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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Absolutely sick of dh

142 replies

partypants22 · 24/10/2022 22:35

My dh is 10 years older than me and until now I've never seen an issue with the age gap. We had a baby this year and I have primary age ds from a previous relationship. He's always been a good stepdad, stepped up and helped out where needed but never overstepped the mark.

Since we've had our own baby life has gotten much more chaotic. I especially find it hard to meet the needs of dc with such different ages. I don't want ds to miss out on things but equally it's not always possible to drag baby along to certain activities either. This is where I'd like dh to step in a bit he doesn't. At a push he will look after dd while I take ds out somewhere for a few hours. He has no interest in 'family days out' to places like theme parks etc where one of us could stay with the baby and the other go on rides with ds. He turns his nose up at family holidays like Butlins. He shows no enthusiasm for my suggestions and makes none of his own. He finds problems about how it won't work or it's not worth it. He just seems to have no interest in family life.

He's good at the day to day stuff, cooking, housework etc but it's almost like since having dd and losing our freedom to go out every other weekend (when ds at his dads) he just can't be arsed with anything. He also does the bare minimum of dd care which after 8 months is wearing thin too. I expected to do the lions share while on maternity but unless I'm going out which is incredibly rare everything gets left to me.

I find it so sad that he has such little interest in our family life. I want our dc to have good times and make good memories. It's hard with the age gap but not impossible if we work together. His lack of interest is making him so unattractive to me. Aibu to expect a bit more? I end up just seeing him as a boring lazy old man.

OP posts:
WeepingSomnambulist · 24/10/2022 22:41

What happened when you said all of this to him?
That really is the first step.

If he wont change then you need to make some decisions about how your own life is going to go but, for now, you need to communicate.

fannyfartlet · 24/10/2022 22:44

I'd be turning my nose up at theme parks and Butlins too. I get your point though.

partypants22 · 24/10/2022 22:45

Ill give an example. I suggest doing something (a day out or whatever). He says yes but in the most dull uninterested voice. Or he says things like 'well how will that work? Is that really a good idea?' Just putting a downer on things before it's even begun. And he never ever suggests doing anything with the dc off his own back. It's just like he views doing things with them as not worthwhile. I hate it and it makes me resent and dislike him.

OP posts:
partypants22 · 24/10/2022 22:46

fannyfartlet · 24/10/2022 22:44

I'd be turning my nose up at theme parks and Butlins too. I get your point though.

Well yeah I can think of places I'd rather be but I do it for my dc.

OP posts:
Aquamarine1029 · 24/10/2022 22:47

Did he really want to have a child or did he just go along with it?

Beanbagtrap · 24/10/2022 22:48

Team up with another parent who wants to do the days out. Better yet a couple so one of you stays with you ger kids while the other two go on rides with the older ones.

If your dh doesn't want to get involved in don't wait around..do what you want to do with life!

GyozaGuiting · 24/10/2022 22:49

You need to talk to him, how old is he? It’s not fair for you to miss out on family days out.

As an aside, my DH didn’t want to do Butlins. We went on a tots week and he’s now a convert! We love the place.

Quitelikeit · 24/10/2022 22:49

How long have you been with this man? Sounds like you don’t really know him that well!!

id be annoyed too if I was you - he isn’t stepping up to the plate and is expecting his life to continue as it was before, afterall you did everything for your ds so he’s thinking you would be the same with the baby??

OnTheBrinkOfChange · 24/10/2022 22:49

Was he keen for you to get pregnant? How old was he when you got pregnant?

MissLucyEyelesbarrow · 24/10/2022 22:56

I'm not saying this to excuse him, as he needs to step up, but the fact that he was engaged and not lazy with his step-son, before DD arrived, makes me wonder if he is now depressed? Like PPs, I also wonder if he actually wanted to be a dad?

Badger1970 · 24/10/2022 22:59

There is a 10 year age gap between DH and I. Seriously the laziness and apathy gets worse with every milestone birthday ... and I'm scratching my head most of the time as to what I initially found attractive about his "maturity".... and don't even go there with the lack of self-care catching up and biting them on the arse meaning that you spend your life opening envelopes for medical appointments.

I think you honestly need to question what he's bringing to your family if this is his attitude with young DC. Don't waste your Dc's early years with someone who just wants to sleep on the sofa.

Jadedbuthappy82 · 24/10/2022 23:01

Eurgh, I was married to a man baby just like this. Negative, downer on everything, no interest in the babies, never did anything with them and didn't even work. Obv now he's an ex. They don't change lass. They just get gradually worse and sadly in my experience become abusive in many ways. You have one life, please choose happiness. I wish you the best of luck. Personally I don't think talking to him will help but worth a try. He will only change if he wants to. His behaviour is already showing you that he doesn't want to and that he can't be arsed. Go it alone. You'll be happier and so will your kiddoes.

jimmyjammy001 · 24/10/2022 23:04

Did he go on family holidays and days out with you and your DS before you had a baby together? If not then what made you believe that he would change his mind about family life after having a baby with him?

buddy79 · 24/10/2022 23:07

I have similar repetitive arguments with DH. He does have good relationships with our sons, does fair share of chores etc, but all the planning / organising is next to me… tbh it probably works better that way practically but I get sad and angry that he never shows enthusiasm as you say for “family life” type activities. I want him to want it and he doesn’t, he tolerates it. It has helped me to realise that he shows his affection in other ways.. (like the “love languages” idea although it’s a bit naff), for example whilst he is shit at days out, he is brilliant at buying presents and he is fully in charge of buying all the kids Christmas presents, things for their stockings etc, he puts loads of thought into it and gets really enthusiastic and it’s lovely. So there are areas where he really shines but they aren’t always compatible with the areas I prioritise. It’s all a negotiation and my only advice is to just keep talking.

partypants22 · 24/10/2022 23:35

When we first met he always suggested, booked and planned things for us to do. Gradually that wore off too but I still thought we wanted the same things out of life. I wouldn't have married him otherwise.

We used to do things with ds but it was often initiated by me but he'd do it. Ds was older and easier to manage though.

Now if I suggest a day out or god forbid a holiday I get eye rolls and a list of all the reasons why it's not worth it. Don't get me wrong, I know holidays with dc are hard but together we could manage it. His whole attitude is just negative and defeatist. Even when he agrees to something I can see it's begrudgingly.

I do think he had the baby to please me now I look back. But that's only because of how he's been since she arrived - miserable, boring and lazy. I couldn't have predicted it would be like this. He is a bit of a loner in life, estranged from quite a lot of his family and doesn't have many friends but I thought where his own dd was concerned he would make time and effort.

I sometimes think life is too short. I should be with someone who makes life fun, is encouraging and positive. Then I think is it worth uprooting two dc? Do I just do these days out and other things alone as a pp suggested and stick it out for now because he's not abusive or horrible, just a bit dull.

OP posts:
GeorgiaGirl52 · 24/10/2022 23:48

Many men agree to having babies just to please wives who want them. They expect the wife to take care of the baby as though it were a pet kitten or puppy bought for her.
Also, many men are uncomfortable with babies/toddlers and don't really engage with their children until they reach primary age. Then fathers can get involved with children's sports, clubs, hobbies, etc.

partypants22 · 25/10/2022 07:11

GeorgiaGirl52 · 24/10/2022 23:48

Many men agree to having babies just to please wives who want them. They expect the wife to take care of the baby as though it were a pet kitten or puppy bought for her.
Also, many men are uncomfortable with babies/toddlers and don't really engage with their children until they reach primary age. Then fathers can get involved with children's sports, clubs, hobbies, etc.

This is certainly how it feels. I just don't understand what's more pressing than enjoying time with family. I used to be very social, going out with friends and having nights out and so on. Now I genuinely would prefer to do things with my dc. He doesn't even bother seeing friends or pursuing hobbies so I don't get why he's too busy, lazy and negative to consider doing things with us. I mentioned a holiday and he just scoffed as if nobody in the history of the world has ever taken a baby away before.
He's now sulking because I told him a few home truths about this last night so another fun packed day on the cards no doubt.

OP posts:
Arnaquer · 25/10/2022 07:14

How old is he?

partypants22 · 25/10/2022 07:17

Arnaquer · 25/10/2022 07:14

How old is he?

I'm 38, he's 48 nearly 49.

OP posts:
thelobsterquadrille · 25/10/2022 07:26

48 is pretty old for starting a family.

I wonder if he didn't realise how tired he would be?

Not that you're not tired too, but I suspect being almost 50 makes raising a newborn quite difficult?

Paq · 25/10/2022 07:31

Firstly, 48 is not old. Age is not the problem. You need to tell him exactly how you are feeling. He is making you miserable and that's no way to live.

Weenurse · 25/10/2022 07:32

I actually wonder if he is depressed.

BigSandyBalls2015 · 25/10/2022 07:35

48!! The way you were describing him made me think he was late 60s!

BigSandyBalls2015 · 25/10/2022 07:35

hes still young and should have loads of energy abs enthusiasm

partypants22 · 25/10/2022 07:37

It is on the older side but honestly I expect very little from him with the day to day stuff. I do everything for both dc. He works hard and I am happy to do the lions share. It's just when it gets to school holidays or the occasional weekend I would like to maybe have a day out somewhere I feel it's constantly met with negativity. It's too much trouble. He would happily sit at home and let them sit at home all day too.

OP posts:
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