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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To be so disappointed in my husband

555 replies

LetItRain88 · 29/09/2017 11:33

So a little over 3 weeks ago I had a horrific birth experience resulting in 4th degree tears. Lost bladder control which is slowly coming back and almost lost bowel/sphincter control but fortunately all seems ok in that department now thankfully.

Still in a fair bit of pain and got quite bad baby blues, but this seems to be subsiding thank god.

Husband and I have been married for almost 6 years, together for 7. We both work full time (me past tense until maternity leave is over). We own our house and wanted to have a baby so we tried and after a number of years I got pregnant Smile I knew it would be hard work, I was under no illusion, but what I didn't expect is to feel like I'm in this all by myself.

I now feel like I have a flat mate who occasionally picks up the baby for a minute or two but other than that doesn't have any interest in him.

I am exhausted naturally from generally having a baby, but the trauma of the birth and the resulting injuries mean I needed a little extra help- but I'm getting literally nothing.

He had taken two weeks annual leave after the baby was born, I presumed to spend time at home helping with DS. But he literally has gone to the gym every single day since the day we came home from hospital for at least 3 or 4 hours a time. If he's not at the gym he is having a nap(!!!!!). And now he's back at work he is still fitting in a number of hours each day at the gym around a full time job. If he decides to have a rare rest day he will spend that time sleeping, not helping with the baby or around the house.

He does cook dinners on the days he isn't on late shift but that was usually what he did anyway before the baby.

Even before he went back to work I've been sleeping in the lounge with the baby while DH sleeps in the bed upstairs. I didn't mind at first because I kinda just presumed that we could take it in turns to do night shifts. But I literally had to ask him if I could please have just one night in bed while he looked after DS (he wasn't at work at this point). He did get a bit huffy but knew he couldn't protest so agreed. I was so excited and thanked him so much so he knew how important it was to me and got myself into bed. He managed it until 4:30am when he came and got me saying it's better to get me now as DS would be waking up for another feed soon so I could just do that and then go back to sleep on the sofa. I protested saying please just let me sleep I need to rest but he got narky so I gave in and got up.

Since DS was born I have asked to sleep in bed twice and both times he got me up at 4 oclock/5oclock ish even tho the second time I asked him to please let me sleep until at least 6am (I'd have loved a lay in but could tell there was literally no point in asking).

I have literally been in tears crying at him this morning because now both DS and I also now have full blown colds. DS can't sleep properly, wakes up every hour or so and I have a massive head ache and sore throat and haven't been able to even wash myself for two days.

He is on late shift today, had a rest day from the gym and instead of saying to me I could have an hour to sleep while he watched DS he had himself a nice long lay in and long shower before getting ready and going to work. His response to my crying was to say "aw babes you're doing a great job". Which is nice of him to say, and he does say it regularly, usually just before he leaves to go to the gym again. But I need physical help.

He says "sleep when baby sleeps", which is easier said than done. I'm trying to get my baby back on breast too (long story to do with the 4th degree tears making it almost impossible to BF at first) and having to bottle feed, wash and sterilise bottles, offer breast to DS and also express. It's like feeding triplets as I'm doing three time consuming things at every feed.

And the house is disgusting. Trying to keep on top of it too while trying to remember to even eat is a task on its own while I have baby blues and pain from stitches and bladder control loss on top of minimal sleep.

I know house work isn't important right now but there is a standard of cleanliness I am not willing to give up on.

I say to him often "I need a bath" or "I've not had a chance to wash since yesterday" or something along these lines but he just goes "oh right" and brushes it off.

I don't feel like I'm expecting too much. An hour in bed here and there, for him to change a nappy for once, offer to do a feed while I eat dinner instead of letting it go cold, not even to run my bath for me but to just say "ok you go get in the bath I'll watch the baby". Maybe do the washing up!?

I mentioned it to him a few days ago that I need more help with the baby and that while I appreciate the gym is important to him his priorities need to change at least for a few months while the baby is so little and I am in such a state while I heal. He got immediately very defensive and quite angry saying he's stressed and it's his only release and he's not willing to stop going or go any less than he already does.

I know there's no point in talking to him about it again, I guess I don't even really know why I'm posting this, I just need to vent I suppose. I am fully at the end of my tether. I don't want to nag him I just want him to know already what is needed- it's not rocket science and he's a clever guy and he does already know, but it's like he's making a point of not letting the baby affect his life in any way.

My mum helps out when she can at the moment but she is moving back to America next week and I have no one else that can help nearby.

Anyway my industrial double breast pump has just been delivered and DS has finally nodded off so I'm gonna go milk myself.

Sleep when the baby sleeps...what a pile of bull Envy

OP posts:
user1486915549 · 29/09/2017 17:10

Diego , it was good of you to come back and apologise but I share your frustration. In the 60's and early 70's we fought long and hard for equality and made great headway . Yet I read thread after thread on MN of women enabling men to behave like twats. Why ?!
OP , don't ask him TELL him. I am so angry on your behalf.
Take care of yourself x

strongasmeringue · 29/09/2017 17:13

Respect to you Diego' for your post. I was harsher than I needed to be and my only excuse is a pounding headache and shit MH. I apologise too FlowersCakeWine.

