fbpx

How to deal with an emotionally immature husband

WhatToGetMy Instructional Article

How to deal with an emotionally immature husband?

It’s no news that emotional immaturity is detrimental to the quality of any relationship. An emotionally immature husband will ruin your mental health and the psychological development of your children. It’s impossible to live a fulfilled life with someone that drains your sanity. So, what do you do when you have an emotionally immature husband that constantly exhibits a range of ill behaviors like being staunchly stubborn, vengeful, narcissistic, unfriendly, not accommodative, impulsive, explosive, abusive, not dependable, selfish, irresponsible, fearful and unnecessarily cruel?

Considering that people who exhibit emotional immaturity have different personalities, it would be unwise to think there is a one-size-fits-all remedy for emotionally immature people. However, certain tips we’ve provided in this article could give you an idea of how to properly handle your emotionally immature husband. 

Before you dive deeper into this article, you might be interested in knowing the 7 dangerous signs of an immature man

Check out people’s perceptions of what defines a man. Does your emotionally immature husband fit the description? Source Statista.

What defines a man?

If the things your husband says, thinks, or does is giving you grief, here are a few ways to deal with an emotionally immature husband.

1. Be assertive when interacting with an immature husband.

When dealing with an emotionally immature husband, the first thing you have to be is assertive. Emotionally immature people are takers. They demand so much and yet, are not willing to live up to the kind of expectations they have for others. An emotionally immature husband could place a high value on his respect but will not care to meet his family’s need for respect. He could also be very good at shifting blame and never taking responsibility for the consequences of his actions. If you are not assertive as a wife to an emotionally immature husband, he will use you as his ‘door mat’. You will feed his demands while feeling empty. Worse still, you cannot stand up for yourself or your children. In some cases, some wives bitterly watch their children behave in maladjusted ways because of how the family interacts. 

Being assertive is crucial in handling an emotionally immature husband. Some practical examples of being assertive to an immature husband are;

2. Develop emotional strength to withstand his annoying behaviors.

Dealing with an emotionally immature husband is not for the weak-hearted. You need a lot of emotional strength to handle his unreasonable demands, expectations, and annoying antics. The last thing some emotionally immature husbands want to see is that you are stronger than their pettiness. By developing your emotional strength, we mean;

3. Set plans, boundaries, and schedules in your home to encourage healthy patterns and control negative occurrences.

An emotionally immature person’s actions usually help them set unconscious boundaries in the minds of the people they deal with. People who are not assertive will continue to do the biddings of an immature person while failing to insist on their boundaries being respected. A wife who looks out in her family’s best interest will do what it takes to create a fair environment in her home. You and your children shouldn’t feel empty while you do so much to keep an emotionally immature man pleased. If you wish to achieve some level of fairness in your home;

4. Have a life that can keep you afloat regardless of your husband’s contributions to the marriage.

As a wife, your problem triples when you are largely dependent on the finances and connections of an emotionally immature husband. It means that he can control crucial decisions you make. Your dependence encourages him to continue to act in ways you find frustrating; after all, you need him. It is always best for a wife to have something going for herself. By being financially independent and progressive aside in your personal life, you’ll constantly remind your immature husband that you are in the marriage with him because you want to be, not because you need him. Although this reality will threaten an emotionally immature husband, it will also motivate him to want to be relevant in your life. And the only meaningful way a husband can be relevant to his wife is by contributing in ways she values. 

 

We encourage you to go out and make valuable connections that will help you solve problems when they arise. When your husband sees that you can solve problems without him, he will step up. Secondly, work on expanding your finances. Don’t be financially dependent on an emotionally immature man. 

5. Forgive, but don’t forget.

Many emotionally immature people are good at using past wrongs to justify future actions, especially when it suits them. When dealing with an emotionally immature husband, you need to learn to forgive your husband for your peace of mind but never forget details of incidents if he brings them up in the future. Many emotionally immature men write down wrongs because they intend to use them in the future. Silly right? This is why you must develop your memory skills if your husband is one to keep detailed records of your wrongs. You might need to remember things that were said and done during arguments. But choose not to hold on to the negative emotions the arguments arouse. 

 

Quite frankly, we wouldn’t advise a person to stay in a relationship where records of wrongs are kept. But we do recognize that people have different personalities and beliefs about marriage. Also, other prevailing circumstances could make people endure an emotionally immature man.

6. Be selfish sometimes.

Sometimes, being selfish with your time, opinions, and resources is the best answer for an emotionally immature husband who displays an unhealthy level of selfishness and has unreasonable expectations for others. It is ok to be selfish when you notice that he keeps demanding and taking from the family and isn’t willing to give as much as others give to him emotionally, materially, physically, and spiritually. If you’ve communicated your displeasure and he isn’t intentional about addressing them, it is ok to be selfish. 

7. Prioritize your mental health and that of your children. 

Your mental health and that of your children are paramount in the family. Create an atmosphere where your children can speak about their displeasures in the home. Teach them to do this respectfully. It helps no one if your children disrespect others. 

 

Secondly, confide in mature friends and family members about your emotional health. We think it’s best to speak to someone that isn’t close to the family about your mental health and things your husband does that are frustrating. The reason is that when you confide in friends and family often, your husband might get the impression that you’re ganging up against him with people close to both of you. Secondly, you’ll encourage people to disrespect your husband unwarranted. Thirdly, your friends and family might not be objective when advising you about how to deal with your husband. 

 

We think it is better to speak to a counselor or someone who isn’t particularly close to the family. But if you have no idea whom to speak to, you could confide in a mature friend or family member. What’s important is that you don’t form the habit of suppressing your emotions, especially negative emotions. Suppressing your emotions could lead to depression, unwarranted outbursts, maladjusted behaviors, stress-related physical ailments, etcetera.

Frequently Asked Questions.

1. How can I help my emotionally immature husband?

 

An emotionally immature husband should be as willing to work on himself as you are willing for him to improve himself. 

  • He should first accept his flaws.
  • He should invest time in dealing with his emotional problems
  • He should be made aware of the effects of his actions on people that care about him
  • He should be willing to accept corrections and be intentional about doing things differently to improve the quality of his relationship with the family.
  • He should be open to seeing a therapist.


2. Should I leave my emotionally immature husband?

An emotionally immature husband is a pain to live with, but no one should ever help you decide whether to stay or leave a marriage. No one knows your marriage or husband as much as you do. If your husband is willing to work on his flaws, we encourage you to lend him the needed support. However, if he has no intention of working on himself and your mental health is significantly affected by his actions, it might be a sign to call it a quit. 

Conclusion

When dealing with an emotionally immature husband, you need to be assertive, emotionally strong, be firm about plans, schedules, and boundaries. You also need to be forgiving but not forgetting, selfish sometimes, and determined to look after your mental health and your children’s. 

You Might Also Like

Why Do Depressed People Sleep So Much

Why Do Depressed People Sleep So Much? 7 Facts to Know of

Why Do Depressed People Sleep So Much? WhatToGetMy Instructional Article This article will provide you with answers to the questions of depression and oversleeping, and depression and fatigue. It will also help you understand the subtle differences between the three. Percentage of people in the

Read More »
Things to argue about for fun

29 Things to Argue About for Fun

29 Things to Argue About for Fun WhatToGetMy Instructional Article This article is your one-stop destination for the following topics to argue about for fun: Hilarious debate topics/funny topics to argue about. Funny controversial opinions. Controversial topics to talk about. Popular debate topics. Interesting debatable

Read More »
Legal Things to Do After Getting Married

7 Legal Things to Do After Getting Married

7 Legal Things to Do After Getting Married WhatToGetMy Instructional Article It is nothing short of thrilling to be in a union with your long-term partner. However, marriage comes with several legal obligations. Discover and learn seven legal things to do after getting married. Marriage

Read More »
Best Places to Go for 21st Birthday

HOW TO THROW A TEA PARTY

HOW TO THROW A TEA PARTY WhatToGetMy Instructional Article What comes to mind when you think of tea parties? Little girls in puffy pink dresses sitting in their backyards drinking tea with their make-believe friends, that one scene from The Great Gatsby, and those scenes

Read More »
Things to Do at an Engagement Party

13 Things to Do at an Engagement Party

13 Things to Do at an Engagement Party WhatToGetMy Instructional Article An engagement party is a great way to celebrate a couple soon after their engagement and before their wedding. It also serves as the official meet and greet for the bride and groom families.

Read More »

How To Communicate With A Difficult Person

5 Most Effective Tips On How to Communicate with a Difficult Person (2023) Dealing with difficult people can be challenging, especially regarding communication. Defensiveness is yet another trait exhibited by difficult personalities. When faced with criticism or differing opinions, they may become defensive, reacting with

Read More »