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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Am I Being Selfish?

14 replies

joewe41 · 24/03/2022 09:52

Just need to get this out of my system and get some input. Not even sure where to start this one. I met my husband nearly 9 years ago. We both worked in the same hospital and both for a similar period of time about 30 years. I'm not slighting him for this or anything but just to put everything in context, he moved into my house as he was renting and literally just brought himself to the marriage, which was fine. It has never been easy and I have worked my full-time job as well as a part-time job at night. This was something I did prior to meeting him anyway.

However, last year I returned to full-time study to pursue a job I have wanted to do for a long time but put off. My daughter is in her last 2 years of school and I thought now would be the time. He agreed and we both knew it wouldn't be easy but I have continued to work part-time. With the student finance and work it has been okay for the most part. Recently though he has been complaining more that all I do is study and work, which isn't entirely true and we never go anywhere. If I sit with him and watch TV and then get on with cooking and cleaning up after dinner that's fine. I'm allowed to do whatever I want after he goes to bed around 10 or it seems that way as long as I'm there for him. If football is on he doesn't mind what I do, but when there's nothing else on then he looks for me to be about.

While I was working, in all the time we have been together he has never once taken me anywhere for a weekend and paid unless I organised and paid. He gives little more into the house now than he did when I was working full-time, he still doesn't do anything much around the house. He cooks the odd meal each week and puts bins out when he feels like it not even once a fortnight. He says he is too tired after work and with working 6 day weeks (his job requires him to work the extra at times). He continues to pile his clothes on top the drawers as he says they will get fusty if they are put in drawers. He manages to get his hair cut every month and buy lunches every day in work. This month he had to put petrol in the car twice but seems to forget that I have been doing that all along, even yet. I still manage to buy meat from butcher or shops every week and get shopping but says how much he has had to do this month. Every Christmas and birthday is also a nightmare as he says he doesn't have the money and how it should not be like this at his age. He still expects me to run him to train every morning and collect him from train every night, even if I have just been down about 30 minutes before to collect my daughter, or if I'm only into the house myself, but then turns around and says I'm the most selfish woman he has ever met. I don't consider his feelings and if it weren't for him my daughter wouldn't be fed. Any time there's an argument he always resorts to a personal attack.

Am I just too close to see, am I being completely self-centred? If I go back to work I know I'm going to resent it and possibly him because I haven't really given this course a chance. Also, nothing will change he will still do same things but expect me to go on clearing up after him, making his life easier but he won't sacrifice anything. Am I putting all the pressure on him as he says? I have an exam today and all I can think about is this argument.

Sorry this was so long and thanks,

OP posts:
hoorayandupsherises · 24/03/2022 10:40

So, if I understand correctly, you have been shouldering the majority of the finances for the time you've been together? I would be sitting down and having a fully worked out budget so that he starts contributing properly.

When you married, was any part of your stake in the house ring-fenced?

So, going on what I've understood from your post and correct me if I'm wrong, he's made minimal contributions to the household, likely has a right to 50 per cent of the house if you split, and is now being aggressive that he's having to very slightly up his contributions?

girlmom21 · 24/03/2022 10:47

Bloody tell him.
Tell him you don't have time to spend with him because he's not pulling his weight at home - not because of your studies or work.

If he wants to spend time together he can plan and arrange it.

You supported him when he needed it and now it's his turn.

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 24/03/2022 10:57

He still expects me to run him to train every morning and collect him from train every night

Well pack that in for a start. Can he not drive or get a bus?

he has been complaining more that all I do is study and work, which isn't entirely true and we never go anywhere

in all the time we have been together he has never once taken me anywhere for a weekend

he still doesn't do anything much around the house

then turns around and says I'm the most selfish woman he has ever met

Read these comments back to yourself. Why are you with this miserable, lazy, loser? You and your daughter would have a much easier and happier life without him dragging you down.

PinkiOcelot · 24/03/2022 11:03

He sounds horrible OP. What exactly does he bring to the relationship? Nothing from what I can see.

joewe41 · 24/03/2022 11:15

@hoorayandupsherises - No, he has paid towards bills from start. Maybe I worded that not so well. What I mean is that although he says he is now being sole breadwinner and carrying me, he isn't paying anymore than he ever did. So, I can't understand how he thinks he is worse off. Does that make sense?

The house is in my name, I never changed that after my last marriage.

OP posts:
joewe41 · 24/03/2022 11:18

@GreenFingersWouldBeHandy GreenFingersWouldBeHandy Thu 24-Mar-22 10:57:21

He still expects me to run him to train every morning and collect him from train every night

Well pack that in for a start. Can he not drive or get a bus?

He walked it today because I wasn't for doing it. We only have one car.

OP posts:
IncompleteSenten · 24/03/2022 11:20

You aren't selfish.
You are just not quite the cash cow, domestic appliance and full maid service he's enjoyed thus far.

midlifecrash · 24/03/2022 11:20

Not really a partner is he

PoppyFleur · 24/03/2022 11:22

I really hope you protected your assets before marrying this man.

HotelCaliforniaOnRepeat · 24/03/2022 11:24

Maybe suggest he tries to find himself accommodation that he feels is more suitable. He will have quite the shock I imagine.
He's just got stuck in his ways and needs a boot applied firmly to his backside. He's taken advantage of you for some time by the sounds of it ñ.

billy1966 · 24/03/2022 11:45

What a selfish waster you married.

Why have you done that?

He's now probably entitled to some if not half of your home.

Why would you have done that when you have children?

He's mean and lazy and always has been.

joewe41 · 24/03/2022 13:26

Thanks everyone. I was beginning to wonder if it was me. I'll keep going and he can go find somewhere else

OP posts:
hoorayandupsherises · 24/03/2022 13:29

Just please get some legal advice on the house as soon as you can. Just because it was a previous asset, does not mean he won't be entitled to a claim on it now you're married.

Take care, hope your studies go well.

joewe41 · 24/03/2022 18:58

@hoorayandupsherises thank you. Will do about the advice.

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