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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:
hereforthelolz · 20/05/2026 10:01

combatewok · 20/05/2026 09:54

I think the criticism of OP having the dogs is unfair. I’ve not read full thread yet but dogs are family, you don’t just get rid. and what if they got dogs before he worked away or at a point where life was balanced fairly for her? Stop judging her owning dogs ffs.

and stop assuming people can just pay for a cleaner or dog walking. Honestly….

Dogs are family…you don’t just get rid.

But husbands are fair game?

Sharptonguedwoman · 20/05/2026 10:02

Happyjoe · 20/05/2026 09:58

Why is the husband putting the job before his whole family?

Well, agreed but in that OP can't make him, all she can do is make her own life better. I'm a major animal lover but 3 large dogs, two cats, an insomniac 3 yr old, evening working and aging parents is incredibly difficult. Something has to give.

Happyjoe · 20/05/2026 10:03

Sharptonguedwoman · 20/05/2026 10:02

Well, agreed but in that OP can't make him, all she can do is make her own life better. I'm a major animal lover but 3 large dogs, two cats, an insomniac 3 yr old, evening working and aging parents is incredibly difficult. Something has to give.

And what a shame, despite knowing all of this, the OP's husband took a job on that kept him away from the family unit so many times a week.

OP's resentment is totally understandable.

PurpleThistle7 · 20/05/2026 10:04

Happyjoe · 20/05/2026 09:59

Why would it be a demotion?

I have no idea that's why I'm asking her what she's actually asking him to do. He took a promotion that required travel. Is she asking him to apply for his old job (a demotion)? Is she asking him to leave altogether and find something else? Is that a real option in today's job market? Is she suggesting she work full-time and he gets a part-time job? Pragmatically what options are there now that they are in this situation.

Where I am and in my industry, there are 400+ applicants every time there's a job opening so there may not be an awful lot of choice if he gives up a job that allows him to pay for the majority of the family's expenses so might not be the most sensible choice.

Sharptonguedwoman · 20/05/2026 10:05

Happyjoe · 20/05/2026 10:03

And what a shame, despite knowing all of this, the OP's husband took a job on that kept him away from the family unit so many times a week.

OP's resentment is totally understandable.

Unquestionably but even if she left him, I struggle to see how the equation would improve.

LeeshaPaper · 20/05/2026 10:05

MajorProcrastination · 20/05/2026 09:39

I'm not sure how leaving your husband will make any of this change though. He'll still have the job away, you'll still have all the pets (as I'd assume he'd say he can't as he's away), you'd still have the 3 year old while he's away (because he'll still be away and when he's back maybe he'll have the child a night or two but again, it doesn't mean he'll be any more present than now, in fact probably less so), you'd probably still end up relying on your parents to pick up the pieces, and your finances will likely get worse if you're living separately etc.

If you're not coping with the dogs and you can't afford more help with them and you haven't got available help from local friends and family, rehoming them is an option. It will be very sad and it's a last resort and I can't imagine ever doing that with mine but it is something that friends who've split from partners and been forced into renting or more chaotic living arrangements or needing to work more hours have ended up doing.

Essentially, separating won't solve the issue of you being stretched too thin and him being very absent.

I know working away is a thing and I know in some families it's part and parcel of the career and lifestyle the couple both agree to at the start (e.g. military spouses, oil rig workers) but it sounds like you thought this would be a temporary situation?

The only other area for give is that you change your job while your child is young, so working part time or in a role that doesn't require night shifts. Which feels unreasonable and unfair, and I'm guessing you're a medical/health/care professional so would possibly be a waste of your training and/or cause big career issues in the future if your training and experience lapses. How would your husband feel about the drop in income from that?

So you could stay together and you change job/leave work or separate and you change job/leave work.

There are lots of variables here but the splitting up and keeping everything else the same won't make your situation any easier or fairer.

Well it will make it fairer because she won't be taking the slack of an absent husband.
Living alone and doing it all is far preferable to the resentment of covering for an absent "partner".

I wonder if he then expects his clothes to be washed etc when he graces the OP with his presence

DoloresDelEriba · 20/05/2026 10:05

This thread has made me feel so much better about my life. So thank you.

