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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Partner not fully committed??

69 replies

Saz8585 · 06/07/2021 13:04

So I’m with a guy and we recently have a baby together. I have a couple of kids from a previous marriage and before we moved in together we agreed he would contribute so much towards the running of the house. So far we’ve been living together for over a year and I’ve had to nag at him to pay. And it’s only the last couple of weeks he is actually giving me something (even it’s not much and he never seems happy about it). He gave some money for the baby just before the birth to buy necessary things. He buys little bits of food shopping now and again but mainly gets stuff only he likes and it’s never regular. He helped towards buying a car (that he wanted) but I’m stuck with extra costs and repair costs. He works full time, I am currently on maternity. He would prefer if I stay home to look after the baby than opt for childcare. I pay all the bills and do all the cooking and cleaning etc., when I have brought up the topic he says that him being here is no extra work for me: I am not doing anything extra or paying anything extra and I was managing the things before he was here anyway. I’m practically broke every month and struggling, he does always ask if I need anything on his way home from work and he says if I need something to ask, but when I do ask I get interrogated and if he feels it’s not necessary he won’t get it or help. I don’t like asking him and I certainly don’t expect him to pay everything, also just to add I don’t expect anything from him for my other kids because their dad pays towards them. I am speaking about home hills, rent, utilities, food etc.,
. He says that I pay the bills and he saves.. but I have no say over his money or what it is getting saved for, he never discusses it with me.
But I feel like the struggle of the fiancial responsibilities are all on my shoulder and that we are not a partnership. He is always saving his money and is always buying himself designer stuff. My mind is so confused atm and I could really use some advice… as I haven’t had this experience before and don’t know what’s the norm for when a new partner moves in.
Just to add, there is no evidence of our relationship on his side of social media.. a lot of his family (aunties, uncles, cousins) don’t even about me and our baby. He is from a Muslim background and says that they will give us an eye and that they are not important. Personally I feel in my gut something isn’t right!!! like he isn’t committed to our relationship because of this and because of his lack of interest to accept or commit to any responsibilities. Am I being paranoid about this? Or overthinking? Advice would be greatly appreciated.

OP posts:
Watchingyou2sleezes · 06/07/2021 13:26

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

NowEvenBetter · 06/07/2021 13:27

Whose house is it? You know you have zero legal protections, being just boyfriend and girlfriend, so what security do all your kids have, and you? Your boyfriend doesn’t sound too interested, was getting impregnated a good idea? Too late now, but probably not a great idea to have more unprotected sex with the bloke.

FlowerArranger · 06/07/2021 13:27

You are perfectly entitled to expect more of him. But he will do anything to avoid meeting your expectations.

He is a COCKLODGER. It's really that simple.

You will NEVER see a penny of the money he is supposedly saving for the both of you.

Pack his bags and change the locks. Then file a claim for child maintenance. There is nothing else that would make any sense at all.

And don't let him sweet talk you into whatever his spiel is. It's all lies.

Chloemol · 06/07/2021 13:29

Well to start with you are laying

Extra food as he is there
Extra utilities as he is ther ( just mention now two phones to charge, two showers to take etc etc)
Extra council tax as you won’t get a discount

Then there’s half the babies costs

So yes he is a cocklodger of the highest order.

If he wants you to stay at home to look after the baby is he then going to lay for everything?

And him not telling his family about you is a big red flag

Tell him to move out, go to cms for maintenance and move on

Aimee1987 · 06/07/2021 13:33

As others have said this is full on financial abuse, boot him out the door and call cms.

Justcallmebebes · 06/07/2021 13:34

Watchingyou2sleezes Tue 06-Jul-21 13:26:50
Dropped a few kids with A, A's merits or not undisclosed, was then foolish enough to drop a kid with B, who at best needs training or more likely is a dead beat, complains about said dead beat.
The blame lays at your own feet..

^ Nasty and uncalled for

Blossomtoes · 06/07/2021 13:35

Cocklodger alert.

IsItTooEarlyForAGin · 06/07/2021 13:37

He needs kicking out! I'm fuming for you!
So you're at home doing everything abs he's working and keeping ALL his money for himself??
Oh hell no, get rid of him and tell him to freeload off someone else!
What a CF

Ohsugarhoneyicetea · 06/07/2021 13:37

This is so common, I read about it regularly. These men seem to target single mothers, and get them pregnant early on to lock them in. Once ensconced in the woman's home they do nothing and pay for nothing. Its a cushy ride, a mum that does everything for you, pays for everything and you get to have sex with them. But basically it is financial and emotional abuse, it starts slowly and gets worse and worse over time. The frog in water that slowly comes to the boil, you dont even realise at first what is happening. The confusion is cognitive dissonance... how can this person who supposedly love me, be treating me like this? Im sorry but the answer is they dont love you, they love what you provide for them. Boot his cocklodging arse out the door, claim child maintenance and universal credit if you can, your life will improve immeasurably.

Lemonyfuckit · 06/07/2021 13:38

Oh gosh OP PLEASE get rid, this really is awful - don't settle for it, you deserve so much more!

