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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

Will I be better off on my own

37 replies

Novemberbluesss · 28/01/2024 15:12

I am utterly fed up with DH. Been married for over 5 years and together for over 10. We have one DD aged 2 and we both said we want another one but he doesn't seem to appreciate we need to try (see more details later). I also realised we have grown apart and another child might be what I want but not what's right for the relationship. Few examples below and I would really appreciate some comments as I feel like I am going crazy creating unnecessary issues and fighting the urge to become single mum

  • DH is really weird about work and keeps saying I don't respect his job (for context I work 4 days plus sometimes evenings when DD is in bed, he is full time but I earn over double his salary even with my part time hours) . He would not compromise work, ie his share of nursery pick up and drop offs are when it suits him, usually less than half of the time. I am expected to be flexible as he says I have an office job, which is not demanding.
  • He won't accept that life goes on when you have a cold, eg he wouldn't do anything as a family for two weeks in a run up to him working away as he had to be in a top top condition for that work trip. He wouldn't help me with potty training as he said weekends are for chilling
  • He is a massive football fan (would watch football on average half of the evenings, 3-4 hrs Saturday and Sunday). When his team plays I am expected to take care of the toddler, ideally take her out of the house or upstairs, otherwise he comments he is missing in the game. He says football is his only hobby and I should respect that. My life is basically planning nice things to do with DD like museums, classes etc so I don't have to face him on the sofa watching football
  • This is me growing in a different direction but I feel DH lacks zest for life and ambition. He never comes up with ideas of doing new things, if we go somewhere like a new town at the weekend it's always for him to do work research at the same time. He hates doing things he is uncomfortable with, eg would not take DD swimming as he doesn't know where to go ie changing rooms etc and what to do (!). I feel he is really restricting our family life.
  • We decided over a year ago we want to try for another child. Few months in I got pregnant but had miscarriage (not first one). I am getting treatment for recurrent miscarriages and been advised to try meds etc to speed things up. This means the clinic tells us 2-3 days to have sex following my scan and injections. However DH is very ironic when I tell him when the right time is. He also wouldn't take time off to attend the clinic with me (I apparently don't understand his job and he cannot book holiday week in advance). Goes without saying I got zero support when I had miscarriages to the point I had to take taxi to hospital when bleeding was bad as he needed sleep before work next day.
OP posts:
cordeliachaseatemyhandbag · 28/01/2024 15:14

If you're not happy why stay?

Newstarto · 28/01/2024 15:15

Sounds like a complete arsehole. Your decision is separate and perhaps stay mum to a single child or crack on and try for a 2nd then leave.

TheBeesKnee · 28/01/2024 15:17

Yes, I think you'd be better off on your own.

Novemberbluesss · 28/01/2024 15:29

@cordeliachaseatemyhandbag the honest answer is I am worried this would be easy for me but not for my daughter. DH loves her and can look after her if told him what to do so she has a good bond with him. He just likes being told what to do, how much money to transfer for bills etc. He is not the one to take initiative on anything in life and I feel like I have always been his boss not a parnter, not even mentioning I've never ever felt like I've been taken care of.

OP posts:
mrsbyers · 28/01/2024 15:31

Imagine if your daughter had written this - what would you think then ?

This is not a good relationship

MrsTerryPratchett · 28/01/2024 15:32

OK list his good qualities.

TonyaD1986 · 28/01/2024 15:35

You deserve so much more. You’re already doing the most in the relationship so if it ended I think you’d feel lighter in that you didn’t have to carry another adult. In regards to you little girl, she will miss him being there all the time, but she will adapt. The younger she is, the easier for her.
This Man left you to catch a taxi when you was miscarrying? Sis, leave. Seriously. That’s not love x

Novemberbluesss · 28/01/2024 15:35

@mrsbyers yes it doesn't sound great but I feel so guilty even writing it. I posted all bad things but there are some good ones too: he is tidy, does some chores (irons his own shirts, does the bins, makes his own breakfast and lunch) can keep a job for few years, he doesn't smoke or drink).

OP posts:
MrsTerryPratchett · 28/01/2024 15:38

Novemberbluesss · 28/01/2024 15:35

@mrsbyers yes it doesn't sound great but I feel so guilty even writing it. I posted all bad things but there are some good ones too: he is tidy, does some chores (irons his own shirts, does the bins, makes his own breakfast and lunch) can keep a job for few years, he doesn't smoke or drink).

My 13 yo does the same list as your DH. Actually more because she has a couple of chores he doesn't have. She doesn't work I suppose but would if she could.

Just leave. You'll be happier and honestly, DD will get the Disney parts anyway.

p1ppyL0ngstocking · 28/01/2024 15:40

Your list of "good qualities" is essentially him doing his own laundry and making himself breakfast; is that honestly the best you can come up with?

He belittles your job (despite you earning double), expects you to work around childcare and his hobby (of watching football 🙄) the sex is shit and irregular, he's parentified you, so you have to manage the household and he sounds like a boring loser.

Why would you want another child with him?

picklesandcucumbers · 28/01/2024 15:44

@MrsTerryPratchett

Puts the toilet seat down

picklesandcucumbers · 28/01/2024 15:54

Novemberbluesss · 28/01/2024 15:35

@mrsbyers yes it doesn't sound great but I feel so guilty even writing it. I posted all bad things but there are some good ones too: he is tidy, does some chores (irons his own shirts, does the bins, makes his own breakfast and lunch) can keep a job for few years, he doesn't smoke or drink).

His good qualities are he irons his own clothes, makes HIS OWN BREAKFAST and isn't an alcoholic?

How low are your standards??

In short, I'm married to a really decent guy and I can tell you his good qualities are things like taking time off work to go to routine pregnancy checks with me, getting up at 5:30 am to buy me a drink of something

Moving things about the house, cooking a treat meal when I ask - coming up with fun ideas of what to do together

"We're a team" - that's what we say to each other. "We're a team"

Where's your partner?

MrsTerryPratchett · 28/01/2024 15:55

picklesandcucumbers · 28/01/2024 15:44

@MrsTerryPratchett

Puts the toilet seat down

Quite.

Hatty65 · 28/01/2024 15:58

Yes, you will be better off on your own.

Infinitely.

5128gap · 28/01/2024 16:05

Goodness. He's full of his own importance, isn't he? Everything and everyone needs to revolve around him and his (mediocre) job which he has inflated to far greater value and importance than it justifies. I'm really not sure what you can do with someone like that. But, not have a second child certainly.

Gettingbysomehow · 28/01/2024 16:11

Don't have another child with him for God's sake. You'll be trapped.

Smooshface · 28/01/2024 16:16

What is life like when he's away for work? I imagine much the same if not nicer because you and your child can exist normally in the house without interrupting football!

He sounds terrible, and at least if you split he'd be forced to make an effort with the child occasionally. Stop trying to have more children with this person that won't even help potty train your existing child.

UghFletcher · 28/01/2024 16:48

Leave OP, I was in a relationship much the same (but he was oh so important and earned more so I had to be flexible rather than him)

The weight off my shoulders when I didn't have to consider him as another child to look after was immense.

You'll be okay, it will be better

Punkkitty · 28/01/2024 16:53

You already have two children.

C00k · 28/01/2024 17:00

The ‘good points’ you wrote about him are utterly pathetic, a child could do them. And all things he’d be doing if single. Holds down a job, makes himself breakfast, and isn’t a drunk are particular low points.
How on earth will you be able to instill high standards in your child for her future spouse?
How are you not alone at the minute? This man openly doesn’t care about you or your child.

Mainats · 28/01/2024 18:51

Another vote for living on your own.

Pugdays · 28/01/2024 19:00

Novemberbluesss · 28/01/2024 15:35

@mrsbyers yes it doesn't sound great but I feel so guilty even writing it. I posted all bad things but there are some good ones too: he is tidy, does some chores (irons his own shirts, does the bins, makes his own breakfast and lunch) can keep a job for few years, he doesn't smoke or drink).

Wow,bare minimum

Harrysmummy246 · 28/01/2024 19:02

If you're here, asking the question, I think that tells you what you need to know

ThunderSnacks · 28/01/2024 19:05

I thought it didn't sound great all the way through and then read about him prioritising sleep over supporting you during a miscarriage and nearly fell off my chair. I'm so sorry OP - that must have been awful. On many levels.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 28/01/2024 19:08

"DH loves her and can look after her if told him what to do so she has a good bond with him"

He loves football more. He prefers your DD and you to be out so he can watch it when his favourite team plays.

Re his good points, that shows me that your relationship bar is sub level low. What did you learn about relationships when you were growing up?.

Would you want your DD to settle for same in her adult relationship, hell no and you would want better for her. Do not settle for a life with Mr Wrong, live on your own instead. And do not bring another child into this dynamic.