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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

When is enough, enough?

36 replies

PinkRice · 03/05/2022 21:01

I've been with my partner (on/off) for about 8 years. We got back together during COVID - by which we both appeared to be on the same page - e.g. ready for commitment, TTC and ready to do that together.

Things were all going pretty well. Until a) he started a new job and b) I decided to go to the Drs to investigate possible fertility issues. This was obviously pretty stressful for me, some blood tests came back with issues and it's led me to be on an urgent referral to the hospital. I went alone to my appt. At that appt they diagnosed me with adenomyosis; I'm 35. They said everything looks "normal" but that I would be referred to a fertility clinic to investigate further. At that point they ask how often we're having sex etc. which has made me realise... that we're not having sex as much as we should be (they said 3-4 x a week).

I've begun to look at my relationship. And... I'm not sure I'm getting what I need out of it. I feel that he does not bring much to the relationship - both in terms of sex (3-4 x a month at best, and it's not as good as it used to be), emotional support (he's not asked once about how I feel about my diagnosis, nor does he know what it actually means) but also in terms of doing jobs around the house etc. Everything is left to me. In fact I've had to hire a cleaner because I simply couldn't cope with working full time in the office whilst he WFHs and creates a mess. The night of my diagnosis, he leaves me to come home to an empty flat because he's gone to his parents to watch football. He doesn't want to talk about anything because it's "stressful". For the last few weeks I've tried to talk to him but he asks me not to. I do not know where to go to... I feel like all that he's said to me before has just been words, there's no action that he wants the same things I do. And it's reached a boiling point because I want to pursue having a baby. Tonight as an example - I got home from work late. He was WFH all day. He's slobbing on the sofa. I have to make my own dinner. When does it get to the point where enough is enough? AIBU to expect my partner to make me dinner if I'm not getting home until 8pm?! I cook for him almost every other night, would 1 night be so difficult? He's told me that I'm a joke tonight, that my expectations are too high, that I'm so selfish. Am I??

I want a baby more than anything. Is it time for me to go it alone bearing in mind my partner appears to not even want a conversation about this, even when he knows it's the most important thing to me? is enough, enough?

OP posts:
LightningAndRainbows · 03/05/2022 21:13

I think your mistake was getting back with him sorry. The dinner isn't the issue.

AmbushedByCake · 03/05/2022 21:14

For the love of God don't tie yourself to him with a baby. Chuck him and go it alone, it will be easier to.just have a child to care for without a spoilt man child too.

JayAlfredPrufrock · 03/05/2022 21:15

He’s not for you.

Ellie56 · 03/05/2022 21:17

In answer to your question - now.

PinkRice · 03/05/2022 21:21

I think I've been delusional thinking (hoping) things would change because "we want the same things". But I think we probably don't really. You're right @LightningAndRainbows it's not about the dinner. The dinner is symbolic of everything else. I just feel completely disrespected.

OP posts:
RealBecca · 03/05/2022 21:23

If he wont make you dinner why do you think he would make the baby's dinner. Baby deserves more. So do you. Get pregnant by someone who makes life easier not harder.

ButtockUp · 03/05/2022 21:25

You're not in a relationship.
You are two people living in the same property.

Time to move on.

PinkRice · 03/05/2022 21:25

Yeah I think that's the point I'm at - genuinely questioning whether he makes my life harder or easier. And he makes it harder. Are there men out there who are happy with 50/50? I am not expecting the world!

OP posts:
DorothyZbornakIsAQueen · 03/05/2022 21:27

The worst thing you could do is have a baby with this man because you feel like your biological is ticking away.

You do not want this selfish price as a dad to a child. You will be tied to him forever and have a child forever disappointed. Cut your losses. I think it's called the sunken cost fallacy.

DorothyZbornakIsAQueen · 03/05/2022 21:27

Price = prick

PinkRice · 03/05/2022 21:31

@DorothyZbornakIsAQueen I just googled the sunken cost fallacy. God it's what I've been doing for a long time - convincing myself that all this time I have invested on our relationship (changing my approach, accepting some things, having counselling to ensure I'm 'doing the work') will eventually mean it works out.

OP posts:
D0lphine · 03/05/2022 21:44

Don't be too hard on yourself. Look after yourself and be kind to yourself.

Make a plan for the future that makes you so so happy! There are so many options out there beyond this specimen.

whatisheupto · 03/05/2022 21:55

The imbalance will increase ten fold if you have a baby with this imbecile. Imagine your frustration x 10, mess x 10, upset x 10. Honestly do NOT do it with him unless you want to be a slave for the rest of your years.

NoToLandfill · 03/05/2022 22:07

LTB this week.

HollowTalk · 03/05/2022 22:13

He sounds awful. The mistake was taking him back. How soon can you separate from him?

WulyJmpr · 03/05/2022 22:15

Chuck him out. He brings nothing and would be a terrible father and partner.

Iamnotamermaid · 03/05/2022 22:18

Ditto to all the above. You have a man child here who will never grow up... Ditch & move on.

TossieFleacake · 03/05/2022 22:19

If you think he's bad now, he will get so much worse if you have a baby.
Get out now and find someone who makes you happier.
You deserve it.

ElCoh · 03/05/2022 22:21

And you want to get pregnant by this "man" because?

Bryonny84 · 03/05/2022 22:34

Don't tie yourself to this man hoping it will get better, it won't. Don't think you'll never find anyone else, you will. Leave soon and start setting up the life you want and deserve.

Fairislefandango · 03/05/2022 22:41

If you think he's bad now, he will get so much worse if you have a baby.

This. Plenty of lazy manchildren turn out to be crap, uninvolved fathers even if they theoretically seemed keen to have a baby. This one can't even be arsed to talk to you about it!

longtompot · 03/05/2022 22:45

He has shown you who he is. Listen and make plans to get away. I think after all the stories I've read on here where women are having their first or subsequent children with a useless partner, I think you are really in a much better position

LoveSpringDaffs · 03/05/2022 22:54

It's like an echo chamber... you need to work out the fastest way to get out without losing any investment in property etc. get things in order & GO.

meanwhile preferably no sex, but definitely no unprotected sex! Murphy see law is you'd get pregnant & that would tie you to this test forever,, you don't need that! There are much better ways to get pregnant!!

Get out, THEN get pregnant. Either wait to meet someone or go solo, but don't get pregnant with him.

you CAN do this!!

WineIsMyMainVice · 03/05/2022 23:38

please re read your post from start to end. I think in your heart of hearts you know what the answer is.
being a parent is the most full on exhausting job you will ever have. This does not sound like someone I’d like to take it on with! you’ll basically have 2 kids to look after!
good luck op. I really hope it works out for you. Just please don’t saddle yourself with a man child.

Watchkeys · 03/05/2022 23:44

I just feel completely disrespected

Enough is enough before you get to this stage. You only need to feel unhappy to walk away. 'Disrespected' is so much farther down the line, and way beyond acceptable.

The question, really, isn't whether you should leave; it's why you've let it get this far.