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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:
Trickedbyadoughnut · 20/05/2026 10:16

Well, I doubt the couple's therapy will help given that he doesn't appear to have any intention of changing, but I would personally pursue it for a few more sessions so that I could say with a clear conscience if the kids ever asked that I tried everything to get him to change.

But yeah, I couldn't get past that he has joint responsibility for a child and animals and running a household and just unilaterally decided to opt out of them and leave you literally holding the baby, and swan off to take his promotion.

I'm not surprised your angry, I'm angry for you. And I agree with you it's not healthy to live like that.

Even if, as some are suggesting, you try to stay together just for the sake of the kids, it will end up blowing up in your face - my SIL did the same with her ex husband (who also had flings with other people, as well as being an all-rounder slacker and abusive human), hung on to GCSE year of her second DC, ended up having an affair, the kids still blame her, the youngest messed up his exams it was horrendous.

Also, if you did stay for the kids, the wage disparity will only increase as he leaves more and more to you and concentrates on his career and moving up the ladder without any consultation ...

EvilNextDoor · 20/05/2026 10:17

@Poptart22 Im sorry you’re getting a really hard time on this thread, the mumsnet bitches are out in force I see.

I’ve always had big dogs, it took some massive adjustment when the kids were smaller (they are now teens and we still have massive dogs)

Your DH sounds like a twat in all honesty and was not completely honest with you about the promotion and all the travelling…

Sadly I don’t think the resentment will go away, and if he is refusing to change then it will probably be for the best if you split up.

zoemum2006 · 20/05/2026 10:17

I see all of this about the state of your marriage to your husband. Sounds to me he realised that he felt too old to start being a dad from scratch and has 'nope'd' out of it. I could be massively off base but you two might want to have a long chat about what he wants from family life.

It looks on the surface like he's not that into your marriage and is not willing to change to make you happy. What would he say if you asked him those questions?

His answer will help you decide if the marriage is salvageable.

ThisOliveKoala · 20/05/2026 10:18

Poptart22 · 20/05/2026 07:03

Wow, what a friendly community this is 🙄 I’ll ask somewhere else.

You don’t want solutions, if you want to leave your husband, that’s your choice. Do that with your 5 dogs and your 3 year old that you haven’t sleep trained, good luck. You don’t seem mature or sensible, but then again I could be wrong, you may know best and we are just internet people. This is your real life, you are living it everyday. I wouldn’t choose it, good luck to you, I hope you somehow find something that works for you ❤️

the7Vabo · 20/05/2026 10:19

Happyjoe · 20/05/2026 10:13

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.

Really?!

DH covers 2/3 bills and someone has just suggested that the Op should check if DH is having an affair because he doesn’t have extra money. He also has another child so is presumably paying towards that child.

Peonies12 · 20/05/2026 10:19

Would he actually be able to get another job of the same salary/seniority, that didn't involve staying away? The job market is awful right now. Pay a dog walker and get a cleaner.

MagnoIia · 20/05/2026 10:20

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.

Your husband is an animal, and you're giving up on him!!! Give the dogs up before you give up on your child's father. Imagine putting dogs before your own chid's welfare.

ButterYellowFlowers · 20/05/2026 10:20

Whyohwhy321 · 20/05/2026 10:08

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.

Of course I don’t. I adore animals and would never get one I couldn’t take care of. OP has 3 that she doesn’t have time for - due to her DH - and that’s not fair on the animals. They deserve a family that has time and energy to put their needs first.

What an absolute overreaction and a nasty way to speak to someone. I’m not suggesting putting them down or throwing them away but finding them a new home with more room for them.

Ferrissia · 20/05/2026 10:21

OP what would your husband think about rehoming the dogs?

DressOrSkirt · 20/05/2026 10:21

Poptart22 · 20/05/2026 07:05

He was already in his current role before our son was born and when we rescued the dogs but was home based, so everything was much easier, but not long after our son was born he accepted a promotion involving a lot of travel, which he massively played down to me.

This is the issue, and I think because it's missing from your OP is why so many people think YABU.

