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Original poster

DH ignoring our son

57 replies

NC4this222 · 04/04/2025 22:10

DH has had our son (aged 5) all afternoon since he finished school (I was at work). I got home, and as we were chatting over dinner, DS started sharing something he was worried about at school (friendship related). I noticed DH was scrolling on his phone while DS was talking, so asked DH to put down his phone and listen. He said he’d already heard it several times this afternoon from DS and it was “my turn now”. I said that he should always listen when our DS is trying to tell us something on his mind. DH doubled down and said he’s been listening to it all afternoon (slight exaggeration, since he was round at a friend’s house for several hours) and it’s my turn now. Who’s in the wrong?

OP posts:
sparepantsandtoothbrush · 04/04/2025 22:21

Did DH actually help with the problem when he was told multiple times about it or was it just a case of waiting until Mum comes home because she needs to deal with it?

Gonk123 · 04/04/2025 22:19

NC4this222 · 04/04/2025 22:14

True. But I’d have liked DH’s input as this was the first I’d heard of it.

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Surely a 5 years olds problem cannot be so complicated that you can’t help by yourself? Or if it is more complex then have a private conversation with DH and revisit the problem with DS.

Fancycheese · 04/04/2025 22:15

did you interrupt your son to chastise your DH? Not sure that was the best idea. I say this from experience of my mother constantly doing this to my father for my entire childhood and it led to a horrible dynamic in the home. I just wished she’d saved those conversations for when I wasn’t around.

Agree it’s not great to be scrolling when a child is talking to you, but as PP had said, he’d already heard what your DS had to say.

Original poster
NC4this222 · 04/04/2025 22:14

Gonk123 · 04/04/2025 22:11

If he has already told your DH then he surely isn’t ignoring him? He is letting him update you with his problem…

True. But I’d have liked DH’s input as this was the first I’d heard of it.

OP posts:
FranticHare · 04/04/2025 22:13

No phones at dinner table. Solved!

Azandme · 04/04/2025 22:12

Gonk123 · 04/04/2025 22:11

If he has already told your DH then he surely isn’t ignoring him? He is letting him update you with his problem…

This.

Gonk123 · 04/04/2025 22:11

If he has already told your DH then he surely isn’t ignoring him? He is letting him update you with his problem…

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