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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Husband not caring about me

145 replies

mumtoboys12 · 22/09/2023 10:19

Hey. I was wondering if anyone could please give me some insight to whether I am being unfair or sensitive.
We have two children - 3 year old and 7 month old.
I am on maternity leave still, due to return back to work soon. Husband works full time but chooses his own hours due to type of role. He works very hard however.
Long story short- my husband has never done a night feed. States he needs the sleep as he's working (he can wake up at 9am and still go to work.). He sees me absolutely exhausted, and still doesn't get up to do a feed to let me have that bit of extra sleep. He does wake up with our 3 year old some mornings at 7am, but then our youngest wakes and I'm up anyway too. On weekends, he goes upstairs during the day to nap or naps on the couch when I have the kids , will rarely suggest I nap instead even if I'm telling him I'm tired.
Over the last few weeks, little one has been awake 1am-5am and I've been lying in bed in tears watching the monitor or getting up and down up and down settling him, my husband sees me doing this but doesn't offer to help. He wonders why I get angry at him and shout at him that he's useless.
This morning in the early hours when I was trying to settle him, I said to my husband "please can you wake up with our other child at 7am when he wakes as I really need to sleep I've only had an hour all night." His response was no I'm having a lie in tomorrow I'm tired." And he did- I woke with both kids at 630am, got one of them to pre school and back. When I got back he was still in bed.
I feel sad, lonely, and like we aren't a team.
This is an example of many. He's never put our 7 month old to bed. He has to be told and shown everything for our children, ie if the outfits aren't laid out and he's asked to get them dressed then he wont.
He states I should respect him more because he pays our mortgage and bills. He says we have our own jobs and his is putting the bins out and the gardening. I am never shown appreciation for everything I do around the home, we have the most beautiful spotless home because of what I do day in day out. And every day, he will make it unclean and untidy again through not giving a shit. Ie - leaving clothes everywhere, towel on the floor after shower, toothpaste all over the sink, won't make the bed when he gets up. Our children are so well looked after by me, they have everything they need and want for nothing, beautiful bedrooms and well dressed. He never shows me appreciation for that. It's just taken for granted.
I just need some clarity as to whether I'm asking too much of a man who works full time, or if he is really taking the mick out of me here. He swears in front of the children to the point that the oldest is now repeating it. He has a sense of self importance that just makes me sad as we are both equal. AIBU- should I just put up with it as he works full time? I'm back to work very soon and I'm going to be burnt out exhausted if this carries on. Any advice would be great. Thankyou. Xxx

OP posts:
Rosiem2808 · 22/09/2023 16:47

When it got to the part where you say you have sex with this awful person twice a week I swear I got blood pressure. He wouldn't be coming anywhere near me and I am not joking.
Like others have said 'fuck him off' and don't waste any time about it. No life should be like this OP

tattygrl · 22/09/2023 16:48

You would be better off without him in every meaningful way.

You don't even share accounts, so any "benefit" of the money he earns is at his whim and under his control. You are paying for the food shops and childcare from your savings?! Bastard.

Consider as well if you want to see this cycle repeat again with your own child/ren. You say your "D"H's parents have a dynamic like this, too, with his dad only providing money and mum doing everything else. Whether your kid/s are male or female, they could well end up on their respective end of this dynamic in their adult life if they remain in this household with you and your husband modeling it.

I'm so sorry OP, you must feel so awful, on top of lack of sleep and hormones.

I do wonder what your H thinks is going to happen when you return to work. I expect in his mind it's a non-event and things will keep ticking along the same as far as he's concerned. Honestly, OP, what an utter bastard.

QueenBakingBee · 22/09/2023 16:50

I just don't even know where to begin - tonight in bed, just choose 1 thing that will bring some joy back - as I said, start slowly. One thing tomorrow that you can look forward to.

It's going to rip my babies worlds apart - I promise it won't and labelling choosing to potentially end your relationship in the future because you are unhappy as 'ripping your babies world apart' doesn't help you. That thinking makes you feel shitter than you already do.

I don't have the money to do anything or get solicitor advice - I didn't either at first. Check to see if your employer has something called an Employee Support Helpline - I accessed some free legal advice through this that helped me understand some of the process and finances. There is also a self help section in the separation topic on MN. But this is not a tomorrow job OP.

I'm beside myself We are here with you. You are not alone. Big hugs are being sent your way OP.

pickledandpuzzled · 22/09/2023 17:07

See a lawyer for an outline of your position.

Ask him what he thinks the bill for your labour looking after the house and kids looks like, let alone the health implications of bearing them.

Tell him nothing is less attractive than a stingy man who begrudges paying his way, while his wife depletes her savings and health for him.

mumtoboys12 · 22/09/2023 17:22

@QueenBakingBee I'm crying. Thankyou so so much. You are so kind xxxxx

OP posts:
mumtoboys12 · 22/09/2023 17:23

@tattygrl yeah I've used about 10k (all of them) in seven months just paying my own bills. Childcare and food shopping and stuff for the kids. I have a grand left so not enough for a solicitor

OP posts:
MariaVT65 · 22/09/2023 17:33

Op I would ask advice from women’s aid, as he seems to be also controlling you financially. Please also reach out to family and friends for support. This is honestly not a marriage or a partnership. He sounds like a bully. It’s not even a case of him feeling like he shouldn’t help you, it’s the fact that he should also want to look after his own children. This is not the 50s.

scoobysnaxx · 22/09/2023 17:33

Your husband is a misogynistic pig. A grade A asshole.

