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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Partners selfish schedule or me being a princes

276 replies

MyGentleOliveUser · 31/01/2026 10:41

Ok so DP and me have been arguing for at least 3 months about his schedule. He’s got numerous hobbies and is always taking up new hobbies without any consideration for his family or me.

ive told him I need at least some time together as a couple that’s not just watching Netflix when he finishes his activities for the day or sex.

This ends in rows about how he wants to live his life, he lives with me so time is spent eating together, sleeping together…

he’s got 3 main hobbies, and has just picked up a fourth. There’s not one day he’s not doing anything hobby related.

I do yoga at 6am on Mondays and thursdays so I’m back in time for school run and then work. I go running on Saturday evenings (if he’s not decided he’s doing something else). I see my friends regularly. I’m not exactly just sitting waiting around for him.

He’s recently decided he’s rejoining a rugby club. I’ve asked how he’s going to fit this in with his other hobbies, he said he’ll make it work.

What he’s done this week:

Monday: did running club until 8pm. Came back, played on his video games until 11pm

Tuesday: did climbing at local depot with his brother until 10pm

Wednesday: Rugby “training” 7-9pm. Back home around 10 after going for a drink. Back on video games until midnight

Thursday: Arranged to go to a VR simulation experience with his brother and friends. Back home around 1am.

Friday: watched a movie alone in his gaming room. Reluctantly watched a movie with me. Brother came over for 3 hours and they sit and chatted in the kitchen.

todays our first day in 12 months that it’s just us 2, DS (7) has gone with my brother and his wife and kids to an adventure place in the midlands. They left around 9 and (all being well and if he wants to still do this) DS is sleeping over at their house.

DP said he was going to “plan a day for us”. Well I get up, get ready and come down to see him putting on his climbing gear. Ask where he’s going, said he’s going to the open climb for advanced climbers this morning. I asked him why he said he wasn’t going yesterday and he said he needed to go today as there’s a coach (does climbing have coaches?) there who’s really good and it’ll help him a lot. I ask what time he’s back. Says he doesn’t know, but “before 230”.

Tomorrow he’s out 8-2 again because he’s going to do a hike with his running club.

im exhausted trying to make this work. Maybe we’re not compatible? I honestly feel at times he’s making my life worse because his activities means he’s usually getting into bed 12/1/2 and it’s affecting my sleep. Obviously he also wants sex during these hours but I don’t feel the closeness to even enjoy that with him. I honestly feel like a handmaiden waiting for his schedule and honestly his attention.

aibu to just make my own plans today? My sister has called and asked me to go for a coffee. I know DP will start an argument if I do that, because of today’s “plan”. But I’ve no idea when he’s back and I’m sick of waiting around like a lap dog

OP posts:
jeaux90 · 31/01/2026 10:43

I could not be with someone this selfish. Yes you both need time to do your own thing but he is using all of it.

PullTheBricksDown · 31/01/2026 10:46

Do the maths. Count up the hours in the week, the number spent on hobbies that exclude you and then the paltry amount of time he gives you. Also, he appears to do none of the parenting so he's being a crap dad as well as a crap partner.

Go out with your sister in the meantime. He's already shown what his priorities are.

Agrumpyknitter · 31/01/2026 10:47

Ask him how he will fit in all these hobbies if you split up due to living essentially separate lives? It does sound like he’s checked out of family life by escaping every evening.

Azandme · 31/01/2026 10:50

He isn't your partner. He's your housemate, and a crap one at that.

What difference would it actually make to your daily life if he wasn't there?

LaurieFairyCake · 31/01/2026 10:52

It doesn’t sound like he does ANY parenting

I’d start by carving up the week so YOU have equal access to leisure time. Saying you’re off out Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5 til 11 so he’s doing dinner/homework/bedtime/ chores on those nights.

once he’s done that for a few weeks he’ll be gagging to split things more evenly

i’d leave him though, this isn’t getting better long term.

MyGentleOliveUser · 31/01/2026 10:58

It’s the length of time more than anything that annoys me and the vagueness when I ask when he’s back.

He does damage control when he knows I’ve had enough and will organise days like today, but it never lasts.

The use of video games and the time his brother spends at our house just compounds it all and makes me feel like I’m living with a teenager

OP posts:
ProfessionalTeaDrinker · 31/01/2026 11:00

MyGentleOliveUser · 31/01/2026 10:58

It’s the length of time more than anything that annoys me and the vagueness when I ask when he’s back.

He does damage control when he knows I’ve had enough and will organise days like today, but it never lasts.

