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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

Frustrated living with very "hands on" husband

47 replies

Stuffinmuffin · 19/04/2024 10:24

My husband is what you would describe as hands on. He is involved in everything because he involves himself in everything. He interferes in all the tasks I'm doing. It's suffocating at times. Mine washes, cooks, cleans but in a highly dysfunctional way which adds massively to my load. I wish he would just stop intervening but he doesn't stop despite asking him over and over.

Like this morning, we got up, all got dressed etc and I had 30 minutes to give the children breakfast before leaving the house. He takes it upon himself to empty the dishwasher and rearrange the cupboard at the same time rather than just going to work. There were dishes strewn all over the kitchen worktop leaving no space for me to make their breakfast and and packed lunches. Usually, this time is perfectly adequate for what I need to do. I don't like making packed lunches the evening before they're much better fresh in the morning. The issue is that he can not see priorities at all. It has been 10 years of having to point out what the priorities are domestically but he still doesn't grasp it. I could have emptied the dishwasher on my lunch break, he could have just gone to work but instead he gets in the way.

He'll load washing in the evenings when I've asked him not to because I then stay up late drying it when I want to go to bed. It's me that has to deal with all the washing because I work from home and he is out if the house 10 hours a day. I don't mind doing it, I wish he wouldn't interfere as he just manages to balls up my system creating more work for me. He has OCD about needing to see the bottom of the laundry basket. Something he admits. Or he'll do 3 loads on a Sunday morning when we're supposed to be going out for the day and I'm left with piles and piles to put away when we get home. He'll say "I don't know where anything goes..." so it's all left to me! His help is extremely unhelpful.

He'll begin a DIY project at 10pm, just as I'm wanting to go to sleep and he's up and down the stairs being loud and restless. I'm on pins that he may wake the children.

Sometimes he'll be cleaning the bathroom in the morning when everyone is rushing, when I'm waiting to get in the shower because I have somewhere to be and the only way I can get him to stop is by shouting at him because I need to get ready.

I love him as a person but I'm not sure I can live with him anymore. I feel like I'm losing the will! Would it be ridiculous to end my marriage over something like this? Living together feels like an endurance test at times. I'm really not interested in any suggestions of him being neurodivergent, I'm aware of that, more bothered about how the situation is getting to me at this point.

OP posts:
TinySmol · 19/04/2024 10:26

Has he been tested for ADHD?

loveroflentils · 19/04/2024 10:27

always been like this?

i couldn’t live with this

loveroflentils · 19/04/2024 10:28

this issue aside

what’s your marriage like?

NewGirlinClass · 19/04/2024 10:35

If he is going to change it will take a major event to create enough impact to get through his muddled brain.
Even then he may react in a 'strange' (to you) way. eg separation or divorce he might think you are intolerant.

MetaDaughter · 19/04/2024 10:39

Married people don’t have to live together …

Could you afford two separate households?

Obviously if you find him unbearable generally that’s a different matter.

Betteroverhere · 19/04/2024 10:44

DH isn’t this extreme but I definitely found myself nodding along. He will decide a task needs to be done as a matter of urgency and that’s it, trying to divert him is pointless. His dad is exactly the same 🙄

fiskita · 19/04/2024 10:47

I have the exact opposite DH, he is also chaotic but is fearful of getting tasks wrong so avoids them.

However I will say this. If he loves and respects you he will try to change and seek help to change.

People can't help their flaws and neurodivergence but they can try to consider and respect and care for the people they love.

tanjaav · 19/04/2024 10:55

You might find that counselling is very beneficial to a situation like this. He needs to understand how it's making you feel, but practically it sounds like you need to have some documented ground rules about who does what (and when).

KittensSchmittens · 19/04/2024 11:10

I think both my husband and I are a bit like this, a bit chaotic in housework. Tend to do things when we have the motivation, rather than when it makes most sense. I would say, get a cleaner, agree specific tasks which he can do at a time of his choosing that don't get in the way and tell him to leave the laundry alone.

Ultimately my husband and I love each other and it wouldn't occur to me to be cross about him trying to help, even if it wasn't the exact way/time I would do it. On the other hand if he sat on his arse all day and went on his phone while I did everything, that would drive me mad. He's trying at least and housework isn't the most important thing.

OrderOfTheKookaburra · 19/04/2024 12:01

Perhaps try addressing it by listing out a job in full, every step to completion.

So laundry is sort clothing into colours, put the laundry in. Within 30 minutes of it finishing it then needs to be hung up or out into the tumble dryer (time frame to avoid mildew/moldy smells and over creasing). Then once the dryer is finished the clothes need to be removed and hung/folded to reduce ironing/creases. Once folded it needs to be put away.

If he starts a task when you have asked him not to then he has to stay up late/go to work late to finish it himself. You do not step in to finish it.

If he clutters up the counter, there he becomes responsible for preparing the food and feeding the children.

Whenever he becomes obstructive, he has to take the task on by himself. And if he does it badly, he has to do it again.

ontheflighttosingapore · 19/04/2024 12:11

Have you spoken to him he just needs time stop I was gettingwound up just reading

Stuffinmuffin · 19/04/2024 12:13

That would never work @OrderOfTheKookaburra .

He won't be micromanaged.
It's like an impulse he has.
Also I can't force him to pick up the consequences. He's a grown up. I don't have that degree of control over him.

OP posts:
Stuffinmuffin · 19/04/2024 12:17

Yes I've spoken to him so many soul destroying times @ontheflighttosingapore .
He says "ok"
Then does the same thing.
It's like he has impulses and urges domestically that he can't resist. He's constantly driven by a need to have everything a certain why at that precise time. So the cupboard is cluttered, he's got to organise it NOW. There are clean dishes to put away he has to do it right away. There's washing in the laundry basket... he has to wash it ALL today!

It strikes me as very OCD.

I've suggested ADHD, OCD, OCPD @TinySmol and he just shrugs and says everyone is "a bit on the spectrum for something." And that's that 🤦‍♀️

OP posts:
BMW6 · 19/04/2024 12:23

Tell him you are not prepared to continue living with him anymore.

Could you sell the house and buy 2 smaller ones? He can live alone and indulge himself as much as he likes, you and your DC do not have to be affected by his ways.

DistinguishedSocialCommentator · 19/04/2024 12:24

Stuffinmuffin · 19/04/2024 12:17

Yes I've spoken to him so many soul destroying times @ontheflighttosingapore .
He says "ok"
Then does the same thing.
It's like he has impulses and urges domestically that he can't resist. He's constantly driven by a need to have everything a certain why at that precise time. So the cupboard is cluttered, he's got to organise it NOW. There are clean dishes to put away he has to do it right away. There's washing in the laundry basket... he has to wash it ALL today!

It strikes me as very OCD.

I've suggested ADHD, OCD, OCPD @TinySmol and he just shrugs and says everyone is "a bit on the spectrum for something." And that's that 🤦‍♀️

So what is your next step??

Mamette · 19/04/2024 12:26

It's like he has impulses and urges domestically that he can't resist. He's constantly driven by a need to have everything a certain why at that precise time.

Ok so how about just let him do everything?

If he has a problem with it you can always shrug.

AmaryllisNightAndDay · 19/04/2024 12:30

You have some control. If he starts the laundry then you don't finish it for him. You do your own stuff if you have to, but his is left damp in a basket or on the floor (you're allowed to have impulses too) Thing is, he is not feeling any discomfort from his behaviour so he doesn't need to change.

With him dumping things on the worktop you could snap at him, loudly. "I NEED that space". And sweep everything off it out of your way, and leave it for him to clear up or not.

The answer to "I don't know where anything goes..." is a snap "well, figure it out" and leave him to it.

You may need to really shout at him "YOU ARE IN MY WAY! GO!"

the only way I can get him to stop is by shouting at him because I need to get ready.

Well yes, you need to do more of that. You actually know what works.

He's not going to do anything about the OCD or whatever while you are making so nicey-nicey about it and being so very reasonable. You are not getting through. Anger is a force for change. Express it. What have you got to lose? You're already thinking about leaving.

Avatartar · 19/04/2024 12:30

Nothing will change unless he is responsible for his actions- why should he change if he knows he has a willing slave to mop up behind him? think on OP and box smart. It’s going to get worse before it changes but you need a plan up your sleeve to leave the house with the DCs to go somewhere else while he sorts his mess out - again and again even overnight until he learns the childhood rule that actions have consequences

Pinkbonbon · 19/04/2024 12:40

Either its adhd which is in need of medication ASAP.

Or is deliberate incompetence in order to stress you out. To make sure that you don't ask them to help with anything in future.

I'd be telling him straight, either he goes to the gp and gets on the proper medication, because it IS needed. Or,you're moving out to live separately. Which, is fine too. Couples don't have to live together.

AmaryllisNightAndDay · 19/04/2024 12:49

It's also interesting that you say he has these urges "domestically" which presumably means he doesn't get these impulses at all at work? Or more likely, he controls them at work because he knows he has to and then lets it all out at home. Well, as Dr Phil used to say, how's that working for you?

Codlingmoths · 19/04/2024 12:51

If my dp were cleaning the shower while I had to get ready for work what I said would not be polite and I’d turn the hot tap on and wait for him to get. The. Fuck. Out like I’d told him. I think you need to try more of that, and then absolutely divorce.

Watchkeys · 19/04/2024 12:55

He simply doesn't prioritise respecting your wishes.

Have you asked him why, without focussing on any particular issue?

Have you told him that you're considering ending your marriage?

You need to communicate the way you feel, and you need to live how you want to; don't be docking about with washing he's put on if you want to bed. Just leave it. Sort out your own bits, and let his lie damp. You're saving him from the consequences of his actions. He puts the wash on, you ensure it's dried. That works for him, at your expense, by your choice.

CactusMactus · 19/04/2024 14:39

I feel like divorcing him because his laundry schedule doesn't work with yours is a big much.

Stuffinmuffin · 19/04/2024 14:51

I think it's more a case of a lack of harmony and respect than the actual actions of domesticity @CactusMactus

OP posts:
Stuffinmuffin · 19/04/2024 14:54

If I tell him I'm ready to divorce him he'll say "how ridiculous will that sound- she divorced me because I used the washing machine. If you want to divorce me over that it's your problem." See how crafty he is?

@AmaryllisNightAndDay I've been shouting a lot this year. He has told me that my shouting has caused him to feel unattracted to me. It has not had the desired effect. He can't even have sex with me apparently because I'm "so angry."

OP posts: