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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 doesn’t pay his way or clean up after himself

79 replies

Melissamacu · 20/05/2024 12:41

Hi! A bit embarrassed to come here and moan but I don’t have many friends and no family..
so for context I have 3 children, 2 from previous relationship (10,8 boys) and a 1year old girl from my now boyfriend he only has one child (with me).
He is currently working on a zero hours contract and for a few weeks hasn’t had much or any work, he still gets his top up from UC.
he is a few years younger than me and has taken to my children well. When we go food shopping he likes brand names and the more expensive food. He just adds to the trolley, then when it’s time to pay he just walks off leaving me to foot the bill.
he likes to cook so I give him free reign in the kitchen but he doesn’t clear anything away and the kitchen is always absolutely filthy - all the counters are covered in oil, sauce, onion and garlic peel everything he has used is everywhere and after dinner he will go have a bath/watch tv or go and lay on his phone in bed all while all 3 children are awake needing baths etc. our daughter will be following me around crying and he will not get her until I’ve moaned about it or I’ve been a bit passive aggressive towards him and made a snarky comment about me being the default parent/ or I’d love to lay in bed. He will then kick off if I’ve made one of these comments in front of my elder children (I don’t mean to and I understand his point) it’s just so frustrating that he can hear his daughter in distress and won’t think let me get her give her a cuddle or something! Just so I can clean the mess he’s made. He also won’t empty the bath after he’s used it which I find so disgusting and on the weekend our daughter threw the ps5 controller in his full dirty bath water and I know he’s not going to replace it, it will be me as I’m the one who brought it for my sons last Christmas. Last night I admit I lost it, he has an awful habit of drinking out of the milk carton in the fridge and like I’ve said he doesn’t put things away he left it on the side table next to the sofa and it fell and was half full and it went upside down, our daughter still has a night time bottle and it was empty the time I found it and I stormed down stairs and I said that there’s no milk baby can’t have any it’s going to be a long night all because he didn’t have the respect to put it back.he did go to the shop and use his own money to buy some milk. But I slept in my sons bed with him. I took all 3 kids on the school run this morning and I’ve come back and he’s taken all his stuff and gone, no message no call no note nothing. Now I have to admit I feel a bit relieved but I’m hurt and he will no doubt say it was my attitude that made him leave without seeing what got me to that point. I will add and I’m so sorry this is a long read if anyone care, but talking about him not paying makes me very uncomfortable because I was a single mother before him and I was never this broke before but I just thought he would at least provide some things for our daughter but doesn’t.
move messaged him to say no call or text? But no response.
thank you for reading, I am so sorry it’s so long. I think I just needed to vent as I said in the beginning I don’t really have any friends and I don’t have any family to speak to.
thanks again!

OP posts:
Bananalanacake · 20/05/2024 17:27

I was going to say next time he insists on Heinz tomato sauce instead of lidls own brand you tell him to get the money and pay for it himself. But I see he's removed himself from your home, any ideas as to where? Next time have a relationship without letting the man move in.

StrawberryWater · 20/05/2024 17:52

I guess trash really does take itself out.

Be glad he's gone. Change the locks and make sure he can't get back in.

0sm0nthus · 20/05/2024 17:54

He thinks that you will beg him to come back and then he'll be able to take the piss even more.
DONT CONTACT HIM OR RESPOND TO HIM

Getonwitit · 20/05/2024 18:07

Change the locks and have a party. Please don't have this child back, you and your children deserve so much better than him.

arethereanyleftatall · 20/05/2024 18:20

Please please do some serious thinking as to why on earth yoi accepted this. You should have kicked him out long ago.

CrispieCake · 20/05/2024 19:00

He's a leech. He's leeching money that is rightfully for you and your children.

Accept the gift he's given you (it's likely to be the only one) and get the locks changed.

SheilaFentiman · 20/05/2024 19:07

Good riddance to bad rubbish.

Get your CMS claim started for your DD.

femfemlicious · 20/05/2024 19:17

I bet you will take him back.

AlwaysGinPlease · 20/05/2024 19:43

Oh for goodness sake! Get some self respect. Why don't want him there?!! He is a revolting cocklodger. Good riddance, but remember if you take him back, that's how you are choosing to live so you cannot complain.

SheilaFentiman · 20/05/2024 19:46

AlwaysGinPlease · 20/05/2024 19:43

Oh for goodness sake! Get some self respect. Why don't want him there?!! He is a revolting cocklodger. Good riddance, but remember if you take him back, that's how you are choosing to live so you cannot complain.

Ignore this, OP.

If you take him back, and later need support, MN is here for you.

