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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

Partner just cannot stay awake

39 replies

Namenamechangeaway · 02/02/2023 09:29

This probably sounds silly but here we go. DP is mid 40s, average health, works a fairly physical job, no medication. He goes out and does hobbies 2/3 nights a week and all day at least one weekend day, sometimes both days. Even on his non hobby days, he has something going on (visiting parents, shopping etc) which means we very rarely start any sort of evening together before 8 or 9pm. So we very rarely have an evening or day together. I have DC, he doesn’t.

I try to do absolutely everything around the house before he gets back so we get some time together. He will get home and we will eat dinner (I usually wait for him as otherwise I really wouldn’t see him at all!), then I tidy away while he’s on his phone for a bit then by the time I sit down too it’s 9/9:30. He will usually ask do I want to watch something, chooses an episode of something we are watching together, then within a minute or two, he’s fast asleep. Not “resting his eyes” or napping but full on, head back, snoring until the credits (this tends to wake him up). Depending on the time he might suggest we watch another one, I’ll say he slept through that one and he says he didn’t, he heard it etc and knew what was going on. Other times he will admit he “felt himself nodding off then”, we used to rewatch stuff so he didn’t miss it but I won’t do this now, I just have him constantly asking “who’s that?” etc. He’s very set on his bed time (won’t go to bed early as he will be up at 5am apparently!), but won’t go later either. He also insists on getting up at a set time each day saying if he lays in he won’t sleep that night. When he goes to bed he falls asleep quickly and seems to sleep well at night (he has a watch that monitors his sleep etc), he sleeps for about 8 hours a night in bed.

It seems extreme to me, I’m sure everyone has tired days but this is every single day. Whenever I try to talk to him about it, he gets very defensive. He says he can’t help it and it’s just him. Denies it’s age as he says he’s always been like it. He says when he needs to sleep, he just sleeps and nothing can be done. And yet he can be at one of his hobbies until 9 or 10pm sometimes, will often stay chatting with mates and he’s wide awake then. I’ve been there when we’ve all been sat inside in the warm or outside in the dark in the summer and he’s fine. He drives home in the dark after one of his hobbies most evenings, completely fine. And when he occasionally goes out with friends (not often) he can be out and awake until 11:30, either sat in a pub or on a train home and he’s never once nodded off then.

He once got home at 5:20pm with no plans for the evening (very, very rare) and was asleep by 5:30! This was especially annoying as I had something important to talk to him about (health related-me) and as soon as I started, he nodded off. I tried waking him once because I really wanted to tell him about my appointment and he got annoyed saying he can’t help when he needs to sleep and I have to just deal with it and he slept for 2 hours, woke up and ate and then fell asleep again. This can’t be normal?

He was anaemic a few years ago and so I told him he needed to see a doctor in case it was that again, she gave him full blood tests (I told him to request B12 etc too in case it was medical, which I doubt at this point as he can stay awake for friends/hobbies/etc), and they all came back clear. He’s sure it’s “just him” but I can’t remember him being like this when we were dating and only saw each other one or two nights a week. I can’t be sure but I think I’d remember never seeing him! I’m sure it’s only in the last year or so since we’ve been living together.

Is this normal? I’m actually so lonely, I have disabled DC and rarely get a night off (they do go to their dad but not as often as they used to) and so a couple of hours with my partner is about as much of an evening I can hope for. I just want to chat about our days, maybe watch a film, maybe even have a cuddle on the sofa. But I end up sat alone watching a TV show he’s chosen or scrolling MN listening to him snore. It’s really starting to get me down.

OP posts:
PousseyNotMoira · 02/02/2023 09:34

How is this person your partner? You never see him (awake) and you barely speak. What are you getting out of this relationship?

Ilovechintz · 02/02/2023 09:36

I can totally get your frustration. Also If someone needs lots of sleep then thats also understandable.

But what stands out from your post is that your DP puts hobbies above spending time with you, he's obviously happy with how things are, you doing all the grunt background work and not seeing each other properly. Otherwise he would cut back on evenings out and put you and the relationship first.

I guess you have to think do you want to carry on like this?

Namenamechangeaway · 02/02/2023 09:58

Ilovechintz · 02/02/2023 09:36

I can totally get your frustration. Also If someone needs lots of sleep then thats also understandable.

But what stands out from your post is that your DP puts hobbies above spending time with you, he's obviously happy with how things are, you doing all the grunt background work and not seeing each other properly. Otherwise he would cut back on evenings out and put you and the relationship first.

I guess you have to think do you want to carry on like this?

This is why I feel bad, if he’s genuinely just someone who needs 10 hours sleep a night then I shouldn’t really be annoyed at him. Or if it is health related then it isn’t his fault.

Yeah the multiple hobbies are a bit of a problem too tbh, and obviously add to the reasons we never see each other. But he had them before we met so I can’t really expect him to stop them. I have asked for a compromise on how long he spends doing them but nothing changed.

OP posts:
BigSighsAllRound · 02/02/2023 10:03

How did you come to move in together?

Namenamechangeaway · 02/02/2023 10:58

BigSighsAllRound · 02/02/2023 10:03

How did you come to move in together?

This is one of the reasons I’m sure it didn’t used to be an issue/wasn’t as regular as I would’ve known before we moved in together.

So we moved in together as a natural progression of the relationship I guess, he’s a good guy, loyal, good with my DC. I probably even thought (stupidly!) I would see more of him if we did as until then it had only been weekends we could see each other.

As for the hobbies, they were either less on an issue or I didn’t realise how often they were. The weekend one yea I knew but I also know how important that hobby is to him (family links to it), and I sometimes join him. My kids are welcome there too so in summer that’s nice. It’s not ideal when it’s all weekend but that isn’t every weekend.

On the odd times we had weeknights together he didn’t do his other hobbies, I guess he was making an effort with me! I knew he had other hobbies but not how much time they took up. Plus then he had to cook and clean and whatever so he probably did do them less. I guess that makes it partly my fault.

OP posts:
Botw1 · 02/02/2023 11:02

None of its normal

Why the fuck are you rushing round doing everything for someone who doesn't give a shit about you?

gamerchick · 02/02/2023 11:06

My husband was the same until he got his CPAP. He wasn't getting the good night's rest, despite all the hours he was in bed.

Question is, is this the sort of life you want. It's all very well saying it's just him and basically suck it up. But that doesn't help you. I'd have a conversation about your future as feeling lonely in a relationship is I tolerable.

Nurse2022 · 02/02/2023 11:07

I wonder if I could get a man who's willing to make my tea and do all the housework, leaving me with the freedom to do exactly what I want, when I want, and getting plenty of sleep?

Sounds like a great deal for your DP, not really much in it for you though, op

Aprilx · 02/02/2023 11:09

I guess he just naturally needs a lot of sleep and obviously he is going to do this when he is in his home, not when he is out with friends. But that leaves you nowhere, you might as well not be in the same house as him as he doesn’t think you are worth staying awake for. Pointless relationship.

theemmadilemma · 02/02/2023 11:10

Sleep Apnea. My first question would have been does he snore.

DH was like that. Fell asleep after work nearly every day for a good hour or so. Until one night I happened to be awake and heard him stop breathing. To the point I was on the cusp of worriedly shaking him awake. It was not normal.

And it wasn't. And he now has a CPAP. And he doesn't fall asleep all the time anymore.

Also Apnea is dangerous untreated. A life shortner.

theemmadilemma · 02/02/2023 11:11

If he won't get help, that's a whole other question for you...

Namenamechangeaway · 02/02/2023 12:22

Aprilx · 02/02/2023 11:09

I guess he just naturally needs a lot of sleep and obviously he is going to do this when he is in his home, not when he is out with friends. But that leaves you nowhere, you might as well not be in the same house as him as he doesn’t think you are worth staying awake for. Pointless relationship.

That’s why I feel bad about getting upset by it, if he can’t help it and just needs lots of sleep then it isn’t his fault. But surely if it’s a medical condition or something he can’t help then it would happen wherever he is or whoever he’s with?

OP posts:
Namenamechangeaway · 02/02/2023 12:29

theemmadilemma · 02/02/2023 11:10

Sleep Apnea. My first question would have been does he snore.

DH was like that. Fell asleep after work nearly every day for a good hour or so. Until one night I happened to be awake and heard him stop breathing. To the point I was on the cusp of worriedly shaking him awake. It was not normal.

And it wasn't. And he now has a CPAP. And he doesn't fall asleep all the time anymore.

Also Apnea is dangerous untreated. A life shortner.

It could be, a few months ago I googled it and this came up. We discussed it but he’s convinced it isn’t this as he doesn’t have any of the other symptoms. His smart watch also registers that he is getting good sleep but I’m not sure how accurate that is?

He does snore, weirdly though only for about the first hour he’s in bed, or sometimes on the sofa. After that he rarely snores. I have trouble sleeping anyway and he stops snoring after about an hour and never wakes suddenly or appears to choke or anything. He weirdly doesn’t wake up tired, he’s an easy bird and gets up even when he doesn’t have to and is straight up and out of bed. He says he mostly isn’t even tired in the day or when he sits down, then just bam- he’s asleep.

I still wonder if it could be this though, but he doesn’t think so.

OP posts:
Thingamebobwotsit · 02/02/2023 12:35

I was going to suggest sleep apnoea. But someone else has covered it.

He needs to speak to the GP and take it seriously if his nodding off is that bad. It is quite easy to rule apnoea in or out.

My other half had it and a CPAP has been game changing for them and our family life.

KILM · 02/02/2023 12:41

I really feel like the sleep is a red herring - have you asked him directly if he thinks the current division of household labour is fair on you? If he thinks you get enough quality time together as a couple?

sausage767 · 02/02/2023 12:41

Does he lie on the couch in order to sleep, or does he just get on the couch with you with the intention of watching tv and then fall asleep?

My DH does this, he is incapable of lying on the couch without going to sleep, no matter what time of day.

The fact that he can stay wake to go out or pursue his hobbies suggests to me it might be just the comfort of lying on the couch.

Could you both plan to spend some quality time together in a vertical position?

AttilaTheMeerkat · 02/02/2023 12:45

Did this man move into your home?.

Regardless he is not treating you at all well here and now you are living together you are seeing the real him. He has a good life at your overall expense. He could well
just see you as the domestic and or otherwise useful to him.

Watchkeys · 02/02/2023 12:55

I think you're looking at this from a blame/fault perspective, when really it's about whether you're happy or not. If his sleep patterns are unhealthy or abnormal, that's his research to do, not yours. He is who he is. His life is the shape he makes it. If you're not happy with that, tell him, and tell him why. If he cares about your feelings he'll do what he can to help you feel happier. This might include helping you to understand, changing his habits, investigating causes etc If he's more interested in dismissing your feelings and getting you off his back, that's his choice, and it's up to you to decide whether you want to stay with him.

In short, he's an adult and it's up to him when he sleeps. You are an adult and it's up to you to choose company that suits you. Nobody has to be at fault for two people to be incompatible.

Fraaahnces · 02/02/2023 12:58

Honestly, I think you should point out that you had much more of a relationship with him when you didn’t live together and you weren’t lonely.

SlouchingTowardsBethlehemAgain · 02/02/2023 13:03

Sleep apnea or not, he is not make you the priority that you are making him.

Namenamechangeaway · 02/02/2023 14:18

sausage767 · 02/02/2023 12:41

Does he lie on the couch in order to sleep, or does he just get on the couch with you with the intention of watching tv and then fall asleep?

My DH does this, he is incapable of lying on the couch without going to sleep, no matter what time of day.

The fact that he can stay wake to go out or pursue his hobbies suggests to me it might be just the comfort of lying on the couch.

Could you both plan to spend some quality time together in a vertical position?

Sometimes he lays, it’s quite understandable I guess when he falls asleep laying down, it’s the same when we get into bed. I have to accept the second he’s in bed, he’s asleep! No chance of a conversation once his head hits the pillow. But mostly he just sort of, lounges? He won’t sit upright as he likes to be comfortable (and that’s fine), so he leans on the arm rest, his arm etc so half laying down. Although the other night he quite impressively managed to fall asleep sat completely upright with his head dropped forward onto his chest, it was the most uncomfortable position you could imagine. I’d have sworn he was dead if he wasn’t still snoring.

OP posts:
Namenamechangeaway · 02/02/2023 14:19

AttilaTheMeerkat · 02/02/2023 12:45

Did this man move into your home?.

Regardless he is not treating you at all well here and now you are living together you are seeing the real him. He has a good life at your overall expense. He could well
just see you as the domestic and or otherwise useful to him.

We moved into his house as I was renting and he owns his home. I pay my way though, I’m not the female equivalent of a cocklodger!

OP posts:
Abondanza · 02/02/2023 14:22

If it’s important to you at least get him checked for sleep apnea. It just means sleeping with something on his finger overnight for one night. My dh did it to appease me- turns out he was “waking up” 75 times a night so it was litlte
wonder he was tired!!

PousseyNotMoira · 02/02/2023 14:27

Are you going to tell us what you’re getting from this relationship? As it’s currently not clear to most of us.

Watchkeys · 02/02/2023 14:33

So you've reduced his household expenditure and he makes no effort, to the extent that he's asleep for most of your time together. I can see what's in it for him. What's in it for you? Rent reduction?