Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Relationships

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:
bamboofibre · 05/05/2019 12:30

Daisy, put your daughter first before this loser. Stop with putting his feelings first. He's an adult. She's not, she's trapped with this loser and her mother putting up with him and subbing him and a shit tip house and broken stuff due to him. Inertia is a dangerous thing.

bamboofibre · 05/05/2019 12:31

You really have no intention of getting rid of this leech and for that reason I feel really sorry for your DD.

DontCallMeDaisy · 05/05/2019 12:46

@bamboofibre DD does not suffer she has a good life. It's me that misses out. The house isnt a shit-tip thank you very much, I work very hard to make sure it isn't.

She would also be devastated to see him go as they are very close, so I would want to handle that sensitively. I would also have to think about the practicalities of moving vs staying here too.

Ending this relationship is something I am only just considering so excuse me if I see fit to give myself a little time to think things through and not to jump up two hours after posting on Mumsnet and turn our life upside down without a second thought.

OP posts:
RandomMess · 05/05/2019 12:48

You don't have to end it but you can tell him to move out and live separately. Tell him to go to his parents because you cannot subsidise him at DDs expense anymore and because his miss and lack of care is impacting you too much.

You can still date, have him stay over sometimes, still come for dinner but not live together. Gives him a chance to shape up.

washinglions · 05/05/2019 12:54

The house isn't a shit-tip thank you very much, I work very hard to make sure it isn't
You wouldn't have to work anywhere near as hard at it if he wasn't making such a dirty mess and breaking stuff all the time.

Supersimpkin · 05/05/2019 12:58

There's no sign he wants to change, the fatal flaw.

Enthusiasm when writing cheques coupled with apathy when it comes to earning them won't work. Not wanting a job under the dire circs he's in speaks for itself.

He doubtless has many fine points, but you need a break. If only to find out whether he can function as a father, in which case you can always take him back. Whatever you do, no more children.

DontCallMeDaisy · 05/05/2019 13:01

I know @washinglions , thats the whole point of my thread, I just didnt like the insinuation that DD lives in squalor and poverty because I give all my money to my partner, because that's not the case.

I used to earn more so it didn't matter that I paid more. When I started earning less, he couldn't increase his contribution so things have been tight. He's never able to pick up any slack.

I am worried he is not going to be able to pay anythin g now his business is going but I've alrwady said if thats the case, I'll tell him he needs to move in with his mum and dad.

Yes, he does add to the stress of running the house. A lot. We've always muddled through. I've always kept on top of it but yes, I have recently realised he is a major contributor to difficulties in my life and it would be easier without his mess here.

OP posts:
DontCallMeDaisy · 05/05/2019 13:04

Ive just reread my Op and think actually it might be a bit misleading and make itt seem as though he doesnt contribute anything. He does, but it is less than half and always has been. He's also never been able to contribute to extras such as furniture, things for house etc

OP posts:
AfterSchoolWorry · 05/05/2019 13:05

He's a liability and a passenger. More trouble than he's worth. I'd get rid of him. I used to have a similar ex. Got rid, never again. He'll drain you.

Supersimpkin · 05/05/2019 13:24

OP, time out - him at his parents' - is the only way to get the clarity you need.

Three months will tell you how you feel about him underneath all the chaos and, more to the point, will tell you how he feels about you. He might well be charming - he'd have to be. But you need to know whether he loves you enough to support himself, let alone you and DD.

You've been really ill - he hasn't stepped up, he's just brought more crises down on your heads. Is that love?

Even if you don't want to assign culpability, he just isn't right for you for now.

1WayOrAnother · 05/05/2019 13:25

He WILL always be like this. Don't make excuses for him.

LizzieSiddal · 05/05/2019 13:57

Like others I don’t think you’re being petty at all. You are basically having to look after him, he’s not bringing anything into the household and I’m nit just talking about money, it’s helping to make your house a home which is a nice place to live. He’s treating you and your home with disrespect.

If you do love each other and want to give him another chance, I’d be inclined to tell him you all need a break. He needs to move out and get a steady job. Only then will you consider living together. Tell him the chaos is affecting your mental health and it’s time for things to change.

Wheresmyvagina · 05/05/2019 14:01

My ex was just like this.

He still is - but he's no longer my problem

category12 · 05/05/2019 15:57

But OP, you can't think driving him out by "being strict" is the kind option? It's just going to make life awful for all of you. You're not his parent or his boss, do you really want to be that person, the nag, the bully? It's scarcely going to be a harmonious home - I don't know about you, but I would find it exhausting and misery-making.

The failure of his business is a huge part of why you've had enough. Softening the consequences by sticking with him is enabling him.

Jux · 06/05/2019 10:55

I wonder if you were to draw up a detailed plan of chores that have to be done - daily, weekly, monthly - put it on the wall and asked him to do, say, 5 daily, 3 weekly and one monthly, now that he's not working and has timeon his hands, if that would help him to pull himself together? Things like "DD's laundry: separate whites, wash them on X programme, this much powder, fabric conditioner. Dry at X temperature/hang on line using pegs, when dry bring in, fold neatly and put away in drawers in DD's room". It'll be hard work for you making lists that are that detailed and making each task very very clearly laid out, butit would give him a big biiiiig chance to learn (if indeed he actually really needs to) and then having learnt, do. He'll get quicker at all these things as he gets used to doing them.

Do you think he's worth the effort?

New posts on this thread. Refresh page