To be fair, this is possibly a parenting question and not relationships, but as how my dh behaves towards me and our children affects our relationships so much, thought I'd stay here with this where I'm comfortable!
Now, despite the fact I want to leave my dh and am working up to it, I want to put that aside and ask this question separately, because whether we stay together or not, this issue is still there. We have very sporty children and I think he is overly critical of their performance. However, I find some of the other dads the same. He genuinely believes he is trying to help them. The nurturing mum in me just wants to praise, praise, praise their efforts regardless! Don't get me wrong, he's not competitive dad from the Fast Show for those that might remember that sketch but he is very negative person in general, as is his mum, and his first reaction always seem to be to tell them what they could do better, often making the kids cry or storm off. He then looks genuinely bewildered and repeats that he is just trying to help. We've talked this through so many times about the need to praise but like most things, my voice is ignored!
What worries me if we separate is that I will be able to police it even less and he has said he'll live at his mums and have them there to stay. Knowing I am then subjecting them to that high level of negativity (his mum moans about everything about them constantly - I can see where he gets it from) makes me think we should stick together so I can control it a bit, but I'm dying inside. We can't afford two places of our own at the moment.
Is it a dad thing?! Should I stay and police it? Or over compensate with praise when they're with me if we separate? Spend my life being confused, am sick of it. Lost sight of what is 'normal'. Help!
Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody
Relationships
Sporting kids and pressure from dads!
yellowismyfave · 05/02/2014 09:57
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