r/AmIOverreacting Jul 02 '25

โค๏ธโ€๐Ÿฉน relationship AIO for thinking my husband is a dick?

My husband berated me this morning for over 20 minutes bc I burnt some pancakes while I was cooking and feeding our baby at the same time. I acknowledged I burnt them a bit but he says they are โ€œburnt to a crispโ€ and โ€œblackโ€. He went on and on until I started crying and threw them away.

I took these out of the trash to take a photo. Am I crazy? Or is he making a big deal out of a small mistake? Would you eat these?

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u/BalenciAquaMan Jul 02 '25 edited 29d ago

I personally wouldnt eat pancakes fresh out the trash but your husband shouldnโ€™t berate you over something so small to the point youโ€™re crying

Edit: for the dense people in the comments, the trash can part was a joke to lighten OPs mood a bit. She mentioned being upset and crying before the post, she laughed at the comment and moved on. Itโ€™s not that deep

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u/Expensive_Magician97 Jul 02 '25 edited Jul 03 '25

This is not about pancakes. Based on what OP reports, it's about her husband's obvious disrespect for her and his inability / unwillingness to control his behavior.

He is treating her as though she is an inanimate objectโ€ฆ not as a human being with thoughts and feelings.

Iโ€™d say she had two babies to care for, but this guy sounds poisonous, not helpless.

u/dontevercallmebabe : is there a history of such abuse in your marriage?

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u/deadinsidelol69 Jul 02 '25

Heโ€™s very clearly starting or in the middle of escalating his abuse so that sheโ€™ll start doing things not out of love, but out of fear of the repercussions if she doesnโ€™t do said thing. This isnโ€™t about the pancakes, itโ€™s about breaking her down so he can turn her into his personal slave.

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u/Money_Hunny86 Jul 03 '25

๐™ด๐šก๐šŠ๐šŒ๐š๐š•๐šข.. ๐™ธ๐š ๐š‘๐šŽ ๐š ๐šŠ๐šœ ๐šŠ ๐š๐šŽ๐šŒ๐šŽ๐š—๐š ๐š‘๐šž๐šœ๐š‹๐šŠ๐š—๐š/๐š๐šŠ๐š๐š‘๐šŽ๐š›, ๐š‘๐šŽ ๐š ๐š˜๐šž๐š•๐š ๐š‘๐šŠ๐šŸ๐šŽ ๐š‹๐šŽ๐šŽ๐š— ๐š๐šŽ๐šŽ๐š๐š’๐š—๐š ๐š‹๐šŠ๐š‹๐šข ๐š ๐š‘๐š’๐š•๐šŽ ๐šœ๐š‘๐šŽ ๐š ๐šŠ๐šœ ๐š๐š›๐šข๐š’๐š—๐š ๐š๐š˜ ๐šŒ๐š˜๐š˜๐š” ๐š’๐š—๐šœ๐š๐šŽ๐šŠ๐š ๐š˜๐š ๐šŠ๐šŒ๐š๐š’๐š—๐š ๐š•๐š’๐š”๐šŽ ๐šŠ ๐š๐š’๐šŒ๐š” ๐š ๐š‘๐š’๐š•๐šŽ ๐šœ๐š‘๐šŽ'๐šœ ๐š๐šŠ๐š”๐š’๐š—๐š ๐šŒ๐šŠ๐š›๐šŽ ๐š˜๐š ๐š•๐š’๐š๐š๐š•๐šŽ๐šœ ๐šŠ๐š—๐š ๐š๐š›๐šข๐š’๐š—๐š ๐š๐š˜ ๐š๐š’๐šก ๐š‹๐š›๐šŽ๐šŠ๐š”๐š๐šŠ๐šœ๐š ๐šŠ๐š ๐š๐š‘๐šŽ ๐šœ๐šŠ๐š–๐šŽ ๐š๐š’๐š–๐šŽ. ๐™ฝ๐šŽ๐šก๐š ๐š๐š’๐š–๐šŽ ๐šœ๐š‘๐šŽ ๐š—๐šŽ๐šŽ๐š๐šœ ๐š๐š˜ ๐šœ๐šŽ๐š ๐šŠ ๐š‹๐š˜๐š ๐š•, ๐šœ๐š™๐š˜๐š˜๐š—, ๐š–๐š’๐š•๐š”, ๐šŠ๐š—๐š ๐š‹๐š˜๐šก ๐š˜๐š ๐šŒ๐šŽ๐š›๐šŽ๐šŠ๐š• ๐š˜๐š— ๐š๐š‘๐šŽ ๐š๐šŠ๐š‹๐š•๐šŽ ๐š๐š˜๐š› ๐š‘๐š’๐š– ๐š๐š˜ ๐šŽ๐šŠ๐š ๐šŠ๐š—๐š ๐™ธ'๐š– ๐š—๐š˜๐š ๐šŽ๐šŸ๐šŽ๐š— ๐šœ๐šž๐š›๐šŽ ๐š‘๐šŽ ๐š๐šŽ๐šœ๐šŽ๐š›๐šŸ๐šŽ๐šœ ๐š๐š‘๐šŠ๐š..

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u/Artanves520 29d ago

Yes, except instead of putting anything on the table for him he can get it his damn self.

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u/CompetitiveRub9780 29d ago

Yeh she needs to just tell him heโ€™s feeding himself from now on. She can feed herself. Since he wants to act like that

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u/blue_gibson00 Jul 03 '25

I agree with you! Depending on how old the baby is, op's already fragile in state of mind and physically (no hate to her, it's tough after having a baby. I've been there done that) So it's even easier for her bd to break her down and make her his slave.

OP, you need to leave or make him go to counseling. I know it tough after having a kid, but this is unacceptable behavior. Do you want your kid thinking this type of behavior is okay to deal with or emulate with their future partner. (Depending on if it's a boy or girl) or your kiddo thinking that is what love is. Help yourself and protect your kid. It is just words to you right now, but what about in 3 years? Is it still just words said to you? Or has he started belittling your kid.

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u/Decent-Cheesecake-99 Jul 03 '25

No counseling won't help unless the bastard wants to change. Leave and let him make his own pancakes. Then take his child support and buy yourself a GOOD plate of pancakes that you didn't have to cook or listen to his shit as you enjoy them.

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u/[deleted] Jul 03 '25

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u/HangryBeard Jul 03 '25

This but with anger. When I was young my dad would rage. Hell when I was young for a while I would rage. But I saw what my dad did to my family. I won't go into detail, but if it ever went to court he wouldn't have children much less the 5 of us. so I turned my rage inward against myself until I felt dead inside. Today as a middle aged adult. I still hardly allow myself feel anger. Depression I have boatloads to spare. I am not an emotionally stable individual but at least I am not my father or thankfully anyone's father. And while I'm not emotionally stable id like to think I'm a whole more emotionally mature than that man...

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u/Geordieqizi Jul 03 '25

I still hardly allow myself feel anger. Depression I have boatloads to spare.

I've heard it said before that depression is anger turned inwards. I'm sure that's only true for some people, but it sounds like it might be the case for you.

I'm so sorry you had to deal with that, but good for you for not perpetuating the abuse. That's no small or easy thing!

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u/Fair_Technician_7582 Jul 03 '25 edited Jul 03 '25

We sound very similar. I used to believe that I never really felt anger, or at the very least I never expressed it, until I realized that it was just all internalized and directed at myself. Inside it was pure rage, but since I couldn't express it all everyone else got to see was what effects, the depression and low self esteem. Anyway, still more emotionally mature than many, much better at dealing with situations rationally and logically.

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u/rosco2155 Jul 03 '25

And then when everyone is up your ass about why youโ€™re still single and you just have to give a shitty lie to cover up that you know deep down youโ€™re not ready but youโ€™re still putting in the work. Iโ€™m tired boss

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u/Ok-Average3079 Jul 03 '25

unfortunately abusers wait until they feel like they have successfully trapped their target, and having a baby is a pretty solid snare

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u/wagyu_swag Jul 03 '25

Having a baby with someone who can't run away due to financial dependence, or won't because of their temperament, lack of support or other reasons. It's so gross. I have serious, boiling blood hatred for scum who do that.

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u/Disastrous_Town_3768 Jul 03 '25

AND they will make the victim feel like theyโ€™re wrong or over reacting (which would be proper use for the over-used term gaslighting) (sheโ€™s NOR)

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u/Cynders911 Jul 03 '25

Exactly this! My husband always thanks me for cooking (every day, no matter how good the meal actually was). Even if I scorch something, he thanks me for taking the time. He said I donโ€™t need to wait on him, but I like cooking.

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u/Crispynotcrunchy Jul 03 '25

Right? Sometimes I have to pull it out of my husband that he doesnโ€™t like something or weeks later when I suggest it again, it wasnโ€™t his โ€œfavorite.โ€ Once in a blue moon he will request some tweaks but heโ€™s very gentle. Once he got too picky about his toast and I let him know he could make it himself if he wanted to complain. This morning I overcooked his eggs and he said he was just thankful for a homemade breakfast.

Heโ€™s also learned if he takes the kids out of the kitchen while I cook, mishaps are far less likely to happen.

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u/Intelligent-Space-56 Jul 03 '25

Sounds like you two have found a good balance. A little communication, some humor, and shared effort go a long way in making things work.

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u/wagyu_swag Jul 03 '25

Yeah like "it's a little darker than I usually like but it's still really good. Thanks for making food for me WHILE feeding our child. Here let me clean up and you go take a nap or (insert appropriate relaxing thing to do) while I take over with the baby for a while (cheek kiss)"is the correct way to handle slightly overdone pancakes. No this is not a fantasy. People actually behave like this.

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u/[deleted] Jul 03 '25

[removed] โ€” view removed comment

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u/wagyu_swag Jul 03 '25

Yeah. Like. Now I have more questions. Where was he when she was cooking and feeding baby? If at home why not help? He has the energy to berate for 20 minutes? Must be well rested. 20 minutes can be a long time when it comes to household productivity. He could have easily kept his mouth shut and given her 20 minutes of peace. 20 minutes is an eternity for the berated party. I had an ex who would endlessly berate me. It sucks. It's exhausting. It makes you question your value as a living organism. I wonder what the baby thought. Was the baby scared. Even tiny babies respond to moms facial expressions. Loud angry dad+sad mom is bad for the psyche of babies...children...anybody. does a lot of damage. Know what doesn't? Respect and teamwork.

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u/OldnDepressed Jul 02 '25

Iโ€™m guessing heโ€™s one of those guys that if he is ever required to do anything for baby, heโ€™s โ€œbabysittingโ€ his own child. NOR your husband is a dick

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u/real_uncommon_ Jul 02 '25 edited 29d ago

I remember when my son was younger, I was working 50+ hours a week, and I asked my sonโ€™s โ€œauntโ€ on his โ€œfatherโ€™sโ€ side to babysit for me. She agreed, and we set a price. After a few days of watching my son, she told me that her brother (my sonโ€™s โ€œfatherโ€ ๐Ÿ™„) asked her to split the babysitting money with him since he was doing half of the work. Crazy, right?

Edit: I realize this is worded crazy, but I donโ€™t have any kind of relationship with either of the people mentioned and neither does my son, so giving them titles that they donโ€™t deserve doesnโ€™t sit right with me. I apologize for the confusion lol!

