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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Son has just turned 3 months and fiancé is going to the gym 6 times per week.

199 replies

jsmith1234 · 21/08/2022 19:44

My partner sometimes used to weight lift at home, however recently went to the gym once with his friend. He has now started going 6 nights per week and is gone for 2-3 hours at a time or more. Our son has just turned 3 months old and is teething. Before he joined the gym he used to video game for at least 9-10 hours per day so I’m glad he’s found a healthy hobby, however he still doesn’t help much with the baby and housework. I can tell he thinks he’s making more effort with the feeds and comforting baby to make up for his time spent at the gym, however he is still just doing the bare minimum. Therefore we’ve tried to fit him going to the gym 6 days a week around the babies needs but I’m still the one doing everything.

I’ve spoke to my partner multiple times before coming to Mumsnet, even suggesting that he only goes to the gym 5 times per week instead of 6. When I speak to my partner about going to the gym less, he turns it into an argument and there is no reasoning with him. He says I’m being controlling. I’ve tried explaining that now we have a child, we both have to make sacrifices and compromises. He suggests that I go out with my friends find a hobby which I do have a hobby. We’ve considered alternatives such as going to the gym together but that just isn’t for me I decided.

It doesn’t help the situation that I’ve recently lost a close family member, and have been diagnosed with PTSD regarding my birth, anxiety and depression. Therefore I’ve been struggling a lot emotionally and have been feeling really alone at home, he knows this.

I have a feeling some comments may suggest that he’s playing video games/going to the gym so much because he’s feeling over whelmed by the responsibilities of fatherhood and is avoiding it, which I believe is true to an extent with my fiancé. I’ve kind of spoken to him about this he expresses that he finds it hard work and tiring looking after the baby, I said so do I but we have to put our son first!!

Am I being unreasonable for asking him to workout just one day less? I’ve spoke to him about going to the gym less or at least helping out ALOT more with the baby and housework, but he just won’t compromise and I’m really struggling. He left us to go the gym last week when I was feeling unwell, then got really angry when I rang him and asked him to come home as I felt faint.

Has anybody been through a similar situation?? Did you ever resolve it ??

OP posts:
Whiskeypowers · 21/08/2022 19:47

He sounds absolutely awful
tne best way to resolve it would be to separate as he is neither a partner nor a father

JennyForeigner · 21/08/2022 19:51

What an arsehole. Never actually said this on MN before, but LTB. He has no interest in the hard yards; he doesn't deserve the incredible joys of watching a baby grow.

turquoise1988 · 21/08/2022 19:53

he finds it hard work and tiring looking after the baby,

Oh he does? Maybe he should have thought about that before agreeing to have one then.

Multiple threads like this appear on this forum daily. I truly can't believe women live like it.

It sounds hideous, OP. You are absolutely right to say something and you know you are not being unreasonable asking him to rein in the gym. Even 5 times a week is mad! He has a baby now. Time to step up and take responsibility for it, it's absolutely pathetic.

How on earth did he game 9-10 hours a day? Where is he working?

Beamur · 21/08/2022 19:55

He's checked out of family life.
When is he even home?

inmyslippers · 21/08/2022 19:55

I would grow to really despise him. Do you not feel resentful? His life is just carrying on as normal whilst you shoulder all the adulting.

jsmith1234 · 21/08/2022 19:58

Our son was unplanned and he never wanted children young, however was supportive when I told him I was pregnant which shocked me. We had ups and downs during the pregnancy, he could of been more help at the birth. But after the birth I had physical complications and he was really helpful then, helped with the baby a lot so I could rest after a 5 day hospital stay. It’s only when I hit around the “6 week post partum” stage and started to physically be in less pain that he stopped helping. Although when he was really helpful our son literally just slept all the time, it’s now that our son is awake a lot more and a lot more demanding that he has turned into an arsehole. That’s what makes me truly sad, things started out pretty good :(

OP posts:
CatsOperatingInGangs · 21/08/2022 19:58

I’m sorry OP but this is not the actions of a decent man. He’s heading from his family responsibilities at the gym.
We all find parenting hard, but us women can’t just leave our babies to fuck off to the gym/pub/computer whenever we want.
If he’s not going to pull his weight now, when is he?

