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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:
Pyjamabanana16 · 03/04/2026 14:49

Beachtastic · 03/04/2026 14:46

Perhaps he was just putting on a performance to test your commitment to the idea of splitting.

I wouldn't trust his words or deeds, OP, to be honest. 💐

True, he said a few times “what if you realise your life is better without me” so he showed what was going on in that brain

OP posts:
TheSquareMile · 03/04/2026 14:50

You need to see a solicitor, OP.

Make an appointment next week.

solicitors.lawsociety.org.uk/

Pyjamabanana16 · 03/04/2026 14:51

TheSquareMile · 03/04/2026 14:50

You need to see a solicitor, OP.

Make an appointment next week.

solicitors.lawsociety.org.uk/

I don’t have any assets that need organising with him.

OP posts:
Pyjamabanana16 · 03/04/2026 14:52

If he leaves it’s like a line drawn. One day to the next.

OP posts:
AutumnFroglets · 03/04/2026 14:53

Pyjamabanana16 · 03/04/2026 14:45

Of course he cancelled the deposit, otherwise he’d have gone now. But at that point he realised he needs to go for the sake of everyone

He didn't put a deposit on, he just told you he had. You need to stop believing his words and look at his actions.

As he was arguing with me at the weekend, my daughter started crying as he was shouting loudly and following me round the house without stopping .
That is aggression and intimidation. It's already gone past the point of avoiding danger. Contact the police and ask for their advice on how to get him out safely, you are in a bad situation right now.

TheSquareMile · 03/04/2026 14:56

Pyjamabanana16 · 03/04/2026 14:51

I don’t have any assets that need organising with him.

It's not about assets, OP. You need legal advice for other reasons.

IHate · 03/04/2026 15:00

Pyjamabanana16 · 03/04/2026 14:47

Tbh I don’t really avoid it, but last few weeks it’s not healthy and escalated and I don’t want to end up in a bad situation if keeping my mouth shut stops things from getting dangerous

Dangerous it what way? Do you fear for your physical safety?

I really think you should contact Women’s Aid.

Pyjamabanana16 · 03/04/2026 15:00

AutumnFroglets · 03/04/2026 14:53

He didn't put a deposit on, he just told you he had. You need to stop believing his words and look at his actions.

As he was arguing with me at the weekend, my daughter started crying as he was shouting loudly and following me round the house without stopping .
That is aggression and intimidation. It's already gone past the point of avoiding danger. Contact the police and ask for their advice on how to get him out safely, you are in a bad situation right now.

I did it for him! He’s no good with that stuff. We sat and did it and he lost the money.

OP posts:
Pyjamabanana16 · 03/04/2026 15:01

TheSquareMile · 03/04/2026 14:56

It's not about assets, OP. You need legal advice for other reasons.

oh ok, sorry I misunderstood. Ok I will look at the link. Thanks

OP posts:
Pyjamabanana16 · 03/04/2026 15:01

i will see how today goes, he has not been violent with me yet

OP posts:
LAMPS1 · 03/04/2026 15:07

He’s plotting and testing the waters to see how you will react.
His thinking is that ….If he has to go, then he needs to be able to go without losing face and whilst being able to fully blame you. So until he has the full measure of your reactions, he’s still testing you to find the most beneficial angle for his ego.

Be ready for more of that manipulation, control and abuse before he makes his mind up how to play it.
Just stay calm, and firm and keep quietly repeating …I don’t want to fall out but I need you to leave please…we aren’t good for each other….its over….there’s nothing more to say that’s useful to either of us….please make plans to leave.

Don’t argue and don’t snap. Don’t provoke.
It’s just a matter of time before he goes…but he will want the leaving to be on his arrogant terms to retain his manly pride and imagined esteem.

Beachtastic · 03/04/2026 15:12

Pyjamabanana16 · 03/04/2026 14:49

True, he said a few times “what if you realise your life is better without me” so he showed what was going on in that brain

Well, you've already realised that! It's blindingly obvious, only he refuses to accept it. Like so many other truths.