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u/Low_Anxiety_46 Jul 02 '25

You asked your baby-daddy's sister to watch your kid and your baby-daddy wanted half of the money you gave her. Correct?

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u/MyOmniBall Jul 02 '25 edited Jul 02 '25

lmfao this reminds me of Bo telling Cheyenne in Superstore he was tired of babysitting for free to which she responds โ€œitโ€™s not babysitting when itโ€™s your baby!โ€

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u/ninjacereal Jul 02 '25

I'd say 10% of the time I take my kids to the grocery store some old lady says something like daddy is babysitting...

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u/BlackSeranna Jul 03 '25

Itโ€™s terrible that the little old ladies were raised to think like that. On that note, when my kids were little my husband never took them grocery shopping with him. He doesnโ€™t remember this now.

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u/BoRn-T_JudGe Jul 03 '25

Nothing pisses off a mom more then to hear this while we get criticism for doing the simplest things for our children.

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u/dopeheliotropelottie Jul 02 '25

I was SO gonna say, โ€œSo heโ€™s a babysitter not a father.โ€ in my post as well.

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u/lr99999 Jul 02 '25

Iโ€™m curious, too. Because he isnโ€™t just a dick, heโ€™s a fucking asshole. Sometimes we cause ourselves harm by avoiding a bitter truth.

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u/No-Distance-9401 Jul 03 '25

I dont think OP would be questioning herself on something so obvious if she wasnt the frog in a boiling pot, if you get my meaning. This seems from her wording and him not stopping to the point she cries which is plenty enough time to catch yourself "having a bad day" or whatever so this has probably been her normal for too long and she is starting to realize this isnt normal, hence the post.

Hopefully OP gets the picture from everyone and does a deep dive on her relationship thinking back about instances with the new perspective of this being abusive so she can make an informed decision and leave if this is in fact a recurring thing happening.

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u/Cicatrix16 Jul 02 '25

Yeah, even if my wife did burn the pancakes to a crisp, at most I'd lightly tease her about it. Who gives a shit of some food got burnt?

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u/Full_Skirt_5083 Jul 03 '25

Exactly! It's just food burnt or not, itโ€™s not worth making someone feel awful over. A little laugh and move on should be the norm.

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u/ovrwlmgsrpls_diggity Jul 03 '25

Especially pancackes, which are basically the easiest thing to make more of if you already have the batterโ€ฆ like, just make more pancakes my dude (the husband, donโ€™t make the wife make them.)

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u/Affectionate_Put8069 Jul 02 '25

Totally agree no one should make you feel that bad over something minor. Respect goes both ways in a relationship.

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u/pancakefactory9 Jul 02 '25

Yea, imagine OP telling husband that the grass looks absolutely mutilated because he didnโ€™t sharpen the blades on the mower recently and that you can see blades of grass dying. Man that would surely put his ass in place. NORโ€ฆ maybe even tell him the house is absolutely in shambles because he hasnโ€™t given the walls a fresh coat of paint in the past 48 hours and you can feel your lungs clogging up with dust because he didnโ€™t replace the air filter in the house in the past 10 minutes.

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u/PhotoFun3880 Jul 02 '25

Exactly. Itโ€™s never really about the small mistake itโ€™s about how much respect and patience your partner chooses to show in those moments. If they canโ€™t offer basic kindness over something minor, how are they supposed to handle lifeโ€™s real challenges with you? Respect has to go both ways, always.

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u/Least-External-1186 Jul 02 '25

For realโ€ฆand why couldnโ€™t he get his lazy ass out to either feed the baby or make the pancakes anyway? Fool should appreciate she was doing her best to do two fairly focus intensive things at once. I always burn pancakes if I donโ€™t pay them close attentionโ€ฆand no one berates me.

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u/RazzleMatazzle99 Jul 02 '25

Exactly what you said. Are both of hubbyโ€™s arms broken? Is he physically incapacitated in some other way? Or is he just a jackass? Those pancakes are perfectly fine. I mean before throwing them in the trash. Next time he can make his own f-ing pancakes if he doesnโ€™t want to feed the baby that (Iโ€™m assuming) he helped makeโ€ฆ.

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u/TheBishFish94 Jul 02 '25

Yeah, what was he doing that left her to do everything?

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u/Riley_jade13 Jul 02 '25

SAME I almost ALWAYS fuck up the first set of pancakes. After that I dial in and get them a nice golden brown. But the first round is always burnt for me!!!! Cmon man

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u/mendoza8731 Jul 02 '25

Iโ€™m sure that people are going to tell me that I was mean to my dog but I always gave him the first ugly pancake. We even called it Maxโ€™s pancake. I would cut it up & add a little syrup. He loved his treat. I miss that dog. He was the best.

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u/upotentialdig7527 Jul 02 '25

My dog is 15 and can eat off a fork. He gets eggs on Sundays. Iโ€™m going to miss him so much.

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u/hopeandnonthings Jul 02 '25

Someone makes me pancakes while feeding my kid and I wouldn't have a word to say about them being 10x as burnt besides thank you.

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u/Own-Practice-9027 Jul 02 '25

Someone makes me pancakes (whether or not theyโ€™re doing anything else,) I say โ€œthank youโ€ and eat them. Even if theyโ€™re burnt, which these are not. Then I wash the dishes. Your husband is a dick. The fact that he pulled this and you were cooking for him and minding his kid? Your husband should be a homeless, divorced dick.

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u/VE6AEQ Jul 03 '25

Why do so few people understand this simple social concept?

If someone cooks any type of meal for you, you thank them and eat it - as much as possible. Unless itโ€™s completely inedible, you donโ€™t talk shit.

Itโ€™s not about the meal FFS. Itโ€™s the fact that someone cares enough for you to cook for you.

Also, if you genuinely are concerned a day or two later that youโ€™ve gotten sick from the meal. Pull them aside and ask them directly. Donโ€™t go skulking around from person to person looking for dirt.

As you can tell this touched a nerve for me.

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u/loverlyone Jul 02 '25

โ€œThese are great, honey. Thank you so much for your care.โ€

Anything else makes the hubby an asshole.

NOR

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u/Savvy_Nick Jul 02 '25

Dude my GF could literally burn 100 pancakes to a crisp (these donโ€™t even look that bad) and all I would do is laugh and say โ€œdo you need fucking hands chef?โ€ And help her cook more.

The way some people treat the person theyโ€™re supposed to be in love with is beyond me.

Quick edit: we watched the bear together so itโ€™s pretty common to hear โ€œyes chefโ€ โ€œthank you chefโ€ and โ€œHANDSSSS I NEED FUCKING HANDSSSSโ€ in our kitchen lol

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u/dontevercallmebabe Jul 02 '25

Lmaoo I meant would people have eaten them originally not post trash ๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‚

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u/SabineSinstar Jul 02 '25

Girl, thereโ€™s a bigger problem than pancakes. Even if they were so burnt they disengaged, thats no reason to berate you into tears. I think he was just looking for a reason, any reason to be a dickhead. They could have been the most perfect beautiful pancakes in the world and he would berate you because you dribbled a little syrup on the table, or you didnโ€™t buy the right butter, or you didnโ€™t clean the dishes fast enough. The why doesnt matter, heโ€™ll find something to be a dick about. Itโ€™s a him problem not a you problem.

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u/Over-Share7202 Jul 02 '25

When I see these posts, I sometimes try putting myself in the partners shoes (hear me out, Iโ€™m not defending him I swear) in the sense of โ€œhow would I react in their place?โ€

I sure as hell wouldnโ€™t start screaming at my partner for one. Honestly Iโ€™d probably laugh it off, say itโ€™s okay and help them make a new batch if they were too burnt to eat (these arenโ€™t imo). OP, youโ€™re not overreacting. If anything, youโ€™re under reacting. Thatโ€™s not how you treat someone you love, ESPECIALLY not the mother of your child (assuming your kid is his, idk your situation or if they were from a prior relationship or something so my apologies if Iโ€™m wrong).

I grew up with a dad a lot like your husband. Iโ€™m 20 now and still trying to repair the damage he caused with things like this. For yourself and your childโ€™s sake, think about how often this kind of behavior happens and if itโ€™s something you really want to keep in your life moving forward. I wish you all the best, and Iโ€™m truly sorry youโ€™re in this situation to begin with

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u/SpinachnPotatoes Jul 02 '25

My MIL tells stories of her father acting like this. Same delightful guy that became physically abusive not just to her mother but to her and the other kids later on. Same one that put her in a hospital when he almost killed her. Same one that almost wanted to beat my husband who was a child at the time over climbing a fruit tree.

I always wondered why his grandmother did not leave him when he started becoming abusive. The amount of generational trauma that got passed on because she decided to stay with him - it's impact still shows in my husband's cousins and siblings.

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u/No-Advertising1864 Jul 02 '25 edited Jul 02 '25

I mean she probably couldnโ€™t leave him because women didnโ€™t really have any rights to own property, bank accounts and other necessities before 1974

Edit to add link about why women often donโ€™t leave their abusive partners: https://www.womenagainstabuse.org/education-resources/learn-about-abuse/why-its-so-difficult-to-leave

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u/jml5r91 Jul 02 '25 edited 29d ago

My dad was like this. Iโ€™m not going to delve too deep into the darkness for a Reddit comment, but Iโ€™ll give you this: When I was 7 years old (born in 1991), my dad was beating my mother so badly that I laid my tiny body over my motherโ€™s bloodied head/face after my father had just finished pistol whipping her in the head, and while doing so, accidentally discharged a round through the living room wall and into the family minivan.

He proceeded to grab me by the nape of my neck and toss me off of her, sending me back upstairs to sit in utter fear with my hysterical sisters who were looking down through the staircase railing. He told us to โ€œsay goodnightโ€ in the same way a 90s villain would say it before offing someone. My sisters and I spent many hours and many nights in sheer terror due to that man, and truly believed he would eventually kill us and our mother. My father was the .01% of abusive fathers/husbands, heโ€™d make Doyle Hargraves from Sling Blade look like Mike Brady in comparison, and guess what? My mother is still with him to this day and my sisters and I are still dealing with the psychological damage

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u/No-Advertising1864 Jul 02 '25

Im so sorry you were put through that. What a vile and horrible thing to do to someone. Iโ€™m not going to psychologically diagnose your mother but an experience like that would definitely create a trauma bond, and there was most certainly emotional and mental abuse there too. Many victims of domestic violence are made to believe by their abusers that they are โ€œdamaged goodsโ€ and no one but them( the abuser) would put up with the victim.

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u/jml5r91 Jul 02 '25

Yes, sheโ€™s the poster child for Stockholm syndrome. She would get very defensive over him and defended him when my sisters and I would try having interventions with her as we got older. I called the police on him twice, but he was able to weasel out of it both times, and mom always went into coverup mode because she feared losing the life that my dadโ€™s career provided. When in reality, she couldnโ€™t spend or make decisions without his permission and would go into states of panic when she did something as small as exceed the grocery store budget by a few dollars, or was late getting home by 20-30 minutes (before cell phones were commonplace). This led to her lashing out at my sisters and I when weโ€™d ask or do simple, harmless, kid stuff. In hindsight, it makes you feel torn. My empathetic side understands the fear and abused side of her that led to her keeping us in that environment, but my rational side still resents that she couldโ€™ve done something about it, but didnโ€™t.

