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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

Is he spending too much time on hobbies?

42 replies

Aquaphant · 17/08/2023 21:11

Help me settle a dispute with my husband.

I think he's spending too much time on his hobbies and leaving me alone on most weeknights, and he refuses to accept that his hobbies might be excessive.

Here's a typical week:

I work in an office 9-5, whilst he works at home and I usually get home at 5:30.

On Mondays he plays football and is gone from 6:40-8:15 (he'll pass the time from when he finishes work at 5:30 to when he leaves pottering around or playing games on his phone), comes back and has a shower and tea and finally sits down with me until around 10, when he goes up to bed. I'm a night owl so I stay up til 1 or so.

Tuesdays we go right from work to his mum's for tea and then he drops me off at home and goes climbing from 8-10, comes home and has a shower and then goes straight to bed.

Wednesdays be goes to the gym - he'll get home around 7:30/8, shower and tea puts it to about 9 when he is finally ready to spend time with me, and then he goes to bed at 10.

Thursday is games night where he plays board games and video games with some mates. He leaves at 7:30 and comes back at midnight/half past. Sometimes he goes to the gym before so he leaves for the gym by 6 and comes back for a shower and food before he's off again.

Friday is the one day he might not go somewhere after work, but it's still 50/50 if he goes to the gym or not.

Weekends usually involve F1 or football on TV for hours and/or video games with his mates, long naps and spending time studying for his career (coding but this is also a sort of hobby for him). Asking him to help out with the house or garden is always met with resistance and he gets annoyed if he has to do anything that wasn't already on his agenda for the day, like cutting the lawn.

I feel like he doesn't want to spend any time with me and that he's prioritising his gym time and hobbies over our relationship. I'm currently dealing with really horrible abdominal and back pain and can barely eat, and it feels like a hand is squeezing my organs all the time, so I'm not up for joining him on any of these activities. I'm spending my time either working or alone and in agony.

I've brought this up to him and he brushes it off and doesn't think he's spending too much time off doing his own thing. He also says I don't suggest doing anything so he thinks it's fine to go do his own thing every day. I don't suggest things anymore because he isn't fussed with anything I'd want to do, and I feel like crap most workdays and am happy to watch a film or chat. I'd play board games or something like that as well but I don't think it's 100% my responsibility to come up with alternatives to entice him away from his hobbies. He could suggest some things to do, so why is it all on me?

It feels very much like being a teen and having friends who only hang out with you when nothing better is on offer. Time with me feels like the last resort option. When I bring this up he tells me it's not the case but then also makes digs about how I don't do anything (I'm basically disabled at the moment, but even when I did want to do things outside the house he wouldn't want to spend money. Only wants to do free things).

Would this bother anyone else or am I ridiculous? I'm sitting on the couch alone right now as he's off again.

OP posts:
Aquaphant · 17/08/2023 21:12

I also forgot to mention that when he finally sits down with me he will be playing games on his phone almost the entire time.

OP posts:
CapEBarra · 17/08/2023 21:15

Oh God, that’s awful. Your partner is a 13 year old. This won’t get better so you either put up with it or leave. I can’t imagine he’d even notice if you left!

Aquamarine1029 · 17/08/2023 21:19

I don't see the point to your relationship, honestly. Whatever you do, don't have kids with him.

Your marriage will never go the distance if he doesn't desire your company and doesn't see the value in spending time together. You might as well be flatmates.

chopc · 17/08/2023 21:19

I agree with you - spending time with you should also be one of the things he looks forward to. If you are staying in this relationship ensure you have had a chat about what life will look like ached you have kids - if kids are in the plan

PussInBin20 · 17/08/2023 21:19

Not much of a relationship is it? What’s the point being married, you may as well be single 🤷‍♀️

xyz111 · 17/08/2023 21:21

Has he always been like this??

DustyLee123 · 17/08/2023 21:23

End it, he doesn’t want to spend time with you. And don’t get pregnant !

MikeRafone · 17/08/2023 21:24

What do you do on:
Minday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday Eve? What are your hobbies?

Honeychickpea · 17/08/2023 21:25

Get out before you get pregnant. Don't make the mistake of thinking he will or even might change when a baby comes along.

Aquamarine1029 · 17/08/2023 21:27

Don't make the mistake of thinking he will or even might change when a baby comes along.

Op, print this out and tape it up all around your house.

Your husband won't be changing.

Daisy523 · 17/08/2023 21:37

So you’re his roommate/fwb? This doesn’t sound like a relationship to me.

I think couples who spend 100% of their time together is unhealthy - but the flip side is just as unhealthy!! There should be a balance, and there doesn’t seem to be one here. He is happy to do his hobbies but isn’t willing to do anything for/with you.

Changingplace · 17/08/2023 21:46

He is out a lot, what are you doing with your time when he’s not in, do you have your own hobbies/interests?

Deathbyfluffy · 17/08/2023 21:48

If he wasn’t glued to his phone, it doesn’t sound too bad - but when he’s in he should be focusing on you.

Monkeylimas · 17/08/2023 21:50

Nope this wouldn’t be for me and tbh I’d be making my own life and getting myself ready to leave. What is the point in being with him?

HennyPenny1234 · 17/08/2023 21:52

Don't get pregnant

Aquaphant · 17/08/2023 21:54

No kids and I'm not that interested in having them, and I've told him his selfishness with his free time is one of the reasons I'm leaning toward not having them. He absolutely hates being asked to do anything at the weekends. For example, we got into a row because I asked him to strim the front path (a 10 minute job). I think it's ridiculous.

Yes, I have hobbies and fill my time up easily enough. I'm not waiting at home staring at the wallpaper while he's gone, but I don't like feeling like he would rather be anywhere but with me.

OP posts:
Deb28777 · 17/08/2023 21:54

I’m surprised you need to ask. It’s not normal and he is completely taking the piss. Get rid of him and move on as it doesn’t sound like you have kids so nothing lost.

RiverLen · 17/08/2023 21:57

I’m been reading mn to long - my first thought was another woman, either at the hobbies, or he’s not actually doing the hobbies (or some of them).

neilyoungismyhero · 17/08/2023 21:58

Presumably you're cooking all his meals for him? Cf.

HundredMilesAnHour · 17/08/2023 22:00

You sound completely incompatible. His actual hobbies sound fine but the playing on his phone and refusing to actually contribute to the household would be a dealbreaker for me. Was he like this before you got married?

usernamenotavailable99 · 17/08/2023 22:01

I think you should call time on this relationship. He doesn't want to help out at home and much of his free time is spent on hobbies. Even if he does sit down with you he's on his phone. You get zero emotional support. You've described it like he's just sharing a place with you to save money! He sounds like a big daft kid as my gran would say.

ItsADoggieDogWorld · 17/08/2023 22:01

What is the actual point of him?
He's living his life like you're his mum and he's a stroppy teen. I can't see what you get out of this relationship tbh.

yorkshirepuddingandjam · 17/08/2023 22:02

Do not have kids with this man!!

Stratocumulus · 17/08/2023 22:08

Who is this man?
I’ll tell you now.
He’s a bachelor with benefits.
Time to kick him into touch.
He has no real interest in preserving a relationship with you.
You deserve better. Ditch him.

cocksstrideintheevening · 17/08/2023 22:11

He's giving you nothing, he won't change.