Living with a Passive Aggressive Man

Things have moved on apace, I've been seeing a counselor and joined a group for emotionally abused women. Even though I still find it difficult to think of my OH as an 'abuser'.

I moved out of our bedroom about 2 weeks ago, that has been a great relief, the last time we had sex it was definitely not consensual and I feel much safer one step removed.

He'd not asked at any time why I've moved out or even mentioned it. That was until yesterday when i thought things needed clarifying after a couple of odd comments.

Surprisingly (or not) enough as soon as we'd had the talk, he turned into

• Mr loving you so much it hurts,
• how can you throw away 20 years
• its really not going to be pleasant for the kids
• how can you think I'm not committed, I've been here all the time
• if you came to bed with me you'd see things are OK

This is where it gets hard for me, as all I want is for it to work, but this time I have to remember all the times we've danced these steps and still end up at the same place. We should be able to have a mutually satisfying relationship without it teetering on the edge.

So I'm working on my self esteem and setting good boundaries, but I can feel myself slipping ever so slightly when he tells me he's having trouble sleeping and I can see he wants my company, it's much easier to give in and give him what he wants than it is to stand my ground for what I want.

Categories: Relationship

I can just never tell how things are going to be, and that's the unsettling path of life with a passive aggressive. They keep you on the edge of your seat, wrong footed and confused.

I liked having the house to myself, and was not looking forward to his return. Mostly because the last time he was away he was really odd when he came back. This time though he was wonderful, although he did not kiss me on his return, and we were a little abrasive during the evening, (he got back at 8.30pm) he was affectionate, stroking, touching and cuddling when we went to bed, which is extremely unusual for him.

I intend to make the most of it, as this is all I've ever wanted, physical affection and attention. He kissed me when I got back in from work yesterday. I can't begin to say how pleasant it is, but at the same time, after 20 years I'm unable to completely trust it, and walking on eggshells, waiting for the rug to be pulled from underneath me.

In my previous post I said how I'd enjoyed not making the bed, but he was coming back and I started to feel anxious about what hadn't been done, so on the Friday I cleaned all the bathrooms, our bedroom, vacuumed upstairs and down, and sorted out the laundry cupboard (something I'd been wanting to do for a while). I was going to leave the tablecloth, but knew if I missed something it would be the one thing he'd comment on, so I changed it, and the house looked and smelled good when he got back. After general greetings and " how was your journey" etc, he had gone to put something in the bin, "does no one else know how to empty this bin then?" He was away for 5 days, he knew damned well the bin must have been emptied while he was away, but because it was almost full he had to comment on it, not how nice the house was looking, how he liked those sheets on the bed or any other positive thing.

This morning, when I came down, he said, "you must be really glad I'm back".

This because

• he comes downstairs first - if I go into the bathroom first he knocks on the door, asks me to hurry up, tells me he's going to be late, etc. So I wait and let him get up first so there isn't aggro in the mornings
• he makes my coffee - our kitchen is small and if I need anything I get in his way and he makes sure I know it
• he makes lunch for him and my daughter - I used to make the lunches and I liked to do it, when I made theirs I also made mine which meant I was much better organsised at lunchtime, but he wouldn't let me get on with it, he'd hang around, suggesting I cut the tomatoes a different way or placed them in the box differently.

A perfect example of how in a relationship with a passive aggressive you are always in a no-win situation. If I get up first I hog the bathroom, if I get up last I'm lazy. When I make him lunch it's not right, when I don't it's because I don't care about him.

There was more obvious passive aggression last night. I have a very hard day on a Monday and I'm always tired Monday evening. When we were planning the meals I said I'd make something easy for Monday night, but he had wanted to have turkey and orange salad, it's something he makes and it's very good, I was pleased as it meant I wouldn't have to cook at all on the Monday evening. When I got in, I made a cup of tea and went to catch up with some TV, a few minutes later he came in and set up the ironing board. I used to do all the ironing, I never minded it really and would do it in front of the TV. I can't even remember how he took it on, (since he has started doing it, he says the shirts are ironed much better than when I did them). What a racket he made, I've noticed this is how he expresses anger, I hate jangly, clattering noises and if he's angry there are lots of those.

