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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

DH threw a tantrum and so I'm taking a pause

422 replies

SaraG3018 · 13/05/2025 01:32

Hi all... first time posting on here but no idea what to do.

DD #1 is almost 6 and DD #2 is 6 months. DH has been really stepping up with DD1, kind of taking a kid each, since I had my second DD. At the same time he's had a tricky period and work and I can see he's more stressed.

However, it's been taking its toll on his patience. I often found him growling or yelling at DD1... it felt like though he'd never fully yell at her it was always raised voices and irrelevant threats and punishments. Just the opposite of all gentle parenting guidelines. I've tried to sort this with creating written house rules we both agreed on to help DD1's behaviour, thereby removing the need for arguments or silly uses of no screen time etc. It's kind of working, e.g. you won't pick up your toys ok we'll take this one away. Point to this is just flagging he's been emotional lately and I've been a bit concerned about the effect on DD1.

ANYWAY last night my sister, who just had a baby, asked us both on our WhatsApp group who took which nights with DD2. I laughed and told her I always do all nights, to which she jokingly said wow that's not fair. DH responded with a full tantrum. Excerpts from the tantrum include him saying 'what is maternity leave for, doing f all, am I to give birth then sit around doing f all while he looks after DD1 goes to work does chores and now is expected to also look after DD2 at night, did our mother not teach us anything, why don't I just f'ing marry my sister's husband if he's so perfect'... he stomped about literally kicking toys across the room. Speaking in this way isn't normal for him but in the early days of marriage ten years ago I did have to calm these sorts of outbursts during arguments. I thought he had mellowed out.

I didn't say a word on response to ask this but have quietly booked myself and the girls a hotel for a couple nights. He's going to come home tomorrow to an empty nest.

SO my question. I feel like i can't stand for this type of emotional un-regulation.. but for the kids' sake... should I? AIBU? Despite tonight and the bad moods with DD1 overall he's a very thoughtful and loving father to them. Am I overreacting?

OP posts:
Washingupdone · 14/05/2025 18:14

Ask someone in the family to look after the DC for one night and you go with husband to the hotel or during the day for a spa, as you both seem in need of time together.

He may find your way of correcting the children a bit difficult, so he feel more stressed than a straightforward clear way of speaking.

DebbyP90 · 14/05/2025 18:07

I would communicate with him about the fact you are going to a hotel.
I would hate to come back to an empty house and find my family gone with no explanation.
Also, it's not talked about much, but 1 in 10 men experience post partem depression.
I would first have a conversation with him. My husband and I talk about everything that we feel we need to. Maybe he doesn't realise how he is behaving.

Having said all of this, you are the one who is in the situation and not one of these posters on this thread understands or knows your situation. If you feel unsafe you need to do what you feel is best.

Lollipop81 · 14/05/2025 18:04

fruitbrewhaha · 13/05/2025 09:03

Why was your sister discussing night feed responsibilities on your group WhatsApp? Plus it wasn’t a joke, she meant it.

I handled the nights for both of mine, DP worked long hours and into the evening (we own a pub and lived above at the time). It was a fair division as I could go to bed early. I don’t agree that night wakings should be split when someone is on maternity leave, they should do it. Does depend on the baby though, mine were breast fed and back to sleep easily
enough.

I think your sister knew the set up and was ambushing him publicly. I think leaving for a few days is shitty.

Edited

Her baby wakes up every 2 hours. Why on earth should her husband not do at least one of the wake ups. She must be exhausted. Why do women think that men shouldn’t do wake ups and women should be absolutely exhausted doing school runs house work and looking after a baby. It’s not like she is sitting around all day able t sleep.

BethDuttonYeHaw · 14/05/2025 17:59

Leaving with the kids without even having a conversation is escalating this and an overreaction

SouthLondonMum22 · 14/05/2025 17:48

TooGoodToGoto · 14/05/2025 16:59

I get the impression that the answers didn’t go her way, so she made it bigger in the second post.

Maybe. I feel like it was actually quite mixed.

Crazyworldmum · 14/05/2025 17:45

Personally I think leaving the house without even discussing it is a exaggeration .
Maybe he feels overwhelmed and feels you where calling him lazy ? If you are saying he is not , if he cares for the girls and goes to work while you give more if your attention to the baby then doesn’t come across that way .
Aren’t you better sitting down together and talking about his behaviour and loss of patience and about expectations from both parts ? I mean abandon the house comes across as you already given up .

MumTeacherofMany · 14/05/2025 17:43

When I was on maternity I did the nights. Weekends DP did. I didn't expect him to get up with DD in the night if he was the one going to work the next day and me staying home.

DeedsNotDiddums · 14/05/2025 17:37

I think your sister has been very foolish, wading into a marriage with a snap judgement.
It sounds like you both are stressed and tired. Maybe just take a beat, get child care, and spend some quiet time with each other.
I totally understand about emotional unregulation, and I find it unbearable personally, but in this case there may be reasons why.

TooGoodToGoto · 14/05/2025 16:59

SouthLondonMum22 · 14/05/2025 16:57

I got the impression that OP was downplaying it in the first post and clarified that it was worse in the second post which is why she said she was clarifying some things.

