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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

OH thinks I'm not a good mum

239 replies

Nahnottoday · 03/07/2020 09:17

He always says I'm a shit mum he thinks I don't do enough for the kids. I know I'm not a perfect mum. His mum did everything for him as a kid and still does now but she has completely devoted her whole life to her children and grandchildren.

I'm not really like that I love my kids to pieces and I'm grateful for them they've given me purpose.

My house isn't perfect all the time like his mums is, but i don't think I'm a shit mum. I cook everyday look after them obviously before lockdown planned days out take them to nursery ect.

Now I'm sat here questioning myself if I am a shit mum? I see Stacey Solomon doing all these crafts and things and making her kids lunch in different shapes and stuff is that what I should be doing? I don't know.

OP posts:
SafferUpNorth · 03/07/2020 14:14

So he does nothing around the house and never has the kids on his own, but sits back and criticises you for supposedly not doing enough?! Good lord, does he think he's living in the 1950s?!

Honestly, if he wants to live in a house that's cleaned to hotel standards, tell him to roll up his sleeves and crack on with the hoovering.... you're busy seeing to your children's emotional needs.

And no, loving them doesn't require you to make them fancy little sandwiches. Stop with the insta, you're a GREAT mum.

billy1966 · 03/07/2020 14:42

Forget this Stacey person.
Start looking at your financial situation.
What good times exactly?
He does nothing.
Bullies you.
Belittles you.

If my two son's behaved like that I would know I had utterly failed them, as would their father...before I would go through them both for a short cut.

No wonder your SIL is on anti depressants.

As a priority I would schedule a day out with her and swap notes.
Leave the prick to deal with his kids for the day and see how he gets on.

Prick.
Flowers

fuckoffImcounting · 03/07/2020 14:47

Tell the bastard if he says that again, he will find himself going back to his marvellous mum.

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 03/07/2020 14:48

He doesn't get it because he doesn't do it.

Any man who has never looked after their kids alone is a fucking embrassment. He should be ashamed of himself.

In fact, I'd say that makes him a shit dad.

Get up in the morning and tell him you are going out for the day. Don't come home til his usual home from work time.

Cam77 · 03/07/2020 14:54

Was he an asshole before you had kids, or has family life brought out a nasty side to him? Is he violent? I can’t imagine somebody capable of such mean words being a gentle person...

Russiandolleyes · 03/07/2020 14:59

I've just read your update - 1 and 3? That is honestly the hardest time to keep on top of housework and keep them entertained. Honestly, just getting through this time with your sanity, especially when you don't have a decent partner, is an achievement!

Someone1987 · 03/07/2020 15:06

Forget Stacey Soloman. And Mrs Hinch, anyone like that. Cutting snacks up into shapes is not necessary to be s good parent. Surely them filming their children eating, sleeping, talking etc makes them the strange ones?
You sound like a good mum, kids don't need the fancy stuff, they like playing outside, making things out of cereal boxes etc.
Your husband's mum has done what so many do. Pander to their child so the poor wife later on has to have a man -child. There are too many men like that, never had to lift a finger, can't put a wash on, never ironed, never cooked. It's pathetic in my eyes. I have a 7mnth old son and he will be able to be independent, as I think I'd fail him if I did everything for him.
You are doing a great job, it's a shame your husband doesn't appreciate it.

KickAssAngel · 03/07/2020 15:07

I don't think you should be comparing yourself to his mum (or anyone). But what was his Dad like?

Too often we look at how a woman raised her sons, but typically they copy the behaviour of their Dad, even a largely absent one. So - did his Dad constantly talk to his Mum this way? I would guess so, given that both brothers are like this.

It's one of the main reasons why people advise to leave if a woman is with an abusive/controlling man - breaking the cycle of abuse only happens if the children don't grow up with the example being set by a parent.

So - think about this for your kids. Do you want them to grow up in the same kind of relationship that you're in? Do you want sons who are mean and controlling, and daughters who sacrifice their lives for controlling men? At the moment, this is what they are learning about relationships.

