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AIBU?

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Husband says he is done with me- 30 wks pregnant

218 replies

YourOliveZebra · 29/06/2025 22:31

AIBU?
we have a 2.5yo, I’m currently 30 weeks pregnant and we have a large dog. Just moved house a few weeks ago. My husbands commute is an hour drive in good traffic- always been the case. He works FT 8-5 i work 3 days 9-5. Our LO does go to nursery 1 extra day as I also have small business and to keep on top of house. He leaves home at 5am and not back until 8pm or later. He leaves at 5am so he can go to the gym before work. Then he also goes most nights after work/ I’m guessing as he returns in gym gear. Then he also sometimes works for his friend on a Saturday. I try to be understanding of work but also I’m doing all the parenting, running around, walking dog before I leave for work, making dinner once LO is in bed. All the household stuff apart from he will do the ironing and does help out when he is home with dishwasher and cooks at weekends. I Have complained about long hours at work how it’s not good for him or for 2.5 yo to never see him during the week. On the one day we get together he’s obviously tired and usually short with her. He has no patience I’ve brought this up with him but nothing changes he swears infront of her which I hate and I’ve told him about several times. Nothing changes- he will try and be good for the first week or so and then it’s back to usual. So once it gets on top of me I bring it up again about the long hours. It’s a cycle. Also he started smoking which he knows I hate so he tried to hide it- it was obvious. He told me he had stopped but he is still smoking. Also always wants to go to the pub- if he walks our dog at night he always ends up at the pub. Even our child always asks to go to the pub because that’s where he takes her. This week I’ve been unwell so he has been home on time and then logging back in until 10/11pm and then once I started to feel better his usual routine returns. So I bring it up again we have an argument and he tells me to leave if I’m not happy. He says I’m always complaining- never happy and now even though he has ‘given me’ bigger house I’m still not happy. He says he is done… All I want is him to be home more to help me and so I can have maybe even one evening to myself to do something for me. He pays all household bills and mortgage apart from food. He earns a lot more than I do. He says he has done all he can… I think he thinks because he pays he can do what he wants?!

OP posts:
CarolynB70 · 30/06/2025 12:39

Honestly, if he’s spending more time at the gym and pub than with his family maybe he’s checked out
And calling the house “his gift” bit rich isn’t it? They’re supposed to be partners not strangers
Wonder how long she’s meant to keep doing it all before it breaks her

user1492757084 · 30/06/2025 11:46

You have just moved house, you are having a new baby and times are stressful.
Calm the farm and chill a bit for a few months.
Try to appreciate each other.
Use services to help you in the home.
Concentrate on asking DH to sort out the most important things - smoking, swearing and helping in the evenings with LO.

Plan to go to the pub once a fortnight as a family. You all enjoy a meal out.
Plan other enjoyable regular activities every now and again on the weekend.

GoldDuster · 30/06/2025 11:24

Praying4Peace · 30/06/2025 11:20

But we've all felt we are done with people at times and say things in heat of the moment

Patronising much? I think we can credit OP with a bit of intelligence, even at 30 weeks pregnant, to know the difference between some heat of the moment comment, and a situation that she feels is an issue. She's even managing to hold down a job the clever sausage.

You can end a relationship at any time for any reason, it's 2025, we can get mortgages, drive cars that we own, pay bills, vote, book holidays, who'd have thought!

Praying4Peace · 30/06/2025 11:20

GoldDuster · 30/06/2025 11:14

Sorry, he's said he's done with her. I think the only thing to do in that case is let him go...? Unless you want to stay with someone who is "done with you" because of a large mortgage. I would choose not to. You might think it fine to stay.

But we've all felt we are done with people at times and say things in heat of the moment

TwoFeralKids · 30/06/2025 11:17

Praying4Peace · 30/06/2025 10:42

And who will pay the large mortgage and bills?
Reflect

So staying to pay the bills is better than leaving a relationship and having a better life? It isn't the 19th when rich wives pretended their husband didn't have a mistress you know.

muggart · 30/06/2025 11:16

Praying4Peace · 30/06/2025 11:02

I get your point but ime, there are a lot of women who lack appreciation of the responsibilities associated with paying mortgage and bills etc
Just as there are some men who lack appreciation of the enormity of caring for home and children
Communication is key for both to improve matters.
There is too much to lose for all concerned

This is an unfathomable attitude towards women in 2025 when women also work and pay the mortgage and bills, and in the UK too when it is far more common for feckless men to abdicate their responsibilities by not paying child support.

GoldDuster · 30/06/2025 11:16

ladykale · 30/06/2025 11:11

The problem is this country is that due to the taxpayer funded state, people are sooo quick to say LEAVE him! Despite the fact that OP likely wouldn’t be able to fund a household alone.

he’s finding family life tough - as many men do. I won’t query why you would bring another child into this situation as that is already done but going to the gym is likely to avoid nagging and family life.

Smoking and going to the pub is not a crime, those are his de-stressors likely?

You need marriage counselling and maybe pay for a weekly cleaner to free up some hours of time for yourself.

Your explanation of his hours is confusing. But it sounds like he has a full time job & does childcare and cooking at the weekend which isn’t nothing.

but people shouting for OP to leave her husband is part of why we have the issues in the UK we have. People leave their husbands at the drop of a hat, only to start dating further useless men or bring step siblings / boyfriends / girlfriends into the messy picture

I left my husband and have never claimed a benefit in my life. Put down that Daily Mail.

People leave their husbands at the drop of a hat

This is nonsense. Most women stay far too long in relationships that are diabolical, because women with young children are actually really unlikely to leave at the drop of a hat or anything else. But you keep peddling that narrative.

GoldDuster · 30/06/2025 11:14

Praying4Peace · 30/06/2025 11:02

I get your point but ime, there are a lot of women who lack appreciation of the responsibilities associated with paying mortgage and bills etc
Just as there are some men who lack appreciation of the enormity of caring for home and children
Communication is key for both to improve matters.
There is too much to lose for all concerned

Sorry, he's said he's done with her. I think the only thing to do in that case is let him go...? Unless you want to stay with someone who is "done with you" because of a large mortgage. I would choose not to. You might think it fine to stay.

ladykale · 30/06/2025 11:11

The problem is this country is that due to the taxpayer funded state, people are sooo quick to say LEAVE him! Despite the fact that OP likely wouldn’t be able to fund a household alone.

he’s finding family life tough - as many men do. I won’t query why you would bring another child into this situation as that is already done but going to the gym is likely to avoid nagging and family life.

Smoking and going to the pub is not a crime, those are his de-stressors likely?

You need marriage counselling and maybe pay for a weekly cleaner to free up some hours of time for yourself.

Your explanation of his hours is confusing. But it sounds like he has a full time job & does childcare and cooking at the weekend which isn’t nothing.

but people shouting for OP to leave her husband is part of why we have the issues in the UK we have. People leave their husbands at the drop of a hat, only to start dating further useless men or bring step siblings / boyfriends / girlfriends into the messy picture

tataler · 30/06/2025 11:07

Women will have the most useless husbands and keep having more children with them. Only to have more work and complain. My sympathy is way capped.

Where is the self accountability? The accountability for the daughter he was barely spending time with?

PrincessScarlett · 30/06/2025 11:02

He's done with you? I'd be done with him if this is how he behaves. Only spends one day a week with his family and is horrible to them. Disgusting man.

You cannot let your DD grow up thinking this is how men behave.

Do you have family support OP. I would start planning a life without him. Get hold of his financial information. He'll have to pay maintenance for both children and you as well. I would seek legal advice about what you are entitled to.

Praying4Peace · 30/06/2025 11:02

GoldDuster · 30/06/2025 10:48

Reflect? What I'm reflecting on is not having to stay with a man who feels it's his priority to spend four hours in the gym every day and the remainder of his time in the pub with his mates when he's got a family at home.

Large mortgages and bills are not chaining women to shitty men.

I get your point but ime, there are a lot of women who lack appreciation of the responsibilities associated with paying mortgage and bills etc
Just as there are some men who lack appreciation of the enormity of caring for home and children
Communication is key for both to improve matters.
There is too much to lose for all concerned

Ramblethroughthebrambles · 30/06/2025 10:53

It's difficult to know whether (a) he's having an affair or (b) cynically leaving everything to you in order to avoid parenting, or (c) is working long hours & using pub/gym because he can't keep up with a stressful overwhelming job, or all of these or two of them or. ... I guess you're not entirely sure either. You need to talk to him in a non-blaming way about how he's finding things, before you decide what to do, though of course he's unlikely to admit to (a). If you give him the benefit of the doubt about (a), and especially if there's a bit of truth to both (b) and (c) then I'd start by telling him what you will be doing and he fits around this rather than the focus always being on you telling him how he ought to change. So - I'll be going to x on Sunday mornings, but we'll be able to do things as a family in the afternoon. I'm going to sign up to x and go twice a week at 6pm, do you have a preference for which are your evenings and which are mine? If there's no accommodation of this, then you know where you stand.

GoldDuster · 30/06/2025 10:48

Praying4Peace · 30/06/2025 10:42

And who will pay the large mortgage and bills?
Reflect

Reflect? What I'm reflecting on is not having to stay with a man who feels it's his priority to spend four hours in the gym every day and the remainder of his time in the pub with his mates when he's got a family at home.

Large mortgages and bills are not chaining women to shitty men.

Mix56 · 30/06/2025 10:46

Gonk123 · 29/06/2025 22:52

Why are you having a second baby with this man!

