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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

DH's schedule. Please give me your thoughts...

326 replies

Okyep · 16/03/2018 11:20

This is DH's current schedule:

Monday: Sport 1
Tuesday: Sport 2
Thursday: Sport 3
Saturday/Sunday alternate or both according to schedule: Sport 3

Out children are teenagers but still require input/time. We both work full-time. We don't do anything together. I am fucked off as Sport 3 is a new thing. He thinks I am massively unreasonable/needy.

Who IBU?

OP posts:
AgathaF · 16/03/2018 11:50

So the only time he engages with you and/or his family is Wednesday evening, Friday evening and possible one day at the weekend?

That sounds really unreasonable. Has he always done this or is it a new thing?

Okyep · 16/03/2018 11:54

I guess those times are mine @SlowDown76mph. As an introvert with a limited number of friends, most of whom live a great distance away, I'm not sure what to do with that time... this is not how I envisioned my life.

The financial aspect is not really an issue as his sports are not particularly expensive.

When Sport 3 was introduced into conversation, I assumed, naively, that Sport 1 would be dropped as he doesn't particularly enjoy it. But no. He feels obliged to help out Sport 1 leader Hmm.

Thank you for your responses. It is giving me a great deal to think about.

OP posts:
GabsAlot · 16/03/2018 11:55

obliged to help out a sport leader but not obliged to be with you

how nice of him

Okyep · 16/03/2018 11:55

@AthenaAshton. Thank you. I want to spend time with him. He clearly doesn't feel the same way Sad.

OP posts:
Lookatmenow · 16/03/2018 11:56

How many hours is each sport per day?

My DH plays Cricket (so every Sunday is ALL day), he also does other stuff on numerous days in the week which take a couple of hours (say 7.30 -10.00) He thinks because he's there after work for a couple of hours it's ok. I dont, my DC are of an age where they go out to friends so invariably i am home alone alot of the time BORED

I'm trying to find ways to occupy my time to level he does but it's just not happening

how old are you DC?

Okyep · 16/03/2018 11:57

@AgathaF it's always been this way with one or two sports, but three, I feel, is really pushing it.

I think also as our children are getting older, it's making me feel more alone.

I know how pathetic I sound.

OP posts:
Okyep · 16/03/2018 11:59

@Lookatmenow they're teenagers.

I don't want to force him to spend time with me.

OP posts:
Okyep · 16/03/2018 11:59

@Lookatmenow Sorry you are in a similar situation.

OP posts:
Redpony1 · 16/03/2018 11:59

Wouldn't bother me in the slightest, but then my sport/hobby is a twice a day, every day, all year one! Grin

sinceyouask · 16/03/2018 12:00

Wouldn't be OK for me, and I would show it. I would never, ever do anything to facilitate his hobbies- this includes washing associated kit. I'd withdraw from anything I routinely did that enhanced his life. I would not plan around his hobbies: when scheduling things I would do so as if his hobbies did not exist. I wouldn't listen to him talking about them. And I would have one very honest conversation with him explaining that as he was treating us with contempt by prioritising his hobbies above family life, this was going to be my response. I'd expect a lot of tantrumming about me being spiteful and controlling- whenever a woman does anything other than bend over backwards to facilitate her partner being a selfish arse, that's what's directed at her.

whoareyoukidding · 16/03/2018 12:02

I don't think you sound pathetic at all, OP. What exactly does he think he is married for? It is not unreasonable to expect to have a companion in marriage. I'm not suggesting that you be joined at the hip, but it is upsetting because he think that his spare time is all for him. Yes, it boils down to the fact that he doesn't want to be with you. It is selfish and thoughtless. I think he need to be told this, and if he wont listen, well there are steps you can consider taking.

AuntLydia · 16/03/2018 12:02

How much time does it take out of an evening or weekend? Mine and DH's schedules look a bit like that I suppose, albeit just one sport. It still leaves plenty of time with the kids and we're both very involved and hands on.

AnchorDownDeepBreath · 16/03/2018 12:02

invariably i am home alone alot of the time BORED

That seems a different problem. It's not really his responsibility to keep you entertained. I'd be a bit annoyed if my partner wanted me to stay home from doing an activity or seeing friends because he was bored; I'd expect him to go do something he wanted to do too.

I can completely see why you're upset that he doesn't seem to want to spend any time with you though, OP. Do you do anything nice on the nights that he isn't busy; as your children are older now? I'd look at improving that and also making friends or finding activities that you'd like to do, too. Then perhaps revisit the "do you really need three sports" thing; if he doesn't naturally drop one after a while.

Viviennemary · 16/03/2018 12:03

This would work for some people but it's obviously not working for you. But I think the sport is excessive when you want to do things as a couple. Especially the weekend stuff. It's wrong that you should be doing housework while he swans off to his sports. Not on.

Okyep · 16/03/2018 12:03

@sinceyouask I wish I had your strength. If you met me, you'd probably think I did. I put up a good show.

I think I will read your comment on repeat.

OP posts:
FizzyGreenWater · 16/03/2018 12:03

The thing is, there is nothing you can do about a husband who is not particuarly interested in being your friend. You can't make that happen. It's extremely sad -for him, mainly- that his idea of what constitutes fun, happiness, excitement all revolve around being a 'single' person at other 'group' events. He can't find fulfilment in family life, even his own children - pretty sad.

You can't change that part. But you can and should draw a line and say, no, you aren't getting away with this. You don't get to make all the committments, have a family... then take yourself off, give your energy and time and personality to other stuff which is just you and just for you - but still get to tick all the boxes - wife, home, family - and have someone who you can't even respect enough to share the shitwork with prepared to carry you, to work to create all the home comforts only to watch you swan in to enjoy them and give nothing back.

I've known two families where the bloke fitted that description - That sounds more like a bloke who is nice and friendly to the children he happens to live with. One is now divorced, and his fifties reeeeally aren't panning out the way he thought they would when he was merrily falling into the role of 'additional teenager with more time for his bike than his wife' ten years ago. The other has just had a bit of a wake-up call when one of his children was sadly seriously ill, and was massively stressed and unhappy at the thought of the parents taking turns to be at the bedside (both work). Quote 'But Dad doesn't know me! He can't look after me' - her mum ended up taking over while she was working as the child (tween) simply didn't want Dad when the chips were down. He didn't like it one bit. But, chickens - roost. Brought it on himself entirely.

The thing is, you are only going to get unhappier, and there comes a point where it is better to walk alone than be badly accompanied. The person above who is divorced - his ex wife is blissful. Single and not planning to change it, life is harder - but she simply could not live as she was any longer.

Bluesmartiesarebest · 16/03/2018 12:03

Okyep, you don't sound pathetic. It's very unfair that your DH is choosing to spend so much time away from his family. Ask him what would happen if you did the same as him and started neglecting the DC's needs by spending so much time away by pursuing your hobbies. He is being very selfish.

Ariela · 16/03/2018 12:04

Can you sign up to Sport 3 too? Or suggest a Sport 4 that you could do together, while giving hm a good excuse to drop Sport 1. Lots you could do together eg riding, cycling, archery, shooting, tennis, badminton, golf

Lookatmenow · 16/03/2018 12:05

I think people suggesting getting an hobby is easier said than done.

Also i find that i try and work anything i want to do on the days he's busy but if seeing friends etc (which is not every day/week) these fall in with him being at home to be able to look after the kids then this interrupts OUR time then - it's like a no-win sittuation

Trinity66 · 16/03/2018 12:07

Sounds pretty selfish to me, house work needs to be done and I have teenagers myself, just because they don't need babysitting doesn't mean that I don't spend most of my "free" time driving them round to their own sports/hobbies/friends/discos etc etc

Okyep · 16/03/2018 12:09

Thankyou @whoareyoukidding. Your post made me teary.

I'm not bored at home Anchor. My job is quite demanding and there is always stuff to do. It's 24/7 and in my spare time, I like to read a lot. But I would put that aside if DH wanted to spend time with me...

Ugh. Reading this back I want to slap myself.

@VivienneMary if I'm honest? It seems like I am content with him and the children and he is not. It's not enough for him. He needs lots of outside activity and entertainment and he doesn't want us to be part of it...

OP posts:
Tinkobell · 16/03/2018 12:10

Given you are both working full time, to me you are both equals and no individual's leisure time should be taking a natural priority over the others. Presumably the hobbies are producing dirty kit which needs washing ....who is doing that then?
I have two teenagers - they are lovely but very demanding with friendship traumas, school admin, study advice and general ferrying around night & day. These are crucial years for them. Buggering off and leaving you to do all the donkey work is not on. If he wants hobby 3, suggest he knocks Hobby 2 or 1 on the head. You also have to think about your own relationship with each other. The kids may leave home soon for uni etc. What then? You two need to talk this through.

extinctspecies · 16/03/2018 12:10

I'd be quite glad to have a husband who has sports as a hobby.

Mine wastes hours looking at crap on the computer and drinking too much.

RedSkyAtNight · 16/03/2018 12:11

How long does he spend on each sport? I will typically go to the gym for an hour twice a week, see friends for a couple of hours once a fortnight and go swimming every Sunday. That's not far off your DH's schedule and leaves plenty of time for household jobs and family time (I also work full time).

NewYearNewMe18 · 16/03/2018 12:14

I feel so ridiculous and sad having to ask him to want to spend time with me

What exactly do you want to do on Sport-3-night? Actively go out or just flop on the sofa with a litany of soaps in the background?

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