Husband Threatens Divorce Because Wife Gained 60 Pounds After Having A Baby and Constantly Criticizes Her

"I know I don’t have the ideal body right now; I’m trying to get there."

A 28-year-old mom has been trying to get her body back after two pregnancies, but her own house feels like a battlefield. She’s working off the 60 pounds she gained, determined to shed the last 20 from her second pregnancy, even while juggling full-time parenting.

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And here’s where it gets ugly: her husband doesn’t just make comments, he escalates. He constantly criticizes her weight, nitpicks her purchases, controls what she wears, and even targets her sex life, all while threatening divorce if she doesn’t “fix” herself. She’s scared about what divorce would mean for custody, but she’s also starting to feel trapped, like every choice she makes is being judged.

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So when people read her post, the real question becomes, what kind of marriage turns weight loss into a countdown to disaster?

OP has been on a mission to shed the 60 pounds she gained during her second pregnancy after a planned break following her initial 50-pound pregnancy weight gain.

OP has been on a mission to shed the 60 pounds she gained during her second pregnancy after a planned break following her initial 50-pound pregnancy weight gain.Reddit
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Despite struggling with body image after her pregnancies, she's persistently working to lose the remaining 20 pounds from her second pregnancy, with plans to continue toward a more comfortable and confident body.

Despite struggling with body image after her pregnancies, she's persistently working to lose the remaining 20 pounds from her second pregnancy, with plans to continue toward a more comfortable and confident body.Reddit
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Amidst full-time parenting of two young children, she's striving to better herself despite her husband's constant criticism, yearning for support and encouragement along the way.

Amidst full-time parenting of two young children, she's striving to better herself despite her husband's constant criticism, yearning for support and encouragement along the way.Reddit

Exploring Body Image and Relationship Dynamics

This scenario highlights the significant impact of body image on relationships.

Her partner's constant weight-related criticism and threats of divorce, even controlling her clothing choices, have left her feeling belittled and trapped in their relationship.

Her partner's constant weight-related criticism and threats of divorce, even controlling her clothing choices, have left her feeling belittled and trapped in their relationship.Reddit

Her partner criticizes her purchases, body, and sexual performance, creating a cycle of emotional turmoil that makes it hard for her to feel desired or sexy in their relationship.

Her partner criticizes her purchases, body, and sexual performance, creating a cycle of emotional turmoil that makes it hard for her to feel desired or sexy in their relationship.Reddit

She's trapped in a damaging relationship, terrified of divorce due to concerns about custody, while yearning for advice and support to regain her lost confidence and self-esteem.

Scroll down to see what people had to say!

She's trapped in a damaging relationship, terrified of divorce due to concerns about custody, while yearning for advice and support to regain her lost confidence and self-esteem.Reddit

The whole thing starts with her trying to lose the remaining 20 pounds from her second pregnancy, and instead of support, she gets more criticism from her husband.

From a psychological perspective, the husband's behavior may reflect his own insecurities and societal pressures regarding body image.

This dynamic can create further tension, as the wife may internalize these criticisms, leading to decreased self-esteem and increased anxiety about her body image.

A divorce lawyer and child support could be her saving grace from this never-ending drama of a relationship.

A divorce lawyer and child support could be her saving grace from this never-ending drama of a relationship.Reddit

Staying in this toxic situation could lead her children to believe that abuse is normal.

Staying in this toxic situation could lead her children to believe that abuse is normal.Reddit

Absolutely, kids absorb everything, and his body-shaming comments are like a crash course in cruelty. It's time to break the cycle.

Absolutely, kids absorb everything, and his body-shaming comments are like a crash course in cruelty. It's time to break the cycle.Reddit

Compassionate communication is crucial in addressing sensitive topics like body image.

Oh, the damage a few hurtful words can do!

Oh, the damage a few hurtful words can do!Reddit

Indeed, she doesn't want her children emulating their father's toxic behavior in their future relationships.

Indeed, she doesn't want her children emulating their father's toxic behavior in their future relationships.Reddit

His degrading comments are a form of domestic abuse.

His degrading comments are a form of domestic abuse.Reddit

Every time she buys something or picks an outfit, he turns it into another judgment, like her body and her closet are both public property.

To navigate this situation, both partners should engage in open conversations about their feelings regarding body image.

It also echoes the situation in which a pregnant OP hid the baby news from her friend struggling to conceive.

She deserves better; it's time to prioritize herself, seek support, and regain her confidence.

