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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Years of resentment build-up…

12 replies

feelingmean · 25/05/2025 19:06

Long term lurker I think maybe only my second time posting…

Married to my husband (43) I’m 40 we’ve got 2 kids (8 and 6) and we just never seem to get a good run at life. I know there’s lots of other people across the world in much much worse scenarios and I’m very lucky to just tuck my babies safely into their beds every night but things are really getting me down and most of it links back to my husband.

I am currently the only one working as husband got laid off just before Christmas - he’s had a few interviews since then but nothing has materialised. He did say he would look to get any job but every time I mention this I’m met with looks, ‘if that’s what you want me to do I’ll do it’ which I argue back with ‘It isn’t about what I want it’s about having income coming in for the family?!’ and the conversation is shut down. I’m feeling very resentful about this as a similar thing happened just after our second child was born and I had to go back to work earlier than planned as we couldn’t live off SMP.

This on top of 2 emotional affairs - which I’ve been told never went physical but who knows at this point? 🤷🏻‍♀️ I have zero trust left to be honest plus many many many episodes of him drinking excessively and way more than is considered ‘normal’ and I’m just done. I’m so resentful and I think even if things sorted themselves out I’m past the point of actually being able to feel our relationship is a true partnership. In my head and my heart I think I know I need to leave but at the moment this wouldn’t be possible as he has no income so literally can’t afford to pay for anything.

I guess I’m just looking for someone to talk to…there’s no one I can really speak to about this in real life as such and I feel like every day is wearing my down more and more. I try to be supportive but when the other person thinks they can do no wrong and lives in a dream world of everything being ‘fine’ it’s so hard.

Anyone else been through anything similar?

OP posts:
ShillyShallySherbet · 25/05/2025 19:09

If you were to say to him that you want to split up as it’s not feeling like a partnership anymore how would he react? It sounds like you’d be better off going it alone from what you’ve said here.

Lovelynames123 · 25/05/2025 19:10

You absolutely can leave him despite him having no job, that is the point at which he'll have to take anything to bring some money in

The resentment won't fade, it will get worse. I would have been gone after the emotional affairs but the unwillingness to get any job to support his family is deeply unattractive, and I'm not surprised you're resentful.

You work, you're proving you can support yourself and your dc without this man so what's stopping you?

TheOtherAgentJohnson · 25/05/2025 19:12

Him not having money is his problem. Drop the rope and stop making him your responsibility. That’s what he’s done, after all.

BakelikeBertha · 25/05/2025 19:17

Totally agree with previous posters OP. Him not having any money is his problem NOT yours! Do you rent or have a mortgage to pay, and are you both named on the rental agreement or mortgage?

FutureCatMum · 25/05/2025 19:17

What is he contributing to your life? It looks like you can go it alone and be happier and less stressed without him. Tell him its over and set a time limit for him to leave. If he has nowhere to go, he needs to sort that out himself.

feelingmean · 25/05/2025 19:19

We’re both on the mortgage but obviously I’m the only one paying it at the moment. I’m not in a position to buy him out…the only benefit of him not working is that he is doing both school runs each day and we’re not having to pay for wraparound care and I’m able to put a bit more into my work and hopefully go for a promotion at work soon (teacher).

OP posts:
DoYouReally · 25/05/2025 20:16

I think most sane people would resent a non contributing partner who drinks too much and has had two emotional affairs.

What is he adding to your life and are you sure you wouldn't be better off without him?

BakelikeBertha · 25/05/2025 20:25

Can you sell the house and buy something on your own OP?

feelingmean · 25/05/2025 20:30

This is potentially an option and will most likely be what we do in the long run I imagine.

OP posts:
Kevinbaconsrealwife · 25/05/2025 20:37

Oh sweetheart, I’m 53 now and please believe me when I say your older self will thank you SO much for getting out of this sham as soon as you can…… he is completely pissing all over your kindness and patience ….he doesn’t deserve you one little bit xx

ByQuaintAzureWasp · 25/05/2025 20:39

The longer you stay the more you will have to give him in equity and your pension

BakelikeBertha · 25/05/2025 20:42

Get the house on the market, and move on OP. If he won't agree to do that, then you could stop paying the mortgage, and tell him he now needs to pay, if he asks why he should, tell him that you'll be using the money you use to pay the mortgage, to rent somewhere else, so it's over to him to pay his share, as he agreed to do, when you took the mortgage out. That may spur him into action.

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