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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

Controlling husband? Am I overreacting? Am I as disrespectful as he says I am?

75 replies

Saraahh · 15/09/2025 05:27

I'm just gonna give a few examples from this week. For context we're both Bengali Muslims born and raised in the UK.

1- I called my aunt. She speaks fluent English but Bengali is her first language. I was speaking to her in English. My husband proceeded to have a go at me saying I'm uncultured and disrespectful to speak in English.

2- We were getting ready to go out. I asked him "where's the ..." because I said WHERES THE he called me names and said I was rude and disrespectful and speaking to him like a roadman because I didn't say "have you seen ..." instead of where's the...

3- Today I was at my families house and ACCIDENTALLY hit my baby cousins head on the side of the crib as I picked him up. Ofc it was an accident and I felt TERRIBLE I was crying for hours from the guilt. His parents took him to the hospital for a check up (he's absolutely fine! The guilt is still there tho :( ). I called my uncle for an update whilst they were in the hospital and offered to go sit and wait with them. My husband said I was very disrespectful because I didn't ask his permission first.

4- Leading up to today, as there was a big gathering at my families house I asked my husband the other day if I should just stay at my mums tonight as it'll be late and he doesn't like me coming home past a certain time. I said I'll be home first thing the next day. He said yeah sure. Then yesterday he said he doesn't want me to stay. I had already told my mum I'm staying but I said okay I won't stay. He then changed his mind again and told me to stay because it's raining and he doesn't want me driving with strong winds. I'm now afraid to stay incase he argued with me over it (which he has done multiple times before). Turns out either way would've caused an issue because now I'm not listening and disrespectful for NOT staying.

Another example from a few weeks ago - I bought some hair dye. Similar to what my hair is already. He got upset saying I don't value his opinion or choice because I didn't ask or show him before I bought it. I chose a colour I know he'd like. After a lot of back and forth I said sorry okay I'll return it look online see if you like any other colours. He ended up choosing the one I already bought.

After today's events he decided to tell me he doesn't think this marriage is going to work because of my disrespect. Bear in mind I'm already upset and stressed because of my cousin and even my mum had spoken to my husband on the phone and told him to keep an eye on me. And he goes and says this not even an hour later.

Am I really that bad? And rude? Is he better off without me?

OP posts:
MyFortieth · 15/09/2025 05:30

I’d say you’re better off without him.

He doesn’t respect you.

MinnieMountain · 15/09/2025 05:30

You’re better off without him.

InSpainTheRain · 15/09/2025 05:31

He sounds a controlling arse and aprize twat. Probably you'd be far happier without him.

Limon87 · 15/09/2025 05:33

If you feel safe to leave then I absolutely would, those behaviours aren’t normal lovely - so sorry.

Can you stay with your mum for a bit? Has your husband showed any signs of aggression or violence?

wilsondavid · 15/09/2025 05:35

That's bad, you know what you deserved.

Saraahh · 15/09/2025 05:36

Limon87 · 15/09/2025 05:33

If you feel safe to leave then I absolutely would, those behaviours aren’t normal lovely - so sorry.

Can you stay with your mum for a bit? Has your husband showed any signs of aggression or violence?

I can stay with my mum but my mother in law doesn't like me staying often... She says this is my house and priority now...

He's not violent. Shouts a lot tho.

He's also not all bad like if I'm sick he'll bring food to the room, he'll take the baby in the mornings sometimes so I can sleep, he'll massage me if I'm in pain etc

OP posts:
Saraahh · 15/09/2025 05:37

MyFortieth · 15/09/2025 05:30

I’d say you’re better off without him.

He doesn’t respect you.

I've told him he doesn't respect me and a woman is a reflection of her man... He keeps trying to tell me that Islamically men are more important? Which is UNTRUE if you actually look into the status of a woman... He twists verses to suit his own narrative

OP posts:
Saraahh · 15/09/2025 05:39

MinnieMountain · 15/09/2025 05:30

You’re better off without him.

Am I tho? Because of where I was in my teaching career I'm practically unemployed right now. We don't have our own house either as we live with his family. I don't have any savings left anymore.

OP posts:
176509user · 15/09/2025 05:45

Saraahh · 15/09/2025 05:39

Am I tho? Because of where I was in my teaching career I'm practically unemployed right now. We don't have our own house either as we live with his family. I don't have any savings left anymore.

Can you live with your mum ?
Go back to your teaching career ?
Get back some control in your life if safe to do so and safely leave ?