Pyjamabanana16 · 03/04/2026 15:15

LAMPS1 · 03/04/2026 15:07

He’s plotting and testing the waters to see how you will react.
His thinking is that ….If he has to go, then he needs to be able to go without losing face and whilst being able to fully blame you. So until he has the full measure of your reactions, he’s still testing you to find the most beneficial angle for his ego.

Be ready for more of that manipulation, control and abuse before he makes his mind up how to play it.
Just stay calm, and firm and keep quietly repeating …I don’t want to fall out but I need you to leave please…we aren’t good for each other….its over….there’s nothing more to say that’s useful to either of us….please make plans to leave.

Don’t argue and don’t snap. Don’t provoke.
It’s just a matter of time before he goes…but he will want the leaving to be on his arrogant terms to retain his manly pride and imagined esteem.

This is spot on, thank you. He can blame it on me and leave feeling that I’m the devil, I really don’t mind. Like you said I just need his ego and pride to be happy and leave knowing he was right and he was too good for me.

OP posts:
GoneAlready · 03/04/2026 18:41

OP, the most dangerous time for a woman in a relationship with an abusive man (and he clearly is abusive) is when she tries to leave.

He won’t care whether it’s better for him too if you separate; the fact that it’s you making the decision, and not him, won’t be something a controlling bully like him can accept easily.

You need to tread very carefully. He has already shown violent urges; it’s very possible or even likely he’ll escalate when he realises you’re taking back control and trying to get away from him.

The fact he apparently hates you in no way contradicts the fact he wants this relationship to continue unless or until he calls a halt to it. He currently uses you as his dumping ground: he can project all his negative feelings and self hate onto you, and that makes him feel better about himself and more able to function in life. You’re providing a service to him that he relies on, and he’ll be angry you’re taking that away from him.

In terms of practical steps, other women have more experience and better advice to give on this than I do, but this is one of the things I’ve learnt on MN - and time and again I’ve seen it play out, often tragically, in the news. Abusive men can react violently to a partner saying she’s leaving him, even if they’ve never been physically violent before.

At the very least, make sure you have your phone and can call 999 if he doesn’t take what you’re saying well.

Undercookedby10 · 03/04/2026 20:07

WeekendFreedom · 03/04/2026 11:55

OP also openly shouts and swears as well

OP also knows how to stop and apologise. It's hardly comparable.

Undercookedby10 · 03/04/2026 20:13

LAMPS1 · 03/04/2026 15:07

He’s plotting and testing the waters to see how you will react.
His thinking is that ….If he has to go, then he needs to be able to go without losing face and whilst being able to fully blame you. So until he has the full measure of your reactions, he’s still testing you to find the most beneficial angle for his ego.

Be ready for more of that manipulation, control and abuse before he makes his mind up how to play it.
Just stay calm, and firm and keep quietly repeating …I don’t want to fall out but I need you to leave please…we aren’t good for each other….its over….there’s nothing more to say that’s useful to either of us….please make plans to leave.

Don’t argue and don’t snap. Don’t provoke.
It’s just a matter of time before he goes…but he will want the leaving to be on his arrogant terms to retain his manly pride and imagined esteem.

Great advice here. Unfortunately it sounds like experience 🫤

Pyjamabanana16 · 04/04/2026 04:13

GoneAlready · 03/04/2026 18:41

OP, the most dangerous time for a woman in a relationship with an abusive man (and he clearly is abusive) is when she tries to leave.

He won’t care whether it’s better for him too if you separate; the fact that it’s you making the decision, and not him, won’t be something a controlling bully like him can accept easily.

You need to tread very carefully. He has already shown violent urges; it’s very possible or even likely he’ll escalate when he realises you’re taking back control and trying to get away from him.

The fact he apparently hates you in no way contradicts the fact he wants this relationship to continue unless or until he calls a halt to it. He currently uses you as his dumping ground: he can project all his negative feelings and self hate onto you, and that makes him feel better about himself and more able to function in life. You’re providing a service to him that he relies on, and he’ll be angry you’re taking that away from him.

In terms of practical steps, other women have more experience and better advice to give on this than I do, but this is one of the things I’ve learnt on MN - and time and again I’ve seen it play out, often tragically, in the news. Abusive men can react violently to a partner saying she’s leaving him, even if they’ve never been physically violent before.

At the very least, make sure you have your phone and can call 999 if he doesn’t take what you’re saying well.

Thank you, I will download the app that the other poster spoke about and I won’t provoke

OP posts:
Pyjamabanana16 · 04/04/2026 04:16

Yesterday was not the time, I didn’t realise he was working early today. So not a good idea to start this conversation when he needs sleep. Will assess this evening. Thanks everyone for all the support xx

OP posts:
Pyjamabanana16 · 04/04/2026 12:26

Shouldbedoing · 03/04/2026 09:11

It is very worrying that you have talked to your little girl about living away from Dad and new bedrooms etc. She could blurt this out, she's only young.
You need to act quickly.
P.S This is not your fault. You have probably had the 'boiling frog' experience.

I spoke to her when he put a deposit and was moving out. He won’t be angry if she says something because not long ago he was moving out but just never went

OP posts:
Pyjamabanana16 · 04/04/2026 12:31

LittleMyLabyrinth · 03/04/2026 09:19

It's not you. He would not be happier with someone else. From experience, I know that miserable people like this are incapable of change. They don't want to. They are human black holes who want to suck everyone down into misery with them.

Leave him. This dynamic is abusive to your children.

It does feel like this sometimes. Sometimes complaining for the sake of it. There’s never any gratitude or appreciation in him even though really there’s not a huge amount to be unhappy with in our lives. Many people are content with a lot less and this is what his ex reflected when I spoke with her. If I speak to him on phone and my daughter makes noise or speaks in background, he gets irritated. So I have to mute myself or shush her or leave the room. Little things like this… he should be happy he has a healthy daughter

OP posts:
parietal · 05/04/2026 07:05

I’m going to repeat the advice above that the end of an abusive relationship can be a very dangerous time. When you ask him to leave and he has gone, get the locks changed. He has no legal right to stay in the property.

If he comes back, call the police. You can also get a non molestation order against him if things go badly.

Pyjamabanana16 · 05/04/2026 09:56

parietal · 05/04/2026 07:05

I’m going to repeat the advice above that the end of an abusive relationship can be a very dangerous time. When you ask him to leave and he has gone, get the locks changed. He has no legal right to stay in the property.

If he comes back, call the police. You can also get a non molestation order against him if things go badly.

Thank you, I’m going to speak today.

OP posts:
Dan757 · 05/04/2026 12:20

Get rid , be happy you've got this 💪

Pyjamabanana16 · 05/04/2026 12:38

Spoke to him this morning, everything calm. He just said if Im sure. And then we spoke about practicalities. everything was fine. Then he sees my daughter started to practice cycling and after two very aggressive attempts to show her complete a full circle with her feet. He Just lost patience and went ballistic about how no one had to teach him to cycle and she’s like this because of me. I said give her time then teach her properly don’t just scare her into doing it right. She was crying, I hugged her. And then he said this is all I know how to do.. hug and make her useless. And then he was just going on and on about how this is my genes. How is it possible to be attracted to this? He’s mid 40s, how can you be with a 5 year old like this?

OP posts:
Pyjamabanana16 · 05/04/2026 12:43

He’s now gone out. So I’m trying to teach her. But that’s what I mean, he doesn’t seem to have any control of himself or realise what’s an acceptable reaction or way to speak. He could have just realised it’s annoying him and left her alone. im always busy so hardly have any time to show her so I’ve let her get in this bad habit and where she practices there’s no space so she reaches the other wall really soon. But ffs, for most people I don’t even think it would be a thing to get irritated about . Poor thing she’s not going for an international cycling competition she’s just learning to pedal 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️

OP posts: