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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:
Eelge · 20/05/2026 09:25

The job market is brutal right now. Just getting a new job isn't a straightforward or quick solution. If he's been at his current workplace for more than 2 years that's a lot of employment protection he'd be giving up too.

ihatethewordhubby · 20/05/2026 09:26

So many hateful comments. Im sorry you are going through this. It appears that he chooses not to change his life in any way to help make yours better. I think you need a peaceful household on your own. Best of luck

Imliterallywingingit · 20/05/2026 09:26

Wow, I can’t believe people are suggesting that you need to rehome your dogs and that you are the problem!

You sound like your doing an amazing job. Way up the pros and cons as to leaving him? Is the job good money? Do you want your 3 year old to have a “broken” family? Do you love your husband?

My husband works long hours and therefore everything else lands on me on top of me and working, it does get tiring sometimes however he’s happy in his job and the breadwinner and things would ultimately be a lot harder without him.

i think you need to have a long chat with him. Perhaps have a break? Leave him with the animals and your son for a weekend and see how he copes?

Your son will be at school soon. Things should get easier for you then?

anotheruser124 · 20/05/2026 09:26

OP how is he on the days he is home? Does he do his share of parenting and house tasks? I suspect he doesnt but would be interesting to know how much he participates in family life when he is around.

SecretSquid · 20/05/2026 09:27

Just reading through the OPs posts, I've done a complete 180! Started off thinking OP you only have yourself to blame with 3 dogs, then it sank in that you already had the dogs because you couldn't get pregnant, then the little miracle DC, and when your husband got a taste of that life he decided to run away and leave you to deal with it all.
What a prince.

the7Vabo · 20/05/2026 09:28

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I think you need to calm down and write this out from your DH’s perspective.

Covid is over, maybe he could get a WFH job but it limits his opportunities. He’s paying 2/3 of the bills so on balance you would be you doing more at home.

Your job is causing you to work nights and yet you aren’t working as many hours as him. So try to get a role where you can work during nursery hours, then your evenings would be free to walk dogs etc.

I do think DH needs to look at his choices, but not to the extent you think he does.

Redpaisley · 20/05/2026 09:28

LoveOldFilms · 20/05/2026 06:54

But you're very ready to give up on your family for them.

Because pets are also family. Posters like you who use language like ‘get rid of them won’t’ understand.

She has resentment towards husband. How does she get rid of that?

Owlsintheforest · 20/05/2026 09:30

Just wanted to echo that I can't believe some of the disgusting comments on here about rehoming your dogs, even put them to sleep?! WTAF!! Please ignore these demons.. Anyone with dogs and cats knows that they are part of the family - and you know that your dogs aren't the problem, your husband is.

Perhaps look at separation - like you say, he's not around for 3-4 days per week anyway so would it really make any difference? If anything it will likely make things easier for you because you won't feel resentful towards him, plus with him having shared custody, he will be forced to step up.

Sorry about some of the hateful comments on here, please do ignore them and just look at the positive comments 💖

DaffodilLill · 20/05/2026 09:31

I've read all of your posts now .
You work from home. You run your own business.
3.5 days a week.

If it's possible why don't you reduce your evening work?
I'm wondering what work it is if it's from home at night- clients of some sort you need to talk to online?

If you can afford it, cut back?

You talk about having to 'feed everyone' - that's you and your 3 year old.
And your pets.

You toddler isn't sleeping too well.
Does he go to nursery?

Is there something else going on?

Because having 1 child who may be at nursery some of the time, and a part time job running your business from home seems a lot less than other mums who work full time, with travelling on top of it.

whattheneighboursthink · 20/05/2026 09:31

I totally understand your point of view OP. It's easier being a single parent. Having a partner who's not stepping up is soul destroying because of hope and resentment.

On a practical note, dogs don't have to be walked every day, if you have a garden and give them enrichment in different ways like snuffle mats, slow feeders and puzzle boxes, trick training (not fancy, sitting on command is a trick) that you can do while at home. Lots on line for ideas.

Your husband co-opting your parents into his responsibilities is beyond cheeky.

He needs to buy in more professional help at home or go back to a locally based commutable job (and step up at home). Otherwise, if you can afford it, get rid of him. He's already opted out of your home life.

Seelybee · 20/05/2026 09:31

@Poptart22I'd be resentful too in the full picture you describe.
It's crystal clear that the pets and your child were joint decisions. But the reality is a lot of work and pressure and working away allows him to opt out by stealth.
You may well be better off without him if you then end up with some time for yourself but still have financial security.
He does honestly sound like a very selfish man

Redpaisley · 20/05/2026 09:32

the7Vabo · 20/05/2026 09:28

I think you need to calm down and write this out from your DH’s perspective.

Covid is over, maybe he could get a WFH job but it limits his opportunities. He’s paying 2/3 of the bills so on balance you would be you doing more at home.

Your job is causing you to work nights and yet you aren’t working as many hours as him. So try to get a role where you can work during nursery hours, then your evenings would be free to walk dogs etc.

I do think DH needs to look at his choices, but not to the extent you think he does.

Why do people gaslight ? Op lives in resentment and anger. She knows her husband’s job situation more than you as she clearly didn’t give up at the first sign of trouble. She even tried a couple therapy.

Circe7 · 20/05/2026 09:32

I think there is a valid point about resentment. But if you divorce and are left with all the animals and your ex having your child every other weekend or similar you will probably still feel that to an extent (from experience of having an ex who does minimal parenting).

I would think really hard about how life would work as a single parent. Assuming you would take 50% of joint assets, what would life look like? You may need to move house (and could you get somewhere appropriate for the dogs) and you may need to work more hours. Could you afford your child and the dogs and look after all of them alone? You can’t predict your partner’s behaviour on divorce- a lot of men do disappear from their children’s life or completely change job so that they pay no child maintenance or ask for 50/50 time with the children when they previously weren’t very involved in their child’s care.

Not to say don’t do it if your marriage is over but it’s difficult and would likely involve big change to your lifestyle.

Pricelessadvice · 20/05/2026 09:33

Totally understand you not wanting to rehome the dogs OP. It sounds like you are providing a great home for them, with regular walks, it’s just your finding everything a bit much.

What would happen if you sat your husband down and explained that it’s crunch time and you really might have to consider ending the marriage if he doesn’t pull his weight more at home. How would he react?

Is there any chance of you reducing your hours at work?

StressedLP1 · 20/05/2026 09:33

your part time job is a bit of a drip feed after your opening post of ‘very demanding job including two evenings a week’.

but yes, leave him. That will help with the child and 5 animals.

SallyDraperGetInHere · 20/05/2026 09:34

His child from a previous relationship is presumably close to aging out of maintenance if you’ve been together a long time. Will that free up some cash soon, if said child is uni age?

Sartre · 20/05/2026 09:34

I realise and appreciate it seems like a big nasty pile on but I genuinely think because we’re outsiders, we can see your situation perhaps more clearly than you can and realise there are ways you could make your life easier but you’re choosing not to. It’s fine because it’s your life, not ours but you asked for the help ultimately and don’t like what you’re hearing.

You dropped hours to care for your DS so if you divorce him, do you think you’d have to increase those again for example? How would you financially afford the current lifestyle you have when you acknowledge you already can’t, even though he’s working FT and you PT? As said before, there’s no guarantee he’d see your DS all that regularly. You acknowledge he sees his other child but if he’s suddenly going to have to split his time between two DC to different women AND his job…

Also, everyone I’ve ever met who works in sales works away most of the time. My DH works in the construction/engineering world and the sales people in his business work away pretty much all week. It’s just part of a sales job, they travel around the country selling things?? My mum’s partner sells beer for a living and he works away often as a result, you know, selling the product around the country.

DavesGirl90 · 20/05/2026 09:34

ToastSafeFromMothsAndDogs · 20/05/2026 08:58

No idea why so many people want to get the boot into the OP. Her H has opted out of family life and left her with all their joint responsibilities. Why on earth should she just suck it up?

Totally agree. People have just seen red about the dogs.

I agree taking on THREE large dogs and two cats was a terrible decision. It’s a foolish decision for literally anyone who doesn’t have basically a mansion and staff to help, even acknowledging OP didn’t have a baby then.

However, I can totally understand not being willing to rehome them now that you do have them.

None of that changes the fact the husband is completely dodging his family responsibilities.

Have you laid out how totally serious this is now? A divorce ultimatum - but only if you truly will follow through.

“Look this is ruining my mental health, I miss you as a person and I need your support. I have fallen out of love with you as a result and the only way to fix it is for you to be here more. Otherwise I’m filing for divorce.”

CitizenofMoronia · 20/05/2026 09:34

Are you sure hes not got a second home?

Jimmyneutronsforehead · 20/05/2026 09:34

Imdunfer · 20/05/2026 08:33

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?

Me neither. I kept large breed dogs all my life often having 2-3 at the same time, they were all regimentally trained and no ounce of slack given because I knew how powerful large dogs can be. There's no way in hell I'd have walked 3 at once, nevermind with a child that I had to be responsible for.

One of ours developed an infection in the brain and her behaviour completely changed overnight and she lunged for me, this made my other dog react, and I have scars on my breast from being stuck in the middle of this. My sweetest girl. So I know how fast behaviour can change.

On top of that children are unpredictable. Even the best behaved children, as toddlers, don't have a developed impulse control. What if cars or lorries or motorbikes or quad bikes drive past and startle the child, or what if they decide to bolt because they've seen something interesting? Or the dogs decide they're going one way and the child decides they're going another way?

I think even if the risk of these things happening is low, the potential risk for significant harm should one of these events happen is very high and there's no way to know if or when that will happen.

Continuing to do this feels very irresponsible, even without the child. There's no way I would walk more than my body weight and muscles worth of dog at once.

YorksMa · 20/05/2026 09:34

I'm so sorry you're in this situation and also sorry so many people are telling you to get rid of your dogs like they can go out with the recycling. I've been in a similar place to you and for me the 'real' problem wasn't that I was overloaded, it was that he didn't care enough to help me. So yes, if you're on your own, you'll be just as busy, but you won't - as you say yourself - be carrying around anger and resentment. You can make your own plans without always having that sense of bitterness which is not good for the blood pressure! Also, you don't need to justify your reason for ending a marriage - your unhappiness is enough.

DaffodilLill · 20/05/2026 09:34

I agree the job is a red herring because it's part time from home and I assume OP could reduce her hours. Cheaper than a divorce and reduced income.

ScaredButUnavoidable · 20/05/2026 09:34

LakieLady · 20/05/2026 09:24

Did he play it down or did he just not realise quite how much travel was involved?

I find it quite surprising that a father of a very young baby would take a job that involved him spending nearly half the week away from home, especially as it sounds like it didn't involve a massive pay rise. And imo it's pretty shit of him to be away so much and leave you effectively a single parent for half the week and without being able to outsource a lot of the domestic stuff.

Whereas I am not remotely surprised that a man in his 50’s with three large dogs at home and a young baby would take a job that means he’s away from home half a week.

Selfish men who can’t be arsed with their responsibilities do that.

Whettlettuce · 20/05/2026 09:35

Happytaytos · 20/05/2026 06:48

Does he earn a lot of money from the job?
Joe easy is it to get a new one?

You have a ridiculous amount of pets, they can go.

Your non sleeping 3yo needs sorting too. Neither of those are your husbands fault.

How is the 3 year old not sleeping only the fault of the op ? The child has another parent . None of this should be all on the op. I agree the pets are an issue but again how is that the fault of the op ?

Doesitneverend · 20/05/2026 09:36

Redpaisley · 20/05/2026 09:32

Why do people gaslight ? Op lives in resentment and anger. She knows her husband’s job situation more than you as she clearly didn’t give up at the first sign of trouble. She even tried a couple therapy.

Three sessions of therapy isn't trying it. They will barely even have scratched the surface. They certainly won't have had time to truly explore each other’s perspective. Suggesting someone looks wider perspective is not gaslighting.

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