Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Husband won’t let me do the food shop *[content warning: concerns coercive control and financial and sexual abuse]

1 reply

Becksta1 · 08/07/2025 21:57

Hi everyone. Apologises for this completely random post but I would like some advice. For years now my husband has insisted on doing the food shop, on the very rare occasion that I do it he complains if I buy a couple of things that aren’t on the list. I broke down in tears a couple of weeks ago, well actually I’ve done this a few times, and shared with him that I would like to sometimes do the shop. He says I can’t because he doesn’t trust me to stick to the list. I know what he means, and it’s normally not big purchases but say if there’s a spice mix for example on special buy that I thought might be nice I’d probably buy it. It’s not a big purchase, it never would be. It could even be that I might pick up strawberries if I saw them and thought me or the kids or even my hubby might like to eat them. It’s never a lot, maybe only one or two additions at small costs. I know he does this too, in fact he doesn’t have a list when he goes shopping so I’m not sure what really counts. It’s not a money thing, if anything I’m the one that worries more about overspending. I’m not sure.
The other thing is he asks what I want to eat when he’s planning a shop (he likes to make dinner) when I put suggestions forward even if I offer to cook he basically says no so I don’t know why he’s even asking. He likes convenience food and I’m trying to eat more nourishing food. It’s got to a point now where I just don’t say because he’ll shut me down.
I find it very confusing and am looking for some advice really on how I could maybe prove that I can be trusted with things or be included in decisions around food and shopping.
Hope you’re all enjoying the sun xx

JoMumsnet · 10/07/2025 11:41

Hi Becksta1,

We're sorry you're going through such a difficult time.

We can see you're getting lots of good advice and support from other Mumsnetters on your thread but we just thought we'd add some links to an organisation which can give you some more help in real life.

Other posters have mentioned Women's Aid, so we're adding a link to their webpage - Women's Aid - information and support. We know they've helped many Mumsnetters in the past so please take a look at their website and in particular their page entitled Am I in an abusive relationship?

Women's Aid has lots of information about coercive control, so please take a look here:
Women's Aid - what is coercive control

We hope you're able to access the support you need.

Coercive control - Women’s Aid

What is coercive control? Domestic abuse isn’t always physical. Coercive control is an act or a pattern of acts of assault, threats, humiliation and intimidation or other abuse that is used to harm, punish, or frighten their victim.  Coercive and contr...

https://www.womensaid.org.uk/information-support/what-is-domestic-abuse/coercive-control/

Watch this thread for updates

Tap "Watch" to get all the latest updates

End of posts

There are no more MNHQ posts on this thread