Man Complains To His Mom About GF Being “Not The Domestic Type”, Gets A Dose Of Reality
Living with one’s partner can often come with a whole host of possible risks, for example, the daily domestic disputes about the trash, the laundry and even the dishes can end up undermining a relationship. So this is why it’s best to at least discuss who does what and when.
A woman asked the internet if she was wrong to stop doing her boyfriend’s laundry in retaliation for him making backhanded comments about how she does chores. We reached out to the woman who posted the story via private message and will update the article when she gets back to us.
Chores can be time consuming and annoying, particularly if you are the only one doing them
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So one woman decided to let her BF do his own laundry
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Image credits: Pablo Merchán Montes / unsplash (not the actual photo)
Image credits: avabeast
Taking care of a household is a lot of work
Image credits: Josue Michel / unsplash (not the actual photo)
Some folks don’t do household chores, not because they’re physically incapable, but because they’ve internalized a set of expectations that quietly excuse them from participating. Whether it’s a belief that domestic labor isn’t “real work,” or simply that their partner is “just better at it,” the result is the same: one partner ends up doing far more, often without acknowledgment. To be fair, it’s nearly impossible to actually split all the chores perfectly in half. Indeed, a couple may waste more time ensuring a “perfect” split than is really worth it at the end of the day. However, more often than not, there is just one member of the household, often the man, who simply does a lot less.
A lot of this behavior is learned. Some boys grow up in homes where their mothers handled everything from laundry to cooking, while fathers were praised for occasionally helping at best. That kind of modeling can reinforce the idea that chores are inherently “women’s work,” and so, when these boys grow up, they don’t see household tasks as their responsibility. Instead, they assume the home just kind of runs itself, with their partner quietly keeping everything in order like a background app. A common outcome of this is that they never learn how to do these tasks, so their partner has to balance needing to “teach” and correct over just doing the chore themselves.
Another layer is what people call the “mental load”, the invisible labor of planning meals, remembering appointments, knowing when to buy toilet paper, or organizing the kids’ school stuff. Even if a man occasionally helps with the dishes or vacuums once a week, if he’s not taking on any of that mental weight, his partner is still doing most of the work. And over time, that imbalance can lead to serious resentment. While it’s nice if he does these things now and then, the fact is that she can’t rely on it and, therefore, can’t plan for it.
Some men need to just grow up and pick up a mop
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Sometimes, the excuse is “I just didn’t notice it needed doing.” But that’s not a pass. If you notice your phone needs charging or your car needs gas, you can notice the trash is overflowing. It’s about attention, not ability. In relationships, shared space means shared effort. Choosing not to notice messes or chores doesn’t mean they don’t exist, it just means someone else is forced to care for both of you. Interestingly, she says that it took him multiple days to notice that, surprise surprise, his clothes were still dirty.
Ultimately, refusing to participate equally in household chores isn’t about incompetence, it’s about priorities and accountability. This is why this sort of thing is often called “weaponized incompetence,” where a person refuses to learn so they aren’t asked to do more “work” in the future. Relationships function best when both partners show up, not just emotionally or financially, but practically. Picking up a mop, scrubbing a toilet, or planning a grocery run might not be glamorous, but it is part of the deal. Respecting your partner means helping carry the weight, not just watching them struggle with it.
Unfortunately, in this story, the man, instead, bites the hand that feeds and complains to his mother. This is generally a bad look even when one’s complaints are more legitimate. Some folks complained about her even staying with a man like this, who, after almost three decades of life, can’t seem to pick up after himself. It’s a pretty embarrassing look.
Most thought she was absolutely in the right
Some readers thought she was already allowing too much to slide
A few folks shared similar stories
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Dump his laundry and him. Folks must be desperate for affection or the s*x is really great to put up with loads like this guy
Yeah this kind of thing isn't "Talk to him and work out a chore schedule" because people like this RARELY change. I would save myself the extra work/stress and dump him.
Load More Replies...Petty or not, she shouldn't have done that level of chores anyway. She should never go back to that scenario and shouldn't buy into his misogynistic behaviour. Tell him from now on, he does equal share or he can fúck off and do it alone. Either way, unless he moves back in with Mummy, time for him to grow up.
All of this. She's not his fukcing maid. If they get married imagine how much worse its going to be! She'll have the kids and a manchild and probably still have to work. Ladies... split ALL the chores right from the get-go. If he can't cook, its time to learn. If he doesnt know how, show him once then leave him to it. Grocery shopping, take turns or do it together. Vacuuming, bathroom, toilets mopping every fukcing thing is a SHARED RESPONSIBILITY.
Load More Replies...His lack of contribution with the chores is one problem but what is worse is he keeps dragging his mommy into their relationship. That would kick off an argument of epic proportions.
The second he involved his mother in our disagreement, I’d have been out. Can’t man up and even fight your own battles let alone your half of the household chores? Bye dude! Life is too short…
"You're being petty!!!". "Sure, sure. You're being lazy, ungrateful and a momma's boy. Why am I with you?"
I'm an old lady so learn from my experience ladies. If you start doing something to accommodate someone else than it will become you job from that point forward. You can get petty, you can calmly communicate, you can yell, you can cry but they will still assume it is your duty to them. Set your boundaries early and often. If you get push back then you need to keep backing up right out of their life.
First husband, back in the 90s, shouldered me with all the household responsibilities without consulting me. It was one of many bricks in the wall. I was also a graduate student at the time, then a first-year, stressed teacher. He also gave me s*x three times in three years, way before ace/aro was known about. OF COURSE I stopped all housework! The house ultimately stank, and it was a Pyrrhic victory. And of course I divorced, then remarried someone much more compatible. First thing second husband and I did was hire a housekeeper!
Any woman who takes on all the chores is a dumb a*s. This is 2025. You are not some housewife with a bunch of kids at home while hubby works. Takes turns or have your laundry done by a laundry service. Cannot believe women are still doing this.
I have a very modest question: why are you still with him? He didn't defend you against his mother, so it's clear he not only doesn't love you — he doesn't even like you. He considers you a housekeeper and an organic mattress.
I believe the Reddit term is "bang maid" -- the one who does all the chores in exchange for s*x.
I have a morning routine. It takes a couple hours. Typically I wake up, drink pre-workout, take care of the dog, actually work out, do my skin care routine, get dressed, and then head to work. When my unemployed ex used to stay with me, I started getting up extra early so that I could make breakfast and coffee for him. He would sleep until noon and then do whatever he wanted. One day after months of this I sat him down and asked him why is it that he can't get up and make me breakfast and coffee so that I could sleep a little longer. After all, he could sleep as long as he needed, but I was the one employed and that extra hour of sleep would really mean a lot to me. He looks me dead in the eye and said "Because you do it. I know if I'm sleeping your kind and will make me breakfast and coffee, why on Earth would I do anything to change that If I know you'll do it?". It was the moment I realized that entitled people are NEVER worth being with, and they don't change.
My favorite one of the many comments I enjoyed was the one who dropped off her husband's laundry at his mom's and told her she'd be back with his dirty dishes if she thought her opinions had any place in their relationship.
I don't get this mentality. I've been married 29 years and I've never felt like I was doing the bulk of the work. We've always just both pitched in. When I was working and he wasn't, when we were both working, when he was just working--we've always just both done what needs to be done. I've never even had to ask him. He has eyes and can see what needs done. I was once visiting a friend and her husband took out the trash and then made it into this huge thing the rest of the weekend--wanting to be praised because he took out the trash, and getting moody because he felt my friend didn't seem appreciative enough that the did it. Dude--you live here too. It's YOUR trash too. Why do you need kudos for something everyone should be doing anyway? I have another friend who was frustrated her two adult kids weren't pitching in (they live at home). She decided to give up. She asked her husband for help one day and he said, "I don't see why I have to do it, since X and Y don't have to."
I have to be honest here - I am terrible at housework, I now have someone come in to do it but in the past I lived in a sty b/c I honestly did not see it. Even now (I am 73) every horizontal surface is completely taken up by random shite. Yes, there are probably mental health issues - when I look at what needs doing, I get overwhelmed and my brain locks up. (a common joke among friends is that I move every 4 or 5 years so I can start with a clean place)
I understand, Zaach. A lot of people respond to clutter the way you do. The difference is you’ve found a productive way of dealing with it by hiring someone to take care of it for you. On the other hand, if you simply just expected one of your friends of family members, or had a significant other who lived with you, to constantly clean up after you for free, like the OP’s BF seems to think he’s entitled to, that would be a completely different situation. I personally love to clean and organize, and am more than happy to help my friends and family when they ask for my help. But I’ve had partners take efforts for granted in the past, and it’s the appreciation, or lack thereof, that makes all the difference.
Load More Replies...I married the best kind of man. I lost it due to depression and he took over the laundry, vacuuming, general cleaning, kitty litter trays - I just did dishes, cooking, keeping the kitchen clean and shopping. He never complained, either, he just said he realises I need time and he's here for us. He hasn't quite managed ironing but it doesn't all need to be, so I'll do that too. But that's a real partner, afaic.
My husband used to be more helpful around the house. Once the kids came, I still worked full time, but it would be "What's for dinner when I got home" and "I will entertain the kids while you clean up." I taught our boys how to take care of themselves and they are on their own, but my husband is still here more helpless than ever.
I chose the compromise option in the poll. I married a man who ex̌pected the old fashioned sexist split (stereotypical mamas boy)... fine when I wasn't working (also when he wasn't working too at some points lol) and had no children but you bet your a$$ it didn't stay that way after I started full time employment and had a child. He started by taking over the vacuuming and mopping. Then raised the bet to include almost every dinner (we almost always have homecooking) because he realised he'd starve otherwise hahaha because I DIDNT HAVE TIME! Guess what? the man loves to cook now! Offers to cook for our friends to show off. Gotta love a man who can learn.... I'm still working on laundry with him but washing dishes is a no go 🙃 Edit to add... sometimes things take effort. It's up to you to decide if the relationship is WORTH that effort.
i've said this many times- when my husband and i got married, he ran out of clean clothes and said, i don't have any clean clothes! and i said, i guess you should do some laundry, then. i've never done his laundry, unless i'm throwing something in to make a full load. :)
It's not enough to stop doing the laundry. OP should stop doing everything. After all, if she's still handling the household chores, when will she have time to find a new place to live, pack up, and move out? Of course, Baby Tate won't be entirely without a domestic. He can always call his Mommy to take up the slack; after all, that's what she's for, isn't it?
I know situations, like this, inherently create these types of AITA so it may seem like it happens more than it does. But the amount of these that are AITA'd makes me wonder why people put up with this s**t? Maybe if you were set to received a ton of money in a will or something? But I dont' really see anything worth putting up with this c**p and so many peoole do.
Dump his laundry and him. Folks must be desperate for affection or the s*x is really great to put up with loads like this guy
Yeah this kind of thing isn't "Talk to him and work out a chore schedule" because people like this RARELY change. I would save myself the extra work/stress and dump him.
Load More Replies...Petty or not, she shouldn't have done that level of chores anyway. She should never go back to that scenario and shouldn't buy into his misogynistic behaviour. Tell him from now on, he does equal share or he can fúck off and do it alone. Either way, unless he moves back in with Mummy, time for him to grow up.
All of this. She's not his fukcing maid. If they get married imagine how much worse its going to be! She'll have the kids and a manchild and probably still have to work. Ladies... split ALL the chores right from the get-go. If he can't cook, its time to learn. If he doesnt know how, show him once then leave him to it. Grocery shopping, take turns or do it together. Vacuuming, bathroom, toilets mopping every fukcing thing is a SHARED RESPONSIBILITY.
Load More Replies...His lack of contribution with the chores is one problem but what is worse is he keeps dragging his mommy into their relationship. That would kick off an argument of epic proportions.
The second he involved his mother in our disagreement, I’d have been out. Can’t man up and even fight your own battles let alone your half of the household chores? Bye dude! Life is too short…
"You're being petty!!!". "Sure, sure. You're being lazy, ungrateful and a momma's boy. Why am I with you?"
I'm an old lady so learn from my experience ladies. If you start doing something to accommodate someone else than it will become you job from that point forward. You can get petty, you can calmly communicate, you can yell, you can cry but they will still assume it is your duty to them. Set your boundaries early and often. If you get push back then you need to keep backing up right out of their life.
First husband, back in the 90s, shouldered me with all the household responsibilities without consulting me. It was one of many bricks in the wall. I was also a graduate student at the time, then a first-year, stressed teacher. He also gave me s*x three times in three years, way before ace/aro was known about. OF COURSE I stopped all housework! The house ultimately stank, and it was a Pyrrhic victory. And of course I divorced, then remarried someone much more compatible. First thing second husband and I did was hire a housekeeper!
Any woman who takes on all the chores is a dumb a*s. This is 2025. You are not some housewife with a bunch of kids at home while hubby works. Takes turns or have your laundry done by a laundry service. Cannot believe women are still doing this.
I have a very modest question: why are you still with him? He didn't defend you against his mother, so it's clear he not only doesn't love you — he doesn't even like you. He considers you a housekeeper and an organic mattress.
I believe the Reddit term is "bang maid" -- the one who does all the chores in exchange for s*x.
I have a morning routine. It takes a couple hours. Typically I wake up, drink pre-workout, take care of the dog, actually work out, do my skin care routine, get dressed, and then head to work. When my unemployed ex used to stay with me, I started getting up extra early so that I could make breakfast and coffee for him. He would sleep until noon and then do whatever he wanted. One day after months of this I sat him down and asked him why is it that he can't get up and make me breakfast and coffee so that I could sleep a little longer. After all, he could sleep as long as he needed, but I was the one employed and that extra hour of sleep would really mean a lot to me. He looks me dead in the eye and said "Because you do it. I know if I'm sleeping your kind and will make me breakfast and coffee, why on Earth would I do anything to change that If I know you'll do it?". It was the moment I realized that entitled people are NEVER worth being with, and they don't change.
My favorite one of the many comments I enjoyed was the one who dropped off her husband's laundry at his mom's and told her she'd be back with his dirty dishes if she thought her opinions had any place in their relationship.
I don't get this mentality. I've been married 29 years and I've never felt like I was doing the bulk of the work. We've always just both pitched in. When I was working and he wasn't, when we were both working, when he was just working--we've always just both done what needs to be done. I've never even had to ask him. He has eyes and can see what needs done. I was once visiting a friend and her husband took out the trash and then made it into this huge thing the rest of the weekend--wanting to be praised because he took out the trash, and getting moody because he felt my friend didn't seem appreciative enough that the did it. Dude--you live here too. It's YOUR trash too. Why do you need kudos for something everyone should be doing anyway? I have another friend who was frustrated her two adult kids weren't pitching in (they live at home). She decided to give up. She asked her husband for help one day and he said, "I don't see why I have to do it, since X and Y don't have to."
I have to be honest here - I am terrible at housework, I now have someone come in to do it but in the past I lived in a sty b/c I honestly did not see it. Even now (I am 73) every horizontal surface is completely taken up by random shite. Yes, there are probably mental health issues - when I look at what needs doing, I get overwhelmed and my brain locks up. (a common joke among friends is that I move every 4 or 5 years so I can start with a clean place)
I understand, Zaach. A lot of people respond to clutter the way you do. The difference is you’ve found a productive way of dealing with it by hiring someone to take care of it for you. On the other hand, if you simply just expected one of your friends of family members, or had a significant other who lived with you, to constantly clean up after you for free, like the OP’s BF seems to think he’s entitled to, that would be a completely different situation. I personally love to clean and organize, and am more than happy to help my friends and family when they ask for my help. But I’ve had partners take efforts for granted in the past, and it’s the appreciation, or lack thereof, that makes all the difference.
Load More Replies...I married the best kind of man. I lost it due to depression and he took over the laundry, vacuuming, general cleaning, kitty litter trays - I just did dishes, cooking, keeping the kitchen clean and shopping. He never complained, either, he just said he realises I need time and he's here for us. He hasn't quite managed ironing but it doesn't all need to be, so I'll do that too. But that's a real partner, afaic.
My husband used to be more helpful around the house. Once the kids came, I still worked full time, but it would be "What's for dinner when I got home" and "I will entertain the kids while you clean up." I taught our boys how to take care of themselves and they are on their own, but my husband is still here more helpless than ever.
I chose the compromise option in the poll. I married a man who ex̌pected the old fashioned sexist split (stereotypical mamas boy)... fine when I wasn't working (also when he wasn't working too at some points lol) and had no children but you bet your a$$ it didn't stay that way after I started full time employment and had a child. He started by taking over the vacuuming and mopping. Then raised the bet to include almost every dinner (we almost always have homecooking) because he realised he'd starve otherwise hahaha because I DIDNT HAVE TIME! Guess what? the man loves to cook now! Offers to cook for our friends to show off. Gotta love a man who can learn.... I'm still working on laundry with him but washing dishes is a no go 🙃 Edit to add... sometimes things take effort. It's up to you to decide if the relationship is WORTH that effort.
i've said this many times- when my husband and i got married, he ran out of clean clothes and said, i don't have any clean clothes! and i said, i guess you should do some laundry, then. i've never done his laundry, unless i'm throwing something in to make a full load. :)
It's not enough to stop doing the laundry. OP should stop doing everything. After all, if she's still handling the household chores, when will she have time to find a new place to live, pack up, and move out? Of course, Baby Tate won't be entirely without a domestic. He can always call his Mommy to take up the slack; after all, that's what she's for, isn't it?
I know situations, like this, inherently create these types of AITA so it may seem like it happens more than it does. But the amount of these that are AITA'd makes me wonder why people put up with this s**t? Maybe if you were set to received a ton of money in a will or something? But I dont' really see anything worth putting up with this c**p and so many peoole do.





































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