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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to get annoyed about split of chores?

54 replies

Overthinker991 · 27/09/2023 09:11

Sorry if this is just a long rant! Feeling a bit p*ssed off and resentful but not sure if i'm being unreasonable. My DH works from home while I am in office 2 days a week, both work full time. I do all of the household cleaning, washings, sorting out recycling etc. I make him take the bins out but have to tell him when each collection is every week. We often eat seperate meals during the week but will take turns cooking when we do have the same meals. I will always be the one cleaning up/ loading dishwasher regardless of who has cooked. I am also responsible for ensuring we have all household items from the shops. Along with this I do bulk of looking after dog and 75% of his walks - he generally only walks the dog the 2 days I am out at work. We have a decent outside space so he does cut the grass and usually takes care of any DIY (although I do a lot of painting). He's currently working on an outside job at the weekends so thats taken over, I've cut the grass the last time as he was busy with this (although have also been roped into help with this job at the weekend), plus things like weeding etc are split or generally suggested that I go out and pull some weeds. He is responsible for washing the cars however hasnt done this in over 6 months and won't allow me to take to my car to a car wash place "incase they scratch it".

This morning he says up that all the interior windows need cleaned and why have they not been done for so long. I agree they do need done but have been busy with plenty other things.I feel very taken for granted and much like a slave, even just with simple things like he doesn't put his washing in the basket, doesn't put any packaging in the bins in kitchen or plates in the dishwasher.

AIBU to be p*ssed off with this split of household responsibilities and starting to feel very resentful?

OP posts:
AnonAnonandAriston · 27/09/2023 11:40

And if he strips or sulks call him out and tell him how unattractive it is. Seriously, just stop being so wet

AnonAnonandAriston · 27/09/2023 11:41

*strops not strips!

Overthinker991 · 27/09/2023 13:23

@AnonAnonandAriston it is very unattractive. And yes I should take a leaf out of your book and stop being a pushover.

Just all makes me think wtf am I doing here and this is how a marriage should be 😕

OP posts:
comingintomyown · 27/09/2023 13:46

I remember in my first live in relationship my partner didn’t pull his weight so I went on strike but all that happened is a ton of stuff mounted up until I couldn’t stand it.
I don’t know you or your DH but I would put my house on the fact he will not change unless it’s superficially if you were to threaten divorce and over the long term nothing will change.
I think you need to weigh everything up but know it’ll always be you carrying the domestic can and decide if overall that’s ok because you want to remain married to him.
It easier said than done to leave but so what it’s still very doable to leave.

Overthinker991 · 27/09/2023 14:08

@comingintomyown That's true and I'm already feeling so frustrated with it all that it definitely puts a strain on the relationship. I don't think I can put up with it for the rest of my life without spending life wondering if there is something better out there. Like other people have said, I think it is more the lack of respect and appreciation that really bothers me - if he were grateful I think I'd just crack on with it. For example, the other evening I buy him dinner, cook for him and clean up (after doing the housework and dog walks all day) and there's no thank you at all. So although unfair split of chores, I think it's more being taken for granted that really is getting to me over time.

OP posts:
NoSquirrels · 27/09/2023 14:14

This morning he says up that all the interior windows need cleaned and why have they not been done for so long.

What did you say? Because if it wasn’t along the lines of ‘Because you haven’t cleaned them’ then you’re a mug. Why do you accept that everything (even earning more!) is your responsibility? He sounds lazy.

NoSquirrels · 27/09/2023 14:17

if he were grateful I think I'd just crack on with it

But why do you think it’s your responsibility? He’s at home all the time. You’re not. If anything he should do more day to day stuff, not you.

Overthinker991 · 27/09/2023 14:26

@nosquirrels I just agreed that they needed cleaned and ignored the rest of what he said. I think he's convinced me I'm not doing enough tbh as it feels like the day's I'm not in the office I've got to run around doing all the housework while working and doing all the dog walks. We've had a similar fight about me not cleaning something regularly and basically was said that cleaning inside the house is my "job" (and yes he did actually ask me if I thought I'd get away with not doing things properly in my actual job to get his point across). The more I write this out the more I'm questioning why the F I put up with it. But he is not an easy man to stand up to so it's much easier to just get on with it.

OP posts:
Beaverbridge · 27/09/2023 14:30

If he noticed internal windows needing cleaned, tell him to have a night off from gaming and do them!

randomrandom · 27/09/2023 14:38

Overthinker991 · 27/09/2023 14:26

@nosquirrels I just agreed that they needed cleaned and ignored the rest of what he said. I think he's convinced me I'm not doing enough tbh as it feels like the day's I'm not in the office I've got to run around doing all the housework while working and doing all the dog walks. We've had a similar fight about me not cleaning something regularly and basically was said that cleaning inside the house is my "job" (and yes he did actually ask me if I thought I'd get away with not doing things properly in my actual job to get his point across). The more I write this out the more I'm questioning why the F I put up with it. But he is not an easy man to stand up to so it's much easier to just get on with it.

It just gets worse with each update!

tbh as it feels like the day's I'm not in the office I've got to run around doing all the housework while working and doing all the dog walks yet he works from home 5 days a week to your 3? What makes him exempt? Surely he should be doing housework 5 days a week by that thinking.

