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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

It’s a DH one.. feeling resentful

110 replies

Browndoor25 · 10/03/2026 20:44

DH lost his job in November and is still looking for something. I do understand that must be hard and I’ve tried to be supportive and not pile pressure on. In the meantime though I’m juggling multiple jobs just to keep everything going. I’m getting up at 5.30am five days a week and working weeks without a single day off. On top of that I’m doing the usual mum stuff with a small child. He is helping with the housework more now at least. Our child has just had a birthday as well and I organised the entire party myself.. invites, food, shopping, party bags, the lot. The thing that tipped me over today was that I asked him if he could do a bit of training with the dog (which we really need to keep on top of). He rolled his eyes and said it was “tiring”. I’m honestly just feeling completely exhausted and a bit resentful that it feels like I’m carrying everything at the moment. I don’t want to be unfair because I know losing a job can knock someone’s confidence. But at the same time I’m up at 5.30am most days and working flat out.

AIBU to feel annoyed about the eye-rolling and the “tiring” comment, or am I being unreasonable given the situation?

OP posts:
Teado · 10/03/2026 22:03

What a loser.

Don’t put up with this.

ShakeNCake · 10/03/2026 22:01

I'm sorry OP, this sounds back breaking and huge well done to you for keeping this family afloat. I hope when he gets another job he will take a minute to thank you for everythinf you have done.

In the meantime, tell him you are at breaking point. He needs to do the housework and do childcare. If he doesn't know where to start, he can google it. Tell him he can set reminders to do it while he gets into a new routine. As PP have said, now he has applied to so many jobs and written so many cover letters, he can get AI to tailor new ones from these and it will still be his work. And be clear with him, there is only so long you can keep all the plates spinning. At some point you will need to go back to normal working hours. At that point, you can reshare home tasks evenly. But if he doesn't do this now you will burn out and then there will be no-one to bring money in.

90sTrifle · 10/03/2026 21:59

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SlimShandy · 10/03/2026 21:58

90sTrifle · 10/03/2026 21:53

You sound like a nice person.

Thank you. I am.

TomatoSandwiches · 10/03/2026 21:58

I don't know why these men aren't fucking embarrassed, ask him if he'd not embarrassed, not about losing his job but the actual waste of fucking space he has become since.
Stop cooking, cleaning and doing anything that he soley benefits from.

90sTrifle · 10/03/2026 21:53

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You sound like a nice person.

Easterbunnygettingawrapping · 10/03/2026 21:48

Has he got family /friend he can take his pen and fuck off to?

Luckyingame · 10/03/2026 21:45

That attitude would put me off him for good.
Different circumstances here, no kids and assets in another country, I would be divorcing his lazy, entitled arse.
Sorry.

Mumtobabyhavoc · 10/03/2026 21:41

@Browndoor25 Show him your OP.

Allseeingallknowing · 10/03/2026 21:41

Soooooo · 10/03/2026 21:33

WTAF!

Sounds fair enough for me!

SlimShandy · 10/03/2026 21:40

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Soooooo · 10/03/2026 21:33

90sTrifle · 10/03/2026 20:57

@Browndoor25 if he’s not looking for a job he should be getting on with home-life needs.

Create a list of jobs that need doing - do it together and say it’s for you both to work through - when not working or looking for a job. Do the odd one or two things on it, just so he feels you’re working together but leave the rest for him. He may be reluctant like any of us, but hopefully he’ll just suck-it up and get on with them.

WTAF!

Toadtrip · 10/03/2026 21:33

90sTrifle · 10/03/2026 21:31

She wants the jobs done!

He’d probably rather not be told what to do.

So she finds a way that works to get her jobs done. The joint list was just an idea.

So keep your hair on lovey!

"Her" jobs

90sTrifle · 10/03/2026 21:31

SlimShandy · 10/03/2026 21:29

Why the fuck should she write a list for a grown adult who has bugger else to do all day?
Honestly, I despair sometimes.

She wants the jobs done!

He’d probably rather not be told what to do.

So she finds a way that works to get her jobs done. The joint list was just an idea.

So keep your hair on lovey!

Cherrysoup · 10/03/2026 21:30

My DH is retiring this year. I’m not. I’ve already told him I imagine the house will be pristine when I get home. I’m half joking, but if he told me doing anything was ‘tiring’ when I come home from a hard day at the coal face, I’d turn round and go out again. To a spa. Or a hotel. Maybe a pub.

DaisyChain505 · 10/03/2026 21:29

“DH, I understand you may be feeling low about the whole situation regarding losing your job however I am trying to keep this family going financially by myself right now meaning that you need to get yourself together and keep this family going in other ways. I can’t be expected to work as much as I am and be doing as much childcare and housework as I am. You need to do more.”

Simple.

SlimShandy · 10/03/2026 21:29

90sTrifle · 10/03/2026 20:57

@Browndoor25 if he’s not looking for a job he should be getting on with home-life needs.

Create a list of jobs that need doing - do it together and say it’s for you both to work through - when not working or looking for a job. Do the odd one or two things on it, just so he feels you’re working together but leave the rest for him. He may be reluctant like any of us, but hopefully he’ll just suck-it up and get on with them.

Why the fuck should she write a list for a grown adult who has bugger else to do all day?
Honestly, I despair sometimes.

SALaw · 10/03/2026 21:26

JFC you have to ask this?!

LiveLaughGoblin · 10/03/2026 21:24

Have you pointed out that most people have to look for a new job…while working in their current job? And as for tailoring cover letters - use Chat GPT as a PP has said.

BudgetBuster · 10/03/2026 21:22

Browndoor25 · 10/03/2026 21:13

We had an argument about it. I said he was insensitive. He says it’s possible for two people to be tired. I was accused of always making things about me. He is looking for a job, he has to right a cover letter tailored to every job, his industry isn’t in a good place so lots of rejections- I get that’s tiring. It’s hard.

How many jobs has he applied for in the last 4 months? Is he insinuating he's spending 40hrs a week writing tailored cover letters... abd us still jobless?

Being at home alone all week, means that 2 hours of housework a day would have the place bloody gleaming.

RonaldMcDonaldTrump · 10/03/2026 21:21

OP if the shoe was on the other foot, would you be doing basic levels of housework and complaining about being tired? He's had Xmas and the best part of 4 months off, I get that it's tiring to look for another job, but he's taking the absolute piss.

Aquarius91 · 10/03/2026 21:19

Helping more with the housework?!!You shouldn’t be lifting a finger at home! You’re working seven days a week juggling multiple jobs, you should be coming home to a sparkling house and dinner cooked every day! Lazy sod.

SemiSober · 10/03/2026 21:17

Browndoor25 · 10/03/2026 21:13

We had an argument about it. I said he was insensitive. He says it’s possible for two people to be tired. I was accused of always making things about me. He is looking for a job, he has to right a cover letter tailored to every job, his industry isn’t in a good place so lots of rejections- I get that’s tiring. It’s hard.

Tell him to use ChatGPT, then he will have a lot more time for housework

Browndoor25 · 10/03/2026 21:13

We had an argument about it. I said he was insensitive. He says it’s possible for two people to be tired. I was accused of always making things about me. He is looking for a job, he has to right a cover letter tailored to every job, his industry isn’t in a good place so lots of rejections- I get that’s tiring. It’s hard.

OP posts:
Rhaidimiddim · 10/03/2026 21:09

" helping" with the housework!?

FFS, he should be doing all the housework.