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AIBU?

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To be annoyed partner has joined the gym now we have a toddler

206 replies

HavocReap · 04/02/2026 11:07

this might sound petty which is why im posting here before i say anything else and regret it later.

My partner has joined the gym this week and is going 4 evenings a week straight after work. He leaves around 6 and gets back between 8.30 and 9 depending how busy it is. He says its important for his mental health and to feel better about himself which I do understand and im not saying he should never go or that parents arent allowed hobbies.

We have a toddler. I do most of the evenings anyway because of his shifts but this just feels like its tipped it into being constant. I work part time in retail and on the days im not working im with our son all day then all evening as well. On the days i do work I come home and its straight back into bath bedtime etc. He says because im already home its not really any different but it does feel different to me.

Im not begrudging him self care. I really am not. I dont want to be that person who stops their partner doing things or improving themselves. But im starting to feel resentful which i dont like and i dont know if thats on me or if this actually isnt fair. There hasnt really been a conversation its more like he announced it and that was that.

When ive mentioned that it feels like a lot he says im being controlling and that he needs something thats just his. I dont disagree with that. I just dont feel like i get the same and im exhausted. I dont go anywhere in the evenings. If i did it would be a whole discussion. That probably says something.

Before anyone says it im not asking him to quit the gym or never go. I just thought maybe less evenings or at least talking about it first. I feel like im always the default parent and then made to feel unreasonable for noticing it.

am i actually being unreasonable here or would this bother other people too. im trying to be fair but also im really tired.

OP posts:
SJM1988 · 04/02/2026 11:14

I think it is fine for either parent to go to the gym and have self care time BUT it needs to be balanced not one sided.

DH goes to Crossfit 3 evenings a week but I also go to gym classes 3 evenings a week. I deal with the kids on his 3 evenings, he deals with the kids on my 3 evenings. I tend to still do dinner on all evenings buts DH tends to do more bedtimes on his own. Purely down to what time each of our classes are.

Catza · 04/02/2026 11:13

Don't come home after work then. Join the gym and go workout after work, or an art class or whatever else takes your fancy. Agree that you each have three evenings a week when you are doing your own thing.
If you act like a default parent, that's what you'd become. So don't act like one. Be a bit selfish. It's allowed.

PullTheBricksDown · 04/02/2026 11:12

Join the gym yourself and then say you should do alternate evenings. On your evening just sit there with a coffee if you want. I would honestly do this to make the point

Clouddrifting · 04/02/2026 11:12

At this point with a toddler it would be much fairer if we goes at 8pm when toddler has gone to bed, and there needs to be discussion about how much free time you get. Even if you don’t really want to book something that takes you out for a couple of evenings just to make sure he realises he needs to equally parent. Doesn’t have to be long term

hairyunicorn · 04/02/2026 11:10

If he is that serious, why can't he go to the gym before work in the morning?
At least on the days you work, so you can also rest in the evenings?

Sharptonguedwoman · 04/02/2026 11:09

YANBU. Sounds like he's skiving off being a parent.