We’ve been married for almost ten years and have three children together. I’m a stay-at-home mother who also works twenty hours a week, while my husband works full-time. Around the house, I handle everything—cleaning, groceries, planning birthdays, and organizing holidays. His only contribution is taking out the bins.
I don’t resent the work itself; I love caring for my family. But he isn’t very involved as a father or husband. Most evenings, he’s glued to his phone instead of engaging with us.
One small positive is that he always makes me drinks, which I appreciate.
This year, I asked him three separate times to plan something for our anniversary. I do everything else, and I felt it was time he took responsibility for one occasion. All I wanted was a babysitter and dinner at a restaurant—nothing extravagant.
Our anniversary is on the 23rd, and I know he hasn’t planned anything. I can’t stop thinking about it. Every waking moment, I wonder what I’ll do when the day arrives and nothing happens.
It’s been a rough year for us. I’ve pulled back emotionally, hoping he would step up. Instead, he complains that I’m cold and unaffectionate.
I’ve always struggled with low self-esteem, often feeling I wasn’t worth much. But I want to feel valued, and I believe ten years of marriage deserves recognition.
I just needed to share this, because I have no one else to talk to.
Thank you for listening.
