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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Is it the end of the road?

94 replies

takethepi55 · 16/03/2020 09:04

A while ago my OH and their DC moved in to my home.
There have been the usual teething problems, which I expect but I'm beginning to feel uneasy about the situation.

I more or less do everything in the home (I have no issue with this at all) I've always kept a tidy, organised home but now it's just a tip. OH does do things but isn't the tidiest person, I have to go around daily picking up clothes, collecting used dishes to wash, picking up random stuff that's left lying around left, right and centre. I asked numerous times for some help and for everyone to pull their weight. The DC do nothing, my own DC used to pull their weight before but now seems to think they don't have to.

I'm tired of it. I spend all week cleaning and sorting everything for the weekend to arrive and i can't keep on top of it all again.

There are other issues too that I don't want to go into here but I just feel lost and like a robot doing everything day in day out. I love my OH dearly but I can't help but feel like enough is enough.

OP posts:
takethepi55 · 16/03/2020 11:00

I've tried the house rules thing. I've said what I expect to be done. Which is actually very little, but basic things like tidy up after yourself. Even that isn't done which makes my life so much harder. Because I waste time tidying crap up than actually getting anything I want to done.

OP posts:
copycopypaste · 16/03/2020 11:01

I'd sit down and have a frank conversation with them all. I presume all dc are old enough to understand

I'd also down took for everyone but myself. No cooking, washing or ironing. It'll drive you mad with the mess and it'll take a while but it'll come home to them eventually

takethepi55 · 16/03/2020 11:04

I downed tools this weekend and honestly it's made no difference. Apart from making me feel even worse about the situation.

OP posts:
TwilightPeace · 16/03/2020 11:09

A healthy partnership involves caring about how the other person feels and wanting them to be happy.

MostlyHappyMummy · 16/03/2020 11:10

Living apart sounds like the answer

takethepi55 · 16/03/2020 11:11

OH does care about my feelings but I feel on this occasion I'm on my own with it.

OP posts:
Beamur · 16/03/2020 11:13

It doesn't sound like you are compatible living together.
What was your partner's house like before they moved in with you? Was it a tip or was it reasonably tidy?

RandomMess · 16/03/2020 11:20

But he doesn't care enough to risk upsetting his DC...

AnneLovesGilbert · 16/03/2020 11:23

Time for them to move back out. It’s no way to live.

FizzyGreenWater · 16/03/2020 11:24

OH does care about my feelings

how's that then? Because from where I'm sitting, it looks as if he's completely disrespecting you as well as not giving a shit that you're being made miserable and is also happy to see you skivvy for him. So, lazy, using, manipulative and doesn't respect you at all. Care? Not so much, actually

but I feel on this occasion I'm on my own with it.

In other words, this is the first time something is an issue, so the first time you're seeing a glimpse of how he walks the walk (rather than talks the lovey dovey talk - which I imagine there's a lot of as he knows full well he needs to keep that coming if he's to keep his feet under your table and keep you skivvying for his kids so he doesn't have to!)

Anyway, it's not just you being 'on your own' with this - from your very short post, it's clear that there's also an issue with him letting his kids do what they like which is already having a detrimental effect on your parenting. And all the other stuff you allude to. You're 'on your own' with it all - because in short, he's not a keeper.

He's a cocklodger - and a particularly turbo-charged one as he's got kids who live with him full time, so it's not just a case of him needing somewhere to sponge services from for himself, he's got kids who need a skivvy and a substitute parent too (because as you can now see, he's not just physically lazy and won't lift a finger, he's also mentally lazy and doesn't want to set boundaries, offer support, set and example or ANY of the other stuff which means him lifting a finger.

He is a user.

You've already had the talks. But frankly, if he was a good man, a good parent, and a person who is going to make the good stepfather your children deserve, you would never have had to have the talks. It's your fucking HOME he's moved into fgs, if he can't even have the barest respect for that within what you say is a short time and he is already showing what a lazy using fuck he actually is, JUST GET RID.

