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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

or is DH for saying we can't have another child now we have 2 cats

42 replies

BettyBottersBetterButter · 19/08/2013 17:50

I'd been pestering DH for DC number 3 for a while & whilst it was never an out-right no he'd rather stop at 2 & always changed the subject or said we'd discuss it in a few months. Earlier this year our cat died & we agreed to get another one - DC & I wanted to get 2 but DH wanted 1. One night we were having the 3rd baby debate & I could see he was less & less keen & beginning to get a bit annoyed at my constant talking about it so I said "if you agree to getting 2 cats I won't mention the baby thing again". To which he agreed & we got 2 cats. Of course my baby yearnings didn't magically disappear with the extra cat but I decided not to bring it up for a few months.

We were visiting his sister this weekend & she mentioned us having more children (in a friendly 'I know your keen but hadn't you better get a wriggle on' way) so I said I'd still love another one but DH isn't keen. He overheard & got really arsey saying I'd made a promise never to discuss it again once he'd agreed to getting a 2nd cat. She roared with laughter & couldn't believe he would plan his family around a couple of cats & that he was crazy to think I actually meant it when everyone knew how desperate I was for another baby. He was in a right huff & wouldn't discuss it other than to say we are NEVER having any more children now we have 2 cats. I (flippantly) said fine we'll get rid of the cats to which he said fine & stomped off. Hmm

So, all very childish but is DH being unreasonable for thinking I honestly wouldn't want another baby when we got the 2 cats or am I for making & then wanting to break this promise? And where do we got from here....?

OP posts:
SilverApples · 20/08/2013 07:51

But nothing says no quite like a vasectomy.
Safer for the OP's health too.

pianodoodle · 20/08/2013 08:18

I think it was a bit rash (to say the least) to promise you wouldn't mention it again to win an extra cat!

In your DH's eyes you've probably made the baby subject quite trivial now.

All you can do is try and bring it back to a serious discussion and see what happens.

samandi · 20/08/2013 09:01

if you agree to getting 2 cats I won't mention the baby thing again

You shouldn't have said it if you didn't mean it Confused

He's made his feelings clear. I think that the person not wanting more babies gets to decide in this situation. As other posters have said, you sound childish and not mature enough to have two kids (and two cats), let alone three kids and two cats. Just be thankful for what you have.

mumbubble · 20/08/2013 09:37

at least you got the cats that you wanted - my DH wanted 2 cats, I didn't want any, but DH agreed that we could try for another child if I said yes to getting the cats. He changed his mind. So DD is an only and I have to deal with 2 troublesome cats which I didn't want.

specialsubject · 20/08/2013 10:04

he's told you and told you he doesn't want a third child. You aren't listening.

where do you go from here? you stop at 2 kids or you split up and find someone else who wants a third.

lottiegarbanzo · 20/08/2013 10:21

You sound like someone who is used to getting her own way and, if others have legitimate objections, thinks she can wheedle and manipulate her way round them. Do you actually recognise other people's feelings and opinions as real and important?

Cats are irrelevant. Answering people's questions is irrelevant. Talk to each other and stop playing silly games.

diddl · 20/08/2013 10:38

And nice getting his sister to laugh at him by telling her about the cats.

Do people tell rellies everything??

DropYourSword · 20/08/2013 11:22

I think it was short sighted of you to make the comment about not mentioning having a baby again if you got your way with the cat. Yes it was flippant, but your partner deserved better. However, I can really sympathize with you that you really want another baby and your partner doesn't. That's gotta be a really difficult position to be in, but unfortunately I agree with the others that if a partner doesn't want a kid their opinion trumps that of the partner that does... Not fair on a person to be forced to have an unwanted child.

Just remember, it's really nothing to do with the cats that your partner doesn't want another child. You have two children together, why don't you invest your energy in enjoying them as much as possible!

MegaClutterSlut · 20/08/2013 11:39

Another yabu, sorry. He clearly doesn't want another child and you shouldn't pester him for another when it's blatantly obvious he doesn't want one

As others have said, stick with 2 or split up and have another with someone else as it's unfair on him to keep pestering him imo

pinkyredrose · 20/08/2013 11:53

So basically OP you'll just say whatever you like if it gets you what you want.

Spoiled much?

wigglesrock · 20/08/2013 12:03

We have 3 children, to say that we were both so sure it was what we wanted before trying to conceive dc3 is an understatement.

I'm taking the cats out of the equation because that whole scenario is just fuckin' weird to me. Number of kids corresponding to no of kids.

Either you both really, really want a third child or you don't even try. You don't try and persuade someone to come round, or I'm sure it'll be fine when it's here kind of thing is a recipe for disaster and is desperately unfair to all those involved.

Chattymummyhere · 20/08/2013 12:09

My Dh wants another I'm unsure...

He does not pester me about it as that sure will make my drag my heals in the sand and state a firm no.. We joke sometimes about forgetting my pill or that he will hide it but we both no he would not and we are open to discussing 3rd being a yes or no..

Your husband sounds like he is a complete NO on the subject so even the joking with your family member will annoy him

unlike me who goes yeah yeah your turn next though anit it?? --- SIL I'm looking at you

I know if I said to Dh do this x,y,z then we will have baby no3 and he would jump to it, Your Dh jumped at do x and no baby no3

Famzilla · 20/08/2013 12:36

OP I'm sorry to say this but your post is making you sound like a spoiled child.

Have you no respect for his feelings?

All I see here is "I want I want" with manipulation & lies to get it.

Poor bloke.

Silverfoxballs · 20/08/2013 13:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Jolleigh · 20/08/2013 13:53

Being broody makes people crazy and it's hard. But you need to bring some clarity back into your thought process.

If you were already pregnant then this would obviously be a very different response from me. But right now the 3rd child you crave is conceptual. And your OH flat out doesn't want it. It takes 2 people to make a baby so forcing the subject will cause resentment.

I'd personally try to kick start a new hobby to take your mind off it. Maybe volunteer at a stray cat's home? Sounds like you'd be able to vent some of your nurtering needs that way.

Everyone else - have you never been broody? We're programmed to push for the next generation and some people feel that urge very strongly. Have a bit more empathy.

Coconutty · 20/08/2013 13:56

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

kali110 · 20/08/2013 14:07

Sorry op but yabu. You shouldnt have made the agreement if you werent completely sure. Pets can be a big responsibility just like having kids. Maybe your dp just cant hAndle anymore to look after. No point nagging him. Concentrate on the kids and cats you have now

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