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

Lost all respect for DP

76 replies

Norespectwhattodo · 24/08/2022 04:36

Been with DP for 6 years, when we met he was really hardworking and had lots of friends however it his work and socialising was all alcohol based.

He became sober after 2 years together and cut ties with those friends and has spent 4 years unemployed with no friends, only wanting to sit on the sofa gaming or watching TV. I felt for him at first as thought he must be struggling with his mental health but he refuses to try therapy again. He’s on SSRIs but won’t speak to the GP about adjusting the dose.

He’s now in his 30s, we have a 1 year old and it’s a struggle to get DP to come out with us, when we’re out he complains “this is why I don’t go outside” “this is enough being outdoors for the week”. He won’t ever take DC to the park alone, won’t take him to baby groups, won’t go to a dads only baby group to make new friends, has no interest in socialising or going out and doing anything ever. Any suggestion of a walk is “what’s the point”.

He has gained 10 stone since we met, he eats rubbish all day long.

And he refuses to get a job. Every time I suggest getting a job he says he’s not qualified to do anything and asks me what he’s supposed to do then later on that day his anxiety will flare up again because the thought of working apparently makes him so anxious.

I have to tell him how to do absolutely everything, I log on to pay all the bills and rent, I sort out the admin side of everything, organise DCs appointments, I plan what time bus we need to get to get places on time, I ring the GP, I do the budget, I meal plan, I do the food shop, I do the cooking, I tell him when to put a wash on because otherwise the clothes just sit in a pile for ages and he’ll ignore them, a bit of rubbish can be on the floor for a week that he’ll walk past every day and won’t notice. He literally does nothing apart from some chores and playing with our toddler. I’ve just spent and hour and a half trying to get our upset toddler back to sleep, he woke up for the 6th time and I asked DP to try who handed him back after 5 minutes and told me to “do something rather than lying there ignoring him” when I’ve been up since 3am trying.

I feel like I’ve lost all respect for him, I’m snappy and argumentative with him all the time as he irritates me so much, I find it really pathetic but that he won’t get off his arse and do something with his life and instead just sits around waiting for something to happen.

However I also feel really sorry for him, it must be a very lonely existence, he has had a rubbish past, he’s now got no friends and nothing going on, I can’t tell wether he’s still struggling with mental health problems or if he’s just using them as an excuse now and now he’s so isolated and if I leave that’s going to become even worse but I can’t bring my DC up thinking this is ok as surely having a dad who never goes outside, complains about being outside and has no friends isn’t good for his upbringing?

sorry for the huge rant just needed to offload

OP posts:
ShirleyJackson · 24/08/2022 04:45

I can’t understand why you are staying.

You’re getting nothing from this relationship. He sounds horrific.

Just leave. Tomorrow, if possible. Don’t waste another second of your life.

brightnesses · 24/08/2022 04:57

I was in a similar situation. Two under two and DP just wouldn’t get a job. Wouldn’t contribute to anything or do anything with the kids. It put so much pressure on me that I eventually left him. It gets so tiring speaking to someone over and over again and there’s no improvement.

In your case it does sound as if there’s some mental health issuss at play here. It’s sad that him considering working fills him with anxiety but if he doesn’t do anything about that (going to therapy, speaking to the GP) what exactly are you meant to do? Even if you were the sole provider he could at least pull his weight with DC, doing things around the house etc. It really wears you down when you’re the one doing ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING.

I really believe you and DC would be better off if you left him. He literally brings fuck all to the table, he can’t even help settle DC at night. Surely you both deserve better than that? If you split up and he moves out, it forces him to leave the house to visit DC and will hopefully make him realise that shit just got real and that he needs a job asap.

I really sympathise with your situation

orangeisthenewpuce · 24/08/2022 05:15

Waste of space and a rubbish father. Get rid or your child will grow up with him as an example.

ThinkingForEveryone · 24/08/2022 06:18

What motivation has he got to do anything, you've got to the point that you are enabling his lifestyle.
If someone ran around after me morning, noon and night, paid all of my bills and fed me I would probably become a lot lazier!
Rip the plaster of for both your sakes, he can sink or swim on his own but at least he won't be able to drag you down with him.

MummaB22 · 24/08/2022 06:24

brightnesses · 24/08/2022 04:57

I was in a similar situation. Two under two and DP just wouldn’t get a job. Wouldn’t contribute to anything or do anything with the kids. It put so much pressure on me that I eventually left him. It gets so tiring speaking to someone over and over again and there’s no improvement.

In your case it does sound as if there’s some mental health issuss at play here. It’s sad that him considering working fills him with anxiety but if he doesn’t do anything about that (going to therapy, speaking to the GP) what exactly are you meant to do? Even if you were the sole provider he could at least pull his weight with DC, doing things around the house etc. It really wears you down when you’re the one doing ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING.

I really believe you and DC would be better off if you left him. He literally brings fuck all to the table, he can’t even help settle DC at night. Surely you both deserve better than that? If you split up and he moves out, it forces him to leave the house to visit DC and will hopefully make him realise that shit just got real and that he needs a job asap.

I really sympathise with your situation

Completely agree with this poster.

eyeoresancerre · 24/08/2022 06:27

I can understand how awful you would feel about leaving him but making him better isn't your responsibility. You are doing absolutely everything to support him and he is still unwilling to change or seek help. Perhaps you staying only enables his behaviours more? Do you have parents or a friend you could go and stay with for a few days to think about what you would like for you and your child. Once you have had some space away from him you may come up with a visualisation of how you want the rest of your life to be. No need to leave him just yet or tell him anything but definitely take a few days away if you possibly can.

Starseeking · 24/08/2022 06:34

What is the actual point of him, other than as a leech in your household? Get rid of him and you'll feel a huge relief.

BryceQuinlan · 24/08/2022 06:38

I think you've also lost respondent for yourself. There is no reason on earth why this should be good enough for you, and especially for your child.

Mamette · 24/08/2022 06:45

However I also feel really sorry for him, it must be a very lonely existence, he has had a rubbish past, he’s now got no friends and nothing going on,

You can’t fix this for him though unfortunately OP. You have given him a relationship and you’ve given him a child and he’s like this. You can’t help him, and it’s not your job to help him.

Franklyfrost · 24/08/2022 06:55

He needs to go to the gp, explain he’s been unable to do anything at all for the last 4 years (work, leave the house etc) and insist on changing his medication. It takes time to find the right drug and also time to stop taking the wrong drugs: this it isn’t a magic fix. Help him make the gp appointment and take him there, drugged and depressed people can find it very hard to do simple things. Explain the extent of his illness and also mention the previous self medication with alcohol and any unusual trauma in his past. Once a new medication that works better kicks in then set some rules: really basic ones at first- like walking down the road and emptying the dishwasher every day. If he refuses to go to the gp then leave or accept that you’re his carer for life. Depression is an illness and it needs treatment, ideally lifestyle, therapy and medication combined. He’s not going to be able to make himself better without a lot of work. I wouldn’t judge you for leaving.

GeorgiaGirl52 · 24/08/2022 06:57

Take your child and your paycheck and leave. Anxiety or laziness, he will get up and go out - if only to get food. You did not cause and cannot cure his problems.

3ShotsOfEspresso · 24/08/2022 07:02

He is depressed and needs MH intervention/support. If he won’t get that support, he will drag you down with him. It’s horrible, but there’s not much you can do.

Bestcatmum · 24/08/2022 07:05

I wasted 20 years on a man like this. Don't waste yours.
Mine only changed his life after I left - I guess it was the shock and terror of being on his own.
Just leave, nobody is worth this grief, I'm too soft and loyal and it doesn't pay in the end.

Thepossibility · 24/08/2022 07:11

Fuck that. Don't set yourself on fire trying to keep someone else warm. Don't waste your one life on him!!! He's not even trying to help you or himself.

Dotcheck · 24/08/2022 07:15

Why stay?
I’m assuming you were with him to get a child? You have one now, so just leave. It sounds like he makes your life harder

OnTheBrinkOfChange · 24/08/2022 07:16

You are learning the hard way that you can't change someone else. This is what he's like. I'd be out of there faster than Usain Bolt.

KangarooKenny · 24/08/2022 07:18

Kick him out. He should want to get better for his child.

GreenManalishi · 24/08/2022 07:22

You didn't cause his issues and you cant fix them. Unless you want your DC become a mini me and be picking up after his little double too, I'd be out of there like a shot. Leave him to it.

Flittingaboutagain · 24/08/2022 07:34

This is really sad. You can absolutely feel sorry for someone AND also need to leave them for a better life for you and your baby too.

Lilylizard · 24/08/2022 07:36

Stop enabling him and leave. Your poor Chile if they grow up in a house like this

comfortablyfrumpy · 24/08/2022 07:37

Time to leave.

Crimeismymiddlename · 24/08/2022 07:38

This sounds like an awful situation, and untenable. Honestly you need to have it out with him, calmly play all the cards out on the table, he needs to go to the gp and sort his medication, he needs to do more at home and he needs to make steps in getting a job or he has to go.
I know you feel bad for him, but if you did ask him to leave I bet you would bbbe surprised about how quickly he sorts himself out once he does not have you to do it for him.

TooHotToTangoToo · 24/08/2022 07:40

I understand why you might feel
Sorry for hun, but you can't help someone who won't help themselves. You're also enabling him, which is another reason he won't help himself. Your dc will think his behaviour is normal and acceptable, do you want your dc to grow up and become just like your dh?

Time to put yourself and your dc first, and leave

Lilylizard · 24/08/2022 07:43

Stop enabling him and leave. Your poor Chile if they grow up in a house like this

Malie · 24/08/2022 07:45

Hit the road, Jack!