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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To want some of his time and effort too

38 replies

Croco · 29/07/2023 14:52

My partner has a hobby which takes up a lot of his time. A few times in the week after work and for several hours on Saturday. We have had disagreements in the past about it but he has explained how much this hobby means to him and that it won’t be forever. As much as it still bothers me, I have learnt to accept it and said to him that it’s fine but I want the same effort, I don’t want to keep feeling second best. I explained how I’d appreciate if we did things as a couple once in a while. Going out for a meal, a few drinks or the cinema etc. He said that’s absolutely ok and that he will start putting the effort in. We had this discussion 5 weeks ago and he still hasn’t arranged any plans for us. My parents and his are available to baby sit so we don’t struggle with childcare. I know I could plan things but I don’t see why I should. I genuinely feel close to ending things if he doesn’t change. Aibu to expect more effort from him and to end things if things don’t change?

OP posts:
MojoMoon · 29/07/2023 16:52

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/she-divorced-me-i-left-dishes-by-the-sink_b_9055288

"The wife doesn’t want to divorce her husband because he leaves used drinking glasses by the sink.

She wants to divorce him because she feels like he doesn’t respect or appreciate her, which suggests he doesn’t love her, and she can’t count on him to be her lifelong partner. She can’t trust him. She can’t be safe with him. Thus, she must leave and find a new situation in which she can feel content and secure."

She Divorced Me Because I Left Dishes By The Sink

It wasn’t a big deal to me when I was married. But it was a big deal to her.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/she-divorced-me-i-left-dishes-by-the-sink_b_9055288

CouldIHaveThatInEnglishPlease · 29/07/2023 16:54

I bet their partners are complaining. No one knows what is said behind closed doors.

3 evenings and one weekend day wouldn't be too bad, if they pulled their weight the rest of the week and prioritised the relationship and the dc, right? I could accept the daily 3hr hobby time if the other 21hours in a day I felt important, loved, valued etc, and he put time and thought into planning something nice, for just us.

The issue is way more than how much time spent on hobby and more how that hobby is deemed more important and prioritised above the relationship

SleepingStandingUp · 29/07/2023 16:55

Croco · 29/07/2023 16:33

@CouldIHaveThatInEnglishPlease Yep I’ve also heard the “well such a body does this, such a body does that and their partner doesn’t moan” I don’t care about what other people are prepared to put up with, it doesn’t mean what you are doing makes it ok. I am starting to really resent him now. He comes home from work, has a brew made for him, has his tea made, thinks he can have sex whenever he wants. Bore off! Has the cheek to complain when I say no to sex…maybe because I’ve been looking after our children all day with no help and I am completely exhausted. The last thing I fancy is having sex with someone who clearly doesn’t give a shit about me

@SleepingStandingUp It’s not a new hobby, when we met I knew about it, but it’s been more often the past couple of years. Basically, it’s football. When we met it was just on a Sunday which was completely fine. Then he got invited to play Saturdays. He told me it would be training once a week, then a local match on Saturdays. He said he would only be out of the house on Saturdays for a few hours. Well now it is x3 a week training and several hours on a Saturday. In a few weeks he is playing in Isle of Man which means he has to travel by plane. A part of me is wondering if he knew all along and just played it down

I mean he's not complaining about how much extra commitment it is it's he or saying he wants to quit because he doesn't get enough time with you and the kids is he ...

Croco · 29/07/2023 16:57

@MojoMoon That really puts things into perspective and says the things I am trying to say! Thank you

@CouldIHaveThatInEnglishPlease Exactly. I’ve explained to him so many times that it’s not the hobby or him having time to himself thats the problem, it’s deeper than that. I have friends that tell me how much happier I’d be without all this pressure. Maybe it’s time I listened. I love him of course but he is making things very difficult

OP posts:
RandomMess · 29/07/2023 17:28

DH increased his hobbies after we had DC however he absolutely pulled his weight. He would prep stuff before he went out or away. Would come back overnight rather than stay away, try be back to help get them to bed then do all the washing up, laundry, cook dinner.

That is the difference- I wasn't left to do the grunge work whilst he pissed off.

Croco · 29/07/2023 17:32

@RandomMess yeah if he pulled his weight it wouldn’t be so bad. But he doesn’t. I feel as if I’m a single mum

OP posts:
RandomMess · 29/07/2023 17:39

Seems like you'd more if a break if you separated.

CurlewKate · 29/07/2023 17:40

Cycling?

Croco · 29/07/2023 17:54

@CurlewKate football😴

OP posts:
Croco · 29/07/2023 17:55

@RandomMess Yep, what a lot of friends have said!

OP posts:
FinallyHere · 29/07/2023 18:03

cinnamonfrenchtoast · 29/07/2023 15:35

If he wanted to make plans with you, he would.

He's telling you exactly how he feels - please listen to him.

This.

I'm very sorry. Don't fall for the 'have you been really clear about what you want' schtick.

Why doesn't he want to spend time with you ? Is it because you are good enough to housekeep and provide 'childcare' but his leisure interests Allie elsewhere?

I'm really very sorry.

Aprilx · 29/07/2023 18:13

I do think that is a bit too much time on a hobby. But I really do not understand you r stance on "why should you" organise anything. If you want to go out and do something then organise it. It is no more up to him than you.

VeterinaryCareAssistant · 29/07/2023 20:24

When you (and others) want him to spend time with you, what exactly do you want to do?

I've got the opposite problem, my partner wants me to spend time with him and I want to be at work and he never gives an example of something to do, just to "spend time" so we end up sitting indoors.

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