He took a promotion that keeps him away for half the week, preventing him from fulfilling his responsibilities at home, without properly consulting you. And he doesn't care now about the pressure you are under. I certainly don't blame you for reconsidering the relationship, would marriage counselling be a possibility first?

ThatMintMember · 20/05/2026 10:21

Rather than getting rid of the dogs why don't you work full time and outsource the support you need with the extra money? Nanny? More days at nursery? Dog walker?

You said your husband doesn't have any money when you ask him so it's not like this way of working is massively beneficial from a financial POV.

Alternatively could you or him give up work temporarily until your child starts school while just one of you works full time? Or could you reduce your hours further?

My husband works a very demanding job which impacts on me a lot but for balance I work flexible hours part time and do most of the housework and childcare. It's worth it financially for us to do it that way as I wouldn't earn as much as he can full time.

I'd be irritated too if my husband kept working away once we had a child. Mine used to work away mon to fri most weeks but after we had a child he's worked from home.

Happyjoe · 20/05/2026 10:22

the7Vabo · 20/05/2026 10:19

Really?!

DH covers 2/3 bills and someone has just suggested that the Op should check if DH is having an affair because he doesn’t have extra money. He also has another child so is presumably paying towards that child.

Sorry, is money the only thing that's important to you? (I never mentioned anything about financials either).

The OP's husband has changed the family set up, isn't listening, isn't willing to find a solution, has pretty much left his wife for most of the week to cope alone. She understandably feels resentment.

But yeah, money eh. Mercenary!

Happyjoe · 20/05/2026 10:23

Ferrissia · 20/05/2026 10:21

OP what would your husband think about rehoming the dogs?

Who cares? The OP doesn't want to.

rainbowstardrops · 20/05/2026 10:24

Fuck me, this place is toxic sometimes and full of vile, obnoxious bullies!
BOTH the OP and her husband CHOSE to home three dogs. They BOTH chose to have cats. They BOTH agreed to continue with the surprise pregnancy after years of infertility.
However, the OP’s husband miss-sold the reality of working away so frequently and yet he expects HER to pick up the slack. Absolutely not on while he’s getting a sound night’s sleep in a hotel. And yet people are piling into the OP banging on that they’re her life choices and she’s brought it all on herself. Not the husband who’s opting out of family life and the drudge that goes with it. Incredible.
And for the people saying to get rid of the dogs …. wow! They’re not disposable pieces of rubbish!
OP, I totally get you. I sincerely hope your husband picks up the slack when he’s actually home but somehow I very much doubt it.

Wirelessbird · 20/05/2026 10:25

I am sorry you are getting so much negativity. It seems clear to me that he stepped away from shared responsibilities and refuses to engage with your current difficulties. Of course you feel resentment. Why should you cross your boundaries to facilitate his new agenda.

You don’t want to give up the dogs which were taken on as a couple, so that’s that’s.

And you have every right to want to spend time with your child if that’s what works for you and your son. Presumably this was also agreed with him. So why should his inability to hold up his side of the bargain mean you need to change what might be a fundamental part of your parenting approach.

I feel for you. My partners job includes being absent for lots of evenings and weekends. It is a constant internal battle to avoid resentment creeping in. I’m sure people will say it in naive but I don’t believe you have any concept of what family life really entails before you have a child. So in my case I didn’t anticipate what solo parenting to the extend I do would cost me. Also, my partners job cannot be done in any other way and he adores it so the only way I can make sense of it is to make sure that I have time carved out for me, otherwise it feels as though I exist only for others. Families need to share not just financials but resource and time. If someone feels as though they are being overburdened that needs addressing. Of course many people on here think that this should have all been ironed out beforehand and perhaps in an ideal situation that’s true. But it can be difficult to iron out hypothetical situations that you’re not even aware of before they happen. In this case, he’s taken the new job it doesn’t work for you. Something needs to change and that’s something should not be you.

If he isn’t present, doesn’t contribute more financially, won’t hear your concerns that doesn’t leave you with many options.

