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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

Split of child stuff/chores in long marriage

111 replies

Questions223 · 29/05/2025 16:13

I need some thoughts on the split of task in our house if that's ok? I am feeling resentful and taken for granted but he very much does not see my point of view and thinks I have it easy. This is obviously my take on things. He might say differently but this is how it looks to me.

I am solely responsible for all bills, having them in my name, paying them, knowing how much they are, when they come out, what we owe etc. he gives me money when he has it which is not often. if things are tight I sell stuff or borrow and deal with it.
He cooks most meals for the kids as I have issues around food. But I am not included in most of the meal plans. He would say I don't want to be. Unless I pressure they only get fed when he is hungry, so if he has a big lunch out no one would get dinner without me mentioning it.
I do all life admin, all kids school stuff, all parents eves, all parties, all presents etc.
I work long full time hours and my job funds our lifestyle. He is self employed and often finishes at 3 (while we are all out) comes home and plays computer games. But if I ask him to have a day off as a child is unwell I am putting pressure on him with work being unfair, if he doesn't work he doesn't get paid etc.
he has multiple solo holidays a year, as well as weekends out and time to himself. I have not had child and him free time since they were born.
he does do a lot of work in the garden. Mows lawns etc.
washing and tidying and cleaning is on me.
he does discipline kids but is quite lazy with it. As an eg Child (9) was kicking off about not wanting sun cream on while on holiday (30+ degrees) and after arguing simply said fine if you don't want it your mother can deal with you. Similarly makes lots of unsustainable threats - no screen time at all for extended periods, no dinner and then doesn't follow through. Shouts to get his point across.
they have way too much screen time when he is in charge. Can be 5+ hours playing on iPads. I suggest going out somewhere every day but he is not keen at all and won't unless I really push it.
when 3 yr old wets puts him straight back into a nappy rather than persevering even though he is toilet trained and can do it just a bit lazy forgetful sometimes.
only does their teeth, brushes hair with me reminding.
does enjoy spending time with them. Will play with them, plant sunflowers - general dad stuff.

So does this sound reasonable? I am physically and mentally drained. We do have other stuff going on but wanted thoughts on this.

OP posts:
ThePhantomoftheEcobubbleOpera · 29/05/2025 17:26

The emotional impact of losing a father who is never there, when he is he prioritises his own needs, he has you living on a shoestring while he tries his hand at being self employed and making fuck all financial contribution - but who continues to smoke - who engineers arguments to make you feel like shit...I think they'll cope and crucially, so will you when you aren't on tenterhooks.

GildedRage · 29/05/2025 17:27

All the “chore” stuff needs to be set aside.
At the core the issue is financial not whose name is on the bill or who makes dinner.
As partners (married or not, long or short relationship) you need to get your finances in order that you are not feeling stressed.
I suspect you don’t have joint accounts or full knowledge of his income and when he receives payment.
The two of you need to be honest not emotional about income and expenses.
I bet he’s hiding $$, savings or pension or something.
He needs to pay more towards the household or maybe his job isn’t sufficient for his lifestyle.

ThePhantomoftheEcobubbleOpera · 29/05/2025 17:27

Questions223 · 29/05/2025 17:23

That's easy to say but probably not true in practice.

he is still there dad.

I'm suggesting that you break up with him not bury him under the patio.

SD1978 · 29/05/2025 17:32

I’m a bit confused but he original post and your follow up- initially he cooks every night, and does feck all else, including providing financially, but then you also say he’s been working away and not there to cook for 6 months? Sounds like him being away is no different to being there, so I don’t really see where the difference is for the kids by the sound of it.

GildedRage · 29/05/2025 17:33

The more you post the more of a long term dead weight he appears to be. I’m not sure you’re able to call him up on this if you’ve been a long term doormat.
You need to channel your inner corporate manager; big table, paper pen and portfolio details.

CheerfulYank · 29/05/2025 17:34

Of course he’s their dad. He’d still be their dad if you split up.

My husband usually does the cooking, too, mostly because I just don’t like to. He also does the outside work, is responsible for the kids a lot of the time because I work nights and also have a lot of meetings as an elected official, does all the driving because I don’t, and makes slightly more than half the money.

What if you took a piece of paper divided in half and wrote everything he does on one side and everything you do on the other? How in the world could he argue with it not being unbalanced when all he does is some cooking sometimes?

category12 · 29/05/2025 17:35

Questions223 · 29/05/2025 17:19

We have tried this but he never has the money to send me half of the bills. As he's self employed he says it's different he doesn't know when he will get paid so can't plan like that. It's exasperating.

It's bullshit. If he was living on his own, he would have to figure out paying bills.

How do you think other self-employed people manage? Some are even the only breadwinner in a family and pay the bills.

Doesn't it fuck you off that he's swanning off on holidays without you while sponging off you for day to day living?

What sort of role model is he for your kids? Would you like your kids to recreate this dynamic in their future relationships?

Questions223 · 29/05/2025 17:36

category12 · 29/05/2025 17:35

It's bullshit. If he was living on his own, he would have to figure out paying bills.

How do you think other self-employed people manage? Some are even the only breadwinner in a family and pay the bills.

Doesn't it fuck you off that he's swanning off on holidays without you while sponging off you for day to day living?

What sort of role model is he for your kids? Would you like your kids to recreate this dynamic in their future relationships?

He has never not lived with a woman to look after him

OP posts:
Questions223 · 29/05/2025 17:37

SD1978 · 29/05/2025 17:32

I’m a bit confused but he original post and your follow up- initially he cooks every night, and does feck all else, including providing financially, but then you also say he’s been working away and not there to cook for 6 months? Sounds like him being away is no different to being there, so I don’t really see where the difference is for the kids by the sound of it.

Yes, sorry. If he is here he cooks, maybe 75% of meals. He is the only one that mows the lawn.

OP posts:
Questions223 · 29/05/2025 17:38

CheerfulYank · 29/05/2025 17:34

Of course he’s their dad. He’d still be their dad if you split up.

My husband usually does the cooking, too, mostly because I just don’t like to. He also does the outside work, is responsible for the kids a lot of the time because I work nights and also have a lot of meetings as an elected official, does all the driving because I don’t, and makes slightly more than half the money.

What if you took a piece of paper divided in half and wrote everything he does on one side and everything you do on the other? How in the world could he argue with it not being unbalanced when all he does is some cooking sometimes?

He sees it as me exaggerating. It's the unseen things he almost has no idea about existing bi matter how many times I tell him.

if I wasn't around I have no idea how they would survive

OP posts:
AttilaTheMeerkat · 29/05/2025 17:39

What do you hope to gain from this thread given that your other thread re your abusive H is so very recent?.

How can you be helped into leaving your (as well as your kids) abuser?.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 29/05/2025 17:41

Your kids would likely survive and indeed go onto thrive without him in their day to day lives. I realise you are so very scared here of everything but what you are describing simply cannot continue; this is no marriage, more like slavery with he being your master. You have a choice re this man, your children do not.

Questions223 · 29/05/2025 17:42

As an example right now. He is outside smoking. I made dinner. Bathed the baby. Got him into bed. He likes to be cuddled to sleep so I asked dh ti do this and I would sit with other child in bath. He said no point baby will just want you, baby cried and cried until I had to go to him. Asked him to sit with bath child instead and he wants to go back on computer so had to get her out of the bath and pop her in her room to play while I lie with baby.
he's angry at me for wasting his time suggesting he cuddle the baby.

OP posts:
Questions223 · 29/05/2025 17:42

AttilaTheMeerkat · 29/05/2025 17:39

What do you hope to gain from this thread given that your other thread re your abusive H is so very recent?.

How can you be helped into leaving your (as well as your kids) abuser?.

I'm trying to separate the issues in my head. Or figure out how I convince myself I have to leave.

I don't know if that makes any sense.

im
sorry.

OP posts:
category12 · 29/05/2025 17:43

Questions223 · 29/05/2025 17:36

He has never not lived with a woman to look after him

Right... so you and he are showing your daughters that women are skivvies and martyrs and do & pay for pretty much everything, and your sons that blokes can do what the fuck they want and keep their money to treat themselves.

Are those the lessons you want yo be teaching them?

CombatBarbie · 29/05/2025 17:44

Questions223 · 29/05/2025 17:37

Yes, sorry. If he is here he cooks, maybe 75% of meals. He is the only one that mows the lawn.

Whoop, give that man a medal.

Seriously you need to stick up for yourself. Tell him he contributes xyz to bills or he moves out. He's been working away so you have been running solo anyway!!

AttilaTheMeerkat · 29/05/2025 17:47

All he cares about is his own self. Your kids and you are seen by him as possessions and there to serve him. He will go onto continue wreaking both your head and your kids lives if you stay with him.

