Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

To think that DP should be able to do everything I do re childcare

225 replies

hectorslarry · 13/07/2013 17:58

Hi

I have a 4yo DD from a previous relationship and a 3 week old DD from this relationship. DP and i have been together for 3 and a half years. It's not been easy.

He goes out 4 nights a week (drinking) and works 7 days a week 6.30am-6.30pm. He occasionally gets a weekend off but it's been 6 weeks since his last day off. He takes all the overtime he can get to clear his mortgage out of arrears. We share my rented house atm because his own (mortgaged) house is 70 miles away from work family etc.

I have not had a night out with friends in 10 months. I was working nightshift before I went on maternity leave and DD1 stayed at my grandparents house on the nights i was working because dp wouldn't do it (even though he wasn't working then, he only started this job in march) because it's not his kid. His words.

When I went on maternity leave i had 1 night at the cinema and that was because my mum watched DD1 while I went.

DD2 arrived 3 weeks ago and he missed the birth because he was out and wouldn't answer his phone. He has been out most nights since she was born, has not fed her, bathed her, changed her or anything and does nothing housework wise to help me. He just keeps going on about how hard he's got it working all day and how easy I've got it 'lying in my bed all day'. Yes of course I do. The kids look after themselves and the housework fairies appear to clean and make dinner.

I was supposed to be going out with my friends tonight. It's been planned for months because we live so far apart and they were making the effort to travel here and booked a hotel to stay in. I was so looking forward to it. I've spent the day worried sick about leaving the kids with him. He has no idea how to change an nappy, make a bottle or get babies wind up. I asked him when he got in an hour ago (earlier than usual tonight) to give DD2 a bottle whilst I got ready and he refused. Said he didn't know how to and wouldn't do it. I asked him what he was going to do when I was out and he said he was just going to wait until I came home until she was fed, bathed, changed etc.

I'm really upset. Obviously I can't go out now so I've phoned my friends to tell them and they are fuming. They spent a fortune on travel hotels etc to come and see me and it's been a waste of time. I can't even invite them round here because they don't get on with DP even though he's now away out for the 5th night in a row. It's going to take a while to repair my friendship and they were the only friends I've got.

AIBU to have expected a night out only 3 weeks after DD2 was born?

AIBU to expect DP to do child related stuff even though he works all day?

When your DCs were born did your partner help and do stuff? Or is this normal? I honestly don't know because with DD1 i done everything because she was my child.

I think he should be able to do everything I do and we should take it in turns to do feeds and nappy changes etc. He doesn't understand why he has to and why he shouldn't be going out 4 nights a week. I think that's too much and maybe once a month is acceptable when you have a baby. He says that's acceptable for mums but not dad's. Why should dad's have to stay in the house too? How do I answer that question?

I'm pretty much a single parent. I sometimes think it would be easier for me to kick him out and do it myself.

OP posts:
Wibblypiglikesbananas · 13/07/2013 18:57

Absolutely not normal and sounds like he couldn't care less about you or your children. You would be better off as a single parent. I know that if I were to drop down dead today, my DP could do and would do everything (bar breastfeeding!) I do with my DD. You can't even leave this idiot with your children for an evening.

Get rid, before it gets worse and your children's ideas of what a dad should be become any more messed up. He also sounds emotionally abusive to me.

NutcrackerFairy · 13/07/2013 18:58

God I am so angry on your behalf OP.

What a selfish waste of space your DP is.

And Dora it's not babysitting when it's your own child Hmm

Kleptronic · 13/07/2013 19:00

Whew. I've never said this before, but lose the bastard. Immediately. All strength to you, this man is awful.

trixymalixy · 13/07/2013 19:00

Get your friends round and kick the tosser out.

HildaOgden · 13/07/2013 19:05

Get yourself and both of your children out of there,don't want until he gives you 'permission' to kick him out.

He is,quite simply,a cocklodger.

This will never end with you being happy...he will not suddenly 'see the light' so to speak.He will continue to doss down at your place,eat your food,create mess for you to clean,isolate you from your friends...and then,just as you are at rock bottom and destroyed,he will fuck off back to his mortgage-free house.

There is no reason for you to sacrifice your life to suit his.

hectorslarry · 13/07/2013 19:06

My friends are going ahead with the night out. They are really annoyed with me. They have no kids or responsibilities so they don't understand why I can't go out.

He will refuse to leave i know that but I can try.

I'll be better off on my own I know that so im committed to getting rid.

OP posts:
5madthings · 13/07/2013 19:07

Omg so he doesnt contribute financially either.

