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Parenting

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Partner doesn't help enough

59 replies

GreyGemini · 22/05/2020 08:57

Ok Buckle in...

I have a fiance who is also the owner of a medium sized business... he's never been much help around the house as he is a workaholic and I had kind of come to terms with it. We never spent time together (we did initially) and he would never want to go out on weekends or basically do anything fun, we have never had a holiday until 5 years in. I understand, he's busy, I support where I can but it's caused many a row...

Fast forward to having our baby, who is now few weeks old, and lockdown... partner refused to take Pat leave which to be honest I sort of expected deep down even though he's WFH and I begged him to... I'm sleeping in a spare room with babe as he didn't want his sleep disturbed. I've always known he was selfish and self centred in a non malicious way, he was properly mothered and still is by my MIL (still irons his shirts for work etc) And he 'can't' do anything such as cooking. We had a cleaner as I was working 40 hours a week also and studying but that was pre lock down so now we don't have one and it's harder as baby is attached to my hip, I do what I can when he's asleep though rather than resting myself as I hate the comments about the house being messy.

Anyway, I've always worked 40+ hours, study, housework, cooking, food shops (even during lockdown when pregnant women weren't meant to go, he refused so I was shopping right up until I popped) and he will not do anything. If I said 'I'm not cooking' well none of us would eat.

He doesn't help unless I literally beg him, he won't do any housework or cooking or shopping and I literally can't leave this baby, I'm also breastfeeding and baby won't go to him for longer than 15 mins before screaming so that's always in my mind. I'm completely sleep deprived. Partner wakes up in the morning to 'get ready for work' even though he is WFH he spends 40 mins showering and doing his hair etc???? Video calls are important I guess

Anyway before falling pregnant I was close to leaving as it was so one sided, his excuse being he pays the mortgage lol. He is a workaholic and his excuse for doing F all outside of work is because he works 90 hours a week, but it's because he works and then stays in his office working all evening and weekends (despite promising me he would not work weekends when baby arrives)

There is so much I am not happy with I've contemplated leaving him a few times, honestly I love the baby and do not regret him one bit and I feel like a single mum already, what different would it be if I left? ... we aren't even a couple couple it feels as we don't hug or kiss anymore. I know it takes 2 to tango but I've begun resenting him for his lack of effort and care. He keeps telling me how tired he is in the mornings because he heard the baby a few times in the night! Even writing this is making me angry.

I don't know if lockdown hasn't helped but I honestly am at my wits end. The bins don't get done unless I go and do them and if I'm with the baby they get missed.

Can it get better? I don't know if I've gone too far over the line of bitter. We've been together 7 years now and it's mostly been him working. Problems being he is a workaholic and used to having someone do something for him his whole life.

Sorry for the rant... there's more I could say but don't want to ramble on too much.

I moaned to one friend who said 'you knew what you were getting into' so please don't say this, he wasn't like this when I fell for him.

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BuffaloCauliflower · 22/05/2020 09:56

@GreyGemini leave the bastard - a common refrain when we hear stories like yours. Generally I’m one for making things work as much as possible, but I just don’t see how you can here. He hasn’t just become worse, he’s clearly always been selfish and chauvinistic. If he can’t even put you first now when you’ve just had his baby, he never will.

GreyGemini · 22/05/2020 10:00

@BuffaloCauliflower oh ok! Yes I know, after a sleepless night two days ago he came upstairs to me in spare room, cup in hand and said 'can you make me a coffee?' I was like I have been holding in a pee for the last 6 hours... no I cannot (usually i would make it like a 'good girl')

He won't change, there's no way. There is a house for let around the corner so I'm going to look into it today. I feel Like I'm just tearing the family apart.

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Colouringinbook · 22/05/2020 10:05

Leaving him will be the best thing but before you do get your things sorted - you'll need evidence for a CMS claim or else I imagine that business he works 90 hours a week will suddenly start earning nothing.

Can you talk to your family or friends for support?

Interested in this thread?

