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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to just have completely lost my shit at OH?

102 replies

User761 · 02/10/2018 13:14

I've just been a horrible bastard, and I'm not proud of it. I'm completely lost as to what to do though, nothing works.

For a bit of background, I suffer two illnesses that cause fatigue - so my existence is pretty much one of battling extreme fatigue where every single thing in my day takes about 50 x more effort than it ever used to. I'm tired of being tired, tired of battling illness, and tired of battling my OH on top. I try my very best to just push on, but there are of course bad days. I work full time, I'm run down because of my illnesses and work stress, I'm working overtime and just had to take
short A/L to try and recoup and catch up on things. In short, I'm not very well.

OH works full time. Higher earner, so does contribute more to bills. I'm in debt, which I'm now trying to sort. But what can I say, I'm just stressed, tired and feel like giving up.

So, the actual problem... house work. I do all the washing, drying folding washing etc every day, his job is to do the dishes, each day. He will pick up a hoover, tidy and sweep of his own accord. It's mostly me who mows the lawns, does shopping etc.

My problem is, though the household jobs were agreed, he doesn't stick to it. Dirty dishes will be left piling up in the sink for days, getting in the way of me able to use the sink without emptying it all and putting it back. I can't just go and cook a dinner, as we're short on pots and pans, cutlery, and space because often the dirty dishes aren't just in the sink, they're accumulating over the kitchen sides, too. I find it disgusting - it's dirty, messy, gets in the way and means that unless I'm prepared to do the dishes on top of the other things I do, when it's supposed to be his job, I simply can't even cook a decent meal as all the kitchen ware is dirty. I have tried speaking to him nicely about it, twice this week in fact - he agreed and has just 'forgotten', AGAIN. I always try talking about it, explaining that it doesn't feel fair, and it's actually hindering me being able to do things like cook dinner or use the sink to fill a bucket of water etc. Last time I washed all the windows in the house, I told him it was his turn next - he didn't want to so said he'd hire a window cleaner - this was 4 months ago. He keeps forgetting... despite my constant nagging.

I'm tired of nagging. We're both messy people, I'm ill and just trying my best to get through my own shit, I don't have the energy for his as well. I've told him this.

I shouted, swore at him about it today. Bins full, so rather than have to empty the kitchen bin he's left a pizza box with left over food on the kitchen counter - meaning foods left about all day unless I do it, of course. Told him that since he was on late I'd now have to do his job of washing all the dishes as well as my own stuff before I could cook dinner... his response was "So?". I called him a sexist pig thinking it was my job to use my A/L doing his jobs as well as my own. I also called him a cunt. I'm not proud. I'm at the end of my tether.

I've spent my A/L so far getting blood tests, unblocking drains, hoovering up, doing deep clean on washing machine and getting washing/drying done, shopping orders, cleaning kitchen. I wanted to go out today to take some clothes to the charity shop and go visit a store I like. It takes a long time by bus. I feel overwhelmed and like I won't have time to do this, on top of everything else.

Sorry it's long. Please be kind, but very honest. Am I being unreasonable?

OP posts:
Thatstheendofmytether · 02/10/2018 16:36

@dueanotherchange

I used to when he was a bit more polite about it, but 7 years later it's wearing thin. He has gotten extremely lazy (has always been a lazy shit, but it's worse now) I mean he really doesn't lift a finger. We both finished work early today, so I thought I could have 20 mins to run to the shop for dinner and post a package for him and leave the kids with him after school run. I was wrong. While I was away he let ds2 eat 2 packets of crisps because he was playing the play station and couldn't be arsed looking away from the screen to do anything about it or get him some decent food. He shouted me, as I walked in the door with all the bags to come and "deal with ds2". I mean WTAF? I went apeshit as I do most of the time these things happen. Never seems to make a difference. Angry

Thatstheendofmytether · 02/10/2018 16:38

I told him last night, I'm not his fucking mother and he's not 5 so he's to stop acting like it. Best of it is his mother was never one to run around after him when he was younger so I think he's looking for someone to do that now.

