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Relationships

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Dp lost his job and can't get another and has become miserable - not sure how much longer I can put up with it

57 replies

Caravano · 22/11/2024 08:50

Dp had a job last year that really stressed him out. He stopped sleeping properly, he was getting anxious and stressed all the time, he'd often wake up vomiting. I earn more than dp but at that stage, not by much (we're not married and have no dc together but individually have dc) but was hoping to slow down my work as I've recently been diagnosed with a chronic illness.

We discussed it and decided it would definitely be better if he found another job (and resigned from current one, as it was impacting his health so much) and he had a long notice period so thought he would find one in that time. But he didn't. The notice period came to the end and despite applying for literally hundreds of jobs, he didn't get one. He has a company he runs with 2 other people but the company can only afford 2 salaries so he has always done it in his free time. He decided he would try and get the company to grow so that in January, hopefully it would be able to afford 3 salaries - but the problem is that without investing money into it (which he doesn't have) it cant grow. They are trying to raise money but not sure how successful they will be.

In the meantime, I got headhunted for a new role (more money but also a lot more work). I don't want to take it but I've had to because without the certainty of his income, I need to earn more and I feel a knot in my stomach at the fact that I am going to have to try and handle a more stressful and difficult role at a time when I'd really like to be doing less.

Dp has started getting angry and negative about everything. He is furious in the morning as he feels he's not sleeping well even though when you look objectively at the hours he's slept it's loads. Anything I say he just snaps back at me - if i dare complain about my work now, he just replies really angrily with ridiculous suggestions like writing written complaints and going over my boss's head all of which would escalate the situation and when I say that won't work, he'll say why are you bothering even talking to me about it when you don't take my advice. I said I just want to chat about my day etc. and he's said he no longer wants to hear it. I'm finding being with him utterly miserable but if I say anything, I'm the bad one because he believes he's suffering most and he blames it on everything. He's over 50 so he said no one his age is getting roles because everyone is ageist, he is furious at the government for changing the NI rules as one role he was going for they have withdrawn with the excuse that they are no longer hiring due to the changes in the NI rate. I'm sure he is probably depressed but living with someone who is behaving this way is intolerable.

I tried to gently suggest he get some help but he feels a total failure as he can't get work and even if he was on antidepressants, it doesn't solve the issue that he has no money now (and he pays child support for 2dc and his exw is spending days screaming at him down the phone for him daring to try and reduce it). I feel for him and I do love him but I can't continue like this with someone spewing hatred of everything in life from the minute he wakes up to the minute he goes to bed - he's just so critical and negative.

Apart from asking him to leave ( he lives in my house) which would be a last resort as I would effectively be making him homeless, does anyone have any suggestions of what I could do next?

OP posts:
Losingthetimber · 22/11/2024 16:45

Don’t ask him to resign and stop working for the hobby company. He will be even more miserable stuck at home not doing anything.

I think tell him what you told us. Your op. That you love him and understand but this is now untolerable for you. He needs to see his doctor and he needs to start volunteering, looking at agency work, temp work. But you need to tell him,.

he only apologised today as he knew he went too far. This isn’t the end. Make it clear it’s not acceptable and he need to act now and stop this.

Losingthetimber · 22/11/2024 16:46

sw16rover · 22/11/2024 15:47

This is really difficult because I fear the tech market will contract further. A relationship is a partnership. Sometimes he plays well, sometimes you do. At the moment he is having a bad run so you need to step up for the team. Can he take on some of the burden at home so you can do this better paid job and cope with your illness?

Cmon he’s abusing her, taking it out on her. And it’s been long enough. This isn’t about support. The man is abusing her.

MitochondriaUnited · 22/11/2024 17:06

sw16rover · 22/11/2024 15:47

This is really difficult because I fear the tech market will contract further. A relationship is a partnership. Sometimes he plays well, sometimes you do. At the moment he is having a bad run so you need to step up for the team. Can he take on some of the burden at home so you can do this better paid job and cope with your illness?

I agree with you with the definition of a partnership.
But the problem is that the OP is ALSO in a situation where she can’t play well.

Im also finding it interesting that you’re assuming the dh hasn’t taken over yet all the HW, cooking etc… seeing that he is a SAHP now (or SAH husband).
I mean that would be assumed if the roles were reversed…. And tbh I hope to god that she isn’t working full time whilst ill AND still doing the vast majority of the housework etc….

StevieNic · 22/11/2024 17:20

This time of year there are so many jobs in retail. If my partner wasn’t applying for anything available and was just waiting for an IT job to work out and being a depressive arse at home, whilst I work full time and have to put up with a dark cloud, I wouldn’t put up with it. Feel for you OP

ginasevern · 22/11/2024 17:49

Yes well, men's mental health usually gives them free rein to be cunts to their wives and kids. Can't he get a job as a delivery driver for food or parcels?

BeachRide · 22/11/2024 17:57

Oh, OP. Don't inflict this man's problems on your poor children. One month to get any job or to cheer the fuck up, or he's out.

TheCatterall · 22/11/2024 18:14

I struggled in the workplace @Caravano and I’ve gone self employed the last few years helping businesses and charities with IT and operational/strategy work. There is money in it, no real outlay necessary, I love the work, I work with interesting companies and people and won’t work with anyone that raises red flags.

i have a mutual respect clause in my contract as I won’t allow myself to be bullied again. I’d be happy to brainstorm some ideas with him if he ever wanted it.

I offer online work, workshops, courses and digital products and it all lights up my world and is so different to the shell of a person I was in the corporate world.

massive squishes to you both.

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