I get the impression that the answers didn’t go her way, so she made it bigger in the second post.

SouthLondonMum22 · 14/05/2025 16:57

TooGoodToGoto · 14/05/2025 16:09

The first post and the second post did not say the same story, me is true the other isn’t.

We don’t know which is which.

I got the impression that OP was downplaying it in the first post and clarified that it was worse in the second post which is why she said she was clarifying some things.

Clownsy · 14/05/2025 16:53

I do not think it is in any way normal for a child to be driven on an almost daily basis to tears by a parents anger.

Thats scary stuff.
I hadn't the greatest of patience at all times but to be so angry that your 6 year old crys almost daily?

Something very wrong there.
Not even one lie in?
Night after night?
Selfish.

I think you taking time away is even more rest for him.
How nice.
No wonder you are haggard.
Two children and an angry man child.
You need to mind yourself OP.

whitewineandsun · 14/05/2025 16:45

Your posts are miles apart from each other, so I'm not sure what you want people to say.

TooGoodToGoto · 14/05/2025 16:09

DuckbilledSplatterPuff · 14/05/2025 11:12

An OP is allowed to add further details of what they see as a problem. It doesn't mean their first post was a lie.

The first post and the second post did not say the same story, me is true the other isn’t.

We don’t know which is which.

DuckbilledSplatterPuff · 14/05/2025 11:12

An OP is allowed to add further details of what they see as a problem. It doesn't mean their first post was a lie.

NJLX2021 · 14/05/2025 04:30

Clarrifiacation to that last post: the OP never said crying everyday in the OP, which was the only details present when the abuse comment was made. That was added after the interaction that the previous poster commented on.

NJLX2021 · 14/05/2025 02:38

Oioisavaloy27 · 13/05/2025 18:12

So you shout at your child every day making them cry? Yes that is abusive.

"I often found him growling or yelling at DD1... it felt like though he'd never fully yell at her it was always raised voices and irrelevant threats and punishments. Just the opposite of all gentle parenting guidelines. "

You have managed to reply to something that was neither in my post, or the OPs.

She never said that he yelled and made the daughter cry everyday.

And I never said that yelling and making kids cry everyday is normal.

So what exactly are you replying to?

Confusedmeanderings · 14/05/2025 01:22

I think that was a thoughtful update OP

Oioisavaloy27 · 13/05/2025 21:55

sandyhappypeople · 13/05/2025 19:36

Just the opposite of all gentle parenting guidelines. I've tried to sort this with creating written house rules we both agreed on to help DD1's behaviour, thereby removing the need for arguments or silly uses of no screen time etc.

So OP knows there is behaviour problems but instead of letting him parent his way when he is in charge of DD1, she has implemented gentle parenting "house rules" that he is expected to follow to combat these behavioural issues.

It actually sounds like when he is trying to implement any sort of discipline DD1 is either arguing with him or it is resulting in her crying (not really surprising if DD is used to getting her own way), and because OP doesn't agree with discipline of any kind, as it goes against the gentle parenting handbook, she is stepping in at that point to undermine it leading to frustration on his part and resentment for them both from the sounds of it.

He doesn't think her way is paying off and she won't let him parent the way he wants to, so it is unknown if it would be better for their DD or not.. Either way parenting should really be collaborative, not one demanding the other follow their "rules".

And the poor child is then probably really confused therefore leading to behaviour problems as they are getting mixed messages.

EdithBond · 13/05/2025 20:57

His yelling makes DD1 cry on an almost daily basis.

No parent should be yelling at a child on a daily basis. That’s abusive.

He needs to reflect and learn parents don’t yell at kids. Any more than they should yell at adults. I’m sure he manages not to yell at his boss or work colleagues. Or (hopefully) you. So he can certainly regulate himself enough to avoid yelling, e.g. when stressed. He simply chooses not to with your DD.

He needs to ask himself why. Has he been brought up to learn naughty kids are yelled at? Or to think it’s OK for parents to vent their frustration aggressively to kids and not adults?

Does he want his kids to learn this too, through his example? And potentially repeat a pattern?

Reallybadidea · 13/05/2025 19:43

sandyhappypeople · 13/05/2025 19:36

Just the opposite of all gentle parenting guidelines. I've tried to sort this with creating written house rules we both agreed on to help DD1's behaviour, thereby removing the need for arguments or silly uses of no screen time etc.

So OP knows there is behaviour problems but instead of letting him parent his way when he is in charge of DD1, she has implemented gentle parenting "house rules" that he is expected to follow to combat these behavioural issues.

It actually sounds like when he is trying to implement any sort of discipline DD1 is either arguing with him or it is resulting in her crying (not really surprising if DD is used to getting her own way), and because OP doesn't agree with discipline of any kind, as it goes against the gentle parenting handbook, she is stepping in at that point to undermine it leading to frustration on his part and resentment for them both from the sounds of it.