MagnoIia · 20/05/2026 10:27

I bet he didn't really want the dogs, YOU did, but he gave in because of the failed IVFs. I'd want to escape for some peace if I was stuck with three big dogs in the home.

You are putting dogs before your family. I think you are being very unreasonable. And no, dogs are NOT family, they are dogs. They will be perfectly fine in someone else's home. As long as they are fed and walked, they're fine whoever looks after them.

I'd be livid of I was asked to change a job I loved because of dogs!

Captainbird · 20/05/2026 10:27

Have you sat down and discussed what separation would look like? There are several responses on here which suggest that he would want 50/50 which I think is highly unlikely as he is only doing 2 days a week ( I assume you also do 50% of the work during this time). One of my friends was in a similar position and her ex husband sees their children once a month, however, she still seems happier even with one weekend a month off.

have a chat with him about separation and see what he wants, just keep in mind this may not be what you end up with!

I know you won’t have time to read it but the Gottmans studied relationships and found one of the biggest predictors of separation was resentment. It kills love stone dead.

RayofSunshine18 · 20/05/2026 10:27

Good lord there are some horrible people on here this morning ! Just because your life doesn't look 'prefect' there is no need for the horrible comments.

I had a similar situation to yourself. Very similar actually. I left, and while the 'work' load was exactly the same, I was much less angry and resentful towards someone who was never there.

I didn't want my daughter growing up in a tense environment I also kept both dogs, with a non sleeping child, and worked full time! You can do it, if its what you want to and you'd will probably be much happier for it - I know I am 😀

Poptart22 · 20/05/2026 10:27

the7Vabo · 20/05/2026 09:55

OP literally wrote “piss off” to a comment here. So not someone who is slow to anger.

Imagine a woman wrote some of the stuff OP has written - I pay 2/3 of the bills and my DH works part time but he wants me to only takes jobs WFH, he then said when he asks me for money I have none but I already pay 2/3 of the bills.

And I don’t the DH gets off scot free at all, but neither do I think it’s as one sided as DH is off living the high life while OP is slaving away. And I do think that men traditionally have used to pub at bed time and travel to get out of family responsibilities.

I wrote that because someone suggested I kill my dogs.

OP posts:
Happyjoe · 20/05/2026 10:29

MagnoIia · 20/05/2026 10:27

I bet he didn't really want the dogs, YOU did, but he gave in because of the failed IVFs. I'd want to escape for some peace if I was stuck with three big dogs in the home.

You are putting dogs before your family. I think you are being very unreasonable. And no, dogs are NOT family, they are dogs. They will be perfectly fine in someone else's home. As long as they are fed and walked, they're fine whoever looks after them.

I'd be livid of I was asked to change a job I loved because of dogs!

Give your head a wobble.

SayDoWhatNow · 20/05/2026 10:29

The issue here is not the dogs or the logistics of dog walking, finances and managing when alone. The issue is that the OP's 'D'H has unilaterally imposed this situation on her. She has changed multiple things to try and keep it working and it doesn't.

If they had an open discussion and agreed together that him working away was the best option for now, all these logistics discussions are relevant. But he's refusing to consider making any changes - the sacrifice is all from one side. That's where the resentment is coming from - because it is really unfair.

the7Vabo · 20/05/2026 10:30

Poptart22 · 20/05/2026 10:27

I wrote that because someone suggested I kill my dogs.

Fair enough, apologies

NoSuchBass · 20/05/2026 10:31

The husband's job isn't the problem here is it.

The problem is the 5 pets.

Keep the husband. Chuck the pets.

Your child having 2 parents, an orderly bedtime, and a calm mother, is more important than dogs. Isn't it.

topcat2014 · 20/05/2026 10:32

A less drastic action would be to rehome the pets.

Happyjoe · 20/05/2026 10:32

NoSuchBass · 20/05/2026 10:31

The husband's job isn't the problem here is it.

The problem is the 5 pets.

Keep the husband. Chuck the pets.

Your child having 2 parents, an orderly bedtime, and a calm mother, is more important than dogs. Isn't it.

Lol, 2 parents would be fab and this is the issue. I fear tho you've missed the point of this entirely.

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