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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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AIBU to leave my husband over his job?

1000 replies

Poptart22 · 20/05/2026 06:38

Am I being unreasonable to end my marriage because my husband won’t change his job?

DH works away constantly, sometimes 3/4 nights per week. We have a 3 year old toddler, 3 large rescue dogs and 2 cats. I work a very demanding job that includes 2 evenings per week. The impact him being away has on me is huge. I have to manage every early wake-up and refusal to sleep from our 3 year old alone, feed everyone, walk the dogs, manage all the daily household jobs and still be present at work. I am constantly overwhelmed, overstimulated and in survival mode and it massively impacts my mental health. I barely sleep when he’s away. Lately due to my working late done nights, my elderly parents have been forced to come over and help out at my husbands request, which puts a massive strain on them. My father has hip problems and struggles to walk but has had to walk our dogs and my mother has had to help bath my son. My mother still works herself and is exhausted. We do have a dog walker 3 mornings a week but this is expensive and we can’t afford it on the evenings too.

I have repeatedly asked him to consider changing jobs as his current role is putting me under so much pressure. He refuses and is adamant he won’t quit.

When he does return I’m so full of resentment I don’t want to be near him, then he gets upset.

We have had 3 sessions of couples therapy but it’s done nothing to address the resentment.

I feel so over it and like I don’t matter.

OP posts:
99bottlesofkombucha · 20/05/2026 08:32

Miranda65 · 20/05/2026 08:28

His job is important, as presumably is yours, OP. You say you won't rehome your animals - fair enough, but you have to live with the consequences. I presume you also chose to have a child, so I'm not sure what you expected in terms of being busy.
Maybe stop blaming your husband, stop relying on your elderly parents and start putting in some practical changes - a cleaner, would be a good start, as would employing a dog walker.

She’s already changed jobs to work better for her family. He changed jobs to work away. Slightly different?

BalticTellin · 20/05/2026 08:33

I can understand OP not wanting to rehome the dogs, she has made a commitment to them. But as others have said, divorcing her husband is not going to fix much of anything, whereas buying in more help will.

If (as she thinks) he likes being away with work because it's easier than family life, he is not going to be committed to regular custody of the child. And he is not going to be there at all to help with the dogs.

She'll still be resentful because he won't be pulling his weight, and he'll almost certainly be doing less than he is at the moment.

99bottlesofkombucha · 20/05/2026 08:33

nomoremsniceperson · 20/05/2026 08:29

But what if you just want your husband to actually step up and be present for his wife and child? Why should his job and his personal priorities come first? Marriage is a partnership. OP wasn't properly informed about the impact of his promotion and didn't consent to. Why should the solution be paying another woman to do the housework and pick up his slack when that's only half the issue at hand?

Exactly. If you have to do everything without him when you went into this with different expectations, why keep him?

stealthninjamum · 20/05/2026 08:33

Op I’m surprised that people aren’t reading your comments.

So you jointly took on three dogs (not expecting to have a baby), then fell pregnant, before your dh had a promotion, and he lied about the extent of the time he’d be away. I completely get why you’d resent him.

Do you think he’s avoiding family life because it is so difficult? Especially if he’d not wanted a child at his age. My exh used used to travel a lot leaving me home with two autistic kids and wonder why I was upset with him. I definitely resented him for a while. I still do actually, he still travels and has a great life while I have dc 360 days of the year. My life is definitely harder without him but I’m much happier. (He chose to leave because of an unrequited emotional affair)

I don’t think you would be unreasonable to leave him but I would think about what your future would look like. Work out your finances, see what life would look like if you had to downsize to a smaller house with your 3 dogs, will it get easier when your child is at school?

i also think you should get a dog walker for a couple of times a week, maybe more. When your dd starts school you’ll get a load of extra admin and homework, and she’ll be awake longer, so if you’re struggling now - by the time she’s 7 or 8 it’ll be impossible.

my final thought is that after gathering information on what your finances would look like, you should attempt to get him to do counselling and see if he will make any compromises when he knows what he might lose. I think you’d feel better in the future if you knew you’d done everything now to keep the relationship going.

Imdunfer · 20/05/2026 08:33

Poptart22 · 20/05/2026 06:53

I would never rehome my pets, I adore them. We got them before he started this. The dogs get an abundance of love and are very happy. They get an hours walk in the morning and a half hour every evening without fail. I’m not someone who just gives up on animals. What an awful thing to say.

I don't understand how you are walking three large dogs and a 3 year old for an hour in the morning when your partner isn't home?

PriscillaQueenoftheKitchen · 20/05/2026 08:34

Determinedtobethinner · 20/05/2026 08:31

Does your husband know you are considering leaving him over the situation. Could you talk to him, get counselling?
I find it so sad that you did seven rounds of IVF and now you have your miracle baby you’re considering splitting.

Did you both want the dogs or does he consider them yours?

How easy would it be for him to find a new job?

She has mentioned they have been to counseling already and it has not helped

DrinkFeckArseBrick · 20/05/2026 08:34

What does your husband say OP? Why won't he consider a different job with less travel? Hy sisnt he tell you how much he'd be away? What's his solution to you getting burnt out? Why does he think it's fair that you pick up all his slack when he is away? What's his long term plan (eg is there a promotion possibility that's less travel)

What's he doing when he is at home to make it easier / pick up some of your share to compensate? For example if he batch cooked so that you don't need to think about meals in the week, did more than his share of childcare in recognition of the fact you don't get a break some weeks, so that you can get some down time etc.

I think some posters are being harsh (eg what would you do if he worked on oil rigs!? Type questions). If he took the job after having a child, and doesn't actually need this job (if there are realistic other jobs available on similar wage snd progression) then he is doing it because he wants to rather than has to, and there is a huge difference between these two things when you have a young child and should be putting them first.

I'm not sure what to suggest if counselling didn't work (do you know why it didn't work? Would more sessions help at all?). You can talk to him and tell him how close you are to calling time on your marriage. You can insist on him doing stuff to help you (chores / childcare at the weekend while you get some rest or catch up on stuff you can't do I'm the week). But ultimately you can't make him stay at home, so I guess you do need to decide if there is a way you can live with it or if the resentment is so much that you need to split.

I would feel the same, it's not the job itself it's the active choosing to do something that makes everyone else's lives harder just because he wants to and can, its not acknowledging that he has dumped his responsibilities onto you without your agreement, it's the refusal to make changes for the benefit of his family. Do you think he likes being a father?

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 20/05/2026 08:34

Thing is, everyone is trying to suggest something that will help, not attack you @Poptart22 . So the suggestions re re homing pets and other ideas are coming from a place of trying to offer sensible solutions that you can make happen. Whereas making the husband step up isn’t in your gift to force.

However, don’t agree with most PPs that leaving the husband won’t help at all. I agree with you that removing the massive resentment will help a lot. A husband that gets to play happy families but have most of the domestic stuff taken care off without bothering himself is very difficult to look at and not resent. Plus as you say, he will hopefully then have to think about his overnights with your child (although you can’t actually force this).

I just wouldn’t be able to look at his lazy arse when he is around.

You say he’s adamant he won’t give hp
this job - I mean of course he won’t. For him it’s a no brainer. Why would he knowingly bring about a situation that makes his life worse? Give up a job he enjoys and go through the hassle of getting a new one just to bring down broken sleep and juggling home and work on his own head? Men would see this as a ridiculous idea.

WildEnergySupplier · 20/05/2026 08:34

It sounds like his work funds the family and these dogs.

The OP has been asked a few times how much does he financially contribute from his job and much she does, but she hasn't answered.

That might be the key.

And yes, three dogs is far too many!

merlotandcheese · 20/05/2026 08:35

Does your business bring in enough for you to be a single mum?

merlotandcheese · 20/05/2026 08:35

Does your business bring in enough for you to be a single mum?

WildEnergySupplier · 20/05/2026 08:35

Why are so many people calling the husband lazy?

He works all the time and when he doesn't he walks the dogs?

hididdlyho · 20/05/2026 08:36

I can't believe your husband asked your elderly father to walk the dogs, imagine if he'd fallen and broken a bone. I can see why you'd want to rehome the husband tbh, it sounds like he's checked out of family life. Is there a reason he can't organise a dog walker for the evenings he's working away? If his pay really won't stretch to that, then I agree with you, he should be looking for a job closer to home. Have you discussed this in couples therapy?

Fifthtimelucky · 20/05/2026 08:38

With three large dogs, two cats, an unplanned child, and financial responsibilities towards an older child from a previous relationship, I don’t think it’s surprising that the OP’s husband is trying to maximise his income.

Whether that is the right thing for this family is another matter.

The OP is hardly sleeping so it’s not surprised she is exhausted. I would prioritise sorting out the 3 year old’s sleep issues. Assuming there is no medical issue, a 3 year old should be able to sleep through the night.

ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 20/05/2026 08:38

I am amazed at some of the responses. He has moved the goalposts after decisions like acquiring the dogs were made meaning that the OP is carrying a much heavier burden than she agreed to.

OP it isn’t fair. He has walked away from his fair share of domestic responsibilities and has mentally justified it because of his new role. He thinks that the extra financial contribution cancels out the additional burden on you. It doesn’t.

Work out how much it will cost to buy in support to cover his missing contribution and then point out to him that his new job may end up leaving you without the financial uplift he was thinking.

StrictlyCoffee · 20/05/2026 08:39

Poptart22 · 20/05/2026 08:15

Context:
Everyone saying rehome the pets… the situation works perfectly fine when he is working from home. I do most morning walks and he finishes at 5 and walks them in the evenings. Everyone is happy. But it’s him going away that causes the issue.

HE enlisted the help of my parents without consulting me, I have put a stop to this as I could see the impact it was having on them.

We did 7 rounds of IVF in my late 30’s and were unsuccessful; so we took on dogs instead. A miracle and much loved surprise then came along when I was 42. My son is my absolute world, but also my dogs were my babies first and to suggest just getting rid because my husband is now choosing to work away is incredibly unfair. A dog is for life.

He works in sales and could easily get a home based job, my opinion is that he doesn’t want to, because working away makes his life a lot easier. He only has to think of work, no cooking, no cleaning, no responsibilities. Staying in a nice hotel with undisturbed sleep, whilst I carry everything at home.

My job is my career and I run my own business. I have already changed jobs twice to fit in better with my family, as previously I was driving an hour to work, and now I get to work from home. So I have made the necessary adjustments to better suit my family and responsibilities, but he refuses.

I am put under immense pressure when he’s away and that’s why I’m resentful.

What’s his response when you tell him the pressure you’re under? Is it basically “tough shit”?

Spiderx · 20/05/2026 08:39

Poptart22 · 20/05/2026 06:38

Am I being unreasonable to end my marriage because my husband won’t change his job?

DH works away constantly, sometimes 3/4 nights per week. We have a 3 year old toddler, 3 large rescue dogs and 2 cats. I work a very demanding job that includes 2 evenings per week. The impact him being away has on me is huge. I have to manage every early wake-up and refusal to sleep from our 3 year old alone, feed everyone, walk the dogs, manage all the daily household jobs and still be present at work. I am constantly overwhelmed, overstimulated and in survival mode and it massively impacts my mental health. I barely sleep when he’s away. Lately due to my working late done nights, my elderly parents have been forced to come over and help out at my husbands request, which puts a massive strain on them. My father has hip problems and struggles to walk but has had to walk our dogs and my mother has had to help bath my son. My mother still works herself and is exhausted. We do have a dog walker 3 mornings a week but this is expensive and we can’t afford it on the evenings too.

I have repeatedly asked him to consider changing jobs as his current role is putting me under so much pressure. He refuses and is adamant he won’t quit.

When he does return I’m so full of resentment I don’t want to be near him, then he gets upset.

We have had 3 sessions of couples therapy but it’s done nothing to address the resentment.

I feel so over it and like I don’t matter.

Too many animals imo. You are not a zoo ! Get rid...instant pressure release !

luckylavender · 20/05/2026 08:39

Poptart22 · 20/05/2026 06:53

I would never rehome my pets, I adore them. We got them before he started this. The dogs get an abundance of love and are very happy. They get an hours walk in the morning and a half hour every evening without fail. I’m not someone who just gives up on animals. What an awful thing to say.

It may seem awful but your dedication to the pets is causing significant stress on your elderly parents for one.
How long has he done this job? Who is the highest earner? Can you change jobs / shifts?

Kittyfur · 20/05/2026 08:40

Poptart22 · 20/05/2026 06:53

I would never rehome my pets, I adore them. We got them before he started this. The dogs get an abundance of love and are very happy. They get an hours walk in the morning and a half hour every evening without fail. I’m not someone who just gives up on animals. What an awful thing to say.

Good for you!
I can’t believe how many people have said get rid of the pets!
they are family!

Feis123 · 20/05/2026 08:40

And those 3 rescue dogs and cats were introduced into the frame because you did not have enough on your hands?
You have only one child and your husband is not gallivanting, he is working. I have friends who work, have more than one child and cope as single mothers. Why are you catastrophising? But you are not coping and have to ask in your elderly parents to give your toddler a bath? Seriously?
You are not coping and should probably leave your demanding job, let him earn and you will just manage the family office. Alternatively make him a sahd, and become the provider, you have many options open to you, including a divorce.

Miranda65 · 20/05/2026 08:40

Poptart22 · 20/05/2026 07:54

Yes I did, what’s wrong with that? I’m also in my 40s. Is that a problem?

It's not a problem, but it is a choice. Some of us chose not to have children or pets because we knew our lifestyle wasn't suitable (and that includes a husband's demanding job). Once our choices are made, we have to live with the consequences.

Doesitneverend · 20/05/2026 08:41

99bottlesofkombucha · 20/05/2026 08:23

Hang on, they both contributed to creating it yes but then he’s walked away. Thats why the op is so resentful. Their child their pets their life is her responsibility because he started travelling for work. The resentment is eating you alive op and I don’t blame you. Have you discussed separating and does he think he’d just never see the dogs again?

He has not walked away. He got promoted. Most people see promotion as a good thing. He probably thinks that by working he is doing the right thing to provide for his family.

You cannot be sure he had a clue how much he would have to travel. It doesn't read as if it is even every week that he is away.

diddl · 20/05/2026 08:41

He works in sales and could easily get a home based job, my opinion is that he doesn’t want to, because working away makes his life a lot easier. He only has to think of work, no cooking, no cleaning, no responsibilities. Staying in a nice hotel with undisturbed sleep, whilst I carry everything at home.

So he's very selfish?

Poptart22 · 20/05/2026 08:42

WildEnergySupplier · 20/05/2026 08:34

It sounds like his work funds the family and these dogs.

The OP has been asked a few times how much does he financially contribute from his job and much she does, but she hasn't answered.

That might be the key.

And yes, three dogs is far too many!

Certainly doesn’t fund the family as I work too. If there was some massive financial benefit to him working away then I would understand, but we haven’t been able to afford a holiday in two years and whenever I ask him for money for anything he has none.

In terms of bills, he pays two thirds and I pay a third, this not because my job is less lucrative, but I choose to work less days to spend time with my son.

I currently work 3.5 days.

OP posts:
anotheruser124 · 20/05/2026 08:43

Edenmum2 · 20/05/2026 07:45

Jesus Mumsnet is vile this morning

I was just reading the thread thinking exactly the same. It always has extremes but it feels lately people post to see who can be the biggest arsehole.

OP has a selfish Husband who has opted out of most of his responsibilities but thats fine because the dogs can juat be binned off! I hate how most people on this thread act like pets are just disposable but a useless man must be catered for, its depressing!

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