Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to be having last minute doubts about moving in with the father of my children?

23 replies

CloudiaPickle · 29/09/2014 05:52

DP and I have been together for 6 years. He has a 9 yo DD, I have an 8 yo DD and we have a 2.5 yo DD together plus I'm 35 weeks pregnant.When I fell pregnant with DD, we had been about to move in together but then his exW moved and caused a lot of hassle with debt and divorce so we had to stay living separately. He sees DD most days, though.

This second pregnancy was an accident but now the divorce and debts are sorted, if felt like a happy one as we ultimately wanted one more DC. He began renting a house nearer to us three months ago, with a view to us moving in once my tenancy is up here - end of October. Obviously with my due date being around the Same time, I planned to be moved beforehand but just pay the final months rent to cover the notice period.

So with my notice due to be handed in this week, nothing has been moved. I can't move things because of complications with the pregnancy, always having toddler with me and not having a key to the house! He says it'll be done and I won't have to worry/lift a finger but I feel moving so close to baby being born is going to be really unsettling for the DC, toddler in particular. He asked what I thought needed doing when he first moved in so I suggested stair gate, shelves, new front door as current one has a broken panel and is drafty/dangerous etc. None of these things have been done.

The final thing that's making me have doubts is this weekend. He has form for leaving everything to do with our DD to me and seeing himself as an entertainer, rather than parent. He's been off Thursday-today. He collected DSD on Thursday after school, after having spent the day doing non moving related things. They then went out for tea and cinema and stayed at his old place, and stayed there again after school on Friday -going bowling and out to eat again.

They came over on Saturday morning with the plan being to go swimming and have a picnic. He had nothing packed for either of them and so expected me to do that with toddler in tow. Get to swimming and toddler does a poo in swim nappy, need a spare coin for the locker which he says he can't remember where he put it so shall we all get out so he can look? (DSD can't swim) I say why don't you just take toddler so the older girls don't have to get cold too? He says ok and stands there, not saying anything to toddler. She wants changing and is getting upset so I say daddy will go change you. She climbs out and he still stands there, staring gormlessly. She is on the verge of tears and getting cold so I say to him: are you going then? He tries to pick DD up and she shouts no (doesn't like being picked up when she's done a poo) so he says: no? Do you want mummy? To which of course she says yes. After shes changed he then goes off to play with the older DC, leaving me with toddler again.

At the picnic, toddler asks DP for crisps first. She is a fussy eater and eats little and we all know if she has crisps first then that'll be all she eats. I'm unloading the picnic from the car and can hear her asking and him ignoring her at least ten times. Cue her on the verge on tears by the time I get there and me having to be the one to tell her no, as usual.

Tonight I asked that he sort toddler while I do homework with DD. I made it clear that she needed a bath and might want supper as she hadn't eaten much today. Ten minutes after I sit down with DD (the first time I've been able to have time with her without toddler in weeks/months) and toddler does a poo. After ten minutes he says to her: shall I change your nappy? She says no. He carries on chasing her around. Another 20 minutes later he says: right, let's change your nappy. She says no. He carries on playing. During playing she slaps him, throws toys, jumps on the sofa etc - he says nothing. Eventually after 40 minutes shes crying because she's getting sore from being dirty so he changed her and she then was upset but refused to be consoled by him - not that he actually tried.

After an hour and it being 7.15 (bedtime for toddler is 7.45) there was still no sign of him sorting supper or bath, toddler had been over to me at least ten times so I suggested she ask daddy to get her something to eat, then take her to the bath. He says to me: what does she want to eat? I say: ask her. She asks for cheese but there isn't any so he says (in front of her) shall I just give her crisps? Obviously she is then upset because I say no and is screaming and distracting DD even more.

He decides to take her out to walk the dog to distract her. She refuses to wear a jacket, socks or shoes so he carries her in just a short sleeved summer dress rather than insist on dressing appropriately. They return 15 mins later and she's crying because she's cold - again, she's handed to me to console.

By now it's 8 pm and toddler is again wandering back to me as DP is just sitting there. I'm working late tomorrow and Tuesday so won't have time to bath her, which DP knows. I remind him that DD needs a bath tonight. He says, in front of her: do you think she'll come with me now she's tired? Cue her saying no mummy etc and crying for me. I apologise to DD, feeling like crying that I can't do anything with her. I bath toddler, having to reprimand hercconstantly because she's still saying no and slapping constantly, while listening to DP and DD sharing a nice time doing homework together.

Toddler is extremely over tired by bedtime and has been up five times. DPs version of 'helping' is sleeping on the sofa. Last weekend he wasn't here and I did homework etc with DD while toddler played and it was harmonious. I just feel like he is a hindrance and I already resent him for getting time alone with the older DC which I don't, which I'm only going to resent more once I've given up my house and job to move only to have an unsettled toddler to deal with alone. AIBU to be having doubts or am I being a control freak and expecting too much?

OP posts:
hesterton · 29/09/2014 06:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

WigWagWoggleBoggle · 29/09/2014 06:03

No Definetly not being a control freak nor are you expecting too much. Not a lot to ask for is it, the father of your child to help with the children?

You don't have to move in with him, it sounds like he can't cope with the toddler. Do you think he'll cope any better with a newborn?

Do what makes you and your children happy OP, if its easier to live apart do it.

He sounds like a lazy git and I'm sorely tempted to say LTB

LeggyBlondeNE · 29/09/2014 06:04

Only got a se c but - YANBU to have concerns. My theory is most men (people?) start reverting to childhood patterns when cohabiting e.g. Leaving things to the woman if that's what they grew up with. There are signs of that beforehand but only if you know it's coming!

He coulf just lack confidence but it ne3ds discussing at least
L

RRRJ83 · 29/09/2014 06:08

Have you ever spoken to him about these things? That might help.

When new baby arrives it will be very helpful having Jim around to help with toddler. I think you should be firm with him and tell him your expectations.

Do it now so he has a month to show you that he understands what you need from him.

revealall · 29/09/2014 07:04

I disagree I think he'd be more help if he had planned times to come round TBH. You don't like the way he does things now and this will becoming really annoying if you are living together.

I don't think moving in together is a good idea. You seem to like rushing in to things.
You both have children from other relationships - two years later and you are together in this new relationship. A second child whilst his life is still a mess and now another by accident.
Think you need a bit of vision.
You'lol be better off financially apart and you can see how it progresses without the stress of moving out a couple of years down the lne. You can move in together any time. Why not plan it properly.

CloudiaPickle · 29/09/2014 07:29

I don't think living together after 6 years together is rushing things, revealall.

RRRJ83 - yes, I've spoken to him about it several times. I fail to see how he'll be really helpful with the toddler once the baby is here if he isn't helpful now. It won't be helpful to have a toddler crying for me because I'm feeding baby and he won't change/bath her etc in case he upsets her and offers me instead, knowing I'm busy but will end up being the one having to be firm with her while all he does is the odd bit of playtime.

OP posts:
ThinkIveBeenHacked · 29/09/2014 07:34

it sounds like life is harder for him being around. In what way will living together actually be of any benefit to you? I couldnt live like that.

In fact, id be wondering if his crapness at parenting had anything to do with the fact he is no longer with DSDs mum.

CloudiaPickle · 29/09/2014 07:42

He just constantly refers to himself as 'distracting' DD if she isn't directly with me and does whatever to keep her quiet - I.e. Not changing her, not telling her off, feeding her crap, carrying her around etc. It's me who then has to deal with the inevitable upset and subsequent poor behaviour while he gives himself a pat on the back for 'helping' me...!

At least if he wasn't around I could get the younger two in bed then have time alone with DD. It's ridiculous in my opinion that I live with my older DD and he sees his DD eow yet he probably gets more quality time with her in one weekend than I've had with my DD since her sister was born.

OP posts:
ThinkIveBeenHacked · 29/09/2014 07:48

Well.if you lived separately (and werent in a relationship) then your toddler would go to dads every other weekend and give you some solo time with eldest dd (in addition to forcing dp.tp actually have to parent his child!)

GoAndDoSomeWork · 29/09/2014 07:56

Sounds like he may lack confidence with toddler - by not moving in together same thing will surely happen with the baby. Also you seem to be viewing this entirely from the child care point of view - do you love him, without the children would you want to live with him?

Spiritedwolf · 29/09/2014 07:58

YANBU

What are your options housing wise if you don't move in with him. Can you stay where you are? Maybe on a monthly rolling contract so that if things change in future you can move?

I don't think he's shown that he's going to be helpful and you don't really need the extra hassle while having a newborn and all the associated disruption. Certainly don't give up a job to move in with him.

