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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

This is sleep related .... I've no perspective

235 replies

sleepyshiftworker · 15/02/2021 06:56

Apologies in advance - I need some outside perspective but I'll try and keep this brief and pertinent.

Back story. Second relationship. Both have children from previous. 18 month old with each other. Our older DC are with their other parents atm due to half term.

He works normal office hours, senior management, due to COVID he's WFH 8am-5 with breaks. When he has to go in it's an hours drive each way. EOW he leaves work on Friday at 2 to collect his older DC.

I'm a paramedic. I work shifts. I have an hours drive to work and same home. I cut my hours when I went back after the baby to 24 a week as I went back just as COVID hit last year and I couldn't find child care that worked for the DC (especially the baby) and it's draining and always over time if I want to do it which is more flexible for me than being contracted full time.

We have a mortgage, joint finances, joint account which we both pay into. He earns more than me but contributes more than I.

Here's the AIBU.
I'm absolutely exhausted. Homeschooling, all that jazz with a whirlwind toddler and working and doing everything else.

For example last week I worked Tuesday 1400-0200 so I cooked dinner in slow cooker before I left, enabled him to just get on with work and not worry. My older dc are self sufficient and don't require too much input - He wFH with my DC and the baby here which is rare as I've been relying on my sister having them when I work during the day, then all he does is pick them up circa 1930 and put them to bed.

The baby was up on and off teething with temperature Friday night. I had about 2 hours sleep. Apparently he felt too unwell to help even though I asked him to, and he went and slept in one of the older DC empty beds.

Then I worked Saturday 1000-2200 getting home at 0000.

Saturday night after work I got up with the baby in the night then up for the day at 6 on Sunday- He slept in yesterday til 0900.

Classic. I'm on nights tonight and tomorrow night. I asked last night if he would take over the baby so I could get a decent sleep last night as I now won't sleep til mid morning Tuesday when I've dropped the baby off at my sisters. He said yes, but didn't. Then this morning baby awake at 5.15 I asked him to get up with him and he just laid there and didn't move.

I've had enough. I am tired. It isn't safe to do this. The baby doesn't sleep through but isn't hard, he just needs a cuddle / quick shhhh and given his milk which he then drinks himself. Now DH is using the "he doesn't want me, he wants his mum". I'm just raging but I don't know. AIBU? I neee him to actually engage and help without being nagged like a teenager. He soon pipes up the "he's my son" if I suggest plans he doesn't like - but doesn't actually help.

OP posts:
morninglive · 20/02/2021 09:32

Anybody pestering me for sex in that instance would get my knee in their groin

sleepyshiftworker · 20/02/2021 10:10

He's just asked me what the fuck the matter is and I've finally blown my top and screamed at him. He's now acting hurt. Apparently we can't talk now - because it's not right as the kids are here and awake.

Controlling cunt. Has belittled me for buying second hand clothes for DS on eBay and a new joules coat x 2 has list turned up for his precious first two.

All round I am not good enough. I actually am beginning to despise him.

OP posts:
ThreeTwoOneBlastOff · 20/02/2021 10:38

I’m surprised you haven’t buried him under the patio. He woke you for sex again? Despite you saying to stop that, he literally doesn’t give a shit.

RandomMess · 20/02/2021 10:39

Well sorry but I'd be telling him to leave with the kids.

He is so awful.

sleepyshiftworker · 20/02/2021 10:44

I want to tell him to leave but he will want to take our son.

OP posts:
tobedtoMNandfart · 20/02/2021 10:49

I feel stabby just reading this.

Surely he won't take your son, he doesn't want to care for him now?! DO NOT make this a reason to stay.

RandomMess · 20/02/2021 10:50

Tell him he can 50:50 around you work shifts.

NoSquirrels · 20/02/2021 11:12

@sleepyshiftworker

I want to tell him to leave but he will want to take our son.
Will he, though? As he’s uninterested in sorting any of his care at all?
flappityflippers1 · 20/02/2021 11:15

Why on earth would he want to take your son? He doesn't want to parent while he's there, let alone not having someone to do it for him Hmm

RandomMess · 20/02/2021 11:20

What you mean is he will threaten it so you back down!!!!

He is a full on emotional abuser and constantly manipulated and coerces you to get his way!

CattyCactus · 20/02/2021 11:43

@sleepyshiftworker

I want to tell him to leave but he will want to take our son.
Will he really though? Given what you’ve already said upthread about his behaviour with regards your son - he won’t sleep train him, and won’t get up to deal with him when you desperately need sleep. So I suspect this ‘threat’ is a load of bollocks. And I’d put it to the test quite frankly.
ThreeTwoOneBlastOff · 20/02/2021 11:44

Lots of men say they’ll take their children (it’s all over the relationship boards), it’s usually a threat to get you to stay that they don’t mean.

CarterBeatsTheDevil · 20/02/2021 11:50

Take your son? He can't get up to give him a cuddle in the night! What's he going to do with a baby if you're not there?

Blockedoff · 20/02/2021 11:55

He won't take your son, that's an empty threat!

EL8888 · 20/02/2021 12:00

I was at total wanker even before the initiating sex in the middle of the night part! He’s totally selfish and self absorbed. Is this why his previous partner split up with him?!

Isthisit22 · 20/02/2021 12:01

What he did to you last night was sexual assault. You had specifically told him not to wake you for sex so when he just pulled down your bottoms and started touching you that was assault.
Leave with your son. If he tries to take your son, tell him that you will report the sexual assault.

RandomMess · 20/02/2021 12:07

Just report the sexual assault anyway.

Thanks
Sexnotgender · 20/02/2021 12:38

@sleepyshiftworker

I want to tell him to leave but he will want to take our son.
Will he fuck, that’s just a line abusive men use to control you. A toddler is far too much bloody work for him. Don’t fall for it.
Mummyoflittledragon · 20/02/2021 12:48

@RandomMess

Just report the sexual assault anyway.

Thanks

Yes. Please report him. This is a regular occurrence.

He is verbally, sexually and by the sound of it financially abusive.

This man is absolutely vile.

This abuse needs to be documented. Flowers

GhostCurry · 20/02/2021 19:51

I hope you are ok, OP.

sleepyshiftworker · 20/02/2021 20:40

Not overly, no.

Sorry not been on all day I took my DC to my parents. Sorry lock down I've had enough. Talked things through with my dad, minus the sex bits. He's very pragmatic and thinks I need to sit him down when kids aren't here and absolutely spell out how I'm feeling one last and final time. Then see how he responds with actions not words.

OP posts:
Isthisit22 · 20/02/2021 20:51

But unfortunately without knowing about the sexual assaults your dad can't give advice appropriate to the situation.
I know this is hard to hear but your partner will not change. He does not love you (or anyone other than himself)enough to even want to change because he has it cushy right now and doesn't care how that affects you. I'm sorry Flowers

BoredOfCbeebies · 20/02/2021 21:18

Your dad hasn't got the full story though. I thought the waking you up for sex bit is the worst behaviour of all, particularly given you've told him how tired you are and how you need help. That alone should be enough to LTB, he sounds utterly grim. I'm so sorry you're having such a tough time.

Ileflottante · 20/02/2021 21:30

@Needsmustnow

It's distressing and tiring just reading about your life *@sleepyshiftworker*. I feel like I just want to come and rescue you.
Me too. I want to round you and your lovely children up and install you all in a nice house on your own to start again.

I am horrified by what he’s doing to you. He is despicable.

sleepyshiftworker · 20/02/2021 22:08

I should add he wasn't trying to pull my pjs down, I woke up with his fingers inside me.
I can't tell my dad that.

OP posts:
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