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AIBU?

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Need some perspective on OH's behaviour

30 replies

Seaside1234 · 11/05/2023 07:50

Looking for opinions on whether my thoughts on husband's behaviour are unreasonable. I have quite poor self-judgement and am struggling to tell.

Together 21 years, married 17. 2 kids. He has a long history of pretty terrible depression, mostly under better control these days. I have long-standing anxiety issues, was finally diagnosed as autistic aged 42, a few years back. He had an affair several years ago - we opted to stay together, went through marriage counselling but haven't kept up good communication (we're both v poor at conflict, we never argue and avoid difficult conversations like the plague).

He's freelance, and basically lost all work at beginning of Covid. It has mostly not come back, although it feels to me that he's not been working very hard to find work. I have a professional job, and have been paying mortgage, nearly all the bills and most routine expenses since onset of Covid, so 3 years; he wasn't previously contributing reliably. I can afford this if I work a bit extra, but I can't get financially ahead. I do all housework unless I directly ask him to do anything.

He's always liked a drink, but this has significantly escalated since post-Covid reopening. He had a bad depressive episode in January where all he did was sleep and go out drinking. He's a lot better now, but is still regularly out at the pub until late, coming home pissed. I stopped drinking at the end of last year when it was starting to be a problem for me. He has always completely refused to discuss money other than superficially, but I know he's had significant debt before and I don't imagine he's managed to pay it off.

Essentially, he is not contributing anything significant financially but spending presumably reasonable amounts on going out drinking while I am having to work extra to make our ends meet, and he won't discuss money. I am doing all housework and supporting us all financially. With stopping drinking I have regained at least some self-respect and think this is all not ok, but my self judgment is very poor and the prospect of having to communicate all of this directly to him leaves me completely frozen - I quite literally can't do it. Before I figure out how/what I'm going to do, please tell me if I'm being unreasonable? I know he's had a really hard few years with losing work, etc, but I'm starting to suspect I'm being taken for a ride.

OP posts:
Notimeforaname · 11/05/2023 08:24

the prospect of having to communicate all of this directly to him leaves me completely frozen - I quite literally can't do it.

Then nothing will change. Here is the source of all of your problems. You either attack this, piece by piece to try to make it work or, you accept that this is your life and carry on as you are.
There are literally no other options.

Annoyingwurringnoise · 11/05/2023 08:23

So he doesn’t contribute anything financially, he doesn’t lift a finger in the house, and he spends loads of money on drinking heavily. Oh, and he refuses to discuss your concerns.

what does he contribute to the relationship?

BusMumsHoliday · 11/05/2023 08:17

No, he's not behaving reasonably. You can't go on like this.

I think that before you have the conversation with him you need to work out what you want from it. Is it a last ditch attempt to get him to change or do you just want to end your marriage? Going through this conversation with a counsellor beforehand might be helpful for you.

Also, you're autistic and allowed to communicate in ways that work best for you. My DH is autistic and although it seems unusual, we have lots of "big chats" over text. His auditory processing is not good when he's stressed and he finds the emotional processing easier when he's alone. It works for us. So don't feel you have to communicate in a face to face chat. For all you've done for him, he can adapt a bit to you, too.

MiIIiex · 11/05/2023 08:10

Yeah there's literally nothing you've said that would make me want to stay with him. He's completely taking the piss.

Wicksytricksy · 11/05/2023 07:57

He's a cheat and a problem drinker, he doesn't work, runs up debt, doesn't do housework, doesn't seem to contribute positively in anyway to your life, I bet he's a crap dad too.

Why would you want to be with a man who treats you so poorly? LTB and I bet your life would be better and happier.

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