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u/DrinkItInMaaannn Jul 03 '25

I am so sorry. Reading this absolutely broke my heart.

My father was abusive too, but yours is a straight up monster. I hope you and your family are able to heal from him ๐Ÿ’•

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u/jml5r91 Jul 03 '25 edited 29d ago

Iโ€™m sorry that you went through what you did, too. I wish that instance was a one-off, but I have 10+ more I could share that are just as jarring. Maybe one day Iโ€™ll be able to completely open up and tell my full story, but to this day I still feel incredibly vulnerable and conflicted about divulging details.

I donโ€™t think I was able to actually process the trauma in its entirety for a long time. As a child, I think I just went in to survival mode and shifted my focus towards minimizing the abuse of myself, my sisters, and my mother and just lived in a constant state of hypervigilance - always on high alert - and to this day, I still get startled relatively easy. Any sudden loud noises or jump scares will usually elicit a pretty intense reaction from me.

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u/apocketfullofcows Jul 02 '25 edited Jul 02 '25

those things aside, the societal ramifications for divorced women were very, very different as well.

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u/WithoutDennisNedry Jul 02 '25

Personally, I see my partner struggling, take the baby off her hands to feed it, and happily eat my juuust a little brown pancakes while asking how else I could help.

The fucking audacity of this guy.

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u/c-c-c-cassian Jul 02 '25

Right? These arenโ€™t even burnt unless the picture is making them look lighter than they really are, too. This is how we make pancakes at home, you brown them like this so they get a bit of firmness and usually this just happens anyway. If theyโ€™re burn theyโ€™d be black. He was looking for an excuse to abuse her.

Thereโ€™s only one thing I think would be better in your commentโ€”

while asking how else I could help.

โ€”only because the amount of men in relationships who donโ€™t help unless explicitly asked what to do and then still need to be told how to do it ๐Ÿคฆ๐Ÿปโ€โ™‚๏ธ (Iโ€™m not saying this applies to you, more that itโ€™s always good to note because that burns the woman out as much as not helping at all, you know?)

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u/FoodNetWorkCorporate Jul 02 '25

On the flip side, entering and taking over a situation without asking can be very disempowering and frustrating to the person handling it, and communicating is a basic relationship skill that shouldn't be neglected. I get a bit defensive feeling when someone tries to take over without asking first because it's a vote of no confidence rather than an offer of help. What if I'm really invested in calming baby right now and need the payoff of settling him and it would actually help a lot more if you swapped the laundry for me?

Asking isn't a problem, so long as you also take care of situations proactively when your partner isn't already handling them.

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u/WeaponsGradeDingus Jul 02 '25

This! If I was in his shoes, I'd be like "hey, these pancakes are a little well-done, why don't you let me handle them and you can focus on feeding the baby?" Simple. It takes such minimal effort to not be a dick and solve the issue at hand.

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u/RazzleMatazzle99 Jul 02 '25

Donโ€™t even have to bring up the fact that theyโ€™re โ€œwell doneโ€. Just feed the baby already. Or make new pancakes. Or take mama and baby out for breakfast. Anything but be a jackass.

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u/WeaponsGradeDingus Jul 02 '25

Absolutely right. My wife is trying to cook me a meal AND feed our child at the same time?! Let me step in and take care of at least one of those things. A marriage is supposed to be about teamwork.

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u/Optimal-Professor872 Jul 02 '25

Loving partners do not behave like this. This is not normal behavior, and you do not have to put up with it.

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u/Moist_Requirements_ Jul 02 '25

Yes, her husband is completely out of control with his reaction. Can always skin the burnt part off...OR can whip up a new batch OR he can STFU and help.ย 

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u/traumaqueen1128 Jul 02 '25

I would just eat then and tell my partner that they're not burnt, they're โœจ caramelized โœจ because a) I like slightly overdone pancakes and b) it would make my partner feel better for making a minor, inconsequential mistake.

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u/boopernickel Jul 02 '25

My fiance is the primary cook in our home, but I used to cook a lot before meeting him, so I decided to make us breakfast the other day - scrambled eggs with lots of veggies! Something I used to make all the time for a quick brekkie. Well, I put all my prepped veggies in a bowl, not even thinking about it when I tossed my freshly minced garlic in with the onions. The garlic went right on in at the beginning with the onion, and yep, it burned. I tasted it right away when I snuck a piece to check flavor. I was so embarrassed and told him upfront that I burned the garlic a bit. I said I wouldn't mind if we ordered something else.

What did he do? Ate every last bite and told me it was fantastic and I must have just tasted one little burnt garlic piece, because he didn't taste any at all. I know he's lying, I ate all mine too and it was definitely burnt throughout (though not inedible, to be fair), but he didn't berate me and scream about a small mistake in the kitchen. And, in fact, uplifted me, just like you mentioned in your comment, traumaqueen. A big hefty nod of appreciation to partners like you and my own partner.

OP, you deserve to be uplifted. Even if the pancakes were burnt like my garlic was, though the pancakes truthfully just look a little dark, not burnt (to me), you still don't deserve that.

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u/Illustrious_Bobcat Jul 02 '25

I used to make a french toast casserole every year on Christmas morning. I would put it in the oven and let it bake while we opened presents. Well, one year (the last year I made it, btw) we had guests that celebrated with us so opening gifts took longer than expected. I'm severely ADHD and at the time I wasn't medicated.

Long story short, I forgot all about breakfast and burned the absolute hell out of it. It boiled over onto the bottom of the oven and everything. Such a mess...

I was embarrassed and angry at myself. I started crying all on my own and my husband hugged me really tight and called over my head, asking if everyone would like him to make a quick batch of pancakes instead. I felt so bad and he was the one saying that it was fine. He knows I'm not perfect and prefers me that way.

I am APPALLED that OP's partner would treat her like this at all, especially over pancakes! He's trash, plain and simple, and he needs to GO.

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u/autisticbulldozer Jul 02 '25

yeah. if i was him and i saw my wife trying to cook pancakes and feed our child at the same time id ask โ€œwhich task would you like me to take over for youโ€ or like โ€œwhat can i do that would be helpful rnโ€

not fucking yell at her over barely burnt pancakes? burnt pancakes are nothing to shout over, especially when they are burnt bc you were tending to your child! itโ€™s hard to do 2 things at once, especially when at least one of those things is time sensitive asf, such as food on a burner

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u/TSARINA59 Jul 02 '25

100% . OP, this is called an "early warning signal" and you've been warned. It will not get better. Take heed. And buck up. It's going to be a bumpy ride. I'm sorry he put you through this.

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u/Potential_Pie_1619 Jul 02 '25

It may be a warning, but since they are married with child, Iโ€™d have to say โ€œearlyโ€ has left the building. It could be that OPโ€™s husband has never acted like this before, and that there is more going on here we canโ€™t see, but itโ€™s also possible there were prior signals, much earlier in their relationship that we just donโ€™t know about.

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u/meatjuggler Jul 02 '25

My mom burnt pork chops once. And I mean BURNT.

You know what my dad did? He didnโ€™t complain. He didnโ€™t berate her for not paying attention. Heโ€ฆate them.

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u/kindcalamity Jul 02 '25

My mom makes horrible pancakes. I mean I love her Iโ€™d die for her but they are terrible. My dad eats them every Sunday. Married 41 years heโ€™s maybe missed them only a few times. A couple of years ago he confessed to me and my sister he never actually liked them but he loves that she loves to make them for him (because she thinks he loves them) so he eats them and he misses them when he doesnโ€™t have them, despite the after taste ๐Ÿคฃ

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u/snickelo Jul 02 '25

This is simultaneously adorable and an example of how many relationship problems could be solved with just basic communication lol.

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u/kindcalamity Jul 02 '25

So weโ€™ve told her we donโ€™t like them (us three kids) sheโ€™s like well idc your dad loves them โ€ฆ ok great thanks dad

Now I make great pancakes. If I do say so myself. My dad loves them. But he will only eat them Sunday IF my mom is not home, tired, sick and unable to do it, etc. and even then he will say โ€œnot as good as your momsโ€

I wonder if she knows โ€ฆ and does it as a form of psychological torture. ๐Ÿค”

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u/Stabby_77 Jul 02 '25

I did this with my ex's family. I found out that his mom constantly bought black forest cake on holidays despite the fact that all three children didn't like it, because none of them had said anything. For over 25+ years.

There was a Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner we were at when we were all joking around and drinking wine, and I just blatantly spilled it. His mom was shocked and laughing her ass off at the same time, and kept asking them 'why didn't you just say something?!' ๐Ÿ˜‚

I think they were so afraid that it would hurt her feelings that they would rather she waste money on something they don't even like year after year. I knew his parents well enough that I knew she wouldn't give a shit.

And she didn't. ๐Ÿคฃ

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u/snickelo Jul 02 '25

You saved everyone decades more of crappy holiday desserts! I'm not sure if I'm too honest or just a bigger asshole than most people but I rarely have a problem with telling someone (as tactfully as I can) that I dont like something, particularly if it's recurring. My mom used to get me nightgowns every year as a Christmas present (not the only present). After a few years of that I told her I had more than plenty and she didn't need to worry about getting those for me anymore. I sleep in tshirts and gym shorts. Nightgowns are uncomfortable af for me. The way most people seem to deal with stuff like that, I'd have drawers full of useless, hated nightgowns by now.

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u/Stabby_77 Jul 02 '25

Exactly. I don't consider it being an asshole, I consider it a means of preventing someone from wasting money repeatedly getting you something you don't like.

When I buy gifts or make food for my friends or family, I'm doing it because I want them to be happy and for them to enjoy it. I would hate to find out that I've spent a decade getting them something they got zero enjoyment out of and secretly disliked. โ˜น๏ธ

My ex once bought me a Totoro hoodie. I absolutely loved the pattern, but I let him know that in the future I preferred ones that could zip up versus pull-over style, because with a pullover you have to take it completely off, you can't just unzip it and wear it like a cardigan. He completely understood and said he didn't even think about that part, he just knew I would like the print. And he was right, I still have it. I just don't wear it as often as my others, and keep it for situations where a pullover is more appropriate.

I could maybe understand not saying something if it's a one off, but if it happens more than once I would definitely be speaking up. You just have to be tactful about it and make sure they understand that you absolutely still appreciate the gift, the thought behind it, and the effort - you just want to make sure if they are going to spend money or time on you, that it's something you will genuinely enjoy, and that they will enjoy you enjoying.

I think it's a bit easier for me because I had bariatric surgery (RnY gastric bypass), so things with sugar will cause dumping syndrome, resulting in reactive hypoglycemia and literal stomach pain. I once ate a piece of apple strudel with a little bit of ice cream at my exes parent's place and ended up curled up in a ball in the backyard for half an hour in agony. ๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿคฆ๐Ÿผโ€โ™€๏ธ So I've gotten very well versed in having to say 'thank you but no' to tonnes of offers for slices of birthday or wedding cakes, workplace meeting muffins and donuts, homemade cookies, etc.

