July 2012 Weddings
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Hi guys I haven't been around but here's an update (long)

We've worked through all the issues and I'm no longer longing for the grass on the other side of the fence. We're happily working to make our relationship stronger but last night brought something to the surface that I'm feeling really worried about.

My fiance has a decent job that pays OK. The thing is, it's a dead end job. There's room for movement upwards but he's not interested in moving further up the chain there. So basically he's in a dead end. Through all the years we've been together he's talked about how he doesn't want to be like all the old guys doing what he does down the road. He feels like they're all losers in a sense.

At one point he ended up getting a job at a place that was a REALLY good opportunity. The economy took a rough turn and he got laid off because he was the new guy. They were still offering to let him take his A+ course and test at no cost. He didn't. That would've been a great thing to put on his resume AND he could've got a great job with that certification.

Anyway, he's back doing the job that he doesn't want to retire in. He talks about applying at boeing and going back to school but nothing ever happens. I helped him with his resume and it just sits. He always has an excuse. I don't know how much more encouraging and help it will take short of sending the app in for him.

But what really got me is last night we were having dinner with his parents and the subject of this competition that his company puts on that has a $30k bonus, a trip and another thing to put on his resume. I think he'd kick butt at it and his boss does too! We were all trying to encourage him to do it and he says "but it's worldwide". SO WHAT!? geez! Then, he realizes that someone from utah won last year so then his next excuse is "well we have so much going on with the wedding and all, I might do it next year."

That makes me mad for two reasons 1 - He doesn't have ANYTHING going on. All he has to do is show up on the day! Seriously, he hasn't done anything. Not that I really care for him to do anything but that excuse is terrible. 2 - He said he would apply to Boeing AFTER the wedding. So, it seems he either has no intention of doing that or he really has no intention of ever going into the competition.
I think he's terrified of failing. I don't know how to help him with that but I'm not sure I'll be completely happy being the bread winner for the rest of my life. I want a comfortable living. I want to be making 6 figures by myself in the next 10 years and I want someone to at least attempt to be successful. It would be nice if he could bring home $50k. Is that too much to ask?

In his defense he did try and get back with the company that laid him off when they were about to hire again. They never pulled the trigger so that went no where.
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Re: Hi guys I haven't been around but here's an update (long)

  • My question I guess is. Am I making a mountain out of a mole hill? I mean, with my salary alone we'll be able to live comfortably...
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  • Nati05Nati05 member
    1000 Comments Fourth Anniversary
    edited May 2012

    I'm not really sure any of us can help you with this. I'm sure you're completely aware it's not important who is "the breadwinner" but you might just be one of those people that simply aren't as comfortable as others with this subject. It's a delicate topic to demand your FI to earn a certain amount, especially if he doesn't seem motivated enough to do it. So I'd tread very lightly here... 

    I do however understand your frustration with FI subconsciously not wanting to move forward. We all want the best for our FIs, want them to succeed, achieve their dreams and for them to feel great about themselves! I would suggest having a heart to heart to help him understand why he's continously setting up obstacles for himself. OR counseling if he's uncomfortable talking about this with you. This to me is pretty important... not so that he can bring home $50k soon... but primarily so that he can move on and let go of those fears of improving, or whatever it is he's dealing with internally.

    But it sounds like you might have to do some question answering yourself. Why does it bother you so much to earn more than he does for too long? Is it so bad that this is a deal breaker situation for you? If for whatever reason FI cannot bring home what you expect him to, what does that mean for your relationship/ marriage?

    If in the end things for some reason don't go the way you had hoped, it would be helpful if you work on your thinking about who should be breadwinner in order for both of you to live a happy life without resentment of your partner. GL

  • I guess I don't expect him to make $50k... I can't dictate someones income. I just want him to pursue a career, something that will make him happy because he's not right now. I want him to be able to provide and have a substatial contribution monetarily to the marriage.

    I'm not sure why I'm not so comfortable with being the bread winner. I guess I always pictured myself being in a "traditional" marriage. I like the idea of it. However, I know that won't happen no matter who I marry. I will most likely be the bread winner in any relationship I get myself into. So, really it can't be a deal breaker.

    I'm just tired of being the pusher and him not moving at all.
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  • I think all you can do is encourage your FI to do better and try to give him confidence to go after what you know he can accomplish, but in the end you can't go into a relationship or marriage and expect people to change.  It sounds like you and your FI have a lot more to talk about with each other before you walk down the aisle. I would really recommend pre-marital counseling. You need to be 100% ok and accept that your FI may never make as much as you and know that you can never hold that against him once married because you know how he is now. Be open with your FI now and voice your concerns and talk everything now. It sounds like your last talk went well. it will bring you closer together as well. Let him know that it's a concern of yours and it bothers you that he isn't reaching his full potential professionally and that you have the faith in him that he can be more successful and you'll stand behind him when he tries and be there in times of failure and success.
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  • Nati05Nati05 member
    1000 Comments Fourth Anniversary
    edited May 2012
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_july-2012-weddings_hi-guys-i-havent-been-around-but-heres-an-update-long?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding Club BoardsForum:066005ef-215f-48b1-8655-328b41e07c52Discussion:31dc9353-2182-4942-9c0b-ad87c045f354Post:341cbe9a-08e3-4219-bcce-73d5e588bece">Re: Hi guys I haven't been around but here's an update (long)</a>:
    [QUOTE]I think all you can do is encourage your FI to do better and try to give him confidence to go after what you know he can accomplish, but in the end you can't go into a relationship or marriage and expect people to change.  It sounds like you and your FI have a lot more to talk about with each other before you walk down the aisle. I would really recommend pre-marital counseling. You need to be 100% ok and accept that your FI may never make as much as you and know that you can never hold that against him once married because you know how he is now. Be open with your FI now and voice your concerns and talk everything now. It sounds like your last talk went well. it will bring you closer together as well. <strong>Let him know that it's a concern of yours and it bothers you that he isn't reaching his full potential professionally and that you have the faith in him that he can be more successful and you'll stand behind him when he tries and be there in times of failure and success.
    </strong>Posted by lvissers[/QUOTE]

    I agree completely. And I think it's important when you two sit down to talk, to emphasize this last part as the reason for your concerns and not about how much he's making.
  • OP, if his lack of ambition bothers you, this is going to become a source of resentment. I would definitely address your feelings with him because waiting until after the wedding is not a good idea.
  • What Penny said. Precisely.
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  • Thanks for all the advice ladies. I'm going to talk with him again tonight and discuss that it's been weighing on me. I'll keep it purely success based and keep money out of it. I think he probably feels either intimidated by my income or he's comfortable staying where he's at because I'll be able to provide.
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  • What PPs said. Talk with him and share your feelings. Try to see where he is coming from- see if you can get him to share how he feels too.

    It's best to lay everything out and see what you both feel about it, have difficult talks before the wedding.

    Hope it goes well tonight when you talk with him.
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  • Thank you for all the advice ladies. I spoke with my cousin again tonight who went through the same situation but actually married the guy. They ended up divorced. She told me about how her friend who did the same thing said that I shouldn't get married if I have these doubts. I'm realizing that it's not just the career/money thing that is still bothering me. I think I'm using that as an "it's his fault" tactic which I know is so wrong. I'm realizing that I'm lying to myself that things are OK. I love him but I don't think I love him as much as I think I do. He's a great guy but I don't think he's the great guy for me.

    As hard as it'll be I think I'm going to have a talk with him this weekend and at LEAST post pone the wedding. I think we need to separate for a while. I'm not sure how things will go but I know this will be the best in the long run. I'm scared, sad and excited all at the same time.... that's weird but it's how I feel. I'm hopeful but worried at the same time that he won't put up a fight. It'll make it easier to do if he doesn't fight it but it'll make it that much sadder... He's a pretty passive person so I can kind of see it coming...

    Anyway, after it's all over I might come back and tell you guys how it went. It's nice to be able to share/vent with people even if I don't know them. You guys have been supportive in my posts and I really appreciate that. Good luck to you all with your upcoming weddings! I wish you all years of beautiful love and LOTS of BABIES! : )

    Sorry to be the debbie downer on everyone's plans!
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  • I am late to this thread, but after reading through it and your update, I think your decision to postpone the wedding sounds wise. You do not want to enter a marriage with doubts that are as big as some of the ones you've mentioned.

    GL with your talk with him! My FI and I went through issues somewhat similar to yours (it was never a money thing, but I felt like he lacked motivation in life) several years back. We ended up taking a break to figure out our own lives. We had dated for five years already at the time, starting at age 18, so we really needed some space to figure out ourselves on our own. We got back together after six months, and have been SO much stronger as a couple ever since. I hope that it works out for you guys, too, or that it at least gives you clarity on what's right for you both.
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  • You know what is the best for yourself and your FI. I think that's a good idea- this will give you both more time to think about everything. You really don't want to rush into a marriage :)

    Hope the talk went good, we're all here for you so stick around if you can!

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