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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

DH has almost completely checked out - what next

131 replies

Peppermint44 · 03/02/2026 23:59

Since the beginning of January, DH has slowly checked out of our marriage. He’s stopped calling / texting me , acknowledges me like a house mate yet wants his laundry and dinner done which I’ve now stopped doing. I take myself out most evenings once kids are asleep now, to the gym or to see my DM or just a wonder at the shops. I can’t bear being sat on opposite sides of the sofa, watching a tv show while he barely speaks to me or looks at me. He’s become so rude when I’m speaking, half arsed responses too. He works hard and used to be a great Dad, involved in us and seemed happy. Now at the weekends, he makes any excuse to not participate in any activity with the kids. Last weekend he felt guilty leaving me with the kids again at an event, he turned up at the end and I’d just had enough. I feel like a single mum most of the time now which is a stark contrast to how it used to be , we felt like a family before. He gets annoyed easily at me now so I don’t bother starting a conversation. It’s fine if he’s fallen out of love or has fallen for someone else , I’d rather just know. Im too frightened to check his phone, I can’t bear the thought of finding out like that. I think it’s too invasive, I’d hate if he went through my phone. I’m close to just sitting him down and talking because I can’t go on like this, waiting for the day he starts being like he used to be. Any advice?

OP posts:
Grendel7 · 05/07/2026 21:23

BellesAndGraces · 04/02/2026 09:09

For everyone saying “it’s only been a month”, a month is a bloody long time to live in the same home as someone who ignores you and is unkind to you. I’m not sure what constitutes a reasonable period for one to suffer if it’s not a month. I think it’s better to nip these things in the bud before they start to erode your self confidence.

@Peppermint44 i think you should talk to him, but before you do that, I would find out everything you need for a divorce first - bank and pension statements etc. Personally, I would look at his phone before you talk to him as it will be impossible to do so after but I understand not wanting to.

I STILL think it sounds like he has depression

Citygrl7 · 05/07/2026 21:26

Grendel7 · 05/07/2026 21:09

Cannot "phantom",sorry could you explain?

Fathom! Have no idea why I wrote phantom 😂. Thanks for flagging.

Grendel7 · 05/07/2026 21:26

blackpooolrock · 04/02/2026 09:33

The washing machine does my laundry...

Oh? There's a machine you can get to do it? I just go to the river and beat the washing with a rock whilst he goes out hunting for food.
Honestly,people who separate washing because they are terrified of being a normal wife are scary aren't they.

Seajaye · 01/08/2026 13:50

Usernamen · 04/02/2026 01:31

I’m confused as to the women on this thread who do / used to do their husband’s laundry? Unless your husband is physically disabled, why on earth would you do his laundry? I feel like I’ve stepped into the 1950s.

Doing the family's laundry is not really the big issue here. Lots of people share domestic chores and it's more efficient and environmentally friendly to to do a full load fof whites, then colours etc than lots of individual small.loads. . He might have previously something else instead like cut the grass or clean the car for example. With the invention of the washing machine and lawn mower both sets of tasks still have to done but are easier than they used to be before machines did the bulk of the work . It's up to families to contribute to the domestic chores fairly especially if they both work.

The issue here is lack of respect, acknowledgement and gratitude for what each partner is contributing, coupled with the breaking down of communication and the close intimate relationship of a once shared lifestyle.

Seajaye · 01/08/2026 13:50

Usernamen · 04/02/2026 01:31

I’m confused as to the women on this thread who do / used to do their husband’s laundry? Unless your husband is physically disabled, why on earth would you do his laundry? I feel like I’ve stepped into the 1950s.

Doing the family's laundry is not really the big issue here. Lots of people share domestic chores and it's more efficient and environmentally friendly to to do a full load fof whites, then colours etc than lots of individual small.loads. . He might have previously something else instead like cut the grass or clean the car for example. With the invention of the washing machine and lawn mower both sets of tasks still have to done but are easier than they used to be before machines did the bulk of the work . It's up to families to contribute to the domestic chores fairly especially if they both work.

The issue here is lack of respect, acknowledgement and gratitude for what each partner is contributing, coupled with the breaking down of communication and the close intimate relationship of a once shared lifestyle.

Bedlingtonwarrior · Yesterday 19:47

(Sorry) I'm a man with a lifetimes experience.
He has an another woman and wants to break your bond so that he is not "the bad guy" when it comes to the end as you were the horrible one. It's mind games

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