Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Me and DH seem to be on different pages

12 replies

Whosaidwhatandwhen · 24/06/2025 20:00

Married for 9 years together for 10 years .

we both have DC but not together . One of my 3 is autistic , young adult . Lives at home.

Firstly, there has been a few conversations where he has implied downsizing etc when children are grown and leave and even moving out of the city / country. Not serious conversations . Also things like “ they’re growing up now , won’t want to spend time with us “ when talking about holidays etc ( suggesting just me and him ) . Although my eldest is a young adult in age , she isn’t in any other way. My youngest is 12 ( yes very young when we got together , father involved ) . To me theyre still my children , very much so . He sees his children but not much - good relationship but they’re teens now and tend to want to stay at home / see friends . He speaks to them daily but can go weeks and weeks not seeing them and be ok with it. I’m the opposite I couldn’t imagine it. He’s implied that life begins when the children are grown up and to me tfats not the case - I’m clinging on to their childhood and see many more years of family holidays , days out etc . I also would not move away from them - I barely see my parents and I don’t want that for mine , I want to be involved . I want to be a nanna to my grandchildren when they come . I won’t be moving to the coast and seeing them now and then . Not just that but my eldest may always live at home and if not then I will still be caring and will always be around for her.

I love him dearly and we’re very happy but sometimes I worry we have different plans for the future.

Another aspect I wonder if I am being unfair is finances . He earns significantly more than me , we’re not rich at all in fact a lot of debt , but I also work full time. He pays the rent and other bills - he certainly pays more than me , but we don’t contribute 50/50 - I probably pay out about 70% of my salary to the household and he pays probably 50% of his . I earn just under half of his monthly wage per month. Im always short and he isn’t . He will help if I need it but im not someone who asks . Again, he’s not rolling in it but he can , for example, buy a gift for his children very easily whereas I have to go in debt or really struggle ( that’s just an example he is good to my children he wouldn’t see them without ) . But sometimes he will imply that he is paying for a home for my children ( we’re in a 4 bed , if it was just us we would need a 1, maybe 2 bed ) which makes me uncomfortable. I see it as a marriage partnership - where he knew my situation. Without his wage I would get support to pay towards rent but I don’t because of his wage. I will add he works extremely hard and very long hours , a lot of time away from home - he has a demanding job - but again , sometimes he implies he’s working away and living in hotels to pay for a home for my children .

There aren’t massive issues between us and he is so good to us but sometimes I do wonder a) are we on different pages about the future and b) am I unreasonable with the amount I contribute even though I genuinely couldn’t afford more.

OP posts:
AnneLovesGilbert · 24/06/2025 20:09

There are obviously things you need to properly discuss. Sooner rather than later. You’re picking up low and not so low level resentment of your children and your relationship with them. He seems to feel he’s giving more than you think he is. One of the biggest things is you thinking DD may always live with you while he’s not even considering it. That’s massive.

Whosaidwhatandwhen · 24/06/2025 20:15

AnneLovesGilbert · 24/06/2025 20:09

There are obviously things you need to properly discuss. Sooner rather than later. You’re picking up low and not so low level resentment of your children and your relationship with them. He seems to feel he’s giving more than you think he is. One of the biggest things is you thinking DD may always live with you while he’s not even considering it. That’s massive.

I think he does know that it may not be the case . It’s likely she will want to go in to some kind of supported living , she isn’t ready and he agrees . But I think he thinks like 10 years in to the future and thinks it will be a lot different . I don’t think she would be living with me forever , because I think she will want that independence. But , I think he’s maybe far too optimistic and just thinks in 10 years everything will be different. I think he thinks even if she is living with us , she will be more independent ( which she may ) and that maybe me and him can have our own lives , which to an extent yes we would but it’s not like she will have friends to go away with ( maybe but I don’t know ) or a partner so I wouldn’t want to exclude her from experiences such as holidays etc. obviously we will have time , we have been away on our own and had people watch over her , but I feel like she will always be my child

OP posts:
Daisy12Maisie · 24/06/2025 20:18

I can see it from his side because my boyfriend has children and they are not very well behaved and I don’t really enjoy a holiday with them. It’s not a holiday for me.
So as they are not his children I can see why he would prefer it to be the two of you.

If I were you I would write down some notes on your phone. Sort of pre prepared answers so it doesn’t take you by surprise and he can’t act like he doesn’t know.

So for example-
him- we shouldn’t to Thailand next year just the 2 of us.
You - haha lovely idea but x will only be 13 and I can’t imagine x child managing without me for 2 weeks. I never mind if you want to do things with your friends though if you want to go.

In terms of him paying to house you all I agree that you could probably just claim the difference in universal credit if he wasn’t there so it is only relevant whilst they are under 18 (obviously complex depending on what benefits your eldest would get in the future).
So at the moment I would say that.
Him- I have had such a tough week. It’s worth it though for me to pay for this house for you and the kids.
You- I’m worried as you have said that a few times now. Are you struggling with the idea of supporting us? I thought now we were married we were a family.

in terms of him paying more to rent a 4 bed in the future when the kids are young adults I can see why he wouldn’t want to do that. It’s understandable you would want a bigger house for grandchildren to visit etc but I can see why he would want more disposable money. Check with him that he knows your eldest is likely to either be at home or need some support for the foreseeable future.

You might end up being incompatible in the future but I would just have those lines ready and keep re iterating what you need to say.
(this may sound like an odd suggestion but I can never think of what to say on the spot so I find it easier to have a few general things prepared.).

BlueMum16 · 24/06/2025 20:23

Does your DCs father pay CM?

steff13 · 24/06/2025 20:23

What bills do you pay?

It doesn't seem like a fair split since he earns more than you but you said he pays the rent and bills so that stuff that you pay or those just your expenses?

