Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To be resentful

84 replies

Dogdogcat · 05/06/2018 17:17

I had DS five weeks ago. He's a bit of a cranky baby and I haven't found it easy, I'm a first time mum in my forties. DP has never been around babies, also in his forties, and is still pretty awkward with baby although he always changes him when he is home. Because of issues shortly after DS was born he is formula fed and I am pumping breast milk to supplement. I'm trying to pump 8-9 times a day. I do all the feedings.

DP is from a different country and he had been looking forward to a class reunion for years. It will be one week, scheduled for the first week of July. While I was pregnant, I told him I didn't mind if he went. He also has some family commitments to take care of so I figured maybe a 2 week trip, which would have been a stretch but in my ignorance I thought I could cope. He booked a five week trip. He didn't see the point in going that far for two weeks. I told him at the time it was too long, that he would miss out on bonding time and that baby won't even know who he is when he gets back. It never occurred to me that I might not be able to cope. Well DS was born and now I am looking at those five weeks and I'm wondering how I will do it. I'm also feeling trapped and very resentful. If I go out to the shop for an hour I inevitably get a call asking me to come back, but he is swanning off for a five week holiday with his buddies. It's had a negative impact on our relationship because I'm resentful, hormonal, tired and tbh, not that nice. The trip is going to happen and I'm afraid our relationship will not withstand it.

OP posts:
PotOfMemories · 05/06/2018 18:25

Sorry but pps saying the OP "will cope" are missing the point spectacularly. Of course she will. Of course thousands of forces wives and single parents can and do manage every day. But OP is neither a forces wife nor a single parent. Why the fuck should she have to cope with a newborn alone for five weeks simply because her selfish partner is off on a jolly?!

Jesus.

DasPepe · 05/06/2018 18:25

What pump are you using?
You can rent a Medela hospital grade pump- directly from them or some specific outlets. It’s a double pump and comes with some bottles and bits (all new).
It’s not cheap but it is super powerful. I pumped exclusively for 7 months as couldn’t bf and it was manageable. I rented it second time around and it helped establish breastfeeding

It can help with supply and will seriously cut pumping time

catinasplashofsunshine · 05/06/2018 18:25

Bluntness being in the forces and making a free choice to leave your partner and new baby behind to go on a 5 week holiday without them are totally different.

Of course she'll cope one way or another because she'll have to and plenty of single parents and forces parents do, but who'd be able to look at a "partner" who choose to do this (just as a long arsed jolly not for work reasons and despite having been asked before booking not to go for longer than two weeks and despite knowing that his partner is finding things hard and afraid she won't cope) with anything but resentment and contempt? Nobody with any self respect imo.

PotOfMemories · 05/06/2018 18:25

cross post with cat.

IWannaSeeHowItEnds · 05/06/2018 18:25

I wouldn't want my relationship to survive if I was with a man who considered a 5 week trip away to be okay, when we'd just had a baby. What sort of man wants to be away from his newborn for that length of time anyway? You wouldn't see a mother booking a 5 week trip and just going off and leaving her baby. The cool wives need to get a fucking grip if they think this is acceptable.
It is not the same as having a spouse who is in the army and has no choice. And sure, OP would cope if her dp died, but he isn't dead and she shouldn't have to just cope!

Returnofthesmileybar · 05/06/2018 18:25

You agreed to 2 and he booked fucking 5 Shock. Oh I would be asking myself how I would cope if he died alright - right before I fucking killed him!!!

Bluntness100 · 05/06/2018 18:26

For gods sake. Some of rhe advice on here.

Don't leave your baby if you don't want to op. Very few women would be willing to leave their five week old baby opener night, and certainly not to punish their husbands.

However it may be worth look at support, possibly a nanny from an agency to come in and help you. If funds aren't short and you really are worried about being alone.

PotOfMemories · 05/06/2018 18:28

Very few women would be willing to leave their five week old baby opener night, and certainly not to punish their husbands.

Very few decent husbands would be willing to leave their partner and five week old baby alone for five weeks just so they could party with their mates.

Grumblepants · 05/06/2018 18:29

I wouldn't be happy with this at all. In fact I'd probably be thinking 5 weeks is just about long enough for you to sell your house and move! Wink

Bluntness100 · 05/06/2018 18:29

Very few decent husbands would be willing to leave their partner and five week old baby alone for five weeks just so they could party with their mates

So what? She should just fuck off too?

No one is saying what he is doing is right. It's clearly not. But it's a done deal. The issue is how she deals with it as she's worried about being alone and coping for that period.