Trying2310 · 03/07/2020 15:15

I would hand him the hoover and tell him to Jog on. If he wants the house to a higher standard than you are able or want to do it, then he needs to get on with it. Even if you weren't doing that much the way he spoke to you is disgusting. The fact that he and his brother demonstrate this type of attitude and behaviour reflects more about the values they were brought up in. I would highly doubt that your are a shit mum. Think that label should be transferred to your husband.

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 03/07/2020 15:20

I don't think you should be comparing yourself to his mum

Too right. His mum and dad should be ashamed of the man they've raised.

recycledbottle · 03/07/2020 15:21

Sometimes men act like this because they are repeating their fathers behavior. Also if his Mother is always commenting on you and your wife skills that could be part of the reason. He is an arsehole either way.

Mylittlepony374 · 03/07/2020 15:27

I'm so sorry he's a cunt. He's never had the kids alone for one day??? Maybe you should leave him to it for a day and see how much vacuuming he manages to do?

BurtsBeesKnees · 03/07/2020 15:31

You need to tell him that he's to move back to his Mums. He's verbally abusing you and billing you. He sounds vile. I hope you find the strength to stand up for you and your dcs and kick the horrid man out

notthemum · 03/07/2020 15:33

Jesus Christ.
No-one is or can be a perfect mum.
You my love are doing fine and he is a complete and utter fucking idiot. He also knows that the way he speaks to you is upsetting and this is why he does it. Tell him if is that unhappy maybe he should leave.
🍰🍷

Scout2016 · 03/07/2020 15:40

Sounds more about his ideas of what a wife should be, which is like his mum, rather than what a mum should be. I very much doubt that as a 1 or 3 year old he really thought he had a great mummy because of how clean she kept the carpets....
Leave him with the kids and chores one day and see how he gets on.

stressedhousebuyer · 03/07/2020 15:43

This sounds horrible, I'm 6 months pregnant with a 15 month old and my house is always a mess at the moment because I'm so tired. my DH isn't perfect but he always says I'm a good mum and it makes me feel so good especially when I'm feeling down. Saying you're a crap mum is just awful and seriously not helpful. It sounds like he's just trying to run you down and has no idea how hard it can be. You deserve better xx

AnneofbigCleevesage · 03/07/2020 15:44

@rhowton "i'm a lazy mum. Not a shit one. I adore my kids! I love them and cuddle them and support them. Feed them. Clean them. Buy them warm clothes. But they watch just a bit too much tv and my house is currently messy and needs to be hoovered but I'm on Mumsnet and I didn't get married to have an extra child to take care off. When my DH tells me the house is messy, I consider murder, so he usually will just tidy"

Could you maybe do something around the house in your MN time to make it more comfortable for your family ? I work full time am a single parent, still clean and tidy. I love and support my kids, take care of them, buy them warm clothes, feed them, clean them ,nuture them, educate them. I still find/ make time to run the hoover over and clean. Would i rather be doing something else,yes. Do i enjoy cleaning and organising my time in this way, no. My children love the security of a clean organised house as do their friends when they come here.

This is ultimately about motivation and inclination.

OP, you do not have to be your DH's mum. But, it may be advantageous if you talk to him about what you can and cannot do in a day, and yes he should help if you need it. Perhaps a cleaner one day week would support you or additional family support. Finding a routine is difficult with two young children and the insta influencer is different to you. Please do not judge yourself by insta celebrities. They are different personalities, different support structures or different outlook and /or how they can manage their responsibilities.

I suspect your DH is just expecting you to manage as his mum did, as that is the only female lead he had. Talk to him and see how that goes. Explain that you do things differently to his mum. If there is no support or you feel undermined or threatened then it is time for you for move on and forge a new path.

