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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Would you be able to see past this?

89 replies

clareblue6 · 11/09/2024 13:50

DH does not drive and will not learn. Refuses and says it makes him too anxious. We have two young kids so I have to do all the nursery and school drops and pick ups.
He has a minimum wage job that he constantly complains about but will not job search at all or says he “needs to update his cv” but never will.
If he has the kids he never takes them anywhere, stays in all day and uses the excuse that he can’t drive.
Doesn’t do anything around the house, bar the bins and the occasional shoddy dishwasher stacking.
No interest in diy / house renovation.

But, we are best friends, get on very well and have a great rapport. He is a great father and the kids love him. We enjoy each other's company and love being all together as a family.

I just feel I need more. aibu?

OP posts:
Newpillow · 11/09/2024 17:51

What would he do if, god forbid, something happened to you? He'd have to find a way to take the children out. Just because you are present doesn't mean he can't take them on a bus or walk.

Frazzledmummy123 · 11/09/2024 17:53

ABirdsEyeView · 11/09/2024 14:19

I've got sympathy with the not driving. Some people just aren't cut out for it and it's better they aren't on the roads tbh. But he should be pulling his weight in other areas - this means doing his share of the housework, entertaining the kids and actively caring for them - it's not enough to sit on the sofa and do nothing to actually look after them. And if you need ,ore money as a household then yes, he should be maximising his earning potential - the bills are his responsibility too and he cannot just abdicate that to you!

This!

Saltedbutter · 11/09/2024 17:54

He sounds completely uninspiring, base-level and rather ‘ick’. I couldn’t be in this relationship.

Saintmariesleuth · 11/09/2024 18:00

What did he say when you sat down with him and explained that you are burnt out and need him to pick up more of the load at home?

Are you working as well?

If you haven't done this, then this should be your first step. The driving thing I would put on the back burner, as I think the priority is getting him contributing around the home.

Another important point to consider- are you still attracted to him, and do you feel that there is a relationship worth saving?

Devonshiregal · 11/09/2024 18:01

And what happens if you get sick?

Everydayimhuffling · 11/09/2024 18:19

I don't/can't drive (cardinal Mumsnet sin!), but I do share equally in the things that need doing for the family. There's no reason he can't walk or use public transport to take the kids out. I actually do quite a lot of the pick ups and drop-offs, but I appreciate that depends on hours, locations and public transport options near you.

Definitely time for a serious discussion about splitting housework and about parenting. It sounds like there's still enough good to work on it.

LostTheMarble · 11/09/2024 18:29

clareblue6 · 11/09/2024 17:16

Mine 😂 I guess I've been kidding myself up until this point.

My alternative is to find somewhere to live for me and two kids (one with SEN) when everywhere is out of our budget and we have no family close by. It's very daunting.

Might be going off the deep end here, but it may be relevant. May I ask if your SEN child is autistic? And if so, do you think your partner may also be? It would explain much of his difficulties moving forward in life. Ignore if it’s not relevant!

AnneElliott · 11/09/2024 19:46

I don't understand why him not driving means he can't take the kids out? My mum didn't drive until I was about 15 (not that we could have afforded 2 cars anyway) and we went everywhere by public transport. Days out were just factored around transport.

I think he's lazy and needs to pull his wait more.

Goody2ShoesAndTheFilthyBeast · 11/09/2024 19:48

He's a great dad who never does anything with the kids?

He's your best friend who does fuck all around the house?

godmum56 · 11/09/2024 19:50

GladBlueSlug · 11/09/2024 14:53

My DH does everything he can to make my life easier or better.

This. He's your best friend but never says "sit down love and I will do xxx"

Maray1967 · 11/09/2024 19:54

When mine were small I had no access to a car on my non-working days. I walked to the park and library with them and got the bus to the museums in town.

Your DH is a lazy arse. Not driving or not having a car is no excuse to sit in all day.

EnterFunnyNameHere · 11/09/2024 19:58

He's your best friend (but he doesn't care that you're shouldering almost all the family load). He's a great dad (but he never takes the kids anywhere and doesn't contribute to a clean, nice home for them).

I don't understand your logic OP!

MotherOfABoobAddict · 11/09/2024 19:58

LostTheMarble · 11/09/2024 14:30

And I'm guessing pre-kids he only did the bins too??

I find this ‘you knew who he was pre kids’ argument to be a false fallacy. Pre kids most of us do a lot less chores/household admin than post children. As a woman I’d let more things slip than now I have children who deserve a better environment than a lazier single, child free adult living alone. Having kids sometimes is the eye opener of who can really move ahead as people and who wants to live a single person lifestyle whilst still having a family.

Whilst this is true, it sounds like she married and had kids with a guy who had a minimum wage job and couldn't drive, and now she's complaining about being married to and having kids with a guy who has a minimum wage job and can't drive.

Dreamingnamechange · 11/09/2024 20:30

I was at the same point a few years ago. My story was very similar to yours. Some examples:

He wasn't remotely interested in career development or earning more. Meanwhile I bent over backwards with earning more to build our savings to buy a large house that he wanted and refused to back down when I suggested we buy a smaller home.

Marriage relationship dead in the water as soon as DC1 born. Got to the point of me having to beg for small talk.

Zero willingness to plan any activities, days out or holidays though he was always happy for me to do so.

Zero interest in socialising with friends or family. In fact we had no mutual friends. He kept his social contacts very private.

Lazy generally and filthy habits. I have written on MN before about the shit left on the toilet seat and bathroom floor.

Took zero responsibility for home or life admin. The bills he was responsible for were often left unpaid.

Repeatedly insisted on ipad for every single task with DC, such as eating, bathing, getting dressed. Used to stick dummy into DC's mouth before going outside in case they screamed in the shops.

For years I motored along and tried everything to communicate with him. I drove myself mad at times with the rage, anger and frustration which made me a horrible person. I was the one to finally call it a day on my marriage and left with DC with no complaints or even acknowledgement from ExH.

It's very hard OP but you sound like you're realising that your DH is actually not your best friend and not adding much to your life.

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