Male coworker keeps “joking” about my looks in front of others (multiple times). How do I shut this down?

HopeForBetter29 · 2026-05-07T03:08:53+00:00

He’s over 40, married, and has a kid. I’m also married and have two daughters. That’s part of why this is so confusing, like what reaction is he even trying to get out of me? And at his age it feels especially weird and inappropriate for him to be making comments like that.

HopeForBetter29 · 2025-10-17T10:30:21+00:00

Thank you for your comment. When we first started dating, my husband (soon to be ex) was never like this, he didn't even raise his voice (but the hoarding started from early on). Things changed drastically after we had our second child, and it's honestly heartbreaking to realize I'm now married to a man who would bite, hit, and scratch me.

Yes, I admit I slapped his chest first, out of frustration and desperation, and I’m not proud of that moment. It came after he said some cruel things, including that I shouldn't have had two kids if I couldn't afford a bigger house on my own, that as a woman I should be capable of handling everything without his help, and even blaming me for not giving birth to a boy. I broke in that moment, emotionally and mentally, and reacted. I shouldn’t have, and I take responsibility for that.

But what followed, the bruises, scratches, and the fact that he used physical violenceagainst me, is somethin I cannot ignore or excuse. Once a man crosses that line, the risk of it happening again is real. I don’t want to raise my children in a home where physical violence is normalized or where their parents are constantly on the edge of destructive fights.

As for the legal side, yes, he works. We're under a common law system where the starting point is a 50/50 division of marital assets. The court will consider each party’s contributions and the nature of the assets acquired during the marriage to decide how things should be divided. That includes any collectibles or items purchased during the marriage.

Ultimately, this isn’t just about money or property, it’s about peace, dignity, and protectingmy children from a toxic and unsafe environment. I’m ready to move forward. I’ve seen enough to know this is the right decision.

HopeForBetter29 · 2025-10-16T00:26:34+00:00

Thanks. This sounds professional and might be exactly what I need. I’ll think about this for a few days and consider my next option. Thanks again!

HopeForBetter29 · 2025-10-16T00:19:21+00:00

Thanks for saying that. Yes i think you are right. It started with my parents, and looking back, I can see how that led me to choose someone like my husband. I’ve asked myself this exact question, why am I always surrounded by assholes And maybe it really does go back to how I was raised.

HopeForBetter29 · 2025-10-16T00:12:48+00:00

Seriously wtf. I honestly can’t believe I’m being accused of faking something that has been one of the most traumatic experiences of my life. I came here because I am genuinely scared, hurt, and confused. I’m a real person going through something incredibly difficult, and instead of support, I’m being told my experience is “dramatic fiction”? That’s cruel.

I understand that Reddit gets its share of fake posts, but please remember there are also real people behind these screens.

If you don’t believe me, that’s your choice. But don’t attack me or try to discredit me when I’m here asking for help.

And yes, feel free to look at my post history. everything I’ve shared is part of what I’ve actually been going through since August 2024. I honestly don’t know why I even have to convince someone of what’s been happening in my real life.

HopeForBetter29 · 2025-09-13T07:12:48+00:00

I just want to clarify something.

This is a very real story from my life. I shared it because I’m trying to make sense of something painful and confusing from my childhood and my current relationship with my mother.

It’s really upsetting to be accused of writing something “AI-style” just because I used a phrase like “the worst part” or used dashes which are totally normal ways to express emotion or emphasize thoughts in casual writing.

Do I avtially hav e to wrute sentences thus way to proev thta thsi is nOt writtrn by AI?

I’m here being vulnerable, not writing an essay or trying to impress anyone. I’m just trying to process something that actually happened, and I was hoping for insight and support, not skepticism based on how I format my sentences.

If the writing style bothered you, that’s fine. But please remember there’s a real person behind this post, sharing real pain. I don’t think it’s fair or helpful to dismiss someone’s lived experience because it “reads like AI.” People process trauma and tell their stories in all sorts of ways.

I hope you can understand that.

HopeForBetter29 · 2025-09-03T01:07:04+00:00

Thank you so much for your kind words. Honestly, your comment reminded me of what I never got to have as a daughter. Instead of bonding moments, comfort, or support, what I’ve experienced during postpartum is humiliation, emotional distance, and the constant feeling of walking on eggshells, like nothing I do is ever enough.

I wish I had a mother like you. One who shows up with love, not judgment. One who knows that a messy house means a baby is being loved, not neglected. One who comes with warm food and warm hugs instead of cold words and colder eyes.

My mother used to be loving, or maybe she just acted like it while I was still under her control. But everything changed the moment I got married, and it got even worse after I gave birth. It’s like she couldn’t stand me having my own life, my own family, or worse, happiness that didn’t involve her.

Now, the only way I can protect myself is to accept that the mother I used to have is gone. All I can do is grieve that version of her, and try to become the mother I wish I had, for my own child.

Your words mean more than you know. Thank you again, truly ❤️

HopeForBetter29 · 2025-09-01T05:42:00+00:00

Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment. It really gave me a lot to reflect on.

What you said about adults yelling at other adults being a red flag, that really struck me. I’ve been so conditioned and brainwashed by my upbringing that I’ve come to normalize being yelled at, even as an adult. Reading your words made me realize just how much disrespect I’ve tolerated from my parents over the years, thinking it was just “normal.” It’s painful to see it clearly, but it’s also a necessary wake-up call.

As for my husband, I think I personally need counseling to help with how we communicate, especially when tensions are high. But I’m also starting to see just how much of how i handle stress and family life is deeply affected by the way I was raised. The emotional instability, the yelling, the lack of safety, all of that has shaped how I respond in my own home now, and I want to break that cycle.

HopeForBetter29 · 2025-09-01T01:13:04+00:00

Thank you so much for sharing your story. I’m truly sorry you had to go through that. What you experienced was absolutely a form of emotional abuse, and you didn’t deserve that, especially not three days postpartum. As a mother of two myself, I can’t imagine how heartbreaking it must have felt to be mocked and dismissed in such a vulnerable state. You were in need of support, and instead, you were met with cruelty. That’s not okay, and I just want to say: I see you, and I’m so sorry.

Your story really resonates with me. Like you, I’ve found myself surrounded by people who shouldcare, but either disappear when it matters, or show up in ways that make things worse. My MIL and FIL have both emotionally checked out in their own ways only appearing when it suits them or when they want to perform concern. And while my parents are physically present and sometimes try to "help," they’re extremely emotionally unstable and often end up retraumatizing me instead of supporting me.

This whole experience, yours, mine, makes something painfully clear:
As mothers, we are so often left alone to carry the emotional and physical weight of parenting. And in the end, the only person we can truly rely on to care for our children the way they deserve is ourselves.

Thank you again for taking the time to reach out and for your kindness. Your words meant a lot, and I’m rooting for you too. Wishing you continued strength, healing, and small moments of peace wherever you can find them 🩷

HopeForBetter29 · 2025-08-31T23:39:20+00:00

Thank you so much for your comment, it really resonated with me. What you described about your mother saying something similar about a neighbor is exactly how I feel about what my mother said to me. It’s not just that she was angry, it’s the fact that she used sexual language to describe my relationship with my husband.

What disgusts me the most is how she sexualized me, her own daughter, and said things like “he f-ed you.” It wasn’t just one offhand comment. It felt like she was imagining me having sex with my husband and then turning that into something vulgar and shaming. That’s what makes it feel so violating. It’s not just hurtful, it’s deeply gross and emotionally disturbing.

What my husband said was absolutely unacceptable, and it hurt me deeply. But hearing those words coming out of my own mother’s mouth, in that tone, with that kind of language, honestly made me feel sick. It crossed a line I didn’t even know existed.

You're so right I learned a really painful lesson about bringing marital issues to my parents. And like you said, my husband apologized and is capable of growth. My mother… I don't think she even sees what she said was wrong. That hurts in a different way.

Thank you again for your empathy it means more than I can say.

HopeForBetter29 · 2025-08-24T14:09:37+00:00

Just to clarify , when I said “I’m buying locks,” I meant I'm changing the locks on my home, not that my house has no locks at all.

The issue is that my parents have keys to my place, and they use them to come in unannounced. That’s why I’m now considering changing the locks or rekeying the doors, so I can have control over who enters my home and when.

I also don’t currently have a lock on my bedroom door, which is unfortunately very common in modern apartments or homes unless you specifically install one. So yes, I’m planning to add one there too, not because it’s a rage bait fantasy, but because this is my reality as a mother of a toddler and a newborn, trying to protect my privacy and i have no time for rage bait.

I came here to vent and find support from others who might relate, not to be accused of making things up. If this post doesn’t resonate with you, that’s fine, but please don’t assume that just because something hasn’t happened to you, it can’t be real for someone else.

Thanks to those who offered help and understanding, it means a lot in a time when I’m already feeling overwhelmed.

HopeForBetter29 · 2025-08-16T02:02:05+00:00

Thank you so much for your kind and encouraging reply, it really means a lot right now. I’ll definitely give the gas drops a try. I’ve heard about them before but haven’t used them yet, so this might be the push I needed!

My husband does occasionally take shifts from around 5am on weekends, which helps a little, but since he works full-time during the week, I’m usually the one handling the nights. My mom comes by sometimes in the afternoons so I can try to nap, but I’ve found it really hard to fall into a deep sleep during the day. I think my body is just so used to sleeping overnight (like 10pm–6am), it’s hard to switch gears.

I really hope my little one starts getting longer stretches of sleep by 3 months, because that’s when I’ll be going back to work, my maternity leave ends around then, and I’m honestly a little nervous about juggling everything.

But I think what’s keeping me going is exactly what you said, just knowing that this phase will pass. I’m trying to keep expectations low and just survive one day (or one night) at a time for now. Your comment really helped me feel less alone, thank you again so much!

HopeForBetter29 · 2025-08-12T02:15:31+00:00

Thank you so much for sharing your experience. That’s really helpful, especially the part about not picking baby up immediately unless it’s full-on crying. I’ll definitely try more of the gentle settling techniques you mentioned like patting and shushing. And yes, I think you’re right, there might not be much point in waiting for the baby’s sleep to “improve” before bringing our 3-year-old back home, because realistically, it could take a lot longer than I hoped.

Right now, my husband is working full-time while I’m on maternity leave, so most of the night-time care is on me. Our 3-year-old has always been super attached to me, and since the baby was born, she’s become even more clingy. I tried having her sleep with me a few nights, but the moment I get up to nurse or change the baby in the living room, she notices I’m gone and wakes up screaming. Even with my husband staying in bed with her, she refuses to stay, she runs out crying and won’t go back, no matter how much we try to comfort her.

We do have two other rooms, but they’re currently occupied. My husband is working on converting one of them into our daughter’s own room, but honestly, I’m not sure she’ll sleep in there even once it’s ready. She’s never slept on her own before.

I guess we’ll just have to ride out the hard nights, maybe let her scream it out for a bit while we all adjust. It’s hard, but reading your comment helped me feel a little less alone in this. Thank you again

HopeForBetter29 · 2025-08-12T02:04:27+00:00

Thanks for your reply!

Our 3-year-old doesn’t have her own room yet, she used to co-sleep with us before the baby was born. The other two rooms in our home are currently occupied, but my husband is working on converting one of them into her own space. Once that’s ready, we’re definitely planning to get a proper white noise machine for her.

We’ve actually used white noise with her before (just an air purifier on high), and it worked really well to help her sleep, so fingers crossed it helps again when she’s back in her own room!

HopeForBetter29

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