Is his name on the lease? Hops not. Please just kick him out. You will be so much better off wuth him.out of your life.

5madthings · 13/07/2013 19:08

Op please call your friends and explain what a tosser your partner is. If they are friends they will understand and support you. They can cone round ans help you pack his bags.

Where in the country are you?

ICanTuckMyBoobsInMyPockets · 13/07/2013 19:09

I have never been so Angry at a post before this.
This 'man' does not give a toss about you, your first child or his own child.
Get the girls round, they can help you pack his stuff, put it in his car and move it somewhere away from the house so he's not going mad outside your door.
He is seriously taking you for a ride and using you for free lodgings while he pays off his mortgage as you're close to his work.
Get rid.
I am so so cross for you Angry

pianodoodle · 13/07/2013 19:09

Good luck - it sounds as though you're actually worse off financially and in many other ways for having him around.

Can you have people around like family or friends for later so you aren't on your own? Even someone to stay overnight? X

It sounds as if you do everything yourself anyway and I'm sure your 1st child will pick up that he doesn't care and it could be really bad for her if he sticks around with that attitude (and for his own child too!)

LadyBeagleEyes · 13/07/2013 19:09

Oh FFS, why are you with this man?
I'm almost thinking wind up because no one could possibly think you're unreasonable and that includes yourself.

hermioneweasley · 13/07/2013 19:12

Is there someone you coukd have to come over for when he comes back and finds his stuff in the car and he's unable to get in?

Great decision - on with the rest of your life!

LunaticFringe · 13/07/2013 19:13

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

YouTheCat · 13/07/2013 19:13

LadyB, it's amazing what these sorts of man can have you believing. They eat away at your confidence to such a point where you are never sure what is right.

OP, stuff in bags and doors double locked. If he turns up and causes a disturbance, call the police.

Figgygal · 13/07/2013 19:13

Utter using bastard who will only disappoint u and your children!! I doubt he was much different pre baby with his drinking habits why why have a baby in that kind of relationship?

WhistlingNun · 13/07/2013 19:14

This is so sad.

You need support.

Call your friends and ask them to come round. You'll need all the strength you can muster tonight if you're serious about locking him out.

It's your house. If he refuses to leave, or keeps harassing you, contact the police.

SugarPasteGreyhound · 13/07/2013 19:14

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

pianodoodle · 13/07/2013 19:15

If he refuses to leave I would go as far as to call the police. Is his name on the tenancy agreement?

Also call and inform benefits people that he is no longer at the address and see what you need to do to get those reinstated.

That's a shame your friends don't understand maybe fill them in properly and tell them the situation.

tallwivglasses · 13/07/2013 19:19

Hector, what's happened in your life to make you put up with this for so long? at least you know it's wrong now. next step, ditch the fucker.

gintastic · 13/07/2013 19:22

What awful friends as well! Fancy refusing to go and see a mum with a tiny baby who needs their support.

Can you have another go at explaining why you need them there? Otherwise, call the police maybe?

MrsBungle · 13/07/2013 19:26

I'm quite upset for you hector :( please phone your friends again and tell them you need them.

This loser needs to go.

Do you have anyone else you can call? Parents or siblings? X

HooverFairy · 13/07/2013 19:28

Oh Hector, he's terrible to you, that's not normal at all. Please ring your friends and be honest with them, this will salvage your relationship with them and that is so important.

Put his things in the car, drive it right down the street and leave it with a note, lock the doors and ignore, ignore, ignore.

It would be better if you could get some support for when he comes home. When he's gone you will find life so much easier, enjoy your little ones without that waste of space upsetting you. Good luck.

BabyStone · 13/07/2013 19:30

Agreeing with other posters, no one deserves to be treated how he is treating you and your children. He sounds harder work than the kids and housework! We are here for you x

sameoldIggi · 13/07/2013 19:38

"My friends are going ahead with the night out. They are really annoyed with me. They have no kids or responsibilities so they don't understand why I can't go out. "

  • it's not because you have kids though us it that you can't go out with them? It's because your man is a twat.
When he refused to mind your dd, was that not a red flag in itself? I think most thinks can be worked at and made better, but sadly not in this case. He is manipulating you and doesn't give a shit about the dcs.
YoniBottsBumgina · 13/07/2013 19:44

Holy shit, he is an utter utter twat.

Please call one of your friends and explain the real situation. If they don't like him, they have probably seen through him and would drop everything to come and make sure you're alright if you say you're thinking of leaving him, especially if you say he's out.

Life is too short. It's not normal, this is no way to live. I'm so sorry x

Swipe left for the next trending thread