He doesn't think her way is paying off and she won't let him parent the way he wants to, so it is unknown if it would be better for their DD or not.. Either way parenting should really be collaborative, not one demanding the other follow their "rules".

Maybe the OP can clarify but that does not sound like "behavioural problems" just that they've agreed on a strategy for managing her behaviour. Because 6 year olds misbehave sometimes without having "behavioural problems".

SouthLondonMum22 · 13/05/2025 19:36

Didimum · 13/05/2025 19:27

Neither is it for some adults to do it under stress either! We’re all different. Labelling every reaction as abusive is ridiculous.

DH and I have both used swear words in arguments with each other. We’re adults as can handle adult language. Once I kicked the hoover when it spat out grit onto my new rug. Another time I threw a cushion onto the bed. No one is traumatised.

It isn't something I'd accept personally but like you said, everyone is different.

I feel like your kicking/throwing examples are different to when it is combined with someone shouting and swearing at you. That feels much more aggressive and can be abusive.

sandyhappypeople · 13/05/2025 19:36

Reallybadidea · 13/05/2025 19:16

Sorry, where does it say that their daughter has behavioural problems?

Just the opposite of all gentle parenting guidelines. I've tried to sort this with creating written house rules we both agreed on to help DD1's behaviour, thereby removing the need for arguments or silly uses of no screen time etc.

So OP knows there is behaviour problems but instead of letting him parent his way when he is in charge of DD1, she has implemented gentle parenting "house rules" that he is expected to follow to combat these behavioural issues.

It actually sounds like when he is trying to implement any sort of discipline DD1 is either arguing with him or it is resulting in her crying (not really surprising if DD is used to getting her own way), and because OP doesn't agree with discipline of any kind, as it goes against the gentle parenting handbook, she is stepping in at that point to undermine it leading to frustration on his part and resentment for them both from the sounds of it.

He doesn't think her way is paying off and she won't let him parent the way he wants to, so it is unknown if it would be better for their DD or not.. Either way parenting should really be collaborative, not one demanding the other follow their "rules".

Didimum · 13/05/2025 19:27

SouthLondonMum22 · 13/05/2025 19:09

I've never kicked something in frustration or anger and DH hasn't either. I really don't think it's that unusual.

Raised voice? Of course.
Swearing about a frustrating situation/stress/bad day? Absolutely.
Swearing at each other? No and I wouldn't stand for it either.
Growling at a child enough that your partner is concerned? No.

Again, I really don't think any of that is unusual.

Neither is it for some adults to do it under stress either! We’re all different. Labelling every reaction as abusive is ridiculous.

DH and I have both used swear words in arguments with each other. We’re adults as can handle adult language. Once I kicked the hoover when it spat out grit onto my new rug. Another time I threw a cushion onto the bed. No one is traumatised.

Reallybadidea · 13/05/2025 19:16

sandyhappypeople · 13/05/2025 18:53

I think the problem here is OP doesn't agree with 'telling off' their daughter in any way, and considers any raised voices as 'yelling' so intervenes (undermines) at that stage. She even says she is 100% gentle parenting guidance only, so it is no surprise that their daughter struggles to emotionally regulate when being reprimanded for bad behaviour if it is something she has never really dealt with before.

She also says that their daughter HAS behavioural problems, her DH is the one doing all of the childcare of their DD1, while she does all the childcare for DD2, so he is getting the brunt of dealing with that and obviously struggling with the gentle parenting 'house rules' that OP has now implemented.

I think it is hard to be fully on board with gentle parenting when you don't really agree with it and from his experience probably doesn't think that it works very well, especially if the other parent is undermining you at every step if you get it wrong, but then she also says what a great relationship he has with DD2 when left to his own devices, so it doesn't seem to be affecting their relationship at all.. it is OP that has the problem with their DD1 crying and "doesn't want her to ever cry", and doesn't want her DH to do anything which may result in their DD crying.

I don't actually see anything wrong with both parents having different parenting styles to be honest and respecting each other enough to support that. As long as the core principles are the same, how you deal with discipline should be an individual thing for whoever is in charge at the time, it's not a difficult or unfair concept for a child to grasp, they have different rules everywhere they go, they soon catch on.

If OP has a problem with conflict avoidance then I think she may need to look into why that is, conflict can't always be avoided and you should be teaching your children to deal with the real world, and deal with their emotions, not hide them or avoid them, or never have big emotions, it's unfair on them.

Sorry, where does it say that their daughter has behavioural problems?

SouthLondonMum22 · 13/05/2025 19:09

Didimum · 13/05/2025 19:01

These are clearly two people parenting in two different ways and not agreeing and not talking about it.

Sorry, if you’ve never lost your patience as an adult, kicked something inanimate in frustration or raised your voice, especially under the strain of the younger years of kids, then you’re in the vast minority.

I've never kicked something in frustration or anger and DH hasn't either. I really don't think it's that unusual.

Raised voice? Of course.
Swearing about a frustrating situation/stress/bad day? Absolutely.
Swearing at each other? No and I wouldn't stand for it either.
Growling at a child enough that your partner is concerned? No.

Again, I really don't think any of that is unusual.

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