The use of video games and the time his brother spends at our house just compounds it all and makes me feel like I’m living with a teenager

But he hasn't even given you today! He's gone off out, no reali time for when he's back but if you go out for a coffee then you'll have ruined the plan?
And is he the father of your son? When do they spend time together? What parenting does he do?
I think you deserve more and should leave him tbh.

Idontspeakgermansorry · 31/01/2026 11:01

It sounds like he basically never sees his ds either. I'm assuming it's your child together?

MyGentleOliveUser · 31/01/2026 11:04

Idontspeakgermansorry · 31/01/2026 11:01

It sounds like he basically never sees his ds either. I'm assuming it's your child together?

Yes it’s our DS.

OP posts:
MiniCoopers · 31/01/2026 11:04

When does he actually parent?

Theeyeballsinthesky · 31/01/2026 11:05

Another man who thinks his role as a father finished at ejaculation

he's a selfish arse with zero thought or care for you or his child

if he genuinely doesn't see or care how unreasonable he's being then I'd be seriously rethinking your relationship

Chickadiddy · 31/01/2026 11:05

He sounds like he's very happy living his life as if he doesn't have any family responsibilities at all.

You've said yourself OP he has no consideration for anyone else.
Of course YANBU.

Unless he's willing to make serious changes you are going to grow more and more resentful, ( rightfully so) and the relationship will continue to erode.

OttersMayHaveShifted · 31/01/2026 11:08

He is absolutely taking the piss. The hobbies alone are way too much, but coming straight back and gaming for hours?! He clearly just sees you as housekeeper and provider of sex.

namechange272727 · 31/01/2026 11:08

I would be much more annoyed about his lack of parenting than the lack of couple time (although agree that’s important too)

Octavia64 · 31/01/2026 11:09

Yeah this is on him.

he doesn’t want to spend time with you but still wants sex when he feels like it.

doesn’t sound great

TheNightingalesStarling · 31/01/2026 11:09

He's living as a single man not a father with responsibilities. Does he presume that you are default childcare as well?

(And yes, Climbing does have Coaches.)

SpanielLover356 · 31/01/2026 11:09

Go out with your sister for a good long coffee & maybe some shopping & lunch as well. Make sure that you get home long after 2:30. He's the one who's changed the plan for the day by going out rather than spending the day with you as promised.

wordledrivingmemad · 31/01/2026 11:12

He sounds more like a cocklodger than a partner. What you’ve said is essentially you are a single parent who looks after a man child who wants to do want he wants whilst being looked after. Get rid, you’ll have one less child to look after and he can figure out how to look after himself as well as fit his previous hobbies in.

MinestroneMacaroni · 31/01/2026 11:12

I wouldn’t be putting up with that at all, especially the sex. Hes opting out of being a father and a husband, living the life of a single man.

OneHundredDays · 31/01/2026 11:13

He's a selfish and shit partner and dad. It doesn't sound like things will change. I honestly think I would split up over this.

And I'm someone who firmly believes in the importance of time apart and separate hobbies.

My DH for example:

  • Goes to the gym 3 evenings a week. He's out for around 2 hours total. *Aims to go one weekend morning too but we always discuss our weekend plans first and he wouldn't prioritise it over say a family day out
  • Has a night out with friends every couple of weeks. Typically he only has a couple of drinks and is home at 11-12 but every now and then he will stagger home in the early hours.
  • Games for a couple of hours after I'm in bed, once or twice a week.
99pwithaflake · 31/01/2026 11:15

What's the point of him, exactly?

MyGentleOliveUser · 31/01/2026 11:16

His brother has just moved back to our city after living abroad for 3 years. His attitude is atrocious to his girlfriend and I’m starting to think this has influenced Dp.

For example, I’ve overheard phone calls where he’s said along the lines of, just come on the game she’s not your mum, why can’t she drive herself to the doctors, you’re allowed downtime.

So maybe it runs in the family. I’m just so sick of it. I feel like I’m begging for the bare minimum every day. And when he does spend time with me it feels like he’s just doing it to keep the peace.

OP posts:
HellsBells13 · 31/01/2026 11:17

And he brings exactly what to the table?

Brefugee · 31/01/2026 11:17

Agrumpyknitter · 31/01/2026 10:47

Ask him how he will fit in all these hobbies if you split up due to living essentially separate lives? It does sound like he’s checked out of family life by escaping every evening.

Work out a schedule for 50/50 with the kids. tell him you are leaving and give him the schedule.

FreshInks · 31/01/2026 11:19

Yanbu. He has checked out as a husband and father.