Sorry, I know this isn't helpful, But just WHY ?

NikNak321 · 30/06/2025 10:46

Usernamenope · 29/06/2025 22:41

Going to the gym before and after work most days is excessive and a little weird. Is it escapism for him because he can't handle the reality of family life? He could ditch one gym trip a day definitely.

You have a baby on the way, things need to improve fast. You need to say to him that although you appreciate he is supporting the family (it sounds as though he is trying to), you both need to find a way that is sustainable, so he can feel relaxed, help in the house and spend time with the kids. Suggest counselling as it may help you both communicate better.

This ☝️☝️☝️. He either can't cope with the domestic set up at home (it is especially hard for some people when kids are at the very high dependency stage...I struggled...and you have just moved) or he's having an affair or both. My instinct is it's probably avoidance behaviour...he is struggling with home life and your in fight mode... he's definitely in flight 🙈🙈

Either way it can't carry on like this. You need to have a conversation with no shouting. Is there anyone that can have the little one for one weekend, so you can spend a little time and voice what you are both struggling with?? Make a list of changes you want...he can do the same; compromise and make a deal. Without this, there will be no future for you both 😥. He'll continue to be absent and your hatred will grow like fungus until all that is currently positive becomes tainted and you eventually ditch him.

If you need support doing this marriage counselling would be key. Good luck OP 🍀

MustWeDoThis · 30/06/2025 10:42

YourOliveZebra · 29/06/2025 22:50

Sorry I should have been clearer- they are his contracted hours- he is starting early and working late nearly every night

I'm sorry to say, but is he actually going to the gym? Just because he has his gym kit on, ot doesn't mean he's actually going there. It could be a ploy.

He's doing everything he possibly can to avoid being at home with you, taking your toddler to the pub (wtf!?), leaving early, doing extra hours, barely getting any sleep if he's home at the latest 11pm and then leaving at 5am!?

He's being horrid and unsupportive toward you, his pregnant wife, lack of patience for his own child. This all sounds like the attitude of a man who is cheating on you. He even told you to leave- That's how much he has checked out of this marriage.

You deserve better.

Praying4Peace · 30/06/2025 10:42

GoldDuster · 30/06/2025 10:29

He leaves the house three hours before he starts work and returns three hours after he finishes work, and spends Saturday with his mate.

Let him go.

And who will pay the large mortgage and bills?
Reflect

Eliz86 · 30/06/2025 10:41

I think from a practical point of view you need to consider how and what you would do if you were alone. Would you be able to fund your own home? You mention working 3 days a week will you get a decent bit of pay from your work when you have the baby? I personally would try and step back from working so hard at the house and just relax into not being perfect with chores etc as if you are single you will have the same housework and less money. When your little one goes to bed take some time for yourself. He might notice if you stop doing his washing etc and begin to do more. You might decide to leave in the future but I think you should focus on what you need and want for the upcoming baby and let him waft about paying the bills while you need him to.

trueblues1010 · 30/06/2025 10:41

Hi OP. Your post is so vastly similar to my life I didn't just want to read and run. My husband works away a lot with his job, which means when he is back that time is even more valuable. However, the long gym sessions and sporting hobbies have always taken priority in our house. When his job became slightly more flexible this wasn't as much of an issue, but he was finishing midday, gym etc whilst I was still working (FT) and having to sort alternative child care for pickups etc (or me during working ours if WFH) despite being home. As he would state I'm home early so gym time (I'm talking 1.30-4/4.30pm). Likewise as you've mentioned on days off I'd ask if full days could be spent together this would often be met with frustration on his part (we have 3 children). He has now also taken up another hobby on top of the gym. My point is, this has never changed for us. The times he has swapped things around (I'm talking perhaps one less day or changed a day) I was told I was an ungrateful little bitch for not appreciating it..... I would say with such a young child, and one on the way, if he doesn't change now he probably wont, sadly mine never has...

Praying4Peace · 30/06/2025 10:40

Pinkissmart · 30/06/2025 09:55

Stop!

This is a case of a very selfish man. He's not trying to work on strengthening the family or indeed the relationship.

Disagree entirely
He is shouldering a lot of responsibility too

Allotmentblackfly · 30/06/2025 10:39

YourOliveZebra · 29/06/2025 22:31

AIBU?
we have a 2.5yo, I’m currently 30 weeks pregnant and we have a large dog. Just moved house a few weeks ago. My husbands commute is an hour drive in good traffic- always been the case. He works FT 8-5 i work 3 days 9-5. Our LO does go to nursery 1 extra day as I also have small business and to keep on top of house. He leaves home at 5am and not back until 8pm or later. He leaves at 5am so he can go to the gym before work. Then he also goes most nights after work/ I’m guessing as he returns in gym gear. Then he also sometimes works for his friend on a Saturday. I try to be understanding of work but also I’m doing all the parenting, running around, walking dog before I leave for work, making dinner once LO is in bed. All the household stuff apart from he will do the ironing and does help out when he is home with dishwasher and cooks at weekends. I Have complained about long hours at work how it’s not good for him or for 2.5 yo to never see him during the week. On the one day we get together he’s obviously tired and usually short with her. He has no patience I’ve brought this up with him but nothing changes he swears infront of her which I hate and I’ve told him about several times. Nothing changes- he will try and be good for the first week or so and then it’s back to usual. So once it gets on top of me I bring it up again about the long hours. It’s a cycle. Also he started smoking which he knows I hate so he tried to hide it- it was obvious. He told me he had stopped but he is still smoking. Also always wants to go to the pub- if he walks our dog at night he always ends up at the pub. Even our child always asks to go to the pub because that’s where he takes her. This week I’ve been unwell so he has been home on time and then logging back in until 10/11pm and then once I started to feel better his usual routine returns. So I bring it up again we have an argument and he tells me to leave if I’m not happy. He says I’m always complaining- never happy and now even though he has ‘given me’ bigger house I’m still not happy. He says he is done… All I want is him to be home more to help me and so I can have maybe even one evening to myself to do something for me. He pays all household bills and mortgage apart from food. He earns a lot more than I do. He says he has done all he can… I think he thinks because he pays he can do what he wants?!

OP
Was he like this before you had children?
Was he keen to start a family?
Is this in keeping with his previous personality - or is he different

If you are well off, can you buy in some help, eg a cleaner / some extra time at nursery for your LO so that you can have some down time too?

Judecb · 30/06/2025 10:33

I'm so sorry - you sound overwhelmed and exhausted. Is there any way you can cut back on (paid) work? Your DH seems oblivious to the load you're carrying. Can you get a sitter and get out, just the two of you where you can talk this through? Early stages of marriage, young children, pregnancy and exhaustion is a powder-keg!

GoldDuster · 30/06/2025 10:29

He leaves the house three hours before he starts work and returns three hours after he finishes work, and spends Saturday with his mate.

Let him go.

AnonymousBleep · 30/06/2025 10:28

BadDinner · 30/06/2025 09:57

An affair is a definite possibility. However I would say there are two people here looking at the same situation with different lenses.

From his pov YOU may appear the selfish uncaring one.

From his pov it may go something like this: He does a job that seems to be stressing him. You moved into a bigger house, which mortgage he is totally responsible for and you do not contribute towards, with bigger bills that he covers and again you do not pay (yes I know you do the shopping, but that is not quite the same pressure as a debt although it is a pressure to be sure). He has a second child coming with more expenses and since you had the first baby, you have consistently said you are unhappy shouldering the burden and are not happy with his performance as a father (in terms of caring and spending time) And now you are having a second one, which means (to him) more of you complaining about the pressures and not being happy. He feels inadequate to be a father in the way you want (and to be fair most people would expect) and probably unconfident about fathering a second. He goes to the gym to unwind and get out the stress before he comes home and unleashes it on you. But you don't understand, and you think it's just to avoid you. The stress is now so bad he feels the need to smoke to unwind. You complain to him about the smoking habit and the gym, but not about what is making him feel the need to smoke and use the gym. You complain if he goes to the pub (child in tow) to unwind but then say he should support you, so you can have a day to unwind. He feels you're not hearing HIM.

Now, you can say it's unfair and his viewpoint (assuming I'm in any way correct) is wrong and he's selfish, but if any of what I said is true, you both have terrible communication problems. You are talking totally at cross purposes and neither of you feel validated. Men typically switch off and close down when they're unhappy and let It build up until they come out with the 'I'm.leaving you' It isn't right it's really lousy. The switching off and the distance puts us into flight or fight mode and we get angry and hurt.

They say counselling never helps. But I think you definitely need emergency intervention on the communication front. If you cannot find a way to communicate then this relationship is not worth saving. Cut your losses now.

Think also: Are you able to make any compromises? Do you need the bigger house? You said that he throws back at you that he bought the house to 'make you happy' so perhaps he's confused about which one is your priority? The being present at home or the lifestyle? This can be worked out with communication.

I've assumed some things regarding finances so feel free to set me straight.

I will say you do not sound like you particularly want to continue in the relationship and you both do not seem to have the values in common. When values aren't aligned in a relationship it is very hard so think very carefully if you really want to try and salvage it or exit now.

Edited

Presumably he also chose to have a second child, chose to get a bigger house and bigger mortgage etc. The way you're framing it, it's like he wouldn't have done any of those things and is doing his wife a massive favour by going along with what she wants. I think some people DO see marriage this way - it's the woman who wants the bigger house and all the kids and the man just pays for it and puts up with it - but it's a very 1950s attitude.