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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

How can I and should I talk my boyfriend into getting a job?

152 replies

Lynns3742 · 15/12/2021 19:22

I'm 26 and my boyfriend of 3 and and a half years is 27. To get straight to the point, my boyfriend is currently not working and has not kept a job for longer than a few months his entire life and the entire time we've been together thus far.

I can count on 1 hand the number of jobs he's had since we've been together. His excuse is always "I don't want to work somewhere I don't like" and I completely understand that and feel the same way, but the issue is, he's not eveb trying nor is he giving anything a chance.

The problem is, he says he'll apply to jobs and then NEVER does. He tells me he won't even attempt to try certain jobs because he doesn't think he'll like them. I don't even remember the last time he had a job. I believe it's been since April of this year.

I had a job long term as a manager that I loved but I quit that in February because the new manager was awful and my mental health couldn't take it anymore. Since then I've had a few jobs and I apply to jobs all the time and I'm doing doordash as well to make up for it the best I can. So I know I'm not exactly one to talk but I TRY, I've worked, I try to do what I can.

Our living situation has been taking a turn for the worst lately. My cousin is my tenant so we luckily only pay $200 for rent which is fantastic and bills are fairly cheap too. It's just hard because we have 2 large breed dogs and neither of us have full time jobs so between bills, pets, food, and gas for vehicles, we are struggling bad.

I'm doing what I can to apply to jobs. I'm working full time doing doordash when I can, but my boyfriend barely tries. He even has a doordash driver account and when I ask if he wants to do it together, he tells me he's not in the mood. Mind you, while I'm doing all this, he spends allllll day playing video games, watching tv, and going hunting. He doesn't clean the house, he doesn't look for jobs, he's been offered jobs he says he'll apply to and never does, etc.

Everytime I complain about financial stress, his response is "we'll figure it out, we always do." My problem is, I don't want to just figure it out. I want to be comfortable. I have a LOT of mental health issues and this stress just makes things ten times worse.

Another thing, when I bring up how he needs to find a job, or complain that he doesn't work, he instead throws it in my face that I didn't work for a short period in between the few jobs I had and doordash. I'm not perfect in this and can and try to do better, but that's the issue, I'm TRYING. He's not even attempting to. I took care of him for over 2 years of our relationship and now that I'm not currently working full time like I was, he's using that as a rebuttal for our arguments about money.

I can't even talk to him because he turns it around on me or gets upset and walks away. He won't talk to me. He has no sense of independence, he is lazy, and seems to just not want to work or do anything with his life.

It's taking a toll on our relationship and myself in general. I don't want to live like this anymore. What can I say or do to try to talk sense in him? What should I do if he doesn't listen or doesn't try? Please, I'm desperate. I don't want to live like this anymore and I feel like I'm running out of solutions.

OP posts:
BIWI · 15/12/2021 19:23

You need to get shot of him. No point talking to him beyond that.

Biscuitandacuppa · 15/12/2021 19:24

The solution is to dump him……

violetbunny · 15/12/2021 19:25

You can't talk sense into him, you can't change him because he doesn't want to change. You have enabled him by continuing to support his laziness. The best thing to do is get him to move out so you are no longer connected financially in any way with him. Quite honestly it doesn't sound like you're on the same page at all, so I think it's time for you to move on from this relationship before he sucks you dry.

IgneousRock · 15/12/2021 19:25

He won't change OP.

Pashazade · 15/12/2021 19:26

Get rid, it is literally the only solution.

Theremoresefulday · 15/12/2021 19:26

Is this how you want the rest of your life to be?

dumplings1 · 15/12/2021 19:27

Only he can change himself, nothing you can do. Do you want to be stuck with a man that can't take responsibility for himself let alone make a good partner or future father to your children, the finances will always be on you to provide for everything. I wouldn't see him as a long term partner.

Santahatesbraisedcabbage · 15/12/2021 19:27

Next shift take his controller with you.. He can make good use of his time looking for a job. He is a sponging man child.
Get rid op.

Skeumorph · 15/12/2021 19:28

You get out.

Please please PLEASE get out.

That really is all there is to it.

He won't change, and if you stay with him and have children with him, this will be your whole life. You running around disappearing up your own backside working and sorting and worrying, while he sits on his arse. Oh and you'll somehow end up doing all the childcare too, despite him no doubt morphing immediately into 'stay at home dad' the second a baby is born. And that will make you cry too, because he will do the bare minimum there, too - and you'll come home from a 12 hour shift dog-tired, to see an unwashed, unfed baby staring at the tv while the breakfast dishes wait for you to do them, and then cook. Again.

YOU WILL WRECK YOUR LIFE IF YOU STAY WITH HIM.

The alternative - you leave now. You find someone with some drive, sense of achievement, someone who WANTS to do something interesting with their life, someone who WANTS to be active and engaged. Someone who will pull you forward with them, instead of dragging you down.

Leave leave leave leave.

Do some searches on 'lazy DH' 'how do I get him to change' 'unmotivated DH' etc etc to see some of the miserable stories on here.

Then leave.

ThirdElephant · 15/12/2021 19:28

LT lazy B

fairislecable · 15/12/2021 19:28

Cocklodger get rid of him.

If he doesn’t pay his way he doesn’t get to stay.

Mumoblue · 15/12/2021 19:30

This sounds like how my ex was. Please do yourself the favour I took way too long to do and RUN.

Put yourself first. He has no trouble doing that. While he’s not working and just playing games all day you’re basically funding his free time, and he’s okay with that. Think about that for a while.

Seriously, save yourself. I’ve been there and it doesn’t get better.

BackBackBack · 15/12/2021 19:30

Dump, dump, dump.

He's never gonna get off his lazy arse whilst you're subsidising him. I bet you do most of the work round the house as well?

Throw this one back.

Howshouldibehave · 15/12/2021 19:30

You can’t make him get a job if he doesn’t want one, you need to leave him. You say that your cousin is your tenant, do you mean your landlord? Can he ask your useless boyfriend to leave?

Darkpheonix · 15/12/2021 19:31

You can't convince him and you shouldn't try.

He will waste your life.

EarthSight · 15/12/2021 19:31

we'll figure it out, we always do

What he means is - you'll figure it out.

This is a very bad person to settle down with and I'm wondering how else he's going to manage money. I can see it now - you'll talk about having a family, he'll promise to support you or get a job (which he won't), the he'll promise to get a job when the baby's born (which he either won't or won't last for very long) and you'll feel you'll have no support. He might resent having to step up and stay in a job he won't like which he will then blame on you and then baby making him do this or that. I've had jobs I've been truly miserable in, but I've lasted far longer than he does. If I can manage it, so can he.

HollowTalk · 15/12/2021 19:31

Get rid of him immediately. Maybe a skint Christmas will help focus his mind.

Salayes · 15/12/2021 19:33

I’m sorry but this situation can be resolved very easily once you accept when he says - "we'll figure it out, we always do.". what he is actually saying is “You’ll pay for me, you always do.”

It’s as simple as that. He doesn’t work because he doesn’t have to. You might moan but you end up paying for him to continue to be a teenager in attitude and so long as you keep on doing that he has no reason to change.

MrsTerryPratchett · 15/12/2021 19:35

Dump.

Him.

Now.

Older, wiser women know this is the only solution.

ponkydonkey · 15/12/2021 19:36

Dump him asap

ChaToilLeam · 15/12/2021 19:37

Ditch this lazy, entitled mooch.

PlanetNormal · 15/12/2021 19:38

He is a pathetic useless waster. He isn’t going to change and he will only drag you down with him. He is a freeloading waste of space who isn’t worth the dirt on your shoe so dump him. And do it today. Then find someone with a bit of self-respect.

Luredbyapomegranate · 15/12/2021 19:38

Get shot of him.

It will get a thousand times worse as you get older. It will be hell.

Get shot. Now.

scoobydoo1971 · 15/12/2021 19:39

Your boyfriend is a loser. He won't support any children you make with him, and may attract debt collectors to your door. He will leech off you for as long as you allow. Of course, there are plenty of leeches in the world, so it draws me to the question of why you would settle for a loser? As a young woman with a work ethic, the world is your oyster. Finding a job isn't hard at the moment. Retail and catering are crying out for hired help. Keep the pets as they are more loyal than him. Ditch him and you will be financially better off instantly. Then stay single or get therapy to determine why you tolerate this behaviour from your dating partners. Many women won't, and expect their matches to be solvent, career minded and responsible adults.

SparklingLime · 15/12/2021 19:42

What he means is, “You’ll sort it. You always do.”

Why would you think this is an acceptable way to treat you?

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