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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:
Moonnstarz · 20/05/2026 07:25

I do think you have brought some of this on yourself. While you say his role was initially home based, was there never any discussion about any future promotions meaning he would be away? Having read so many posts where people moan about partners not earning more when they could, it seems that you have the opposite issue and your partner has stepped up but this then impacts the family.

I also don't understand 3 dogs. Why didn't you get just one family pet? Its hard to tell your exact timeline but sounds like baby and dogs were similar timing which doesn't sound like a good plan.

You also say that if you separate he will then have the child part time at least but there is no guarantee of that. Especially if he works away a lot he may just walk away from you both completely, so you are no better off in that sense.

It does sound like you are done though, as you mention counselling. But do be aware that separating isn't going to magic up childcare for you or help with the dogs and you will be in the same situation as you are now.

Clarefromwork · 20/05/2026 07:25

Sartre · 20/05/2026 07:21

Well she clearly says he’s working, not out gambling and sleeping with strippers so I think I do know it’s true. It’s either he hates his family so took a job with time away to avoid them or he’s working because they have 3 dogs, 2 cats and a DC to pay for.

Well, it was more about not knowing if his job situation is true - we don’t know the reason he is working away or if he could get a similar job closer and be able to help.

The fact that op has asked him to get a more suitable job suggests that it would be possible and would help her a lot though!

Sartre · 20/05/2026 07:27

When he took on the role, did you not have any discussions about the fact he’d have to work away sometimes? You also say in the OP it’s only 3/4 nights SOMETIMES so not every week. I also work away 3/4 nights sometimes, during conferences… As does DH sometimes. It depends how often that is.

Also, not rehoming the dogs is fine but you have to deal with the burden for the next few years and own it as everyone does with life choices. None of this will get any easier if you leave him, the opposite in fact.

PoppySeedBagelRedux · 20/05/2026 07:27

Haven’t read full thread but you should get rid of the dogs.

WildEnergySupplier · 20/05/2026 07:27

To acquire three large dogs from abroad and then fall pregnant is highly irresponsible.

It's not that surprising that he accepted a promotion given that your financial circumstances changed.

Wouldcou · 20/05/2026 07:27

Those dogs need to go

OriginalSkang · 20/05/2026 07:27

I can’t stand it when people just give up on their dogs because they have a child

Well, stop moaning about how difficult your life is then 🤷‍♀️

You can't change how your husband is and you've dug your own grave with the dogs. What are you looking for here?

Everyone here could post about how terrible your husband is and what he should do, but it wouldn't change your life a bit

WhosThatGirI · 20/05/2026 07:28

Hi @Poptart22
Can he change his job easily? Can he get the same money elsewhere? Could you afford to not do your evening job as this causes you the most strain?
Bless you for rescuing those dogs xx

Ilovemsrachel · 20/05/2026 07:28

WildEnergySupplier · 20/05/2026 07:23

She said she works 2 nights a week EVERY week and he's away 3/4 nights a week SOME weeks.

It's not clear who's actually away from home more out of the two of them.

It sounds as though he is away in blocs of time - as in travelling - while she is working from home a couple of nights a week. Not really the same thing.

sesquipedalian · 20/05/2026 07:28

“he accepted a promotion involving a lot of travel, which he massively played down to me.”

OP, did he actually downplay it, or have circumstances changed? My DS does a job that requires international travel - when he took the job, he was told once a month. Because international circumstances have changed, he’s now often away every week, which is very hard on his wife and young family, but not his fault, and they are both doing all they can to make it work. They would like a dog, but appreciate the limitations of their current circumstances. Sometimes it’s simply not possible to have everything you want, and I think you’re being v unfair to expect your elderly father who has hip problems to walk your three large dogs. If you can’t manage them, at least consider re-homing a couple of them. PP would seem to be right when they say that you put your animals ahead of your family - if DH were to give up his job, and then couldn’t get another one, how much would you complain then?

PluviophileinRaintown · 20/05/2026 07:29

Husband is the one who chose to start working away with an infant at home (as well as 3 dogs!)

He chose to transition from a home-based job to getting away from it all for 2+ days per week.

He's put the burden on OP's shoulders and at the very least he needs to pony up for a dogwalker and cleaner.

sunshinestar1986 · 20/05/2026 07:29

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 love your son, you love you dogs, it's just your husband you can't stand, so go ahead and bin him, seems like a no brainer.
Just remember, he may decide that he can't have part time custody and he might just see him as and when he can. So, it will be completely on you.
Or, he may give up his job finally to spend more time with his son, so your resentment will never end.
Whatever you do decide, try and live for yourself and get rid of resentment, it's a killer and hurts no one but you.

hereforthelolz · 20/05/2026 07:30

Also; people are way too harsh on him for having a job that necessitates travel. I’m a working mum and I’m regularly away during the week. Yes I don’t have to do it, but it pays really well - I’m the breadwinner and it means we can have a nice life. My husband is a big boy and he can work and handle everything while I’m not there (and we have shared children, and each have our own children from a previous marriage). It doesn’t need to breed any anger or resentment.

And anyone who thinks travelling for work is “getting away from it” needs to get a reality check. I work longer hours when travelling when at home, and it’s draining.

diddl · 20/05/2026 07:30

But do be aware that separating isn't going to magic up childcare for you or help with the dogs and you will be in the same situation as you are now.

That's the biggest problem isn't it?

Both working full time, one hardly ever there but not even bringing in enough money to throw at it.

TheChicDreamer · 20/05/2026 07:30

I’ve no constructive advice, but I’m really sorry you’re getting so much grief on here OP. It seems that some posters are completely missing the point that your husband has massively changed the goalposts since you BOTH committed to dogs and a child. Like you, I adore my animals and would never just be able to rehome them callously because life wasn’t working out as conveniently as I’d like it. It sounds as if despite everything you are doing the most amazing job at keeping things together.

I only have a couple of suggestions, namely that you put your foot down and speak to your husband constructively about the fact you’re at breaking point. Or you look into changing your job so that you either don’t have to work evenings or can work at least partially from home?

Your child is 3… he will be at school soon. Do you think things might ease up a bit then?

IslandsAround · 20/05/2026 07:31

Three sessions of counseling is very few.

  • Suggesting you’d divorce before considering other options first suggests your priorities are not right.
  • Your husband can probably see things are challenging but perhaps not clearly. His priorities aren’t right.
  • Why won’t anyone think of the cats?
  • Most boarding places by a single person wouldn’t do five animals 24/7 - 365. You’re entrenched in your positon on that. It is clearly a large part of your overwhelm.
  • The fact you can’t afford more dog walking suggest you and your husband aren’t very well paid or have other massive costs. That’s going to really impact a split.
  • You seem blase about being separated from your child half the week but fixated on the dogs.
  • If your husband is awa may have your child in with you.
  • If your husband can’t get a new job or losses his current one how will you feel / address that? Will you sack him as a loser?
  • Before divorce go away for a week alone. See how you feel and he feels. He’ll understand you more and you’ll have been able to focus.

Unless you are more open to other solutions your marriage will fail and your problems will stay the same except you’ll be poorer.

SwatTheTwit · 20/05/2026 07:32

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’m guilty of thinking like this too, but expecting others to make the choices we’d make (in this case, not take the job) is a highway for resentment. It could be that his job is really important to him? Some people are more career driven than others.

And worse… is there any chance he took the job away to get away from family life?

Heraldry · 20/05/2026 07:32

Stop asking your older father with hip problems to walk the dogs. Immediately.You will never forgive yourself if something happens to him. And definitely take off your blinkers that make you think if you split your DH will have your child a helpful amount of time - there is absolutely no guarantee of this!!

My ex loudly declaims to the world he adores his children, takes photos that look like he’s involved, but actually has them for 3% of the time. My friends were all as surprised as I that he ended up being a deadbeat, and I’ve had to sort all childcare and mornings and pets (he also loudly said he adored the dog, missed it so much, to get sympathy but yep never once asked to see/walk it after the split). I’m much, much happier without him, and you might be if you split, but don’t be naive and think you’d automatically find life easier.

Elsvieta · 20/05/2026 07:33

If you're both working so hard, can't you afford a bit of paid help with dog walking / childcare / housework?

I think it's time to get a bit stricter with your ds. Three is old enough to understand "you must stay in your room and be quiet until X time".

If you split, do you think he actually would take your son part of the time? He sounds like the type to just grandly announce that he "can't" and carry on regardless.

Heronwatcher · 20/05/2026 07:33

How easy would it be for him to get another job? If he loves what he does and the labour market means that it would be difficult for him to get something equivalent I have some sympathy with that.

Have you explored other solutions? For example does your DC go to nursery? Could you catch up on sleep then? Could you pay a dog walker? Or could the dogs go into kennels when he is away? I appreciate this costs money but if he’s had a promotion I am assuming that he got a pay rise- you might just have to throw a bit of money at it.

Re your parents- what did they think? You’ve said elderly but did they cope or were they upset? If they can’t do childcare then yes you’ll have to find a different solution but if they enjoy it then it may not be an issue. If it is an issue then I would look into childminders and/ or him being clear with work that he can’t be away on nights when you’re working.

You do sound horribly stressed but I am not absolutely sure that him giving up his job is going to resolve this and I would think twice about anyone giving up a job they like which pays well at the moment. This phase won’t last forever and you and your DH have got long lives to live once you’re out of the baby years.

NovaF · 20/05/2026 07:33

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THisbackwithavengeance · 20/05/2026 07:33

All the people saying that the man brings nothing to the table!

It all depends to what extent he is remunerated for this job that involves a lot of working away.

If he’s earning big money and doesn’t really have a choice then fair enough, stop complaining and throw money at the problem. If he’s earning minimum wage and choosing to travel as a means of having jollies in hotels then yeah, I agree with you, OP.

If you can’t look after the dogs then get rid of them. They’re dogs not children. Pets are supposed to enhance your life not add to the burden. They’d be better off with someone who has time to look after them and that isn’t someone who’s so rushed that she’s considering divorcing her DH as a result.

LurkNoFurther · 20/05/2026 07:35

You sound lovely & caring OP. Any extra money he got via his promotion needs to be used on paid support (cleaner, dog walker etc.) Don’t try to do it all yourself, getting outside help sounds like the only reasonable option, especially whilst the baby is young

Moonnstarz · 20/05/2026 07:35

PluviophileinRaintown · 20/05/2026 07:29

Husband is the one who chose to start working away with an infant at home (as well as 3 dogs!)

He chose to transition from a home-based job to getting away from it all for 2+ days per week.

He's put the burden on OP's shoulders and at the very least he needs to pony up for a dogwalker and cleaner.

Did he necessarily have a choice? OP mentions promotion but did he feel he had to go for it in terms of money (to pay for dogs, cats and baby) or also potentially existing role being cut.

Is it easy for him to find another role?

Working away isn't unusual for many people and they work around it. However families I know where this is the case (often military families) don't have a menagerie of animals as well.

Isabella70 · 20/05/2026 07:35

Simplified: Things are too much should I first try getting rid of my husband or my dogs?

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