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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:
loislovesstewie · 20/05/2026 11:25

If he was home working 9-5 would you still want to be married to him?

Happyjoe · 20/05/2026 11:26

Naunet · 20/05/2026 11:25

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.

And she said she's already changed jobs twice, to accommodate her husband and their issues. It's not working because bottom line, he is leaving everything to her. At least she's tried which is more than can be said of husband.

OneAmusedDuck · 20/05/2026 11:26

FoldThreePiece · 20/05/2026 06:55

The dogs put a strain on you, your finances, your parents and marriage.
You are not being sensible.
Rehome them, life will be much easier.

The child is also putting a strain on her, her finances, parents and her marriage. Rehome it too? Life will be much easier

Poptart22 · 20/05/2026 11:27

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.

Yes and that's what we do? We make sure they are walked twice a day either ourselves, our we use dog walkers, they never miss out.

Again, anyone who knows anything about rescuing dogs would understand that they can't just be re-homed because they are no longer convenient to you. This attitude makes me sick. The dogs have never been a problem, until my husband decided to work away a huge portion of the week. He was as much on board as me about rescuing them, so why now should I be the one left to manage everything alone?

OP posts:
3luckystars · 20/05/2026 11:27

I think you will resent him now whatever happens. He just doesn’t want to put the work in to have all the things you want to have.

Or he just doesn’t want these things.

BudgetBuster · 20/05/2026 11:28

Poptart22 · 20/05/2026 11:27

Yes and that's what we do? We make sure they are walked twice a day either ourselves, our we use dog walkers, they never miss out.

Again, anyone who knows anything about rescuing dogs would understand that they can't just be re-homed because they are no longer convenient to you. This attitude makes me sick. The dogs have never been a problem, until my husband decided to work away a huge portion of the week. He was as much on board as me about rescuing them, so why now should I be the one left to manage everything alone?

But your suggesting rehoming your husband because he's sometimes not convenient to you 😂

Isitevensummer · 20/05/2026 11:28

Some bonkers replies, op I would feel the same as you your partner effectively lied to you about how his job would fit into family life and is resisting listening to how it is affecting you This is the kind gman who, after their divorce, bleats about being blind sided. Its constantly amazing to me how many men do shit like this with the expectation that their wives will nag bur ultimately put up with it. Maybe show him the I left my glass by the Sink so she divorced me stuff?

combatewok · 20/05/2026 11:28

Poptart22 · 20/05/2026 07:23

I won’t be rehoming the dogs who have been rescued from abroad and already been through a lot of stress. I can’t stand it when people just give up on their dogs because they have a child. So anyone suggesting this, don’t bother. I’ve done a massive amount of work on integrating them with our family.

My issue is that we got married, took the vows, BOTH agreed to take on the cats and dogs and then fell pregnant. But only ONE of us is dedicated to caring for them all. That’s where the resentment comes from. If one parter is doing something that is affecting the mental health of another, then surely that’s not OK.

And HIS solution was to bring in my elderly parents (without consulting me) which I have now put a stop to!

If the roles were reversed and I was offered a job working away from my family, putting my husband under a massive strain, I wouldn’t dream of taking it.

I could not agree more with this. The point isn’t how busy OP is, it’s how busy she is without support. It’s the lack of teamwork she feels is in her marriage.

OP, I’m in a similar situation in some respects. DH left several
months ago ( because he has massive anger management issues - it’s a whole other story ) Anyway, prior to him leaving, for a very long time, DH put him and his needs first at cost to me and DD so I completely empathise with you.

His priority was always him and because responsibility wasn’t shared, it meant that i either didn’t get any time for me at all or if i did, essential stuff didn’t get done. I could never raise it because of his anger but over the years I’ve just been bogged down, became overwhelmed and resentful. And I was without a doubt burning out.

Although it’s all on me now, it’s actually easier just because that day to day frustration is starting to fade. Ive realised it’s better to feel lonely alone than lonely in a marriage.

So I get exactly what you mean, whilst we all need to do stuff for ourself and have that time for ourselves, a marriage should be about being a team, sharing the load and supporting each other, if you don’t have that, then what’s the point.

Choosing a role to work away from home isn’t just his decision, he has responsibilities so something as impactful as that has to be right for the family too. Sometimes we have to make sacrifices and by sounds of it, maybe he should have considered this isn’t the right time in his life to take that role, and poss should have waited until your son was older.

i hope you work it out.

