My partner (29M) and I (31F) have been together for 10 months. Due to circumstances out of our control, we needed to move in together around 4 months ago. I knew prior to this that he had taken out a $10k loan before our relationship, and he had told me he had paid off a few thousand dollars. Once we moved in, he was struggling with the budget that I had set up for us both which covered all of our expenses and included our salaries, even though he was also working overtime. This raised alarm bells and I asked about his debt again. I found out that his $10k loan was consolidated with another $10k loan, meaning he owed around $16k at 16% interest.
When we started dating, I told him how important travel was to me and that I also wanted to purchase a home before 35 so I could settle and have kids. With this new information about it his finances, he would not be able to contribute to savings for another 7 years (when loan is estimated to be paid off). Since then, he has been putting all of his extra money onto the loan which has been great, but it’s still going to take him at least 3 years to pay it off which means travelling and saving for a house is still well out of reach.
On top of this, since we’ve moved in, it’s become apparent that he has quite severe ADHD which is being unmanaged. He spoke to a psychologist who confirmed this, but doesn’t want to progress to a formal diagnosis or be medicated. This is his right, however his ADHD is causing issues when it comes to household chores. Unless I give specific step by step instructions, things in the house are not done properly. For example, he has taken clothes off the washing line while still wet, folded them and put them away. This has lead to things having to be thrown out because of mould. He also leaves empty bottles, boxes, and old food in fridge/cupboard because he forgets them. I want to be empathetic, and I can see he is trying in some ways. He is writing lists and is trying really hard, but he continues to half finish things or rush them which means I have to go back and recheck and often redo things he has done. It adds more work and mental load to my plate, when I’m working 60 hour weeks and studying as opposed to his 37 hours a week.
In addition, there have been 3 occasions where he has become incredibly paranoid and accused me of cheating with male friends and female friends boyfriend, when he is under the influence of alcohol and other substances. These times have been really scary, to the point where he’s asked bartenders and random people in a bar if they saw me cheat on him to try to confirm his suspicions. To be clear, nothing has ever happened. He was cheated on in his last relationship.
I’m scared to leave as I’m in my 30s, the dating pool is horrible, and I want a family. I can see that he is trying really hard in these areas once I’ve raised them, but I don’t know if it’s enough. Should I leave him, or stick it out and see if things change?
TL;DR:
I (31F) have been with my partner (29M) for 10 months and living together for 4. I recently discovered he has $16k in debt (at 16% interest), not the $10k he initially told me about, and likely won’t be able to contribute to savings or travel for years. He has unmanaged ADHD that significantly affects household functioning, adding to my mental load while I work 60 hours and study. Despite trying to improve, he regularly forgets tasks or completes them poorly, causing extra work for me. More seriously, he’s accused me of cheating during three substance-influenced episodes, becoming paranoid and confronting others to “verify” his suspicions. While I care about him and see his efforts, I’m unsure whether to stay or leave, especially as I’m in my 30s and want a family. I’m torn between hope for change and concern it’s not enough.
Comments
You’re not compatible. Sorry you didn’t discover this before moving in.
For the love of hades, paragraphs.
But no, you are not compatible at all.
Scared to leave? OP, you should be scared to stay.
This guy is financially irresponsible, incompetent with housework, and is showing controlling behavior. Truly, you need to raise your standards. The bar is in hell.
You are doing enough to keep this relationship work still he is accusing you of cheating it shows he doesn’t respect your efforts, it’s a clear indication that you should move on, you deserve better for sure.
‘The dating pool is horrible’
Your relationship is horrible. Do not have a child with this man.
He’s not going to change.
It’s not your job to fix him.
He’s already pulling the weaponized incompetence thing, is heavily in debt and has substance abuse issues; and given the common scenario, next up will be ‘I lost my job again’ and then he sits home playing video games all day. I’m willing to bet there is much more bad news hiding under the covers there.
Best to pull the plug on this one before you invest any more of your heart or your time. You gave it a good shot, you tried on the shoes, and they don’t fit. Best to put them back in the box on the shelf and move on, to save yourself.
Give hm until the end of the month to move out, or move out yourself, whichever is easiest.
If he has unmanaged ADHD and it is causing issues, please realise that it is easier to move on now, than have fights about cleaning for the next 6 years. Go and check out the adhdpartners sub. It’s tough.