass and just shows that at least one of you cared about the relationship.

Have you tried to talk to him about this and how you feel? It may be a good idea to do so and take note of his reactions - anger, blaming you, deflecting it onto you, denial, invalidating your feelings? What you want is someone who says "I'm so sorry honey, I had no idea" and genuinely is concerned that something they did made you feel that way - then looks for ways together that you can improve on things.

Good luck

Motherhen86 · 24/05/2025 16:06

YinYangalang · 24/05/2025 15:55

Do either of you work? Have a life outside of the house and family?

Yes, we both have full times jobs. He usually goes out with friends maybe once or twice a week. I might see a friend once a week but generally I prefer to be at home anyway and usually doing stuff with the children.

OP posts:
Motherhen86 · 24/05/2025 16:07

Sunflowers67 · 24/05/2025 16:01

It sounds like you are just generally feeling undervalued in this relationship. I'm sure you have supported him endlessly and unconditionally with his mental health issues and an occasion like as birthday is when we do expect to be considered and spoilt a little and shown some appreciation.
Living with someone with any physical or mental health problem takes a toll on everyone living with them, but you still have the right to be treated with respect. They are all kind, caring, loving people with many positive points MOST OF THE TIME. But consideration and respect for you is something that has to be there ALL OF THE TIME.

Only you can decide when you have really had enough.

When I was at your point of questioning everything and trying to decide if this was my fault or not, did I antagonise him, was I too sensitive, how would he cope if we split up etc etc I made a list of the pros and cons to me being in the relationship - and it was a 15 year relationship - I had three or four things in the pros column and over thirty things in the cons column. Pinning it down further, the pros were more about practical things that he did around the home rather than how he made me feel or what great things he brought to my life. The cons were all about how he treated me, spoke to me, disrespected me. I then tried to tell myself that it was okay as the cons only happened 'now and then - maybe once or twice a week' - which I now know was pretty regular! But I hung in there a little longer because of the nice things he would do - make me a cup of tea, walk the dog, wash the car, cook tea once a week - its all pretty laughable now!

Yes we will worry and feel guilt for them if we end the relationship - that's quite normal. But that does pass and just shows that at least one of you cared about the relationship.

Have you tried to talk to him about this and how you feel? It may be a good idea to do so and take note of his reactions - anger, blaming you, deflecting it onto you, denial, invalidating your feelings? What you want is someone who says "I'm so sorry honey, I had no idea" and genuinely is concerned that something they did made you feel that way - then looks for ways together that you can improve on things.

Good luck

Thank you, I really appreciate this! It really does help to know it’s not just me and I’m very good at gaslighting myself into “it’s not that bad” ❤️

OP posts:
YinYangalang · 24/05/2025 16:14

Motherhen86 · 24/05/2025 16:06

Yes, we both have full times jobs. He usually goes out with friends maybe once or twice a week. I might see a friend once a week but generally I prefer to be at home anyway and usually doing stuff with the children.

I’m glad you have a job and identify outside the home as it seems you are the one keeping it together for the family. You need something just for you too.

SamsonsFeet · 24/05/2025 16:32

You didn't ask for much and you deserve so much more. I'm sorry but he doesn't like you. Plan leaving him, he's dead weight.

Vodkamartini3olives · 24/05/2025 17:54

You've been together 20 yrs and by the sounds of it he usually puts an effort in? and he's lack of effort this year is not typical?. You're not selfish to feel disappointed but I'd be wondering what's going on that's brought about this change. Maybe a conversation for another day. Happy birthday for yesterday.
It's my birthday today and in a similar way my DH hasn't made much effort. My kids got me a few nice things and he's just transferred me some cash. I'm putting it down to him having a lot on at work right now. Some years are a bit meh!

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