I'm supposed to know (ESP) what he's angry about, I have to guess it's because

• he thought I should have done his ironing when he was away.
• he thought I should have done his ironing last night.
• he thought he shouldn't have to iron his clothes and make the dinner.

He was OK ish when we went to bed. If I thought it would make him happy, I'd iron, make dinner, empty the bins and anything else, but I've been there/done that and there's always something that I haven't done....

Categories: Relationship, Sex

It's so lovely at home. My other half is away for a week (well 5 days) on a training course. I feel the spring breeze blowing through the house. It is so calm, pleasant and stress free it's like a cloud has been lifted.

He always thinks I don't like it when he has to be away from home and 10 years or more ago maybe that was the case, but this time I was so pleased when I heard the news I could barely contain myself, as his course is very close to family he is staying with his sister and the look on his face when I suggested he stay the weekend as well as he hasn't seen them all in years.

He called me last night, which is pretty unusual, and something I used to complain about. He'd go away, not call to say he'd arrived, or make any contact the whole time he was gone. He asked how it was going, I was straight up with him, said how chilled it was, how nice it was to be able to leave my shoes were I liked and the bed unmade if I felt like it. He wasn't happy about that and reminded me that when we were apart I always kept my house tidy, and mostly I did, but the thing was it was up to me, no-one was going to start banging things around if I didn't put my shoes in the cupboard.

He has this opinion that without him around, our daughter won't get to school on time, we'll eat take-outs all week, and that the plants won'tt be watered, that in fact without him around the place descends into a complete shambles. Although he does not say this in so many words he makes it crystal clear that he thinks I'm a wreck when he's away.

In my opinion nothing could be further from the truth, when there is only me to rely on then getting everything done is so much easier. Last night I made Covent Gardens parsnip and Parmesan soup. It came out really well, and there is plenty left over for a couple of lunches. I got the lunch ready for today as we have an early start and ironed for the rest of the week.

Being here on my own and relaxed and happy really makes me realise what an idiot I was to move back in!

Categories: Relationship

...my fuckwit husband has to go and get all up his own arse.

Everything has been going OK. Well as OK as it has been over the last few years. I went to visit my mum, (I go about once a week and stay one to two hours). When I got back he had gone out with our 12 year old to pick blackberries. I love very little more than free food, so was very happy about this. I'd been a to work all week so took the opportuity to clean the bathroom, our bedroom and put some laundry through. Just about then, they came back. Dave started straight away to make apple and blackberry crumble, we got the apples free as well :). He asked if I would make some jam with the rest of it. So I got on with that (I just have to put the ingredients in, the breadmaker actually makes the jam).

It was getting late and dinner wasn't started, the sink was full of dirty dishes, and the dishwasher full of clean. I opened the dishwasher to empty it and this was the first sign that I was DOING SOMETHING WRONG... he banged the door shut, and thinking it was best to get out of the way until he was finished I went and sat with my son. Dave finishes what he is doing and clears the dishes out of the sink, then comes to find me, and says,

"aren't you going to bother with dinner tonight then".

I reply in my sweetest voice, "of course honey, I was just waiting for you to finish in the kitchen"

"thats right, somehow it's my fault that dinner isn't ready."

Now I start to get a little pissed, but head into the kitchen and get some further abuse, normally, in my good little wifey way, I'd apologise at this point try to calm the waters and make the dinner.

But, when he followed up his tirade with, "what sort of a mother are you?"

I have to admit, I let rip, "fuck it," says I, "I don't have to listen to this shit, I'm going to the fish shop".

I'm ashamed to admit that the kids heard this, and I know they hate to hear us arguing. We don't have cross words very often, but it still upsets them.

In my womanly way I go around and around this conversation and I can not for the life of me figure out where it came from. When I got back he was sat in the sitting room with a family size packet of crisps, me and the kids ate our fish and chips which were lovely.

Categories: Family, Relationship

It feels extremely indulgent to blog, especially as there is so much else I should be doing. Housework, etc. I just got back for a 10 day trip on my own. I loved having the time to enjoy myself and relax without having to second guess what he wants all the time. I had a really great week, and thinking of going away again in July. I've not mentioned that yet though, as there will definitely be fireworks, and more life draining sulks.

I was just reading about kissing, I was going to moan that he doesn't like to kiss, but now I think maybe it's a guy thing, after seeing Ed Byrne do a stand up routine around the question, "what's with all the kissing?"

I love to kiss, but can't even remember the last time that happened beyond a peck. A long time ago thee was a brief encounter with another woman, and oh wow, the kissing was amazing.

Categories: Relationship

I've been in this relationship, with the man I love for almost 20 years. Watching an episode of Desperate Housewives last week I heard Orson comment to Bree something along the lines of " you know Katherine, she'll be so passive aggressive about it we won't even know".

I must have heard the term before. I've read masses of self help articles, it's difficult to believe I got to 42 without knowing what passive aggression is, but for some reason a light bulb lit in my head and I started to research Passive Aggressive, OMG a lot of people have written a lot of stuff about it. A lot of it is very gloomy, these articles tell me there is no hope for my relationship the very nature of passive aggressive means that those who are PA can never admit to it, and find it difficult to get any help to overcome it.

Most of the articles focus on how we can change ourselves, how we must start taking care of number 1, and put our needs first. Over the years I have often wondered to myself why my partners needs were more important than mine, of course they never were, but I allowed them to take over, i allowed his needs to be taken care of and mine to be hidden away. Now that I aware of this I am going to try to stop it. This I am finding proves very hard, after 20 years of being manipulated by someone who is passive aggressive, I don't even know my own thoughts any more, and now have to make myself think, do I want this, or do I want it for him.

Saturday morning was the first confrontation we've had. I always back down, not wanting to provoke his sullenness but not this time. I got up after he did and when I came down he'd cooked himself some breakfast. This would normally go without comment, but not any longer.

Me " I would have liked you to have asked me if I would like breakfast"

Him "you hardly ever have anything."

Me "I know, but for the last few weekends I have made us both a cooked breakfast, when you were up first and making something, I think you should have asked what I'd like".

Him " oh this is great, do you just try to make things as difficult as possible, that's the weekend ruined now."

Me, "do not pass this back to me, the weekend does not have to be ruined. I think you should have asked me if I would like breakfast, if you are going to give me the silent treatment because I called you out on something you should have done, then it is you who is ruining the weekend."

Him " I'm not going to give you the silent treatment."

We had an OK weekend, there were a couple of times I thought he wanted to say something but he didn't. I'm not sure if that's a success in dealing with passive aggression, but it felt like it to me. Normally if I have something on my mind, my stomach is churning for hours and only when it is something of huge importance will I risk upsetting the apple cart by bringing it up with him. There weren't any fireworks, and if there had been I would have left him to it.

The great thing for me is knowing that it isn't about me. It isn't that I am too fat, not sexy enough, don't wear enough make up or have the wrong colour hair, it's all about him and his own insecurities.

Categories: Relationship

Maybe the best way to get my hubby aroused is to do housework. It used to be if I was cooking when he came in, I could see a flicker of interest, but now I cook so often he's become blase about it. Should I be vacuuming when he gets in, or even better washing the floor he can barely contain himself, of course he always manages to hold himself in check.

What is it about my man that he can wank to the filthiest porn, but to have sex with me missionary position is about the limit. He used to enjoy dirtier sex, but now says he just likes to come, he's not really bothered how he gets there, just as quickly as possible.

I rarely instigate sex anymore as I almost always get knocked back, but last night, I thought he might be up for some, and although he was soft, I went down on him, he came quickly and then straight to sleep. I sometimes get pissed off that he does not reciprocate, but last night was OK, I enjoyed doing it, and even more that I had instigated it and that it was not our 'usual' time. (mornings).

I really fancy a drink, I rarely have anything because as my inhibitions loosen I become a sexual predator and feel like ripping his clothes off to get started. He hates that I become so desperate, hence I rarely drink. There not much in to have either, there are some spirits, but no mixers, and a bottle of champagne, which I may well chill and open.

Categories: Relationship, Sex

I have to constantly remind myself that my husband is already perfect. He doesn't need fixing by me. Just because he does not want sex as much as I do, or as dirty as I do, there is nothing worng with him.

What I do wonder then, is there something wrong with our relationship. Has it always been the wrong relationship. I remember it and him being more passionate, but truthfully I have to remember that even in our early days of lust he was always more reserved than me.

Because my mum was divorced, I grew up seeing the benefits of single life. There are no compromises to make, you watch what you want on the TV, eat what you want and sleep when you want. In these enlightened times of casual internet sex, I expect it would be easy to get laid when you want too. I used to dream of this hedonistic existenence, with no one to answer to, and just a good time to be had. When we did live apart it was nice to watch what I wanted, it was even better to eat what and when I wanted, but it was lonely. Bone chillingly lonely. No-one to comment on the day or the news with and missed him dreadfully.

I have to remind myself of this frequently when I see a nice single place up for rent, and I dream of my idylic single girl life style.

Categories: Relationship

I didn't read any of the replies from Craiglist. Way too tempting, but, being the good girl I am I wouldn't have acted on any of them anyway.

We've had sex. It was the middle of the night, but penetrative sex it certainly was, and, he wasn't his usual selfish lover either. There was no kissing, or love talk, but for us it was successful and very pleasant sex.

I had to be away overnight for a trip. and when I got back yesterday hoped he'd be horny and up for some, but there was none of it. Any sex we have is usually weekend mornings, but he got up before me this morning. We went out for a lovely walk this afternoon and held hands walking along the beach and reminisced about past holidays. After that we were picking some blackberries in a secluded spot, and I idly wondered how he would react if I was to take off my top and squash some berries on my breasts, but the thought of the revulsion on his face kept me in check.

Categories: Relationship, Sex

I've done it now. I've taken that first step into the unknown. I've put a personal advert on Craiglist. I feel as though I'm copping out and I should try a little more. If I put more effort in it will work. I know it will, I've read every relationship website I can find and quite a few of the books they peddle. They all say that putting the hours in brings it's rewards.

I know that if I change he has to change as well. And for a while I thought it was going to work. We have been living back together now for about a year. To start off it was very rocky, there was no trust, but gradually it got better and then it was great. I remember commenting to a friend that if someone told me my relationship could be so good a few months before I would not have believed them. I know it was good because we were having sex. It was still only in bed, and only in the mornings, but it was a lot of mornings. Having sex makes everyone feel better, I read sex is like a barometer for the relationship. I think I also read that it has a cyclical effect, so if things aren't going too well, but you force yourself into having sex, those feel good emotions get activated and things improve out of the bedroom as well.

Then it got bad, and it happened quickly. He went away on holiday. I was pleased he did, it was somewhere he wanted to go and I didn't. He had a great time, and I enjoyed being home. When he got back he was awful; distant, moody and surly. Thinking back now I wonder if maybe he met someone there, a one night stand or something and felt guilty when he returned.

We have had (sort of) sex recently. As he never comes anywhere near me outside of bed (and only in bed when he's horny), I find it difficult to get in the mood in the time we have. Given my analogy above though that having sex improves everything, I try to put mind over matter and get into the swing of things. A couple of weeks ago he turns to me in the morning, below is a diagram of the foreplay.

The red indicates his hand movements. That was it, there was nothing else, no talking, no kissing, just his hand on some of my erogenous zones. I couldn't get turned on enough to enjoy penetration. If it did improve anything outside of bed, I wasn't aware of it.

We don't often argue, we rarely have cross words, but through this week there was an altercation. He really blew up at me, which is very unusual for him, and I usually let this sort of thing go, and just calm the waters, but he shouted at me, and called me useless etc, and I got really pissed off. So we didn't speak for a couple of days. He tried to talk to me the next morning, but for once I stuck to my guns and was having none of it. I was waiting for an apology. I don't know how long we would not have conversed before I got an apology, long enough for us both to have forgotten what the argument was about I suspect. I hate the discomfort and atmosphere so gave in, and we are back to 'normal'. This morning he was still asleep when i got in the shower ( I fond I want to get out of bed early these days). He was awake when I went back into the bedroom, "how about a fondle before you get dressed" he says. I reply "tempting, I'm having to hold myself back from that delicious offer," and left him to his right hand.

Categories: Relationship, Sex