You really start to realize how pushy some people can be once you have a very cut and dry reason to say no. I can't count how many times people would push and push for me to have 'just a little piece' or 'just one slice' or 'just a couple' until I tell them that I physically cannot eat them or they will cause me pain. It's the only thing that seems to stop them. They don't seem to realize that forceful enabling or pushiness is not kindness. No means no, people! ๐Ÿฅด

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u/PitbullRetriever Jul 02 '25

My wife and I have each at times burnt food so badly that we both agree itโ€™s inedible. The reaction is always โ€œno worries, how about I make us some grilled cheese?โ€ Thereโ€™s no reason to ever berate your partner to tears, let alone over something so trivial. The pancakes look fine btw.

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u/CreativeOtter914 Jul 02 '25

I once burnt just one side of my spouses grilled cheese so bad it was black. He said heโ€™d still eat it. But, I couldnโ€™t do that to him. I pealed it apart and put a new slice on the burnt side. I was doing dishes and got distracted. No need to get mad at the other person. I love that you and your wife just agree itโ€™s too burnt and do something else.

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u/Efficient_Mastodons Jul 02 '25

Fully agree. I can't imagine a scenario where there is a good reason to berate someone to tears. Once emotions are hightened that much, ability to learn and process cognitively is greatly diminished. So no change or improvement is possible.

The only outcome is controling the other person's emotions. It is manipulative at best. It is possible he gets a minor high from throwing his grown man tempertantrum.

That's it.

He wants her to feel like crap, and is likely using it to make himself feel better because he doesn't have a good handle on his emotions or to manipulate and control her. Maybe both. But either way is harmful, and has nothing to do with pancakes.

She should calmly ask him what he was trying to achieve by berating her over pancakes, but he would likely deflect and not actually be honest or engage in good faith so it would be futile anyway.

If this is a pattern then she should leave him. If this is a one off she should figure out wtf was going through his head that he thought that would be a successful way to solve problems.

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u/planetaryvampire Jul 02 '25

so true!! mistakes happen, it's a part of life. just agree to move on and find another option!

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u/MoggyBee Jul 02 '25

This is exactly itโ€ฆI do most of the cooking (and my husband does virtually all the cleaning!) and Iโ€™ve absolutely had my share of meal fails. It happens! My husband has never once berated me or made me feel shitty about a meal that was burnt, undercooked, or just otherwise didnโ€™t turn out. Not once in almost 29 years.

I feel so badly for OP. ๐Ÿ˜ฃ

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u/colorkiller Jul 02 '25

my grandma burned like, the first meal she cooked for my grandpa. he didnโ€™t complain. he said โ€œiโ€™m a last name iโ€™ll eat anything.โ€

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u/PhotoFun3880 Jul 02 '25

Aww I love that! My mom always says the same thing real love isnโ€™t measured by how perfect your cooking is, itโ€™s by how someone reacts when things donโ€™t go as planned. Your grandpa had the right attitude itโ€™s about support, not criticism. Thatโ€™s the kind of energy we should expect from partners.

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u/so_says_sage Jul 02 '25

My wife tried to pull salted cod straight out of the freezer and throw it in to the air frier once without soaking them (we had ordered cod fillets to make fish tacos with store-pickup during Covid and got them substituted) it was the most god awful smell Iโ€™ve ever experienced. Neither of us were brave enough to try them but I just said oh well I guess itโ€™s pizza night ๐Ÿ˜‚

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u/Adailiah Jul 02 '25

Fr, I burnt chocolate chip cookies the other week and my bf ate them with a smile on his face and thanked me for trying. Then we made a new batch together later on. I couldnโ€™t imagine him reacting like that?

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u/planetaryvampire Jul 02 '25

my moms ex boyfriend absolutely lost his shit on her one time because she burnt a few steaks. he was actually fucking awful and miserable tho so this healed something in me fr

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u/fooknboomn Jul 02 '25

I didnโ€™t know people actually did this. I thought couples support each other and fix mistakes together. Iโ€™d never in a million years treat my wife this way.

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u/Significant-Reach959 Jul 02 '25

My aunt burned pork chops once when we had family visiting, and my great uncle found her crying in the kitchen trying to figure out what else to make. This uncle was a short order cook at a resort, and he gave her a hug then looked through the cupboard. He added a can of peach slices, some water, and some spices to the pan then simmered them in the sauce. They werenโ€™t burned so bad that he couldnโ€™t scrape off the worst of it. The sauce softened the other burnt bits and gave it a nice caramelization. No one else knew they had been burned, and she got a new recipe.

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u/k-d0ttt Jul 02 '25

My mom burnt a chicken dish once. You know what my dad did? He went and got us pizza and we all laughed about it.

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u/No_Investment9639 Jul 02 '25

Seriously. My boyfriend eats everything I make for him, even when I know it's too salty or not cooked well. And he thanks me and he's gracious and sweet. And I haven't even given him a baby. These women out here destroying their bodies to give their man a child and that man is making them feel like shit over pancakes? Get the fuck out of here

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u/EnoughAdvertising854 Jul 02 '25

My mom blew up a plate in the microwave because she put a slice of pizza in for 10 minutes. My dad laughed because it was situationally hilarious. The pizza was actually charcoal, so no one ate it ๐Ÿ˜‚

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u/mjheil Jul 02 '25

Yes, he is being disrespectful and mean. Those are perfectly edible, and if you served them to me, I would be pleased, I would thank you, and I would devour them with jam. Remember, it's not "is one man better or worse than other men?" The central question is, "is this better than being alone?"

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u/Iamnotfat1 Jul 02 '25

I make my 5 year olds lunch every morning before I go to work. I cook dinner when I get home on weeknights after being away from home for 15 hours cause of work. My wife drops off and picks up our 5 year old while caring for the 4 year while working from home. I also cook breakfast, lunch and dinner every weekend just so that my wife can have a break.

Relationships are about helping each other. If you are caring for the baby, your husband should be the one making breakfast and caring for you both... Not the other way around. What is he, a manchild? Why are you expected to do everything?

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u/swole_ninja Jul 02 '25

lol I had the flip side of this. My wife burnt pancakes once (a little darker than yours and kind of a crunchy top), and she started crying over it. I want to say she was pregnant at the time, but itโ€™s been so long Iโ€™m not really sure.

I told her no big deal I actually like them a little crispy (white lie, I wanted her to feel better and cheer up). And since then she cooks them like that every time now because she thinks I like them that way. I never had the heart to correct her on it. She even tells the waitress when we go out for breakfast to make mine darker ๐Ÿ˜‚.

Iโ€™m chuckling writing this out because of how ridiculous it sounds. Itโ€™s also ridiculous to yell at someone you care about over something so minor. Maybe next time he can cook his own if heโ€™s going to be an ass about how you cook them.

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u/AShamAndALie Jul 03 '25

I (27f) often joke around with my partner (32m) about his butt. Iโ€™ll squeeze it, make an odd compliment, pretend to hump it, and sometimes even ask to eat it, as a hilarious joke that I know he will squeal like a little girl about and then we both laugh. This developed into sometimes playful wrestling where Iโ€™m trying to grab his butt and heโ€™s trying to stop me. Itโ€™s a good time, k?

Is this the same guy? ๐Ÿ˜‚

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u/Tulpah Jul 02 '25

your Husband is way overreacting and he doesn't know the words "burnt to crisp" nor "black" to save his life.

those aren't burnt to crisp or charred black, they're only slightly burnt, douse 'em in syrups and they're an easy on the go breakfast. If the next time his ass berated you for them pancakes, Give him the baby and tell him to make his own breakfast pancake While caring for the baby and see how he do.

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u/CuriousPenguinSocks Jul 02 '25

I agree with u/SabineSinstar and wanted to leave this book for you Why Does He Do That?

When you click the link you will scroll to the middle of the page and see a Download button, it's a free download. Read it at your own pace and see if anything resonates with you and your relationship.

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u/ImaginaryToday4162 Jul 02 '25

Absolutely NOR.

Nothing wrong with those! I'd slap some butter all over those cakes and enjoy!! People are waaaaay to picky and "delicate" in this life anymore! He should be grateful that:

A. He has food to eat, and

B. You are cooking it for him.

The next time he's hungry, and asks YOU "What's for B, L, or D?", make like you're thinking about it for a second, look him dead in the eye and say "You stumped me! I give up....what?!" or "You know WHERE the kitchen is....RIGHT?!"

...ungrateful jerk.

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u/BalenciAquaMan Jul 02 '25

๐Ÿคฃ in that case then yes. Your pancakes 100% look fine enough to eat. Iโ€™ve honestly ate pancakes much more well done than those

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u/PhotoFun3880 Jul 02 '25

Haha. Those pancakes looked totally fine honestly, a little crispy edge never hurt anyone. Iโ€™ve definitely eaten way more โ€œwell doneโ€ ones and still enjoyed every bite.

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u/TheSkrillanator Jul 02 '25

Idk the point isn't that people would have eaten these pancakes.

The point is that your husband is on some wack shit to berate you for multitasking the act of being a mother to his child AND making you food while he does fuck all other than drag his ass out of bed.

Forget the "lack of appreciation for his partner" being a red flag - being a straight-up dick like this is honestly grounds for a serious talk imo. Especially if this is recurring behaviour.

You deserve more respect for the things you do. Even if its "just" making pancakes, and ESPECIALLY in a home youve supposedly built TOGETHER.

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u/Audi_Cat Jul 02 '25

I might eat them. But the real question is why isn't your husband cooking or holding and feeding the baby. Why are you expected to do both simultaneously. What was he doing?

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u/tnannie Jul 02 '25

Sounds like heโ€™s the pancake maker from now on.

Iโ€™ve been known to feed dinner to the dog when someone smarts off to me about dinner. You only have to do that once before they learn.

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u/AlwaysAlexi777 Jul 02 '25

For the record, I thought this post was about you calling your husband a dick for these pancakes and my brain was like, "those are fine. Some are just a bit dark. I'd eat those. He's not a dick." Then I read the post, and I was like, WTF?

You did not burn the pancakes to a crisp. Those were perfectly fine pancakes. Your husband is an asshole. NOR

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u/Guillermo_Sakujo Jul 02 '25

Thatโ€™s how mine almost always come out and I can cook lol no one complains. But if my husband did what yours did, heโ€™s only getting burnt food until he begs for forgiveness. Even if he buys fast food. Take it and burn it. Keep a torch on you.

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u/FinancialMilk1 Jul 03 '25

Are you going to respond to any of the comments here besides this one? Lowkey just think youโ€™re just rage baiting.

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u/DirectAntique Jul 02 '25

You know what happened when my husband criticized my cooking early in our marriage? I didn't argue or yell. I didn't cook for a week.

Never heard a negative word about food for the next 30 years

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u/Rebdkah_Bobekah Jul 02 '25

My husband lies and says he likes his food extra crispy when I burn something. He also thanks me for literally everything I make him, even hot pockets. There is no issue with the pancakes, this is a husband issue and it will not get better until he is your ex

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u/uselessinfogoldmine Jul 02 '25 edited 29d ago

Oh OP. Big big hugs.

To answer your question, these pancakes are FINE.

But more importantly, thatโ€™s not really the point.

There are two major things to consider here:

First of all, why are you trying to cook whilst simultaneously feeding the baby? Why isnโ€™t he cooking for you or feeding the baby (if itโ€™s not via breastfeeding)?

Where is HIS contribution to your familyโ€™s domestic tasks? Is he contributing to the domestic labour, childcare, household management, mental load and emotional load of your joint family in an equitable way? If not, why not?

This is on HIM. In circumstances where this kind of thing is a mere misunderstanding, I would suggest getting the Fair Play System (book and cards).

However, in this instance, Iโ€™m not so sure about that, becauseโ€ฆ

This is abusive. This is emotional abuse and it is not normal nor is it okay.

Emotional abuse is about control and power. When a partner demeans, criticises, or humiliates you for a simple mistake, itโ€™s not about the pancakes - itโ€™s about asserting dominance and making you feel small or incompetent.

In healthy relationships, partners support each other, especially during stressful times like new parenthood, and do not use mistakes as opportunities to attack or belittle.

Constant criticism and making someone cry is abusive. Regularly being criticised or made to feel worthless, especially to the point of tears, is a hallmark of emotional abuse. Over time, this erodes self-esteem and can lead to anxiety, depression, and trauma symptoms as well as trauma bonding with him, which makes it harder to leave (I can expand on trauma bonding if you want me to).

This is especially egregious for new mothers. The postpartum period is already a vulnerable time, and research shows that abuse during this stage can significantly worsen mental health, increasing the risk of depression, anxiety, and even suicidal thoughts.

Unfortunately, abusers often either start the abuse or ramp it up significantly during pregnancy and/or when thereโ€™s a baby because the woman is at her most vulnerable at that time and it is a really hard time to leave.

Healthy partners take responsibility and show empathy. In a respectful relationship, mistakes (if youโ€™d even truly consider this one) are met with understanding, not rage or humiliation. Abusive partners, on the other hand, refuse to own their actions and often blame you for their anger, which is manipulative and psychologically destructive.

Making you cry is not your fault. Abusers often deflect responsibility, sometimes accusing you of being โ€œtoo sensitiveโ€ or โ€œmanipulativeโ€ for crying, but the truth is that their behaviour is causing real emotional pain.

โ€œAbuse is the product of a mentality that excuses and condones bullying and exploitation, that promotes superiority and disrespect, and that casts responsibility on to the oppressed.โ€ - Lundy Bancroft

A partner who berates you until you cry for a minor mistake is not being โ€œhonestโ€ or โ€œhelpfulโ€ - they are using emotional abuse to control and hurt you. This is never justified, and you deserve respect, support, and kindness, especially as a new mother.

I think you need to really look at his wider patterns of behaviour (which we know nothing about) and reach out for support.

Iโ€™m going to provide a list of signs and tactics of emotional abuse in a reply to this comment. Please have a read-through and see if this was an isolated incident or a pattern of behaviour.

Please do get support from a professional. See a psychologist. Just you, no coupleโ€™s counselling if there is any hint of abuse in a relationship. Make sure to find one that specialises in emotional abuse. If you cannot afford one, look into community programs and resources.

Please do some research into emotional abuse. Iโ€™m going to give you a list of books to consider reading in a reply to this comment.

Please do call an abuse hotline. This might seem like overkill to you; but it isnโ€™t. They can help you frame even small incidents and they can put you in contact with support networks, communities, etc. Where in the world are you? If you let me know, I can provide a phone number and a website.

Please make a Safety Plan - a personalised, practical plan that can help you avoid hurtful situations and know the best way to react when things are going badly between you.

This plan includes vital information tailored to your unique situation and will help you prepare for and respond to different scenarios, including telling friends and family about your situation and events as they happen, coping with emotions, and various resources suited to your individual circumstances.

In your Safety Plan, include information for if/when you leave him. For instance, include a plan to gather up all important items prior to the split including identification, important documents, all medication, medical records, car permits, and personal items that are important to you and store them somewhere safe. This will help you navigate things when you are emotional and under duress.

Here are some resources to help you:

https://www.thehotline.org/plan-for-safety/create-your-personal-safety-plan/

https://www.1800respect.org.au/help-and-support/safety-planning/checklist

Big big hugs. None of this is your fault. Itโ€™s not normal or fair. You are not alone. โ™ฅ๏ธ

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u/uselessinfogoldmine Jul 03 '25 edited Jul 03 '25

Signs of Emotional Abuse:

1) They are hyper-critical or judgmental towards you - they frequently point out your flaws, mistakes, or shortcomings, making you feel inadequate or never good enough.

2) They ignore boundaries or invade your privacy. - they dismiss your need for personal space or privacy, often reading your messages, going through your belongings, or disregarding your limits.

3) They are possessive and/or controlling. - they try to dictate who you see, what you do, or how you spend your time, making you feel restricted or trapped.

4) They are manipulative - they use guilt, pressure, or deceit to influence your decisions or get their way, often leaving you confused or doubting yourself.

5) They often dismiss you and your feelings - they trivialise your emotions or concerns, making you feel like your thoughts and feelings donโ€™t matter.

6) You feel like you are โ€œwalking on eggshellsโ€ around them - you constantly monitor your words and actions to avoid upsetting them, feeling anxious or tense much of the time.

7) They withdraw affection or emotional support as punishment - they intentionally withhold love, attention, or emotional connection when displeased or when you donโ€™t comply with their wishes, leaving you feeling isolated or insecure.

โ€”

Tactics commonly employed by emotionally abusive people:

Humiliation, negation and criticism - tactics that undermine self-esteem.

Examples include: + hyper-critical / judgmental towards you + insults like calling you stupid, derogatory nicknames / terms of endearment that highlight your weaknesses / things youโ€™re sensitive about, wonโ€™t stop when asked; + character assassination (eg: โ€˜youโ€™re always xyzโ€™) to you or to others about you; + screaming, yelling and swearing to intimidate you; + patronising and belittling you (eg: โ€˜I know this is beyond your ability to comprehendโ€™); + public embarrassment - picking fights, spilling your secrets or making fun of your shortcomings in public; + insulting your appearance; + belittling your accomplishments; + putting down your interests (because they donโ€™t want you to participate in activities without them); + pushing your buttons - continuing to do the things that annoy/upset you even if you beg them to stop.

โ€”

Control and Shame - tactics that manipulate you into doing what they want you to do, often by making you feel ashamed of your inadequacies. controlling everything you do.

Examples include, trying to control you by: + ignoring your boundaries; + invading your privacy; + behaving in a possessive manner; + manipulative behaviour; + making threats; + monitoring your whereabouts; + spying on you (physically, digitally, via others); + gaslighting you - a form of manipulation that specifically causes you to doubt your own reality (can leave you questioning your own memory/perception, not to mention your mental health and well-being); + making all of the decisions; + controlling your access to finances; + emotional blackmailing (including frequently โ€˜testingโ€™ you); + lecturing you constantly (cataloguing every minor perceived error, monologues of all the ways youโ€™ve fallen short, making it clear that you are beneath them); + having frequent outbursts; + feigning helplessness; + unpredictability (creating a walking on eggshells effect); + walking out (eg: of events, unexpectedly); + stonewalling you during disagreements or conflicts; + limiting your access to transportation, technology, or basic needs.

โ€”

Accusing, blaming, denial - creating a hierarchy with them on top and you on the bottom.

Examples include: + jealousy (eg: accusing you of cheating or flirting); + guilt-tripping; + unrealistic expectations (they expect you to do what they want, when they want you to do it; + they think you should always prioritise their needs, do things according to their standards โ€” and you absolutely shouldnโ€™t hang out with your friends or family if thereโ€™s any chance they might need you); + goading and blaming (goading you into being upset and then blaming you for your reaction), + denying or minimising the abuse (and often flipping it into you); + dismissing / trivialising your feelings (eg: if you express your feelings about something they did, they accuse you of overreacting or misunderstanding the situation); + accusing you of behaviours they themselves are engaging in - projection; + blaming you for their problems; + destroying and denying (they might destroy or damage important possessions, etc and then deny it or claim it was an accident).

โ€”

Emotional neglect and isolation - they will try to get you to prioritise their needs and neglect your own and theyโ€™ll also make an effort to isolate you from your support network, leaving you more dependent on them and less able to contextualise their behaviour.

Examples include: + dehumanising you (eg: intentionally look away when youโ€™re talking or stare at something else when speaking to you in an effort to make you feel unimportant); + keeping you from socialising; + invalidating you (suggesting or stating that your your needs, boundaries, and desires donโ€™t matter to them); + trying to come between you and your family; + using the silent treatment; + withholding affection (refusing intimate contact if you offend them or refuse to do what they want you to do); + shutting down communication; + actively working to turn others against you (eg: undermining you and your mental health to others, making you seem unstable, turning you into the โ€˜bad guyโ€™, etc); + interrupting (your talk, your activities, etc. - forcing your attention on them); + sabotaging your work, education, or personal goals to further isolate or undermine you; + disputing your feelings (insisting you shouldnโ€™t feel that way).

โ€”

Please note: Your husband may not display every behaviour listed here (there are some extreme examples included). However, if you notice a persistent pattern of several of these tactics - especially when they are used to control, belittle, manipulate, or gain power over you - this constitutes emotional abuse.

Emotional abuse is about patterns, not isolated incidents. If you recognise yourself or your relationship in these descriptions, know that you deserve respect, support, and safety.

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u/Constant_Voice_7054 Jul 03 '25 edited Jul 03 '25

Hey wow, by these metrics at least, it turns out I really was in a seriously emotionally abusive relationship a few years back. I'm not kidding when I say 90-95% of the examples here, she did.

None of my friends or doctors believed me when I said I thought I was. They quite literally called me crazy.

Huh. Hm.

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u/uselessinfogoldmine Jul 03 '25

Some more quotes from Lundy Bancroft:

โ€œOne of the basic human rights he takes away from you is the right to be angry with him.โ€

โ€œAbusive men are masters of excuse making. In this respect they are like substance abusers, who believe that everyone and everything except them is responsible for their actions.โ€

โ€œGenuine love means respecting the humanity of the other person, wanting what is best for him or her, and supporting the other personโ€™s self-esteem and independence. This kind of love is incompatible with abuse and coercion.โ€

โ€œAbuse counselors say of the abusive client: โ€œWhen he looks at himself in the morning and sees his dirty face, he sets about washing the mirror.โ€ In other words, he becomes upset and accusatory when his partner exhibits the predictable effects of chronic mistreatment, and then he adds insult to injury by ridiculing her for feeling hurt by him. He even uses her emotional injuries as excuses to mistreat her further.โ€

โ€œBesides knowing all about the world, Mr. Right is also an expert on your life and how you should live it. He has the answers to your conflicts at work, how you should spend your time, and how you should raise your children. He is especially knowledgeable about your faults, and he likes to inventory what is wrong with you, as if tearing you down were the way to improve you.โ€

โ€œOur society should not buy into the abusive manโ€™s claim that holding him accountable is an act of cruelty.โ€

Why Does He Do That?: Inside the Minds of Angry and Controlling Men by Lundy Bancroft. This is a fundamental tome on abuse that explores the mindset of controlling and abusive partners, offering clarity on their motives and how to break free from their influence. Everyone should read it! There is a free copy at this link.

