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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

I hate my Husband working away and feel resentful.

53 replies

NippyCrab · 05/05/2024 12:42

For the last 2 years my Husband of 3 years has been working away. Its been with 3 different companies who all had continuity of work. The company he works with now is a really great company. They have a great team, fab incentives to stay such as private healthcare, the money isn't out of this world but is better than if he had a job at home or within realistic travelling distance.
We've been together 6 years, both had been married before.
This is where the resentful part comes. I have health issues, I've always worked until 2022 when my conditions caused a huge flare and I was house bound for a few months, I still work from home albeit so much less.
For the last 2 years I took care of my MIL who passed away Dec 23, I did it all on my own, physically and mentally. She became very sick quickly and the last 6 months of her life was awful, she was in so much pain and distress. He has a huge family, everyone wanted updates everyday via phone calls to me, or on a whatsapp group but not one person came to help in person. It was a fight to get her care, from insisting she was hospitalised, trying to get carers in, then fighting to keep her in hospital when they wanted to discharge her. I dealt with every phone call, every consultant and nurses. I went to every appointment, scan and visited every day. I looked after her home, did the washing to be taken back to the hospital. I had our dogs to look after too, large dogs. I still look after the dogs, one is elderly and soiling in the house now so it's more constant cleaning and washing.
My husband works 2 weeks away with 3 days off and travels back on the 4th day. He comes home with all his washing, dumps everything, leaves stuff at his arse. He doesn't walk the dogs voluntarily to give me at least a day off. The elderly dog is up during the night at least twice so I don't get a full sleep. I cook every night he's home, from scratch and clean up. I'm exhausted, I'm in tears most days with feeling just so lonely. The dogs and the house and work use up all my energy and more. I feel I'm constantly moaning. We rent, there was new heating and insulation done recently and anytime I mentioned it was an upheaval the reply was think of the benefits etc. Yes I know but sometimes a reply of ffs that's a lot, you're doing great dealing with it all.
There's nothing to keep me here in this area, I've broached the subject of us renting a property closer to his job. His employers have said there's 3 years more work in the area he is and then another not much further up the country.
I've tried speaking about this to him and he is saying I need to speak to his employer.
Am I being pathetic feeling like I'm just a cleaner/housekeeper/provider of meals and sex? I feel I should just move for a fresh start. I can't make a huge decision on my own In case it's a knee jerk reaction to how I'm feeling.
I often feel I'm going on about petty stuff. I have depression and I'm an overthinker, is the depression making me feel doom and gloom and negative or do I have grounds for griping? I just want to escape.
I'm prepared for some horrible replies but please be kind to me I'm struggling emotionally and physically. 🙏

OP posts:
Wherearewe2001 · 05/05/2024 13:18

The issue isn’t that your husband works away, it’s the fact that he’s a lazy shitbag who contributes absolutely nothing to the house. If he was living there FT, he’d still be doing nothing and you’d be picking up after him 7 days a week rather than 3 days out of 14.

If you left this relationship I’m willing to bet your stress levels, exhaustion and physical symptoms would reduce drastically.

category12 · 05/05/2024 13:33

he is saying I need to speak to his employer.

I don't understand? Why would you need to speak to his employer? Moving closer sounds like a sensible idea if you're renting anyway.

If you're struggling with the dogs, I would look at getting a dog-walker or doggy daycare to take some of the grind out a couple of days a week?

What's the elder dog's quality of life like? If he/she's struggling, maybe the kindest course would be to let them go - sometimes we keep them going for our own sake rather than their own. Obviously if they're happy and not in pain then it's not in question.

I don't think you're unreasonable, you sound burnt out and unappreciated.

NippyCrab · 05/05/2024 14:47

Sorry I meant that he was saying he would need to speak to his employer. He knows he's lazy, believe it or not he's so much better than he used to be. The dogs lifespan is anything from a few months to maybe 18 months. We aren't at the unable to fully walk but the balance isn't great, I don't think her quality of life is the best now and I have thought it's time, soon.
I get to a stage, like now where I'm rock bottom and had enough and he always talks me around. The hamster wheel then begins again.

OP posts:
PussInBin20 · 05/05/2024 14:56

How come you did so much for his Mother? Where was all her family? I think you need to start saying No to him. Let him do his own washing too - you are not his maid.

What things does he do for you?

BeaRF75 · 05/05/2024 15:31

Stop all the cooking from scratch, cleaning, laundry etc. In fact, get a cleaner. That will give you more time to relax or take up a new hobby - it's not healthy for your whole life to revolve around your husband, whether he's at home or away. Time to start making the most of his absences and turning them to your benefit.

chopc · 05/05/2024 15:35

You haven't mentioned what is keeping you where you currently live? No kids attending school? If not I don't understand why he won't agree to the move, even temporarily as you are renting.