Toastiecroissant · 20/05/2024 19:50

I’ve come back and he’s taken all his stuff and gone

thank goodness

you’ll have less to clean up, your child will be able to drink milk that hasn’t been left on the side and backwashed by this gross man, you’ll still be paying for food but you can buy own brand and feed one less adult, i can’t really see what he was adding. No wonder you’re relieved. Who cares if he says it was your fault.

Vimtoad · 20/05/2024 19:53

Great he’s gone! Now sort payments through CMS and his parental contact. In your shoes Id arrange for him to have her Monday Tuesday so it frees you up to work.

GrumpyPanda · 20/05/2024 19:54

Change the locks ASAP OP. Good riddance to bad rubbish.

chelsea912 · 20/05/2024 19:54

Wow you sound exactly like my situation down to the same kids ages and one with him who’s 1. I have kicked mine out. It became a joke even at a soft play recently not only did I pay for my 2 boys and our daughter but I also had to pay for him AND me. He also used to walk off at checkouts so I’d pay. When he moved in with me he totally took the biscuit and I was worse off financially and he wouldn’t even pay the proper amount expected towards rent/bills.

I know he will try to come back to you because he has it SO good. You are literally his mother right now and he is taking the p*ss.

I urge you to really reconsider being with him or at the very least living together. I am so much better off now I’ve left my cocklodger of an ex and he’s already looking for his next woman to live with! They will never change!!!

Toastiecroissant · 20/05/2024 19:55

To add though
the audacity to leave and throw a strop when he already has it so good, he isn’t working isn’t cleaning isn’t doing childcare, he isn’t even doing basic tasks like taking the plug out the bath, and he is eating and living for free
really suggests how confident he is that you’ll take him back, apologise and He’ll have taught you to not speak up in future
he is very confident of that, don’t prove him right

AlwaysGinPlease · 20/05/2024 20:01

@SheilaFentiman it's called tough love! Of course the OP can always come back here to moan and get advice. That's a given.

Ladyluckinred · 20/05/2024 20:06

Oh luv, my OH can does some of the things you’ve mentioned (not draining the bath, not wiping down the sides properly 😡) but in terms of paying, he really provides for his family. I think the combination is understandably getting to you. If he isn’t going to change his way, I’m not really sure how you can sustain this relationship. It sounds like when he cooks (the food you’ve paid for), he feels the right to laze about because he has ‘done his part’. Let him strop, I wouldn’t bother texting him. Do you really think he’ll throw away his comfy life with you? I think he’ll come running back in no time and you may want to think about if you’re prepared to take him back.

Big hugs to you xx

SheilaFentiman · 20/05/2024 20:12

AlwaysGinPlease · 20/05/2024 20:01

@SheilaFentiman it's called tough love! Of course the OP can always come back here to moan and get advice. That's a given.

It’s not tough love if it’s all mean words to someone already feeling crap.

And if it wasn’t obvious to me, when I’m not in the situation, have a think about whether it was obvious to op.

FoxtrotOscarFoxtrotOscar · 20/05/2024 20:21

Goodbye cocklodger.
I suspect the only reason he did the cooking is because he could control the menu and his tastes.

foghead · 20/05/2024 20:29

I hope you read your own post back and realise how awful he is.
He adds nothing to your life and just takes takes takes.
It's hard because you had hopes and dreams when you started this relationship but they'll never be a reality.
He's not who you wanted him to be and the person you have is a disgrace.
Please listen to your instincts next time and see people for what they are.

dragonscannotswim · 20/05/2024 21:50

SassiestPants · 20/05/2024 12:47

It might not feel like it, but he has done you a favour. What a useless, immature prick.

You don't need a 4th overgrown, tantrumming child.

Please give yourself time to breathe, feel what the new dynamic feels like before you make any decisions about taking him back. Because he will come crawling back, no doubt expecting you to be throughly chastised by his leaving, and will try to set down the law.

I hope you tell him to fuck off and have an amazing and much easier and enjoyable life without a cocklodger bleeding you dry.

Good luck OP.

First post nailed it!

Op, good job.

He was a useless cocklodger. You don't need a man like that.

He had the emotional maturity of a turnip. Thank god he's gone.

You deserve much better.

SapphOhNo · 20/05/2024 22:09

Count your lucky stars. Change the locks. Apply for whatever financial support you can get now he's not there. Don't allow him back, don't fall for any false promises that he'll change. Be happier!

Aria999 · 20/05/2024 22:22

He had the emotional maturity of a turnip.

Bit harsh on turnips

mummytrex · 20/05/2024 22:53

He will be back. He knows he is onto a good thing. Dont have him back. You and your kids deserve more.

PennyPugwash · 20/05/2024 23:00

He's not your partner. He's another child

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