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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:
SillySeal · 20/05/2026 14:46

I am surprised at the response considering how many LTB threads I read on here.

The dog issue, whilst not ideal is not the problem. Your selfish DH is. Its him having his cake and eating it. Having the job he wants, travelling and a part time family life. Best of both worlds almost isn't it. Then you are at home and it isn't just your DC, dogs and work but the mental load of life. I completely understand. My DH can be out the house 12 hour days, 6 or 7 days a week some weeks and its bloody tough. However, my DH would make changes and has done when Ive said I am at breaking point. Yours isn't. Unless him working away afforded a huge pay rise and could include extra dog walkers/ child care and cleaners, theres no need to work away. We have a rule that to take in a job that included working away, it has to come with benefits that really outweigh the negatives and it doesn't sound like thats your situation.

Before I jumped in at divorce, I would look at the practicalities. Can you financially afford to divorce and what would that look like? Also, would your DH actually take on any childcare or would he expect you to have DC the majority and he will have DC but only around his job, which might make childcare difficult if you needed to take on more hours. Many men like this won't want 50/50 or only when it suits them and theres nothing that can be done about it. Its sad.

I feel for you OP. It is tough.

Zimunya · 20/05/2026 14:48

@Poptart22 - sorry for all the haters on this thread. I take my hat off to you having rescue dogs - there is a special place in heaven for people who do that. In your original post you said splitting from your husband would mean that you got a planned break. But if he is hands on when he's actually home, what's the impediment to you having a break then? Go away overnight and stay with a friend, or your parents. Let him carry the load for a bit.

BudgetBuster · 20/05/2026 14:49

tartyflette · 20/05/2026 14:38

Actually it sounds like she is ready to give up her husband, and who can blame her?
He is the one who is not contributing to family life.

He is the one who is not contributing to family life.

This type of comment really grinds my gears. He is not contributing in the exact same capacity as the OP, just like she is not contributing in the same capacity as her husband. Life isn't all equal in everything.

He contributes a lot more financially and is hands on the days he is not away for work. He is not away every week either. Yes, he may have downplayed the amount of travel or not actually realised the extent of it.

The OP chose to work part-time so she can spend more time with their son. Choice! Therefore her financial contribution is considerably less but she has more physical time to contribute to childcare & household tasks. The OP works 2 nights every week. So essentially these nights are either covered by her DH when he's home, or by her parents. They have a part-time dog walker also to.try to cover some basis.

I don't think it's fair to say he doesn't contribute to family life. I think realistically they should probably both sit down and look at ways of alleviating the pressure. So a regular childminder, a more frequent dog-walker, maybe a cleaner. And how do they achieve that together so that the OP isn't burnt-out on her solo days.

the7Vabo · 20/05/2026 14:50

Pikachu150 · 20/05/2026 14:14

I presume OP also thinks it better for their child to not be in childcare full time. That is why I did it. It seems beyond the comprehension of some people on mumsnet that dome people work part time for their child's benefit rather than their own.

I wanted to stay at home with my children, if I’d had someone paying 2/3 of my bills I’d have been grateful.

the7Vabo · 20/05/2026 14:54

BudgetBuster · 20/05/2026 14:49

He is the one who is not contributing to family life.

This type of comment really grinds my gears. He is not contributing in the exact same capacity as the OP, just like she is not contributing in the same capacity as her husband. Life isn't all equal in everything.

He contributes a lot more financially and is hands on the days he is not away for work. He is not away every week either. Yes, he may have downplayed the amount of travel or not actually realised the extent of it.

The OP chose to work part-time so she can spend more time with their son. Choice! Therefore her financial contribution is considerably less but she has more physical time to contribute to childcare & household tasks. The OP works 2 nights every week. So essentially these nights are either covered by her DH when he's home, or by her parents. They have a part-time dog walker also to.try to cover some basis.

I don't think it's fair to say he doesn't contribute to family life. I think realistically they should probably both sit down and look at ways of alleviating the pressure. So a regular childminder, a more frequent dog-walker, maybe a cleaner. And how do they achieve that together so that the OP isn't burnt-out on her solo days.

Of course he “contributes to family life” if he pays 2/3 of the bills. But we are now so completely anti crediting paid work as something valuable I’ve seen women on social media writing off their husband’s job as something he’d have to do anyway. While describing themselves as supporting him doing said job by minding kids etc.

That’s just plain anti men and chosing to frame the world to suit a narrative.

Babyboomer50 · 20/05/2026 14:56

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.

You wouldn't give up your dogs BUT you would break up your marriage ?
You are clearly not thinking straight .

VeterinaryCareAssistant · 20/05/2026 14:58

hereforthelolz · 20/05/2026 10:00

@Happyjoe Why is the OP putting her dogs above her husband

Because they're dogs obviously.

Mangelwurzelfortea · 20/05/2026 14:58

I don't think YABU. It sounds like you're at the end of the tether. I ended my marriage for similar reasons - my husband was never there, he was always at work. He often worked away, too, and so essentially I was a single mum looking after two primary school kids all day from getting up to going to bed (my ex left at 6am and got back at 8pm) as well as working full-time, walking the family dogs, and I chucked a horse in as well because I am an idiot. I got more and more resentful about feeling like a paid nanny, housekeeper and (occasional) bedfellow until I couldn't stand it any more and we split up. He's a good dad but a distant one. He just isn't that bothered about spending loads of time with his kids and never has been. He's one of those people who basically prefers his own company and is completely happy like that.

I no longer have a horse but I kept the dogs, and I am much less resentful now!

Stressedoutmummyof3 · 20/05/2026 14:58

Well if you are happy with your life apart from your husband divorce him. You don't want any suggestions about how to make life easier you just want people to say your husband is shit so you can feel justified in leaving him.
You don't need to justify it to anyone though. If you really and honestly think he's the only problem and everything will be much easier without him then leave him.
I'm not sure things will actually be easier but obviously you are the one in the situation so only you know if divorce is the answer.

glaciercherry · 20/05/2026 14:59

He needs to change jobs.

He took on all these caring responsibilities and then took a job where he gets to foist 90% of it on you.

How much of the work does he do on the weekends by the way in caring for all these pets, your child, and home?

He downplayed the travel which makes him culpable for taking on too much on purpose. Even if he didn’t know about how much travel there would be, he knows now, he knows it’s unacceptable and he knows you can’t cope with him in his current job. So he needs to find another very quickly and this needs to be the number one priority in his career.

Autumnyears · 20/05/2026 14:59

Get rid of all the pets obviously.

loislovesstewie · 20/05/2026 15:00

The OP said herself that when he is home he does his fair share. If he is away 3/4 days a week then he is home 3/4 days a week. You know many of us have husbands who have worked shifts when our children were young, ( in my DHs case the shifts were very odd hours), we went to work full time, cared for pets and just had to get on with it because there was really nothing else we could do. And he did work away from home for some time too,because he had to. In time it improved for me, DH got a job where the hours were more regular, not 9-5 exactly but better. Children get more independent and life improves.
I just think there is more to this than we are being told.

VeterinaryCareAssistant · 20/05/2026 15:01

SwatTheTwit · 20/05/2026 10:06

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

It is pretty much, especially if they're trained and they're off lead for a good run.

Ablondiebutagoody · 20/05/2026 15:02

Ditch all the pets and try to negotiate a less nuclear option with his work regarding fewer over night stays

Shelby2010 · 20/05/2026 15:02

I don’t think divorce is going to help you here as you will still end up with all the work, but with less money. You’ll be flat out during the week & he’ll be Disney Dad every other weekend.

The issue that could be solved fairly easily is the evening dog walk on the days he is not there. You need to sit down together to look at your finances to find the money for this. It will be cheaper than a divorce.

The relentless nature of looking after small children is harder to solve. You should definitely try to carve out some child free time when he is home. Go out for the evening & leave him to do everything.

Marycontrarygarden · 20/05/2026 15:03

Poptart22 · 20/05/2026 09:13

Already have, twice.

Jesus, what the fuck is wrong with the women commenting on your posts? He is shit, doesn't contribute with time or emotion it seems like. Wow, he pays more bills, clap on the back. You care for his child, quid pro quo.

Serious conversation needed. I would NOT be putting up with this unless HE pays for a dog walker and housekeeper the days he's away. Even then that's not enough...

What exactly does he do to contribute on weekends? Apologies if this has been answered.

Marycontrarygarden · 20/05/2026 15:04

the7Vabo · 20/05/2026 14:50

I wanted to stay at home with my children, if I’d had someone paying 2/3 of my bills I’d have been grateful.

Someone??? The other parent of the child...grateful??? Why?

BudgetBuster · 20/05/2026 15:05

glaciercherry · 20/05/2026 14:59

He needs to change jobs.

He took on all these caring responsibilities and then took a job where he gets to foist 90% of it on you.

How much of the work does he do on the weekends by the way in caring for all these pets, your child, and home?

He downplayed the travel which makes him culpable for taking on too much on purpose. Even if he didn’t know about how much travel there would be, he knows now, he knows it’s unacceptable and he knows you can’t cope with him in his current job. So he needs to find another very quickly and this needs to be the number one priority in his career.

He took on all these caring responsibilities and then took a job where he gets to foist 90% of it on you.

Can you explain how you got to 90%? I can't quite make out the insane maths

BunnyLake · 20/05/2026 15:07

VeterinaryCareAssistant · 20/05/2026 14:04

You don't need three dogs. Other people might do. I had 5 at one point.

Anyone with five dogs must be rich. Having one dog is incredibly expensive nowadays. Once mine has gone I will never be able to afford another. Vets bills, food and insurance are very expensive. Times 3 or 5 I can’t imagine the cost.

Naunet · 20/05/2026 15:08

cheezncrackers · 20/05/2026 13:16

I haven't read all the 15 pages of replies OP, but I've read your bits and I just can't see that ditching your DH will improve your life at all. You seem absolutely furious with him, but if he and his job contributes 2/3 of your household income, if you separate and he has to provide a home for himself out of that money how will be keep supporting you, your DC and your menagerie of animals to the same degree? Bluntly, he won't.

So if you end your marriage you will remove him and his job that irritates you so much, but in return you will quite probably have to move house and massively reduce your outgoings. Will that be a good and acceptable outcome for you? TBH, I think the best thing would be for you to continue with therapy, learn to manage your anger and frustration better, and just accept that his job is keeping you all afloat.

Those three big dogs are clearly non-negotiables for you, but I know how expensive they are. If you lose him, will you be able to afford to keep them? All those plates you're spinning now with his help will be a lot harder without it, or with a vastly reduced portion of it. You'll certainly make HIS life easier if you end your marriage, but from where I'm sitting I think it will make YOUR life harder.

Edited

how will be keep supporting you, your DC and your menagerie of animals

News flash, they are HIS "menagerie of animals" and HIS child too. It is his job to support them, not just financially, but in every way. That is not OPs problem to solve for him, nor does she owe him a relationship so that he doesn't have to worry himself about how he will afford it.

Newyearawaits · 20/05/2026 15:08

ThisOliveKoala · 20/05/2026 06:47

Very unreasonable, in this current job market I would advise he stay in his job. Why do you have so many animals and why does a 3 year old have more strong will than you? They will sleep alone, but you need to put in the hard work and sleep train.

Does your husband help in other ways? Financial etc?

This
It could be that mortgage, bills etc are the responsibility of your husband and associated income.

the7Vabo · 20/05/2026 15:08

Marycontrarygarden · 20/05/2026 15:04

Someone??? The other parent of the child...grateful??? Why?

Because I wanted to be with my child and I wanted my child at home when they were little so I would be grateful if my DH had been able to provide that.
As it worked out my children were happy in childcare and long term it’s better for all of us that I stayed in work as I can now pay for extras for the kids.

the7Vabo · 20/05/2026 15:09

Naunet · 20/05/2026 15:08

how will be keep supporting you, your DC and your menagerie of animals

News flash, they are HIS "menagerie of animals" and HIS child too. It is his job to support them, not just financially, but in every way. That is not OPs problem to solve for him, nor does she owe him a relationship so that he doesn't have to worry himself about how he will afford it.

It’s their joint job to support them surely? Their joint job to worry about bills?

Naunet · 20/05/2026 15:11

Babyboomer50 · 20/05/2026 14:56

You wouldn't give up your dogs BUT you would break up your marriage ?
You are clearly not thinking straight .

Yes and yes.

When I take on a rescue I'm making a commitment to be responsible for that life. A grown arse man can be responsible for himself, and no, i wouldn't stay in an unhappy marriage, no one should.

BunnyLake · 20/05/2026 15:12

Miraclemuma03 · 20/05/2026 11:50

So your telling me, you would give up your pets, who rely on you, are loyal to you, who have done nothing wrong and are suppose to be apart of the family for a shitty human being who is too selfish to meet your needs or the needs of your family and run you to the ground every day, has no respect for you and only worries and cares about themselves. And yes people who are dedicated to their animals would choose them over people anyway. If you are having to make a choice between your animals and someone in your life and they are putting you in that situation then its not someone you want to keep in your life. Absolutely would choose my animals over my husband if he ever put me in a situation where I had to choose. Thankfully for me, I have an amazing husband who pitches in and accepts everyone under my roof.

And fancy calling them dumb beasts? That poster sounds like they shouldn’t be allowed anywhere near animals. Are they so ignorant of some of the amazing things animals can do for disabled people. The animals are not the dumb beast.

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