He wont change.

He's actually said he doesn't want to change.

Ignores your pleas for support.

What a selfish selfish man!

Please leave him.

You clearly do deserve so much better and you'll have it one day. Don't put up with it.

Gettingbysomehow · 22/09/2023 17:34

Do you want your sons to grow up witnessing you being a servant.

pinkyredrose · 22/09/2023 17:36

He's a disrespectful wanker who doesn’t give a fuck about you.

Cherrysoup · 22/09/2023 17:40

Womens’ Aid, my lovely. I cannot believe you’re still having sex, does he not give you the major ick? He is financially abusing you. Why are you alone paying for childcare? They’re his children too! You need to stop doing anything for him and really demonstrate who does everything in this so called relationship. Putting out the bins once a week and doing the gardening once a month does not equate to equality. He’s disgusting.

mumtoboys12 · 22/09/2023 17:41

@MariaVT65 what can women's aid actually do? Xx

OP posts:
mumtoboys12 · 22/09/2023 17:42

@Cherrysoup because he makes me feel like I have to. He says I have to satisfy his needs otherwise that's when men start looking elsewhere

OP posts:
mumtoboys12 · 22/09/2023 17:43

@scoobysnaxx I know. But it's the actual leaving that's the hard bit. I don't even know what to do or say or anything I'm a mess

OP posts:
MariaVT65 · 22/09/2023 17:46

mumtoboys12 · 22/09/2023 17:41

@MariaVT65 what can women's aid actually do? Xx

I’m not 100% sure as I’m lucky enough to have never needed them, but as a minimum, they can give you some advice about what you can do in your situation, in terms of leaving your husband safely and in your current financial situation.

IncomingTraffic · 22/09/2023 17:47

See a solicitor. You’re married and entitled to a lot more than he wants you to believe you are.

life as a single mum is hard. But it’s not as hard as living with an arsehole who treats you like shit.

Pumpkinpie1 · 22/09/2023 17:47

Im appalled that you have had to pay 7K to support yourself whilst on maternity leave whilst your husband ........
Are you buying his food, washing his clothes etc. Can you see how messed up that is?
There are places where you can get free legal advice. You are being abused I think he’s eaten away at your self esteem so you think you can’t function without him. Please get advice and move into the spare room, don’t be forced into having a physical relationship with him because you don’t feel you have a choice. You do!

Loopytiles · 22/09/2023 17:48

Sexually, financially and emotionally abusive. If / when you split up he will use his self employment status to minimise maintenance. Please seek help Op.

Cherrysoup · 22/09/2023 18:05

mumtoboys12 · 22/09/2023 17:42

@Cherrysoup because he makes me feel like I have to. He says I have to satisfy his needs otherwise that's when men start looking elsewhere

Emotionally abusive too. What a catch!

LittleOwl153 · 22/09/2023 18:06

Stop having sex you don't want. Tell him he doesn't make you feel loved so he would be forcing himself on you if he carries on. He's likely already at least got his eye on someone else anyway given his attitude.

Stop paying the childcare- pass the bill to him. Stop buying him food - with £1k left in savings you cant afford to. Do not get into debt for this nasty man.

Stop doing his washing picking up after him or anything else you do for him. Your time if for your babies not him he doesn't love you, he doesn't care about you, so don't do the pick me dance - he won't.

TheWernethWife · 22/09/2023 18:07

He says I have to satisfy his needs otherwise that's when men start looking elsewhere

Tell him to look elsewhere then and leave you in peace.

Skodacool · 22/09/2023 18:08

He’s living in the 1950s! He sounds vile

pickledandpuzzled · 22/09/2023 18:08

mumtoboys12 · 22/09/2023 17:41

@MariaVT65 what can women's aid actually do? Xx

They will help you understand the degree to which he is financially and sexually abusing you.

They'll help you find out what resources and support are available to you.

This may help you work out a plan for finance and work that means you can tell him to go fuck himself.

Sadly he's got you exhausted and ground down to the point you can stand up for yourself.

JudyP · 22/09/2023 18:17

When I was a sahm I did the lions share of childcare - BUT - my oh did the late night feed every night ( night owl) so that if I was knackered I could go to bed early and get sleep from 9-3 when they woke up for middle of the night feed and at the weekend we both got one sleep in - your 'D'H is being very unfair as assume he wanted kids too! Show him this thread and see what he says then!

Janieforever · 22/09/2023 18:24

This is rhe second thread I have read on here in the last hour or so where women are in bad relationships but won’t leave primarily due to money.

anyway, has this all changed since the kids op? Did you both get married because you were pregnant with your first?