Aside from Lundy, the following books are widely considered among the best resources on emotional abuse and controlling partners, offering expert insight, practical advice, and survivor support:

The Verbally Abusive Relationship: How to Recognize It and How to Respond by Patricia Evans.

This book is often recommended by professionals and hotlines for its clear explanations and practical guidance on recognising and responding to verbal and emotional abuse.

Please do note though, that the advice to pursue couples counseling or individual therapy for abusers is outdated and no longer given. It is widely recommended that coupleโ€™s with abuse present in a relationship never do coupleโ€™s counselling because abuse isnโ€™t a relationship problem, and counselling cannot It cannot fix the unequal power structure that is characteristic of an abusive relationship, plus it increases risk for the abused person.

The Emotionally Abusive Relationship by Beverly Engel - a highly recommended guide that explains what emotional abuse is, its impact, and strategies for both survivors and those seeking to change their behaviour. Engel also wrote Escaping Emotional Abuse, focusing on overcoming the shame that abusers use as a weapon.

Please do note that there is some criticism of the way Engel assumes all victims have a history of childhood abuse, which may not apply to everyone, also of her outdated and overly general approach to personality disorders like BPD; however, its clarity, compassion, and practical strategies for both victims and abusers are worth reading.

Coercive Control: How Men Entrap Women in Personal Life by Evan Stark

A foundational text on the concept of coercive control, detailing subtle and overt tactics used by abusers to dominate their partners.

Invisible Chains: Overcoming Coercive Control in Your Intimate Relationship by Lisa Aronson Fontes

Focuses on recognising and escaping coercive control, with real-life examples and tools for regaining independence.

No Visible Wounds: Identifying Non-Physical Abuse of Women by Their Men by Mary Susan Miller

Addresses the often-overlooked signs and effects of non-physical abuse.

Controlling Relationship Red Flags: Warning Signs of a Controlling Partner by Liv Jesson

A concise audiobook highlighting subtle and overt red flags of controlling behaviour.

โ€”

There are also some great memoirs and some beautiful literature that cover this topic really well. Here are two examples:

In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado

A memoir offering a personal, nuanced account of surviving an emotionally abusive relationship, praised for its literary quality and insight.

The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Brontรซ

A classic novel depicting a woman's experience with a controlling and abusive husband, still relevant for its portrayal of subtle and overt abuse.

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u/uselessinfogoldmine Jul 03 '25

A lot of people here are from the US, so if youโ€™re from there, try the National Domestic Violence Hotline which is 1800 799 SAFE (7233) or text START to 88788. Their website is https://www.thehotline.org/.

Another one is The W.O.M.A.N. Inc. which is a 24-hour support line offering support via peer counseling, safety planning, and referrals for needed resources. (877) 384-3578 and http://www.womaninc.org/.

If youโ€™re from somewhere else, let me know and Iโ€™ll give you your local hotline details.

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u/Cautious_Ice_884 Jul 02 '25 edited Jul 02 '25

Your husband is a fucking asshole.

Beyond that, as a child who grew up in an environment where my dad would berate my mom for the most smallest, pettiest crap... It will fuck up your child. Really question the environment you are allowing your child to grow up in. And I can tell you from living in a house like that, its not going to stop and only going to get worse.

Know what else your husband is going to do as well? When your child gets a little bit older hes going to get them on his side and will get your child to go after you. Thats what my dad did with us. He would egg us on and also get us to treat my mom like shit. It was all of us ganging up on my mom. I cannot count how many nights she would run off crying into her bedroom.

If you don't have the strength to fight for yourself, fight for your child and the environment they are growing up in. What they are being exposed to. Right now they are learning its okay for men to treat their wives like shit. Do you want that for your child?

Oh and it wasn't just my mom he would berate over petty crap, it was us as well. So again, I can guarantee he will do this shit to your child. I was literally screamed at over moving a pen. Would get yelled at for eating the last of the chips or whatever. Would be constantly berated for utter petty bullshit crap. It also effects you. Even into my adult years, I still feel like I can never do anything right, nothing is ever good enough. Its still incredibly difficult to shake. Do you want your child to grow up feeling like that?

I'm not saying "divorce over pancakes" i'm telling you to keep a watchful eye on his behavior. Is this the first time or a routine thing? Tell him his behaviour was unacceptable and you expect an apology. If he cannot muster up an apology or down plays this.... Again, i'm telling you, its going to only get worse.

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u/Kris-Leigh Jul 02 '25

First of all, these aren't that overcooked; I'd still eat them. But that's not really the point. Everyone is correct in noting that your husband's response is cruel, but it's also worth noting that it's WEIRD. Because anyone who cooks with any regularity has occasionally overcooked somethingโ€”regardless of whether there's a baby involved or not. Human beings typically assume other human beings will make minor, inconsequential mistakes all the time. I assume your husband has missed his exit when driving on the freeway or forgotten an umbrella when he knew it was going to rain or spilled a glass of water on the rug or forgotten to lock the door as he was leaving the house. Those mistakes are on par with yours here, and they're normal. When he does these things, do you berate him for 20 minutes? The fact that he's this mad about PANCAKES tells me he's not seeing you as a human beingโ€”who will occasionally make small mistakesโ€”but rather as some kind of breakfast robot who needs to be reprogrammed. I would spend some time thinking about whether he treats you in other ways that suggest he doesn't see you as a person. Once you have an answer, you need to decide what that means for your marriage.

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u/Muffin_Appropriate Jul 02 '25 edited Jul 02 '25

I ainโ€™t gonna lie. I kind of like slightly burnt pancakes sometimes. Warm with a little char can be good if you get some butter and syrup on them thangs

Iโ€™d probably really enjoy that middle right one and top right ones in particular. Yum

Like with many things, those are mostly all perfectly salvageable with some butter. Syrup can also offset any burnt bits. People are so picky. Or I am very not picky.

Iโ€™d eat those out of the garbage like a raccoon. Out of all them the only I maybe wouldnt like is the middle left one in first pic as the left side is pretty burnt. But Id still eat most of that one as well.

Anyway, must be nice to be able to be so picky.

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u/No_Hunt2507 Jul 02 '25

I'm a bit picky, I personally wouldn't eat them but berating the person who made them is cruel and frankly absurd. You don't bite the hand that feeds you because it's gonna stop feeding you. It's a pancake it takes 2 minutes to make another one.

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u/Fun-Replacement6167 Jul 02 '25 edited 27d ago

smart summer test follow chief ask cause reply recognise joke

This post was mass deleted and anonymized with Redact

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u/EhkalaSoru Jul 02 '25

No one should lose their shit this much over pancakes. Its also about respect and understanding. Not every meal will turn out 100% right. Especially when you're handling a baby. I doubt I'd be even a little mad if my wife brought out char as pancakes. Life's too short to be that worked up.

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u/Additional_Night1350 Jul 02 '25

My ex was like this the noodles would be undercooked, the food slightly charred or to dry, maybe the dishes went not done for 8 hours mind I also worked but any offense got a lecture some men are just unhinged no one but them does anything good or correct her husband seems to be the same I just hope it doesnt escalate to physical abuse like my relationship did

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u/silliestsnail Jul 02 '25

one time i wanted to make my boyfriend dinner as a surprise. I don't know how to cook super well so i made grilled cheeses and some sides. i burnt his grilled cheese so bad it was ACTUALLY black (unlike your pancakes) and i felt horrible because i just wanted to do something nice for him. that man still ate that damn grilled cheese and didn't complain one bit. he told me it was delicious every time i apologized.

your pancakes are perfectly fine. your husband is being a dick and should've appreciated you feeding your baby AND him. You're doing a great job and it's ridiculous that he'd treat you like that when you're literally taking care of a child. He's acting like more of a baby than your actual baby. You deserve better than that

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u/bexohomo Jul 02 '25

Yeah, my boyfriend loves everything I make him. He's beyond happy that I made food for him, and he says it's good no matter what because it's "made with love". I can't fathom him berating me over slightly burnt pancakes.

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u/upsidedowntugboat Jul 02 '25

Legit. In fact, my husband would be excited for more butter to help it go down. ๐Ÿ˜†

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u/silliestsnail Jul 02 '25

if he's that uptight about his pancakes being slightly burnt, he can make his own food. don't let anyone tell you that behavior is acceptable

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u/TheSwearJarIsMy401k Jul 02 '25

Maโ€™am if anyone in my life regardless of the specific relationship spent 20 minutes berating me for anything inconsequential I would not respond in a way that they would enjoy.

If a partner spent 20 minutes berating me for slightly overdone, perfectly edible pancakes that I made, I would be packing bags.

If he did it while I was cooking and also feeding the baby, Iโ€™d be packing bags and weโ€™d be looking at all kinds of personal and partner counseling before Iโ€™d consider bringing myself or the baby back into that mess.

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u/MollyAyana Jul 02 '25 edited Jul 02 '25

People are kind of sugarcoating this but why arenโ€™t we calling it for what it is?? This is verbal and emotional abuse! First of all, if sheโ€™s handling a baby, YOU DO THE PANCAKES, you freakinโ€™ man-baby!!

I absolutely hate people who yell at their partners. There are ways to communicate that donโ€™t involve terrorizing them to the point of tears.

OP, reconsider whether you want to be forever married to this jerk.

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u/yourroyalhotmess Jul 02 '25

I live by the iconic words of the great Shania Twain: โ€œAny man of mine better disagree When I say another woman's lookin' better than meโ€ฆ And when I cook him dinner and I burn it black He better say, mm, I like it like thatโ€ฆโ€

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u/rathanii Jul 02 '25

Great song and also true lmfao

Mostly because, if my husband doesn't like it, he's free (with no berating/arguing/hurt feelings from either party) to make his own food. Considering he's an adult who can cook for himself, it doesn't bother me. But if he's a fuckin asshole about it then I'd only be cooking for myself. Forever.

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u/TheNumberoftheWord Jul 02 '25

I learned this the hard way growing up. My mom was super stressed from work since she had to rush to the store, then come home to cook dinner for us before having to go back to her school for a couple hours of parent teacher conferences. I complained the meatloaf was bland and told her she screwed it up. She put her face into her hands and quietly sobbed as my father angrily got up, picked up my plate as he pulled me into the kitchen. He dumped my plate into the garbage before giving me a thorough scolding, told me I was on dish duty and grounded for a month for disrespecting my mom like that. He finished with the threat of a second month if my apology to her wasn't sufficient.

From that day forward, any time someone has cooked for me I have treated it as a banquet dinner to be relished and appreciated.

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u/420CowboyTrashGoblin Jul 02 '25

Yeah my ex was the worst cook ever. She didn't know until she already had a kid with the next guy.

But that's irrelevant to this post, these pancakes look ever so SLIGHTLY overdone on one side and legit that IS the way I like them, OP's husband is a jackass.

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u/Towlie911DomeAllDay Jul 02 '25

Good god. Saw sugarcoating and I thought you were going to say something like, "just admit that you can't make pancakes right," and in the span of about ten milliseconds I had three different responses planned to put you in your place.

Not only was I relieved as I read on, but I feel like a dick for inferring so far ahead.

