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AIBU?

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I trashed the house

163 replies

kate1996 · 24/12/2023 09:56

I completely lost it. Mum of 3 two of them are under 2 (10 weeks and 18 months) they kept me up until gone midnight last night and I'm exhausted. Dh was asleep in bed having a lay in when I completely lost it, we don't have a tumble dryer and the washing has gotten too much I've been spending hours and hours everyday making sure everyone else has clean clothes and I have nothing, well I have to be out the house in less than an hour with the baby so I'm trying to get myself ready whilst baby is screaming and the house needs tidying too because we have guests coming and when I realised that I don't even have clean clothes it all got on top of me and I told everyone that I quit, took all the clean folded washing and threw it all all over the living room floor, told my teen and my Dh to just fuck off because I'm sick of carrying this load. Am I crazy? Did I over react? I'm still mad tbh and feel like I could smash the whole house up. I'm never angry like this and I've never had this kind of outburst before. I just feel drained. All Xmas shopping was down to me, Dh didn't even pick one present or put his thoughts into anything.

OP posts:
SusanKennedyshouldLTB · 24/12/2023 10:56

kate1996 · 24/12/2023 10:45

An update... I apologised to my teen she got upset because she said "I've never seen you like that" she's started to clean her bedroom. I told her it's not her fault and that just like how she gets angry with her homework and takes a strop, I got angry with my housework and took a strop but shouldn't have taken it out on her, dh has started picking up the clothes and folding them and has apologised for being a... In his own words "lazy prick" now I feel terrible. For the commenter who asked if I work, I'm a full time career for my dad aswell so the stress of him being unwell over Xmas has also taken its toll. I just need to take a breather. Thanks for all the positive comments. X

So he is picking up the clean clothes you threw, is he also outting them on wardrobes? but what about all the other jobs that lead to this. Thats the issue.

Angelsrose · 24/12/2023 10:53

Everyone has their breaking point! I don't think you've been unreasonable, you're just under immense pressure. I wish you a peaceful Christmas.

AInightingale · 24/12/2023 10:53

Mariposistaa · 24/12/2023 10:51

So it’s ok to use abusive language against a child because your husband is hopeless?
If that had been a man he would have the riot act read to him. And rightly so. apologise

It's not 'okay' but everyone has a breaking point. She apologised. Give OP a break, the level of stress sounds horrendous.

Ifyourfondofsanddunes · 24/12/2023 10:53

Honestly the pressure Christmas puts on mums especially is immense. Throw a newborn and a toddler into the mix with a useless husband and I'm impressed you've made it til Christmas eve to have a meltdown. No you shouldn't have sworn at your teenager and throwing around the clean clothes isn't ideal but once you've found your calm you can apologise to the teen and explain how you feel.
Your husband on the other hand needs a wake up call. Can you give him a list/mind map of things that need to be done. I know you shouldn't but then there is a clear expectations.

Mariposistaa · 24/12/2023 10:51

So it’s ok to use abusive language against a child because your husband is hopeless?
If that had been a man he would have the riot act read to him. And rightly so. apologise

captainsudoku · 24/12/2023 10:51

Who are the guests? Can this be postponed? You have more than enough on your plate.

AInightingale · 24/12/2023 10:50

You didn't trash the house, you threw some clothes.

Your teen and dh sound as if you've given them a wake up call. Maybe you need to sit down and draw up a chores rota.

Your life sounds stressful enough without being surrounded by laundry for a baby and toddler. Could you buy a tumble drier on interest- free credit for a year and pay off a bit each month? It's a gamechanger if you've not had one before.

Watchkeys · 24/12/2023 10:50

Just seen your update. Looks good!

Zone2NorthLondon · 24/12/2023 10:50

Deep breath. You've became overwhelmed and snapped,cumulative stress.
House isn’t trashed there are laundry scattered on a floor,easily fixable
what is important is you, your welfare, stuff is fixable. It’s all about you
When you’re ready a meausured calm conversation about chores & keeping on top off. Allocate responsibility to each by age & ability

Most of all, you take care of yourself

Watchkeys · 24/12/2023 10:49

If you could scream one thing in your DH's face, one sentence, what would it be? Mine, as an example, was 'YOU DON'T LISTEN TO ME!!!', but yours likely is different... if you can answer it, if you can get right down to this root of anger, you can deal with it.

