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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Who's being unreasonable here?

14 replies

CinderellasSecrets · 18/01/2020 09:28

My partner and I have been together for 7 years we have 2 children aged 4 and 7 months. The 7 month old refuses to go to anyone at all without getting extremely distressed, she's been like this for months which means that I haven't had a break in months. I am supposed to be going back to work next month and I can't see how it's going to happen. I am severely depressed, on antidepressants and plagued by suicidal thoughts; I need a break. But of course I can't get a break.

My partner works a hell of a lot which I am incredibly grateful for, however he does absolutely nothing in the way of housework or childcare, he also goes out with his friends fairly often but says he is 'helping them out' (by going to the cinema and drinking with them Hmm).

He has now said to me that he is depressed and needs a night out because he's earnt it and it's not fair that he can't go out just because I can't (I've never said he couldn't, I will admit I've been jealous when he does but I've never once tried to stop him). He's now arranged 2 nights out next month, I've been invited out on a night out but I can't go. I am angry, and jealous and upset. It is so pathetic but ive actually cried because i am so desperate for a break, i love my children but I am on my own with them almost 24/7 with no adult to talk to (my partner is either at work, out with his friends or on his phone or xbox which he doesn't like to be disturbed on because it's his time for himself). Am I being unreasonable to feel this way, or is he being unreasonable to not realise that I deserve a night off too?

OP posts:
JasonPollack · 18/01/2020 09:33

Why can't you go on the night out? How much time does your partner spend with the baby? I would be expecting at least a Saturday or a Sunday morning off where he takes her to the park. I know it's hard but she will get used to him if you enforce it.

Sorry you're having such a hard time Flowers

abitlostandalwayshungry · 18/01/2020 09:35

Yanbu

He is completely unreasonable.

You realise you live the life of a single parent?
Why do you put up with this?

He can take over child care when he comes back from work 3 evenings a week so you can have those evenings yourself.

CripsSandwiches · 18/01/2020 09:37

Could you not have a short time out and leave baby with dp? Even if you went for an hour or two if baby was upset it wouldn't be the end of the world, it's not like he'd be left alone to cry he'd be comforted and you'll feel better for the breakm

user7522689 · 18/01/2020 09:37

He doesn't sound like a partner.

Depression causes loss of interest in pleasurable activities and loss of enjoyment of the things you do participate in.

He's not depressed, he's taking the piss.

Bluntness100 · 18/01/2020 09:39

Your post is a bit unclear.

It seems you can't get a night off due to your baby, not your partner, but you blame your partner.

Is there maybe something missing?

PennyGold · 18/01/2020 09:41

She'll never learn to go to anyone else if you're always there. You sound a little like a martyr.. I get that you're exhausted, but so is he from working. Just go out, she'll get used to it.

CinderellasSecrets · 18/01/2020 09:45

He doesn't spend any time with her, or not volentarily anyway, the longest he's spent alone with her is around 20 minutes while I was dealing with our eldest daughter. I think this is a big part of it too, I feel like he doesn't really try to make an effort with her just complains that she doesn't like him. I can't go out on the night out because my partner refuses to put up with her crying, that I have to contend with on a daily basis.

OP posts:
CinderellasSecrets · 18/01/2020 09:46

I can't leave her with someone if they refuse to have her, I've tried to leave her with my MIL and was called back almost immediately. It really isn't through lack of trying that she hasn't been left with anyone.

OP posts:
Booboostwo · 18/01/2020 09:47

My DD was like that. I was not able to pass her to another person until she was 9mo. It was unbelievable and I think unless you’ve had such a needy baby it’s impossible to imagine what it’s like.

Firstly, it does get better. They do grow out of it...eventually.

Having said that you need to survive the here and now. Your DH needs to shift his focus from his needs to those of his family. I appreciate he works all day but so do you. He needs to share the parenting burden when he is not at work and, given that you have no choice but to have the baby with you, he needs to look after you as well.

Will he step up and change? Only you know that. Mine didn’t and he is now ExH.

CrotchetyQuaver · 18/01/2020 09:53

Well I can't help you with your annoying selfish OH who ought to be offering you a child free morning at the weekend as a minimum. I bet if you just felt like he was supporting you you'd feel a lot happier. I had a needy baby so understand how hard it is, like others upthread have said, around 9 months it all started to get a lot better, she finally accepted a bottle and decided she could sleep in her cot rather than with us. Hang in there and hopefully yours will be similar Thanks

ButtonandPickle19 · 18/01/2020 09:55

I think between work and a baby you BOTH probably need some space. Yes, the baby might scream the entire time but as long as they’re with a loving adult they will survive and you can have a rest. Perhaps ask him to have the baby so you can go to have a bath/Tesco’s/a walk at first, just an hour and don’t give him hassle for nights out. He maybe sees that DC is happy with you and assumes that’s easy. Maybe he feels disconnected to DC as they just scream without you?

Frenchw1fe · 18/01/2020 09:56

How you haven't smashed your dh x box is beyond me.
Why are supposedly mature adults sat on games all night when they have dc.
Tell him he needs to be a father.
How can a child get to know a parent who doesn't bother.
He's a selfish arse and you're a doormat.

converseandjeans · 18/01/2020 17:41

Could you find childminder and do things gradually over next few weeks. I can't imagine how stressful that would be.
I think perhaps try to get MIL on board on the basis it's helping her DS because he's finding it hard. She will likely step up more for her DS?
He doesn't sound much use!

DontTouchTheMoustache · 18/01/2020 17:44

You realise you live the life of a single parent?
Why do you put up with this?

No, sorry this is not right and please dont say it. She has less support than she deserves but she does not have the mental and financial pressure a single parent has (i say this as someone who has been a single parent since birth)

Apologies as off topic but that attitude really pisses me off.

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