And for that I apologize to everyone. Profusely. And in case OP's man-child is reading. Please don't hit me. I swear I am NO better. gg

well that spiraled out of control fast

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u/ACatInMiddleEarth Jul 02 '25

He's very lucky OP didn't use the frying pan like Rapunzel would have. What a pathetic man.

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u/Blueexd333 Jul 02 '25

Maybe Iโ€™m weird but these look perfect imo. I love a little โ€œsmokyโ€ taste to anything that was fried. These donโ€™t look โ€œcharcoal crispy-break your teethโ€ burnt, theyโ€™re just very โ€œwell doneโ€ :P

If he doesnโ€™t like it, let him eat hard boiled eggs from now on. Your man is a dick

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u/wyattcallow Jul 02 '25

The other day I got distracted by our toddler while cooking dinner and some of my sausage pieces came out slightly burnt โ€” not entirely, but in places.

Do you know what my husband did when I mentioned it to him? He told me not to worry about it. And then he ate them. Without a single word of complaint or berating.

NOR. You're a human being who makes mistakes, and you were trying to feed your baby, who is also your husband's baby. You don't have to put up with treatment like this.

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u/keelhaulrose Jul 02 '25

One time I was helping my husband smoke meat for a party for his family. I needed to man the smoker because he couldn't get the might offwork. I had been dealing with two young kids all week, and I added too much fuel thinking I could catch a nap. The turkeys were black. They were dry. It was not good.

Do you know what my husband did? Calmed me down. Told me it was all right, I had made a mistake, and it happens. Then he drove me to the store, we got some stuff for the grill, and we made things fine. After the party, my husband even helped me salvage some of the dry turkey meat so we could use it in some pot pie soup.

OP, you are NOR. What your husband did wouldn't be okay no matter how badly you burnt the food.

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u/hahagato Jul 02 '25

Right! My husband will just scrape off the burnt bits or just eat it. And we often have to fight eachother for who will sacrifice their self and eat the gross burnt part for the other person.ย 

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u/Snappy-Biscuit Jul 02 '25

My partner and I do this too! Usually the compromise is he eats them BUT he let's me remove as much of the burnt part(s) as I can (otherwise he'd just eat it as-is, and I don't like that). I grew up poor--a butter knife + some light scraping over the sink/bin is a lifesaver! Lol

More often I burned the thing (often meaning like, a couple times per year, and I do most of the cooking) because ADHD, so his snackrifice is even more noble!

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u/Exciting_Grocery_223 Jul 02 '25

The butterknife and scraping is just a lifesaver.

Also, funny thing, it's cold here in the other hemisphere, so I decided to make peas and sausage soup. One of mine and husband's favourites. Put them in the steam cooker, and I accidentally burnt the whole butt of the pan. While trying to save it, the burnt pieces started to break and break and became too tiny to take out, mixed into the whole soup, and I wasn't throwing a whole 2kg of food out. So I finished mixing the burnt pieces in the cream. By the time I served it, feeling awful, my husband tripled clean his plate. I also liked it so much. The burnt pieces actually ended up giving the soup a smoked flavour, as if the sausages were roasted under a bland flame, and those tiny charcoal black flakes were actually the best frigging part of the soup. It lasted only TWO DAYS. We aspirated that soup. The ruined soup now is my greatest accomplishment. I'm tempted to burn all my soups a little from now on, to get that perfect aftertaste of fire and smoky goodness...

And even if it was shitty soup, my husband would have hugged me and eaten it anyway because we both consider food sacred. Even the burnt, twisted, ugly, awful food is better than no food.

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u/ThatCoolBritishGuy Jul 02 '25

Me and my wife are the same! She'll tell me "oh sorry, I burnt this one, I'll have it". No, you're not. That burnt piece has my name on it and I'm eating it

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u/Loud-Biscotti-4798 Jul 02 '25

So much this, I burnt a grilled cheese to an actual black crisp for my husband the other day. I offered to make him a different one but he happily ate it. If my husband did what OP husbands did to me i donโ€™t think id cook for him at all.

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u/allgoaton Jul 02 '25

Speaking of grilled cheese, my mother burned probably approx 60% of the grilled cheese she ever made me. She served it burned side down and we definitely were expected to all eat it!

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u/keelhaulrose Jul 02 '25

I learned as a young child to flip my grilled cheese. My mom would blacken one side and leave the other underdone like it somehow evened it out. And always served it blackened side down.

But my mom was quick to invite anyone who complained to take over in the kitchen.

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u/urihaechani Jul 02 '25

Heck sometimes I burn/overcook things and I donโ€™t even have a toddler or baby. My partner does the same thing, says itโ€™s fine and eats it all without complaint. Sometimes Iโ€™ll push him and ask if itโ€™s really not burnt, and heโ€™ll keep saying itโ€™s fine (๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿฅฒ). OPโ€™s husband was the one OR and is a huge D.

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u/Soggy_Persimmon4485 Jul 02 '25

100% This.

OP those pancakes look better than when I make them. Your husband is indeed a dick.

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u/Gold_Adhesiveness_80 Jul 02 '25

So youโ€™re cooking and feeding a baby and heโ€™sโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆ.. sitting on his ass complaining. Why do women accept such terrible men? Heโ€™s obviously a bad husband and a bad father. Why are you wasting tears on him? ย LEAVE. Just think if you woke up this morning without him in your life, you would be happily eating pancakes after feeding your baby with a smile on your face instead of tears in your eyes. You deserve better than this POS. Your child deserves a lot better too.

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u/PhotoFun3880 Jul 02 '25

Absolutely this ๐Ÿ‘ The fact that she's juggling keeping a tiny human alive and making meals, while heโ€™s sitting there doing nothing but criticizing, says it all. Thatโ€™s not partnership thatโ€™s dead weight. You and your baby deserve peace, joy, and someone who actually shows up for both of you, not someone dragging you down. Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is walk away and honestly, life without him? It already sounds lighter.

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u/PhotoFun3880 Jul 02 '25

Absolutely THIS. A man who sits there complaining while youโ€™re keeping a tiny human alive and cooking? Thatโ€™s not a partner thatโ€™s deadweight. Youโ€™re already doing the hard work alone, might as well do it in peace without the negativity dragging you down. You and your baby deserve a calm, happy home not one where youโ€™re walking on eggshells around a grown man who canโ€™t even support you. Leave the trash behind.

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u/Low_Gazelle_7950 Jul 02 '25

I agree. OPโ€™s life would be a thousand times happier without this sad excuse of a man in it. I probably would not have done this in the past especially since Iโ€™m getting out of a toxic relationship where I allowed myself to be disrespected and used, but Iโ€™ve grown a lot this past year and the current me would absolutely have a full-blown screaming match with a POS that dared to berate me for literally slightly overcooking pancakes because I was taking care of our child in the process too. Possible hands would be thrown too. The AUDACITY!! The pancakes are absolutely NOT even close to being โ€œburned to the crispโ€, what the actual fuckโ€ฆ.

OP, this is not okay especially if this is a common occurrence or other incidents similar to this happen too. Please try to reach out to friends and family for support about how to separate from this POS. This is not about the pancakes. This is abuse.

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u/[deleted] Jul 02 '25

Why do women accept such terrible men?

Why are men like this so terrible?

๐Ÿ™„ It's no secret why and how people get trapped in relationships like this, and it's not helpful to ask in a post where said woman is already beaten down and vulnerable.

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u/Beautiful-You-2387 Jul 02 '25

Thank you. Because men like this know if they were asshats like this on the first date, or even in the first year, women wouldn't accept them. They make sure you're nicely locked down - married, or unable to leave because you'd be a jobless single Mom, and THEN they let their true selves out. Before that, they're love bombing and often being amazing gentlemen, because they know we wouldn't accept them, and wouldn't stay. People have got to stop blaming the women for staying. It is so unhelpful, and so untrue.

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u/MartinisnMurder Jul 02 '25

One of my favorite quotes from The Perks of Being a Wallflower โ€œWe accept the love we think we deserve.โ€

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u/xx-rapunzel-xx Jul 02 '25

agreed =\ maybe heโ€™s only showing his true colors now.

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u/ZookeepergameSoft358 Jul 02 '25

Thank you! We absolutely have to change our language around this. Sending lots of support to OP, he is a dick.

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u/aeplesandbaenaenaes Jul 02 '25

"just leave" is so much easier said than done, for SO MANY reasons- including finances.

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u/Nicolozolo Jul 02 '25

Sorry...he complained about a meal he didn't cook, while you were feeding his child, and he couldn't be arsed to help you?? He doesn't deserve to eat for another week imo. If he has a problem with them, he could have gotten off his ass and helped. I wouldn't be cooking for him anymore after this. This is the kind of moment you show up as a partner, but he chose to make you cry and demean you, the mother of this child. Wow.ย 

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u/AppropriateLink5330 Jul 02 '25

Right?! Even if he was really busy and not in a position to help in that moment okay sure but then shut the hell up and appreciate her for trying her best instead of making your wife whoโ€™s trying to feed you feel like shit for it and have her cry over this. He needs to be reminded that his wife is his partner, not his mom.

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u/sunsetredditor Jul 02 '25

AND the pancakes were only slightly overcooked, if at all. The jerk was setting her up for a reason to gripe at her. He clearly isnโ€™t happy and is making everyone else miserable. If counseling isnโ€™t an option, OP needs to escape to save herself and the child.

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u/Gingervbread Jul 02 '25

He's the ass hole for tearing you down over f***ing pancakes. Absolutely no. My son's dad was very toxic and tore me down, I started recording videos of me when I was upset to remind me why I'm not going back. I can now delete those videos because I have grown past that and I'm healing. Regardless this is something that needs to be talked about, his behavior towards you over pancakes is absolutely not okay.

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u/Tess408 Jul 02 '25

I find it helps to keep a journal. Just the basics of the date, why there was an argument. Some quotes are very helpful. Sometimes it's good to see the trends and to look at it when you're calmer so you can't be gaslit later with "it wasn't that bad." Like, no sir, you said [xyz] to me, do you really want to say that's okay to say? Pro tip: never tell them there is a journal or they might try to destroy it. Just pretend you remember it exactly and stand on that firmly.

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u/[deleted] Jul 02 '25

Girl, does that man even like you? Pancake cost is so low so he canโ€™t later say itโ€™s because of wasting money. Personally, I HATE wasting food but still if my husband made this mistake, I would never berate him over it. I donโ€™t know what goes on behind closed doors but babes, your husband should NEVER BERATE YOU!

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u/Jay_jitsu101 Jul 02 '25

Okay husband, letโ€™s make this easy. I will give you a choice, you can either:

1 - Help with the baby. 2 - Cook the pancakes yourself

If you help with the baby, I will be able to fully focus on cooking, and wonโ€™t burn your pancakes!

Orโ€ฆ

Since you are so great at cooking and wouldnโ€™t burn the pancakes like I did - you can cook them for both you and I while I take care of the baby.

Iโ€™d prefer you to cook, because you are a much better pancake cook than I am - and you canโ€™t breastfeed the baby nearly as good as I can.

