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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

Advice needed - being taken for an absolute mug.

229 replies

babygoose48 · 12/09/2018 21:25

Hi,

Typical 'I do too much and he's too lazy' kind of post.

Long story short I have been with my OH for 4 years now, but have recently moved in together jointly (only renting). I have a DD from a previous relationship, and it was just the two of us in our home before now (with him sleeping over occasionally - we had a long distance thing for a while). We decided to find a place together, me and DD moved in with my mum whilst we saved for a deposit etc.

He's the laziest bastard I've ever known in my life.

I knew this before we moved in together, but thought it could have been forgiven and worked upon. He's 27 and has lived with him mum up until now. He is terrible with money (seriously bad, we have split up before due to his lies about countless debts, and cutting me short for consecutive months with rent in the past etc). She did everything for him, the cooking, changing his bedding, washing his clothes etc. he is extremely messy too, would often leave crap lying around everywhere for his mum to pick up. I told him countless times not to expect that from me when we moved in properly (I'm generally very tidy and always on my feet), and of course he was like 'no babe, our home is going to be well clean'.

What an absolute pig sty our home is due to his mess. His shit is everywhere. His dirty clothes he just leaves all over the floor in the bedroom, on his side of the bed you cannot see the carpet. Shoes, crisp packets, empty water bottles, plastic bags with bits of shopping in he doesn't think to empty? We both work full time. Every weekend I sped most of it going over the living room, kitchen and bathroom making sure it is spotless. I cook close to every night but he never has the incentive to, never offers. We have a 'system' where if one cooks, the other washes up. I have told him so many times that I cant stand dirty plates in the sink with food on being left over night. Not only because its gross, but because if it is his turn to wash, he will leave it for me and i am ALWAYS the one to pick up the mess and wash the pots the next day, They literally will be sat there moulding until I give in and wash them. he knows how I'm important it is for me that he helps out with this, but about twice per week (usually after me scrubbing the kitchen and making sure its nice and clean) he will leave this pots for me. The amount of arguments we have had where he gets angry and refuses to do them because he thinks by him doing them 'i am getting my own way' is just absurd. I think its fair. If I am getting home and cooking every night after work (we both work full time), and he is sat there watching tv... then he leave his job to wash the pots for me in the morning... how is that fair on me? He doesn't see this logic and continues to do it. He leave a wet towel on my side of the bed every morning, even after continuously telling him can he kindly not do that. He says okay and then does it anyway...knowing that I cant just leave it and I end up picking after him, as well am my child, like i have a son! We moved in almost 3 months ago and wardrobes have not been built still because he's waiting for me to spend MY weekend doing it all and clearly sees it as my job. I miss the recycling day ONCE in three months and it still doesn't get taken out because he sees it as MY responsibility. I miss a bedding wash at the weekend (because I'm too busy catching up with three peoples washing) and it doesn't get done for another week, because he doesn't have the incentive to do it = MY responsibility... you get the gist.

Anyway, its gotten to the point now where I'm not getting any help during the week and I am compromising my time with my daughter because I'm having to sit her on the couch and scrub the house down. My OH doesn't really take any responsibility with my DD, which is fair enough as her dad has her half the week, but what he doesn't realise is that not only do I work full time, I am attending to her as well. School uniforms, school runs, tidying her bedroom, parties, bathing, cooking, taking her out at the weekends etc. I have this huge responsibility and he doesnt, but still he doesnt even think to help out more when it comes to the home. I have begged him, sat down with him weekly, I have cried, I have been so run down and tired as i feel I cant rest at the weekends with no help and he has always just said 'right' and 'ill do it tomorrow' and it NEVER gets done. On his days off he will purposely make an excuse to leave the house (he often goes back to his mums 45 mins away and stays there for a few hours) and then I come home and nothing has been done regarding the house and other bits and lo and behold he 'didn't have the time...'

I am planning on leaving him (not just because of his laziness, but he has been very emotionally manipulating and hurtful lately, and has continuously lied about money etc) but I feel I need to get my stuff together and plan more before I do. I have realised that marrying him and god forbid having another child will be a life sentence for me. In the mean time, if talking to him won't help, what do i do to get him to help out a bit more?!