I'd want him to sort out the house for toddler and baby, and show (over an extended period of time) that he was competant with his own toddler and baby and doesn't put everything on you.

I know it must be frustrating if you were looking forward to living together as a family, but you need to think about how much hassle it would be to move out if things didn't work out. I don't think it's worth moving in when you aren't sure.

HannerHet · 29/09/2014 07:58

Sounds like a recipe for disaster. I would wait a few months until you have at least had the baby, and recovered from the birth before even thinking about moving

googoodolly · 29/09/2014 08:12

I'm wondering, can he not cope because he's never raised a toddler full-time? I know he has an older DD but when did he and exw split up? Because if he's only ever had his kids on a part-time basis, he probably has no idea how to deal with the day-to-day grind of parenting.

Honestly, how will he ever learn to cope if he's only a part-time parent? He can go home, get a full nights sleep, go to work and go out without the responsibility of living with his children full-time.

ilovelamp82 · 29/09/2014 08:15

You seem very sensible to me. There is nothing worse than having to lool after children while filled with resentment witj your dp. And as you realise it's unlikely to get better when yoi have a newborn if he only seems to participate in the fun parts of parenting.

If he's not making preperations with his house then it doesn't look like you really have a choice anyway.

In a perfect world, you will let him know that you are not moving in yet as he is unprepared as requested and because his approach to parenting makes your life harder and he will get the message.

At worst, as said above, whilst he has his dc on weekends or whenever, you will have some alone time with your older dc.

You are wise to keep your place and job until you are more certain. Things are a lot messier when you live with the person and try and seperate.

Do you know why he and his last partner split? Genuinely? It may give you an indication of what to expect. If you do move in, I would do everything you can to make sure you are not trapped in a situation you can't get out of. Keep your job and make sure you have some savings.

In short, don't move in with him unless you can see that there is some advantage to it. As I see it there is only advantage for him and I fear that he would end up being an additional child to look after, which would fill you with resentment.

LittleBearPad · 29/09/2014 08:18

He sounds like a wet lettuce. I can't imagine living with him is going to be better than staying where you are.

Gen35 · 29/09/2014 08:20

Some of this could definitely be inexperience, I think you need to sit him down and discuss all the things you aren't happy about as calmly as possible and go from there. He offered her crisps for two meals in a day? He didn't get her bed and bathed on time? Explain you're not happy to have him move in and not co parent either of his two dc and that it'll break down quickly if thugs don't change. Sounds like the move could easily be postponed a month to see how it goes.

RandomMess · 29/09/2014 08:25

Seriously don't do it Sad

Start some sort of proper contact schedule where he takes DD to his for the evening and overnight during the week a couple of weekends and every other weekend. Tell him he needs to step up properly so parenting is shared.

LittleBearPad · 29/09/2014 11:02

Some of this could definitely be inexperience,

The man has two children already. How many does he need to have before he learns to look after them??

Gen35 · 29/09/2014 13:05

I'm not saying he's dad of the year but it's possible his ex just let him get away with not being involved, people can sometimes change for the better.

googoodolly · 29/09/2014 18:17

Having two children you only see for a couple of weekends a month is nowhere near the same as being a full-time parent.

The former would very much feel like a babysitter as opposed to a 'real' parent.

magoria · 29/09/2014 18:40

He is not useless. He knew DD needed her nappy changed. He kept mentioning it expecting you to get up and do it for him.

He deliberately left her in a dirty nappy for 40 minutes.

And what is worse it is not the first time. He has decided that it is your job to do all the shitty horrible stuff and his to do all the fun stuff.

I would put a hold on moving in. You need to spell it out that leaving a child in a nappy until they are sore is at most neglect at worst it can be seen as child abuse.

It has to stop now and he has to step up and take responsibility. How long would he leave a child in a dirty nappy if you split and he had her EOW?

LittleBearPad · 29/09/2014 18:51

Having two children you only see for a couple of weekends a month is nowhere near the same as being a full-time parent.

The former would very much feel like a babysitter as opposed to a 'real' parent.

Well it would be what he made of it wouldn't it. He has chosen to be this way as a parent. And a babysitter wouldn't leave their charge in a dirty nappy.

revealall · 29/09/2014 19:16

CloudiaPickle Yes your're right ,6 years isn't fast if neither of you had children.
However if you have an 8 year old and you've been together 6 years that's a pretty fast relationship bearing in mind it's 9 months before said child arrives.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page