@kerithravine410 My ex-husband, my daughter's father, behaved like this, too. I left him (for lots of reasons, and this was definitely one of them lol) when our daughter was 22 months old. And you know what I found out? It WAS easier on my own. Tremendously easier. I was already doing
everything all by myself anyway, but not having to manage him lightened my load significantly. "Stronger together rather than apart" was a big deciding factor. I, in fact, did NOT feel stronger with him. He was an anchor weighing me down. And when I left, I felt amazingly light and free and life got better and better!
It wasn't easy or pleasant to watch him struggle but he eventually found his footing. And since she was so little when we separated, there was still plenty I had to "manage" for him during his time. I ALWAYS had to send EVERYTHING she needed, including food for her to eat while in his care, cause he'd try to give me some sob story of how broke he was and couldn't afford to eat, blah blah blah...but ya know what, he figured that out!
I am not suggesting you separate/divorce. Only YOU can determine what your limits are; only YOU can decide what you will and will not tolerate. However, if one day you do decide that you can't take anymore and do leave, just be ready for the bargaining. The pleading, the sad stories about how inept he is and how much he needs you and how much he misses you (I'd miss 'me' too, buddy!). And it's so easy to be suckered into that. Don't fall for it. While I am sure he means most, if not all, of what he says...I can assure you that the only way they really change is by staying gone. And keep in mind one of the reasons why this behavior is so frustrating: because you didn't marry/have a kid with a stupid or inept man (at least I know I didn't!), so he
can and will figure everything out without you. I mean, he wasn't an idiot when I married him or when I chose to have a baby with him...he wasn't ever incapable. Nope, instead, he was just manipulative, lazy, and entitled. And I chose to no longer contribute or enable such behavior. It meant relinquishing A LOT of control, and that definitely was not easy, but I also kept reminding myself that he was capable. He needed to save himself.
For what it's worth, we co-parent great! It's been over 10 years now! I have been remarried for a long time, and he was in a long-term relationship for years (which ended a couple of years ago I guess idk it's weird and I don't ask for details lol). We are NOT friends but we are friendly.
Good luck! It won't be this way forever.