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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to ask if this actually sounds reasonable, about time off/lie ins between me and DP?

10 replies

NellyBluth · 13/01/2013 17:44

I'm asking because a friend had a little rant today and told me that this was unreasonable. So I'm more curious, not so much that I think DP is taking the piss.

DP does shift work, in a demanding job, 6 days on then 4 days off. Some shifts start early morning, some start late afternoon, some are night shifts, and its a mix during his 6 days on. I do a 9-5 office job that isn't particularly stressful or demanding. We both commute.

When DP isn't working, he looks after our 1yo. This means he generally looks after DD alone for 4-6 hours either before or after his shift. So, his working days are long. I get DD ready in the mornings and either take her to the CM or have her until I have to go to work, at which point DP gets up. I then do the hour, hour and a half till bedtime when I get home. Most of DP's days off are also spent alone with DD for 10 hours or so, whereas my weekends off I do have DP around a bit more either in the morning or evening.

We're lucky that at the moment DD sleeps really well and so while I still have housework etc to do, pretty much every evening I get at least an hour to myself after doing everything that needs doing, and then I generally get 7-8 hours straight sleep. DP doesn't have this luxury, and can have 5-6 really long days of mixing work and childcare with no time to himself at all.

On the rare occasion he's actually off both days at the weekend, most of the time I let him have both lie-ins. Occasionally I get one but not often. He doesn't ask for both lie-ins, but to be fair he doesn't often offer me one. But then I know he is absolutely knackered. He might also go out and so something on his own for a few hours (bike ride etc).

A friend, who when she has children will be facing a similar scenario because her DP does the same job, had a big rant at me when she heard DP had both lie-ins today and told me that he was being incredibly selfish. I don't think so but, you know, she got me thinking...

Is anyone else in a similar situation, and what do you do? Do you think this sounds fair, considering he's far more knackered during his 'working week' than I am?

OP posts:
EndoplasmicReticulum · 13/01/2013 17:49

If you're happy to let him have both lie ins, then YANBU.

We have always taken one each, both work full time, me more hours than him.

aquashiv · 13/01/2013 17:50

I never know the right answer but if you think its fair and you are happy then its fair. You sound like a really supportive partner and you also sound like you have your priorities right. Shift work is a killer and does mess with your body clock so its no wonder that it takes him a while to normalise.

LaCiccolina · 13/01/2013 17:52

Well it's what suits u. So as long as if u were knackered u would get one of them I don't see the issue. What suits ur mate won't nec suit u will it?

At mo dh and I share the weekend lie ins. With dd2 arriving next week unlikely will happen again for what? A year?! He's in for a big shock I think!

amazingmumof6 · 13/01/2013 17:54

DP is not selfish, you sound like a couple who really work well together and are helping each other as much as you can - this "friend" is just jealous and is trying to rattle you. ignore her.

"don't let the bastards bring you down" (U2)

I'm sure if you wanted a lie in you could have one, if he doesn't offer it so what? he does everything and more that a lot of dads do, he's fab and so are you.
maybe an afternoon nap is the answer?

Fairylea · 13/01/2013 18:01

I don't understand why people get so moany about what other people do when the other people are happy!

If you're okay about it it's fine :)

I've had similar issues with friends before... dh works 5 / 6 days a week but when he has a day off its never next to another day off. So I let him lie in both his days off as he doesn't generally get in till half 10 at night - whereas me being sahm I might get up at 5.30 with the dc but they go to bed at 5.30/6 (well baby does) so I have the evening to relax and go to bed early.. I'm not fussed about having a lie in. However when dh is home he is totally hands on and will give me a break.

People get irate about what suits others. If it suits you it's fine.

NellyBluth · 13/01/2013 18:38

I know, I don't understand why she was so wound up, but she was and that made me question it!

I think it's because everyone else I know has a DP/H who works roughly 9-5 Monday to Friday so they're always on about sharing lay ins etc.

OP posts:
manicbmc · 13/01/2013 18:41

If it works for you and both of you are happy then who is she to get all wound up?

badtemperedaldbitch · 13/01/2013 18:42

It also depends upon which of you need the lie in the most

If you are working it out with your doctor don't compare your relationship to anyone elses

badtemperedaldbitch · 13/01/2013 18:42

Doctor? Dp

ChristmasJubilee · 13/01/2013 18:56

Dh has all the lie ins and always has but, if I am tired, I will have a snooze in the afternoon. It used to be when they were napping now they can watch tv.

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