FellOutOfBed2wice · 05/06/2018 18:31

My husband could have gone away for five weeks when our first daughter was a newborn.... but he wouldn’t have been coming back!

As others have asked, why can’t you go too?

UrsulaPandress · 05/06/2018 18:33

I'd be changing the bloody locks. I remember a thread a few years ago from a new mum whose DH was going away for a week. With work. This is a jolly. He can change his flights for a small fee.

chickenpox100 · 05/06/2018 18:34

you will need at least a couple of days

WHAT??!! 'The man' is going on his trip for FIVE WEEKS and she will need at least a couple of days??!!!!!!!!!!!

'The man' can stay home.

Mirrorwriting · 05/06/2018 18:37

I would look sideways at a parent who is away from their newborn for 5 weeks without a bloody good (life or death/roof over our head) reason .

TaggieRR · 05/06/2018 18:38

He is taking the piss OP. I’m sure you will be able to cope just fine but you shouldnt have to. What man would leave his newborn and wife for 5 weeks just for a holiday?!

TestingTestingWonTooFree · 05/06/2018 18:43

I’d be a bit pissed off at DH unilaterally adding 3 weeks on pre-children and I’m pretty easy going. This is not acceptable. You will cope. But after 5 weeks of coping you may want to tell him not to come back at all.

NerrSnerr · 05/06/2018 18:43

He really is taking the piss. 5 weeks is a really long time to leave your baby for a jolly. As pp said, people do cope as single parents or husbands who work away but this isn't the situation. He should be there to help!

IamtheDevilsAvocado · 05/06/2018 18:45

He wouldn't be coming back if it was me....

Overnight is OK, long weekend ok... A week perhaps... 2 weeks... He should kiss the ground that you're OK with this...

5 weeks?? Non-essential... Partying with pals...

Nope

FrozenMargarita17 · 05/06/2018 18:47

I thought as I read, oh, a week is do-able (although I do understand because the first six months I had horrendous PND so Dh couldn't really go anywhere because I was a mess). Then I read five weeks. FIVE WEEKS?! Two is enough, surely?

Shutupanddance1 · 05/06/2018 18:49

WTAF? 5 fucking weeks! 5 weeks! What an utter and complete useless waste of a man.

I’d be leaving him. Seriously, is he going to take this lovely holiday every year?

I’d be booking myself off for 5 weeks as well - telling him he had to stay at home and mind the baby while you get to go out with your friends and family and have a good time!

InDubiousBattle · 05/06/2018 18:53

You'll cope op, of course you will, he's leaving you with no other choice. He doesn't care about you as a family. If he did there's no way he would go on a 5 week holiday at this time (or ever really). Only you know if this is acceptable.

Fruitcorner123 · 05/06/2018 18:54

Before he returns, get a cleaning lady to come in and give the house a thorough clean courtesy of his bank account

I can't believe I have just read this. They are married so his money is hers for a start and why should she get the house cleaned for him after he has been off on a five week jaunt? Even the fact that you assume the cleaner has to be female pisses me off.

I would be absolutely furious OP. Ignore the first two posters who are clearly from another planet. A partner who hasn't changed a single nappy for 3 DCs is not a 'partner' at all in my opinion. If it was me I would be telling him I am not happy for him to go and if he goes anyway I would be kicking him out at least temporarily while I reassessed our relationship. Does he still want to go now he has met his baby? I can't imagine my DH wanting to leave our children for more than a couple of nights at that age. I am sorry he is turning out to be a bit rubbish. Hopefully if you speak to him about how you are feeling he will come around to your way of thinking.

As for coping of course you will cope, you just shouldnt have to.

DuchyDuke · 05/06/2018 18:56

Ok so for those 5 weeks:

Hire a cleaner
Hire a cook
Hire a night nurse
Send your clothes to a laundary service
Relax, catch up on your sleep.

HollowTalk · 05/06/2018 18:57

Why should she pay for all that, though?

ItsNiceItsDifferentItsUnusual · 05/06/2018 19:02

You will more than likely cope very well, OP, because unlike some men, you will absolutely have to and you will rise to the challenge. Never underestimate what you're capable of when it comes to putting the well-being of your dc first.

Your dh is an utter shit though. You're way, way down in his priorities, that much is clear.

I'd take this 5 weeks and turn it into a trial of sorts:

  • did it even feel harder without him there? It doesn't sound like he does much anyway
  • did you miss him?
  • if this was your life permanently, how would you feel?

If it's going to happen, use this 5 weeks to think about the next phase of your life.