Kelcat9494 · 03/07/2020 15:45

Sweetie tell him it's 2020, gender roles are out the window and if he's so bothered about someone being like his own mum was then he is very welcome to it.

I'm sure you're doing amazing ❤️

Mangofandangoo · 03/07/2020 15:47

His mum obviously didn't raise him that well if he thinks he can treat people like he is treating you OP

LuaDipa · 03/07/2020 15:55

If he thinks his mum is so great tell him to fuck off back to hers.

Your kids are warm, fed, loved and happy. You are a good mum.

Now while I hate to blame a woman for the behaviour of any man, his dm raised that entitled, selfish monstrosity. I like a tidy house myself but I would be thoroughly ashamed of a son of mine if he started spouting nonsense like that. I am honestly fuming on your behalf op. Please don’t put up with this.

20mum · 03/07/2020 15:57

Sorry I haven't read all the thread, but has anyone asked about your own earning potential? The reason I would wonder is the tendency for power imbalance in relationships, when only one brings money in. Wrongly, but understandably, that one might feel they are doing their half for the joint enterprise, and the other one should do the other half, which is everything else.
If there's any hope of trying it, I would urge everyone to split the tasks. One may be a better cook, the other may earn more, but sharing means equal power, and equal enjoyment, too.
Going out to work isn't all bad, nor is the work at home.
The thing to beware of, though, is letting one choose to do one thing, all the time .

Elsethread, people complain that a DH has opted for only the putting to bed, dodging the evening clearing up and washing up. Or he drives children to school, but absolutely nothing else.
Sounds as if you and sister in law would form a team to mutually boost a rebellion and regime change!

Probably you will say its impossible, but even one or two days a week for the women out to work, plus, if needed, women studying towards increased earning, plus an occasional girls night out, which need not be in the evening, just a few hours having fun without family?
And the men fitting round that, so they have a couple of days a week, even if it's only weekends, not out at work, to get the pleasure of child care and the satisfaction of tidying a house.
I'm being ambitious, but if it's at all bearable, could you even get m.i.l. on board to go out with you? Does she ever have anything for herself?

Also, if you slip into the 1950s 'man brings money, woman is dependent ', you are getting deeper into the lifelong financial penalty trap. Women tend to earn less, so men go to work, get promoted or build
experience, so women can never catch up, so women always will earn less.

AnneofbigCleevesage · 03/07/2020 16:00

To add OP, your DH should not swear at you. Totally unacceptable for him to talk to you like that. Just wanted to clarify.

MyOwnSummer · 03/07/2020 16:08

He is the ultimate Seagull husband - flies in, squawks a lot, flaps around, shits on everything and fucks off again. Sorry to the PP who coined that phrase on another thread, I can't remember your name to credit you but it is very apt in this case.

He is being a shit partner and father to his children. Never had the kids all day by himself? I think you need to get out of it for a day and leave him to it. Then come home and observe how much housework he has actually managed to get done alongside caring for 2 small children. Don't ask - tell him that's what you are doing, make an excuse if you need to - "family emergency" or similar. He is obviously not insightful enough to understand your point of view, and has some seriously wrong ideas about what a "mum" should be. So he needs to learn from experience. Having a pair of boobs and two X chromosomes does not make you into a magical housekeeping childcare fairy, its hard bloody work.

Personally I couldn't stomach staying married to someone who bullied and belittled me, but there is a chance he could learn and fix his outdated and frankly batshit views. The bottom line is respect - if he doesn't respect you then your children will grow up with no respect for you either. That's no way for you to live your life. You only get one.

stophuggingme · 03/07/2020 16:12

His mother is a shit mum herself if she’s deliberately raised two men to be such absolute cockwombles

I’d pay good money to see either of these “men” actually take care of children over the course of 24 hours.

mumof2exhausted · 03/07/2020 16:16

This is not a healthy relationship- yes we all can snap at each other especially in lockdown but to actually say you are a shit mum is just awful. I’m so sorry you shouldn’t have to put up with that.

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