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Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

I am not sure what my H is for.

8 replies

ShouldntThinkSoMuch · 01/05/2011 20:23

I have been thinking about starting this thread for weeks, but keep chickening out. I don't know why. But anyway.

DH and I have been together for years, since childhood. We have 2 DC, 3 and 5. Before the children were born we muddled along doing most stuff mutually and all was good.
After our eldest was born I stopped working and became a SAHM and hence took over the bulk of the housework (bulk, hah, I obviously mean all of it)
I went back to work recently, and the job I have involves a lot of work coming home so I have to work for at least an hour a night eveyr night, this won't last, it is just to set myself up with this work. (dont want to give more detail as it will out me)
DH has very stressful job which he hates, but we need the money, my work does not pay enough yet.

To the point though, today I was thinking, what does he actually do for me? And I couldn't think of a single reason apart from 'pays the bills'
I do 90% of the cooking, he washes up maybe once or twice a week, but never puts it away. He only washes his own clothes, I do mine and the DC's. He has just put a wash on, and there was a wet wash in the machine, so he has put it on the kitchen floor for me to deal with, Wouldn't even cross his mind to do anything with it.
He has never bathed the DC. Ever. It hurts his back. He does not have back problems. I do.
If we are both home it is sort of assumed that I will do the drudgery stuff. bedtime? I'll do it as he just turns telly up.
He has been off over the holidays but it's down to me to take the DC out if he offers to take them out they go to a coffee shop or a shop and then home. He never takes them to the park. Or the beach, Or fucking anywhere.
Houseowkr doesn't get done. I have no time for it, neither does he. I hate it and the house is a pit, but he bitches about it the whole fucking time, how he has nowhere to put his stuff, or the mess is 'doing his head in' but he wouldn't actually do anything about it.

He is meant to be doing some DIY atm, but he drank too much last night so spent all morning asleep, then we had to go out, and when we got back he exchanged maybe 2 words with me and then fecked off on his bike for 2 hours. NO idea how long he was going to be so I had to start tea without him.

I was building a playhouse thing for the girls today. I don't mind doing it, was fun, but I needed a spanner, so I asked him if I could borrow one of his. His immediate answer was 'No. What do you want a spanner for?' then grudgingly lent me one, and reminded me to put it back when I had finished and not ruin it. A fucking spanner?
In his garage currently are a washing up bowl, a sieve, and a stainless steel milk steamer jug thing that are all filled with oil/brake fluid whatever, oh, and about 5 teatowels that migrated out there and he hasn't brought back in ye, and yet he wants me to put stuff back?

I am so angry with him, but if I say anything he will get defensive and stroppy and then go out. I can't cope with shouting or arguments because of my childhood so I instantly back down. I can't stop myself. I also feel bad for him as he lost someone very close to him over a long protracted illness last year, and although he says he is over it, I am not sure, so I am giving him 'leeway' all the time, but how is that fair on me?

I truly can't go on like this. I am tidying my bedroom right now because he is in a snit at the mess. FFS. I am so pathetic.
I darent even read this back because it is so long and I will cry. I have no idea what to do to get him to start helping again. I know how it got like this, but he seems ot think that ad hoc doing stuff once in a while is ok, when it fucking isn't. I have tried to tell him I am not coping and nothing changes.
Any advice is welcome. Even a kcik up the arse

(I may not be back posting tonight but I will read. thanks)

OP posts:
CarGirl · 01/05/2011 20:30

I would book yourselves onto a marriage course or to see relate and tell him that his non-attendance would be a deal breaker.

It sounds like he is not part of the family unit at all Sad

atswimtwolengths · 01/05/2011 20:38

That's a really good post, CarGirl, particularly about the deal breaker.

FabbyChic · 01/05/2011 20:42

YOu need a better division of household responsibilities, sit down with him and point out that you work now and also have to work at home, and as you are no longer a full time stay at home mum you cannot cover all the household chores, so he needs to help you.

FreudianSlipOnACrown · 01/05/2011 20:47

Well you can stop calling yourself pathetic for a start! :)

And then, what CarGirl said.

wishidknown · 01/05/2011 21:24

Def stop calling yourselve pathetic, I have a similar situation and I can see how cross you were getting while you were writing!
I think some sort of therapy is always a good idea but not all men are receptive to that and (in my hubs words) respond with 'Im not gonna pay someone to tell me youre a nag'.But if he will go great.Sounds like it would help with his loss too.
Alternatively try and tell him how worn out you are and that now youre back in work you need help - actually not help, its his responsibility too.
I think you need to show him exactly how much you do about the place - maybe by not doing it? I know thats easier said than done when youve got chidren sceaming for dinner but if there was a situation where he had to step up he might understand a bit better. I was recently ill and H had to do EVERYTHING for a week - apparently it was hard work!!! My point is it did him the world of good to see what I do in a week. Do you have a sick aunty that needs visiting?!
Or, last of all I promise, even make a list of everything that needs doing daily/ weekly and divide it up. With a list he can see the volume of whats being done and if he say...doesnt tidy the lounge he knows why its a mess!. Going back to work might be a good time to introduce something new like this?
Please be careful or youre gonna make yourself ill trying to be superwoman then he will have a shock!

waterrat · 01/05/2011 21:29

hmm - it sounds like there is a big problem here in that he doesnt care about you - he doesnt care that you are unhappy and he isnt being loving towards you. Surely its deeper than simply about division of housework? I think concentrating on that isn't enough - do you feel he loves you? Does he say kind things to you? It sounds like you are in a really unhappy situation here - does he know you are unhappy? If you want to talk to him about it seriously I think you need to go beyond housework and talk about your relationship as a whole. He isnt in this family - he isnt playing a full active part and he doesnt seem to be considering your feelings.

follyfoot · 01/05/2011 21:40

As others have said, its not about the jobs around the house really is it? It sounds as if you live two separate lives entirely, and are completely detached from each other (well he has completely detached himself from his family).

Dont waste any energy talking to him to divide up who does what jobs in the house, find someone professional for you both to talk to. If he wont go, then you can go alone and decide for yourself what you want in the longer term.

LittleRoyalHouse · 01/05/2011 21:40

Been where you are and killed myself trying to hold it all together.

Try reading Wifework to understand the dynamic of what is happening. Then take drastic action if you want to stay married.

I didn't realise until it was too late.

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