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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

Am I controlling?

181 replies

Cantthinkofanamenow · 20/05/2026 08:57

Dh regularly goes out to his friends house 3 doors away from us until early hours of the morning 1/2am. He leaves the door unlocked which he knows I hate and makes me feel unsafe (we live in a very quiet area but you never know what could happen). He also always goes after I've gone to bed so it's almost as if he hopes i don't notice he's gone. For context we are in our 30s, have children, and both work (him full time). It never affects him getting up for work in the morning, or getting up with the dc but I just find it really odd for someone his age to do and sometimes makes me feel like I'm married to someone in their 20s being out half the night all the time. He says I'm controlling and it's no different to me seeing my friends in the daytime but I disagree. Am I controlling for not liking it?

OP posts:
Babyboomer50 · Yesterday 02:53

Is your husband Bi ? How often do you go to bed and have sex/sleep like most married people do ? Your husband could also be being picked up by somebody and going elsewhere and not the neighbours . OP I think you have to think outside the box here and ask your husband some hard questions . It could appear to be quite innocent or you could be getting played for just accepting what he is doing to you .

GentleSheep · Yesterday 03:10

Your DH is putting his relationship with someone else (or some thing else) ahead of your marriage, for whatever reason, and that's not right. Plus he's irresponsible leaving the door unlocked which could endanger his family, another indication he isn't putting them first!

Currycats · Yesterday 05:44

Babyboomer50 · Yesterday 02:53

Is your husband Bi ? How often do you go to bed and have sex/sleep like most married people do ? Your husband could also be being picked up by somebody and going elsewhere and not the neighbours . OP I think you have to think outside the box here and ask your husband some hard questions . It could appear to be quite innocent or you could be getting played for just accepting what he is doing to you .

Yeah my former coworker assumed her husband was staying out at his brothers who stayed round the corner.

I gently told her considering her brother in law had a wife and 3 young children that was unlikely and encouraged her to press him for an answer.

He refused to tell her, so she eventually asked the in-laws and they said no, he wasn’t at theirs and told her to ask him again since they clearly knew but didn’t want to get involved.

Long story short it came out that he was having an affair with a woman from work, and he divorced her a few months later.

Nothavingagoodvalentinesday · Yesterday 12:57

It is not controlling to want to feel safe in your own home. He is being inconsiderate, not for going out, but for not letting you know how long he will be out and for not locking the door.
If he is a night owl and is genuinely spending time with his friend it seems reasonable to do it when it has least impact on you ie at night.
Can’t you make a pact? You won’t complain if he tells you he’s going and locks the door when he leaves.

Jumpingjoys · Yesterday 14:52

@Cantthinkofanamenow Calling you controlling is gaslighting btw. He is turning the issue back on you, so that instead having to explain his behaviour, you spend your energy and focus on doubting yourself. Very clever. But very mean.

FaceIt · Yesterday 22:54

YADNBU
There’s absolutely no way you are controlling. This would irritate the hell out of me.

The issue is he’s a stoner addicted to weed.

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