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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to resent being left with all childcare and housework?

242 replies

Kriszoee · 06/05/2026 07:13

By reading the title I’m sure you will all jump to say “no, that is not fair!”, but my partner has made me believe that because of how much he work( 40 hours per week, 5pm - 1am ) it is my job to take full responsibility for the house and the baby, who was his initial idea. (9 months ).
I want some insight on how right (or wrong) his values are, as I am starting to resent everything.
My partner (M28 ) works 40 hours week, usually 5 or 7 days in a row, with one day off. The housework and baby is my full responsibility, he won’t change her as he doesn’t like the smell, won’t feed her without complaint, doesn’t really play with her, won’t pick up the dog poo or walk the dog as he “ isn’t his dog “, won’t do the washing, won’t unload the dishwasher, doesn’t cook etc.. before we goes to work, he plays his PlayStation and washes her bottles. He sleeps 1:30 - 10am, then doesn’t get out of bed until almost 11. I am up at 5am every day with the baby, and I am utterly exhausted. He turns this into an argument as I shouldn’t be tired as I “ just stay home with her “.
Because he works; he says that he is too tired to do ANYTHING or go anywhere on the days he works, which means we don’t do anything unless he is off, but when he is off, it’s hit or miss if we do anything.
Ultimately, I feel like the default parent.
I have to ask multiple times to even get some bins out or some dishes unloaded from time to time but it causes an argument, and any time he is with our little girl he is honestly just on his phone watching videos or complaining about how exhausted he is.
I find I am really struggling having to do everything myself and honestly I feel like a single parent with his absence and the lack of support within the home or relationship.
I have voiced my opinions every time but I always get the same responses of “I work”, or “you get to stay at home all day and relax if you want to”.
I know even by writing this that it doesn’t seem fair but he genuinely can’t see past his reasoning.
How fair do you think this is and what can I do

OP posts:
cantthinkofagoodusername1 · 06/05/2026 22:11

Side note: 'men' obsessed with Playstations. How childish and unattractive.

cantthinkofagoodusername1 · 06/05/2026 22:04

Kriszoee · 06/05/2026 09:08

That’s exactly how I feel. Lonely, isolated and withdrawn.

My mum helps where she can, she isn’t very well but does try. Another family member comes over twice a week and stays to help. It’s not much, but I appreciate it a lot.

They have said that if I was to leave, they would find ways to help more.

Sounds like your relatives are gently hinting that you should leave

cantthinkofagoodusername1 · 06/05/2026 21:59

Kriszoee · 06/05/2026 20:57

No, I was working 70 hour weeks. Which I obviously can’t do now :(

He works in mechanics. I wouldn’t say it was stressful, but it is constant and physically demanding. I am looking for a new job as we speak. It isn’t practical for me to return to my intense, high security career. The hours are too unsociable and the job can be too dangerous. I am limited on what I can actually do, as he works 5pm - 1am, therefore I can’t have a job where I will be needed later than 4pm.
Im not sure. I’d be worried that she would just be barely entertained while he sat on his phone ..

Go back to your job and employ a nanny. Your 'D'H brings nothing to your life.

cantthinkofagoodusername1 · 06/05/2026 21:57

It's very easy to see why he wanted a baby, it was so that you would be at home and he could absolve himself of any responsibility.

I went back to work when my baby was six months old, and my husband was at home with DC for six months. I was (and still am) in a very senior high pressure job. I rushed home every day to spend time with my family. The minute I walked in the door I took the baby so DH could have a break. On the weekends I did everything, all the housework, shopping, cooking, cleaning, taking care of baby. I saw his role as being harder than mine.

Your DH sounds like a truly awful person. If I were you I would get back to work asap so you can rid yourself of him.

Cocktailglass · 06/05/2026 21:48

Kriszoee · 06/05/2026 20:57

No, I was working 70 hour weeks. Which I obviously can’t do now :(

He works in mechanics. I wouldn’t say it was stressful, but it is constant and physically demanding. I am looking for a new job as we speak. It isn’t practical for me to return to my intense, high security career. The hours are too unsociable and the job can be too dangerous. I am limited on what I can actually do, as he works 5pm - 1am, therefore I can’t have a job where I will be needed later than 4pm.
Im not sure. I’d be worried that she would just be barely entertained while he sat on his phone ..

So you were working more hours than him, did he pick up the extra chores or were these left to you then? Was his attitude different, ie you were working more he should be doing more at home during his 'easy time' prior to baby?

Sorry, if he didn't pull his weight before then condemns you for having an easy life with a baby he's totally deluded!

Kriszoee · 06/05/2026 20:57

Cocktailglass · 06/05/2026 20:12

Did you not work before having the baby so he expected the same after?

If i was a sahm I would expect to do the housework, especially time during naps, but would expect partner to want to be interested in being with DC and help out a bit. During maternity leave I of course did everything during the day with our baby and got housework done during afternoon nap or had one myself when up at night. DH couldn't wait to have a cuddle with DC, would help with dinner, cleaning up after, then I always did bedtime routine.

When I went back to work it was shared equally and whoever could do nursery pick up. He works from home so could prep meals, put on washing and have a clear up, made life easier for me when I got back.

You probably can't change his attitude but you can change your situation...some questions,

What job does he do?
Is it particularly stressful?
Is there any possibility of you getting a job, maybe on an evening, so he needs to step up?
Can you trust to leave baby with him for a day at weekend and go out and give him a taste of your daily life? Xx

No, I was working 70 hour weeks. Which I obviously can’t do now :(

He works in mechanics. I wouldn’t say it was stressful, but it is constant and physically demanding. I am looking for a new job as we speak. It isn’t practical for me to return to my intense, high security career. The hours are too unsociable and the job can be too dangerous. I am limited on what I can actually do, as he works 5pm - 1am, therefore I can’t have a job where I will be needed later than 4pm.
Im not sure. I’d be worried that she would just be barely entertained while he sat on his phone ..

OP posts:
latenightscrolling · 06/05/2026 20:42

A lot of people saying leave, which I wouldn’t disagree with. However, my biggest concern with this is that he ‘doesn’t want to change their nappy’ or even ‘feed them’ so what on earth is he going to do if he has access?

Cocktailglass · 06/05/2026 20:12

Did you not work before having the baby so he expected the same after?

If i was a sahm I would expect to do the housework, especially time during naps, but would expect partner to want to be interested in being with DC and help out a bit. During maternity leave I of course did everything during the day with our baby and got housework done during afternoon nap or had one myself when up at night. DH couldn't wait to have a cuddle with DC, would help with dinner, cleaning up after, then I always did bedtime routine.

When I went back to work it was shared equally and whoever could do nursery pick up. He works from home so could prep meals, put on washing and have a clear up, made life easier for me when I got back.

You probably can't change his attitude but you can change your situation...some questions,

What job does he do?
Is it particularly stressful?
Is there any possibility of you getting a job, maybe on an evening, so he needs to step up?
Can you trust to leave baby with him for a day at weekend and go out and give him a taste of your daily life? Xx

SillyBilly1993 · 06/05/2026 20:12

OP you need to set his hypocrisy out to him - when you are looking after the baby, he says you are relaxing and so you don’t need a break.

But when he is asked to look after the baby, he says he’s tired from working and so doesn’t have the energy to do the work of looking after the baby too.

Is looking after the baby work, or isn’t it?

I also think you need to make it clear that you aren’t being Cinderella anymore, sleeping on the floor and doing his chores for him. Get into bed when he is at work and start sleeping there with the baby, it’s his turn to sleep on the floor. If he won’t contribute to joint chores then that’s fine, you will both look after yourselves - cook for yourself, do your own washing, leave him to sort himself out. If he wants things to change then he’s going to need to bring something to the table.

It’s only been four months of this so I don’t think your relationship is beyond saving, but I think DH needs a wake up call!

Imisssleep88 · 06/05/2026 20:11

He thinks working 40hrs a week is exhausting and the limit of his abilities?

I, a woman, with similar hours 5am to 13.30pm 5 days a week. This means I get up at 4am to be at work on time. After work I go home for 2pm and clean it do washing out gardening till my 2 year old wakes from her nap at any point between 2 and 3pm. We then go and pick my son up from school (5yo) then I either have to entertain them or take them to their clubs, cook dinner for 5.30pm bath the kids age put to bed between 6.30pm and 8/8.30pm. I then get 30-60 mins depending on how bedtime went to do something or to myself before I head to bed at 9pm. My 2yo still wakes 2 or 3 times a week minimum so the sleep in get is broken, then it starts all again at 4am, so I'm sorry but he doesn't know the meaning of exhausted, I literally am on the go from 4am till 8/9pm with a max 1he to myself 5 days a week.

I am lucky in that I have a great husband who does his share with the kids, he gets them both up and dressed and dropped at school and nursery, he then picks the youngest up in his lunch and puts her for a nap, I know he does more than most dad's, but he doesn't really pull his weight with the chores around the house, but we muddle through the best we can, we are a team, and that's what you need in a partner when you have a family, someone you can work well with and support each other as parenthood is no walk in the park. He needs to man up, I get that he is working and you currently aren't but he needs to help out more.

ToddlerFun67899 · 06/05/2026 19:59

My DH was exactly the same at that age. He had been wonderful and perfect until around 4 months. He changed almost overnight, it was awful. The reality and relentlessness of a baby hit him and he just checked out completely.

I actually went back to work full time at 7 months and hired a nanny. It didn't fix anything, it made everything worse (except financially it was great for me).

I didn't let it go. I nagged and nagged and shouted and kicked him out once.

He changed for the better around 18 months after many arguments and also 2 of his best friends going through a divorce (for being shit dads). DS also became much easier and wonderful. Hand on heart, he does MORE than me now while I am getting on with my career.

It took a lot of work to get here. And I was fully prepared to leave him permanently. I wasn't going to just accept it.

Have I forgiven him? No. He made my life hell for a while. Ruined some of my son's baby months. But given he has shown significant and sustained change, I chose to stay for my son's sake.

I think something happens after the newborn excitement wears off. The reality hits. And 99%of the time, the woman literally gets left holding the baby.

I actually look differently at men generally now. Having a baby has taught me just how fucking privileged they are for never having to give birth or go through post partum.

Usernamenotav · 06/05/2026 19:47

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 06/05/2026 19:18

This kind of post makes me so angry. “You chose this man”.

No, most women who end up with absolute arsehole men did not choose them, whether they are lazy, abusive or both. They were tricked by a manipulative man in most cases who did not show his true colours until he thought the woman was sufficiently trapped.

Open your eyes, it’s a very common tale.

You were lucky if you got a good one, who remained a good one after kids. Lucky. Not clever, wise, sensible or forward thinking. You simply got lucky.

Let's not pretend that in a lot of situations like this, the red flags aren't flying high from the very beginning. People ignore them.

JenniferBooth · 06/05/2026 19:38

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 06/05/2026 19:18

This kind of post makes me so angry. “You chose this man”.

No, most women who end up with absolute arsehole men did not choose them, whether they are lazy, abusive or both. They were tricked by a manipulative man in most cases who did not show his true colours until he thought the woman was sufficiently trapped.

Open your eyes, it’s a very common tale.

You were lucky if you got a good one, who remained a good one after kids. Lucky. Not clever, wise, sensible or forward thinking. You simply got lucky.

This is the type of man who absolutely hates child free by choice women. Ive heard about the things Tate followers say about women who dont want kids.
I wonder what he would have said if you had told him you didnt want kids!

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 06/05/2026 19:18

Usernamenotav · 06/05/2026 14:26

Did he do his fair share around the house before you had a baby?
if not, then why did you expect it to change when you had a baby with him?

I'm just about done with having sympathy with people that choose these men. You chose this person to be your baby's dad!! The only dad they'll have and they're shit. Winds me up.

This kind of post makes me so angry. “You chose this man”.

No, most women who end up with absolute arsehole men did not choose them, whether they are lazy, abusive or both. They were tricked by a manipulative man in most cases who did not show his true colours until he thought the woman was sufficiently trapped.

Open your eyes, it’s a very common tale.

You were lucky if you got a good one, who remained a good one after kids. Lucky. Not clever, wise, sensible or forward thinking. You simply got lucky.

Cheerio123 · 06/05/2026 19:09

Sounds like you’re a single parent to two babies

Naunet · 06/05/2026 18:00

Kriszoee · 06/05/2026 08:44

I have worked since the day I turned 16, continuously, for over a decade. I have no plans at all to financially rely on him. I would love to return to work. Even part time to start with. I need some sense of normality back in my life.

Sorry if my comment came across as judgey, im not judging you, I just want to be sure youre looking out for yourself

C152 · 06/05/2026 17:53

Kriszoee · 06/05/2026 11:47

Really? Honestly I’m just worried it would be so much harder with having to juggle EVERYTHING. I can imagine it may feel just as lonely though.

I am really sorry to be blunt, but you have married a worthless manchild who will never improve. You'll grow more resentful and more tired until you're dragging yourself through each day, waiting for bed (which won't bring sufficient rest), only to wake up and repeat the next day. You'll want to be everything for your child, but you'll simply be too exhausted to do all but the basics.

Life without the man child will not be easy and will contain the same single parent struggles you face now, but will be so much easier than your life now because your decisions will be your own, your space will be your own, you won't constantly be expecting support which never comes and your only responsibility will be to your child and your shared future. You will have to rely on childcare, which is costly and uncertain, but is a challenge that is better than being married to this man.

You'll be astonished at the world that opens up to you, when you're not so worried about improving a life you don't really want. You'll find new friends or, at the very least, acquaintances to chat to. You may have to force yourself initially, but you'll find a renewed interest in things you used to love, whether it's being outdoors, reading, relaxing in the bath, going to the movies alone etc. Find and make use of babysitters - you can still be a responsible parent whilst needing (and benefiting) from time alone. Obviously, go back to work. You deserve a job that gives you purpose and financial security.

As to the safety of leaving your child with your (hopefully soon to be ex)...only you can judge what's best here. Mine was (and is) a truly selfish, thoughtless waster who will continually put a stranger's needs before that of his child. I couldn't trust him to care for a baby properly or, most importantly, stop our child being mistreated by others (which was a real threat, given ex's dreadful family), so I had to bide my time for years until I felt our child was old enough to say no when necessary/scream for help.

Thehandinthecookiejar · 06/05/2026 17:30

A man child who plays on his play station instead of minding his own child or tidying his own house. Well that doesn’t sound great…

BleedinglyObvious · 06/05/2026 17:23

The word 'help' is part of the problem. Women are expecting help not a parent who steps up. @Voneska . A man is 'helping' by doing normal everyday tasks that would be expected of a parent.

Using the word help perpetuates the 'it's a woman's job' attitude.

A man living on his own would be doing things like cooking and housework. As soon as there's a baby he stops, and suddenly it is 'helping' if he does it.

hypnovic · 06/05/2026 17:16

Plan your escape it won't get better

Voneska · 06/05/2026 16:33

What I'm about to say isn't going to sit well with anybody. But my view is that ' helpful " men are as rare as Hens teeth. Women function as secular entity's all the while living in a fantasy that hes helping. Admittedly they're helping by just being there because of LOVE. To find a solution to the immediate problem would be to give Mum a day off. This is what's UNFAIR, in that HE S got more control over his personal choices than O.P. BUT that is a new mums dilemma and always HAS BEEN like that. MUM needs a mothers Helper for one day per week, that's my opinion. Both are navigating profound life changes and TIME to adjust will improve everything

Thegoldenoriole · 06/05/2026 15:06

First thought: lazy sod, get rid

Second thought: affair?

Third thought: after reading your updates, it sounds like he’s having some sort of nervous breakdown. Decent men don’t have complete personality changes in a few months for no reason. I’d approach this as an illness. As you get on with his parents, explain everything to them. He doesn’t get to hide behind his pride and not take anti-depressants when you are drowning.
If the parent angle doesn’t work, talk to his friends. Go with “I’m so worried about DP, he isn’t engaging with the baby, he is exhausted after working a very normal week, I think he’s really ill, please can you talk to him as he won’t open up to me.”
Be aggressively concerned about him. He can’t be dismissive or get angry with you for being worried that he’s acting completely out of character. Make it clear he has a BIG problem because no normally functioning adult behaves this way.

Then get him drugs and therapy.

If that doesn’t work, pack him in. Life’s too short.

Kriszoee · 06/05/2026 14:52

INeedAnotherName · 06/05/2026 13:33

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing
I understood that but I was responding to OP being worried about doing everything. She already is, and she needs to realise that so it's no longer a fear.

As to finances she needs to look on entitled to to see if she'll get any help, along with single person council tax reduction and claiming CMS. Although he might end up being a total waster with no job just because he can (and it gives him more PS time).

I have. I would need to find part time work( around 16 hours to begin ) along with the amount I’d be entitled to, to be comfortable and afford everything. I couldn’t manage returning to my longterm career. The stress & demand of it, albeit the salary being extremely good, wouldn’t be worth it with a small person to bring up alone.

OP posts:
Kriszoee · 06/05/2026 14:50

INeedAnotherName · 06/05/2026 13:14

I'm confused OP, I thought you were already doing everything? In which case the only thing that will happen is you will lose the anger and resentment if he leaves.

Remind me again of what he brings to the relationship?

Sorry, I meant doing everything I already have to do + being solely responsible for bringing in income

OP posts:
Kriszoee · 06/05/2026 14:48

DangerousAlchemy · 06/05/2026 14:25

Sorry - he's sitting on his arse watching you make his dinner for him so he can take it to work? but baby is in the highchair at this point as he still can't be arsed to actually play with his daughter? 🙄🙄 what a prince. He can make his own effing food. just cook for yourself later or, better still, batch cook stuff and freeze it.

Yes - you absolutely read that right. It is shocking to say out loud😟

OP posts: