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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To have said this?

139 replies

TheFrogNGoose · 24/06/2021 12:50

I've been feeling quite underappreciated by DH recently and we had a bit of a row about it the other day. I ended up shouting to him that he would now need to sort everything for his children. Tbh I feel like it's the only card I really have as I know he struggles to do a lot of stuff without me helping.

I feel like I do everything for DC, ours and his and he seems to forget that this is, in regards to DSC, a favour to him and not something I am obligated to do.

Things like taking them to and from school. I now won't do it and he is having to get to work late/leave early to do it on his days (self employed). I can tell he is sulking about it and wanting to ask me again to keep doing it.

I also always sort out things for lunches all the time so the other day I told him a few times that he'd need to get something in for them on the way home and he didn't. So I didn't remind him again meaning he had to go early in the morning to the shop and get something which he was cross about.

He said he thinks I shouldn't be 'bringing the children into our issues' which I feel is just a way to guilt me into continue doing this.

So AIBU to say that doing these things absolutely are a favour to him and if he doesn't appreciate the things I do, including for DSC, then I am not unreasonable to stop doing it.

OP posts:
Wrotten · 24/06/2021 15:16

I'm with you, OP.

updownroundandround · 24/06/2021 15:38

@TheFrogNGoose

Your H doesn't seem to realize, that the children are absolutely part of your issues Confused

Once again, I'll post this.............

Why I Don't Help My Wife
Recently, I invited a friend over. Sipping coffee in my living room, the conversation turned from movies and sports to life. We are both about the same age, and both have been married for about the same amount of time. As we talked, I heard the loud clamoring of the dishwasher stop as it finished its final cycle. Excusing myself, I told my friend I must put away the dishes.My friend shot me a glance: a shock of disbelief, almost defensive in posture. He told me that it's great that I help out my wife, but that he doesn't bother. “Every time I do chores,” he said, “she doesn't have an ounce of gratitude. If she's not gonna thank me for helping her out, why should I even bother?” This startled me. I'm normally not a confrontational kind of guy. I don't like to talk about politics, and I usually keep my comments to myself. But this was too much. I couldn't contain myself.“Look man, I said, I'm not 'helping her out. My wife doesn't need 'help.' She needs a partner. The two of us are a team.” He started to reply, trying to explain what he meant by the comment, but I stopped him, continuing:I don't “help” my wife clean the house. We keep our house clean because we both live here and want the house to be clean. I clean the house because it's where I live, and my wife isn't a maid, but a partner.I don't “help” my wife cook because it's not her job to cook and my job to eat. We both live here, we both need to eat, and in order for us to eat, the cooking needs to be done.I don't “help” my wife do the dishes because they're my dishes, too. I eat off them, just like her, and it's in both of our interests to have them be cleaned.I don't “help” my wife with her children because they're my children, too. They need a mother and they need a father, and raising them is both of our jobs.I don't “help” my wife clean, fold clothes, do laundry, or any other chores because they aren't only “hers,” but mine.I'm not only a “help,” a hired hand that helps my wife out on occasion in exchange for a “thank you,” a kiss, or sex. I am a part of the house.Then, I turned back to my friend, his face tense with embarrassment. I was now in my full preacher mode, and it was time to charge my audience with conviction. I asked him “do you thank your wife every time she cleans the house?” He clamored to defend himself, but I continued: “I'm not talking about a half-baked “thanks” that you mutter from across the room, but actually looking her in her eye and saying that you appreciate that she worked all day to help you take care of your home!” “Do you look her in the eye and tell her she's fantastic, beautiful, the best thing that ever happened to you and that she means the world to you?” “Do you tell her how much you love that she keeps your house clean?”You should not “help” your wife with the chores in exchange for some kind of prize. What prize does she get for helping you out? You need to get out of this “Leave it to Beaver” mentality, step out of TV Land, and step up and be a real husband.My friend stood speechless, flabbergasted, fumbling to find an excuse. I shrunk in slight embarrassment for a moment, even though I knew it had to be said.I spoke again to break the silence: “I'm just saying man, your wife doesn't owe you anything. She's not your “help,” and you should treat her like an equal partner.”Many of us were raised in home with mothers who waited on us hand in foot. We took their help for granted, because they had to raise us and take care of us. But your wife is not your mother. She's not raising you, and you're not a child. Marriage is an equal partnership. Your wife is not your mother, and she's not there to take care of you.You are there to take care of each other, to have a house together, raise children together, and form an equal partnership. That means each of you carrying your share of the load, and thanking each other for help. Macho culture would make you think that everything is your wife's job, but there's nothing macho about this. It's the behavior of a child who needs to be taken care of, not an adult who can provide in a partnership.Imagine a child who constantly demands help from his mother, constantly makes messes, and never thanks her for anything. That's basically how you act towards your wife. That might be acceptable for a young infant, but not for an adult. So thank your wife for what she does, and make sure that you carry an equal share of the load, helping her in any way possible.When you make a mess, you shouldn't expect your wife to clean it up. It's your job to clean up your own messes. You both live there, you're not “helping” her with anything because it's your home.Likewise, it's not her job to constantly cook. In my home, I always do the cooking, because I'm good at it.These “traditional” roles were sold to us by fictional television. They say nothing about the reality of marriage. If you step all over your wife like Homer Simpson, you are on a one-way street to a divorce.So to everyone out there who is concerned about their own masculinity, if you want to be a macho man, stop acting like a child and making your wife do all the work and chores. Thank her, and do your part to contribute.

