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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To tell my 'D' P that he's a shit Dad?

37 replies

Beemer30 · 21/06/2014 19:09

V v long story but today has simply pushed me over the edge. Everything comes before me and our two children. He's having zero input into their lives and upbringing and is happy to just sit back and let me pick up the slack. He's been asleep all this morning and most of this afternoon and does this regularly on the weekend. If he's not sleeping he's on the net constantly and generally ignoring the kids. He can muster the energy to do stuff if it's going to benefit himself exclusively. I'm having real problems with DD 2.11 at pre school at the moment because of her behaviour. I also have a 6 month old. Tbh I've got use to him being crap towards me but I'm sick of him being a crap Dad to the kids. I'm on maternity leave at the moment so am a SAHM and I think because of this he thinks it's ok for me to be doing absolutely everything. I'm really upset right now it's been particularly bad since our youngest was born 6 months ago.

OP posts:
thedancingbear · 22/06/2014 12:10

Fair enough. He sounds crap. I'm not going to shout that you should LTB based on a few internet posts but it definitely sounds like he needs to sort himself out.

BrunoBrookesDinedAlone · 22/06/2014 12:17

Right, so for a start he's a DP, not a DH.

So effectively, you are financially separate in the eyes of the law.

Whose name are the debts in? - that seems to be the biggest problem.

If his - you can forget the debts.
If yours, or joint - go and talk to CAB (or perhaps wait for other advice on here) on whether you can extricate yourself from them.

The house: how much is paid off? Is there any equity?
Because if you have no equity OR the amount paid off is negligible, then you could be far far better off cutting your losses completely - as in, moving out with the children to rented, and telling him to either cover the mortgage himself or put the house on the market, because you don't care if it gets repossessed.

So to move on to affordability on your own.
Firstly, could you get any help from family, eg to get a deposit down for rented, or some contribution to help start again?
Could you move in with family temporarily?

Is rented AT ALL affordable? - it should be if you are a single parent - HB, tax credits etc - again, go to CAB, set out the situation and ask for advice. Obviously, you would go on the list for social housing. But effectively at first you are looking at pricing up a rented home - how many bedrooms can you get away with?

Could you consider moving to a cheaper location - move job? Or to somewhere where you might be able to get family help with childcare?

CSA claim, remember.

Sounds odd probably but right now on mat leave you have more time to do this - you don't have to fit in work too. So think about taking action now.

Then work. Assume he will do no childcare. What are your hours? Could they be flexed in any way? How good is your employer? Now might be the time to talk about how to fit best with childcare to earn the most money.

Above all, remember that this will be the hardest time - you've got preschoolers. In five years, with them all in school, you could be:

a - Still sitting in the shit, looking with pure hatred at the pig you mop up after as well as doing everything for your children, watching them learning how to be layabouts and how to treat you as a domestic slave. Still servicing the massive mortgage that's doing nothing except tie you even more to him, as every year that passes makes it harder to cut the losses. Being miserable. Watching debts grow thanks to him.

b - Be waving last DC off to school, and looking forward to upping your hours and seeing childcare bills fall at last. Looking forward to seeing the small pot of savings you now have (amazing how feeding one less and not paying for an expensive hobby makes such a difference!) start growing faster. Making plans to move somewhere a bit bigger/grow that house deposit. Feeling happier and in control. Satisfied that the children are seeing a good example. ENJOYING LIFE. Looking forward to meeting someone new, if you haven't already. Running your own ship.

Yes, leaving would be hard. But impossible? It's never really impossible. Which future would you rather have?

ChocolateFreckles · 22/06/2014 12:37

I could have written this post myself a little while ago. Almost 10 years of doing almost everything regarding the kids while my husband sat on his arse on his phone (when not at work). We've split and now he's only a crap Dad a few hours a week and someone else's crap partner. It's scary and daunting becoming a single parent but so much better than being unhappy for years on end. Get some legal advice OP regarding splitting. Good luck.

ViviPru · 22/06/2014 13:05

Brilliant post from Bruno. please consider her advice, OP.

dreamingbohemian · 22/06/2014 13:17

Barring a personality transplant, he's not going to change, and so nothing will get better or easier.

So every year you stay with him is just another year of misery for no purpose.

I agree, use your maternity leave to get all the information you can about what would happen if you do split. You may feel more confident after that. Then you can have the shape up or ship out discussion.

emms1981 · 22/06/2014 14:12

Have you sat down and talked? Told him how fed up you are? Is he depressed? Does he work?
I can simpathise with you op me and my husband are going through a shit time, we don't have a mortgage but he's waisted over half of our savings on a poor choice that he went behind my back on that is finally getting sorted but means spending more money. He sits on his computer all night then won't help with school run, doesn't help round the house. Sits with a face on if we do anything as a family

Xcountry · 22/06/2014 14:24

Unplug the internet at the wall and chuck the box in the bath. That's what I would do. I cant imagine DH not being involved with the kids, sleeping late - yes when he did a 4pm to 4am shift I forgive him but normally he is arsing around with the kids of his own volition (and to get out of doing things in the house). He will have to leave for work at half 7 tonight for a 12 hour nightshift but he got up at half 1 and is currently outside with the kids and their friends and a super soaker.

MexicanSpringtime · 22/06/2014 15:13

Yes, what a shame your husband doesn't seem to know how to enjoy his children and live in the present. He has such a short space of time for their babyhood and the rest of his life to watch things on the internet.

Only you know if there is any hope for your marriage, but he doesn't sound like much fun to be around at the moment.

Beemer30 · 22/06/2014 15:38

Thankfully we are not married

OP posts:
JohnnyBarthes · 22/06/2014 17:14

Is the house in both your names?

JohnnyBarthes · 22/06/2014 17:20

When my friend booted out her half arsed partner (who is a crap partner rather than a crap dad, although that's by the by), she was able to change to an interest only mortgage for a while whilst she got back on her feet. Might that be an option?

emms1981 · 22/06/2014 20:38

Have you sat down and talked? Told him how fed up you are? Is he depressed? Does he work?
I can simpathise with you op me and my husband are going through a shit time, we don't have a mortgage but he's waisted over half of our savings on a poor choice that he went behind my back on that is finally getting sorted but means spending more money. He sits on his computer all night then won't help with school run, doesn't help round the house. Sits with a face on if we do anything as a family

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