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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Starting to really bug me..

58 replies

gratefulmumm · 14/10/2025 13:18

Rant warning!! sorry in advance it's pretty pathetic...

My partner has a tendency to make jokes which have started to really bug me... he does criticise the way I do things often and I've asked him to stop in therapy and he has been a bit better but he also tends to make
jokey comments when I'm busy doing things around the house..

If I have some spare time without the kids I'll tend to try to throw things out or declutter.. he tells me to stop and that I need to relax and just sit down.. that I never stop.. I say I have jobs to do at home because I want to keep the house nice for the boys - he said 'there's nothing for you to do.. (the cleaner has just been) .. I tell him the things I need to do like declutter..

I open the kitchen drawer and he sais 'what are you doing now?' I say I'm cleaning it out - I've been meaning to do it for ages it's full of rubbish - 'I say 'if you have a drawer like this wouldn't you want to clean it out?'

He then says 'my house would never be like this' (can I just say my house is very tidy but we have two kids so sometimes there might be a messy drawer or cupboard!)

it just bugs me because I can't just get in with the things I would do usually and it just makes me feel a bit judged by him .... AIBU??

OP posts:
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gratefulmumm · 17/10/2025 19:13

Thankyou @whistlesandbells you're right it is tough to combine! I'm glad your DH pulls his weight! 😌

After reading a lot of the comments be curious to know what posters think is an acceptable amount of tidying/ organising?

Our porch is getting really overgrown with weeds and just dirty overall. We see it constantly as it leads out from the kitchen via glass bifolds..

is it unreasonable to want to sort it out or is it too hectic? Or if it's not unreasonable how can I do it so my partner doesn't think I'm being too manic?

OP posts:
whistlesandbells · 17/10/2025 18:31

gratefulmumm · 17/10/2025 09:17

@whistlesandbellshe moved into my house 1 year after we got together but hates it there. The plan is for us to find a house that's both ours in the future.

i understand what you're saying about managing the house but I have a one year old and a seven year old so I like to keep things organised as it just makes things easier and less stressful in day to day life with them x

And honestly, it’s your home. It’s hard to combine lives, it really is. I am more like you and my husband (similar story) is very relaxed - but does pull his weight? It’s tough. Good luck

user793847984375948 · 17/10/2025 09:38

Well his house still wins because it doesn't have him in it.

gratefulmumm · 17/10/2025 09:17

@whistlesandbellshe moved into my house 1 year after we got together but hates it there. The plan is for us to find a house that's both ours in the future.

i understand what you're saying about managing the house but I have a one year old and a seven year old so I like to keep things organised as it just makes things easier and less stressful in day to day life with them x

OP posts:
gratefulmumm · 17/10/2025 09:13

Hi @KeepTalkingBeth I appreciate my posts must sound confusing.. it's hard for myself to figure out what's going on - hence my posting on here.. my DH and I have a complicated relationship. I've been told some of his behaviour isn't ok and is abusive and controlling so now I kind of question a lot of things..including whether or not I'm the problem..

OP posts:
KeepTalkingBeth · 17/10/2025 07:06

Im really asking what is the atmosphere like in your home

Yes this. I think it might be difficult for you to answer this. You sound preoccupied and defensive, with contradictory posts. It's hard to understand what's going on and to decide whether your DH is being unreasonable. He comes across as alternatively caring and frustrated / snappy.

You say you have diagnosed OCD, that you have a cleaner and that your house is very tidy. I bet your house is immaculate and clutter-free by most people's standards.

Is there ever a point when you can say to yourself: "I've done enough, everything looks good, I can now relax and think of other things" ? How often do you reach that point (without feeling distressed because there's a drawer that needs decluttering or whatever)?

SomeConstellation · 17/10/2025 06:47

@Alexander7, you need to start your own thread. You are repeatedly posting on someone else’s.

tragichero · 17/10/2025 06:41

If you live together, I don't understand why the kitchen drawers are automatically your domain, or how he is saying "my house wouldn't be like this".

It's just as much his responsibility as yours to sort these things, he lives there!