Please get your H to read it and then ask him to try to 'justify' his thinking !

Funfortheroad · 24/06/2021 16:00

What I think is unreasonable is seeing a difference between your DC and your step DC.

That’s not unreasonable at all - there is a difference. A massive one. She’s not the parent of the step DC. He is.

Bluntness100 · 24/06/2021 16:03

What does it matter whether he pays more of the bills or not? He expects OP to look after his kids, take them to school, feed them - why should she have to when he obviously doesn't give a shite. Earning more money doesn't absolve him from looking after his kids

For me, marriage is a two way street, and if someone is working longer hours then the person at home doing less hours should do more. I personally believe in team work

This marriage isn’t going to last though, it’s on the green mile, dead man walking, when it gets this bad, its irrecoverable. Too much damage is done.

MovingtoOz1Day · 24/06/2021 16:13

@Bluntness100

What does it matter whether he pays more of the bills or not? He expects OP to look after his kids, take them to school, feed them - why should she have to when he obviously doesn't give a shite. Earning more money doesn't absolve him from looking after his kids

For me, marriage is a two way street, and if someone is working longer hours then the person at home doing less hours should do more. I personally believe in team work

This marriage isn’t going to last though, it’s on the green mile, dead man walking, when it gets this bad, its irrecoverable. Too much damage is done.

Yes it's a two way street but that doesn't mean OP should be left doing all the childcare for all kids, especially 2 that aren't hers. Doesn't sound like his job is particularly demanding from what OP says, he doesn't mind taking time off to suit him yet still expects OP to do everything.
socalledfriend · 24/06/2021 16:23

YANBU

What was his reaction to you saying you feel unappreciated? Does he accept this? What is his strategy for resolving this issue between you?

Or does he think eventually you will "get back in your box, get over yourself, and normal service will resume?"

sixthtimelucky · 24/06/2021 16:32

I was a step child who felt very unwanted and was treated less favourably than my SM's kids. I'm in my 50s and it has had and still does have a huge impact on my self worth.

So I feel torn.

Of course your dh should take his kids to school and make them food etc, it should not all be down to you.

But if the kids pick up on not being wanted, being a pain, being less important than the 'real' kids, even causing rows between their parent/step parent it will be hugely damaging to them.

PurpleyBlue · 24/06/2021 16:35

But if the kids pick up on not being wanted, being a pain, being less important than the 'real' kids, even causing rows between their parent/step parent it will be hugely damaging to them. then their parent needs to step up and do the parenting without causing arguments. None of that is on OP.

sixthtimelucky · 24/06/2021 16:37

I don't disagree PurpleyBlue

Penistoe · 24/06/2021 16:42

I’m with you op. My DH is genuinely a lovely kind hardworking man but sometimes views less physical house chores/admin as easy because I can work efficiently doing them. So Iv left him to it, then smugly rescued him when he fudges it. Petty? Pfff. Sometimes the best way to learn is by doing. Grin

SilverRoe · 24/06/2021 16:50

Also with you OP. He can clearly do the school run and active parenting of the DSC so why has it become default your job? And yea he is the one bringing the kids into it because it’s about him not stepping up enough for them while expecting you to.

I think you should say that school runs and lunches etc are now 100% his task and if he wants support one day for amy reason he can ask you. Cheeky fucker

Bluntness100 · 24/06/2021 16:56

Yes it's a two way street but that doesn't mean OP should be left doing all the childcare for all kids, especially 2 that aren't hers. Doesn't sound like his job is particularly demanding from what OP says, he doesn't mind taking time off to suit him yet still expects OP to do everything

I don’t disagree although I’m not sure she said his job wasn’t demanding. More he works his own schedule.

As said though I can’t imagine this marriage is recoverable. Too ‘much damage and kids being weaponised.

SilenceOfTheNaans · 24/06/2021 17:01

Honestly if my DH did this with eldest DD he would be out the door.

We are a family unit and act as one. We both have gone through stages of feeling underappreciated for what we do but we sit down and work it out like two adults. If he isn't willing to pitch in more then I'd say your issue is bigger than just who does what and when.

Marty13 · 24/06/2021 17:06

Op, you're doing the right thing. His kids are not your kids, and I'm always a bit Hmm at people who seem to think you should pretend they are.