What sort of childhood do you think your children are having?. Ok they have you around as the non abusive parent but your influence is minute and you're being abused too. You cannot protect yourself, let alone your kids from his abuses whilst you are all under the same roof.

Your relationship with your children going forward is also at risk because one day they will leave home and far sooner than later. If you were still with your abuser at that stage they could well accuse you of putting him before them. I am not writing that to upset you but they could well say that to you.

S0j0urn4r · 29/05/2025 17:49

Questions223 · 29/05/2025 17:19

We have tried this but he never has the money to send me half of the bills. As he's self employed he says it's different he doesn't know when he will get paid so can't plan like that. It's exasperating.

How does he plan and pay for holidays? Taking the piss!

AttilaTheMeerkat · 29/05/2025 17:50

You do not need to write sorry to me at least.

Use the likes of Womens Aid to help you separate out the issues giving you spaghetti head. Such is par for the course when it comes to abusive relationships.

CheerfulYank · 29/05/2025 17:53

Sorry, in your previous thread you said you lost your job? Do you have a new one now?

You also said that he keeps your phone by him when he sleeps. Why? What is he looking for or concerned that you’ll do?

Questions223 · 29/05/2025 17:57

CheerfulYank · 29/05/2025 17:53

Sorry, in your previous thread you said you lost your job? Do you have a new one now?

You also said that he keeps your phone by him when he sleeps. Why? What is he looking for or concerned that you’ll do?

I'm trying not to be too revealing and change some details so I don't get recognised. No I don't have a new job yet, he isn't keen. Wants to buy a camper van, move off grid and live the simple life.
yes this means money is insanely tight at the minute and I am scrimping and saving and putting more on CCs.
I still have my online evening stuff but that's not enough to live on.

OP posts:
Olive567 · 29/05/2025 18:00

I'm in the process of leaving my LTP of 25 years - house sale currently going through. Yes, it's not been easy in some ways, but then again, once i decided that red lines had been crossed and that I wasn't going to put up with certain things anymore - the clarity and 'rightness' of my decision has been like a breath of fresh air. Over the years I tried everything to get us to work.
So u just need to decide what you are happy to put up with and where your red lines are. If it's just a case of not getting on, it's a legitimate choice to put up with certain things while kids are little and spend your time and energies getting your affairs in order so that you can move on at some point. All you can do is to reasonably articulate how things aren't working for you, and how you want things to change. But at the end of the day, if he wants to continue to take the piss and keep his head in the sand - then there's nothing u you can do apart from put up with it temporarily, for ever, or leave now.

Questions223 · 29/05/2025 18:06

Olive567 · 29/05/2025 18:00

I'm in the process of leaving my LTP of 25 years - house sale currently going through. Yes, it's not been easy in some ways, but then again, once i decided that red lines had been crossed and that I wasn't going to put up with certain things anymore - the clarity and 'rightness' of my decision has been like a breath of fresh air. Over the years I tried everything to get us to work.
So u just need to decide what you are happy to put up with and where your red lines are. If it's just a case of not getting on, it's a legitimate choice to put up with certain things while kids are little and spend your time and energies getting your affairs in order so that you can move on at some point. All you can do is to reasonably articulate how things aren't working for you, and how you want things to change. But at the end of the day, if he wants to continue to take the piss and keep his head in the sand - then there's nothing u you can do apart from put up with it temporarily, for ever, or leave now.

I really resonate with this. Our children are so, so little and at night when three of them are awake and he is away it is exhausting. Knowing at least at the weekends he might get up to deal with one of them means I might get some rest.

OP posts:
CheerfulYank · 29/05/2025 18:07

Questions223 · 29/05/2025 17:57

I'm trying not to be too revealing and change some details so I don't get recognised. No I don't have a new job yet, he isn't keen. Wants to buy a camper van, move off grid and live the simple life.
yes this means money is insanely tight at the minute and I am scrimping and saving and putting more on CCs.
I still have my online evening stuff but that's not enough to live on.

Not to sound bossy or anything, but DO NOT go live off the grid (aka even more isolated) with this man and five children in a tiny camper. That would be horrific and honestly dangerous.

Also how can he not “be keen”? How are you meant to live without someone having a decent income?

Questions223 · 29/05/2025 18:09

I can't wait explain without it being revealing but my last workplace were very involved and he doesn't want the same thing happening again

OP posts: