Silent Treatment

Sounds like you have reached the end of your tether with this behaviour after 39 years
TenaciousB can't say I blame you. Don't think there is any easy way round it apart from confrontation. I was in a similar position and endured a period of serious marital disharmony before we agreed on a better way of dealing with our issues. It depends how much you value the relationship.

What a miserable situation Tenacious if it were me I would leave him to be silent alone and then tomorrow I would organise to go out without him to the nearest coffee shop and I would sit reading my book or newspaper for as long as I wanted. I would wait until he starts to behave and then tell him how childish he has been and you will do your own thing until he can behave like an adult. Best of luck.

It's a shame you can't just go and stay with a friend for a couple of days. It might shock him, and make him think twice next time.

My husband used to go into a sulk when he didn't get his own way. I just ignored him and kept myself occupied until he came out of it.

I suspect that, when he was a child, if he sulked, mummy would fuss over him and give in to whatever it was he wanted. He had to learn that I wasn't mummy and sulks didn't wash with me. A pity I didn't meet his mummy until after we had married, otherwise there would have been no wedding.

Thanks. It usually goes on for a few days. He’s shut himself in his room just now. I am usually the one who breaks the ice because I can’t stand the atmosphere but I really don’t feel I can be bothered anymore. ?

My husband can occasionally go silent. Usually when he's tired. It drives me mad and I tell him to snap out of it.

However it never lasts long. I get the feeling yours might drag on a bit?

It's very poor behaviour. Could be seen as abusive.

I don't know what to suggest really but I understand your frustration and am sorry that you're having to go through this. Especially after so many years married.