He's very controlling and a mysoginist.

Devilsmommy · 15/09/2025 05:47

This is only going to escalate and get worse. He will 100% end up being physically violent with you. Leave now whilst it's still early days. I know it's hard but it's much harder the longer you leave it

Cardamomandlemons · 15/09/2025 05:56

Get help from women's aid or similar.

If your family are from a similar cultural background to him they may not see his behaviour as starkly as an outsider would.

My ex is a different religion but uses religion the same way yours does (all these controlling religious men have a ton in common, regardless of which religion they use to justify their behaviour). You gotta get out, it will only get worse.

WaltzingMatildaWaltzingMatilda · 15/09/2025 06:06

He is controlling you. Get out of that marriage.

Blessedbethefruitloopss · 15/09/2025 06:10

He is all bad. Rotten to the core.
Go to your parents if you can.

Saraahh · 15/09/2025 06:17

Blessedbethefruitloopss · 15/09/2025 06:10

He is all bad. Rotten to the core.
Go to your parents if you can.

I'd like to go to my parents for a bit just to get some headspace but I stayed over 3 weeks ago and my MIL doesn't like it when I stay too often

OP posts:
OneNewLeader · 15/09/2025 06:18

Aside from all the good advice about leaving, if he says the marriage isn’t working, what is his plan? Will he leave you, giving you no choice but to return to your family and get your life in good order. What do your parents think?

WaltzingMatildaWaltzingMatilda · 15/09/2025 06:20

Saraahh · 15/09/2025 06:17

I'd like to go to my parents for a bit just to get some headspace but I stayed over 3 weeks ago and my MIL doesn't like it when I stay too often

What’s it got to do with your MIL? She’s obviously controlling you too! Stay with your mum until you get something sorted.

LivingWithANob · 15/09/2025 06:23

Your H sounds a right nob. Get rid. Stay with your mum. End the marriage. Go back to teaching and be happy without his silly mind games

Saraahh · 15/09/2025 06:23

OneNewLeader · 15/09/2025 06:18

Aside from all the good advice about leaving, if he says the marriage isn’t working, what is his plan? Will he leave you, giving you no choice but to return to your family and get your life in good order. What do your parents think?

I'm ngl I feel like him saying this is all a retaliation to me being upset with his actions recently... He's noticed me pulling away. I think it's an ego thing "I'll leave her before she leaves me"

OP posts:
176509user · 15/09/2025 06:31

Get advice from Women’s Aid and who cares what the MIL says, as pp says above. His family are controlling you too.
You need to get away.
What does your family think about the way you're being treated ?

Saraahh · 15/09/2025 06:38

176509user · 15/09/2025 06:31

Get advice from Women’s Aid and who cares what the MIL says, as pp says above. His family are controlling you too.
You need to get away.
What does your family think about the way you're being treated ?

My mum reallyyy isn't happy. We've had instances before where both families have gotten involved but tbh I've not seen a permanent change in behaviour after anyways so I don't bother involving them much anymore

OP posts:
Henbags · 15/09/2025 06:39

What the heck have I just read?!

ChaToilLeam · 15/09/2025 06:42

He and his mother are both horrible. And he delights in wrong footing you at every turn.

Go to your mum, this won't improve.

Laundrywitch · 15/09/2025 06:42

Just leave. He sounds horrible.

Did the family go to A&E for a small bump to the babies head? Did they ring 111 first? This seems OTT and a big waste of NHS time.

Yamamm · 15/09/2025 06:54

Oh dear. You have been forced in to becoming dependent and it’s very difficult to get out of that set up but you must try.

He is testing you now. It’s easier to give in and most women do that to keep the peace. It might be that you do subscribe to notions of women’s roles and subservience. If you’re religious it’s part of the script really.

What do you want from life? If it’s a degree of independence and to be treated like an equal you will not be happy. If you’re happy to be a surrendered wife for a peaceful life stay where you are.

You will not find either path easy. It’s classic culture clash stuff.

Did he get worse when baby was born!

BellissimoGecko · 15/09/2025 06:58

Saraahh · 15/09/2025 06:17

I'd like to go to my parents for a bit just to get some headspace but I stayed over 3 weeks ago and my MIL doesn't like it when I stay too often

what you do is nothing to do with your MIL. Why is it any of her business?

your h sounds terrible. Very controlling. Did it ramp up when you had your baby?

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