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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Boyfriend lives with me and my kids but is hardly ever here. I genuinely don't know if I'm right or wrong.

263 replies

TheKhakiBee · 25/10/2024 18:46

Hi all. My boyfriend moved in with us about 4 months ago. Everything was fine until then but since he's lived here the dynamic feels so off and I genuinely do not know what to think.
I have three girls from a previous relationship. He isn't working at the moment. He gets up about 11 most days and goes straight out. He spends 2 or 3 hours at the gym/swim/sauna and helps his dad with some work he's having done (house move, alot to be done). He then might go to the pub or out for food etc. I would say most nights he's back about 7.30/8ish - later if he goes to the pub (once the pub shuts). He will also go out at the weekends drinking.

If he then came home and was present with us I don't think it would be an issue, but he comes in, makes food, takes it upstairs and eats and then stays upstairs all night, watching films etc. He won't come and spend time with us. He does cook tea sometimes but again he cooks and then takes his upstairs. I've asked him to spend more time with us, he doesn't want to.

He says I want too much of his time, he doesn't like to have to plan things, he wants to just 'do him' but he doesn't want to break up? He says he's not got kids yet so doesn't want to settle down as if he has - he doesn't want to be 'boring'. I said that fine, but then you shouldn't have got into a committed, cohabiting relationship with someone with children? I want a family.

Any advice please.

To not drip feed - he went through a very serious assault (home invasion) and hasn't worked since. I believe he has undiagnosed PTSD/depression. I don't hold this against him at all and we're not massively struggling financially I just wish he was present.

OP posts:
AutumnLeaves24 · 25/10/2024 19:06

Just tell him this isn't working for you & to go back to his Dads this weekend.

then decide if you want to keep seeing him or not. I wouldn't myself, it's not going anywhere, so I couldn't be arsed.

2024onwardsandup · 25/10/2024 19:03

Do you do his washing?

StSwithinsDay · 25/10/2024 19:03

As other posters have said on other similar threads 'cock comes before kids'.

TheKhakiBee · 25/10/2024 19:03

The part I csnt wrap my head around is before he lived here he lived with his dad in his family home and it is a beautiful house - much bigger, nicer etc than mine. It was peaceful and his dad paid for everything there. If he had been living in a horrible place I could understand the idea he's just here for somewhere to stay etc but he already had somewhere much nicer! I can't wrap my head around it.

He does sometimes take my youngest to school and has taken her to the park a few times. He doesn't understand why I would want more from him and says I'm needy.

OP posts:
KangaRoo00 · 25/10/2024 19:02

Why are you letting him in? Why are you even allowing him to use yours and your daughters home like a B&B with sexual favours?????

AutumnLeaves24 · 25/10/2024 19:02

At the VERY least, tell him
to 'do him' elsewhere.

you owe your girls more than having this cocklodger in their home!

how long was 'everything ok' for before he moved in?

if he doesn't want to spend more time with you, why has he moved in?? ( the answer should be obvious to you!!)

barkingdam · 25/10/2024 19:01

He's not a boyfriend, he's another child. Worse than that he'll probably never grow up!

ManhattanPopcorn · 25/10/2024 19:01

It sounds like he's not interested in living in a house with kids so he's just using your home as a place to crash. This arrangement isn't too anyone's benefit, especially not your girls.

Zanatdy · 25/10/2024 19:01

This is never going to work

BruFord · 25/10/2024 19:00

Sounds like a cocklodger to me.

BabyCloud · 25/10/2024 18:59

He is spending 100% of his time doing what he wants and 0% with you.

If that doesn’t tell you he isn’t interested then I don’t know what will. He’s probably only there for the roof over his head and sex.

SenatorBiggs · 25/10/2024 18:58

Kick him out, you have a cocklodging man child.

StSwithinsDay · 25/10/2024 18:57

This sort of behaviour is repulsive to me.

So is the op's behaviour in moving this man into her daughters' home.

SauviGone · 25/10/2024 18:57

You’ve given living together a trial run of 4 months, it hasn’t worked out.

Time to ask him to leave. It’s that simple.

TwistedWonder · 25/10/2024 18:56

He’s an immature freeloading cocklodger. Get him out from under your kids roof

If he’s not ready to be in a family relationship then he shouldn’t move in with a woman with kids.

BabyCloud · 25/10/2024 18:56

This sort of behaviour is repulsive to me.

He isn’t treating you as the family package that you come as with three kids and I very much doubt he ever will. He’s living like a single teenager who lives with his parents with no responsibilities.

StSwithinsDay · 25/10/2024 18:54

I just wish he was present.

Bet your kids wish he was gone!

ChanelBoucle · 25/10/2024 18:54

Tbh I think my cat has better manners. Sure he buggers off and pleases himself most of the time but at least he gives me lots of cuddles in the evening.

ATastingMenuButItsAllCrisps · 25/10/2024 18:54

How is it in your kids best interests to have this unrelated male moves in to their home?
Boot him out and just date him if he enhances your life. Using you for lodging and shags is going to be bad for your self esteem.

Thommasina · 25/10/2024 18:54

Surely this is quite weird and unpleasant for your 3 daughters?

Stretchedresources · 25/10/2024 18:53

Get rid of him and don't let anyone else ever live with you.
You and your children deserve better.

meganorks · 25/10/2024 18:53

You sound more like the mother of a teenage boy than his girlfriend. Seems a lot like he's using you for bed and board. I'd get rid. If he isn't willing to be part of your family what use is he?!

Teafortwo01 · 25/10/2024 18:53

That’s so rude to eat his food upstairs. He’s not a teenager. I feel for your kids as that is not normal family life.

FancyBiscuitsLevel · 25/10/2024 18:53

If he doesn’t want to settle down and act like he’s got kids, why has he moved in with a single mother with 3 kids to take on a step-dad role?

who’s funding his drinks / gym or is his benefits going on that and you are keeping him for free?

I think tell him if he just wants to date and not be settled down, fine - he can move out. If he wants to live in your family home it has to be as part of your family.

but if you do this, you do run the risk of finding out that all he wanted was a woman to gift him a lifestyle he can’t afford with the addition of sex.

ChanelBoucle · 25/10/2024 18:53

Holidaysarecomingocthalfterm · 25/10/2024 18:52

Sounds like a cocklodger

Was just about to say the same. Op what are YOU getting out of this arrangement?