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AIBU?

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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:
Princessfluffy · 25/10/2024 19:36

This is ridiculous OP.
He's not a responsible adult and his behaviour is very irresponsible and disrespectful. I would not put up with this and I'm not sure why you are?

Noseybookworm · 25/10/2024 19:36

You've got yourself a useless cocklodger. Kick him out! He's a dickhead and he's a liar - not all men are like this, only the useless selfish ones 🤷‍♀️

TheKhakiBee · 25/10/2024 19:36

Firefly1987 · 25/10/2024 19:26

No offense but there's a reason he was still single and not able to find a relationship with a woman in a similar situation (no kids) he's settled for you because no one else will have him.

This is gonna sound absolutely ridiculous I know, but this actually isn't true. Women (both with and without kids, old and young) are throwing themselves at him. That's not what he's told me and I've blindly believed or me exaggerating. I don't really get it but I if I try and figure it out my thought process looks like this. He's in his mid/late 20s, has a great body and is very attractive, lives in the biggest house in the area and so when he took people back their I guess it gave the impression of wealth or atleast financial security. He's charming. Superficially charming i mean. Everyone who knows him as a friend or acquaintance loves him. He's masculine in his demeanour and behaviour. As crazy as this is there are atleast 3 women I know of who have his name tattooed on them - women he has never officially been in a relationship with. I actually think it's the opposite of love bombing. It's a 'give a little bit of attention and then pull back' thing and he has mastered the art of it.

OP posts:
suburberphobe · 25/10/2024 19:35

but he doesn't want to break up?

Of course not! He's got it made!

Get rid, OP. You owe it to your kids, putting a dead beat before your children.

Dick ain't that great if it's fucking with your family.

needhelpwiththisplease · 25/10/2024 19:35

You are allowing a man to disrespect you, your children and your home.
He is there for convenience and sex and nothing else.
Are you so desperate to in a relationship that you will tolerate this?
Or will you pick your self respect up off the floor and do something about it?
Your children are witnessing this.
You are allowing them to think this is a normal way to behave in a relationship.

ZekeZeke · 25/10/2024 19:35

OP what kind of role model is he for your children?
Your girls will grow into women thinking this is what a relationship is like.
For their sake, if not yours, you need to kick him out.

titchy · 25/10/2024 19:35

Fuck me what an utterly shitty example of relationships you are showing your poor daughters. Have some self respect and awareness of what this is doing to your children's future lives.

PinkyFlamingo · 25/10/2024 19:34

Why are you putting up with this?

wrongthinker · 25/10/2024 19:33

Kick him out. Your kids deserve better.

Justsayit123 · 25/10/2024 19:33

What example are you setting for your kids! Kick him out!

Livinghappy · 25/10/2024 19:33

Who is paying council tax?

I bet his Dad asked him to pull his weight, hence why he moved out. £250 a month is nothing!

I don't think you have a partner, sounds much more like a lazy teen boy. It's very, very unattractive.

Figgygal · 25/10/2024 19:33

Throw this one back op
Right to his dad's
What must your children think?

Hes a wrong un you can't fix him

laveritable · 25/10/2024 19:33

Sorry Op! He doesn't sound like a keeper!

Delphiniumandlupins · 25/10/2024 19:32

Even if he is correct (and he's not) that you are needy and this is just what men do, you don't have to live like this. He is not enhancing your life, nor your daughters'. He is making you unhappy and feel bad about yourself. Decide what you want from a partner (I imagine respect, support, some mutually enjoyable time together, laughs) and tell him that if he can't/won't provide this he moves out.

TwistedWonder · 25/10/2024 19:32

I bet he manages to find the time to be at home when he fancies a shag doesn’t he?

ChanelBoucle · 25/10/2024 19:31

So am I right in saying that he’s paying £250 pcm to cover his rent, bills, food, sex and I assume you do all the cleaning and his laundry too? No wonder he’s laughing. Come on, op. Put on your big girl pants and kick him to the kerb.

lap90 · 25/10/2024 19:31

Indeed a cocklodger.
He has no interest of the family life you dream of.
Please put your kids first and get rid.
You should never have moved him into your home so quick.

RissiOne · 25/10/2024 19:31

He takes food upstairs? Where?

You need to Marie Kondo him. If he doesn’t spark joy or serve a purpose, throw him out.

Demonhunter · 25/10/2024 19:31

He's not even your partner, he doesn't even spend time with you. Tell him to leave.

Sassybooklover · 25/10/2024 19:31

You mentioned he lived in the family home, which is a large house and his Dad paid for everything. Essentially, he's not used to standing on his own two feet, as his Dad has been bankrolling him. He's immature, and has transferred his 'teenage' attitude from his Dad's home to yours. He doesn't want the responsibility of having a family, and sees family life as 'boring'. He sounds as if he's 15!! You are clearly on very different paths in life, and this relationship is not going to work long-term. He's bringing nothing to your life or that of your daughter's. If he wants the single life, and is not prepared to integrate into your family life, then I see no point in continuing with the relationship. You are not needy, you are a grown adult, with responsibilities. Not all men behave like your partner, and to say that, is ridiculous. He's trying to excuse his crap behaviour by blaming you.

Ithinkitsimpressive · 25/10/2024 19:31

Fucksake OP - is his cock made of gold or something???

he contributes nothing and he’s made it clear he doesn’t want to settle down

get rid and stop subjecting your children to this poor example of a man

askmenow · 25/10/2024 19:30

Please get rid asap. Do not wait. He's such a terrible example for your daughters.
You are setting them up to accept abusive relationships in adult life.

HOW can you do this to them???

Errors · 25/10/2024 19:28

How old are your kids?! How are they feeling about this complete loser moving in to your home and upsetting your dynamic?

BabyCloud · 25/10/2024 19:26

He’s probably laughing his head off about you with his mates in the pub. He’s found a right mug to freeload from.

Raise your standards for the sake of your daughters.

AnnoyedAsAllHeck · 25/10/2024 19:26

He needs to leave so he can do "just him" without you supporting him while he treats your family like crap. His father moved? Why and where?

Value yourself enough to show him the door. It's sad that he might be depressed and traumatized, but he shouldn't take it out on you and your family. He can "look you up" when he gets help and gets sorted and gets a job.