We had a talk last night because i'd cleaned the bathroom at the weekend and I told him not to leave anything on the bathroom floor (to make matters worse on the cleaning front he got blazing drunk the night before at a wedding, knowing I had my DD on sunday and stayed in bed until 7pm). He leaves his boxers there every single morning for me topic up at night, its an ongoing battle. Last week I stopped doing it, and it got to three pairs of dirty boxers before i gave in. He told me he would Tonight, I came home and found he'd not put them on the bathroom floor, but just left them on top of the friggin landing instead!!! And there was a dirty bowl in the sink, again!

I thought, right if we expects me to do all these things, I just will not do them. he has got to the point where he obviously expects me to cook, so tonight I though right ill sit down with a glass of wine and expect him to cook instead. He came home at 7pm and asked really sheepish 'have you had some dinner yet?'

I said no, and continued drinking my wine. Then I told him I was going to bed to watch my own tv programme (he was probably half expecting me to go in the kitchen and ask what he fancied).

It took him until 8.50pm this evening to go 'do you want anything banging in the oven?'

I went 'oooh, actually yes...' I thought for a moment and he went really sharp 'come on hurry up I'm not messing about'.

Then he came up and went 'you need to come down in 20 mins to sort your tea out when they are cooked...'

I said 'oh, can you not just pop my burgers in some bread? and erm, some tomatoes? oh and a bit of ketchup please...?'

He went 'right' but he clearly wasnt happy.

i might just eat and leave the plate in the sink until tomorrow see if he likes it.

So sorry for the rant I'm just up to my ears with it.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!!

OP posts:
babygoose48 · 14/09/2018 15:08

Rabbits - I have never lied to him in the 4 years of being with him. For him now, I have lost count.

I made it clear when we are dating that I had trust issues and in order for me to trust him its going to take the easy job of simply not lying on his part and a lot of work on my behalf. Within the first year of being together, maybe just over came his first lie and it was a biggie - it involved drink driving.

It was devastating, took me a long, long time to get over and start trusting again and not have bad anxiety every time he went to the pub with his friends to kind of let it go and learn to just let him be and consider that he might have learnt his lesson the first time (spoiler alert - he didn't).

I don't have the best credit history and have always had things to pay off but ive always been open honest and had a concrete plan to pay these things off, and I haven't been irresponsible and hidden it from him. He knows everything about my life the good and the flawed.

Good news!

I have just got an email saying I have got a job interview for a dream position I have been working towards for a few years now - Yay! and its a massive 30% increase in my current wage P/annum so if it all goes well and I get landed the job it will really help on the money front with being a single parent again and having to run a house on my home. Financial security is obvs one of the biggest things ill have to consider post break up but this has just cushioned it a little Grin

OP posts:
sparklepops123 · 14/09/2018 15:23

That's brilliant news, good luck for the interview

Ooforfoxsakeridesagain · 14/09/2018 15:27

He’s playing you OP. Don’t trust a word of it.

Just enough to keep you hanging on. So he isn’t inconvenienced by splitting up. He might not be angry forever. There’s every chance he doesn’t care that much.

Be careful, don’t get his sulking confused with depression. He may/may not be depressed but it certainly helps his cause if you believe he is. As you’ve had your own struggles, if he is playing this card, it makes him a bigger cunt. If he is genuinely depressed, he needs to see his GP. Has he done anything about that?

Do you have a counsellor? Mine kept my head in a clear place when I was struggling. Was very helpful for sticking to boundaries.

MrsMozart · 14/09/2018 15:57

All bendy bits crossed!

babygoose48 · 14/09/2018 16:23

Rabbits - he didn’t do anything on his entitled day off, apart from pick a few shirts up and put washer on.

He told me he was stressed about this flea thing and what’s one of the reasons why he was angry and moody and I reminded him I asked him to pick up all his crap off the bedroom floor and we can spray the carpet (asked him 4 days ago now?) and he said he’d done ‘some of it’ (just his work shirts). Gets away with bare minimum. Makes it hard for me to have a go at him for not doing anything on his day off when he is ill or in a mood, because I will be at fault for nagging at him when he is ill. And he knows this! I’m backed in to a corner where I can’t say anything.

I don’t have a counsellor at present no but I have looked in to it whilst I go through this process. However I honestly can’t believe how much it’s helped hearing you guys and having you all take the time out to respond. For the first time in months I feel listened to. It’s helped a great deal and I really am grateful for you all Flowers

OP posts:
babygoose48 · 14/09/2018 16:24

I have downloaded and reading that Lundy book ‘why does he do that’ and I can literally relate to everything he’s saying. Making me understand a bit further what’s happening here.

OP posts:
ContessasGulagSpaDay · 14/09/2018 16:33

Sounds like you're on the right track op - get your ducks in a row and then ditch his lazy arse!

Candymay · 14/09/2018 16:36

I can’t even read it all. Get the f out.

JungWan · 14/09/2018 17:15

Excited for you.
Prep the hell out of this interview and forget about his pityfest

timeisnotaline · 14/09/2018 18:06

Concentrate on getting the job op. This guy focusses on himself enough for several partners, he doesn’t need you to focus on him as well!

SilverySurfer · 14/09/2018 18:17

MaryDollNesbitt basically said everything I was going to say. I would not tolerate this for 3 days, let alone 3 months. Nor would I bother trying to change him, send him back to mummy, she can deal with his shit.

YOU CAN DO SO MUCH BETTER.

Don't underestimate yourself or accept less than you are worth. I'm saddened that you think this might be the norm.

Good luck.

RabbitsAreTasty · 14/09/2018 19:01

I don't understand why you think his opinion is always more important than yours.

I will be at fault for nagging at him when he is ill. And he knows this! I’m backed in to a corner where I can’t say anything.

How about he says you are a naggy old witch and you say "Fine. Whatever. Now pick your bloody clothes up off the floor." and then repeat like a broken record until he does.

Like with teenagers who say you are the meanest mum ever for making them bring down the used mugs from their room. It isn't normal for an adult relationship but then you are not living with an adult you are living with a particularly immature teenager temporarily until you get rid.

AngelsSins · 14/09/2018 19:28

I agree with the comments here and am delighted to read that you’re leaving him, and about your interview - good luck!

I would add some advice, never live with a man who hasn’t lived on his own.

Oakleygirl · 14/09/2018 20:25

Get rid, I was in the same situation a year ago. Best thing I ever did was get rid of the filthy, lazy b*stard....

babygoose48 · 14/09/2018 20:25

Rabbit - some people find my personality quite push over, I am Buddhist and it’s in nature to not hurt other beings by being too harsh to construct more hate. No matter how much he hurt I will always consider his feelings and reflect on my behaviour too, even in this sorry case, it’s who i am.

Probably hasn’t helped in this situation like as it’s dragged on for 3 months now but still.

Come home tonight he’s had another day off and not lifted a finger. I’ve gone over and fixed everything without a word. Washer was on but it’s the same washing as what was in the machine from yesterday. Think he’s going to get the fright of his life when he comes home one day to find he’s being shipped back to his mamas.

OP posts:
RabbitsAreTasty · 14/09/2018 22:15

Short term pain for long term gain. He thinks his behaviour is fine because ultimately you and his mum pick up his jobs for him rather than make face up to consequences. That's not protecting either of you from hurt.

justilou1 · 15/09/2018 03:03

Fingers crossed for the job interview, OP! So excited for you! I’m sure you’re a shoo-in with your new-found confidence!!! I can’t wait to hear what the future has in store for you!!!

SendintheArdwolves · 15/09/2018 08:49

OK, he isn't going to change, and there's no way for you to persuade /compel /retrain him into any semblance of an adult. Why would he? At the moment, it works out pretty well to have you doing it for him.

So all you have to do is work out the best way for you to get through the time between now you leaving him (don't wait until after Christmas, BTW, that's nuts). Are you going to find it easier to get through it if you disengage and leave his mess for him to pick up, or will you be made even more stressed by the mess?

The important thing is that you make plans to leave and then leave. Focus on that.

Thebluedog · 15/09/2018 09:08

Fingers crossed for the interview OP

I’d be sorely tempted to be petty. Take his washing out when it’s finished, put it on the top of the washer and continue to do yours, cook and clean for you and dc, wash for you and dc etc

babygoose48 · 15/09/2018 09:19

Yeah the christmas thing seems well too far away now.

He's gone back to work after his two days off now and I have yet again gone upstairs to dirty boxers on the landing.

I've sent him this -Why on earth do you think it’s acceptable after two days of doing fuck all to leave your manky worn boxers on top of the landing for me to pick up, again? I’ve put them in a bin bag and I will keep doing so until that bag of full and by the time it is it’s being shipped back to your mums for her to deal with. Same applies with anything that’s just ‘left there for days’ in future. I’m not spending all this time cleaning up and picking up shit for you to do blatantly disrespect your partner like that after you know how many times I’ve told you not to do it. And no transferring them from the bathroom floor a meter to the landing doesn’t count as listening to me and moving them. Washing basket is downstairs that’s where they belong.

Thats exactly what I've done, the bin bag is on his side of the bed (thank you to whichever poster suggested that!)

Ive not slept all night after getting home to find he didn't do anything but wash the same cycle of clothes that was in the washer yesterday. He made it out to me that he'd been applying for new jobs all day and doing his CV. I came down about 2am this morning and turned all psycho ass investigator girlfriend and checked the internet history, he had been looking and applying yes, but his activity didn't start until about 5.15pm that day. Im anxious because I know that if I ask him what he had actually been doing, theres a 99.9% chance he will lie to me and say he'd been too busy.

He was also 6 episodes in to a new series on netflix.

Entitled swine.

OP posts:
babygoose48 · 15/09/2018 09:20

and thank you for al the job wishes - i am bricking it for the interview!!

OP posts:
JungWan · 15/09/2018 09:26

Do your best and then you'll know that you're a serious contender for other jobs like this regardless of the outcome. Brew

Frouby · 15/09/2018 09:36

Get the job, kick his skanky arse out.

Is he on fb? Are you? Take photos of his skiddy knickers and literally air his dirty washing on fb. Send it as a pm to start with and tell tomorrow it will be on his timeline.

Dirty manchild that he is. Ds is 4 and puts his dirty clothes in the wash basket.

JungWan · 15/09/2018 10:03

You don't need to tell him the machinations behind your new thought processes! You're giving him too much information.
He's a manipulative person. If you give him too much insight in to how you feel right now and what you're 'plan of action' is wrt to the bin bag and so on - he'll have wriggle room to get in under your armour. There's probably something thoughtful he could pull out of the bag, he'll be devious, could be anything, some memory of a late grandparent, the time he brought your sick dog to the vet while you were working and thanks to him the dog pulled through. JUST wild examples of the kind of things these lazy manipulative men people keep up their sleeves to continue their easy life.
So carry on bin bagging his underwear but don't announce the contents of your brain to him. Just stop washing his stuff. Focus on the job.

Because a large part of what you need to do is to detach emotionally ie get to the point where what he is thinking of you makes you shrug. You're not there yet and who could be, living under the same roof. But if you stop telling him what you're thinking then he will not be able to modify his manipulative behavior quite so well. Be very private in your thinking from now, even if that seems to let him away with being a lazy slob. In order to mentally focus on what's important - moving on - you need to be able to detach enough to focus on a job application even though he may be 8 serieses in to weeds on netflix (that'd keep him busy) while you get on with your LIFE. Buy foods he doesn't like. Hummous, celery, carrot battons, carrot and orange soup. Avocado. etc

House work squabbling is an embryonic step in the process that's ahead of you. Practically, getting rid of him will speed up the mental detachment but total mental detachment from whatever the fuck that loser is up to now is the goal.

JungWan · 15/09/2018 10:14

ps, I agree that his depression is a convenience. If he's depressed he could go back to his mother's and see his gp. Instead he's settling in for a nice day of binging on netflix.

DOn't ''ship the bag back to his mother's'' when it's full. If he's no clean underwear that's none of your business.

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