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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Am I abusive?

25 replies

Newtonsnipple · 12/11/2022 14:06

I feel like I’m losing my mind!

Context:

I am not working (disabled dc) but am doing a full time integrated masters degree in a stem subject. It’s very time intensive and I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to manage it with dc, but really wanted to improve our situation. I’m doing well and am currently on track for a first.

DH is also currently not working. He was very supportive of me doing the degree as it would greatly improve my earning potential. He said that he would handle the majority of the housework/dc.

The problem is, he isn’t. If his mum or someone is visiting he will do a quick surface clean maybe. He makes out to his family that he is rushing about all the time. And does the odd load of washing when the basket is overflowing. The clothes then usually end up in damp, still stained piles around the house. He does no D.I.Y, or any of the other hundreds of jobs that need doing. I’ve just had to empty out and scrub the paddling pool from the summer that he has been promising to do for months. It may sound petty but its really getting me down. I feel that if I don’t do it, nothing gets done. It is a lot of pressure. The dc get left in front of the tv. When I am studying at home he will often spend the whole day napping on the sofa and going on the PlayStation.

I think I’ve been quite patient. I have previously suggested that I could instead go part time, if he is struggling, and we could split the chores 50/50. But he didn’t like that idea and said I was saying he was useless.

Today I just snapped. My elderly mother has taken the dc to their swimming lessons so I can get some work done, she has been taken their uniforms to wash (DH has never got around to driving, and after filling out the forms twice for his provisional only to have him not bother to get a passport photo I refuse to help anymore with that).

The house was a mess. And DH sat playing on his PlayStation. I was trying to concentrate but could feel myself getting worked up. I stopped and started to look for cleaners online when DH came in and spotted what I was doing. He asked if I was taking the piss, started being sarcastic about ‘Oh I do NOTHING do I’ and getting angry.

I shouted at him that I couldn’t cope anymore, that he is lazy and why couldn’t he just admit to not pulling his weight, apologise and start helping. If not that I wanted to hire a cleaner. I asked him to leave and give me some space. He refused and stomped off upstairs saying he couldn’t believe I was ‘starting again’. I was so annoyed I slammed the door shut instead of closing it. He shouted that I was being abusive.

AIBU? Because I don’t feel like it, I do feel fucking furious though. I know MN will hand my arse to me if I’m being out of order.

OP posts:
amiold · 12/11/2022 14:09

Newtonsnipple · 12/11/2022 14:06

I feel like I’m losing my mind!

Context:

I am not working (disabled dc) but am doing a full time integrated masters degree in a stem subject. It’s very time intensive and I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to manage it with dc, but really wanted to improve our situation. I’m doing well and am currently on track for a first.

DH is also currently not working. He was very supportive of me doing the degree as it would greatly improve my earning potential. He said that he would handle the majority of the housework/dc.

The problem is, he isn’t. If his mum or someone is visiting he will do a quick surface clean maybe. He makes out to his family that he is rushing about all the time. And does the odd load of washing when the basket is overflowing. The clothes then usually end up in damp, still stained piles around the house. He does no D.I.Y, or any of the other hundreds of jobs that need doing. I’ve just had to empty out and scrub the paddling pool from the summer that he has been promising to do for months. It may sound petty but its really getting me down. I feel that if I don’t do it, nothing gets done. It is a lot of pressure. The dc get left in front of the tv. When I am studying at home he will often spend the whole day napping on the sofa and going on the PlayStation.

I think I’ve been quite patient. I have previously suggested that I could instead go part time, if he is struggling, and we could split the chores 50/50. But he didn’t like that idea and said I was saying he was useless.

Today I just snapped. My elderly mother has taken the dc to their swimming lessons so I can get some work done, she has been taken their uniforms to wash (DH has never got around to driving, and after filling out the forms twice for his provisional only to have him not bother to get a passport photo I refuse to help anymore with that).

The house was a mess. And DH sat playing on his PlayStation. I was trying to concentrate but could feel myself getting worked up. I stopped and started to look for cleaners online when DH came in and spotted what I was doing. He asked if I was taking the piss, started being sarcastic about ‘Oh I do NOTHING do I’ and getting angry.

I shouted at him that I couldn’t cope anymore, that he is lazy and why couldn’t he just admit to not pulling his weight, apologise and start helping. If not that I wanted to hire a cleaner. I asked him to leave and give me some space. He refused and stomped off upstairs saying he couldn’t believe I was ‘starting again’. I was so annoyed I slammed the door shut instead of closing it. He shouted that I was being abusive.

AIBU? Because I don’t feel like it, I do feel fucking furious though. I know MN will hand my arse to me if I’m being out of order.

It's not abusive. Everything is labelled abusive these days.

But , can you really do no washing and cleaning because you're doing a course? What about people who work and have kids and run a home? (Not me but people do).

Why don't you have a list and go through it and agree who does what?

I do agree he should help, but should he do everything so you can be on the computer. I'm not sure

amiold · 12/11/2022 14:09

Also why doesn't he work?

NameChangedBecauseImHereALot · 12/11/2022 14:09

YASNBU, I mean this so kindly but are you actually happy with this man? I cannot imagine how miserable it must be having someone so useless. I'm sorry OP.

tickticksnooze · 12/11/2022 14:11

Abuse is a pattern of behaviour.

Losing your temper once is not abuse. It's a normal human reaction to being treated poorly.

Travis1 · 12/11/2022 14:11

Why is he not working? Realistically if he makes no difference being at home he needs to be looking for work. What does he bring to your life? Do you actually need him? I couldn’t be with someone so lazy and dirty.

Mangogogogo · 12/11/2022 14:16

One could argue his neglect of the children is more abusive

Comedycook · 12/11/2022 14:18

So what does he do? He doesn't work? Why not? He barely does the housework? He sounds like an absolute waste of space

colachive · 12/11/2022 14:19

YANBU. Clearly! He sounds awful OP. The pressure he is exerting on you by being lazy and dirty is unacceptable and he needs to understand how it is affecting you. If he can’t empathise with you, then it’s going to be very hard to solve this problem.

Why doesn’t he work? Surely he cannot continue to live with you if he refuses to pull his weight or bring in any income. That’s not a partnership or a marriage - he’s just another overgrown dc

Newtonsnipple · 12/11/2022 14:21

But, can you really do no washing and cleaning because you're doing a course?

I do, but it can be 8-12 hours a day for most of the week (I have little prior education, so have to ‘catch up’ with some of the maths etc. before I can grasp the current unit, hence why going full time was such a big deal time wise).

So the agreement was that it would be more of a 75/25 split as DH has nothing else to do. Both dc are at school.

It might be a little outing to say exactly why, but DH has no need to work at the moment. It worked out better (or was supposed to) with me going full time, so he isn’t.

I love DH but am really really unhappy. I’ve tried to speak to him about it but it is instantly met with defensiveness or anger. If I ask for some space he just sulks and refuses. The only time we can seem to have a reasonable conversation is after these big arguments (have had two in the last month) but all the promises to change evaporate shortly after.

OP posts:
jonesy1999 · 12/11/2022 14:22

He is a waste of space.

Why isn't he working?

You obviously see something in him but for the life of me I can't see what.

A grown adult who doesn't work, can't drive, and lets his elderly MIL run about after his kids while he plays PlayStation? It's a no brainer for me.

As an aside though, a family where nobody works hiring a cleaner? That seems insane to me. And it's not the fix you need.

BananaSpanner · 12/11/2022 14:23

If you don’t work because you’re DC is disabled, why does it matter if your earning potential increases?

Will he become carer for DC? Will he be up the task?

Choconut · 12/11/2022 14:23

Slamming a door isn't abusive - unless you've missed out the important fact that it smacked him in the face as it shut!

ShellsOnTheBeach · 12/11/2022 14:24

Nothing erodes love more quickly, more devastatingly, than a partner who doesn't give a sh!t...

amiold · 12/11/2022 14:27

Newtonsnipple · 12/11/2022 14:21

But, can you really do no washing and cleaning because you're doing a course?

I do, but it can be 8-12 hours a day for most of the week (I have little prior education, so have to ‘catch up’ with some of the maths etc. before I can grasp the current unit, hence why going full time was such a big deal time wise).

So the agreement was that it would be more of a 75/25 split as DH has nothing else to do. Both dc are at school.

It might be a little outing to say exactly why, but DH has no need to work at the moment. It worked out better (or was supposed to) with me going full time, so he isn’t.

I love DH but am really really unhappy. I’ve tried to speak to him about it but it is instantly met with defensiveness or anger. If I ask for some space he just sulks and refuses. The only time we can seem to have a reasonable conversation is after these big arguments (have had two in the last month) but all the promises to change evaporate shortly after.

If he is making you promises and not keeping them you know where you stand.

They're his child and it's his house (yours too) so he should pull his weight. My partner also plays on games and I point out it's childrens game and doesn't come first. He does an awful lot though but sometimes he's in a mad rush and being tetchy but he should have started doing whatever he needs to do earlier instead of sitting around.

I think you are right to ask for space. He isn't supporting you. Your mother must think it's absurd too?

Ohsugarhoneyicetea · 12/11/2022 14:27

He is abusive - gaslighting you that he is doing anything at all to help, attacking you and painting himself the victim when pulled up on it. Its called DARVO - Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim & Offender - classic abuser behaviour.

He is a lazy cocklodger in waiting and you should be planning to LTB, life will improve immeasurably without a manchild dragging you down.

RedHelenB · 12/11/2022 14:28

I'd he providing most of the family income?

Squiblet · 12/11/2022 14:29

That sounds so frustrating OP

Is there any chance you could get him to read that online article "she divorced me because I left dishes by the sink"? It's written by a guy who started out like your DP, but gradually got it.

Sorry I can't find the link just now

Newtonsnipple · 12/11/2022 14:29

BananaSpanner · 12/11/2022 14:23

If you don’t work because you’re DC is disabled, why does it matter if your earning potential increases?

Will he become carer for DC? Will he be up the task?

It matters to me because while we are comfortable now, that money won’t last forever. I want to be able to ensure dc are financially secure.

I also want to work, am passionate about my degree subject, and by the time my degree has finished it should be possible. Ds is doing better every year and I am having to go fetch him less often now.

OP posts:
ShadowoftheFall · 12/11/2022 14:34

Either get rid of the PlayStation, or, if that would upset the kids, find a way to set controls so it can only be used when the kids are home. Then tell your useless, waste of space ‘D’H to get off his arse and grow up.

toastedcat · 12/11/2022 14:34

Not abusive at all. He sounds horrendous. And I judge any grown man, especially a father, for playing video games. That may not be fair of me but I can't help it.

Zofloraflash · 12/11/2022 14:34

jonesy1999 · 12/11/2022 14:22

He is a waste of space.

Why isn't he working?

You obviously see something in him but for the life of me I can't see what.

A grown adult who doesn't work, can't drive, and lets his elderly MIL run about after his kids while he plays PlayStation? It's a no brainer for me.

As an aside though, a family where nobody works hiring a cleaner? That seems insane to me. And it's not the fix you need.

I don’t work and neither does dh as we have disabled dc. A cleaner was absolutely what we needed and we used some of the dla to fund it. It’s been a total lifesaver. I’d say there’s even more reason to get a cleaner if you have disabled dc it gives you one less thing to do

Clymene · 12/11/2022 14:36

So he doesn't work and doesn't do any housework? What's the point of him?

jonesy1999 · 12/11/2022 14:42

@Zofloraflash well that's fair enough.

My reply was in relation to OP though.

Paying a cleaner to clean while her husband plays PlayStation and her elderly mother ferries the kids about? Hhmm.

flflflf · 12/11/2022 14:43

He is the abusive one OP, not you

BlodynGwyn · 12/11/2022 15:05

I can't get over a grown man not being able to drive and playing video games all day.

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