If you're taking joint DC to school then yes, it'd be petty not to take his along. But he should do half of those anyway. And if you're not taking the joint DC to school, why should you take his ?

I'd stand my ground. In fact I'd probably have been much less patient than you have been.

And all the people saying you weaponize the DC are wrong. You're not - your OH is. It's his job to step up. If he doesn't, he's the one bringing the kids into it.

Don't let him guilt you into anything ! This is not your job, never has been, and he should do his share of everything else too !

Isthisit22 · 24/06/2021 17:11

God Mumsnet is ridiculous sometimes! There are hundreds of threads where women talk about their useless partners who don't pull their weight... Everyone tells them to stop doing stuff for the partner.
When a woman comes on having stood up for herself in that exact way, people say she should be a good little wifey and do it all as they are a team Hmm
YADNU OP. Stick to your guns until he apologises and then you can discuss being a proper team and doing chores proportionately to free time.

funinthesun19 · 24/06/2021 18:03

I couldn’t stay with someone who expects me do the majority of things for his children. And then I also couldn’t stay with someone who is unwilling to change his ways if I was unhappy.

I think him saying “Don’t make it about the children” or whatever he said, says it all. It’s redirecting the blame on to the op and he gets to play the victim. The man gets away with it and the stepmum gets all the blame. I don’t see why the op should be the bigger person, children involved or not. But I do agree that is a very miserable way to live.

NormanStangerson · 24/06/2021 18:12

Will all the maniacs bashing the OP for not doing everything for the stepchildren get a grip. The kids aren’t being suffering, it’s just Dad has to do everything for them. In spite of popular belief, having a penis doesn’t actually prevent you from being able to do these things.

And until he appreciates his wife and her efforts, he will have to continue being solely responsible for his own children.

Bravo @TheFrogNGoose. Keep at it.

hellogem · 24/06/2021 18:30

Good on you! This will make him appreciate all that you do, it's not easy! For those moaning that your being mean, no your not, they are his children, his responsibility, why should it fall in the SM to do everything for them when they are coming to spend time with their dad.

QueenBee52 · 24/06/2021 19:22

YANBU

good on you OP Flowers

KarmaStar · 24/06/2021 20:07

Yabvu.how do you think his dc are feeling when you treat them differently to your own?
It's not " good for you " at all,you really should be ashamed of yourself to make these children feel unwanted.
'obligated,obliged,' ..what a terrible word to use.
This is really sad for the children and their hurt must be really cutting them up.
Sort this out between two adults,don't use children to do it.
So so sad.

aSofaNearYou · 24/06/2021 20:12

@KarmaStar

Yabvu.how do you think his dc are feeling when you treat them differently to your own? It's not " good for you " at all,you really should be ashamed of yourself to make these children feel unwanted. 'obligated,obliged,' ..what a terrible word to use. This is really sad for the children and their hurt must be really cutting them up. Sort this out between two adults,don't use children to do it. So so sad.
Do you think you could have said that it was sad a few more times?
NeverDropYourMoonCup · 24/06/2021 20:12

[quote JaffaRaf]@WoeIsMoi I’m sure he makes a fine lunch, but their step mum doing everything for them to suddenly they have an argument she won’t do it and the idiot dad is running around late in a grump... it’s a sudden change in routine and an atmosphere and many kids would assume they’ve done something wrong in this situation.[/quote]
Sadly, I think more will realise that their own father doesn't really want to look after them and has the hump because the Help is no longer being their only parent there.

ChuckNoWorriesMyWay · 24/06/2021 20:32

I'm with you OP !

Cheeky arse ! I hate men like this.

funinthesun19 · 24/06/2021 20:38

Yabvu.how do you think his dc are feeling when you treat them differently to your own?

I don’t know, maybe they might feel happy that their dad is pulling his finger out and taking them to school and making their lunch?

It's not " good for you " at all,you really should be ashamed of yourself to make these children feel unwanted.
obligated,obliged, ..what a terrible word to use.
This is really sad for the children and their hurt must be really cutting them up.

How about directing your blame at the father? How else do you expect the op to feel in these circumstances? Excited and happy at the thought of running around for the dscs when their dad can’t be bothered? I wouldn’t feel happy about it either and I think “feeling obligated” fits in well. Until he changes then the op will just feel like this and it’s a vicious cycle only he can break.

Sort this out between two adults,don't use children to do it.

You sound just like the father. If the op carries on as normal then the father will never change will he? An adult conversation obviously ain’t going to cut it because the op has tried that.

PurpleyBlue · 24/06/2021 20:44

My stepchildren love it when their dad makes their lunch and he likes thinking what to put in it and writes little notes. I don't think the kids will suffer even if dad just does a basic cheese and ham sandwhich in a box and a bit of fruit. He could use presided cheese to speed it up if he can't be bothered to slice it and could do an online shopping order every time they come if he cant be bothered to go to the shop.