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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

Will he always be like this?

40 replies

DontCallMeDaisy · 05/05/2019 09:54

We met 6 years ago when I was 31 and he was 32. We'd both just come out of relatively short marriages (his ex cheated mine was EA) . I had DD now 7 and we've lived together for 3 years.

Ive just recovering from depression, for the first time in ages I'm enthusiastic about life. We've had a really tough few years. But I'm beginning to realise that he makes life harder. I love him, I couldn't imagine life without him but now I'm craving a 'normal' non chaotic life more than anything and I'm not sure it's possible with him in it.

We seem to lurch from one crisis to another. Mainly financial. He's never made any money. He's always been 'building up a business'. When I was earning quite a lot this wasn't too much of a problem but in the lastbyear or so, DM had seriois cancer diagnosis, I've been ill and my business has suffered. I've not earned as much, he has been unable to step up financially and we're pretty much broke.

His business was in a mess but I always thoughr he at least knew what he was doing. I went through his finances to help him get organised and make a plan. I was shocked with the mess. And the level of passivity and frankly apathy to the state he was in that his finances showed. He'd just been writing cheques with abandon, not even keeping track. There was no money left and we've had no choice but to close his business.

But all of his careless actions over the last few months are coming to bite him on the arse. The vehicle he kept leaving and not getting fixed is now broken beyond repair. The work he left until the last minute last week went wromg on the 11.5th hour and me and his whole family had to step in to help.

TBF he's very stressed right now, but 've always had to ask him to shower more frequently than he would. His hygeine has slipped again and I haven't the energy to start that up again. He's ridiculously nessy, we both are. But after I spent the entire day cleabing yesteday, he's just traipsed dirty work boots over light carpets on his way out. Completely oblivious. Completely inconsiderate. Thats what its always like. I often tell him I dont feel like he respects our home he treats it so badly.

Rather than looking for a job, he wants to stay in self emoloyment. But still after everything over the last few weeks, I asked him this morning how much money he had and he didnt know. That was just aft

He has many many good points. I've been hoping losing his business would be a wake up call. I'm not sure he will ever grow up though and take responsibility.

Anyone had a similar experience?

OP posts:
Shoxfordian · 05/05/2019 09:59

It doesn't sound like he's going to change. How much longer would you stay with him if things are always like this? He seems irresponsible

BuckingFrolics · 05/05/2019 09:59

Yes he will always be like that.

Tell him to go and to come back when he has got financial stability if some kind as well as respect for your home.

Unless he knows what is at stake he won't change for decades if at all.

ElloBrian · 05/05/2019 10:01

Do you enjoy parenting a teenager OP?

DontCallMeDaisy · 05/05/2019 10:04

I don't know is the honest answer. I've always loved the fact he's unconventional and his attitude about doing what you love and ambition. But in reality, it hasn't worked. As things are I think our future looks pretty bleak in terms of finances, house ownership, I think we're going to have to shelve hopes for a baby now.

I love him so much if I'm not with him, I can't imagine being with anyone else. But the way I feel now, I just want peace, the stress to go away, I think I might be happier on my own. Just me and Dd and I can work by.myself on.providing for our future.

OP posts:
category12 · 05/05/2019 10:04

He's plainly not suited to self-employment.

It drags you down, this sort of thing, having to struggle all the time and feeling sabotaged by your partner.

DontCallMeDaisy · 05/05/2019 10:07

ellobrian no. Ive always felt we were both like teenagers. I have ADHD and my organisation and tidyness are terrible.

But I try hard at it all the time. I was always grateful he didnt try ti parent me and just let me get on with it, but now I find it tough because I want to get us straightened out but I find it hard enough doing it for myself and Dd without having to also do it for a grown man who doesn't listen

OP posts:
Tattybear16 · 05/05/2019 10:09

In short yes, I couldn’t live like this. He will continue to run up debt, next time it could be secured against property and you could lose everything. I’d be having words, and ask him to leave. You will end up hating him, each financial problem will be for you to always sort out / bail him out. There’s no going back from this, as far as he’s concerned, you’re always there to fall back on and he can’t be bothered.

DontCallMeDaisy · 05/05/2019 10:09

buckingfrolics when the dust has settled I am thinking of saying to him enough is enough and he now either has to bring some money to the table or move back to his mum and dads.

It feels harsh though

OP posts:
category12 · 05/05/2019 10:11

It's not harsh, you have your daughter and your own financial future to think of. Mostly your dd.

What other sorts of crisis has he caused?

RandomMess · 05/05/2019 10:11

It sounds like living separately so you are not impacted by his choices would be better for you and DD. Losing the business hasn't made him change and no I wouldn't tolerate living in that chaos.

DontCallMeDaisy · 05/05/2019 10:13

Thats the thing though tattybear I am no longer an option. I cant afford him anymore. I just want him to go out and get a job. Im earning more now but I want to pay off debts and save.

I want a nornal life, with a consistenly relatively tidy house and to watch box sets at night and not be workingnout finances or endlessly planning things for his business that doesn't benefit the household at all

OP posts:
Figure8 · 05/05/2019 10:13

Have a serious talk with him.

Pursuing hopes dreams etc is wonderful, being alternative is wonderful, but at some point everyone needs to balance this with their responsibilities.

Perhaps work on a compromise that meets his need for independence, and also meets the needs of the family.

It sounds like there's a great deal of stress/ big events, so maybe it's not the best time to make big decisions.

The hygiene thing is icky though.

DontCallMeDaisy · 05/05/2019 10:23

category12 it is mainly financial. Getting slapped with big bills he forgot about and didn't account for. He doesn't look after his van and it's always breaking down at the worst possible moment triggering urgent rescue operations and more financial repurcussions.

After that I guess its just generally carelessness - like i bought a lawnomower a year ago, he used it but left it out and broke it. He ruins sofas, new bedsheets and carpets at an alarming rate. Usually just before the landlord is due to come for an inspection.

All the nice things I bought for the kitchen disappear and end up at his work or in his van unusable.

This all sounds petty noe but no matter how many times I say to separate laundry, he ruins things. He only ever outs a wash on when he wants to be helpful and Im cross about something but DDs shirts and socks end up grey or blue. He doesnt take care of anything. I can never get him to put a toy or piece of furntiure together because he breaks them. He tried to fix my camera once and broke it completely.

A lot of it is meant well but its exhausting. And I also feel like I have nothing left. Literally.

OP posts:
RandomMess · 05/05/2019 10:26

Shock ok I'd get him to move out he sounds like another child and an absolute liability...

category12 · 05/05/2019 10:28

It doesn't sound petty. It also doesn't sound like something that will change.

TeaStory · 05/05/2019 10:34

I don’t think he will change. And I couldn’t live with never being able to have anything for five minutes without him breaking it. My ex was like that, thank god we never lived together because I was just protecting my stuff from him all the time as it was and he didn’t give a shit. Is this how you want to live your life?

Lllot5 · 05/05/2019 10:40

When you start explaining about laundry and spoiling nice things I would wonder if he’s doing on purpose. Just seems not to care. It would drive me batty.
Some people are very slap dash with money. Again likes to create drama. Maybe you would be better on your own.

bamboofibre · 05/05/2019 10:43

He's nearly 40, OP. This is who he is! There's nothing to save here and thankfully, as you are renting, you can end things relatively easily. You need to put your daughter first here. You're subsidising this careless, lazy person, because that's what he is, careless, thoughtless and lazy. He's able to be so because you bail him out.

Your daughter is going to become more expensive very shortly! Believe me, I have teens/older children and they are £££.

So you need to get rid of this man now. Forget about a baby, you've already got one: him.

He will drag you down into poverty and you are showing your DD a really shitty example by putting up with this lazy person who thinks he's too good for paid employment/working for someone else but is happy to take your money and stuff.

Forget about talking because you already have and he will NEVER change.

Find another place to live with your daughter. Or when the tenancy is up, don't renew it. 'It's over. I cannot afford you anymore.'

There is so much more to life than a guy like this and even being single is better.

onestepahead · 05/05/2019 10:46

I agree that he is very unlikely to change. I can relate to what you say about liking his unconventional attitude and may I hazard a guess 'following his dream/ vision'. Do not sideline your needs. You deserve a partner that is able to uphold responsibility for their life, support you in times of needs and ultimately has a desire to put his own chaos to one side and make you happy.

DontCallMeDaisy · 05/05/2019 12:07

Thank you everyone. It's hard because I don't WANT to end it. I don't want to lose him from my life but I really do think our lifestlye over the last couple of years have contributed to my poor mental health. I don't think he is able to live how I want to live and he thwarts my efforts either through carelessness or completly inadvertently.

Like if I'm busy working, if he tidies up, instead of outting things away, he just piles things up and stashes them in corners or in cupboards. So I can never find anything. With my already appalling memory and organisation, it just makes it harder to find anything. It can really make things stressful.

We went away recently and he went round turning things off in the house and accidentally switched off freezer. We got back to stinking house and wasted food.

Thats actually something I could have done, but it's just not funny anymore.

We have a family event next week. I know from experience he'll jist get his out on the morning or night before and then it'll be a last minute dash to replace a stained shirt or find some cufflinks etc. So yesterday, I got the suit out (his only one) and it's ripped. I just cannot be arsed to sort it. To be fair, he wouldnt expect me to but I know if I dont he'll either go in a ripped suit or not go.

I've just lost the care.

I'm not sure I can ask him to move out in the same week he has lost his business though. Im not sure I've.got that in me.

OP posts:
DontCallMeDaisy · 05/05/2019 12:08

Bloody hell. Im sorry for the rant. Its good to get it out. Everyone else thinks he's adorable.

OP posts:
AnyFucker · 05/05/2019 12:10

Time to rehome the expensive pet.

RevealTheLegend · 05/05/2019 12:14

I have just commented similar on another thread, but is they think he’s so damn adorable, then they can take him on.

Rehome the expensive pet.

DontCallMeDaisy · 05/05/2019 12:26

Hmmmm unfortunately I think that is probably the case.

He'll be devastated and I really can't do it to him while he's winding up the business. But meanwhile, I think I'm going to strike it out alone on a few things and be strict on stuff.

So if he hasn't got any money as he hasn't gone out to get a job yet, he'll have to borrow some, stack a few shelves, pull a few pints. The way my finances are at the moment, if I have to pay anymore money out then luxuries will have to stop and that means DD's clubs. And that's just not happening. My mum and dad are really supportive and quite well off, so if I was struggling for something for DD, they would oay for it and I think ge takes that for granted. But really, theyre not subsidising DD, theyre subsidising him.

Im also going to get strict with the state of the house. Ive started following Mrs Hinch on instagram and the house is my new obsession. He'll probably WANT to leave in a few weeks

OP posts:
DontCallMeDaisy · 05/05/2019 12:27

Whats the similar thread @revealthelegend ?

OP posts:
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