Autumnskiesarelovely · 29/09/2017 17:16

Poor you. Sounds like my Ex.

I had to go out. Like you, I'd hand over the baby, once to do some gardening, and he was out within the hour saying he had to take a call.

I'd go to a hotel, cinema, cafe or a friends house, first for half a day, then a day, then a day and a night. Leave him instructions pinned on the fridge. Regularly once a week. You have to force him. Lie if you have to, say it's aftercare class for your stitches. Which it is.

Wake him for one night feed. Even if he doesn't do it, wake him anyway saying please help, you really need him... yuk I know but try it.

Left mine though. The selfish lack of care revealed so much to me. It was actually easier on my own. House was tidier so one less job to do.

RunRabbitRunRabbit · 29/09/2017 17:17

I know professional athletes who train for 3-4 hours a day. That's usually split across 2-3 sessions at different times of day doing different things. None of them do 3-4 hours in a gym. None. Of. Them.

I know a distance runner and a cyclist who would train for hours at a time but that would be out on the road obviously and not every day.

Have you ever been to the gym with him? Do you know what he is actually doing?

Ivybutterfly · 29/09/2017 17:18

He is being a compete dick. Really shocking. Do not take it. Either tell him to change or leave.

PressPaws · 29/09/2017 17:20

What did your text to him say? When he replies, remember - he uses defensiveness to deflect you, and compliments to appease you. Don't be manipulated.

NeonFlower · 29/09/2017 17:20

I think you need to tell his Mum (or parents) not just for you, but for him too. He is not bonding with the baby. This can be put right, but not if he buries it in the gym. You need a serious plan of action.

MillieMoodle · 29/09/2017 17:22

He needs to grow the fuck up. Sorry OP, but he should be supporting you and the baby more than ever now. Tell him what you need him to do. Or give him options - when we had DS1 (6 years ago) DH wasn't much help but I used to ask if he wanted to change the nappy or give him the bottle. It had to be one or the other. DS2 arrived last year and I am much more assertive now. DH had a few strops to start with, but he's got used to things being his responsibility now and he's recently given up work to be a SAHD (no-one is more shocked at this than me!).

I know you're exhausted and emotional and it's not always easy to tell them what you need from them, but you need a bit of time and space away from the baby, even if just to have a bath or whatever, to look after you. I hope he gets his act together soon and congratulations on your baby, you sound like you're doing an amazing job FlowersBrewCake

Tentomidnight · 29/09/2017 17:22

Wtf does he do at the gym for 3-4hrs at a time??? Every day??
I cannot comprehend this.
Even if you stay with him, even if he 'helps you' more, that's not parenting, so you'll never be able to say that he's a 'great dad'. So sad for your child.

rainbowstardrops · 29/09/2017 17:23

If he's at the gym for 3-4 hours pretty much every day then he's either a professional athlete, obsessed or he's not there.

If he's just a totally gym freak then surely the conversation along the lines of 'Of course that will have to be majorly tweaked once the baby is here' would have been had???

Has he replied to your text yet OP?

wizzywig · 29/09/2017 17:24

Im only on page 4. Any chance you can go to america with your mum for a few weeks? Or hire a good looking male nanny?

CharlotteCollinsneeLucas · 29/09/2017 17:26

Good idea to write to him. I hope it sounded angry.

You need to be angry. Channel the anger on your behalf that's all over this thread.

How dare your best friend treat you like shit?

And how can he be feeling bad for not being there... And then every day walk out on you for hours on end?! That doesn't make sense!

BackInTheRoom · 29/09/2017 17:28

Presspaws yes I was thinking exactly the same thing regarding his text response.

IMO, he wants to go to the Gym because he always has. He want to go even more so now because it allows him to de stress from his new reality, a new baby/routine, maybe this is why he's so defensive about it. From his perspective, what's to argue about? Oh the OP needing help? But he wants to go to the gym! 😩

Personally I'd be livid and bitterly disappointed if my partner, who I thought had more depth and empathy, could possibly think on such a basic level?....Could you ever forgive/forget this? 🤔. If I were you OP, assert yourself, you demand what you want.💐

Italiangreyhound · 29/09/2017 17:29

LetItRain88 Your husband sounds like (fill in your own words for worthless peice of shit).. BUT I do think that something else is going on here. I would certainly get an appointment for him with a medical professional.

" It's almost like he has OCD or some sort or compulsion where he can't skip a day or go for any less than 3 or 4 hours at a time. He's been like that since I can remember." Well, he may have OCD (I had it and still do to some extent but it hasn't stopped me caring for my kids!)

" I think that's why I am so upset too, it's come as such a shock that he can see me like this and seemingly not care." Please, please convey to someone else how you feel and enlist their help in getting through to your husband. The fact he has ignored your needs is utterly horrendous.

I think this is quite significant, "Sadly he missed the birth through no fault of his own. He got there 4 mins after the baby was born..."

But to be fair others have missed the birth of their baby and I've rarely heard of a husband doing this to his wife!

" It was traumatic for both of us (me more obviously) but he completely missed the experience of seeing his first born baby being brought into the world. I think it may have affected him more than he's letting on." I agree but before using this as an excuse for his utterly shit behaviuour please do help him to get help, YES it is fucking shite you should need to help him to get help but some men just need a bit of help.

Just as an aside, I 'had to' call the doctor for my dh after giving birth, maybe day 2, still in hospital, ill with beginnings of infection if I remember rightly! DH was also ill and didn't want to call GP. I said I need you to be well for me so you will go. He went, got medication for tonsillitis or whatever it was, and was fine. He was very supportive after that. This situation of yours is more complex, but... you need help to get him back to a normal response to a new baby!

"Leaving him really isn't an option, I don't want to. It's out of character for him to be acting like this and I want to get to the bottom of what's going on with him, I do hope it's not just that he is a completely selfish man and I've been blind to it all these years."

I hope so too but I think in your condition you need to have help to get to the bottom of this. If you mum is ill (I am so sorry to hear this) and he has no friends, please enlist your friends, and/or GP, midwife, whomever.

"... otherwise he will be back on the defensive..." He need to know his position is not defendable/defensible, whatever the word is, no defense is available for his level of shit.

You must tell your GP/Midwife/best friend etc and he needs to know that you will seek help. Having said that, IMHO his only 'defense' now is to work with whomever to get into the frame of mind to begin to care for his child, and you.

His obsession with the gym needs to only happen when his wife and child are fed, watered and cared for.

I think you are doing an amazing job, but him telling you that you are doing an amazing job, while contributing jack-shit, is actually an insult. (Sorry for all the swearing, I am so angry on your behalf!). XXXX Thanks

BifsWif · 29/09/2017 17:33

He will never change.

Either accept that this your life, or leave. I don't mean to sound harsh but they are your choices. He sounds abhorrent. Can you go and be with your mum for a while?

whoputthecatout · 29/09/2017 17:34

Live isn't telling your wife she is doing really well (while ignoring her problems), it's not about putting music on or making her dance with you etc. It is noticing that she is struggling, that she is in pain, that she is exhausted and bloody well helping. Unbelievable.

bastardkitty · 29/09/2017 17:36

He needs to move out. That's all.

SantasLittleMonkeyButler · 29/09/2017 17:39

I can't get past the fact that I don't think he's at the gym.

JellyMouldJnr · 29/09/2017 17:40

"But some men just can't cope with little babies."

Funny how women don't get the option to decide that though, isn't it?

Sweetbell · 29/09/2017 17:41

Have just read mostly OPs post.
3-4 hrs a day in gym what??? My eldest is in college doing sports science/personal trainer and even he doesn't spend this amount of time in gym and also knows the importance of rest days ie non gym days.

Time to be assertive tell your DH he's in charge of every other feed from now on days off

On work days he gives you your hours to yourself! he's to get home after work to help/make dinner,take over baby care duties.
Any baby free/ gym time needs to be when both of your schedules are balanced.

We all know as parents our work days don't end at 5pm when we leave office. Its 24/7 and made easier if both parents work as a team.
He's getting off way too easy.
And as for a quick dance n a kiss :several nappy changes or sterilising bottles every flipping day would be more useful. Tell him.
I'd also hand over several household jobs for him daily like picking up dinner on way home.

Maybe after you have recovered you could suggest family gym trips some have creches do they not see how your Dh likes thatGrin

bonjourbear · 29/09/2017 17:41

I know most women in this country do more than their fair share of parenting and housework, and that to a certain extent, we expect this, but your husband's level of selfishness is way, way outside the range of normal. He sounds like a piece of shit. Have my very first LTB. Sorry, but this isn't normal, garden-variety, sometimes-leaves-dishes-by-the-sink selfishness. This level of selfishness is a kind of pathology, and I don't think you're going to be able to correct it by yourself. I know it's not what you want to hear, especially right now, but I honestly think you'd have an easier time of it alone. And once you're out of it, you'll wonder why you ever put up with it.

ScrumpyBetty · 29/09/2017 17:43

Please tell us that you are listening OP?

Roomster101 · 29/09/2017 17:47

I don't think that going to the gym for three hours every day is compatible with being a father. The fact that he is still doing this despite the fact that you have just given birth and have been seriously injured is a very bad sign for the future. I think you need to show your post to him and tell him that he needs to shape up or leave as your future will be easier as a single parent.

pigletpie29 · 29/09/2017 17:48

The gym thing is ridiculous. Absolutely awful.

munchkinmaster · 29/09/2017 17:49

If I have a day off with no kids I do 3-4 hours at the gym. Pilates, gym, lunch, swim, sauna. My fave day out. A real once a month treat!

Your husband is a fuck wit.

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