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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

Am I better off alone

8 replies

Isitmethatstheproblem · 05/02/2025 20:22

So here we go sorry for the long post … I have been in a relationship for 6 years. Married with 2 children and 1 from a previous relationship.
we had our first child together after only a short time and during my pregnancy I was so hormonal. I truly hated the sight of him.
i felt there was no help, financially and physically. He didn’t contribute to the major purchases that you need to make when having a child and spent all his money on himself.
when the baby cane the resentment went but he still didn’t take over financially and I continued to pay half of the house hold bills even when on maternity pay. He would buy him self designer clothes and I could barely afford primark.
I went back to work after 6 months as I couldn’t take the stress of not having any money anymore.
I took a lower paid job as my previous one meant I would have to work too many hours and too far away.
the job I got was really rubbish paid but i thought I’d at least have some money.
I was wrong.
my child got sick due to being at nursery so I had to take the time off work which I didn’t get paid for, but I still paid my half of the bills and the nursery fees.
on top of that I found out I was pregnant with another child. this was not planned and absolutely stupid on my side but it had happened and I just had to deal with it.
I carried on working and when it got time to take early maternity leave I did it and took my child out of nursery to reduce out goings.
fast forward to my child being born I had no money at all.
i felt so down and lonely.
i know i got myself in the ridiculous situation and no one to blame
but myself.
I could have left. I didn’t.
when my child was 4 months old I got a really good job, more money than the job I worked at when I met him, company car. Sick pay, flexible.
I started earning more than him.
now suddenly I pay most of the bills, i pay for most things.
he pays for his half of the bills and does contribute but if we ever go out it’s always me that pays.
any way fast forward to present day.
i work full time, kids are in school. He works early shifts so up before me and the kids.
i get them up, breakfast, dressed out the door, drop off at school. Work all day and pick the kids up, make tea.
he comes home from work and sleeps till 5. Eats his tea.
washes up most nights.
i bath the kids, story, bed.

he says he does loads around the house.
I disagree. I forced him to take 2 days off to look after our poorly child this week as I took most of December off for my other poorly child and some of Jan off for the snow so it was his turn.
ive worked all day, had to go the shops for food and then cooked as he refuses to cook every night. He will never do it.
he got in the bath whilst I sorted the kids then
I bathed the kids and put them to bed.

I just feel like he never does anything nice for me.
I hate him.
I don’t think I can be with him any more but I’m worried it’s me being dramatic.
I hate he is so lazy but tells everyone he’s an amazing husband and dad.
I don’t think he is.
he’s no use to me at all.

I have told him I don’t love him and he looks hurt, but carry’s on doing the bare minimum.
i feel like I’m letting everyone down.
my family love him but they don’t know the truth.
his family thinks he’s the golden child but they don’t know the truth.
i don’t have the heart to out him in front of everyone.
i just wish i knew what to do.
i feel lost and not myself anymore.
i act cheerful but inside I feel miserable.

OP posts:
livelovelough24 · 05/02/2025 20:32

Hello OP, I am sorry that you are in this situation, but I am not sure what you are asking. It is clear that you are in a relationship that you are not happy with. What you should have done and did not, does not matter right now, it is in the past and cannot be changed. However, you CAN change your future. This is your life and you owe it to yourself only, to make the best of it. Good luck OP.

TipsyJoker · 05/02/2025 20:38

This is financial and emotional abuse. Get rid of him. He will never change. First thing you need to do is tell your family the reality of what’s been going on for YEARS! You’ve told him and he’s still not making any effort. He’s a leech. Make him have the kids 50/50 so you can work and see how much of a great Dad he is then. I bet he suddenly won’t be able to have them. And if he doesn’t have them 50/50, make sure he pays his child maintenance.

Isitmethatstheproblem · 05/02/2025 21:17

I think I just needed to say it out loud, and to know if I’m being a dramatic.
I know I feel this way but sometimes when you tell someone they tell you that you’re being harsh. Thank kinda thing.
i can’t talk to my friends.
they know something is wrong with me but can’t bring myself to say anything.
i love being an independent woman but sometimes i just want to be treated.
a little bar of chocolate on his way home, nothing much.
i feel neglected and like I have 4 children to look after

OP posts:
DontBeBlueBeARainbow · 05/02/2025 21:44

Yes you're most likely better off alone.
My ex was similar to that, he didn't work, but the attitude and behaviour was the same - he didn't cook, he didn't clean and gave himself a massive pat on the back for the childcare he did do.
The resentment just built and built and i couldn't live that way, it was eating away at me.
Obviously it's hard to leave and divorce etc, but i/we are so much better off. I would argue he is also much better off. It wasn't a partnership, and it wasn't right.

category12 · 05/02/2025 21:51

No idea why you're sticking it out, it sounds rubbish. Your life would probably be easier without him.

Doobeedoodoo · 05/02/2025 21:59

This man is selfish and this is no partnership. How did you get into paying for most of it, he didn’t step up when you was earning less but now that you out earn him he gets to benefit from it? Stuff that.
He is a leech and always has and will put himself first.
I would tell the truth to your family and friends. What they think is irrelevant, it’s you who has to live with this ‘man’.
There is no future here, imagine kids grown up and you are stuck with him, how does that make you feel? I would hate him too if i were you.

SandyY2K · 05/02/2025 22:16

It certainly sounds like you'd be better off on your own. He's not nice and he sings his praises.

Tell your family the reality of your life.

tothelefttotheleft · 05/02/2025 22:28

@Isitmethatstheproblem

If you are married and the higher earner the sooner you divorce him the better. You'll end up paying him money if you let this go on.

Do you have a house? Is he on the deeds?

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