SirChenjins · 05/05/2024 15:42

That sounds really tough OP, I’m not surprised you’re feeling that way ☹️

Im sure you have already spoken to your DH but he needs to know this is completely unacceptable behaviour from him. You’re getting nothing from him and are running yourself into the ground by doing everything and more for a lazy lump of a bloke. A cleaner and dog walker are an obvious solutions and then tell him you’re no longer prepared to do his washing and ironing when he gets home - he’s perfectly capable of doing that himself. Cooking doesn’t have to be done from scratch every night and he can help with the dishes - again, nothing stopping him but laziness.
Re the dog - is it time to have a conversation with the vet? No-one likes to think about that, but being up twice a night (and possibly more going forward) isn’t sustainable.
Next time one of his family member’s are ill then that’s for someone else to worry about / just step right back. The more you do for people the more some expect.
After all that, if you feel like walking then do - you don’t have to put up with this.

NippyCrab · 05/05/2024 15:44

Mils family just didn't get involved apart from giving their opinion on things and giving advice as to what I should say to the medical professionals. When she passed away we were there and then he went back to work until the funeral. I agree I need to get out and about, I just dont have the energy after lack of sleep nightly and walking the dogs and tidying up. I have a walker twice a week and I can get some shopping then or go and collect meds for myself without the guilt I'm neglecting them. I totally get what you are saying and I 100% agree I literally don't have the physical and mental energy anymore. I am burnt out, that's exactly it. I would love a cleaner. I've organised a gardener now because the garden is small at the front but large at the back. I can't use the Lawnmower as it's far too big and heavy, I managed to strim as much as I can then had a shot at the mower. Think runaway Lawnmower crossed with a carry on film. My bloody back is knackered now, even more so.
I can't think of anything he personally does for me to help or give me a break.
I told him I am refusing to do his underwear because there's been a few times they have marks on them!
I really appreciate you all replying, I feel so rubbish today. I've had a walk with one dog, the other was sick before we headed out so I decided to leave it at home, the old dog doesn't walk with me now.
I'm putting off going home as long as I can. It's so depressing,

OP posts:
Andyls · 05/05/2024 15:47

How can you have a relationship with someone you see 3 days out of 14. The culture of working away is almost every day when you finish work you go to the pub for a meal and drinks etc. Even if was great money wants the point when you don't even get to see any of it cause you are workings so much.

NippyCrab · 05/05/2024 15:48

I've missed some posts sorry. I have no kids or family here so nothing is keeping me here. I moved here years ago as my sister lived here, met my ex husband and was with him 23 years.
I have spoken to him, I've to show him to use the washing machine and if I could iron things though for him going away that would be great lol.

OP posts:
NippyCrab · 05/05/2024 15:51

Andyls · 05/05/2024 15:47

How can you have a relationship with someone you see 3 days out of 14. The culture of working away is almost every day when you finish work you go to the pub for a meal and drinks etc. Even if was great money wants the point when you don't even get to see any of it cause you are workings so much.

I totally agree with this, before this job it was home 2 days, well really 1.5. Home late on a Friday night, I collected him from various train stations, and away again Sunday lunchtimes. That was when I was dealing with MIL and it was a huge task with the washing turnaround.
Today with the way I am feeling I don't see or feel any happiness with the relationship.

OP posts:
NippyCrab · 05/05/2024 15:52

I am going to have a conversation with the vet about the old soul.

OP posts:
Andyls · 05/05/2024 16:00

NippyCrab · 05/05/2024 15:51

I totally agree with this, before this job it was home 2 days, well really 1.5. Home late on a Friday night, I collected him from various train stations, and away again Sunday lunchtimes. That was when I was dealing with MIL and it was a huge task with the washing turnaround.
Today with the way I am feeling I don't see or feel any happiness with the relationship.

The extra money hes getting simply isn't worth it in my opinion. It's might be OK for a month or two but it's been years!

NippyCrab · 05/05/2024 16:13

The 2 previous jobs didn't pay great, not enough to stay away. 😑

OP posts:
category12 · 05/05/2024 16:14

Sounds like you'd be better off on your own really? Maybe get yourself a smaller place you can manage more easily, and not be running round after some ungrateful bloke.

NippyCrab · 05/05/2024 16:15

I do think I'm more depressed, I was doing great and lately it's tears over nothing. I'm at the supermarket just now to get eggs and my face is a blotchy mess.

OP posts:
NippyCrab · 05/05/2024 16:18

category12 · 05/05/2024 16:14

Sounds like you'd be better off on your own really? Maybe get yourself a smaller place you can manage more easily, and not be running round after some ungrateful bloke.

I've thought about that so many times. I cracked last year and had had enough and I wanted to separate. Then MIL died and its back to me feeling rubbish again. I am basically on my own anyway, so I know I could manage with a smaller garden and god forgive me, one less dog.

OP posts:
Kosenrufugirl · 05/05/2024 16:21

I suggest put the older dog down and get a few nights of unbroken sleep for a start. Getting closer to his work seems a good idea to me

NippyCrab · 05/05/2024 17:08

Kosenrufugirl · 05/05/2024 16:21

I suggest put the older dog down and get a few nights of unbroken sleep for a start. Getting closer to his work seems a good idea to me

It's brutal but honest and you're right. I'm shattered.

OP posts:
NoCloudsAllowed · 05/05/2024 17:28

Tbh I think you've been a doormat and feel like you've been entirely taken for granted. Two things are wrong with that - 1. dh and family treating you that way 2. You allowing yourself to be treated that way.

Your dog being sick and dependent is making you feel like it's more of the same from when mil was ill and your needs are always bottom of the pile.

I don't know if you should leave dh or have dog pts. I would say you have a lot of freedom as dh is away so much - build your own life and interests. When dh is back, don't don't DON'T do all the cooking and laundry. Just don't.

This is your life, what changes do you need to make to make it more enjoyable?

If you can afford a therapist, I think it would help.

NoCloudsAllowed · 05/05/2024 17:32

And you say you're always moaning.

Moaning, nagging, complaining. These are words we use for communication where we're not being listened to. Repeated statements that are not heeded.

You need to ask yourself why he doesn't listen and why he doesn't seem bothered about your quality of life or sense of fulfillment.

Pallisers · 05/05/2024 17:37

What's the point of him?

Do you need his financial support? Start thinking about how you would like to live. Imagine your ideal day. Think it through in detail. Where are you living? What do you do when you wake up? Who is there with you? Is it your dh? Think about you for a change.

Until you decide what suits you best, I'd leave his laundry where he put it and let him off. If he has no clean clothes going back - his problem.

Maybe it is time for your older dog to be pts - it can be a kindness.

and by the way you are a saint for putting up with his useless family's "advice". My sil does do a lot with my mil (she is her dil too) but we are so goddamn grateful to her - try to support her as much as we can, express our thanks etc.

Greywitch2 · 05/05/2024 17:41

I think I'd be filing for divorce, to be honest. A decent percentage of the assets and his pension and you'd be far better off alone.

WittyBird · 05/05/2024 18:06

Andyls · 05/05/2024 15:47

How can you have a relationship with someone you see 3 days out of 14. The culture of working away is almost every day when you finish work you go to the pub for a meal and drinks etc. Even if was great money wants the point when you don't even get to see any of it cause you are workings so much.

DH worked away 6 days a week when DD was tiny.

I work away 3 days a week now. He works away as needed around me.

Our jobs were/are in London but we don’t want to
live there.

People working on oil rigs can’t commute. Plenty of jobs involve night shifts. Those in the military get sent away for months.

the point is not all relationships are the same.

NippyCrab · 05/05/2024 18:16

I don't need him financially, I'd manage on my own. I am a doormat, it's my makeup from 23 years of the same from my ex husband. I've got things I've started I can't get quality time and peace to do with the dogs constantly wanting/needing things.
I have an autoimmune condition that holds me back a lot, that's why I'm so fatigued. I have a lot of body pain too, I do my best to just get on with it. I've had a couple of MH crisises previously, with ex husband and work and my sister died. I take anti depressants and an anti psychotic. I feel I'm heading down the spiral again and I just wanted a year of being happier and healthier.
Yes I do feel it's caring for someone or something all over again with the dog. I miss my MIL too we were close.
I haven't thought about an independent therapist outwith the NHS. I've had good support from my GP and mental health team last year but I agree that talking to someone would be good for me.
My ideal day would be to wake up after a full night's sleep, not have to constantly deal with dogs, be it toileting, barking etc. I'd love to enjoy the garden but it's a mess, he's made it a junk yard in one corner, he has made an area where he burns things and damaged the wall, set trees on fire (accidentally but still)
The front I no longer have a bench because it was moved round the back garden, and got weathered and wasted so it was set on fire. I never invite people to the house as I am ashamed of it. I've always had lovely homes, owned and kept well.
If I look back at memories and photographs I honestly don't know what's happened to me, I feel totally drained and low.
I'd love to just go, get my belongings organised and find somewhere and leave.

OP posts: