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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

VENT .. are all DH like this??

304 replies

Lifestresslifestress · 14/03/2026 10:00

Venting anonymously and name changed for this.

Is this normal because I’m getting fed up of being the one holding it all together!

We have 3 kids , 8,6 & 2. We have the usual amount of stress in our lives , no huge events and DH’s job is medium stress levels I would say.

On paper he is a good dad, sometimes he is amazing. Loves to take them places and does his fair share of drop offs, pick ups and child/house things. Which he reminds me often 🙄

I work part time and have the kids at home or clubs from school pickup until he is back 6pm ish. Usually he leaves early so he has not seen them all day. He comes home, I get that he’s had a long day, but he has such a short fuse with them and it just feels like he does not want to be around them. They are so excited to see him and he just immediately launches into huffing and puffing about the state of the house, the noise, who left this here , stop messing around etc.

Evenings are chaotic, I get it. But he just wants to rush through to bed time. Very low patience, kicks off for the tiniest things, blames it on being hungry/tired etc. I compensate massively by trying to manage their behaviour , keep things running smoothly and happily and it’s getting me down a bit now. I feel worn down by it and I worry it’s upsetting them too.

AIBU?

OP posts:
DogAnxiety · 14/03/2026 10:06

Get them to make him a cup of tea?? Heavens. The 1950s called and they want you back.

DaisyChain505 · 14/03/2026 10:06

SockPlant · 14/03/2026 10:03

he is walking in from work and their are immediately pestering him as soon as he gets in?

Stop that. Let him get in. Let him take his shoes off etc, and sit down. Get the kids to make him a cup of tea and get him a biscuit or something while he does this.

Then they can all sit down while he decompresses a bit and asks them about their day.

Mine used to do this when i got home and until the day i walked right back out and composed myself for 20 minutes in the car, they didn't get the message.

Because he is generally engaged etc, so he deserves to have a calm transition into getting home.

Is this the 50s?! Make him a cup of tea and a biscuit. Should the OP also take his shoes off for him and give him a foot rub?!

The OP works too, would anyone suggest she’s greeted with a cup of tea and a biscuit when she gets home from work? No they wouldn’t.

Parents have to work. It is not a crime that his children are excited to see him when they haven’t all day. Yes it’s acceptable to say that they need to be calm for the first ten minutes so he can get in, get changed etc but he doesn’t need a medal every time he walks through the door just because he’s been to work.

SockPlant · 14/03/2026 10:03

he is walking in from work and their are immediately pestering him as soon as he gets in?

Stop that. Let him get in. Let him take his shoes off etc, and sit down. Get the kids to make him a cup of tea and get him a biscuit or something while he does this.

Then they can all sit down while he decompresses a bit and asks them about their day.

Mine used to do this when i got home and until the day i walked right back out and composed myself for 20 minutes in the car, they didn't get the message.

Because he is generally engaged etc, so he deserves to have a calm transition into getting home.

DogAnxiety · 14/03/2026 10:02

Not normal. He sounds grumpy and selfish.