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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

Husband not happy with me

225 replies

Pyjamabanana16 · 03/04/2026 04:52

Hi everyone,

I’m new on here but I really would like to get some blunt and honest opinions. I’m kind of giving up on my relationship, I can’t see any way to fix things anymore. I don’t have many friends as I’m always busy with work, home and exhausted like all other mums. Any comments or home truths will be v appreciated. Thank you …

My husband has a very angry personality. He always has. He over reacts and makes a big deal out of what I think are small things. His whole demeanour and outlook (in my opinion) is very negative and lacks any kind of awareness that he also needs to put effort into his way of thinking if he wants to be happy or find happiness / things to be grateful for. I mean we can all decide to throw our hands in the air and bang on about how bad everything is. Or we can try to remind ourselves to be grateful for health, kids, house etc. that’s what I think anyway

Sorry for rambling. So I think he doesn’t want to be with me anymore. But he won’t go as I think he’s not 100 percent sure. He thinks I’m a horrible person and although he doesn’t say this when we have a small disagreement (I’m not sweet and perfect and always softly spoken but I calm down very quickly and explain why I reacted like I did/ and how I felt that made me react) he can go days acting like I’m the devil. For example the other day we argued about food, I said five words (angry and snappy yes) and it’s been five days now of listening to what’s wrong with me and “what my problem is”. Within five mins I came down, apologised for swearing, explaining I felt unappreciated. Hoping for some human ness from him to revive me and understand me. But his anger is self igniting, he spent all day being really really nasty even though I hardly spoke. Just coming to tell me what I am, how bad I am. He can just keep coming and verbally attacking me as though he just really hates me. I think he blames me for everything.

The other morning I was asking how work was and my “tone of voice” was wrong… I think not sweet enough as I had my walls up for how he’s spent last two days verbally running me into the ground, and he straight away said “you’re like a man. It’s like there’s a man inside you”. Which to me is like clear evidence he can’t stand me or anything I do and just hates me inside.

We both share kids with other people, and if I talk with my ex he’s on speaker, I’m just wandering around house being open with nothing to hide. I have no feelings for ex even though we speak on phone. When he used to speak to his kids mum, he goes outside and closes the door and speaks in garden with his daughter. Last night he brought up, “oh if I spoke with her as much as you speak with him… you couldn’t handle it” and my argument is all about openness. He says “oh if a partner told you not to ever touch his phone you couldn’t handle it”- well no I couldn’t and I couldn’t be with someone like that because I really value trust, openness, honesty, saying everything however good or bad. I always think telling the truth about everything is the biggest respect . And being secretive is the biggest disrespect.

He lied and he cheated at the beginning (with said ex) so already laid a foundation for mistrust. I was very pregnant so didn’t leave (and she lives abroad so they were playing happy families when he went there”. But he’s never been open when he’s done something wrong, never come to me to tell the truth, I’ve always had to be suspicious, feel like I’m nuts, gather evidence, and I’ve always had to pull it from him bit by bit. Which trust me I never enjoyed doing it’s just I think my gut feeling wouldn’t rest.

Even lying about smoking. It’s not the smoking that’s the issue, it’s the lying and hiding an mental deflection that breaks me down and then makes me mistrust him… because he’s shown he can’t be trusted so of course I can’t act towards him how he does towards me (who’s open always- maybe too much so sometimes).

He threw in my face the other day that he can’t meet friends or go out of the house as I’m super controlling. But never once has he said he wants to, and even won’t go to the shops with me as he works long hours and just wants to be home/ rest. But suddenly I’m being devil- ised for a scenario which has never even happen . He said “oh my work friend (male) asked me to go an eat and I had to say no because you’d go mad because you’re so controlling”. But i wouldn’t go mad. I wouldn’t care if I hadn’t made dinner for him. But id find it disrespectful if I’d made food for him. To me that’s normal. I just find the whole reaction to me weird . Like no matter what I do or don’t do, he just seems to put the blame on me for “how I am”.

I really want him to just find someone else who is sweet and kind and looks forward to him coming in from work and runs to greet him like an excited puppy. And doesn’t use the “tone” like me or be so unbearable as I apparently am.

I’m not perfect and I never really learnt how to do a perfect relationship. But I’m just me and I’m honest and open and I recognise why I react and explain it (if I snap or am rude for example). But none of that matters as he just seem to hate me and lay into me disproportionately.

He seem to have so much built up resentment for being “trapped”, and “controlled” but I didn’t trap him. I’ve always said just be honest and open and I’m not scared of the truth, like ever. It’s like he stays trapped just to justify releasing all his anger on me.

But always what will make me scared is feeling the other person is hiding something- it does make me insecure. And he’s shown he’s a hider , not open. And after him I don’t trust myself to be in another relationship. I have my amazing kids and I just can’t be with anyone else ever. I don’t have the trust to blindly give to another man. Both of my kids dads were married when I met them, both hid it, I found out about both when I was already heavily pregnant. Wow that sounds so disfunctional but yes the fact is I have a deep mistrust for men after this. Im not nuts, just any sign of none openness would set massive warnings off for me. Even once a therapist said to me “oh I don’t think you’ll ever trust a man after this” 😂 I think even she was shocked!!

Please help me, i love him which is how i think i see that he just needs to be with someone else. I’m not the one for him because i bring out the anger and hate. Maybe with someone else he’ll be a much lighter person, maybe even happy and relaxed and tbh I’d love to see him like that. I don’t think he’s bad inside, just broken. I’ve come to the realisation that he needs someone and something else in life, not me.

Even though my heart is honestly broken and I just keep crying for myself and the way my life has been pooped on by dishonest men. But hey ho, my kids are my favourite little people.

Thank you for your time and I’m sorry it’s been long. I just wrote this as sometimes it’s too much to keep in my head and it’s hard to see anything clearly. Lots of love Xx

OP posts:
Nanny0gg · 03/04/2026 09:50

Pyjamabanana16 · 03/04/2026 05:17

As I was writing it I realised how dysfunctional it is… kind of embarrassing tbh. I’m not a stupid person in day to day life but I’ve go myself in this weird dynamic relationship

How easy will it be to get away from it?

Pyjamabanana16 · 03/04/2026 09:51

Nanny0gg · 03/04/2026 09:50

How easy will it be to get away from it?

I’ll speak to him when the time is right. I’ll try this evening. I have to do it gently not cause a blow up

OP posts:
Toooldtocare25 · 03/04/2026 09:51

Pyjamabanana16 · 03/04/2026 04:52

Hi everyone,

I’m new on here but I really would like to get some blunt and honest opinions. I’m kind of giving up on my relationship, I can’t see any way to fix things anymore. I don’t have many friends as I’m always busy with work, home and exhausted like all other mums. Any comments or home truths will be v appreciated. Thank you …

My husband has a very angry personality. He always has. He over reacts and makes a big deal out of what I think are small things. His whole demeanour and outlook (in my opinion) is very negative and lacks any kind of awareness that he also needs to put effort into his way of thinking if he wants to be happy or find happiness / things to be grateful for. I mean we can all decide to throw our hands in the air and bang on about how bad everything is. Or we can try to remind ourselves to be grateful for health, kids, house etc. that’s what I think anyway

Sorry for rambling. So I think he doesn’t want to be with me anymore. But he won’t go as I think he’s not 100 percent sure. He thinks I’m a horrible person and although he doesn’t say this when we have a small disagreement (I’m not sweet and perfect and always softly spoken but I calm down very quickly and explain why I reacted like I did/ and how I felt that made me react) he can go days acting like I’m the devil. For example the other day we argued about food, I said five words (angry and snappy yes) and it’s been five days now of listening to what’s wrong with me and “what my problem is”. Within five mins I came down, apologised for swearing, explaining I felt unappreciated. Hoping for some human ness from him to revive me and understand me. But his anger is self igniting, he spent all day being really really nasty even though I hardly spoke. Just coming to tell me what I am, how bad I am. He can just keep coming and verbally attacking me as though he just really hates me. I think he blames me for everything.

The other morning I was asking how work was and my “tone of voice” was wrong… I think not sweet enough as I had my walls up for how he’s spent last two days verbally running me into the ground, and he straight away said “you’re like a man. It’s like there’s a man inside you”. Which to me is like clear evidence he can’t stand me or anything I do and just hates me inside.

We both share kids with other people, and if I talk with my ex he’s on speaker, I’m just wandering around house being open with nothing to hide. I have no feelings for ex even though we speak on phone. When he used to speak to his kids mum, he goes outside and closes the door and speaks in garden with his daughter. Last night he brought up, “oh if I spoke with her as much as you speak with him… you couldn’t handle it” and my argument is all about openness. He says “oh if a partner told you not to ever touch his phone you couldn’t handle it”- well no I couldn’t and I couldn’t be with someone like that because I really value trust, openness, honesty, saying everything however good or bad. I always think telling the truth about everything is the biggest respect . And being secretive is the biggest disrespect.

He lied and he cheated at the beginning (with said ex) so already laid a foundation for mistrust. I was very pregnant so didn’t leave (and she lives abroad so they were playing happy families when he went there”. But he’s never been open when he’s done something wrong, never come to me to tell the truth, I’ve always had to be suspicious, feel like I’m nuts, gather evidence, and I’ve always had to pull it from him bit by bit. Which trust me I never enjoyed doing it’s just I think my gut feeling wouldn’t rest.

Even lying about smoking. It’s not the smoking that’s the issue, it’s the lying and hiding an mental deflection that breaks me down and then makes me mistrust him… because he’s shown he can’t be trusted so of course I can’t act towards him how he does towards me (who’s open always- maybe too much so sometimes).

He threw in my face the other day that he can’t meet friends or go out of the house as I’m super controlling. But never once has he said he wants to, and even won’t go to the shops with me as he works long hours and just wants to be home/ rest. But suddenly I’m being devil- ised for a scenario which has never even happen . He said “oh my work friend (male) asked me to go an eat and I had to say no because you’d go mad because you’re so controlling”. But i wouldn’t go mad. I wouldn’t care if I hadn’t made dinner for him. But id find it disrespectful if I’d made food for him. To me that’s normal. I just find the whole reaction to me weird . Like no matter what I do or don’t do, he just seems to put the blame on me for “how I am”.

I really want him to just find someone else who is sweet and kind and looks forward to him coming in from work and runs to greet him like an excited puppy. And doesn’t use the “tone” like me or be so unbearable as I apparently am.

I’m not perfect and I never really learnt how to do a perfect relationship. But I’m just me and I’m honest and open and I recognise why I react and explain it (if I snap or am rude for example). But none of that matters as he just seem to hate me and lay into me disproportionately.

He seem to have so much built up resentment for being “trapped”, and “controlled” but I didn’t trap him. I’ve always said just be honest and open and I’m not scared of the truth, like ever. It’s like he stays trapped just to justify releasing all his anger on me.

But always what will make me scared is feeling the other person is hiding something- it does make me insecure. And he’s shown he’s a hider , not open. And after him I don’t trust myself to be in another relationship. I have my amazing kids and I just can’t be with anyone else ever. I don’t have the trust to blindly give to another man. Both of my kids dads were married when I met them, both hid it, I found out about both when I was already heavily pregnant. Wow that sounds so disfunctional but yes the fact is I have a deep mistrust for men after this. Im not nuts, just any sign of none openness would set massive warnings off for me. Even once a therapist said to me “oh I don’t think you’ll ever trust a man after this” 😂 I think even she was shocked!!

Please help me, i love him which is how i think i see that he just needs to be with someone else. I’m not the one for him because i bring out the anger and hate. Maybe with someone else he’ll be a much lighter person, maybe even happy and relaxed and tbh I’d love to see him like that. I don’t think he’s bad inside, just broken. I’ve come to the realisation that he needs someone and something else in life, not me.

Even though my heart is honestly broken and I just keep crying for myself and the way my life has been pooped on by dishonest men. But hey ho, my kids are my favourite little people.

Thank you for your time and I’m sorry it’s been long. I just wrote this as sometimes it’s too much to keep in my head and it’s hard to see anything clearly. Lots of love Xx

Everything I have read says he is the dickhead not you. Don’t change have a backbone and don’t put up with HiS controlling shit as that is what it is. He’s painting you as the villain ready for when he fucks off .

Pyjamabanana16 · 03/04/2026 09:52

Pyjamabanana16 · 03/04/2026 09:51

I’ll speak to him when the time is right. I’ll try this evening. I have to do it gently not cause a blow up

It’s fairly easy for me on a practical level, he just has to move out and my life will continue as normal. A bit more financial stress. But a lot less negativity in the house.

OP posts:
Pyjamabanana16 · 03/04/2026 09:53

Toooldtocare25 · 03/04/2026 09:51

Everything I have read says he is the dickhead not you. Don’t change have a backbone and don’t put up with HiS controlling shit as that is what it is. He’s painting you as the villain ready for when he fucks off .

Thanks, I always say to him he’s just getting his narrative ready to spurt onto the next woman he meets about what a devil I was!

OP posts:
Pyjamabanana16 · 03/04/2026 09:55

1000StrawberryLollies · 03/04/2026 09:48

No no no. This is a very dangerous and wrong-headed way of thinking. He is a horrible, abusive man. The idea that you sonehow cause this or 'bring it out' in him is a line straight out of the abusive men's handbook. He has made you feel like you are at fault for his behaviour.

Even if it were true that he wasn't overtly nasty like this to his ex, you surely don't think it would be worth making yourself into a cowering, submissive mouse in order to preserve your relationship with this bullying arsehole?

It’ll be interesting to see in time if he becomes calmer when he’s away from me. I hope so honestly for his sake and my daughters. I honestly don’t hate him, I just want him to go away and find some kind of peace within himself

OP posts:
Pyjamabanana16 · 03/04/2026 10:00

Thank you so much everyone, I just want to cry at the kindness and help and support I received on here this morning. I feel so much stronger and clearer than I did when I sent the first message. I just needed a push to open my eyes and accept it. And when someone asked me where the proof is he loves me… tbh I can’t really! As he doesn’t show me much, our relationship is mostly just a list of my failings, broken by a period of closeness and laughing together, soon followed by another period of trying to run me down, repeat repeat. Loads of love to everyone xx

OP posts:
AgnesX · 03/04/2026 10:00

Pyjamabanana16 · 03/04/2026 05:26

Having the house in my name makes it a bit harder, as with my previous relationship I was able to pack and walk. In this situation I rely on the other person packing and walking so i don’t have the same control

So make the decision for him and boot him out.

You mentioned children so if they live with you it's going to have to be a structured exit which means you being strong and trying to keep it civilised.

Toooldtocare25 · 03/04/2026 10:02

Also have your phone ready if you need to. Download the app holly guard. If you need urgent help shake it and it will notify police.
Dont leave your own house. It’s his behaviour and he should be leaving end of.

SylvanMoon · 03/04/2026 10:03

Pyjamabanana16 · 03/04/2026 05:57

Can I ask your opinions… is this just me bringing this side of him out? Is it possible it’s just with me he’s like this? Because with someone sweeter I don’t think he’ll be like this.

His ex was calm and lovely, he never had a single argument with her. I know because I spoke with her. But she did say he never really was happy with life in general. I seem to bring out this craziness in him because of how I am. But I always think I give respect honesty openness communication etc and kind of want the same level back otherwise it’s not fair :-(

It's irrelevant whether it's "you" who is bringing this side of him out. The fact is, it's happening and you need to get out of it. Please take the advice of getting help and advice from Women's Aid how to do so safely.

Happyjoe · 03/04/2026 10:06

When he's finally out if you do split, the peace you're going to experience is going to be a little overwhelming... at first. I think you're going to have a much better life if he leaves, the drama will go. Sending hugs OP.

ThisIsTheAge · 03/04/2026 10:06

Echoing everyone else that this isn't your fault and no matter what you do it will never be 'right' for him.

You will feel such a sense of relief when he goes. I know I did. You'll feel lighter, sleep better. Your muscles will relax. The feeling in your stomach will go away.

Pyjamabanana16 · 03/04/2026 10:07

Pyjamabanana16 · 03/04/2026 09:45

No he doesn’t need me for any kind of visa. Two children, not three.

No offence but my son’s dad is not just any old random person. And I was with him for four years before getting pregnant and we ran a successful business together. I am not responsible if he had a wife he hid from me for four years.

And I was with my current one two years and got pregnant. Again, he told me the woman was an ex, and only when I saw messages I realised he’d lied to me since day one. Again, my fault if I put insecurities aside from the first husband and tried my best to trust the second one? Not my fault. I didn’t meet, get pregnant. And neither are some unemployed losers gaming all day. They’re both hard workers. Just dishonest.

not sure where you got the idea I popped out theee within weeks of meeting people but I didnt

I found out about both marriages very late into both pregnancies. I think the universe was determined to put me through the most stress possible! Xx

OP posts:
Pyjamabanana16 · 03/04/2026 10:08

Toooldtocare25 · 03/04/2026 10:02

Also have your phone ready if you need to. Download the app holly guard. If you need urgent help shake it and it will notify police.
Dont leave your own house. It’s his behaviour and he should be leaving end of.