He's going to have a negative effect on your entire life - your parenting, your children's example of the adults around them, your finances, your energy which he's already helping himself to.

Respect for him and therefore the 'love' that you are currently clinging on to will soon be gone.

There's nothing so persuasive as a cocklodger who needs to find lodgings and a skivvy for the kids he doesn't want to parent as well as himself, so please cut what could easily be a year or more of whining and pushing his luck and tell the using feck to get the hell out.

JKScot4 · 16/03/2020 11:27

What age are DC? I think it’s time for the famous MN family/cobra meeting.
They moved into your home it’s about time they show some bloody respect or off they can go➡️

cakeandchampagne · 16/03/2020 11:32

Your partner and his children need to live someplace else.
(And when you go visit, remember you’re not their maid!)

fishonabicycle · 16/03/2020 11:34

Very difficult situation, particularly as your OH is part of the problem. Two choices - you out up and shut up, or give an ultimatum - clear up or move out.

TheFastandTheCurious · 16/03/2020 11:35

Do we know the OP's OH is a he or if the OP is a she? Not that it matters but please can we go back to he, she instead of they?

Seaweed42 · 16/03/2020 11:35

Call a family meeting. Tell them how you feel not preach at them what you 'expect'. Ask them for their buy in to a way forward to a happy home for everyone rather than act the 'no one cares except me'. If you just criticise you end up hurting feelings and get nowhere. Seek their feedback as well, these step kids had no choice in moving in with you...not really.
Have these kids and the OH not stayed over before this? It seems a drastic change for everyone if its overnight. You can't expect them to notice or be mindreaders. You may also have had a rosy picture in your head of being the great mother earth who looks after everyone. But the reality is a big part of you resents sharing your space with these new guys.

Springsnake · 16/03/2020 11:43

I cam on here to comment
But fizzy green water beat me to it
Nothing else to say

takethepi55 · 16/03/2020 11:46

Thankyou everyone there's a lot of food for thought for me there.

The DC are all just teen age. I'm not going to be critical to anyone I know that won't help - even though I'm feeling really resentful at the moment.

I'm just totally worn down with it all.

OP posts:
takethepi55 · 16/03/2020 11:47

@Fizzygreenwater your post has really made me take stock. Thankyou.

OP posts:
PersephoneandHades · 16/03/2020 11:51

Your OH is being extremely disrespectful and you need to have a serious word. If they aren't willing to change you need to accept that your two aren't compatible.

Sorry, OP, sounds like the situation really sucks, but it's awful for them to expect you to be their personal cleaner! And to disrespect your home.

JKScot4 · 16/03/2020 11:54

‘just teenage’
more than capable of cleaning up
after themselves, bunch of cheeky gets.

Wereallsquare · 16/03/2020 12:05

Just reading your posts has aged me 10 years. I cannot imagine what living like this is doing to your mental and physical health. Give them all notice to leave your home and reclaim your life and sanity.

RandomMess · 16/03/2020 12:09

FizzyGreenWater has spelled out my exact thoughts tbh

billy1966 · 16/03/2020 12:18

@FizzyGreenWater

.....keep re reading that OP, because that is EXACTLY your reality.

He sees you as the biggest MUG and soft touch....ever.

He can't believe his luck finding someone like you.

You need to ask yourself WTF you are doing putting up with this for.

I wouldn't do it for a week.

The truth is this isn't going to change or improve.

He is an absolute waster....as Fizzy wrote...save yourself time...get him out...and get your own children back on track.

Absolute waster.

What you have with him is NOT love.

That's NOT what love looks like.

That's what a MEAL TICKET looks like.

Flowers
takethepi55 · 16/03/2020 12:25

@Wereallsquare it's really affected my mental health. For the last two days i haven't wanted to get out of bed because I know what's waiting for me. It's like no one else even sees it.

OP posts:
takethepi55 · 16/03/2020 12:26

@billy1966
I will keep reading @FizzyGreenWater's post there's a hell of a lot more I could add here but I already know the answers and opinions I'd receive.

OP posts:
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