MatildaTheCat · 02/10/2018 16:44

OP, he’s not going to change and you probably have to decide whether you can live like this. Yes, over time you could get creative and make life easier by having help and eating one pot meals etc. But is that ok for you? Will he jump to attention if/ when you have children and you need help? (No). Will he turn over a new leaf and listen to you if you issue an ultimatum? (Maybe but probably temporarily).

Only you know what your boundaries are but he’s a dead weight right now. Not you because you are ill- this would be awful if you were in tip top health, it’s even worse since you are not.

If you decide you won’t live like this then have a proper discussion rather than a row and tell him what he needs to do going forward. Be prepared to leave or take drastic action if he fails to deliver.

Best wishes.

NB my own dh has plenty of faults as do I but since I had an injury several years ago he has done much more than me in the kitchen and I don’t even work. We have help in the house and a gardener. He never complains about any of this. ( I won’t list his faults!)

Poppyinagreenfield · 02/10/2018 16:50

You seem to be trying your best in very difficult circumstances and he appears to be trying his best as a high powered job takes its own toll.

Are your money problems the issue here. We have joint accounts but our spending is similar, ie we don’t spend much and save then invest the remainder. It gives peace of mind.

Spending money on stuff to buy happiness is the ad mans dream. Stop watching tv adverts or tv full stop.

Bluesmartiesarebest · 02/10/2018 16:55

YANBU

Your partner is being an absolute scumbag to treat you this way. One of my friends put dirty dishes into her (now ex) DHs work bag as she was so fed up with him ‘forgetting’ to wash up!

Rachel0Greep · 02/10/2018 17:01

Only you can decide if he is worth staying with. It sounds like your life would be easier without him, tbh.

FetchezLaVache · 02/10/2018 17:14

Of course he's lying about forgetting. If he's a high earner, he must be reasonably competent and be blessed with a working memory and degree of initiative that would allow him to see what needs doing and get on with it.

I'd agree to write him his post-it notes. Then:

  1. Post-it note on the dirty dishes in the kitchen reading "Fuck you User, I don't care that you're ill and tired, you can fucking wash this lot up".

  2. Post-it note on crumpled discarded towels etc: "Fuck you User, you can pick this up after me because I have no respect for you whatsoever".

And so on.

When he gets home, direct him to each one in turn and get him to read it out. Tell him that when you see a pile of mess that's been left for you to sort out, that's what you hear. Tell him to change or you're off - and mean it.

Jamiefraserskilt · 02/10/2018 17:40

He is a high earner who has problems remembering shit? Or is he a high earner who chooses not to remember shit? You are not his mother and you do not need to do his thinking too. Switching off when he gets home is not fair on you.
Last time my dh did this a dug out the marriage certificate, plonked it down in front of him and asked where it said I had to wipe his ass on a daily basis. I also told him if he wanted to live in a pigsty of his own making he could go live in a student squat.
Mess winds me up. I am limited to what I am able to do but it doesn't stop me trying and paying for it after.
You need a cleaner, a dishwasher and a handyman with 100% of it paid by him. This will help him understand that if he does not do it, he pays someone else to do it. Simple.
Check out the options available, get it priced in. Do it on email. Present it as a fait accompli

MobMoll · 02/10/2018 18:07

Paper plates for the OP to use...not the DH. I clearly said to swap chores so OP does the dishes (since he doesn’t do them anyhow) and to lighten the load for HER to get a dishwasher or paper plates. What’s wrong with that??? She’s exhausted, why can’t she take a short cut??? And yes, either her DH does the tiring crappy jobs or pays someone to do them out of his pocket??? And what’s wrong with that??? Oh I forgot, everyone has to be a virtuous martyr

Gabilan · 02/10/2018 18:42

he appears to be trying his best as a high powered job takes its own toll

His best is inadequate and disrespectful. I've had stressful jobs. I've lived on my own and forgetting to wash up isn't an option. The OP's DH only sees it as an option because he knows she will crack before him and will do it instead.

It's awful. The OP is so ill she's using short-notice annual leave instead of sick leave and is then using that to do chores. She also works full time. Really, I don't see the point in this man.

Paper plates for the OP to use...not the DH. … And yes, either her DH does the tiring crappy jobs or pays someone to do them out of his pocket??? And what’s wrong with that??? Oh I forgot, everyone has to be a virtuous martyr

No, they don't have to be a martyr. Her DH can shape up and do his share or frankly I'd leave him to it. Why on earth should she eat off paper plates? It's basically camping in your own home.

