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What should I do

(48 Posts)
Dottie1 Wed 16-Jun-21 06:43:16

We have been married 38years relocated to another area 8m ago DH now only works part time I’ve been at home since we moved . I job has come up local to me working full time, I’m in with a good chance of getting it ,I want a job to help me meet new people I was looking for part time ! The problem is my DH will only do the bare basic to help his only job at home is to cut lawn and put bins out He will still expect me to plate him up a meal when he gets home from work I wont be home til after him I know he wants me to get the job as he will have more opportunity to do nothing he’s not a pro active person . I’m so fed up I’ve tried asking him to help more round house garden but he says he does loads and when I ask him what he says I can’t think at the moment !!! We have a strained relationship atm I’m now sleeping in spare room have been for a few months as I really need space/time away from him I have told him how I feel but he just says I love you and goes off and hides in case I ask him to do anything What a mess we have got ourselves into I never imagined it would come down to me basically have a man/child at the age of 60 anyone else feel like this and what did you do ?

Lucca Wed 16-Jun-21 17:17:03

Chewbacca

LTB

Looks like just you And I agreeing on this one !!

DiscoDancer1975 Wed 16-Jun-21 17:34:30

Before you do anything else...please sit down and talk. Don't throw away 38 years until you've exhausted all other avenues. I'm inclined also...to think he may be depressed.
If he just doesn't want to do this, or you get nowhere, perhaps it is time to move on if you can. Otherwise it will still be you sorting everyone else to help you in the house, but the problem will still be there.
Good luck

Chewbacca Wed 16-Jun-21 17:51:42

Lucca the issues raised in the OP were exactly why I LTB. And I never regretted it for one second. He did though. His slave had gone.

Lucca Wed 16-Jun-21 18:07:21

Well done !

jeanie99 Thu 17-Jun-21 18:29:22

One thing is for sure, he will not change.
If he is anything like my hubby he will not even discuss the sharing of jobs around the house. His reply is always well leave it if you don't want to do it, and then walks off.
My hubby doesn't do anything he doesn't want to do full stop.
I always liked working and did until I retired at 62, on full time.
I worked part time when the children were small.
The decision to leave is a difficult one because you may find that financially you are worse off and why should you be worse off in retirement after a long working life.
You just can't win with some men so you need to come to terms with that.
You need to do the maths taking some legal advice if necessary.
Best of luck

Lucca Thu 17-Jun-21 18:37:43

Where is OP ?

BlueBelle Thu 17-Jun-21 19:27:01

There’s more to being ‘worse off’ than money though jeannie perhaps the poster is worse off in the happiness stakes

Dottie1 Fri 18-Jun-21 06:21:21

Wel I have read and re read all your replies and thought of every option ,I have decided to take the position ,I start on Monday. No point in sitting down and having a long conversation with him as he will say his usual I will help but he doesn’t .
I will have time away from the house and see/meet new people and see how life progresses
Again thank you for your support

DiscoDancer1975 Fri 18-Jun-21 08:19:12

Thank you for your update. I wish you well in what ever you decide to do. Enjoy your new job ?

SuzieHi Fri 18-Jun-21 08:36:37

Good luck in your new job. You could ask him if he’d like a cleaner in while you’re out or would he rather do it himself? Get in a few ready meals. He might start helping if you’re not there, he might re asses your relationship and be willing to make efforts all round?
Anyway, enjoy the job and try & make new friends so you’re not bored or resentful. Big decision to leave- try change first!

JaneJudge Fri 18-Jun-21 08:45:08

Congratulations on you new job smile
I was going to suggest you take it and worry about the rest afterwards which is what you seem to have decided to do. All the best x

Cabbie21 Fri 18-Jun-21 08:50:05

Good decision. Just don’t try and do everything at home as well.

Grammaretto Sat 19-Jun-21 13:28:15

Good luck with the new job. It sounds like a positive step.

Hithere Sat 19-Jun-21 15:10:57

Congrats!

FarNorth Sat 19-Jun-21 15:33:59

Good news, Dottie1.

As you'll be full time, and he is part time, why not suggest that he take on most of the household tasks and/or that he arrange to employ someone?

Good luck in the new job! sunshine

MagicWand Sat 19-Jun-21 17:55:12

Good luck with the new job Dottie.

Re the husband, make sure you always have some good ready meals in the fridge or freezer, ask him to cook a couple of times a week when he's not at work and if he doesn't, do a ready meal just for yourself.

Give him a choice - would he like to take on the household cleaning OR would he like to pay for a cleaner? Make sure you get an answer from him - making it his decision worked for mine and we'd been married over 40yrs so never too late to change.

Our lovely cleaner is brilliant by the way! He always organises payment!! grin

NotAGran55 Sun 20-Jun-21 15:35:27

Congratulations on the new and I hope that your first day goes well tomorrow.

Hithere Sun 20-Jun-21 21:28:51

Have a great first day!

Madgran77 Sun 20-Jun-21 21:41:00

Enjoy your new job. And do think about what is worth staying in a relationship for and what is worth leaving for! [flowers}

Eviebeanz Wed 28-Jul-21 16:20:35

Hi dottie have read your story and wondered how things had turned out for you...

Luckygirl Wed 28-Jul-21 16:30:40

Oh that sounds good! - enjoy!

Germanshepherdsmum Wed 28-Jul-21 17:44:44

Sounds like my first husband. I stood all that for 23 years and he left, not me - went back to his mother and stayed there! Don’t know how difficult it would be for OP to leave after 38 years. Personally I’d see about getting a cleaner and hold out for a part time job if she really wants one but it doesn’t guarantee making friends in the same way that joining clubs etc does. I don’t know how old OP is but full time work doesn’t get easier with the years and I wouldn’t rely on it as a means of making new friends. Colleagues might be younger and not wanting/having time to socialise. And of course you’re there to work not chat at the water cooler!