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AIBU?

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Is it over for husband and I, or do I need to get a grip?

62 replies

shonapop · 09/04/2024 13:01

Husband has a lot of time of work 'sick' with regular flare-ups of a bowel condition. This latest absence, he has been off for 4 weeks, 2 more still to take off before his return. He is physically fine to do general housework. I work a very manual job and come back shattered to a filthy house, which I'm then expected to clean and then make dinner for him and the kids. I ask him to do chores while I'm out. Yesterday I asked him to hoover and deal with all the bins. This was too much info for him, and he forgot the bins. I lost my shit. He's making out I'm a maniac over forgetting to empty bins. This extended time off happens a few times each year. There is nothing physically stopping him lending a hand. I'm filled with resentment. Feel used and taken advantage of, and it's got to the stage where I wonder if we should go our separate ways. He says things like he can't see that the toilets need cleaned, he didnt notice the mud from the dogs splashed up the white kitchen units. I just can't get my head around this and feel he's taking the piss out of me. When I lose my shit he starts to say he'll change, make lists so he remembers, etc, but nothing ever changes. WTF do I do??

OP posts:
shonapop · 09/04/2024 16:18

I've been given the big 'I promise I'll change' speech. I've heard it so many times now. It's such a turn off. All these men moaning about lack of sex. This is a massive reason why.

OP posts:
Damnedidont · 09/04/2024 15:44

Give him a very detailed list. To his phone so he has a record.

Herdingcatz · 09/04/2024 15:21

Quitelikeit · 09/04/2024 15:05

Can you afford a cleaner

Just because cleaning is not a strong point I don’t think it needs to be a deal breaker!

Give him a list? Depends how much you care about your marriage

does he have colitis?

Bullshit. It’s nothing to do with how much OP cares about her marriage. It’s about how much HE cares about it. You don’t get to opt out of being an adult and treat someone like a domestic servant.

If he cares, he can google household chores find our vacuuming is recommended and give it a fucking try.

WallaceinAnderland · 09/04/2024 15:10

I absolutely could not live with a man that useless.

Allofaflutter · 09/04/2024 15:09

Do these men realise how unattractive this lazy man child act is?

TellingBone · 09/04/2024 15:06

Mimaulka · 09/04/2024 14:51

Get him to eat your booty as penance! You will not be mad after that!

We are not at home to Mr Chompy

Quitelikeit · 09/04/2024 15:05

Can you afford a cleaner

Just because cleaning is not a strong point I don’t think it needs to be a deal breaker!

Give him a list? Depends how much you care about your marriage

does he have colitis?

Dumbledore167 · 09/04/2024 15:04

Sounds infuriating. Why should you have to list the day to day chores any adult should notice like he’s a child? Not attractive at all.
Ive been with my husband for 14 years and I think he did this once or twice when we first started living together then never again when he experienced my reaction. Now he does more than me in terms of cooking and cleaning.
if you’ve had the discussion multiple times about the unfairness your DH is well aware and is making a clear choice to not pull his weight.

Biggybigbiggles · 09/04/2024 15:03

You're not over reacting. Sounds exhausting for you.

margoration · 09/04/2024 15:01

him being ill isn't an excuse for him also being a lazy manipulative so and so!

don't stay with him out of guilt. So he may be sick some of the time - doesn't mean he can't pull his weight or be helpful the rest of the time and genuinely respectful at all times.

Leave him!

Molonty · 09/04/2024 15:01

TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams · 09/04/2024 14:44

Lazy adults rarely change their habits in my experience. Do you have children? Other ties [other than dogs] ?

Literally in the op.

HaudYerWheeshtYaWeeBellend · 09/04/2024 14:59

I’d make a list of jobs he need to be doing and say to him your not his mother or his housekeeper!

id make it clear if he didn’t stick to the list then the only way forward is divorce as your not putting up with his lazyness or his excuses of not doing the list.

Also he should be doing some cooking a few days a week, if he can’t cook cook then he learns even if it’s basic or frozen meals.

SheepAndSword · 09/04/2024 14:55

I'm having ongoing bowel issues at present. I clear up after myself, wash the floors and sofa and blankets and get the rubbish out.

He might have a more severe problem than me but he needs to do what he's able to and not lash back at you. Exhausting.

Mimaulka · 09/04/2024 14:51

Get him to eat your booty as penance! You will not be mad after that!

MrsTerryPratchett · 09/04/2024 14:51

I'm filled with resentment. Feel used and taken advantage of, and it's got to the stage where I wonder if we should go our separate ways.

Say this, verbatim, to him.

Stompythedinosaur · 09/04/2024 14:50

You aren't overreacting. This isn't how someone who loves and respects you acts.

SouthEastCoast · 09/04/2024 14:49

As someone who doesn’t see the mess myself I am so much happier not in a relationship with someone who’s constantly tidying and guilting me or telling me I live in a pig sty.
I think people are different and some of us don’t belong together

Mummame2222 · 09/04/2024 14:46

shonapop · 09/04/2024 13:26

It most likely is my fault for letting it get to this. I should have written it out for him so he had no excuses. It just blows my mind that he'd need that to know what to do.
Feel like a massive mug.

lol. No. He’s an adult. He’s to blame, it’s such a turn off when men behave like this, ick.

TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams · 09/04/2024 14:44

Lazy adults rarely change their habits in my experience. Do you have children? Other ties [other than dogs] ?

shonapop · 09/04/2024 14:23

Pheasantsmate · 09/04/2024 13:56

Problem is when you break up with these men is that they become someone else’s problem. Sounds like you’ve found my ex OP. Sorry about that 💐💐💐

A lazy manchild.

OP posts:
Pheasantsmate · 09/04/2024 13:56

shonapop · 09/04/2024 13:35

Physically, he could have been back at work 2 weeks ago. He milks it.

Problem is when you break up with these men is that they become someone else’s problem. Sounds like you’ve found my ex OP. Sorry about that 💐💐💐

IncognitoUsername · 09/04/2024 13:50

shonapop · 09/04/2024 13:35

Physically, he could have been back at work 2 weeks ago. He milks it.

Then this isn’t just about him not. Doing the housework. How does he get away with it at work?

iamtheblcksheep · 09/04/2024 13:48

I had years of this. I eventually went on strike. He soon found the way to the fridge, oven, bin, washing machine.

Once he was capable of doing all of the basics for himself I cleaned the house from top to bottom then hired a cleaner the next day.

Tough love but it worked.

Herdinggoats · 09/04/2024 13:46

I’d say it’s ultimatum time. Tell he you don’t care if he thinks you are being a maniac over the bins or not. You are not his skivvy, and something needs to change. He can either buck up, start pulling his weight or it is over. If he tells you that he just doesn’t see it, tell him that’s his problem, and if he doesn’t want one last chance you’ll contact a solicitor tomorrow morning.

You are no one’s servant and deserve better.

Molonty · 09/04/2024 13:39

Yanbu, urgh if he is the one messing up the toilets then at the very bare minimum he should be cleaning up. I would be so sick at the sight of someone who treated me like this. Sounds like this is who he is - takes advantage of his employer and his wife.

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