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I just want his baby, what can I do?

735 replies

MandyMarr · 03/06/2021 18:49

For as long as I can remember DP has been immersed in work. I won’t say what he does as maybe outing but basically he works very hard, very very long hours and I have made many sacrifices for his job while also trying to hold down my own pretty high flying career (not a boast, just trying to emphasise how much effort I have made to support him when I have had my own stuff going on).

In fairness to DP, when we met it was abundantly clear that his job was absolutely central to him. It’s meant I’ve had many evenings in a quiet house, I have holidays with friends mostly, maybe once a year with him and they are short, we will have dates once a week but basically his job is like at third person in the relationship.

He recently brought up children, said he was ready as he’d ever be, joked about wanting to be a stay at home dad (he definitely wouldn’t be!) and said he’d be happy if we had an accident. He is absolutely not the type to plan something like this, he flies into panic when I mention ANY sort of planning. He’s said before when tipsy that he wouldn’t want to ‘try’ for a child as this would cause him stress and anxiety, he would rather it just happened. He’s made this clear a lot.

I really want to have a family. I’m fully aware he will be a great dad but I will be left to do the leg work. I’ve always known this. I am ok with it.

Do I just become lax with contraception? All I can think about now is a child but I know if I have a formal ‘let’s try’ chat he will fly into panic and obsess over it and it will be very very stressful. But I’m also sick of taking every stage of our relationship so slowly when ultimately he makes it clear that he wants me and a child and a future.

Thoughts? I’m feeling so fed up tonight.

OP posts:
EssentialHummus · 03/06/2021 19:25

how do you know it’s 1-4 days before if the tests shows on the day?

There are lots of MN threads about this that will give you all the info you may want, but basically you either rely on having a regular period so reliable ovulation, or you take your temp each morning because there’s a certain pattern to basal body temp before and after ovulation, or you get really familiar with cervical mucus and learn what it looks/feels like when you’re fertile. Or all those things / any combination. Or regular unprotected sex seems to work for most! But that’s really, really not even in the top 5 of things to think about here OP, honestly.

Cotswoldmama · 03/06/2021 19:25

I think he has made it clear that he does want children and if you want them too and are happy to do the bulk of the child care then yes stop using contraception, go for it!

Crankley · 03/06/2021 19:25

I'm wondering what part of you knowing you will be doing pretty much everything for the baby makes him a potentially great dad? He sounds like a potentially crap dad to me.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Notagain20 · 03/06/2021 19:26

[quote MandyMarr]@WorraLiberty I guess I don’t think about marriage as I have my own financial security.[/quote]
You won't though, when you're a mum

KatherineJaneway · 03/06/2021 19:26

Get married first.

Rubi87 · 03/06/2021 19:27

Get yourself some ovulation sticks which can indicate your highly fertile days and then the 2 most optimum days for ovulation. They are very easy to use.

Peppapeg · 03/06/2021 19:27

[quote MandyMarr]@Aquamarine1029 I’m aware I could be completely underestimating the work involved but I also know I would be ok.

I love DP. I want his child. I don’t mind taking on this and looking after his child. My post was more about how to go about this now.[/quote]
You say this now, you will end up resenting him.

MandyMarr · 03/06/2021 19:27

@Sometimesfraught82 I could be being naive but that is how I believe DP would be. When we spend time together it is wonderful and that’s why I have put up with his job.

OP posts:
MizMoonshine · 03/06/2021 19:28

Simply stop taking contraception.
Inform him that you are no longer having protected sex and leave it there.

AvantGardening · 03/06/2021 19:28

He sounds like he might make a great uncle or godparent type figure.

But not a great father.

PeridotPenelope · 03/06/2021 19:29

Sounds like he wants it all…great, high flying career, partner and children but without actually doing anything towards the latter.

If he can’t discuss it in a constructive, adult way then I would ignore it.

And I wouldn’t have children with this man unless he wanted marriage first. It won’t be his career that gets held back.

winched · 03/06/2021 19:29

I’m aware I could be completely underestimating the work involved but I also know I would be ok.

I love DP. I want his child. I don’t mind taking on this and looking after his child. My post was more about how to go about this now.

In the nicest possible way I can say with 90% certainty that how you feel right now will change when you have a child.

The second that baby is born he or she will become your number one priority, and as the days / weeks / months / years go by, you will wonder why he or she isn't your DPs number one priority too.

You will be taking on far more than your fair share, and if this doesn't cause resentment in reality you will be an exception.

I work. I earn similar to him. I’m not worried about finances.

This will change too, quite likely. If you're the one leaving work to pick up a poorly child from nursery, you're the one who will pay for it with your career. And that's provided you can afford childcare (twins?) and the child has no disabilities that would make childcare unsuitable.

At the very least, don't do this until you're married so you have some protection if you have to stop working, or your career has to take the backseat.

And if you are still dead set on doing it anyway, just stop taking contraception. If you want to plan it but leave your DP out of the plans, "entice him" during your fertile window.

But pleaseeee think about this and listen to other people's experiences.

valleyplaza · 03/06/2021 19:29

I can really identify with what you are saying. It sounds like you love each other and want to have a child together. I have two children, and we never had a deep conversation about trying for a baby or how we should plan for the future, we both just knew, after quite a few years we would like to have children, and we were lucky enough for it to happen. Planning how things should work out isn't for everyone, and as we know from the last 15 or so months, anything can happen. People make it sound like it is such hard work, and I suppose it is to a point, but it is also fun and lovely, get a cleaner to do all the stuff you don't want to and enjoy the baby. Get off your contraception and go for it.

RedcurrantPuff · 03/06/2021 19:30

@HollowTalk

Why on earth would you want a child with him? It sounds like a very lonely life for you now, where you're facilitating his life and he's not even thinking that you don't want to live like that.
This

He sounds bloody awful to be frank. I find people so obsessed with work very tedious and dull.

Notagain20 · 03/06/2021 19:32

OP can I ask about your family? Will your
parents be around to support you? Do you live near them, or his family perhaps?

I'm also curious about your own dad and what sort of model of a good dad you had growing up

Sometimesfraught82 · 03/06/2021 19:32

[quote MandyMarr]@Sometimesfraught82 I could be being naive but that is how I believe DP would be. When we spend time together it is wonderful and that’s why I have put up with his job.[/quote]
It will be abhorrent to many mumsnetters

But many very high income families operate like this. And it often works.

My dad would join us on holidays. The excitement when he arrived!

MandyMarr · 03/06/2021 19:33

@valleyplaza

I can really identify with what you are saying. It sounds like you love each other and want to have a child together. I have two children, and we never had a deep conversation about trying for a baby or how we should plan for the future, we both just knew, after quite a few years we would like to have children, and we were lucky enough for it to happen. Planning how things should work out isn't for everyone, and as we know from the last 15 or so months, anything can happen. People make it sound like it is such hard work, and I suppose it is to a point, but it is also fun and lovely, get a cleaner to do all the stuff you don't want to and enjoy the baby. Get off your contraception and go for it.
Thanks @valleyplaza

I think that’s what I’m trying to convey here...our lives are so busy and chaotic with work that when DP said he wished it would just happen, I get that. I understand why he feels like that. I don’t want big discussions or planning. I love him and wouldn’t want this with anyone else. I know I will likely have moments of resentment, maybe it will ruin the relationship, nobody knows for sure. But I just want child with him so much. I love him so much. It’s daunting going for it without the planning though, which I have to do as he just will panic and obsess if I start mentioning ovulation or days we need to dtd!

OP posts:
RedcurrantPuff · 03/06/2021 19:33

He won’t be a good dad. A good dad doesn’t by choice put his partner and family last.

CinnabarRed · 03/06/2021 19:33

You say you’re not interested in marriage because you’re financially secure. But then go on to say that you know having essentially sole charge of a child may well end your career.

Which is it? Can’t be financially secure and without a steady career.

You sound utterly naive and like you haven’t thought this through at all. Sad

Moonwatcher1234 · 03/06/2021 19:33

OP, the reason you started this thread is ridiculous...you want advice on how to become pregnant without stressing your partner? Also, you are seriously under estimating how hard it is to parent. Maybe wise up and stop living in a nice fantasy land.

GreyhoundG1rl · 03/06/2021 19:34

which I have to do as he just will panic and obsess if I start mentioning ovulation or days we need to dtd!
Yet you're adamant he's ready... Hmm

MandyMarr · 03/06/2021 19:34

@CinnabarRed

You say you’re not interested in marriage because you’re financially secure. But then go on to say that you know having essentially sole charge of a child may well end your career.

Which is it? Can’t be financially secure and without a steady career.

You sound utterly naive and like you haven’t thought this through at all. Sad

@CinnabarRed I just mean I have money generally. I have access to financial support.
OP posts:
R0SEMARY · 03/06/2021 19:34

Listen to @BuffySummersReportingforSanity. In fact listen to almost everyone on this thread.

He will be exactly the same type of father as he is partner - likes the idea of it as long as someone else does all the work for him.

Grizalda · 03/06/2021 19:34

Seriously op, 99year old deathbed you would seriously tell you to give your head a wobble. I think there will come a time in your life when you see your husband in a whole different light. But hey, you sound certain soooo.…

MandyMarr · 03/06/2021 19:36

I have to say I feel quite confused now after reading these posts! I’m surprised so many people wouldn’t want a DP like mine. I’m mostly proud of him and happy for him and think he is wonderful. I don’t see him as self absorbed but I’m now wondering what lens I’ve been looking through!

OP posts: