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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 re argument (14yo / husband and myself)

20 replies

BeSpryRubyScroller · 13/01/2026 14:09

So last night my daughter (14) was talking about registering for a website. I looked at the website and didn’t feel comfortable registering as it was asking for an address. She didn’t understand why we couldn’t register as it was a well known famous persons website. I explained that it could have been hacked even though it was a very famous persons official page.

My husband was in another room and shouted that we should be careful in case of scammers.

My daughter then went in to speak to him and ask for clarity as she didn’t understand what we meant by scammers.

The conversation between them was short and to the point. My daughter did keep asking the same question. My husband got frustrated and they ended up shouting at each other. Both talking to each other in an unkind tone. Husband took her phone from her and told her to sit in the other room. Then went in and asked her about homework. She has some outstanding that needed to be done last night. So then he started having a go at her for not going it at the weekend. Cue more shouting between them both. Her ending up in tears.

He then went out for a run, but before he did he came upstairs where I was in the bathroom. I told him I was keeping out of this because I didn’t want our daughter to feel ganged up on. He made it clear that he expected me to have a word with her whilst he was out running, which I did so. I said that neither of them spoke to each other kindly and that I felt they were both in the wrong.

When he came back he didn’t speak to her. Had dinner. She was sat in the kitchen doing her homework. Nothing was said. Then she went up stairs to get ready for bed. I told him I think it was bonkers that they wasn’t saying anything to each other and that as the adult he needed to be the bigger person and lead by example.

He then started saying that he was annoyed because she hadn’t done her homework and that her room had been a mess and he had to keep going on at her to tidy it for weeks! I explained that not everyone does things the same way. Maybe she should be left to her own devices to do her homework. Rather than him forcing her to do it. Let her get a detention if needs be and maybe that will encourage her to be more on the ball with it. I should add that she goes to a private school and he gets upset that we are paying “all this money” and she “doesn’t appreciate it” - his words.

He then started saying he is the only efficient one in the house. (Hot water / electric) etc - again I said not everyone is like him we all do things differently. He then inferred I was wasting money (I’m on mounjaro but still drinking alcohol). Not a lot! Moderately. So I questioned that he thinks I shouldn’t drink at all. Which he didn’t reply.

A bit of background I work part time AND run a business from home so do bring money into the house. He earns an extortionate amount of money but doesn’t like to see waste (water / electric etc) and I just saw red at this point and said we are all different and he cannot expect everyone to think the same way he does.

We don’t have a loving relationship but most of the time is works but every now and again this sort of thing happens and creates bad feeling. He went to bed not talking to me or our daughter. (Our other older daughter was ok). I slept with my younger daughter and she went to bed really worried that she’d made him sad. But quite frankly I am getting more and more angry at his behaviour.

This morning he didn’t put the bins out (he normally does) so he is just trying to prove a point and be difficult. He told my older daughter that I blame him for last nights argument between him and our youngest which I never did. So I sent him a message and told him again that he needs to be the adult and he phoned our daughter to say that he didn’t want her going to school with them not talking but he still thought he was in the right and they needed to have a constructive conversation later.

But now he is not talking to be and generally being arsey.

I really am at the end of my tether.

OP posts:
harlemshake · 13/01/2026 14:19

sounds like after 14 years you still have different way of parenting. I think you need to sit down as a twosome and discuss this first because I just think a 14 year old should know better as far as online security goes. They are courses about this some of which I have taught in my field(i will DM you)

off topic but you just mentioned something I think my partner would appreciate that it is not just me : (I’m on mounjaro but still drinking alcohol). I would avoid alcohol , maybe a glass here and there

Lemonsandlime87 · 13/01/2026 14:40

Your DH sounds controlling and like an unpleasant energy in the house. It will be damaging for your daughters. Are you able to consider what living separately would look like?

pikkumyy77 · 13/01/2026 14:58

You have a terrible relationship with. He doesn’t like you and you don’t like him. He’s fed up with it and you should be too. Get out if you can.

harlemshake · 13/01/2026 15:03

Lemonsandlime87 · 13/01/2026 14:40

Your DH sounds controlling and like an unpleasant energy in the house. It will be damaging for your daughters. Are you able to consider what living separately would look like?

I live for the day mumsnet doesn't always run to suggesting that long standing marriages head for divorce.

OP this issue is minor to consider separating so do not listen to this .

Lemonsandlime87 · 13/01/2026 15:12

harlemshake · 13/01/2026 15:03

I live for the day mumsnet doesn't always run to suggesting that long standing marriages head for divorce.

OP this issue is minor to consider separating so do not listen to this .

OP stated they don’t have a loving relationship and he is obsessed with their ‘wasteful’ lifestyles and sounds like he isn’t very nice to their daughters. I simply asked OP to consider what a separate life would look like as this may make her think a.) I can’t imagine being apart or b.) me and DC would be happier

BreakingBroken · 13/01/2026 15:24

Generally when arguing you need to stick to one topic. You two have taken the opportunity to vent unresolved issues.
Both of you needed to better explain home security/privacy/and internet safety.
You and dh need to resolve old issues.
Lastly you hopping in bed with your DD is very poor, using a child as your emotional support.
Please get informed and able to better explain why giving a random virtual stranger your address is wrong.

BeSpryRubyScroller · 13/01/2026 15:26

BreakingBroken · 13/01/2026 15:24

Generally when arguing you need to stick to one topic. You two have taken the opportunity to vent unresolved issues.
Both of you needed to better explain home security/privacy/and internet safety.
You and dh need to resolve old issues.
Lastly you hopping in bed with your DD is very poor, using a child as your emotional support.
Please get informed and able to better explain why giving a random virtual stranger your address is wrong.

Thank you for all the replies so far. I appreciate everyone taking the time to reply.