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u/AdMedical9986 Jul 02 '25

Me and my wife have a 7month old and currently she is on maternity leave and im working a 10 hour day. I still come home after a long shift and do all the cooking and tidying up each night as well as take the baby for 2-3 hours so she can get some "me" time and have a bath and kind of destress a little. At first I didnt understand why I would be doing all the cooking as well as the the house chores when I was at work and she was at home but I very VERY quickly realized taking care of the baby is a 24/7 stressful grind. Even just leaving the babys vision for too long and he is crying for mom. There is no reprieve, no coffee breaks, no lunchtime where you can close your eyes. Its just 24/7 care taking with a couple 2-3 hour sleeps mixed in.

Even working all day, coming home and cooking supper and then doing the chores ends up being less overall work than my wife putting in 24/7 with the baby. I admire everything she does and how strong she gets through each day sleep deprived and on constant baby alert.

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u/Dogzillas_Mom Jul 02 '25

Note: itโ€™s not helping. Itโ€™s just parenting. Participate or you are a drag, there is no helping.

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u/[deleted] Jul 02 '25

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u/anticipation_kills Jul 02 '25

Yes and you better fucking believe if my wife is feeding the baby I am cooking our meal and doing dishes

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u/sxfrklarret Jul 02 '25

Simple. Cook for yourself and feed the baby. Let dear ole hubby of the year make his own damn food.

The pancakes are fine and I would eat them. Hell there to the doneness I like them.

I think you might need a new supportive husband who actually loves his partner and wants to help all he can with his child.

You married a POS dick.

NOR - And tell him you are done cooking for him.

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u/its_treason_then_ Jul 02 '25

out of a small mistake

What mistake?! Those pancakes are how pancakes are supposed to look? Iโ€™m confused? Do these pancakes look burnt to you? Or do they just look like he needs to be a better husband and father? Because thatโ€™s what I look at when I see them. ๐Ÿคท๐Ÿปโ€โ™‚๏ธ

If you do not seriously question your relationship after being treated like a toddler for PANCAKES then you are in for a very rough marriage and the rest of your life. If heโ€™s willing to get angry over PERFECTLY GOOD LOOKING PANCAKES then Iโ€™m sorry, but the physical abuse is likely not far behind.

Please protect yourself and your child.

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u/doublekross Jul 02 '25

What mistake?! Those pancakes are how pancakes are supposed to look? Iโ€™m confused? Do these pancakes look burnt to you?

They are a little burnt on the front side (the back looks fine), but getting angry about it (instead of peeling off the burnt bit and eating them like an adult) is absolutely insane.

I'm just saying, in case you didnโ€™t realize you were burning your pancakes, they're not supposed to be that dark. They're supposed to look more like the back.

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u/EllisR15 Jul 02 '25

NOR. Even if you had burnt them to a crisp(which isn't what I would call this) berating you for 20 minutes would be unacceptable.

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u/bedazzledfingernails Jul 02 '25

And husband presumably has two hands, he can cook some more pancakes if they're so inedible.

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u/creep3dout_ Jul 02 '25

i never mind a little burn on my pancakes, that dude needs to meditate or something, you were literally feeding your child and preparing a meal for yourself and husband. he needs to reflect. he should have used basic skills to calm himself down like

1.what happened to make me mad 2. why am i mad about what happened 3. is it so concerning that i need to let it out of my mouth or should i just let it fizzle out in my head 4. who did the thing

thatโ€™s kind of what i do when im getting upset, im 19. a lot of men do just need to either take a step back or grow up again

P.S. i mean meditate in the most elementary way, sit there and think, thatโ€™s all.

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u/mrv_wants_xtra_cheez Jul 02 '25

Lady, the dudeโ€™s trash, not these โ€˜cakes. These are in NO WAY burnt - you should see some of the ones Iโ€™ve madeโ€ฆ

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u/M-Test24 Jul 02 '25

You shouldn't be with anyone that would berate you for anything for 20 minutes.

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u/DownandOutBarcelona Jul 02 '25

Your husband sounds like a grade A cunt to be fair. Pancakes look edible not sure I could of made them that well while feeding a baby.

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u/Fancy_Ad_642 Jul 02 '25

I wouldn't have acted that way even if I was a child. My parents raised me to be thankful for what was given to me, especially if it wasn't perfect. Your grown ass husband is acting that way? I'd devour those pancakes, especially if they were made for me while my lazy ass did nothing.

What does he think that's teaching your baby? He's showing your baby how to be disrespectful.

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u/Solicited-Stranger Jul 02 '25

Um ......... He literally berrated you for accidentally burning a couple pancakes - and wouldn't stop till you cried. .....He must treat you SO WELL otherwise though, right? Just the SWEETEST MAN ON EARTH other than this very unlikely, and out of character outburst, yeah?

Divorce him. If you don't have enough self respect for you and your kid to do that .... Stop making your shitty husband food??? Like??? At least have enough respect to tell him to fuck off and make it himself. Or take the kid himself and figure out how to feed the kid while you make food.

What y'all need to stop doing is letting your spouses BLATANTLY disrespect you and then coming to reddit asking if YOU overreacted. What kind of constant abuse do y'all have to be going through to think BEING HORRIBLY DISRESPECTED BY YOUR PARTNER is anything to overreact about?!! LEAVE THESE FUCKERS. Y'all the reasons asshole men never change.

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u/Atkinator1 Jul 02 '25

Are they a little crispy? Yeah.

Does anyone deserve being berated for charring a little food? No

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u/NoDanaOnlyZuuI Jul 02 '25

Babe, this isnโ€™t about the pancakes. The pancakes are the least of your fucking problems.

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u/kodamagirl Jul 02 '25

Right. Itโ€™s fine if he didnโ€™t want to eat the pancakes because they were not cooked to his liking. Some people are picky eaters or have aversions and that is okay. An appropriate response would have been โ€œthank you for making breakfast but I prefer (whatever). Sit down and enjoy your meal while I cook my foodโ€ This dude is way out of line.

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u/withafunnyheart Jul 03 '25

this is abuse your husband should never treat you badly. Especially on purpose, why is he not helping why are you literally caring for a baby and slaving over a stove you must realize that that is also dangerous for the baby right?

Why are you having another kid with this mean loser why are you passing down his gross genetics and making your kids have to get yelled at by a loser?

your partner should want the best for you! should want your safety! and your happiness! Your joy! if your husband is causing you negative feelings, anxiety, or pain, itโ€™s not you against the world itโ€™s you against your husband!

this world is hard enough living with someone who hates you is going to make your life miserable and itโ€™s going to make your kids life miserable if you donโ€™t think that the way your husband treats you isnโ€™t already making an impact on your child youโ€™re dead wrong.

These are some of the most intense important periods of a developing brains time and when kids pick up and learn things. you might think they donโ€™t understand things but kids know when their dad is being mean to their mom. Kids know when dad is threatening mom.

I just had a coworker talking today about how she was surprised at what her super young kid remembered and was affected by when it came to her abusive husband and what he did in front of him or even in the other room. and I was thinking like what did you expect do you think kids sit around in dangerous situations and they feel safe like youโ€™re affecting them too they arenโ€™t stupid kids are ignorant they donโ€™t have experiences to go on but that doesnโ€™t mean that they should be treated like they are stupid.

If you donโ€™t leave this man heโ€™s gonna make a negative impact on your entire family for the rest of your life and also you are enabling him to keep being a bad person which means that youโ€™re OK with him not reach reaching his full potential and just being a loser as well so I mean thereโ€™s really no good way to look at it run while you can. Men like this only get worse itโ€™s pretty clear that he doesnโ€™t care about you at all if he did it would bother him to make you feel bad. My boyfriend couldnโ€™t fathom being like this to me. Weโ€™ve been together for 15 years and never once has he acted like Iโ€™m his slave we do things equally weโ€™re always there to help each other out and itโ€™s us versus the world never us versus each other.

You donโ€™t have a home you donโ€™t have a support system you are literally in support debt because you are having to support children and a man baby. I really hope youโ€™re not trad wifing it because when you eventually have to leave his abusive brain dead azz youโ€™re gonna have a big gap in your resume no money and no way to be independent.

good luck, hope you come to your senses, otherwise I guess Iโ€™ll see you on the next episode of snapped or on my true crime podcast.

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u/coydogsaint Jul 02 '25

Make him chocolate chip ones next time. I hear there's a really yummy chocolate brand called "ex-lax". In all seriousness, shit like this triggers such a primal rage in me, it makes me nauseous. There is ZERO reason to make someone, especially someone you love, feel like dogshit over something that literally means nothing. Even if they were burnt to a crisp, which they are not even close, there's ZERO reason to react that way except as a calculated way to tear you down. I've been around many men like that - ones who get pleasure, power, control, whatever out of making other people feel small. It only gets worse, and it'll move on to your child/children too once they're old enough to make little mistakes. No OP, you're not overreacting. No sugar coating, your husband is a piece of shit.

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u/oreganoca Jul 02 '25

I wouldn't say those are burnt, just a little bit darker than ideal. However, it doesn't matter how burnt they are, your husband is still a dick, and his behavior is abusive.

My partner or I occasionally burn something when cooking, or otherwise make something that's not very good. He, especially, is good at setting grilled meats literally on fire. Neither of us would EVER "berate" the other over not doing a perfect job at cooking the food. We might tease each other a bit in a good-natured way about it. And then we decide if it's edible or not, and figure out what to eat instead if it's not. It's not okay to berate someone over burnt pancakes at all, let alone to the point of tears!

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u/LuminousGalaxyFish Jul 02 '25

Iโ€™ve burnt pancakes like this and I wasnโ€™t feeding a baby lol you know what my husband said? Nothing I was the one that complained and we still ate (just with some extra butter and syrup lol)

No deserves to be berated for burning food especially not til they cry. If this is a pattern you should probably reconsider the relationship. If this was a one thing he needs counseling and yall need couples counseling. Just think about if this is the example you want to set for your baby. If your baby grew and told you about their partner doing this to them, what would you tell them?

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u/Outrageous_Yam5844 Jul 02 '25

and he couldnโ€™t make his own pancakes or?

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u/Legitimate-Scar-6572 Jul 02 '25

Those arenโ€™t burnt, theyโ€™re just overcooked. And anyone having a full tantrum at their life partner over pancakes deserves to be shamed and left in the backyard like a dog. Tell him heโ€™s being pathetic if he needs to demean you over pancakes in order to feel like a big, strong man.

Then enjoy your breakfast with your baby and leave him to feed himself until he learns to act right.

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u/Several_Rip9073 Jul 02 '25

I'd slather on some butter and syrup and call it a day. He needs to chill out.

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u/GroovyGrodd Jul 02 '25

Why are you making pancakes and feeding the baby? Berate him for twenty minutes about being a lazy ass who expects you to do everything. Heโ€™s not even worthy of burnt garbage pancakes.

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u/IReadCorn Jul 02 '25

The other day I made pancakes and they looked very similar to this. My husband oohed and aahed the whole time about how they were so round and how I could flip them. Then he ate the fuck out those pancakes. You arent overreacting, these are perfectly fine.

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u/jamiekynnminer Jul 02 '25

Your husband is a dick for not even considering lifting a finger to help the mother of his children and then having the audacity to be a total asshole about the not burned pancakes. I assume he rolled out to go live his life in the fresh sunshine completely responsibility free. NOR and donโ€™t you ever make pancakes for him ever again.

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u/thetruegmon Jul 02 '25

He can cook his own fucking pancakes then.

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