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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

Undervalued or am I being an a**hole.

9 replies

User6363363736373 · 08/11/2022 12:53

will try and keep it simple.

been with dh 10 years, I already had a DS when we met who he treats as his own, we have a dd together. He's a great hands on dad, he does a lot with the kids, comes home from work and bathes them and helps with bedtime, does things with them. I can't fault him that way at all. He works hard to provide for us and is great at his job but he's lazy at home with other things. Both kids have sen, one with quite complex needs and I'm not working currently. He is not financially abusive and lets me spend whatever I need if he have the money, he cooks sometimes and does diy in the house etc so he doesn't sound too bad, right? To the outside world maybe not!

but I do a lot too. Despite not having a job sometimes I don't bloody stop. Like I said both kids have sen, one with very high needs so life isn't all that easy for any of us right now. I do all the food shopping, all the paperwork related to their needs, school etc, I do all the house work, I book appointments, check the calendar, organise dh's shifts, make sure everyone's bags are packed including dh's, drove 8 miles and back to pick up dh's prescription despite that he only works 2 minutes away from the doctors surgery, he forgets his bank card so I take that to his work, book his doctors and dentists appointments etc.

before anyone says we'll just don't do it, if I don't, he won't either. He's fucking useless.

He didn't book his mot in time for his works car despite that I reminded him god knows how many times so he couldn't get in done in time and had to put family car to work leaving me without a car.

I've got to sort birthday and Christmas cards/gifts for his own family because he doesn't do it.

dh does not do a thing around the house. As the 'at home' parent I really don't mind doing all the housework and cleaning but it's the little things..

dh will just come home from work and Chuck his work bag and shoes down on the floor in the middle of the hallway, he will leave used socks on the floor in a ball, he'll leave his clothes on the floor, he's done the dishes about 5 times in the 8 years we've lived together! If he's home and I'm out dishes will be left til I'm home, he leaves them because he knows I'll do it because I hate a sink full of dirty dishes. The day my grandad died I got home from the hospital and the dishes needed doing - dishes don't sound important but dishes in the sink are a trigger for me, I like to get them done.

he's never put laundry on, not once in 8 years.

i do all the food shopping, I'll ask him if he wants anything and he'll say no then moan when I haven't bought something he wants - am I a mind reader? I'll ask if he needs coffee (don't drink it myself), he'll say no and a couple days later he'll be moaning it's all gone.

he doesn't have to worry about a bloody thing at Christmas, I do all the shopping and organising. He needs to be told what to get me - by me!!

I feel undervalued, unloved at times and under appreciated. Last night I really hurt myself in the kitchen and screamed for help and he just carried on in the front room looking at his phone on his stupid game.

I appreciate that he is the bread winner and is great with the kids and I do try and show appreciation to him but I don't get the same back.

me - can't you just put your socks in the wash basket, it only takes 2 seconds.
him - well if it only takes 2 seconds why can't you do it!

argument today over doors because now we are going to start put the heating on he wants to keep every single door shut to keep heat in the rooms because I'm in and out of doors every day pottering around cleaning up after everyone picking up shit off the floor! I do shut doors behind me but sometimes I'm in and out pottering around it's impossible to keep everything shut at all times. All whilst he's off today and sat watching tv all day!

OP posts:
AnneLovesGilbert · 08/11/2022 12:56

It sounds rubbish. Do you want to divorce him and go it alone? He’s not likely to change because he doesn’t want to and doesn’t have to.

OldFan · 08/11/2022 13:06

I'm not saying this is an excuse/makes it any easier but maybe he has ADHD (esp as your kid together is SEN, it makes it more likely odds that he has too, given his behaviour.)

Either way, it sounds draining and annoying.

User6363363736373 · 08/11/2022 13:09

OldFan · 08/11/2022 13:06

I'm not saying this is an excuse/makes it any easier but maybe he has ADHD (esp as your kid together is SEN, it makes it more likely odds that he has too, given his behaviour.)

Either way, it sounds draining and annoying.

I'm likely to be the neurodivergent one - undiagnosed Autism. Both my children have sen, and my oldest is not dh's so I think it's genetic from my side!

I need order and organisation in my life and dh does not!

OP posts:
User6363363736373 · 08/11/2022 13:12

AnneLovesGilbert · 08/11/2022 12:56

It sounds rubbish. Do you want to divorce him and go it alone? He’s not likely to change because he doesn’t want to and doesn’t have to.

Not necessarily wanting to do it alone no. I'm Believe it or not we generally have been pretty compatible, we both like the quiet life and each other's company rather than going out etc! He is a great dad but he has no bloody domestic or organisational skills! I'm just feeling very unappreciated and alone right now 😭

DS has been pretty challenging lately which is affecting everyone in the house!

OP posts:
Naunet · 08/11/2022 14:12

For good sake OP, where’s your self respect? You are being treated like an absolute skivvy and you’re treating him like a child. You say you have to remind him about the MOT or it would impact you, Ok, but what’s your excuse for packing his bag every day or picking up his prescription? This man has zero respect for you, I’m not sure you even have any for yourself. Is this really what you want from life?

I strongly suggest you start putting your foot down. If he bitches about why can’t you pick up his socks after him, point out to him that by treating you like his personal skivvy, it demonstrates he has no respect for you, and that in turn will destroy your love and desire for him, so if he values you at all, he can pick up his own fucking socks.

Specso · 08/11/2022 14:44

You know people are going to say ‘stop doing all this for him’ so you’ve already said ‘if I don’t he won’t and it won’t get done’.

My advice is still the same. Stop doing it all.

If you don’t pack his bag, he won’t have the stuff he needs. If you don’t buy Christmas presents for his family they won’t get any. If you don’t pick up his prescription he’ll soon do it when he desperately needs the medication. If you don’t make his dentist appointment his tooth will really hurt. He’s a grown man and all these things are his problem/responsibility. Hardly any of it is life threatening except maybe the medication depending what it is so if the other things don’t get done it’s not going to hurt him just give him a wake up call.

If you treat a man like a child, you’ll get a child.

I mean all this kindly and don’t mean to sound harsh, he’s just got used to you doing everything and he’ll do nothing to change that and won’t start doing things himself unless he has to.

KILM · 08/11/2022 14:52

I think its really sad that in your 'plus points' you put 'he's not financially abusive'
Thats BARE MINIMUM.
And then go on to describe how he explicitly ignores you when you are hurt, ignores you or argues when you ask for help and openly and knowingly does things to make things worse (socks in the hallway etc)

Jesus christ, how are even attracted to him when it doesnt sound like he likes you very much? If he loved you why would he ignore you when you are hurt and openly create more mess for you to clean up and refuse to help? Just because he's nice to your kids and says he loves you... actions speak louder than words. You are his mum. He's treating you like a teenager treats his MUM

theemmadilemma · 08/11/2022 15:01

He needs to read this for a start: www.huffpost.com/entry/she-divorced-me-i-left-dishes-by-the-sink_b_9055288

xfan · 08/11/2022 15:06

It sounds like you don't really want to leave him, and he won't change.

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