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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:
LittlestBoho · 20/05/2026 11:14

Look, people can argue all day long, but the main crux of the matter is that as a family you have bitten off more than you can reasonably chew. You have a much loved toddler, part time husband, elderly parents, three dogs and two cats; that is a recipe for burnout.

You want to cut something from your life to make it easier and are leaning towards cutting your husband, but he is bringing in money and is helpful when he is home. Getting rid of him will unfortunately make your life harder. Sadly, the dogs are the only thing it is possible to remove from your current life that will immediately allieviate a lot of your work, wont have negative financial implications, or result in you losing part custody of your son. Nobody WANTS to rehome their pets, but you are stuck between a rock and a hard place here. The cleaning alone for a toddler and 5 pets must be horrific.

I am usually a LTBer, but on a practical level divorce will only make your life harder. Your son is your only child and he'll only be little once. Don't waste these precious years being stressed to the maximum because you feel too guilty to make a difficult choice about the pets.

OFiddleDeeDee · 20/05/2026 11:14

This is very sad. Your struggles are real but you have a partner who is trying to take the financial struggles away from you. I don't think you fully appreciate how much that means until it's gone.

Millytante · 20/05/2026 11:14

ThejoyofNC · 20/05/2026 07:08

Well I'm not sure what you expect when you're telling people you couldn't possibly give up on 3 dogs but you're quite prepared to give up on your family. Do you realise how that sounds?

Sounds like she’ll just feel ‘forced’ to make her ageing parents take up a great deal more of her responsibilities, so that’s alright then, just so long as she can still have the misfortunate dogs as her priority in life.

Pricelessadvice · 20/05/2026 11:16

hereforthelolz · 20/05/2026 10:01

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

But husbands are fair game?

Yes 😂

My animals make me far happier than any human being ever has!

Phonicshaskilledmeoff · 20/05/2026 11:16

You clearly think you are in the right, and are coming across as almost hostile in some of your responses.

I would take a break and a step back and re read when you have a more open mind.

I don’t think this is about his job - and by that I mean in don’t think if he had a job working closer that your problems would be fixed

the7Vabo · 20/05/2026 11:16

Poptart22 · 20/05/2026 11:13

He is not forced to stay in a job that involves so much time away from his family and young child. If someone offered me a job working away from my baby for all the money in the world, I'd tell them to stick it. I have responsibilities. And so does he.

His current job is not compatible with OUR family that we BOTH took on together.

Is yours? I completely understand wanting to spend time with a miracle 3 year old but a lot of not most people can’t. I had to put both my kids into childcare 4 days a week at 9 months old and I hated it. But I needed to do it to pay the bills.

You have a very firm narrative that you won’t be moved on that this was caused by DH and that’s it.

Marieb19 · 20/05/2026 11:16

This is your choice. You seem to prioritise your animals above all else, including your own well being. Does your husband have the same attachment to the animals? Maybe that is why he is spending so much time away. I am concerned that you would seem to be happier to keep your animals and lose your husband and not consider the impact this will have on your son. There are other people who will offer dogs a new home.

nomoreforks · 20/05/2026 11:16

Getting rid of the dogs will not make your husband less selfish. Unless he steps up a bit you will end up separating. I think there need to be changes which you both need to agree to. In any marriage if one person is not stepping up then it never works out. It doesn't all have to be your way OP but I think your husband needs to help you a bit more

TheSquareMile · 20/05/2026 11:17

Is the kind of sales job he does one in which it would be expected for someone to be on the road virtually all of the time, OP?

In which sector?

the7Vabo · 20/05/2026 11:17

OFiddleDeeDee · 20/05/2026 11:14

This is very sad. Your struggles are real but you have a partner who is trying to take the financial struggles away from you. I don't think you fully appreciate how much that means until it's gone.

This 100% 100%.

user1492757084 · 20/05/2026 11:18

You are unreasonable to expect you DH to change jobs. Plenty of people need to work away. That is reality.

Rearrange your household to have far less stress. Less for you to do when alone.

You need to rehome or sell the rescue dogs.
They are not managable.

Train your child to sleep alone. Do you have a cot?
Use the help of your parents only when it is convenient for them. A weekend.