She deserves better; it's time to prioritize herself, seek support, and regain her confidence.Reddit

Love without respect isn't real love.

Love without respect isn't real love.Reddit

She may not be ready for the answer yet, but there's a virtual cheering squad rooting for her, believing in her worth and her journey toward self-love.

She may not be ready for the answer yet, but there's a virtual cheering squad rooting for her, believing in her worth and her journey toward self-love.Reddit

Cultivating Body Positivity in Relationships

Fostering body positivity is essential for maintaining healthy relationships.

She deserves better than an unsupportive partner. While she focuses on self-improvement, he should work on being a better spouse.

She deserves better than an unsupportive partner. While she focuses on self-improvement, he should work on being a better spouse.Reddit

She deserves better than the revolting treatment she's enduring from a misogynistic partner.

She deserves better than the revolting treatment she's enduring from a misogynistic partner.Reddit

A judge won't be impressed by her husband's behavior. She should consult a divorce lawyer and provide evidence of the abuse.

A judge won't be impressed by her husband's behavior. She should consult a divorce lawyer and provide evidence of the abuse.Reddit

Call his bluff; realize he's an abuser, not a partner.

Call his bluff; realize he's an abuser, not a partner.Reddit

Her self-worth is non-negotiable.

Her self-worth is non-negotiable.Reddit

Focus on the bigger issue: dealing with an abusive husband who needs a reality check.

Focus on the bigger issue: dealing with an abusive husband who needs a reality check.Reddit

Back-to-back pregnancies aren't a bounce-back sport. Financial support doesn't justify abuse; consider giving him a taste of reality with a divorce ultimatum.

Back-to-back pregnancies aren't a bounce-back sport. Financial support doesn't justify abuse; consider giving him a taste of reality with a divorce ultimatum.Reddit

She should know that the only weight she needs to lose is him.

She should know that the only weight she needs to lose is him.Reddit

Her anger is valid; his behavior is undeniably abusive. It's crucial to consider the impact on her children and realize they are better off without him.

Her anger is valid; his behavior is undeniably abusive. It's crucial to consider the impact on her children and realize they are better off without him.Reddit

Time to deal him a better hand.

Time to deal him a better hand.Reddit

OP deserves better; it's time to leave and find someone who lifts her up, not tears her down.

OP deserves better; it's time to leave and find someone who lifts her up, not tears her down.Reddit

The way he treats her now might come back to haunt him when he needs help in his old age.

The way he treats her now might come back to haunt him when he needs help in his old age.Reddit

Exactly, external appearance means nothing if the inside is rotten.

Exactly, external appearance means nothing if the inside is rotten.Reddit

Financial support doesn't mask his abuse; divorce can bring child support and freedom.

Financial support doesn't mask his abuse; divorce can bring child support and freedom.Reddit

Indeed, he sounds like a true monster, and prioritizing a divorce with full custody for the kids is crucial to protect them from his abuse.

Indeed, he sounds like a true monster, and prioritizing a divorce with full custody for the kids is crucial to protect them from his abuse.Reddit

He's trapped her financially and now thinks he owns her. She deserves better; it's time to break free from this abusive marriage.

He's trapped her financially and now thinks he owns her. She deserves better; it's time to break free from this abusive marriage.Reddit

When he threatens divorce over her weight and performance, it stops being “relationship problems” and starts feeling like a constant emotional trap for her.

And the scariest part is the effect it could have on their kids, who are watching the body-shaming and thinking that cruelty is normal.

It's definitely disheartening to see women end up with men who do not deserve them—but we do hope everything ends up well for OP because she honestly deserves better! What are your thoughts on this?

Comment below, or share this article for all your family and friends to see!

The situation presented in this article highlights a glaring issue of body image and emotional support in intimate relationships. The woman's struggle with her self-esteem post-pregnancy is exacerbated by her husband's unsympathetic attitude, which not only threatens their marriage but also undermines her mental health. It is crucial for couples to foster an environment where both partners feel valued, especially during challenging times like postpartum recovery. The lack of compassion and understanding from the husband reflects a deeper issue regarding emotional safety in their relationship. Instead of offering support, his criticism only deepens her insecurities, emphasizing the need for open communication and empathy in navigating such sensitive topics.

He threatened divorce over her weight, but now he’s the one who might lose the family dinner atmosphere forever.

Before you decide anything, read how one spouse demanded a strict financial split in divorce.

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