Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Does it always have to be 50/50?

96 replies

Questioningthis · 06/06/2019 20:10

An ongoing 'discussion' with my OH.

He is of the view that everything should be equal, ie we must spend similar on each other's birthday and Christmas presents, that he will only ever do 50% of a task, that I should not expect flowers and compliments unless I give it back. I'm not a gold digger (I actually have far more money in assets than him, although his income is 50% higher than mine) nor am I a delicate flower who needs to be looked after, I'm very independent but sometimes it would be nice to get some help, or at least an offer, as I am always super busy trying to do 20 things at once. For instances I've had issues with builders earlier this year and never once has he helped or in any way got involved (conversely I've given him lots of help with his problems, written references, letters of complaint etc).

Also he says things which I feel are unkind, I have a very good memory generally (I've always been able to memorize huge lists etc, it was helpful to pass exams) but as I get older it's not entirely infallible. If I say X happened, or I think X happened, he will say what about your amaaaaazing memory? Or thst my memory is nothing special, I'm just the same as everyone else.

I find that hurtful and told him. He said that it was no different to me saying he was feeling sorry for himself and if I say that I can't expect him not to respond similarly (He comes out with a lot of comments like I clearly don't care/ am not invested in our relationship/I obviously find him repulsive and want someone else - I give him no reason to think this).

Is it wrong to actually not want everything to be so very equal? To actually want sometimes to be or feel looked after/ cared for, just a bit? Isn't that how a relationship should be?

OP posts:
StellarLunar · 06/06/2019 20:15

He sounds awful. So mean and petty. Yanbu, I think your OH should be your number 1 fan, not your number 1 critic

Are you married? How long have you been together? Is this what you want for the rest of your life?

YourSarcasmIsDripping · 06/06/2019 20:16

What's wrong is that you still want a relationship with him. Take your 50% and enjoy your life, and let him be 100% responsible for his.

P.s. I bet that despite his protests and percentages you end up doing more anyways because you actually give a shit.

Questioningthis · 06/06/2019 20:22

Oh I do most of the majority of tasks. But if he does help it's not more than 50/ 50.

If I tell him he's being unkind or hurtful or unpleasant he either turns it to what a terrible person I make it clear I think he is, or points out that I have plenty of faults and am regularly unkind to him or upset him. And so we just go round and round like that.

OP posts:
YourSarcasmIsDripping · 06/06/2019 20:23

So...what are his good points? What do you get from this relationship?

Liverbird77 · 06/06/2019 20:23

This makes me shudder.
For me, being married means being a team member. Sometimes I do 100% of the load, sometimes dh does. Sometimes it's 50-50 or whatever. Money all in one pot.
I am a sahm. Husband works full time. Tonight he thanked me on behalf of our son for all I had done for him today.
Don't get me wrong, we can have blazing tows like the next person, but I do feel values and supported whatever my day to day contribution is.

Questioningthis · 06/06/2019 20:23

I did tell him I thought he should be my cheerleader.

His response was that he was and that I don't cheerlead for him.

OP posts:
Helpmedecide123 · 06/06/2019 20:25

Life is too short for this. Get rid, you deserve so much better...

Calvinlookingforhobbs · 06/06/2019 20:25

Life is too short to spend with this little dictator. He does not put your first. Do not waste your precious precious time with him.

Emmapeeler · 06/06/2019 20:28

No! 50/50 obsession is for the neurotic and not a good role model for your kids. Life is not fair but also, you don’t give to receive etc. Has he not heard of those two crucial life lessons?!

fikel · 06/06/2019 20:28

I love being cared for, feeling cherished and he doesn’t sound very loving.

Pinkvoid · 06/06/2019 20:29

He sounds like a mean little egotistical shit tbh. I wouldn’t stand for it. A 50/50 split doesn’t work in reality, it’s just not real life.

Orangeballon · 06/06/2019 20:29

He sounds like a real disagreeable prat, he will have to take his 50% and go I am afraid.

CherryPavlova · 06/06/2019 20:31

Is he on the spectrum? He sounds like he struggles with flexibility and adapting to changing needs.

He certainly doesn’t feel like a loving husband who might want to buy you flowers, who might want to help whenever possible who chooses to put you first in all things.

How long have you been married? Has he always been like this? Is not all money both of yours?

Emmapeeler · 06/06/2019 20:32

Ps the comments about your memory are a deliberate put down and NOT the same as you telling him to stop feeling sorry for himself imo. Saying things to you like, you obviously want someone else would drive me mad.

PaquitaVariation · 06/06/2019 20:33

He’s not your cheerleader, and he doesn’t understand the give and take in relationships. It’s not about keeping score. He’s horrible. Leave now, forever is a long time to be with someone like that.

EKGEMS · 06/06/2019 20:36

He sounds warm and fuzzy like the electric chair!

MrsSchrute · 06/06/2019 20:36

It can be soul destroying living with someone like this. It's so ungenerous.
In a relationship I think there should be a feeling of wanting to help the other person out, make their life easier, make them smile.
This just seems like he's waiting and watching for you to screw him over.
Sounds exhausting.

Stayawayfromitsmouth · 06/06/2019 20:36

Sounds a lot like gaslighting. He is also mean and petty.
The hills are that way >>

YourSarcasmIsDripping · 06/06/2019 20:37

Is he on the spectrum?

I really fucking wish people wouldn't ask this every time someone behaves like a dick.

Questioningthis · 06/06/2019 20:38

He's absolutely not on the spectrum. He thinks he has high levels of emotional intelligence.

We've been together for several years now. Not married as he doesn't want to get married again. He made a performance of getting my ring size 4 years ago. I never got a ring of course.

OP posts:
CalmdownJanet · 06/06/2019 20:38

Uh he sounds like a pain in the arse!

Heartlake · 06/06/2019 20:40

He's a passive aggressive matcher. Ugh.

You should put equal effort into your life together and your relationship. But this can look different in practice and may ebb and flow over the years.

AlwaysCheddar · 06/06/2019 20:41

Get rid of him - 100%

Emmapeeler · 06/06/2019 20:41

He made a performance of getting my ring size 4 years ago. I never got a ring of course.

What a twat. He likes you to feel uneasy OP. That is not a good sign.

slipperywhensparticus · 06/06/2019 20:41

Not married? Run seriously he doesn't value you