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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

No longer happy with this relationship.

15 replies

mckenziee · 27/03/2025 23:11

My partner and I have been together 10 years. We have 2 kids together 7 and 2 months. I feel like he’s so used to having things done for him he gives the minimum. I do all the cooking, I have to ask him to clean. I have to ask for dates/ romance. Seems like the only thing he will do without needed to be asked is take the garbage.

I work remotely and went back to work when our son was 6 weeks. He stays home with me and some days are ok but I’m finding myself getting really pissed with my partner. I’ve been putting in 10 / 11 hour days and when I get off I still have to cook dinner and bathe our son because he says it makes him uncomfortable 🥴.

In the past we had issues with him not helping out enough and we’re back there. When I get a free moment from work I take care or housework/kids and he says to me “you have 2 eyes you see I’m here if you want to do everything on your own I will let you”. Sorry but I’m not asking a fucking grown man to get up and wash dishes, pick up after himself etc.

Last week after a long shift I cooked,got our sons ready for bed,fixed everyone’s plate and ate. After eating he put his plate on the nightstand and rolls over to go to sleep. Dishes are in the sink, bottles needed to be washed. Usually I take his trash when we finish eating but I’ve already done enough. I decided to leave his plate there and it sat there until we woke up the next morning. I have repeatedly asked him not to do that, but he continues.

Yesterday while I had a moment I washed bottles , dishes, our son school cup and made him a sandwich for lunch. My partner did nothing until I was done. The work was over all he had to do was dry the dishes. I try not to get upset but when I see things around the house he could have done but chose to sit on the couch I can’t hide how upset I am.

Last night after work I had to run out for 45 minutes. I told him before I left I would wash our son when I got back home. When I returned he sat down in the room and begging eating….im still up cleaning the kitchen and baby boy was in his swing. I had to pick out clothes, fill the tub and fix his bassinet sheets WHILE HE JUST FUCKING SAT THERE. He didn’t even bring our son in the room That shit pisses me off.

By the time I got our 2 month old situated and helped our 7 y.o get ready for bed. I still needed a shower and to eat. Which some night I just don’t do because I’m so damn tired. He works also and I get he’s tired but so am I. He can clearly see things need to be done and will wait until I’ve completed it and then says”I would have cleaned it if you asked”. You’re an adult why the hell do I have to ask you to help out.

I could ask him to do these things but he can clearly see things need to be done and if I don’t”open my mouth” as he says it won’t get done. I love him but I’m not asking this grown man to get up and help me out. When things are good I think it’s because I just take care of it all on my own and don’t complain. But some days I just feel like he doesn’t respect what I say and it causes me to just stay to myself.

I may sound exhausting but I feel like I’m taking care of 3 kids and one is an adult.

OP posts:
TimeForTeaAndG · 27/03/2025 23:16

You already know the answer. You said yourself it's like having 3 kids...except you can choose to get rid of the adult one.

He sounds awful. To contrast him, my DH today had a day off and he's done 2 loads of washing (sorted, put in machine and hung up to dry), washed dishes (usually my job but I slept terribly last night after a migraine so had a nap on the couch), picked DD up from her class, and walked the dog after dinner. None of that orchestrated or even requested by me.

omgitchiness · 27/03/2025 23:17

I would be asking him. you shouldn't have to, but it seems you do.
ask him to do more than you are doing, see how that goes

Silvertulips · 27/03/2025 23:17

Ask him how he would manage the kids 50/50 when you divorce?

I actually have DH a choice of jobs he’s responsible for.

He can choose to cook or clean after.

He can choose the washing or ironing.

He can choose read the kids a story or mop the floors.

Give him choices until it’s a habit.

Stripeyanddotty · 27/03/2025 23:20

Can’t imagine having to give my husband choices. Thank my lucky stars I married a fully functional intelligent man.

OhBumBags · 27/03/2025 23:21

Has he really changed that much in the 7 years between kids?

SkaneTos · 27/03/2025 23:27

What made you fall in love with him?
Was he a helpful and supportive partner in the beginning of your relationship?

mckenziee · 27/03/2025 23:41

Silvertulips · 27/03/2025 23:17

Ask him how he would manage the kids 50/50 when you divorce?

I actually have DH a choice of jobs he’s responsible for.

He can choose to cook or clean after.

He can choose the washing or ironing.

He can choose read the kids a story or mop the floors.

Give him choices until it’s a habit.

We’ve discussed if I cook(which I always do) he will do the dishes. But he does not and so I do it myself.

OP posts:
mckenziee · 27/03/2025 23:42

OhBumBags · 27/03/2025 23:21

Has he really changed that much in the 7 years between kids?

He changed for a while. Now he’s back to doing the bare minimum. He knows that if he doesn’t do it I will. Which I have no issue with but if I’m doing everything on my own I will be alone!

OP posts:
mckenziee · 27/03/2025 23:48

SkaneTos · 27/03/2025 23:27

What made you fall in love with him?
Was he a helpful and supportive partner in the beginning of your relationship?

He’s very loving supportive not so much. If I ask him to he either will do it or complain that he’s tired. I loved him so much I looked past all of that because I grew up cooking and doing housework so I had no problem with it. Now 2 kids later he needs to step up

OP posts:
OhBumBags · 27/03/2025 23:53

He needed to step up after the first child but he didn't.

He's even less likely to step up now he has 2, since he got away with it after the first.

I think you'll need to make some tough choices going forward, assuming this isn't what you want for the rest of your life and that a 'skivvy' is not something you want your kids to witness you being treated as.

Maitri108 · 28/03/2025 00:01

You had a kid with him and were with him for seven years before you had another kid, what changed? When you had the second child did he down tools and refuse to get off his arse?

You don't seem to be talking to him. Sit down, work out a list of chores and ask him to choose the same number as you.

Work out how often they need to be done and let him get on with it. You don't have to say anything as he has a list.

HoppingPavlova · 28/03/2025 00:03

I’ve been putting in 10 / 11 hour days and when I get off I still have to cook dinner and bathe our son because he says it makes him uncomfortable

Why does bathing a baby/young child make him uncomfortable? Does he do nappy changes? This sort of stuff is non-negotiable, it’s not ‘choice’ stuff.

It’s extremely odd. Does he not trust himself to be appropriate? I’d be delving into this. My DH did his fair share of baths/nappy changes, he was not a pervert, he was a parent (still is a parent but kids have grown up).

Halfemptyhalfling · 28/03/2025 00:14

I think he may need a list to tick off when done

mizzsims · 28/03/2025 00:41

If you're not happy leave him
Bring the kids up yourself be brave and take control
I will be hard on you in the beginning but it's hard now
Take back your life and enjoy bringing up your little family
Been stronger now and your family will thrive in the future.
Tell him that
Good luck

NotThisShitAgain121 · 11/01/2026 21:13

Have a strong g conversation with him a d leave if necessary.

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