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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Is DH deliberately leaving DD at Nursery? and why?

671 replies

ThreeDaysAWeek · 22/01/2018 02:26

First post, but long time lurker.

DD (whose 2) goes to Nursery 3 days a week. I drop her off at 7.30am, and get to work for 8amish, then work 8.15am – 4.45pm apart from Friday when I finish at 3.45pm. Nursery closes at 5.30pm so there’s no way on a Tuesday and Wednesday I can get to pick her up in time.

DH works full time but does 7am-2pm, and works a short walk from our home, so is home by 2.15pm every day. On a Tuesday and Wednesday we agreed he’d walk the mile to the Nursery and pick DD up, we pay for her to be in until 5.30pm so I’ve said to DH that as long as he gets her by then he can game/chill out at home for those 2 and half hours he’s got spare. Literally all he needs to do is take care of DD for that walk as I’m usually only a few minutes at most behind him getting through the door usually I get in just before they do.

Last week I had to attend a Staff Meeting after work on Tuesday and there was an accident on the motorway on Wednesday so I got stuck in traffic so was home late both days. I’ve just received an invoice from the Nursery –I deal with all paperwork regarding the Nursery etc so it comes to my email-- asking the payment for “unarranged late pickup” for two days last week; Tuesday and Wednesday (it’s not unusual to receive these things in the middle of the night as the finance manager is also a member of normal nursery staff so works with the children in the day!). According to the invoice on Tuesday she was picked up at 5.45pm, and on Wednesday at 6pm. This is the 3rd time in as many months I’ve received an invoice.

DH won’t tell me what he’s doing to make him late to pick DD up from Nursery and claims the Nursery are being overly fussy about “5 minutes or so”. I know they won’t be as it states in the contract with them they only charge from 15 minutes or more lateness so I know he must be being late to pick her up by that much. So my only conclusion is it must be deliberate.

It’s not a huge amount of money (£5 for every 15 minutes your late so £15 for the entire invoice) and we can afford it but it doesn’t seem fair to be delayed deliberately when DH has the time to pick her up.
DH is definitely not cheating/having an affair, firstly he works in a mostly male environment where the gossip is rife and no-one can even go the toilet without someone knowing and secondly my brother works with him (DH recommended DBro for the job) so my brother would be aware and would most definitely tell me if DH was getting some somewhere else –we’re twins and have always been close, we literally predict when we’re going to text/phone each other, even my mum finds it weird!--. He doesn’t go anywhere and has no hobbies apart from “gaming” (don’t get me started) so there’s definitely no OW.

So AIBU to think DH is deliberately leaving DD in Nursery? And if so what’s he doing?

OP posts:
OnionKnight · 23/01/2018 08:48

You’re making yourself look like a right plonker

Look who's talking.

Some people can't even argue without flinging insults.

frieda909 · 23/01/2018 08:54

I’m an ‘academic’ and I also have several sporty, active hobbies and I still love to play the odd computer game. I like the escapism and I find the problem solving/strategy aspects really enjoyable.

I find it sad that ‘grown ups’ apparently aren’t allowed to do anything fun that isn’t terribly worthy.

Figgygal · 23/01/2018 08:56

Addressing only the op and not the gaming/nursery hours debate your dh is taking the piss he's impacting other people for no reason and needs to set an alarm and make sure he's there on time

JacquesHammer · 23/01/2018 08:57

Go for a walk, get outside, grow up? Team mates

Seriously? Why the need for insults?

My ex-H used to earn an absolute bomb playing games in coop competitons. So he got paid for doing his hobby.

He now runs games studios. So gets paid for doing his hobby.

Maybe not so childish now, right?

There is absolutely nothing wrong with being of the opinion gaming is not for you. But games come in for the most unfounded vitriol.

And the irony is THAT is what is childish, not an adult spending their free time exactly how they wish.

Elocutioner · 23/01/2018 09:01

Obviously if the parent doesn't interact much, they may prefer nursery though,

Does insulting parents on websites make you feel special?!

gamerchick · 23/01/2018 09:03

MNetting is adults engaging in discussion with other adults about adult issues. Gaming is adults engaging in children's activities with strangers' children.

They’re both sitting on a device ‘ignoring’ whoever’s present if you want to get to the core of it. I tend to save my gaming for when I’m alone. How many people on this thread can say the same about being on mumsnet?

And Grin at playing with strangers children. Speak for yourself! That might float your boat but a squeaky voice telling me he’s going to ‘teabag ya nanna man’ is something I avoid like the plague.

abilockhart · 23/01/2018 09:04

Obviously if the parent doesn't interact much, they may prefer nursery though

My thoughts exactly.

Dulra · 23/01/2018 09:09

Ok haven't read the thread so apologies if I am repeating but would it kill your husband to pick up your daughter and have an afternoon with her rather then playing his computer games? I am all for parents having a break every now and again but every afternoon he is home early your daughter stays in nursery and he plays games? I just find that quite sad

Elocutioner · 23/01/2018 09:10

MNetting is adults engaging in discussion with other adults about adult issues

Well that's odd because this thread reads like a bunch of children trolling each other.

Look at yourselves. It's pathetic.

frieda909 · 23/01/2018 09:14

*There is absolutely nothing wrong with being of the opinion gaming is not for you. But games come in for the most unfounded vitriol.

And the irony is THAT is what is childish, not an adult spending their free time exactly how they wish.*

Exactly this!

“Oh but gaming is something children do!”

So fucking what? Children also read books, play football, ride horses, paint, play musical instruments... are adults not supposed to enjoy those things either? Or are those deemed ‘worthy’ hobbies because they’re not gaming? Hmm

QuackPorridgeBacon · 23/01/2018 09:21

ahh so if children do it, adults shouldn’t. How pathetic. Surgeons play games. Bet they are pathetic and stupid and lazy 🙄

LalaLeona · 23/01/2018 09:24

Gaming is only a sad pursuit if you neglect your family members to play. Sounds like op's husband is doing just this

ThreeDaysAWeek · 23/01/2018 12:05

Ok, firstly want to clarify. The only issue I have a problem with is him not collecting DD on time, he's not "neglecting his family"

He does housework and also cooks in the time he's home on those 3 days (DD is ill today so I'm off with her). If DD is ill we take it in turns to have the day off (today its my turn), and if there was a problem with DD at Nursery between him finishing work and me finishing he'd and often has gone to the Nursery to sort it. It's just when I'm running late/occasionally he's late. I will be discussing this issue with him when we get a moment to ourselves without a toddler hanging off our arms.

He can and does cook for DD and myself regularly, and it's more than just a pizza or chicken nuggets, he makes a great shephards pie and a great lasagne.

I do however think men need more free time than women because women are more natural multi taskers, they can juggle watching a toddler and making a phone call/doing housework much more naturally than a man can so I think they find it tiring when they have to do it, so need more time away from the family to relax and recover from that experience. I'm not saying DH is a bad father he just requires a bit more time away in order to be a good parent.

I do get my free time on a Saturday and no my DMs not picking up the slack for DH. She offered to have DD on a Saturday morning and loves what she calls "Nanny time", DH has and would cover it if he was ever needed - DM goes on holiday for 2 weeks a year but I don't lose that time as DH has DD so I can relax.

OP posts:
WeirdCatLady · 23/01/2018 12:08

OP you are deliberately ignoring a lot of very sensible advice you’ve received. Sigh. It’s quite sad actually.

You don’t have to be such a handmaiden Hmm

StormTreader · 23/01/2018 12:17

Go for a walk, get outside, grow up?

"This afternoon I was engaged in careful strategy to storm the stronghold with my teammates, we worked on communication, tactical planning utilising our various different talents in order to achieve an effective result to our goals".

"I walked about. I almost saw a squirrel. Later on I might run about in circles for no reason, dressed in lycra."

Ah yes, how silly of me to not see the clear adult choice there.

LagunaBubbles · 23/01/2018 12:22

Gaming is childish. I don’t care what anyone else thinks or does, that’s my opinion. Why are gamers so defensive??

Gaming isnt childish at all, its just another hobby some people have. I can see that and Im not a gamer! Why do some people not only struggle to understand that different people may like different things from them but also there is something wrong with someone if they dont like the same things they do? I dont enjoy playing computer games but understand that others may, some people here are so snobby and look down on people that play games.

DeleteOrDecay · 23/01/2018 12:31

I suppose those of us with active sporting hobbies tend to look at “gaming” as slovenly and really quite a lazy hobby.

Some people have both active hobbies and more sedentary hobbies. Views like yours are based on snobbery.

Gaming is adults engaging in children's activities with strangers' children.

Eh? I don't interact with children when playing. I don't even play online. More ignorant snobbery around a perfectly normal pastime.

it is a past time that children take up

What absurd logic. Children take up various hobbies that adults also take part in - sports, drama, chess etc. Doesn't make those activities childish though does it?

I find it sad that ‘grown ups’ apparently aren’t allowed to do anything fun that isn’t terribly worthy

Quite.

I do however think men need more free time than women because women are more natural multi taskers, they can juggle watching a toddler and making a phone call/doing housework much more naturally than a man can so I think they find it tiring when they have to do it, so need more time away from the family to relax and recover from that experience.

Op, please stop with this. It is nonsense based on nonsense gender stereotyping. Men do not need more free time than women, that is bollocks. Men are more than capable of multitasking and taking part in family life just as much as mothers. Years of men and women being told all the home/family stuff is 'wife work' has meant men have been able to get away with doing as little as they can around the home for decades. Wise up.

I personally don't see the problem with your partner having some down time before picking your dc up from nursery but he absolutely must stop being late. He needs to show you, dd and also the nursery that he is a reliable parent.

PecanPieFace · 23/01/2018 12:32

Obviously toddlers enjoy socialising with other children but at that age they most still really like one to one attention from parents. Obviously if the parent doesn't interact much, they may prefer nursery though, It's hard to know which comes first really

Is it nice up there on your high horse?

HeddaGarbled · 23/01/2018 12:34

I do however think men need more free time than women because women are more natural multi taskers, they can juggle watching a toddler and making a phone call/doing housework much more naturally than a man can so I think they find it tiring when they have to do it, so need more time away from the family to relax and recover from that experience. I'm not saying DH is a bad father he just requires a bit more time away in order to be a good parent.

Oh dear Sad

jack2001 · 23/01/2018 12:48

"I do however think men need more free time than women because women are more natural multi taskers, they can juggle watching a toddler and making a phone call/doing housework much more naturally than a man can so I think they find it tiring when they have to do it, so need more time away from the family to relax and recover from that experience. I'm not saying DH is a bad father he just requires a bit more time away in order to be a good parent."

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

Clutterbugsmum · 23/01/2018 12:53

I do however think men need more free time than women because women are more natural multi taskers Well that's complete bullshit. I know lots if all men, If not all are completely capable of looking after the home and more then 1 child.

That's both insulting to both men and women.

PinkyBlunder · 23/01/2018 12:55

I do however think men need more free time than women because women are more natural multi taskers, they can juggle watching a toddler and making a phone call/doing housework much more naturally than a man can so I think they find it tiring when they have to do it, so need more time away from the family to relax and recover from that experience. I'm not saying DH is a bad father he just requires a bit more time away in order to be a good parent.

Holy shit give me strength Hmm

Jigglytuff · 23/01/2018 12:55

Well you really have drunk the kool aid OP. Good luck with getting your DH to behave like a parent when you pander to him like this.

Butterymuffin · 23/01/2018 12:55

I do however think men need more free time than women because women are more natural multi taskers, they can juggle watching a toddler and making a phone call/doing housework much more naturally than a man can so I think they find it tiring when they have to do it

I wonder why men earn more than women, then?

MichaelBendfaster · 23/01/2018 12:56

Hook, line and sinker.

OP, give your head a wobble.