I should add I sleep with my daughter as she requests it and it works normally for us as as my husband snores something chronic so if he and I share a bed neither of us get any sleep. She sleeps with me in our room and he sleeps in her room.

OP posts:
helplessbanana · 13/01/2026 15:30

What did your dd not understand about scammers, and was the issue actually resolved?

If he blows up like this when she's asked an innocent question, chances are that what she'll do now is to find ways to hide her internet activity from you both. Children should feel confident that they can talk to their parents about anything, and his angry reaction has now ruined that bond.

Stupid, stupid man.

ImSweetEnough · 13/01/2026 15:36

He sounds arrogant and impatient and not someone who can be bothered to have a relationship with his children.

Both my father and my husband in those circumstances would have taken the time to explain about the website and say that they would take a look at it once she had done her homework.

What's his excuse for not doing that and not sitting with her and helping her with her homework?

BeSpryRubyScroller · 13/01/2026 15:37

helplessbanana · 13/01/2026 15:30

What did your dd not understand about scammers, and was the issue actually resolved?

If he blows up like this when she's asked an innocent question, chances are that what she'll do now is to find ways to hide her internet activity from you both. Children should feel confident that they can talk to their parents about anything, and his angry reaction has now ruined that bond.

Stupid, stupid man.

I think she does understand but was super excited (it was the Harry styles website). She can’t wait for him to release new music and go on tour.

I think she went to my husband hoping for a different answer to me maybe. And unfortunately for her he had just got home from work. Is extremely impatient when it comes to things he deems unimportant but for her it is one of the most important things in the world.

OP posts:
TheignT · 13/01/2026 15:42

So your husband backed you up but you wouldn't back him up. I'd be annoyed. You told her no and she tried to undermine your decision. I wouldn't be impressed.

letmebetheone · 13/01/2026 15:50

You should be forming a united front with your hubby.

Daughter gets stroppy- he tells her to do her homework
-you say its ok if she does not do it and gets detention

daughters room is a mess-He says she needs to tidy her room
You say not everyone thinks the same way

Hubby stays cross with daughter
You get in bed with her.

No wonder she plays you against each other, she is getting her own way with you and you are teaching her to disrespect boundaries.
Hubby has no way of teaching her how to behave while you continue to turn a blind eye and spoil her.

Why do you think its ok for her not to bother doing homework and get a detention?

letmebetheone · 13/01/2026 15:53

Just saw your post about sleeping with your daughter because she requests it.

Really! She has you right where she wants you doesn't she.

Brefugee · 13/01/2026 15:53

She should have taken your first no for an answer and not argued back.

She should have also done her homework. It is not great that your husband was shouting but if she was shouting at him, they are as bad as each other.

She needs to learn: do your homework. Then you can do fun things. And when your parents both say no, stop wheedling.

ETA: you need to stop the sleeping arrangement. It is bonkers.
If you and your DH can't sleep in the same room then make 2 bedrooms.

forking out for weight loss jabs and still drinking? yeah, that's inefficient.

MedievalNun · 13/01/2026 16:08

Just popping in to say that the NSPCC has some good resources about online safety for children and teenagers designed for you to view together @BeSpryRubyScroller , most are free to access

That won’t resolve the other issues but might help with explaining scammers etc and why giving out an address isn’t always safe.

On the snoring - we found out that hubby’s atrocious railway goods trains in an echo chamber snoring is caused by sleep apnea. The difference made by his CPAP machine is phenomenal. As he’s now sleeping better, he’s also finding he feels better in himself.

Is there a reason your DH is so anxious about money? I know you said he has an astronomical salary, but if he’s not grown up
with it / worried about the future, could this be playing into things?

Hopefully things will settle for you now. FWIW I agree on the homework. Your DD needs to learn to manage it herself, especially if she wants to go to further education later on.

Luckyingame · 13/01/2026 16:31

You seem from another planet.

BeSpryRubyScroller · 13/01/2026 16:43

Luckyingame · 13/01/2026 16:31

You seem from another planet.

Why?

OP posts:
ImSweetEnough · 13/01/2026 16:45

' He then started saying that he was annoyed because she hadn’t done her homework.'

Why doesn't he sit with her and help her with it?

BeSpryRubyScroller · 13/01/2026 19:13

Thanks all again for the replies. I really appreciate it. DD sleeps with me because it works for us all not just because she requests it. My earlier reply was misleading.

I don’t think it’s ok for her not to do it homework. But there is only so many times you can remind someone before you have to leave them to it and find their own way. If that means she doesn’t do it one time and gets a detention for not doing it maybe so be it. Doesn’t mean that’s what I want to happen.

and to set the record straight I didn’t back him up in the moment because I didn’t want it to appear we were ganging up on her when he in turn was unpleasant and unnecessary with his tone and not innocent in it.

i did however express my opinion to her when we was by ourself.

I agree that everything but the kitchen sink that’s previously happened gets pulled into arguments which is wrong.

OP posts:
AnonAnonmystery · 14/01/2026 14:37

@BeSpryRubyScroller the thing is am picking up on is your daughter at 14 requests you sleep with her ( I was in the same situation with my DD so no judgement here). There are a few things - her not understanding the concepts of what your DH was trying to explain ect. Is there a concern about her general development?
I knew sleeping with my DD was not good for her development - I had to phase it out quite suddenly when the pandemic started as I used Covid as an excuse ( as I had to use public transport). My DD is very academic and social however some of her behaviour displays undiagnosed conditions ( she’s nearly 20 now so I can’t make her get an assessment.

Your husband sounds abusive ( not talking to you or your DD) and mean to be honest. Messy teenage bedrooms is normal - as long as she’s not making the rest of the house a mess, who cares? It’s her space. All you can do is encourage them. I think it in your best interests to consider separation.

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