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BuffaloCauliflower · 22/05/2020 10:17

@GreyGemini I’m pregnant and furloughed at the moment, my DH is working from home, he’s made me a coffee every morning and brought it to me in bed before he starts work. Even though I’m doing nothing. He’s still doing half the housework. Your fiancé isn’t a good guy and men don’t have to Ve this way. You deserve better, and your baby deserves better than a father who doesn’t care about their or their mothers wellbeing and comfort. My DH would sleep on the floor before turfing me and baby from our bed. Get all the financial information you can for maintenance, go look at the house, plan a better life where you’re not a servant to this man’s whims

GreyGemini · 22/05/2020 10:23

@@col@@c**@colouringinbooki know @colouringinbook my family are a bit fragmented. I don't have any friends really that can help which is why I came here [sad]**@colouringinbook I know that, I'm worried but it would better @colouringinbook you're right there. My family are no good, they are supportive but I couldn't love thirds. And I don't really have friends apart from work colleagues which is why I came here. I I didn't have a. Social lofe (surprise surprise) as he hated me going out. Sorry if there are typos here I can't see my screen for some reason x

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Bluebellpainting · 22/05/2020 10:28

Yes I know, after a sleepless night two days ago he came upstairs to me in spare room, cup in hand and said 'can you make me a coffee?' I was like I have been holding in a pee for the last 6 hours... no I cannot (usually i would make it like a 'good girl')

Leave him. Forget about what I said about deciding if you want to live like that. He is not going to change, if anything it will get worse. I’m on maternity leave and husband is a mix of working away and wfh. When he is WFH he will help out with the house stuff and is insistent I get a break for a few hours from the baby as he recognises how tough it is for me when he is away. Get some good financial advice and evidence for CM.

taptonaria27 · 22/05/2020 10:44

He has replaced his mother with you and expects exactly three same levels of service. As this behaviour is totally ingrained in him by his upbringing he's unlikely to ever change so you have to decide if this is the life you want or not.
Also remember that this is the relationship model your child will think normal if you stay.

GreyGemini · 22/05/2020 10:46

@Bluebellpainting it's so crap being up all day and night, cleaning when baby is sleeping during the day, him being home so I'm having to make his lunch as well as dinner, for him to turn around and tell me how tired he is. I can't not argue with him about it because I get so mad. I'm getting to the point where if bab is sleeping on me and he comes in, I feel anxious as though I should be tidying! He makes comments like 'well you can put him in the pram now he's sleeping' but he sleeps best in my arms, if he has baby he puts him straight into the pram and carries on working. Makes me so mad xx

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GreyGemini · 22/05/2020 10:48

@taptonaria27 no I totally get that. I've told him he shouldn't be in a relationship as he isn't available at all emotionally or domestically and he needs to be single, working, and have a house maid! I wasn't joking when I said it either x

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MyOwnSummer · 22/05/2020 11:24

Stop making his food - just STOP. I know it is hard OP, of course it is. But he will not change or do a damn thing differently until he is forced to because his life is set up perfectly how he wants it. He does not care about the impact on you.

Find your anger - why the hell should any person expect another person to completely give up on their needs and wants to service them? Why does he think he is superior to you in this way?

This man does not respect you.
Fuck. That. Noise.

You really do just need to drop the rope. Don't make his food or do his laundry. Stop cleaning anything that you don't want to use yourself.

It is hard to break a habit. I had a mild version of this after Mat Leave finished - a very mild version, I hasten to add, otherwise I would not still be with him, he had got used to laundry and cooking being done for him. You just have to stop caring - "I've run out of clean socks!" - "Mmm, oh dear. Have you now? Best wash some then hadn't you!". "What's for dinner?" - "I don't know, why don't you have a look in the freezer?" etc.

They sometimes claim they don't know how to use washing machines, how to cook... bollocks. They know how to use google.

There is a chance that he can change, but he will do nothing unless forced. Up to you if you want to have that battle, or just walk away.

LouiseTrees · 22/05/2020 11:41

You are worth more than this. Your title should say partner does nothing by the way. Don’t let it put you off relationships full stop, there are good ones out there, you’ve just has incredibly bad luck in men.

Bluebellpainting · 22/05/2020 11:51

@GreyGemini looking after a baby is really tough. Babies love being in your arms- 4th trimester thing. My little boy would only nap on me until lockdown started and now naps in his cot (no sleep training involved he was just ready for it). Please enjoy the cuddles and don’t feel guilty. Your partner is a grown man- he can look after himself. I know it is easy for us to say and it may seem easy just to get on with it to avoid arguments but you need to focus on yourself and your baby. You are on maternity leave to recover from birth and look after your baby. Not look after your partner as well. It will be tough but push through not doing things for him as others have said. If he tries to make you feel guilty or tries to argue don’t feel guilty and don’t engage. He is not in the right.

DontLookBackYappityYap · 22/05/2020 11:52

Leave him. What a horrible man. While you are making your plans to leave do not do ANYTHING around the house and only cook for yourself.

Do nothing.

GreyGemini · 22/05/2020 12:14

@Bluebellpainting I've tried explaining about 4th trimester etc as I really want to bond and I know the baby needs me now. He's so used to me doing everything! I'll not do it tonight and hope he doesn't gaslight me! I wish he was back to going to the office everyday. I'm really going to try and put myself first and get my shit together. I am still fully prepared to do this alone x

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TigerQuoll · 22/05/2020 12:39

Pack his stuff up while he's out of the house one day and leave it outside, when he gets home tell him to move back into his mum's house and you want a divorce

Don't give up your house

With a proper divorce lawyer you should end up with the house and half his income at least as you will be raising your child

evieray · 22/05/2020 12:45

if you're still hesitationg, try to make a list of things you do around the house and what he does.

like...even changing the bulb. and there are so much more important and serious things that are on your shoulders...
Make a list of what he does as well. just compare them, think about all the efforts !!! and nerves!! and what do you get? nothing??

it's time for some serious steps, though

Pixiefringe · 22/05/2020 13:02

Oh OP you're his mother/maid/cleaner. What a vile man. Definitely leaving is the right thing to do. Sorry you're in such a crap situation Flowers

GreyGemini · 22/05/2020 13:14

@tigerquoll we aren't married, and the mortgage is his so I couldn't do that. Despite saying numerous times I want my money to go towards mortgage as opposed to food/bills. He's not a mean person by any stretch he's inconsiderate and selfish, controlling but in a non aggressive way? Does that make sense. He's always calm and I'm the one who boils over and loses my shit because I have all of the above going around in my head

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Electrical · 22/05/2020 13:18

You’re honestly wasting your breath saying a single word to him, he could not be any clearer that he doesn’t give a shit about you and wouldn’t care one iota if you left. Like, he’s not even bothering to pretend to be nice to reel you back in, he’s just openly contemptuous, and made it clear for the seven years you chose to tolerate this. What on earth makes you think he would want to change?!
He’s not a partner, he’s just a boyfriend, and a shit one at that. There’s no reason for you to accept being treated like you’re scum. Dump him and enjoy your life.

Electrical · 22/05/2020 13:21

Look for somewhere you can live, urgently, he could remove you from his property any time he wants, you have no legal protection.

Electrical · 22/05/2020 13:22

Look for somewhere to live, urgently, he could remove you from his property any time he wants, you have zero legal protections.

Itsmemaggie · 22/05/2020 13:23

Cut your losses and get out now. Does he add anything to your life except money?

RandomMess · 22/05/2020 13:38

He is abusive, he has had you subsiding his life for 7 years financially, practically and emotionally.

Please leave ASAP Thanks

GreyGemini · 22/05/2020 14:46

@Electrical I know he won't change... I just don't know how to go about leaving I'm on mat leave now and lockdown with a baby, how on Earth am I supposed to find somewhere to live?

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GreyGemini · 22/05/2020 14:47

@itsmemaggie he doesn't give me money, yes he pays mortgage but I have my own money as I have my own job and savings etc. I don't take anything from him. But no he's not currently adding happiness or support to my life which is what I need from a relationship.

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