Work fewer hours until your child is in school or engage a regular babysitter. (One or both of you. Keep in mind who earns more money)
Cut down expenditure so that there is some flex for spending on a few nice outings with your DH when he is home. Time together as a family will be nicer than therapy.

anotheruser124 · 20/05/2026 11:18

Doesitneverend · 20/05/2026 11:03

Or, it was disclosed but neither of them understood how tough it would be. It isn't only men who rewrite history. Or, the company underplayed how much travel there would be (been there, took a supposedly 100% office based job, was on the road 3 nights/week).

I don't think this is as straightforward as the husband is an awful family shirking bastard. It is easy to sit here and assume he could walk into a new WFH role at the same level, but none of us know his industry and age is sadly no longer on his side (however much it shouldn't impact, we all know it does).

Edited

We only have the OP to go on and can only advise on that basis, if we start rewriting things based on our own history and assumptions then it becomes impossible to advise, so I always work on advice based on the actual OP rather than trying to pick at parts of it. You can only advise on what you know but to advise based on parts of it being wrong or exaggerated gives so many different scenarios that it becomes pointless.

RobinStrike · 20/05/2026 11:19

OP, you haven’t once said anything that suggests you are happy when your husband is home and you give no indication that you want to save your marriage. You argue constantly with anyone who says divorcing him because of his job is wrong so I think you have made your mind up and only came on here for affirmation. Unfortunately most people feel that your commitment to your dogs seems stronger than your love for your husband and family. Maybe your husband could find another job, who knows how easy it would be, but I suspect at the moment he’s got a more peaceful life when he’s away and is reluctant to be at home 24/7 with all the animals and a resentful wife.

PurpleThistle7 · 20/05/2026 11:19

I still think it's important for you to address what options are viable for a new job for either or both of you. Because as you said, you are barely paying your bills now with his increased contribution. If he gives that up then what? What does it look like if you get a daytime job? What jobs are actually out there? Surely it's super sector dependent in a sales job, and sales jobs are going to be pretty difficult just now with everyone cutting back.

Bridgertonisbest · 20/05/2026 11:19

Poptart22 · 20/05/2026 11:13

He is not forced to stay in a job that involves so much time away from his family and young child. If someone offered me a job working away from my baby for all the money in the world, I'd tell them to stick it. I have responsibilities. And so does he.

His current job is not compatible with OUR family that we BOTH took on together.

My husband has a currently working away 2-3 nights a week. Our youngest is almost 18 but it still leaves the bulk of everything on me (last night 2 large dogs insisted on sleeping ON me). And dh hates working away.

BudgetBuster · 20/05/2026 11:19

Poptart22 · 20/05/2026 11:13

He is not forced to stay in a job that involves so much time away from his family and young child. If someone offered me a job working away from my baby for all the money in the world, I'd tell them to stick it. I have responsibilities. And so does he.

His current job is not compatible with OUR family that we BOTH took on together.

And you are not forced to work evenings and have a ridiculous amount of animals you can't care for anymore. Life changes, life evolves.

You say he's not forced but he's bloody putting a roof over everyone's heads. You say you wouldn't take a job working away for all the money in the world but someone has to pay the bills. You also contradict yourself and say financially you can't work different hours but expect him the breadwinner to do it.

Yes, you both have responsibilities. But your lives have changed. I don't think you even understand what the repercussions of a divorce would be... and ot sounds like your elderly parents and your child would be the ones who would be most affected.

We get it. You are tired. That is the life of a working parent of a young child unfortunately. It doesn't last forever.

anotheruser124 · 20/05/2026 11:19

Poptart22 · 20/05/2026 11:13

He is not forced to stay in a job that involves so much time away from his family and young child. If someone offered me a job working away from my baby for all the money in the world, I'd tell them to stick it. I have responsibilities. And so does he.

His current job is not compatible with OUR family that we BOTH took on together.

Can I ask again as I still can't see anywhere, what is he like when he is home? Is he present? Does he parent and do his share in the home?

BlueMum16 · 20/05/2026 11:20

Poptart22 · 20/05/2026 11:13

He is not forced to stay in a job that involves so much time away from his family and young child. If someone offered me a job working away from my baby for all the money in the world, I'd tell them to stick it. I have responsibilities. And so does he.

His current job is not compatible with OUR family that we BOTH took on together.

What does he say when you ask him to change jobs or be at home more?

Poptart22 · 20/05/2026 11:20

Millytante · 20/05/2026 11:14

Sounds like she’ll just feel ‘forced’ to make her ageing parents take up a great deal more of her responsibilities, so that’s alright then, just so long as she can still have the misfortunate dogs as her priority in life.

Oh have a day off will you. Do you know my dogs to say they are misfortunate? They were rescued from horrific situations abroad. They are incredibly happy, fed, loved beyond measure, exercised physically and mentally, and incredibly bonded to us all. Are you unhappy about something in your own life?

OP posts:
Sartre · 20/05/2026 11:21

Your solution is either to speak to him, explain that you feel you’re at breaking point- basically everything mentioned here. Tell him something needs to change, he either asks work to demote him or finds a new job.

Or just pack it all in and start divorce proceedings. It seems to be an either or situation because any other advice on this thread is falling on deaf ears. The reason for the “pile on” is largely because it’s obvious to any outsider why a person in your situation would struggle and it is largely the pets. Without them you’d be a regular mum of one working PT from home with a husband who works away sometimes. Totally normal family situation. Throw in 3 massive dogs and you’re just talking about a whole lot of extra strain and stress.

I don’t know anyone who owns three big dogs! Most dog owners are in a situation where they have the time to walk them every day twice a day or they hire dog walkers.

Anyway, before I get accused of being a dog hater (which I’m definitely not), you’ve said you won’t rehome the dogs which is fine so the first two solutions I mentioned are your only ones.

Poptart22 · 20/05/2026 11:23

anotheruser124 · 20/05/2026 11:19

Can I ask again as I still can't see anywhere, what is he like when he is home? Is he present? Does he parent and do his share in the home?

I would say when he is hone, we split things quite well. He will walk the dogs whilst I bath our son, or vice versa. However, one thing that adds to the resentment is that I have pretty much 100% of the mental load, i.e. paying the bills, organising who needs what and when, birthdays, Christmas etc all falls to me. This has been brought up in therapy but again, not much has changed.

OP posts:
Iamthemoom · 20/05/2026 11:23

Redpaisley · 20/05/2026 09:52

First read what op wrote then reply. Your response is based on a fiction. Dogs came before child.

I did read the whole thread but her message stating this was posted while I was writing my message.

Sasha07 · 20/05/2026 11:24

Rehome your dogs,
Rehome your dogs,
Rehome your dogs.

Yeah, that'll fix everything! Not having the dogs would make OP resent her husband less, ofcourse, passing off beloved dogs who she has bonded with, earned their trust, gives her affection and company, to who knows what kind of home, sure that won't weigh heavily on her mental health. Dogs aren't ornaments, they're family members who mutually bond with their owners. But I'm sure she'll suddenly be head over heels in love with her DH for him being the reason she felt pressured to pass them on. Nah.
Well done OP for being a decent human!

Naunet · 20/05/2026 11:25

monkeysox · 20/05/2026 06:56

Can you change your job?

Amazing. The issue is his job, not hers.

It's incredible how many people think the answer is getting shot or changing your own job, or getting rid of your much loved pets, all so you can carry on being a skivvy, and your prince of a husband doesn't have to do any more or make any changes himself. It's really is incredible how misogynistic women can be.

Shitshowpolitics · 20/05/2026 11:25

Poptart22 · 20/05/2026 07:13

I beg your pardon? Who said I can’t look after my baby properly? That’s just an absolute insult. I give my life to my son, he’s the happiest little soul I’ve ever seen and every one around us comments on what a fantastic mother I am. Like any 3 year old he sometimes wakes early. He’s just transitioned into his big boy bed, in a room I solely decorated for him btw, and has taken to getting out of bed on a night, that’s all. Don’t make such inappropriate and inaccurate comments to a mother doing her very best.

You seem to want it all but your parents who are tired from work or has health issues has to come and help.

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