And in case he even raises a point about 'your bills not changing / not changing much' - right, (except they will have) but WHY should he get to live for free whilst his partner and mother of his child pays for everything? If there is a cost saving involved in the two of you living together OF COURSE that saving should be for the benefit of both of you, why on Earth should it just be for his benefit?

Then added to the fact he works full time and you are on maternity - he should be paying far more of the living costs at present. And obviously he should be contributing equally as you (or indeed more, due to him working FT and you on maternity re. above) to the upkeep of the child you BOTH created.

Jesus wept, where on earth do some men get off with shirking their responsibilities and thinking is ok for this all to fall on the woman.

JSL52 · 06/07/2021 13:38

@Saz8585

I definitely feel like a ‘mug’. I just don’t know what to ask of him when it’s my house he moved into and with having kids from previous marriage I am right to expect him to share cost..
Yes , where else could he live for free ? Honestly get rid of him. Are his family not pushing for him to get married to a woman with his faith ? Get his employment details and go to CMS. What a shit excuse of a 'man'
JaffaRaf · 06/07/2021 13:40

You talk like he’s done you a favour by moving in and sponging off you, what use is combining households if only one of you gets a benefit from it? You don’t need your ‘gut’ to tell you something isn’t right, things are brazenly not right! You are his dirty little secret and his free ride, kick him out and show your children that you don’t deserve to be treated this way. You can do far better.

FlowerArranger · 06/07/2021 13:41

I'm also wondering how OP''s older children feel about having this guy move in. There doesn't seem to have been any discussion about his long-term role in their lives.

@Saz8585 - You really need to focus on what's best for your children, and this guy isn't it. You don't want to see your children growing up seeing you being exploited, financially abused and treated as a drudge.

megamoomin72 · 06/07/2021 13:47

"He says that I pay the bills and he saves"
I bet! He's a complete cocklodger. You'll never see any of that money. Get rid!

"I haven’t had this experience before and don’t know what’s the norm for when a new partner moves in"
A fair way to do it would be to pay halves of all outgoings including childcare, if you're both working and earning similar amounts. If one of you is on maternity leave or part time, I would expect the earning partner to pay more so you still have half of the leftover money each to spend on yourselves at the end.

He's gaslighting you with his excuses and secrecy around his money and family, so you don't wake up to there fact he is financially abusing you. Get out as quick as you can.

2bazookas · 06/07/2021 13:48

Congtratulations on the cocklodger.

Pinkdelight3 · 06/07/2021 13:50

He says that I pay the bills and he saves.

This is outrageous. What does he think you are, his fucking mother??

A man whose brain (such as it is) works that way will never change, will never put you first, will never be a partner. And that he thinks you should pay all the bills AND stay home and do all the childcare - christ! Is he so thick he can't even calculate that that's not possible??

This faux generosity of always asking if you want anything is just a show to make him seem kind and to make you grateful. You have nothing to be grateful for. What you need is a grown up who not only pays his way but takes responsibility for his FAMILY. FFS, please don't fall for his bullshit. You don't need a manchild as well as your 3 DC.

KatharinaRosalie · 06/07/2021 13:52

He says that I pay the bills and he saves.

So those are joint savings and you have full access to them?

Thought not.

DrManhattan · 06/07/2021 13:52

Awww feel bad for you.
Hes taking the piss. Talk about having your cake and eating it.
I would tell him that it's not working. Get rid.
Honestly you will be better on your own than with this situation. He should be ashamed of himself, the total pisstaker

Brookes99 · 06/07/2021 13:53

I think you should suggest he goes back to renting as you can't afford for him to be there. If he feels that he can't afford to do that, then he must appreciate that there is a cost for you. And he can then agree an amount of contributing. My partner moved in with me and doesn't pay anything to me directly, but that is fine because most of the time he pays for all our food, all the petrol for our journeys, and all our nights out. As well as contributing towards a couple of big things like carpets or garden improvement, and so I am happy with that. If that wasn't the case then I would expect a certain amount of his salary every week or month, as I think most people would.

KatharinaRosalie · 06/07/2021 13:57

Oh and if his family doesn't even know about you and baby - sure he isn't actually already married?

TurquoiseDragon · 06/07/2021 13:58

Another voice saying get rid and claim what you're entitled to.

He's definitely not there for the long term, he'll be off at some point for his own house, and never pay anything to you voluntarily.

Shoxfordian · 06/07/2021 13:58

Stop being a mug

AnneLovesGilbert · 06/07/2021 14:00

What’s this head v heart dilemma? Your head knows he’s taking the absolute piss. Do you realise that the money you’re spending subsidising him is money taken away from your multiple children and their needs? And your heart must realise he can’t possibly love you if he can treat you like this and doesn’t even admit to being with you?

What’s so amazing about him that you’ve put up with this appalling set up for so long?

You’re prioritising paying for a grown man over your own children.

What would you say to someone you knew who was doing that?

Superpanicky · 06/07/2021 14:06

Wow, that is not acceptable at all, I’m shocked you’re questioning whether it is at all to be honest! Get rid of him and make him pay the child maintenance and don’t struggle on paying for your babies and a free loading man child.

lap90 · 06/07/2021 14:16

So he's living in your house, has bills etc paid by you, gets to save his money while you spend and is getting laid?

He's living the life. He's got it real good.