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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Partner choosing Work over the family

13 replies

Jellyworms · 06/07/2025 19:21

Hi all, first time poster here as I just feel a bit lost.
Some background- me and OH have been together eight years. Two children eldest is two and the youngest five months.
OH has just got a new job which requires travelling for courses. He has been put on a course 20 miles away (45 min drive) and has asked for a hotel for the week. I never once got asked if it would be okay for me to be at home with the children all week I just kind of got told that’s what’s happening.

I wouldn’t usually mind if it was genuinely far, but the travel time is the same as his normal job anyway but he’s saying he cannot be at home that week because he needs to focus which I think is utter rubbish. He’s done this course before with his previous company and sailed through it as he said.

He works six nights per week out of seven and we spend no time together. I can never go out or see my friends because he’s constantly working and leaves at 8 pm every night just after the children go to bed so we literally get no time together

I always ask, can you just take one night off so we can go out and I always get the same response “ do you want me to just quit my job? It’s not that easy to just get time off”. But one night a week he doesn’t work he will lay on the sofa on his phone all night. I’m absolutely exhausted from doing all the nightwaking with the five month old that doesn’t sleep, doing all the school runs pick ups, groups and events.

My friends often comment that I’m always doing it on my own, which is true I kind of know what to do going forward but I just want some advice. I’ve told him that I’d rather he didn’t work away because I really need the help at home (for what it’s worth ) and he dismisses my thoughts

AIBU? Again, I wouldn’t mind if it was genuinely far, but it’s not. I feel like it’s just an excuse to not be at home and do whatever he wants for the week. Feeling fed up.

OP posts:
Springadorable · 06/07/2025 19:39

That's shorter than a lot of commutes. I'm not convinced he's only working...

I'm also staggered his work would provide accommodation for this.

244milesnorth · 06/07/2025 20:04

If he works 6 nights out of 7 no I wouldn’t begrudge him having a night off on the sofa….depends on a lot of factors really like what his job is and the hours of work etc. But presumably he is also the sole financial earner for the family right now?

Jellyworms · 06/07/2025 20:08

244milesnorth · 06/07/2025 20:04

If he works 6 nights out of 7 no I wouldn’t begrudge him having a night off on the sofa….depends on a lot of factors really like what his job is and the hours of work etc. But presumably he is also the sole financial earner for the family right now?

Im on Mat leave and will be going back in 3 months time. So sole earner right now but we dont have to pay any mortgage which helps.

OP posts:
theunbreakablecleopatrajones · 06/07/2025 20:14

Does he do evening shifts or is he just doing extra hours? Either way, if it’s not absolutely essential for you to keep your heads above water, then working like that isn’t compatible with having small kids.

I can see no reason why he needs to stay away on the course either.

It’s most likely he’s avoiding the kids, it is possible he’s having an affair, given the course - and partiality so if he’s working late.

I think you need to think about how you want to move forward. This isn’t good for you or the kids.

ComtesseDeSpair · 06/07/2025 20:19

How often are these courses? Once or twice a year, I’d just suck it up on the basis he’s not exactly doing much with the DC if he works 6 nights a week out of 7 as it is. Longer term, the two of you need to decide whether working such long hours, especially as nights, is sustainable for the family; whether he actually wants to spend time with the children and be part of the family or whether the course and work are an excuse and he’d rather leave; and if not the latter, have a plan towards him finding something with regular hours.

TheTwitcher11 · 06/07/2025 20:19

244milesnorth · 06/07/2025 20:04

If he works 6 nights out of 7 no I wouldn’t begrudge him having a night off on the sofa….depends on a lot of factors really like what his job is and the hours of work etc. But presumably he is also the sole financial earner for the family right now?

Looking after a baby and doing school runs for the other all week, solo, is harder than working 6 nights a week

Dave57 · 06/07/2025 20:19

If he is in an hotel for the week I would be sorting a sitter and sneaking myself in to his room for the night.
In fact I would suggest it just to see his reaction. Tell him your pals offered to stay with the kids and see what his response is like.

Jellyworms · 06/07/2025 20:26

Dave57 · 06/07/2025 20:19

If he is in an hotel for the week I would be sorting a sitter and sneaking myself in to his room for the night.
In fact I would suggest it just to see his reaction. Tell him your pals offered to stay with the kids and see what his response is like.

Im seriously contemplating this..

OP posts:
IReallyLoveItHere · 06/07/2025 20:27

Why does he have to work so much? Is it the nature of his career, is he climbing the ladder, is he a work addict, do you need the overtime, is it easier than coming home?

I would not be impressed with him staying in a hotel all week when the commute is possible unless it was a valuable networking opportunity which could fast track his career. Unlikely on a training course.

You need a proper conversation, you're going back to work, how are you going to share looking after the kids and the home?

If there's plenty of money I'd outsource whatever is sensible. But if that can't happen long term you need a way forward.

Will he change? Is there any hope for this relationship?

Tollington · 06/07/2025 20:35

Twenty miles from home doesn’t require a hotel. Total overkill

Sounds likes he checking out of family life and responsibilities of looking after the kids, choosing to work instead of be there to help

MiloMinderbinder925 · 06/07/2025 20:40

He's basically had children and wandered off, expecting someone else to parent his children and manage the house while his life doesn't change.

If he took this new job with absolutely no discussion and doesn't care that you're exhausted and struggling, I'm not sure how your relationship can last. He sounds completely self absorbed.

You care about people you love and you want to spend time with them. He doesn't seem to.

244milesnorth · 10/07/2025 10:01

@TheTwitcher11
no it’s really not. (Solo mum of 3 here since twins were babies)

TheTwitcher11 · 13/07/2025 18:30

244milesnorth · 10/07/2025 10:01

@TheTwitcher11
no it’s really not. (Solo mum of 3 here since twins were babies)

Your kids must be absolute angels then 🤣🤣

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