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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:
Pumasonsatsumas · 15/12/2021 20:23

He throws your job 'instability' at you because it's the only thing he has on you. He doesn't really sound like a keeper.

PermanentTemporary · 15/12/2021 20:23

Oh blimey. I would get yourself a job first and then leave him (because it's going to be easier to rent a room if you're employed).

What job do you want to do?

AdaFuckingShelby · 15/12/2021 20:28

He has shown you who he is and he won't change. You'll always have to support him, and if you have kids you'll have to do all the child care as well as earn a living. Get rid of him and find someone who is actually a grown up.

Wheresmywoolyjumpers · 15/12/2021 20:29

Why would he change? And his reasoning is bullshit! I have had many jobs I hated, that is why you have to get training, qualifications and keep persevering, because it is not easy to find a job you can stand. But while you are looking, you take what you can get. Unless you are a lazy asshole who manages to undermine your girlfriends confidence so you can carry on doing bugger all.

delilahbucket · 15/12/2021 20:32

He is never going to change. I had one of these, unfortunately I was pregnant before I knew what he was really like. The temp job he got when I was pregnant at Christmas, he spent all the money he got on computer games, left and spent the following four years sat on his arse playing said computer games. The only thing that spurred him into action was when we split up and his parents said the only way he was living with them was if he got a job.

Scarydinosaurs · 15/12/2021 20:34

Your mental health will massively improve when you leave him.

HundredMilesAnHour · 15/12/2021 20:35

@Akire

Why isn’t he claiming basic state benefits? It it because he’s not worked enough in last 2y? Or because job centre will want see serious 40h a week job hunting action?

How much savings does he have if he can keep paying the rent? Sounds v odd

Because the OP is in the US. The clue is the references to Doordash (US company) and $.
user94021 · 15/12/2021 20:37

A lazy partner is no partner at all.
Get rid you'll be so much better off & less stressed. Lazy people never change he'll be like this all his life

Snuggledupforwinter · 15/12/2021 20:37

Hes a cocklodger and will continue to parasitise you for as long as you let him. Bin him!

Muchmorethan · 15/12/2021 20:38

And you find this "man" attractive? Good grief. Raise your expectations and find your self respect.

Roundeartheratchriatmas · 15/12/2021 20:39

How can you have sex with such a loser ?

He’s a cockloger scrounging off you and you’re letting him. No wonder he doesn’t want to change - it suits him just fine.

Blossom64265 · 15/12/2021 20:41

A strong work ethic is an important quality in a partner. It’s more important than being a high earner. You want to be with someone who has a sense of responsibility for himself and any family he chooses to create. You want someone who has life goals. What those goals might be will vary from person to person. They aren’t always centered on money and that is an important distinction. However, no one can meet their goals without working towards them and finding a stable way to earn a living.

Please stop wasting your time trying to change this man. This is an intrinsic character flaw. You need to remove him from your life now while you still have that option.

whatisheupto · 15/12/2021 20:50

You think it's bad now, let me tell you it will be twice as bad in 2 years time and will get worse and worse until you don't recognise yourself any more.

YOU MUST LEAVE HIM.

If you have a child together he will play stay at home dad while you bust a gut holding down a job, bringing in all the money AND doing all the cleaning and cooking etc. Plus it sounds like he would let the kid watch tv all day while he games.

But the worst part? When you can't take any more and want to leave, he will be seen as the child's primary caregiver because he's been the one at home with the baby the whole time. So he will get custody of your child.

Life has so much more for you. Go and get it.

nancybotwinbloom · 15/12/2021 20:51

Well I'd fuck him off to be honest. You don't seem to have the same ambition to where you want to be in life.

You want security he wants to do the bare minimum to get by.

Your not aspiring to the same goals.

Eventually you will come to resent him I think.

nancybotwinbloom · 15/12/2021 20:52

@whatisheupto

You think it's bad now, let me tell you it will be twice as bad in 2 years time and will get worse and worse until you don't recognise yourself any more.

YOU MUST LEAVE HIM.

If you have a child together he will play stay at home dad while you bust a gut holding down a job, bringing in all the money AND doing all the cleaning and cooking etc. Plus it sounds like he would let the kid watch tv all day while he games.

But the worst part? When you can't take any more and want to leave, he will be seen as the child's primary caregiver because he's been the one at home with the baby the whole time. So he will get custody of your child.

Life has so much more for you. Go and get it.

This.

You will end up shouldering everything.

EmpressCixi · 15/12/2021 20:53

My first on here, but definitely, you need to dump him now. He’s freeloading off you.

maggiemuff · 15/12/2021 20:54

I haven't even read the other comments. But based on your first post, get rid of him it won't improve.

nancybotwinbloom · 15/12/2021 20:54

Do not have children with him. Don't even consider it.

immersivereader · 15/12/2021 20:56

Get rid. Freeloading cocklodger

mindutopia · 15/12/2021 20:57

Drop this one in the bin and get on with building a life for yourself. Dh felt the same about not working in a job that didn’t make him happy at the same age. So he started a business. He makes about £100k a year now doing something he enjoys. Nothing wrong with not wanting a boring job, but he’s the only one who can change that and it looks like he’s just in for a free ride.

immersivereader · 15/12/2021 20:57

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

^

So you arw a homeowner? Is it his house too? Please say no

immersivereader · 15/12/2021 20:58

*are a homeowner

ElectraBlue · 15/12/2021 21:02

Get rid.

He is a grown man and if he has no work ethic or ambition, it is not your job to try to make grasp the fact that he, like most people, needs to pay his way and do something with his life.

GrazingSheep · 15/12/2021 21:02

Why are you with him?

GrazingSheep · 15/12/2021 21:02

Everything you have written makes him sound deeply unattractive