BudgetBuster · 20/05/2026 11:28

3luckystars · 20/05/2026 11:27

I think you will resent him now whatever happens. He just doesn’t want to put the work in to have all the things you want to have.

Or he just doesn’t want these things.

Or... he's busy working to pay the bills

VoReason · 20/05/2026 11:29

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.

The mindset of a person who'd sooner give up on their beloved human - and one to whom they vowed their love and dedication - before rehoming some dumb beasts they happen to care for, is mind boggling.

I have pets, several actually, and I take utmost care of them. But I'd give them all away in a heartbeat before considering quitting any of the close humans in my life.

Happyjoe · 20/05/2026 11:29

BudgetBuster · 20/05/2026 11:28

But your suggesting rehoming your husband because he's sometimes not convenient to you 😂

Why do you say this? Why you being unkind? Willing not to see the real issue the OP is having? I mean, whats the point in writing on here if just to take the piss out someone? Are you really that unhappy in your life that you can only feel some sort of joy out of being shitty?

cooldarkroom · 20/05/2026 11:30

I think most women carry the mental load sadly. You can however “down tools” or give him notice that he can organise things from his nice quiet hotel room/bar from now on !

BeesAndCrumpets · 20/05/2026 11:31

Jesus all to fuck this thread is horrific!

OP YANBU whatsoever. If your DH wont do anything to help you in this life that YOU BOTH created and BOTH AGREED on, I think you're right to question staying together.

Mclaren10 · 20/05/2026 11:31

He's there 3 -4 nights a week...so he does everything then. Minds the 3 year and the pets etc etc

When he's away, you do it.

If he doesn't like that, he changes job. Or he pays someone to do his share when he's away, e.g. the evening dog walk.

I don't know how you fix the resentfulness. That jumps out on your posts.

Dh's work and mine is both a bit seasonal..so there was plenty of times I was left doing everything at home and vice versa. It wasn't always easy and I may have considered a bigger family if that wasn't the case...but it is and we could only take on what we could manage.

BudgetBuster · 20/05/2026 11:31

Happyjoe · 20/05/2026 11:29

Why do you say this? Why you being unkind? Willing not to see the real issue the OP is having? I mean, whats the point in writing on here if just to take the piss out someone? Are you really that unhappy in your life that you can only feel some sort of joy out of being shitty?

Edited

I can see the issue.... as can the majority of posters who have commented. It's the OP who is clearly a very angry person, who is blind to the issues.

3luckystars · 20/05/2026 11:31

Exactly. I think the reactions here are because loads of people would like many many big pets, jobs, husbands and toddlers. We would all like to be rich and do that, and have staff to help us do all of these things because one person can’t do it all. Well.

A married couple united could do it. But you can’t do it yourself. Longterm. Nobody can and you will get ill.

Your child needs you most. I am sorry you are so overwhelmed but you will have to dig yourself out of this. Your husband is not helping you.

Happyjoe · 20/05/2026 11:31

cooldarkroom · 20/05/2026 11:30

I think most women carry the mental load sadly. You can however “down tools” or give him notice that he can organise things from his nice quiet hotel room/bar from now on !

Yes, thought crossed my mind. Most bills, paperwork etc are online, he must have access. And surely he can go out and buy family b'day cards and presents when needed etc after work and make appointments?!

Sartre · 20/05/2026 11:32

Poptart22 · 20/05/2026 11:27

Yes and that's what we do? We make sure they are walked twice a day either ourselves, our we use dog walkers, they never miss out.

Again, anyone who knows anything about rescuing dogs would understand that they can't just be re-homed because they are no longer convenient to you. This attitude makes me sick. The dogs have never been a problem, until my husband decided to work away a huge portion of the week. He was as much on board as me about rescuing them, so why now should I be the one left to manage everything alone?

Ok so leave him or ask him to get a new job/accept a demotion then. You don’t have much of a choice away from this. As far as I can see it, he accepted a promotion which involved working away but majorly downplayed how much he’d be working away. This was either him intentionally being deceitful OR his workplace downplayed it to him which does happen…

He pays 2/3 of the bills and when he is home (which I’d argue is most of the time because you said he works away 3/4 nights a week SOME weeks so not all), he does 50:50 of the chores/dog walking/child rearing. The only gripe is he doesn’t organise Xmas gifts.

If you boil it down, you’re annoyed because he’s working away more than you thought and this makes your life much harder because of the dogs. But again, I’m not going to go there with the dogs again because it’s futile… Your life will get a bit easier when your DS starts school soon, hopefully.

Happyjoe · 20/05/2026 11:32

BudgetBuster · 20/05/2026 11:31

I can see the issue.... as can the majority of posters who have commented. It's the OP who is clearly a very angry person, who is blind to the issues.

Tosh.

combatewok · 20/05/2026 11:32

hereforthelolz · 20/05/2026 10:01

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

But husbands are fair game?

Yes, if that husband isn’t considerate of how his choices impact the family, his wife doesn’t feel seen or supported and he’s not willing to take that on board. Sometimes we have to make sacrifices for our family and IF he’s someone who will always put his own need an ambition above the needs of his family, then absolutely. Marriage is about being part of a team.

Shitshowpolitics · 20/05/2026 11:33

Poptart22 · 20/05/2026 09:13

Already have, twice.

If he earns the most in the household and you can't afford luxury items. Would getting him to change jobs now be a wise move?

BudgetBuster · 20/05/2026 11:34

Mclaren10 · 20/05/2026 11:31

He's there 3 -4 nights a week...so he does everything then. Minds the 3 year and the pets etc etc

When he's away, you do it.

If he doesn't like that, he changes job. Or he pays someone to do his share when he's away, e.g. the evening dog walk.

I don't know how you fix the resentfulness. That jumps out on your posts.

Dh's work and mine is both a bit seasonal..so there was plenty of times I was left doing everything at home and vice versa. It wasn't always easy and I may have considered a bigger family if that wasn't the case...but it is and we could only take on what we could manage.

But he's already paying 2/3rds of the bills. The offset here is that the OP works less and contributes less financially but contributes more in housekeeping / childcare etc. This is the balance that nearly every home has.

Happyjoe · 20/05/2026 11:34

Mclaren10 · 20/05/2026 11:31

He's there 3 -4 nights a week...so he does everything then. Minds the 3 year and the pets etc etc

When he's away, you do it.

If he doesn't like that, he changes job. Or he pays someone to do his share when he's away, e.g. the evening dog walk.

I don't know how you fix the resentfulness. That jumps out on your posts.

Dh's work and mine is both a bit seasonal..so there was plenty of times I was left doing everything at home and vice versa. It wasn't always easy and I may have considered a bigger family if that wasn't the case...but it is and we could only take on what we could manage.

That's you though. Just because you could do it and agreed to do it doesn't mean the OP feels the same.

Miraclemuma03 · 20/05/2026 11:36

Why is everyone coming at her for the damn dogs and not the husband for not pulling his weight. Where the hell are you womans priorities if you think the man in this relationship cant pitch in more and help because apparently the house hold is unmanageable. Do you think maybe it would be 100% more manageable if there were 2 people actually applying themselves in the household. My god people wake up. I could only imagine the relationships your in or willing to be in if this is all your responses.

Op my husband works 10 to 12hr days then most days has to do a 4hr round trip to and from work. We still have 8 kids living at home, I have 7 dogs, 9 cats and an assortment of animals, sort of like a miniture hobbie farm. Everything in the household I manage, all the kids, all the appointments, remembering everything, all the animals, school stuff, anything you can think of BUT!! And its a big BUT. My husband comes home from work and contributes and if home early enough or has a day off, he helps with the animals, does the cooking, house work, washing, folding, hangs with the kids, does pick up and drop offs to town for the kids jobs, does shopping, drives me around so Im passenger Princess. This is what a partnership is. Your husband is taking the piss, goes away work, gets a break, comes homes and doesnt contribute. Thats not a man that a man baby. It would be easier to be alone because he would then have to manage his job to have shared time with his child so you could manage a break. He is not making his family a priority what so ever snd if he became single and taking on responsibility for his child then his hands would be forced to make changes. On the other hand you run the risk of him not being involved in his child life and not making time to care for him but you would not live with constant let down, no reliability, resentment and anger and you make yourself and your son a priority.

3luckystars · 20/05/2026 11:37

I think he has changed his mind and doesn’t want any of this hassle anymore. Did he want all of this?

it sounds like a hard life.

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