User761 · 03/10/2018 00:20

Thanks for all the responses, you've all given me an awful lot to think about, and I appreciate your kindness.

I tried to talk to him about it earlier, he said it wasn't the time. I just brought it up again, his response was "Why are you bringing this up now?". Not getting anywhere with the conversation, I told him about this thread.

I told him I got upset, at one particular comment - or not so much the comment, as the truth behind it (not the Posters fault at all, I'm glad it was said!) that I was being a doormat. That's something I never thought I was.

He got angry, spoke to me through gritted teeth - called me a twat, asshole, that I'm painting myself as a Martyr. I explained I wasn't, I've held my hands up that I'm messy to and struggling with things, but that things aren't shared equally. He then said if I'm not happy I can leave.

So there's my answer. You're all right. He doesn't respect me at all and hasn't for quite a while. There's nothing I can do about that, but go, I guess. As so many of you have said, if he cared about me, he would try to change. He doesn't see a problem with himself at all - it's all deflected back at me, how I'm messy with x, or whatever. It's been a long time since he actually cared when I'm telling him I'm unhappy, rather than trying to defend himself. He cannot take criticism at all.

OP posts:
Windgate · 03/10/2018 00:37

That must have been a difficult and distressing conversation. He has no respect for you. Stop enabling his crap behaviour and make plans to move out.

timeisnotaline · 03/10/2018 01:21

It’s brave of you to see this op. I’m afraid you have the right of it.

hellsbellsmelons · 03/10/2018 04:46

I'm so sorry OP but at least now you know.
Time to exit stage left. Gracefully.

PositiveVibez · 03/10/2018 05:02

Ah sorry OP. But there's your answer. Clear as day.

I really do think your life will be less stressful without him.

Think of the resentment you will be able to let go of.

So you're a 'twat' and an 'asshole' are you? And he is Mr Wonderful?

Absolute lack of self-awareness. He is mean, lazy and disrespectful.

You are well rid OP Flowers

cordeliavorkosigan · 03/10/2018 05:17

yes, definitely well rid. you can find someone who actually loves you and shows it! or you can be peacefully and happily on your own :)

CSIblonde · 03/10/2018 05:34

You're ill & he won't help. So can you afford a cleaner ? Facebook & Gumtree are full of cleaners who don't charge the earth & can provide work references.

CSIblonde · 03/10/2018 05:37

Oh so sorry, didn't see your last post. He sounds horrible. You are better off out of it so you can concentrate on your health. Take care.

Gabilan · 03/10/2018 06:31

Take care, OP. I know it's easy to say LTB on these threads, and far harder to do it. But there were things you said - particularly about being glad he walked away calmly when you were upset and your gratitude for that - which made me think he is at best an arse and at worst abusive.

Outnotdown · 03/10/2018 06:53

Flowers for you. What a horrible man. Very hard for you. Mind yourself

User761 · 03/10/2018 08:24

Thank you all, it's appreciated. X

I think it's best I now get the thread removed if possible, anyone know how I would go about that?

Thanks again x

OP posts:
Gabilan · 03/10/2018 09:07

At the top of your original post you should see a "Report" button. Click on that and report yourself.

user1494055864 · 03/10/2018 09:09

Please do actually leave him, while you are not married to him, and don't have kids, or you will find it only gets worse, and you will have lost all independence and power. It sounds like a miserable existence xx

Gabilan · 03/10/2018 09:25

Yes. In fact before you get the thread deleted, find a way to print it out. Then if you're low and if he's pretending to behave to try to get you back, you can remind yourself that yes,, he really is that bad. And no, you're not unreasonable in wanting to leave. I have a feeling a large part of your exhaustion will lift when you're not battling him all the time.

GreyCloudsToday · 03/10/2018 09:30

I'm really sorry to hear that happened, however it sounds like a lucky escape. My DH has a chronic illness and it's difficult to keep all the plates spinning. You really need someone in your corner (and there are people out there). I think you'll be happier and less stressed if you can put yourself first for a while rather than dealing with such an awful man child Flowers.

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