Ohhh thank you, I will do this. I didn’t know something like this existed

OP posts:
NunsOnTheRum · 03/04/2026 10:11

endofthelinefinally · 03/04/2026 05:14

I got one third down your post and was already thinking "run".

Me too

AttilaTheMeerkat · 03/04/2026 10:12

It is not your fault he is like this and you did not make him that way.

Your boundaries here, already skewed by previous poor relationships, are being further eroded by this man now.

What did you learn about relationships when you were growing up?. What were your mum and dad like towards each other?. Therapy and the Freedom Programme for you to enrol on in the future are must do's for you.

He may well refuse to leave however. Such abusive men often refuse as a further way of "punishing" their chosen target, in this case you. Your children are also being affected by this man's presence in their lives. If he refuses to leave employ legal means and the police to get him out.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 03/04/2026 10:14

What this individual has shown you throughout is the nice/nasty cycle of abuse which is a continuous one. He targeted you deliberately in order to abuse you.

Reasonstobelieve · 03/04/2026 10:16

You are brave to have tolerated his behaviour towards you for so long. I concur with the the majority of your answers. The only thing I'd add is I find it sad your relationships so far have given you the impression all men are the same. Through no fault of your own you have been taken in by the types of men who snare women in then once they are trapped their true nature surfaces.

Its understandable you say you are done with men & relationships. I hope given time you will date again & find a healthy loving relationship with someone who matches your interests & personality.

MummyWillow1 · 03/04/2026 10:18

Why are you with him? You deserve better.

DreamyJade · 03/04/2026 10:24

Pyjamabanana16 · 03/04/2026 05:57

Can I ask your opinions… is this just me bringing this side of him out? Is it possible it’s just with me he’s like this? Because with someone sweeter I don’t think he’ll be like this.

His ex was calm and lovely, he never had a single argument with her. I know because I spoke with her. But she did say he never really was happy with life in general. I seem to bring out this craziness in him because of how I am. But I always think I give respect honesty openness communication etc and kind of want the same level back otherwise it’s not fair :-(

By ‘sweeter’ you mean a doormat.

Yes it’s very possible that if he was controlling someone else who would lay down and let herself be walked all over, that he wouldn’t have so many angry outbursts.

Is that really how you want to live? He’s a bully, and you are doing nothing wrong here. Kick him out. It’s your house. Wait until he goes to work and change the locks.

Wot23 · 03/04/2026 10:31

so you already have an ex, therefore you have experience in how to walk away from this one, just do it again. It will be better for you in the long run.

Undercookedby10 · 03/04/2026 10:37

No no no no. It's not you. He will not be calmer or more chilled or happier with someone else. He is a manipulative, controlling twat.

You can hear he has beat you down emotionally. It is really is time to get rid of him and soon. It's time to enjoy just those little people because you do not NEED a man but your kids need the best of you.

You deserve better. Good luck OP

Pyjamabanana16 · 03/04/2026 10:47

AttilaTheMeerkat · 03/04/2026 10:14

What this individual has shown you throughout is the nice/nasty cycle of abuse which is a continuous one. He targeted you deliberately in order to abuse you.

As I was writing about how we’re good for a bit and then he drags it down to the ground, and then good again, I actually I thought “hmm this sounds a bit like a narcissist”. Not sure as I’m no expert but I’m good at forgetting the bad times when we have another good time. I wont anymore though. Today I feel different. I think he senses it, he’s already called three times which is not like him

OP posts:
ScribblingPixie · 03/04/2026 10:48

endofthelinefinally · 03/04/2026 05:14

I got one third down your post and was already thinking "run".

Me too. It reads like, after you split up, you'll wonder why the heck you stayed so long.

Pyjamabanana16 · 03/04/2026 10:49

Undercookedby10 · 03/04/2026 10:37

No no no no. It's not you. He will not be calmer or more chilled or happier with someone else. He is a manipulative, controlling twat.

You can hear he has beat you down emotionally. It is really is time to get rid of him and soon. It's time to enjoy just those little people because you do not NEED a man but your kids need the best of you.

You deserve better. Good luck OP

Yes I agree, the kids do need the best me. And they’re the ones who give me the genuine happiness without any rollercoaster. Just need to get through this next hurdle and get him to move out

OP posts:
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