CaptainFuture · 24/06/2025 20:33

steff13 · 24/06/2025 20:23

What bills do you pay?

It doesn't seem like a fair split since he earns more than you but you said he pays the rent and bills so that stuff that you pay or those just your expenses?

This, so your dc live with you but you don't pay any rent, it's only bills that you split, but your side is you and 2 dc, he's just him?
What jobs do you both have? Have seen similar threads where the OP was self employed, poorly paid but 'in a job she loved' that worked out about £7ph... sometimes he implies he’s working away and living in hotels to pay for a home for my children. that is kind of true... are you expecting him to fund your dc for as long as you and they want?

Whosaidwhatandwhen · 24/06/2025 20:53

steff13 · 24/06/2025 20:23

What bills do you pay?

It doesn't seem like a fair split since he earns more than you but you said he pays the rent and bills so that stuff that you pay or those just your expenses?

I pay for shopping , water , tv , half council tax , all tv subscriptions, internet , gas , electric , loans that were taken out for the benefit of all children ( holiday , Xmas ) his included , then the rest is everything for my children ( clubs , dinner money , bus passes , phones etc ) and myself - my car, petrol , my phone bill .

He pays rent , half council tax then his own bills , child maintenance, his car etc . Anything spare is his as is mine - we are seperate in that respect.

OP posts:
Whosaidwhatandwhen · 24/06/2025 20:56

CaptainFuture · 24/06/2025 20:33

This, so your dc live with you but you don't pay any rent, it's only bills that you split, but your side is you and 2 dc, he's just him?
What jobs do you both have? Have seen similar threads where the OP was self employed, poorly paid but 'in a job she loved' that worked out about £7ph... sometimes he implies he’s working away and living in hotels to pay for a home for my children. that is kind of true... are you expecting him to fund your dc for as long as you and they want?

Edited

I have 3 children.

I work full time in a job with prospects- a career . It’s not low paid but in comparison to his it is. However , I can’t possibly get more in my field right now. There is nothing else I can do to get more.

He has always been supportive of my career and never implied I don’t earn enough. I couldn’t possibly work more or earn more .

OP posts:
Whosaidwhatandwhen · 24/06/2025 20:59

CaptainFuture · 24/06/2025 20:33

This, so your dc live with you but you don't pay any rent, it's only bills that you split, but your side is you and 2 dc, he's just him?
What jobs do you both have? Have seen similar threads where the OP was self employed, poorly paid but 'in a job she loved' that worked out about £7ph... sometimes he implies he’s working away and living in hotels to pay for a home for my children. that is kind of true... are you expecting him to fund your dc for as long as you and they want?

Edited

In terms of ‘funding’ us - it’s not an expectation but a necessity . I cannot pay more out than I already do - I simply do not have it and I cannot work anymore. If we were to ever split I would just about scrape by and likely have to leave the house and go through the council , be homeless , wait to be housed so I am grateful . But I would obviously just have to cope .

There is nothing more I can do. When we met I was working a dead end job and studying to try better myself as I hadn’t been able to do so before as my eldests needs were so significant. It was very clear what the situation was.

OP posts:
Whosaidwhatandwhen · 24/06/2025 21:01

BlueMum16 · 24/06/2025 20:23

Does your DCs father pay CM?

The youngest 2 yes. Not the eldest . But I do not ask DH for anything for her or any of the DC , he will always make sure they have what they need if I ever struggle though . That’s the person he is , he’s a family man and a proud one it’s just these comments have seeped in

OP posts:
Whosaidwhatandwhen · 24/06/2025 21:02

Daisy12Maisie · 24/06/2025 20:18

I can see it from his side because my boyfriend has children and they are not very well behaved and I don’t really enjoy a holiday with them. It’s not a holiday for me.
So as they are not his children I can see why he would prefer it to be the two of you.

If I were you I would write down some notes on your phone. Sort of pre prepared answers so it doesn’t take you by surprise and he can’t act like he doesn’t know.

So for example-
him- we shouldn’t to Thailand next year just the 2 of us.
You - haha lovely idea but x will only be 13 and I can’t imagine x child managing without me for 2 weeks. I never mind if you want to do things with your friends though if you want to go.

In terms of him paying to house you all I agree that you could probably just claim the difference in universal credit if he wasn’t there so it is only relevant whilst they are under 18 (obviously complex depending on what benefits your eldest would get in the future).
So at the moment I would say that.
Him- I have had such a tough week. It’s worth it though for me to pay for this house for you and the kids.
You- I’m worried as you have said that a few times now. Are you struggling with the idea of supporting us? I thought now we were married we were a family.

in terms of him paying more to rent a 4 bed in the future when the kids are young adults I can see why he wouldn’t want to do that. It’s understandable you would want a bigger house for grandchildren to visit etc but I can see why he would want more disposable money. Check with him that he knows your eldest is likely to either be at home or need some support for the foreseeable future.

You might end up being incompatible in the future but I would just have those lines ready and keep re iterating what you need to say.
(this may sound like an odd suggestion but I can never think of what to say on the spot so I find it easier to have a few general things prepared.).

Thank you , this is useful advice

OP posts:
pizzaHeart · 24/06/2025 21:12

I think the problem is that he is in his mind a free man who is waiting for you to be free as well from child rearing aspects but it won’t happen. He doesn’t understand the responsibility of having a disabled child. Yes, I’m sure that you will start moving towards supported living but it’s still not the same as NT child leaving parental home to go to uni.
It also sounds as he is not a very involved parent and doesn’t have close relationship with his children so he won’t understand your desire to be more involved with your future grandchildren.

I would also be really careful about financial situation. I don’t like his comments at all. I hope your children don’t witness them.
Sorry OP.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread