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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:
OriginalSkang · 20/05/2026 07:35

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Someone asks for help but won't even listen to the most obvious advice that would help her situation. No one here can make her husband do anything

HeNeedsRehab · 20/05/2026 07:36

Is his job very niche? Would it be relatively easy to actually change jobs? Or do you just think it would be?

Also, does he HAVE to be away so much or is his for example going places the night before to avoid an early morning start? Is that a compromise he could look at?

You need to chuck money at it though, as you know you can’t have your dad walking your dogs. Seriously look at more dog walking hours/a cleaner etc, anything that makes your situation easier in the short term while you explore the above

Barney16 · 20/05/2026 07:36

If you are at the point where your elderly parents are helping but not really able to then your set up isn't sustainable. The only "give" would be for your husband to be at home more but he refuses. Sooo basically you separate or you put up with it unless you have money to throw at it? More dog walker hours/cleaner/babysitter. I would be incredibly resentful of him tbh. Essentially he's having the life he wants at your expense.

EdgeofaRevolution · 20/05/2026 07:36

Very similar situation to me (also have animals!)

Its very hard but it’s just the nature of my husbands job and he earns a lot. A bit easier now that our child is older but I’m still very drained when he’s away having to do everything and work. However he takes over pretty much everything when he’s home (school drop off/pick up, dinners, taking child to their after school clubs, chores etc). So that’s my time to recharge a bit. Could you have a similar set up? You won’t feel so resentful if he picks up all the slack when he’s home.

also the job market is shit so it may not be easy for him to find something else

Jobseeker2026 · 20/05/2026 07:37

Ignore the negativity you are doing a better job than i could

Whyarentyoureadyyet · 20/05/2026 07:40

DH worked away a lot, pretty much all the time. I had a toddler and a full time job. A non sleeping toddler to boot. It was all fine.
You don't have a DH issue you have. 'far too many pets" issue. If you had one pet, or none, you would find life a lot less exhausting and you could afford a cleaner so wouldn't have to do the housework

This just sounds like wild chaos and I don't know why you brought a child into it

Wordsmithery · 20/05/2026 07:41

You can leave DH but bear in mind there is no guarantee he'll step up once you've separated. He may do the standard EOW or he may do even less than that. Legally you can't force him to see your DS at all. It certainly doesn't sound like he's the sort of man to fight for more access. (Although I agree that your resentment will reduce if you separate which is a good thing.)
There are less drastic measures I feel you could try first in any case.
Get paid help in at bedtime for the evenings you work (not your parents).
Get rid of the dogs. I know that's unpalatable to you but they're a massive drain on your time and it's certainly not fair to expect your disabled DF to walk them. And this will send the message to your DH that you expect to see real change.
Get to bed earlier so you sleep when your child sleeps.
Reduce your standards in the home - if necessary, leave piles of stuff for DH to clean/wash up/sort when he's back.
Tell him at couples therapy that you're doing all these things. Say it, and see the actions through. If nothing improves, then you can think about the separation option.

Priceyyy · 20/05/2026 07:42

XelaM · 20/05/2026 07:04

All the dog haters out in force on Mumsnet 😞

I'd rather get rid of the idiotic husband who adds nothing to my life than my pets. 🤷‍♀️

This.

Sartre · 20/05/2026 07:42

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Well I think the job and DC is much easier to deal with than job, DC and THREE dogs. It isn’t even one little Yorkshire terrier or something, it’s three large dogs. A lot for anyone to take on, not in the least someone who works FT and has a young child.

I think if you leave believing the grass will be greener because you won’t have to feel bubbling resentment over him working away and you’ll get a break from DC, you’re idealising. He might not see DC at all, or barely. He might take up with a horrible woman and have more children.

cooldarkroom · 20/05/2026 07:43

I’m sorry, but if your H wont change jobs & you get rid. You will have less money , & he’ll still not help with the animals.
You adore all these pets, but clearly not the life it involves
Something has to change. What is the elephant in the room if you cant afford more bought in help?

loislovesstewie · 20/05/2026 07:44

Well at the risk of a bollocking, you have quite simply taken on too much. I doubt if it would improve even if he worked from home. Having 3 dogs doesn't help, I've ignored 2 cats because I find they are easier to deal with. If he can't find a job where he doesn't have to be away from home, I don't see that your life will be easier if you separated.

SignGrudgeBluebook · 20/05/2026 07:44

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 are directing your ire at your husband when you have crafted this situation yourself to a massive degree.

Blondeshavemorefun · 20/05/2026 07:44

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.

So your elderly immobile parents aren’t now walking your dogs in the evening and looking after your son on the two nights you work ?

like you said in your op?

so who has your son and walks the dogs ?

hereforthelolz · 20/05/2026 07:44

@WordsmitheryI disagree that the resentment would be less if they split.