And he sounds like a goady twat. I like to sort things when I have some down time, drawers and so on. It annoyed my ex (who also, conversely, complained about the state of the house). That's one of the reasons he is now an ex!

whistlesandbells · 17/10/2025 06:31

From your posts OP it sounds like though you live together your DH does not feel comfortable in the home. We won’t know but it’s possible you are difficult to live with - continually changing, clearing and being ‘on’ can be quite disturbing to be around. I would not like living like this - is it really needed what you’re doing and how often do you do this?
Homemade meals are a good thing but at what point are you getting up, clearing drawers, moving about and bringing this energy to the home? Some people want to live in their home and not have it managed?

Im really asking what is the atmosphere like in your home? It’s the same with cleaning, tidying up - also continual home improvements. It’s draining to be around.

gratefulmumm · 16/10/2025 18:12

Yes @Alexander7you are NOTbeing unreasonable! I would be fuming!

OP posts:
Alexander7 · 16/10/2025 18:09

Hi everyone,
I’m a mom of two — one is a newborn and the other is a bit older — and lately I’ve been feeling completely overwhelmed. My husband is 38, but he doesn’t really help with the kids or around the house. I’m trying my best to be a good mom, but honestly, I feel like I’m drowning between breastfeeding, cleaning, cooking, and caring for my older child. I barely have a moment for myself.

I’d really appreciate some advice:

What are some healthy and easy meals I can prepare for both my newborn and my older child (something age-appropriate for each)?

How can I better organize my time between housework, taking care of the kids, and self-care?

And how can I get my husband to be more involved without turning it into an argument?

Any tips or personal experiences would m
ean a lot ❤️

Alexander7 · 16/10/2025 18:00

Thank you for your message. I actually didn’t mean to post this here, but I appreciate your support and understanding.

> He’s 38 and doesn’t help me at all, even though I’m taking care of both kids all day.

Alexander7 · 16/10/2025 17:41

Thank you for your message. I actually didn’t mean to post this here, but I appreciate your support and understanding.

> He’s 38 and doesn’t help me at all, even though I’m taking care of both kids all day.

gratefulmumm · 15/10/2025 13:28

Thankyou so much for your reply @LoveWine123 and for taking the time to read all the comments. I really appreciate it. I felt a bit overwhelmed by a couple of the comments yesterday although I'm grateful for them too because I'll be more mindful in future. Xx

OP posts:
gratefulmumm · 15/10/2025 11:10

Hi @Alexander7 I think you posted this on her by accident... but you are DEFINITELY not being unreasonable... he sounds like a douche.. you are looking after two kids (toddler and newborn) at home all day he can't absolutely help with dinner! How old is he?

OP posts:
Alexander7 · 15/10/2025 09:41

AIBU to think my husband should help more with dinner while I’m breastfeeding?
Hi everyone,

I’ve just had our second baby two months ago, and things have been… chaotic, to say the least. I’m exclusively breastfeeding, and most evenings I’m completely drained by the time dinner needs to be made.

My husband works full time (so do I, technically, I’m just on maternity leave), and when he gets home, he often says he’s “too tired” to cook or even help with basic things like setting the table or cleaning up after.

He thinks that since I’m home all day, it’s “only fair” that I handle meals — even though taking care of a newborn and a toddler is a full-time job.

Last night I got frustrated and told him I need more help. He said I’m being dramatic and that I “knew what motherhood was like.”

AIBU to think he should share dinner duties, even if he’s working and I’m on maternity leave?

LoveWine123 · 15/10/2025 08:12

OP, having read all of your comments, I think your partner is not helping and is actually fuelling your OCD. It’s great that you are getting therapy and hopefully that’s helping. You seem very aware of what you are doing and it sounds like you are spending quality time with your kids which really is the whole point. There is nothing wrong with making homemade food for your family, that’s normal!

I think your partner is being an ass and some of your stress is because of his comments and his judgment. If he thinks you are not up to standard then he can step up and keep the house tidy and clean the way he thinks is right. But he is delegating it you and also judging you for how you do it. You really can’t win. I would really try and focus on this and address it with him. Frankly if nothing changes I would reconsider the relationship. He is supposed to have your back not judge you and make your difficulties even worse. Think about if this is the kind of life you want to live.

gratefulmumm · 14/10/2025 15:32

Thankyou @AutumnCosy2025 sorry if my posts are confusing... yes he is my partner, we are engaged and have one child together and my son from my previous marriage lives with us.

When we got together he sold his house and moved into my house (on the other side of town) as his as as my eldest son was already set up in a school here.

Thankyou @Alexander7🙏🙏

OP posts:
Skybluepinky · 14/10/2025 15:22

Sounds like you are exhibiting OCD and are getting on everyone’s nerves.

AutumnCosy2025 · 14/10/2025 15:08

I'm sorry, but your posts are confusing (to me anyway) & it sounds (to me) like you could do well having someone professional to talk to, to unload & clear your thinking.

IF I have this right he's your DH (not just partner) and you live together, you have kids together (they're not just yours). Am I right so far?

Why did he say 'my house would not be like this'. Is it not his house too?

He's alternatively criticising you for not 'meeting his standards' & then complaining you're doing things that improve the house standard?

From what you have written, he sounds like a mind fucking wanker who I'd be separating from.

gratefulmumm · 14/10/2025 15:00

Nooo definitely not!! I spend so much quality time with my kids! I clean when they are in bed! I never tutt at them or complain that they are not helping.. I just like to make meals for them sometimes because I think it's a nice thing to do..

Also it wasn't really an opportunity for us to spend time together as it's the middle of his working day and he is very busy with work..

OP posts:
Alexander7 · 14/10/2025 14:59

gratefulmumm · 14/10/2025 13:18

Rant warning!! sorry in advance it's pretty pathetic...

My partner has a tendency to make jokes which have started to really bug me... he does criticise the way I do things often and I've asked him to stop in therapy and he has been a bit better but he also tends to make
jokey comments when I'm busy doing things around the house..

If I have some spare time without the kids I'll tend to try to throw things out or declutter.. he tells me to stop and that I need to relax and just sit down.. that I never stop.. I say I have jobs to do at home because I want to keep the house nice for the boys - he said 'there's nothing for you to do.. (the cleaner has just been) .. I tell him the things I need to do like declutter..

I open the kitchen drawer and he sais 'what are you doing now?' I say I'm cleaning it out - I've been meaning to do it for ages it's full of rubbish - 'I say 'if you have a drawer like this wouldn't you want to clean it out?'

He then says 'my house would never be like this' (can I just say my house is very tidy but we have two kids so sometimes there might be a messy drawer or cupboard!)

it just bugs me because I can't just get in with the things I would do usually and it just makes me feel a bit judged by him .... AIBU??

No, you are not being unreasonable

It's completely understandable to want to keep your home tidy and organized, especially with kids. If decluttering or cleaning helps you feel better and in control, then that's valid. His "jokes," even if meant lightly, can come across as dismissive or critical—especially if this has already been addressed in therapy.

It’s good that he’s trying to improve, but part of that is also recognizing that small comments, even said as jokes, can be discouraging or frustrating. You’re not doing anything wrong by tidying a drawer or keeping the house in order.

Simple advice: Calmly remind him that his comments make you feel judged , not supported. If he’s genuinely worried about you overworking, you two can agree on shared breaks or rest times—but it shouldn’t come at the expense of what makes you feel good in your own space.

Vroomfondleswaistcoat · 14/10/2025 14:56

Sal820 · 14/10/2025 14:49

You sound obsessive, like my mum. It's complete exhausting. I feel really sorry for your husband tbh.

My mum too. Lots of sighing and tutting and complaining that 'nobody ever helps' or 'everyone is so messy' and martyring herself to the cause of housework that really didn't need doing right then or as continually as she did it. In my mum's case it was an anxiety related desire to have control over absolutely everything. But the bloody sighing and making out that she was the only person who could possibly do any of these things.

Does any of this sound familiar, OP?

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