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Relationships

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Regret him moving in

154 replies

cheeseislife8 · 06/08/2026 23:47

18 months ago started dating a man. Lovely guy I'd known a while through a circle of friends, and we tentatively started something which became quite intense quite quickly, in that he was round my place more nights than he wasn't, we fell in love and started talking about the future all within the first 4 months. Like, ridiculously happy. He's kind, funny, caring and we've been absolutely crazy about each other. Everyone happy for us, friends loving it, his family and I get on really well, etc.

For context, I separated from STBXH almost 3 years ago, divorce imminent, though we're amicable. I LOVED living alone for the first time in 13 years (no kids, very sadly). XDH and I were both on level ground when we met at the time so it felt easy, both with our own place, both functioning adults at the time.

New DP, however, had been living with parents again following relationship breakdown (not his fault, I know the story). When I asked him after a particularly happy spell if he wanted to trial living together, all was great. Stuff arrived at my place, he began contributing, so far so good.

Except it soon became apparent he has no adulting experience whatsoever. He had to be shown multiple times how to use the washer, for example, and how to deal with suppliers and employers. He does try but he's just not great at the daily stuff and asks for help and prompts a lot. The dynamic between us obviously changed completely.

I love him but I'm quietly, slowly starting to resent his presence in my house, which I'd hoped would become ours. It honestly feels like I'm having to parent a grown man, and it's not attractive. I've talked to him about it, and he's actively trying to do more and be more helpful but he's such a sensitive soul it's hard to tell him it's not helped much. It almost feels like weaponised incompetence at this point.

He's on holiday with friends currently (booked over a year ago and I opted not to go) and I've so enjoyed having my place to myself, the reduction in mental load and the peace. I feel horribly guilty for it, but much as I care for him I'm not looking forward to his return and the return to having to do the brainwork and adulting for two people.

What do I do, at this point? I'd hate to throw away the things that we have/had. I know it's my fault for suggesting he move in, and I'd love to be able to go back to to happiness we had when we were just dating, but I know we can't turn the clock back. Is this broken?

OP posts:
Wideeyed66 · Today 07:28

what does he do for work and does he manage ok there? Is he asking for prompts and help all day there too? If the answer is that this behaviour only appears at home, then it is indeed weaponised incompetence. From experience, if changes don’t happen you’ll lose any physical desire for him, so I’d probably call it quits if he can’t buck up. Life is too short.

DearDenimEagle · Today 07:55

cheeseislife8 · 07/08/2026 00:23

I think I do need to have this conversation. I'm so scared of hurting him, but you're right, it needs to be talked out.

It is weaponised incompetence. You have, at best, a man child. Or it could be the start of something worse. You should not be scared of hurting him…he’s perfectly happy to let you run round after him like his mother and a child can work a washer or dryer and do basic chores. I know, I was running the house from when I was 8, plus ironing, gardening and cleaning downstairs windows. And the dog.

Itsthewoluff · Today 08:27

It’s funny when they are so sensitive you can’t hurt their feelings, yet they don’t mind hurting yours. I bet he doesn’t tread on egg shells around you?

Sereine · Today 08:27

cheeseislife8 · 08/08/2026 18:36

Sorry it was worded badly. I mean if he needs to contact say his phone provider, or deal with a situation at work, it's always me who helps with prompting him etc. It was there to illustrate my additional mental load

How on earth does he manage to hold down a job if he's this helpless?

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