DH takes the kids EOW of less….maintains his career, works away, meets someone else, has every other weekend free to do as he pleases….OP is still wrangling kids and dogs on her own. She’s still going to be pissed off.

Vartden · 20/05/2026 07:45

So you won't rehome your dogs but you you are thinking about rehoming your husband?

Edenmum2 · 20/05/2026 07:45

Jesus Mumsnet is vile this morning

Whyarentyoureadyyet · 20/05/2026 07:46

XelaM · 20/05/2026 07:04

All the dog haters out in force on Mumsnet 😞

I'd rather get rid of the idiotic husband who adds nothing to my life than my pets. 🤷‍♀️

It's the opposite of dog hating to think people shouldn't have more pets (or children) than they can sensibly care for.

If Op splits with DH she may well find herself, as many of, 100% responsible for children and pets but with a much reduced income

Keroppi · 20/05/2026 07:46

Does he earn much more? Could you drop to part time or change your job to a less demanding or less evening based role? Or could he drop a day?
If he earns not that well but is travelling away I'd be having words
Where is his family in this?

Yoto player for night time and gro clock. Sticker chart with rewards or marbles in a jar for independent night sleep
3 counselling sessions not top many I'd persevere
Keep a diary of all the things you do or go away once he's back for the weekend and leave him to do it all
Problem is they normally just crack on and leave the house messy, 3year old doesn't misbehave because prodigal daddy's back and then you seem even more unreasonable lol

JustMyView13 · 20/05/2026 07:47

I think your parents need to stop bailing him out. He doesn’t understand how you feel, because he doesn’t live it. Leave him to manage his children and pets when you’re at work. Perhaps then he’ll learn an ounce of appreciation for you.

BarbiesDreamHome · 20/05/2026 07:48

Jobseeker2026 · 20/05/2026 07:37

Ignore the negativity you are doing a better job than i could

Same! I can't believe OP has reached our for support because she's at her wits end and a load of wankers have just shrugged and said "why did you get yourself into this mess?" I really hope noone asks these people for support in real life, it's enough to tip someone over the edge 😔 absolutely disgraceful behaviour.

People saying just give up your pets have no idea how stretched animal rescues are and they probably wouldn't accept the pets anyway - but that's OK, another great big stick to beat OP with for ever having them in the first place.

Iwanttobeafraser · 20/05/2026 07:48

I think the job change is the real problem but underneath that is his lack of understanding of the strain you are under. If you cant afford more help, i would be saying to him that when he IS home, he needs to step up more. So yes, hes away and then comes home.tired, but tough, he has to do the early waking, the extra dog walking etc alone for the first night while you recover from the precious few days and then sure, you can split it again.

I have noticed a common theme with families where the man is away a lot is that often it's not them being away thats the issue, but their lack of.undersfanding od the need to step up when theu return.

Bunnycat101 · 20/05/2026 07:48

What is he like at the weekend and the evenings when he is at home Op? You’ve focused on the time he isn’t around but haven’t really said much about what he is like when he is. The job market is absolutely terrible at the moment. It’s not totally unrealistic to think he might not be able to get another role that easily.

Could you drop down your hours to release some of the pressure. It isn’t really that workable to have both parents at full pelt work wise if one has to travel a lot. Something has to give in your set-up.

I’m afraid I also think you were foolish to adopt 3 dogs from abroad with a baby on the way. Yes you obviously love them but you are massively over committed.

Poptart22 · 20/05/2026 07:49

Sartre · 20/05/2026 07:42

Well I think the job and DC is much easier to deal with than job, DC and THREE dogs. It isn’t even one little Yorkshire terrier or something, it’s three large dogs. A lot for anyone to take on, not in the least someone who works FT and has a young child.

I think if you leave believing the grass will be greener because you won’t have to feel bubbling resentment over him working away and you’ll get a break from DC, you’re idealising. He might not see DC at all, or barely. He might take up with a horrible woman and have more children.

He’ll definitely have custody, he has a child from from a previous relationship who he maintains custody with.
Hes 51 and doesn’t want any more children so im not worried about that.

OP posts:
EdgeofaRevolution · 20/05/2026 07:50

Edenmum2 · 20/05/2026 07:45

Jesus Mumsnet is vile this morning

isn’t it?

I really do find this forum odd at times.

I’ve read numerous threads about dogs who have bitten/are aggressive and the number of people wailing about how the dogs can’t possibly be put to sleep and what an awful person the OP is etc.

yet the number of comments here casually telling OP to get rid of her dogs is just bizarre

WildEnergySupplier · 20/05/2026 07:50

Those poor dogs! Doesn't sound like they're being well looked after

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