Your husband is avoiding you and his responsibilities. The dog thing sounds bonkers - and I’m a dog lover. Behaviourists. Marriage counselling. It’s a mess frankly. You might be better off alone. Good luck.

SwatTheTwit · 20/05/2026 10:06

Happyjoe · 20/05/2026 09:52

Why?

What do you mean why? Do you think walking one dog is the same as walking 3 dogs?

Whyohwhy321 · 20/05/2026 10:08

ButterYellowFlowers · 20/05/2026 09:40

I’d rehome the animals… that would take a huge amount of stress away.

You think animals are just disposable. Like an old jumper you give to a charity shop when they're no longer suitable. You're the worst kind of person and I despise you. You think someone else should just pick up the slack and cost because someone else can no longer be arsed.

the7Vabo · 20/05/2026 10:08

Sharptonguedwoman · 20/05/2026 10:02

Well, agreed but in that OP can't make him, all she can do is make her own life better. I'm a major animal lover but 3 large dogs, two cats, an insomniac 3 yr old, evening working and aging parents is incredibly difficult. Something has to give.

The OP could change her work hours to more regular hours and put 3 year old in childcare.

But she wants to spend time with him. Which is fair enough. If I had a miracle baby I’d want all the time I could too.

But while she’s doing that DH is paying 2/3 of the bills. And it seems unfair to a point to dictate how he does that. He should ideally cut back on travel but it’s not fair to say to the person carrying most of the financial load that they can only WFH.

So I would work on accepting this phase of life is difficult and things will get easier and focus on enjoying the 3 year old rather than resenting DH.

Ana also break it down - healthy cats are usually very independent, elderly parents don’t always need care etc. It would be unusual for a 4 year old not to sleep through.

Happyjoe · 20/05/2026 10:09

Sharptonguedwoman · 20/05/2026 10:05

Unquestionably but even if she left him, I struggle to see how the equation would improve.

When resentment takes over everything, it's not a healthy place to be and the marriage is doomed. Sometimes stepping away from the source of it all can help a person mentally?

TheSkyRaisin · 20/05/2026 10:09

@Poptart22 and her husband rescued the dogs together and have done a great job with them by the sounds of it. Then sometime later she falls pregnant unexpectedly. The baby is born, then husband decides to take on a different job that involves working away, without admitting upfront that he will be working away a lot. Then when she - understandably - complains about this new set-up, he recruits her elderly parents without asking her. I think I’ve got that right from the OP’s updates. Yes, he’s being an absolute dickhead. I know you’ve been to some marriage counselling, but have you laid it out to him just how fucked off you are about this, @Poptart22? I think he needs to know how much he’s let you down and that he’s basically opted out of the life that you created together. I understand completely that your dogs are part of your family and that you wouldn’t want to just ship them off. To start with, I think you need some time away on your own so your ‘D’H can see what it’s really like for you. And he is not allowed to rope your parents in under any circumstances 😡

OlderGlaswegianLivingInDevon · 20/05/2026 10:10

One would expect that a promotion would involve a pay rise, so he can pay out for the dog walker every single day he is away - if that means twice a day for 5 days so be it.

'and whenever I ask him for money for anything he has none.'

he is either lying to you, or spending his increased salary elsewhere...

Sharptonguedwoman · 20/05/2026 10:10

Happyjoe · 20/05/2026 10:09

When resentment takes over everything, it's not a healthy place to be and the marriage is doomed. Sometimes stepping away from the source of it all can help a person mentally?

You could well be right.

anotheruser124 · 20/05/2026 10:10

DreadedInn · 20/05/2026 09:39

But he is her husband and a human.
If she doesn’t like or love him anymore that’s different but I would choose my human husband over an animal if presented with that choice.

Yes a human thats decided his responsibilities are optional and part time and not his problem to deal with. Doesnt sound like a partnership to me.

Barleypilaf · 20/05/2026 10:11

If you separate, your DH will have custody of DS for 50% of the time but you would have the three dogs 100% of the time.

So would you rather see the dogs or your child? It seems clear what your priority is.

Tadah123 · 20/05/2026 10:12

I think a lot of these comments are unfair and show sexism.

I am in a similar position. You both chose to have pets and a child, but you are left juggling it all. That isn’t fair. Why should you be forced to rehome your animals, because your husband is unwilling to amend his working habits. How selfish is that?! But everyone assumes that you must bend, rather than him. It comes from some antiquated view that he is the provider and, therefore, his job must be protected at all costs.

I am also thinking of leaving my husband. I am in a sexless marriage, with no affection to boot.

Coming from someone who understands; the situation you are in feels heavy, lonely and full of resentment. I sympathise. It shouldn’t be all on you and you should feel like a priority.

Sartre · 20/05/2026 10:12

OlderGlaswegianLivingInDevon · 20/05/2026 10:10

One would expect that a promotion would involve a pay rise, so he can pay out for the dog walker every single day he is away - if that means twice a day for 5 days so be it.

'and whenever I ask him for money for anything he has none.'

he is either lying to you, or spending his increased salary elsewhere...

He pays 2/3 of the bills, so probably that.

PurpleThistle7 · 20/05/2026 10:12

Also wondering... if you are barely covering your bills on his current salary did he take the new job out of necessity? How were you managing everything before he took this job?

Happyjoe · 20/05/2026 10:13

Barleypilaf · 20/05/2026 10:11

If you separate, your DH will have custody of DS for 50% of the time but you would have the three dogs 100% of the time.

So would you rather see the dogs or your child? It seems clear what your priority is.

Is everyone on MN against women? It seems to, very odd.

The OP's husband let her down, put her in this position, won't listen to her about her unhappy feelings and yet it's all down to the OP to solve. People here are just shitty.

Mosaic123 · 20/05/2026 10:14

I'm also wondering if he's spending money elsewhere, while he's away.

On someone else.

Can you investigate that a bit? Have a discussion about finances with him and listen very carefully

the7Vabo · 20/05/2026 10:15

PurpleThistle7 · 20/05/2026 10:04

I have no idea that's why I'm asking her what she's actually asking him to do. He took a promotion that required travel. Is she asking him to apply for his old job (a demotion)? Is she asking him to leave altogether and find something else? Is that a real option in today's job market? Is she suggesting she work full-time and he gets a part-time job? Pragmatically what options are there now that they are in this situation.

Where I am and in my industry, there are 400+ applicants every time there's a job opening so there may not be an awful lot of choice if he gives up a job that allows him to pay for the majority of the family's expenses so might not be the most sensible choice.

I do think to a point sometimes of MH the working world is seen as great craic like a carnival instead of the graft it often can be.

I saw a SAHM on Instagram saying she doesn’t have the benefit of a manager (!!) to help her manage her load and re shuffle things. In what kind of idealistic manager la la land is she living. I’ve worked for mangers who had zero interest in managing my workload, I’ve worked for ones who couldn’t do their job or even my job, and were incredibly shifty and didn’t want responsibility for anything.

So I don’t automatically buy into selfish DH just wants to travel and have a great time. He has the “luxury” of being the higher earner.

LeeshaPaper · 20/05/2026 10:15

hereforthelolz · 20/05/2026 10:01

Dogs are family…you don’t just get rid.

But husbands are fair game?

The dogs bring her more joy

Determinedtobethinner · 20/05/2026 10:16

Is DH as attached to the animals as you OP?
Just asking because I know a couple with lots of dogs and, while in theory they both care for them, they are really her dogs. They wouldn’t have dogs if she hadn’t wanted them if you see what I mean…he wasn’t pushed either way.

Is there any chance your DH feels the animals are more your responsibility because you were the driving force behind getting them? Just wondering if there’s any resentment there on his part? Or if he feels less responsible for them than you do?

the7Vabo · 20/05/2026 10:16

OlderGlaswegianLivingInDevon · 20/05/2026 10:10

One would expect that a promotion would involve a pay rise, so he can pay out for the dog walker every single day he is away - if that means twice a day for 5 days so be it.

'and whenever I ask him for money for anything he has none.'

he is either lying to you, or spending his increased salary elsewhere...

Or there is a COL crisis and bills have gone up??!!

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