The fury you felt is from your childhood, probably. You will have spent your childhood being told/shown that your feelings come second to something. Like an ill parent, an addict parent, fighting parents, demanding sibling... something systematic in your childhood life, that made you uncomfortable/unhappy, but you couldn't express your feelings or have them nurtured, because 'the thing' was always more important.

Does that make any sense, or am I fully barking up the wrong tree?

You're allowed to lose your shit. It's never great behaviour from anybody when they do, but it's not a major tragedy. Use it as an example to your teenager that when you fuck up, you apologise, by identifying the hurt person's feelings and expressing regret, and then promising an effort never to do it again. Your teenager will follow your example, and thus, not carry a bunch of guilt around for every mistake they make, all their life. You can turn this into something really valuable.

How is your husband responding, now? What's been said between you, since 'the event'?

And, lastly: Flowers You are very very far from being the only person who has done this!

Reallybadidea · 24/12/2023 10:48

Don't feel bad. Maybe the way it came out was a bit extreme, but given your sleep deprivation and unhelpfulness of your DH, I don't blame you one bit. At least it's had the desired effect!

Jacfrost · 24/12/2023 10:48

kate1996 · 24/12/2023 10:45

An update... I apologised to my teen she got upset because she said "I've never seen you like that" she's started to clean her bedroom. I told her it's not her fault and that just like how she gets angry with her homework and takes a strop, I got angry with my housework and took a strop but shouldn't have taken it out on her, dh has started picking up the clothes and folding them and has apologised for being a... In his own words "lazy prick" now I feel terrible. For the commenter who asked if I work, I'm a full time career for my dad aswell so the stress of him being unwell over Xmas has also taken its toll. I just need to take a breather. Thanks for all the positive comments. X

DO NOT feel terrible. It sounds like it was a wake up call for your DH (and maybe your DD too, perhaps she could be doing more around the house?) I hope moving forward that they start to pull their weight more.

MorningSunshineSparkles · 24/12/2023 10:47

You didn’t trash the house, you pushed a pile of laundry over and in all honesty who hasn’t when they’ve reached the end of their tether?! I’d push my laundry over if it wouldn’t cause an avalanche.

You sound like you’re dealing with far too much alone. Time for your DH to pull his finger out, and maybe after Christmas it’s time for a long chat about division of labour and how you’re not his mother Flowers

Whenthebirdssing · 24/12/2023 10:47

kate1996 · 24/12/2023 10:45

An update... I apologised to my teen she got upset because she said "I've never seen you like that" she's started to clean her bedroom. I told her it's not her fault and that just like how she gets angry with her homework and takes a strop, I got angry with my housework and took a strop but shouldn't have taken it out on her, dh has started picking up the clothes and folding them and has apologised for being a... In his own words "lazy prick" now I feel terrible. For the commenter who asked if I work, I'm a full time career for my dad aswell so the stress of him being unwell over Xmas has also taken its toll. I just need to take a breather. Thanks for all the positive comments. X

Full time carer, full time mum. New baby. No wonder you are exhausted!!

It’s so good that your DH recognises it. See my post above. The FairPlay cards were a game changer for us. You just need a partner willing to step up - and he is!!

Whenthebirdssing · 24/12/2023 10:45

whatdidshedotogetahillnamedafterher · 24/12/2023 10:36

op sit down with a cuppa right now.
do a list of exactly what needs done and what can be left
do you have grandparents nearby? if so drop the kids off there for a few hours
apologise to your eldest, its not their fault
get dh up n off doing jobs
you need to calm down and have a rest
cancel the hosting its too much

There is a dad at home. Why grandparents?

kate1996 · 24/12/2023 10:45

An update... I apologised to my teen she got upset because she said "I've never seen you like that" she's started to clean her bedroom. I told her it's not her fault and that just like how she gets angry with her homework and takes a strop, I got angry with my housework and took a strop but shouldn't have taken it out on her, dh has started picking up the clothes and folding them and has apologised for being a... In his own words "lazy prick" now I feel terrible. For the commenter who asked if I work, I'm a full time career for my dad aswell so the stress of him being unwell over Xmas has also taken its toll. I just need to take a breather. Thanks for all the positive comments. X

OP posts:
easylikeasundaymorn · 24/12/2023 10:44

Kingoftheroad · 24/12/2023 10:33

Get that lump up and out of his bed. Have a quick family meeting. Delegate the tidying up - no questions asked.

leave the children with your DJ
go into town or your local shops and buy yourself an outfit new pants and all.

cancel the guests if you can or they can take you as they find you.

I literally can't think of anything MORE likely to increase my stress than going shopping on Christmas Eve!

oakleaffy · 24/12/2023 10:44

Ffs22 · 24/12/2023 10:20

Not your teens fault that you decided to have another child so close together or that you’ve decided to host for Christmas.
When you and your husband decided to have another child did you discuss how you would share the load?
Whatever the situation, between the two of you, you have decided to have three children and you need to care and provide for them accordingly.

Agree- children are a LOT of work two young children so close together with a lazy husband is crazy if one wants a peaceful life.

Dweetfidilove · 24/12/2023 10:43

You are doing far too much with a 10 week old baby and your husband and teen sound useless and uncaring.

You are unreasonable to be swearing at them and creating more work for yourself though, as it sounds like you will be the one cleaning it up again.

Why are you hosting Christmas? That’s too much work for you at this stage.

Does your teen have any responsibilities? Teenagers can help with chores. My daughter and I live together and I reminded her this week it’s both our home, so both our responsibility to keep in order. I wash, she folds her clothes. If she doesn’t get to the wash basket, they don’t get washed. She changes her bed. She vacuums, etc. Teens do well having something other than sleeping until ungodly hours.

As for your husband - You should probably throw out the whole man. What a useless twat. How can he watch you do so much so soon after birthing his baby? I have no advice for what you do with him, except stop doing anything for him.

And cancel Christmas. They don’t sound deserving of your effort. And you must take better care of yourself, even if that means a dead stop.

SusanKennedyshouldLTB · 24/12/2023 10:43

@everhopefulagain
Has she got an escape route if things never get better.

Whenthebirdssing · 24/12/2023 10:42

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=MLuTuLXOCkk

This is Eve Rodesky talking about her FairPlay book and documentary. It’s very American but the themes of mothers being the default for all things domestic and the mental load carried speaks to your situation. Listening to her book and going through the cards together has been a game changer for us.

DH works very part time and now does 70-80% of the mental load and domestic/childcare stuff. It was a long battle and started with me being where you are now. On my knees. Crying at the end of my paid work week, to be greeted by hours worth of unseen, invisible and unpaid work.

The main idea is that you should both have equal amounts of time off, regardless of who is going more hours of paid work.

Once you have the energy, look up the terms ‘mental load’ and ‘emotional labour’ - I found they helped me to understand, validate and verbalise why I was so utterly exhausted in the face of DH asking my why I was so exhausted when I’d had ‘two days off’. No days off - just unpaid and invisible work.

For now, tell your DH you are on your last legs, leave the kids with him and go for a walk (or nip and get some new clothes!).

Good luck. 💐

‘Fair Play’ Author Eve Rodsky On How To Level The Dynamic At Home

Author Eve Rodsky talks about her new documentary “Fair Play,” which is inspired by her best-selling book about her journey to change the unfair work dynamic...

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=MLuTuLXOCkk

MissBuffyAnneSummers · 24/12/2023 10:41

You need your call your GP on Wednesday and get assessed for PND.

Meanwhile DH needs to step up big style and do the cleaning and hosting.

You need to go for a walk/have a long bath - without children.

everhopefulagain · 24/12/2023 10:40

SusanKennedyshouldLTB · 24/12/2023 10:24

Your husband is an adult. He can do things for himself. Dont take on his mental load. No shopping for his family. No even thinking about it. That’s all him.

took all the clean folded washing and threw it all all over the living room floor
what was thr point of this? You created extra work. This doesnt get clothes washed.

told my teen and my Dh to just fuck off because I'm sick of carrying this load.
this was awful. Your dd didnt deserve that. Your dh needs telling to get his arse in gear and be a useful member of the household.

do you work?

She's got a 10 week old baby. What has her having a job got to do with anything?

mottytotty · 24/12/2023 10:39

Christmasconcerts · 24/12/2023 10:27

Not many people are back at work ten weeks post partum. Life - I really disagree it was both but we can agree to disagree. Only the OP knows if Christmas is the stress or her DH..

Well, no, you know as well because OP has told you.

She clearly says I told my teen and my Dh to just fuck off because I'm sick of carrying this load.

So DH is the stress, as is her teen. If they’re both lazy twats then it’s both their fault as well.

Jacfrost · 24/12/2023 10:38

Throwing clothes on the floor isn't trashing the house!

You're overwhelmed and you snapped. You need more support from your DH.