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 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:
ProphetOfDoom · 30/09/2017 15:45

How feisty is your mum? Before she leaves for the USA she should rip him a new one about how he's letting you down.

Definitely speak to your MW. Give her a call

Get a cleaner in to remove one of your stresses.

When you have a 4th degree tear and a horrendous birth experience you need rest.

HelenaDove · 30/09/2017 15:48

Escapee Im really sorry for plastering it all over the thread. When he told me he was the OPs DH i wasnt sure what else to do I did report and block . He sounds like a mind games type of person. I bet gaslighting features quite a bit.

Escapee101 · 30/09/2017 16:02

That's ok HelenaDove just a reminder of what a tool he is! Block/report is definitely the right thing to do.

PushingThru · 30/09/2017 16:12

Chilling to read. He doesn't see you as a person. Start thinking about how you can leave. X

BakedBeans47 · 30/09/2017 16:13

Not BU

He’s a fucking arsehole and a manchild. Tell him he needs to grow the fuck up. Oh and he can have the sofa.

Jux · 30/09/2017 17:09

My dh was like this. It didn't get better. What got better was that the tiny baby grew older and became ever more independent and the workload changed. As that child got older, dh became more engaged. But he didn't get better, the circumstances did. We are still together. I do not call it a happy ending, though.

Aria2015 · 30/09/2017 17:31

This is so bad, I really feel for you. I’m not going to say LTB (tempting it is) because I know that’s probably not what you are looking to do. One thing I will suggest is trying to get through to him using a visual tool. Draw around something round and make a clock, do this twice. On one of the clocks draw all the things you do in a 24 hour period including any sleep you manage. On the other clock draw his 24 your day with all he does. Based on what you’ve said, yours will have layers to it eg. In one time period you’ll be doing multiple things like pumping and looking after the baby and your sleep pattern will be erratic and broken up. His will show one smooth layer of work, sleep, gym etc... Show him how different your lives are right now. Point out how he has huge chucks of sleep and ‘me’ time at the gym. Sometimes using something visual can really put stuff in perspective for someone. Your words and tears have had no effect so try this and see if he can finally get his head around all you do and how much you need his support right now. Good luck, o hope things improve for you soon.

QuiteLikely5 · 30/09/2017 17:42

Op

Life does not have to be like this.

Sit your dp down. Tell him as you have both created this baby both of your lives have now changed for ever.

Point out your life has changed but his has not.

Tell him his own life needs to reflect that he has a child. This includes the fact that his leisure time needs to be structured around his son.

You are not a glorified babysitter.

Tell him if he has got no intention of helping with his child then it's more beneficial to you and your son if he lived elsewhere and that way you would get a break whilst he had contact and your son would get to spend time with his father.

You should be definitely getting a lie in on a sat or Sunday. Insist this starts happening asap.

Don't be a doormat - sadly he is relying on you being one.

StarlitTrees · 30/09/2017 18:28

Been thinking about you all day OP. Really hope you're ok

MissUnderwood · 30/09/2017 18:35

Maybe he's got male PND. Or he's just a cunt.

biscuitmillionaire · 30/09/2017 22:26

I'm a little worried about the OP now.
Hope you're OK Flowers

HelenaDove · 30/09/2017 22:37

Ive just got back from my parents where there is no internet to see that OP hasnt posted (although shes probably too busy to since hes doing fuck all) i hope you are ok OP

VanellopeVonSchweetz99 · 30/09/2017 22:42

OP isn't coming back is she? Sad

AgainReally · 30/09/2017 23:14

He's awful. He needs told it's shape up or ship out, the way he is behaving is beyond vile.

Also:

Some people are arseholes
Some people have aspergers
Some people with aspergers are also arseholes.

Someone with aspergers who is not an arsehole who was told how they had hurt someone else would be mortified and want to fix it.

Mothers with aspergers, diagnosed or undiagnosed don't get a go to gym for 4 hours a day card and abdicate all responsibility for their children.

Regardless of whether this pathetic man has an autistic spectrum condition, mental health issues, pathological selfishness, he is hurting his vulnerable physically hurt wife.

A decent man when told that would do everything in his power to fix it.

LetItRain88 · 30/09/2017 23:45

Hi everyone Smile

Sorry for late reply, had mum to stay over lasts night and treated myself to a soak in the bath, a nice walk and not doing every single nappy and feed 😂🙈

I am happy to report that sending a lengthy text message laying it out on the line has got the response I was hoping for. At first he did get defensive but he did say to me that he's not a mind reader and if I need him to step up I need to tell him so. He acknowledges he is mostly oblivious but he's going to try and work on it and does feel he needs to bond with the baby more.

Arrangement he suggests now is when he's on late shift he will take DS from 8am-10am, when he's on early shift he will take him from 6pm-10pm, and weekends he's not working he will make sure I am fed, rested, washed and happy before he goes to the gym.

He's home from late shift just now and immediately picked up DS for a cuddle.

Also tonight's the first night I am back in bed with him and DS next to us in his Moses basket...

Fingers crossed this new attitude lasts. He has apologised and said he didn't realise how much he would struggle with becoming a new dad but knows he's not been pulling his weight.

I'll give you guys an update again soon so you can see if he sticks with this.

Thank U for all your support by the way. It's only after reading your responses I realised there is something toxic going on here. When you're so close to the situation it can be hard to really see how bad it is and wonder if you're being a drama queen but clearly I wasn't. If it wasn't for your replies I'd probably not have said any thing and be in this state for months to come so thank you all xxxx

OP posts:
AgainReally · 30/09/2017 23:50

Ahhh.

The I'm not a mind reader defense.

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/world/2017/may/26/gender-wars-household-chores-comic

Dear OP
Take note. That cartoon is your life now.

WhatWouldGenghisDo · 30/09/2017 23:51

Glad things seem to be improving LetItRain! Let us know how it goes Smile

HelenaDove · 30/09/2017 23:57

So two hour shifts is all he can cope with? Pfffffttt

LetItRain88 · 30/09/2017 23:59

Also just read through more replies...my DH isn't on here, not sure who Catchem is but he's not mine....he really shouldn't be PMing anyone saying differently xx

OP posts:
LetItRain88 · 01/10/2017 00:01

@HelenaDove only for late shifts as he gets in at 1am from late shifts, on early shifts he's taking him for the full evening until 10pm as he then gets up at 5am for early shift the next day. I don't mind this set up it will make the world of difference at the moment!xx

OP posts:
HelenaDove · 01/10/2017 00:02

And thats why im childfree by choice AgainReally.

HelenaDove · 01/10/2017 00:04

OP this is a great article on emotional labour which is portrayed in Again Reallys link.

www.redonline.co.uk/red-women/news-in-brief/women-arent-nagswere-just-fed-up

WhatWouldGenghisDo · 01/10/2017 00:11

I don't disagree at all with the points made about gender wars etc, but I do think it's unreasonable to expect OP to take on the project of reeducating / leaving her husband at the same time as healing, avoiding infection, processing her birth trauma and caring for a newborn.

OP I hope you get your daily hours off - and a bit more sleep. Take care Flowers

TwoBobs · 01/10/2017 00:11

Aria a time clock is a fab idea!

TwoBobs · 01/10/2017 00:20

Let it Rain - I'm pleased you've managed to tell your DH how you're feeling. Hope you enjoy some rest. Having your first baby is a huge shock to both of you.

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

This thread is closed and is no longer accepting replies. Click here to start a new thread.