Hiddenvoice · 21/08/2022 19:58

I’ve been in a really similar situation and the only thing that actually worked for my dh was seeing how close I was to an actual breakdown. Do you have any family there to support you? Are his parents involved? I ask this because my pil sat dh down and pointed out that he wasn’t doing much. it felt like he needed someone else to point this out to him, as annoying as that was!
Yes your dh is adjusting to list as a parent but so are you. I’d suggest you tell him when he comes home from work that you are going out. If he moans about the gym then sag, you went last night now it’s my turn. Let him see what it’s really like being responsible. I know you won’t want to be away from your baby but you also need a break and he needs to pull his weight. He’s using the gym as an excuse to feel free again but that’s not fair on you and he’s missing out on bonding time.

35965a · 21/08/2022 20:00

Absolute arsehole. Sounds like the novelty of fatherhood has worn off and now you’re more recovered he is checking out.

ClaudiusTheGod · 21/08/2022 20:00

How old is he?

Has he got a job?

thelittleapple · 21/08/2022 20:01

Absolutely not. I wouldn’t ask him, discuss it etc. It would be a ‘this isn’t working for me’ moment.

jsmith1234 · 21/08/2022 20:01

He doesn’t work, he is on universal credit. He has had a variety of jobs but gets fed up and quits. I worked up until 36 weeks as a care assistant aswell as going to university. The thing is I probably wouldn’t complain as much if he worked and provided financially, but I forked out for the pram and majority of things myself. He rarely contributes to milk, nappies or wipes.

OP posts:
Drinkingpop · 21/08/2022 20:01

Him saying you're controlling is a real dick move. He's the one controlling you - his hours and hours of absence leave you no option but to do everything yourself and cope alone. I'd double up on contraception and plan your escape.

Paintsplat · 21/08/2022 20:03

I know a lot of friends (male and female) who are into weightlifting and would train 6 days a week (conventional bodybuilding high volume split routine)

I don't know ANY who did that sort of training once they had kids. Even when kids are older, it's usually a train in home gym if lucky/train short sessions early morning two or three times a week if lucky, or training on lunchbreak at work.

He's selfish as hell. If any of his mates at the gym are dads I can't imagine they think much of him.

Dajeeling · 21/08/2022 20:03

This isn’t going to last OP. Sorry to be blunt.

the only positive I can find is that he is encouraging you to have some space too.

but please start planning things for if you do separate.

pumpkinpie01 · 21/08/2022 20:03

He won't change , he don't suddenly become interested in engaging with his child . Split up with him now so your son won't know any different . He's a waste of space

jsmith1234 · 21/08/2022 20:04

His parents are older and in bad health, but are really kind to me and supportive. They buy a lot for our son and babysit him once a week so I can have a break. His parents have tried speaking to him about how hard mental health after a baby can be, but he doesn’t listen to them. He gets angry at me for talking to his mam saying I am trying to cause arguments between them. I’m unsure whether his parents have really tried to speak to him though, as I spoke to his mam as he wasn’t contributing financially, but she went out and bought tons of nappies and wipes for us. So I think she may be trying to make up for it instead of telling my fiancé to grow a pair and step up!

OP posts:
turquoise1988 · 21/08/2022 20:04

Okay. It sounds like the reality of having a baby have hit and he's running away from his responsibilities.

What are his work circumstances? Is he out of the house during the day? If he doesn't work, how is he finding the 6 x a week gym habit and supporting you and the baby financially?

I'm just trying to understand what he contributes to family life at all?

Fupoffyagrasshole · 21/08/2022 20:05

Honestly I’d just leave him

your life will be easier without him - he already doesn’t help and doesn’t contribute to anything

so essentially you are a single parent already

jsmith1234 · 21/08/2022 20:05

One of his friends that goes to the gym Apparantly has 4 children and his mrs still allows him to go, so my fiancé tries to convince me by telling me this.

OP posts:
Crunchymum · 21/08/2022 20:06

Please God tell me where you live is in your name?

Madamecastafiore · 21/08/2022 20:06

You don't need to go to the gym, you can get rid of a huge dead weight by throwing him out. He sounds like a man child who doesn't think of anyone else but himself and it really isn't going to get any better. Make a life for yourself and your son without him and move forward, eventually finding a grown up to have a relationship with.

jsmith1234 · 21/08/2022 20:07

He’s 23 and I’m 21

OP posts:
Pinkflipflop85 · 21/08/2022 20:08

He's completely checked out of parenting and your relationship.

Therealjudgejudy · 21/08/2022 20:09

These threads make me totally despair. So many woman that are total doormats and have such a low bar for relationships and their children

And Another workshy manchild.