Seriously Is his penis made of frigging gold or something? Why are you bending over backwards to service this patronising bully? What exactly does he add to your life? Partners are meant to enhance your life, not treat you like a live in housemaid (who pays more of the bills as well!)

He's got it made

comingintomyown · 27/09/2023 14:44

OP it sounds like you are having the scales fall from your eyes and the fact you have started a thread admitting this is what’s going on with your DH which isn’t easy even though this is an anonymous forum suggests you know this is something you should face up to and you are being mistreated.
When the momentum from this wears off try not to just “crack on with it” for what seems an easier life , make plans so something about it.

pecanpie101 · 27/09/2023 14:52

Your updates read horribly. Please re think your marriage to this man op. Honestly life is short, please try and share it with someone who makes you feel respected and happy Flowers

Overthinker991 · 27/09/2023 14:56

Thanks for your kind responses. Feel a bit pathetic coming on to moan about the housework but I think I am realising it's a bigger problem than just that. Feeling disrespected and controlled when I think about all the things he's said when I've tried to bring things up. Hard to see the situation clearly when you are in it and the other person is telling you you are wrong.

OP posts:
autienotnaughty · 27/09/2023 15:05

I have a similar situation to you.
I do half cooking, all pots, cleaning, washing, hoovering etc. all mental load, planning, organising.

Dh does half cooking, garden, bins, maintenance

We have 1 child age 8, I do everything mon- Fri.. weekends are 50/50 split

I work 10 hours dh works 40 hours.

CherryMaDeara · 27/09/2023 15:11

Please don't have kids with this gaslighting, lazy, sexist man fuck of a child.

Divorce him now before you become further enmeshed.

HerMammy · 27/09/2023 15:17

I'm even more shocked that you're the higher earner yet he expects you to pay your wage into his bank to encourage him to clean and tidy!!!
Honestly, divorce him, definitely do not get pregnant with this knuckle dragging cocklodger.

NoSquirrels · 27/09/2023 15:25

The more I write this out the more I'm questioning why the F I put up with it. But he is not an easy man to stand up to so it's much easier to just get on with it.

You’re almost certainly in a controlling relationship. When you say

Hard to see the situation clearly when you are in it and the other person is telling you you are wrong.

I can see you know.

Please value yourself. He obviously doesn’t.

Overthinker991 · 27/09/2023 15:49

@HerMammy Yeah when you put it like that it makes no sense as not like I am making up for some financial shortfall.

OP posts:
housingplanningquestion · 27/09/2023 21:31

Bit worrying that 'he's a difficult man to stand up to'. So not only is he taking the piss in terms of making you do unfair amounts of work and ordering you around, he's also using intimidation to limit you protesting about the situation. Leaving is hard, but in a year or two you'll be so pleased you did.

autienotnaughty · 28/09/2023 06:55

To echo what others say. Now is the time to leave. Otherwise you will be writing posts five years down the line with two kids in tow. The more you commit the harder it is to leave. He won't change and will likely get worse

GingerIsBest · 28/09/2023 10:33

Soo.... you earn more and pay more of the mortgage etc, do all the dog care and most of the day to day tasks as well as the cleaning. In addition, he has referred to this as "your job" and feels quite happy to provide criticism and instructions to you.

Meanwhile, his "jobs" take a fraction of the time and inevitably aren't even being done - car cleaning, lawn mowing etc. And if you do them, he complains about how they are done?

Yeah... this doesn't sound good.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of men who have been brought up to accept that they just don't have to take responsibility for things. But the difference between the good men and the bad men is that when they get into a relationship and their partner points out the lack of fairness and equality, they get it and make an active effort to change. My DH is one of the second group. Right now, your H is sounding way too much like the first.

NeedToChangeName · 28/09/2023 10:38

Overthinker991 · 27/09/2023 11:26

@SallySunrise good question. I guess I just agree so I don't have to deal with the fallout after it or if there was a scratch on my car it would be blamed on that. Sounds quite pathetic when I write it down..

@Overthinker991 If it's your car, then I'd argue it's up to you whether you're willing to take the risk of using a car wash

Overthinker991 · 29/09/2023 23:22

Raised it tonight as a discussion and said you know I really don't appreciate when you don't load the dishwasher and leave all your packaging out. His response was that I do the gardening and leave tools at my backside which he picks up, and also I'm not remembering the times he does put things away and loads the dishwasher. Tried to argue it's very different when it's daily but got ignored. So again, just feel totally dismissed.

OP posts:
BoxOfCats · 30/09/2023 04:08

The biggest issue of all here isn't even the housework, it's the fact you can't have a constructive conversation about an issue without him completely dismissing you.

Rainbowqueeen · 30/09/2023 06:22

Op I feel like you really want to stay in your marriage.

in that case can I suggest counselling. Both for yourself but also couples counselling. See if that makes a difference.

But remember 2 things
1 you can’t save a relationship singlehanded. Both parties need to be invested
2 your needs and wants are also important. Wanting to be appreciated is normal. Failure to appreciate is a relationship killer