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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To expect DH to look after DD for 15 minutes during his lunch break

133 replies

Sunflower1000 · 24/02/2023 13:25

I posted another threat recently about my DH attitude to house work and parenting but this is slightly different topic. On Fridays DH works from home. Friday is my day off as I work 4 days so I can spend Fridays with DD (18 months). DH spends most of his lunch hour at his desk upstairs checking football news. Then he comes down to make his lunch, refuses to play with DD at which point she is crying so I make mine and her lunch and try to calm her down. Then she eats in her high chair and I eat at the same time. DH eats his food on the sofa watching tv. This really distracts DD who wants his attention but he just stays there getting annoyed that she wants his food. Am I being unreasonable that not only he doesn't feel the need to play with DD but also doesn't show any under a sing of my day and would never offer to look after her for 15 mins so I can have my lunch, go to the loo or unload washing machine in peace? Basically what he says is that Friday is my day to look after her and he is working so shouldn't be disturbed. His work is not very busy or complex.

OP posts:
lukm · 27/02/2023 20:27

I apologise I really have no idea how this works, tried to delete my comment but I can't. I'm so sorry!

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 27/02/2023 20:27

@lukm I think you need to cut and paste this into your own new thread, rather than hijacking @Sunflower1000 as we are trying to help her with her own situation.

Happy to help you too! But please cut and paste and ask moderators to delete from this thread. Hope that's OK.

lukm · 27/02/2023 20:28

Yes I'm so sorry and sorry @Sunflower1000 I really didn't mean to do this! Please delete my comment mods - again I'm so sorry!

Manthide · 27/02/2023 20:31

lukm · 27/02/2023 20:23

Hey I have read a lot of advice here but as a dad I've always been a little hesitant to seek advice. However, I am struggling to find advice or help on my current situation.

Without writing the Bible I will try to list a timeline of my situation and I hope it makes sense and someone might be able to offer their advice.

August 2018 - Met my son's mother.

June 2019 - Our son was born.

March 2020 - My son's mother split with me out of nowhere, turns out she was cheating.

June 2020 - Son's mother introduces new boyfriend and allows him to take our son out alone.

July 2020 - I confront son's mother to stress my concerns with her lack of care letting our son be alone with someone she has known for just over a month.

December 2020 - I receive a notice that my son's mother is filing a non-molestation order against me full of false allegations.

January 2021 - I meet my current wife.

April 2021 - after months of court hearings and defending each allegation made, I provide 180 pieces of evidence to disprove the false allegations, the court denies the case be thrown out at son's mother's request - twice and the final verdict is that the order be denied due to, well, it was all malicious.

June 2021 - son's mother has child with new partner.

All is going okay for a while. Son has developed a bond with his little brothers father, hard to swallow at first but ultimately I was really happy for him and got along with the father of his brother.

May 2022 - Son's mother leaves new partner.

June 2022 - Myself and my now wife have our son.

July/August 2022 - son's mother signs him up for a school without notifying me.

November 2022 - I get married, son's mother messages saying that she should have been made aware.

December 2022 - I discover son's mother has had a new partner since November 2022 through him saying he has been sleeping in mamas bed.

January 2022 - Son tells me how his mother's new partner is taking him to school without mother present.

I think I have included the important parts, maybe the problems will be evident but here are my main concerns;

  • Son's mother is creating a continuously unstable environment for him and it shows when he gets upset when it's time to drop him off at her house.
  • Son gets upset when talking about his brothers father as he doesn't take him with his brother anymore and the family that he was introduced to (on his brothers fathers side) are no longer involved with him.
  • Son's mother seems to not think about who she is leaving our son with or having him around. He is 3 years old and has now had 3 father figures including myself introduced into his mother's home.
  • Son's mother has never worked and doesn't drive so refuses to travel to take our son to school anywhere further than a short bus journey away which means myself and my wife are now relocating closer to his school as per her preference.

I genuinely feel like I'm going round in circles with her and I can see that is already affecting our son. I would never choose to have her completely out of his life even if it was possible as I know every child is better off with both parents however I feel like I have a responsibility to provide him with the stability and care that seems to be lacking from her side.

I am on his birth certificate so I have equal parental responsibility and we currently have a 50/50 arrangement but I have a call with a family lawyer tomorrow to repeat this information and see what I can do about the situation. Ideally he would live primarily with us and his mother would have free access to see him but as far as the stability situation, I would prefer he doesn't spend more than 1 night a week there if possible.

I guess I'd just like to know if I'm being unreasonable and if I'm overreacting or if my concerns are valid - I know there are a lot more mum's on here so hopefully I can get a completely unbias response unlike that I might receive on a dad heavy forum.

Thank you in advance!

Also sorry for all the "son's mother" and "brothers father", I have never understood the abbreviations but hopefully I'll pick them up 🤣

I'd take a dna test!

Blueink · 27/02/2023 20:38

He’s being selfish and unreasonable to you and DD and I find his behaviour to both of you very worrying tbh.

He can easily give 15 mins of 60 mins break to pay attention to his child. Most parents would want to interact with their child, it’s hardly a chore. Has he bonded with DD generally?

Is there some kind of resentment about you not working 5 days? Are you not entitled to a break during the day? A fairer person would offer to look after DD for 30m so u each have a 30m lunch break.

At lunch healthier for him and less disruptive for you and DD if he clears his head by taking a walk for 10-15 mins before returning to his desk, otherwise watch football or whatever upstairs.

If he is not going to compromise and determined to be difficult and unpleasant maybe he should go into the office on a Friday (assuming that’s an option).

Nightlystroll · 27/02/2023 20:46

AmandaJonah · 27/02/2023 15:10

But he is ignoring her. Anyone would get upset at being totally ignored by someone who is supposed to love you because they are on their lunchbreak.
She is not asking him to do housework, just talk to his daughter.

And OP no wonder your daughter gets upset, this sounds heartbreaking.

That's why I said if he's upsetting his daughter, he should stay in his room. Get a telly put in there or something.
Not specific to this situation, I think when people are working, they're entitled to spend their lunch break relaxing and de-stressing in a way that's suitable for them. And not everybody thinks that means spending time with their kids.

Nanny0gg · 27/02/2023 21:36

Guis · 25/02/2023 09:34

Well why shouldn't she ?
What on earth is wrong with doing so. He is at work. His use of the computer will likely be monitored. The OP isn't monitored and doesn't have a 'boss'. She is looking after their child but not at a formal job so to speak. There may well be days when it would help if he could do it but most couples would talk to each other.
Two people are making individual lunches. Which is crazy. You work together when you are a couple. Not against.

Tell him that.

UWhatNow · 27/02/2023 21:44

HowToExplainRight · 24/02/2023 13:29

Why on earth don't you make three portions so you can all eat together?

Why on earth would you say such a handmaid thing to a woman whose DH is already a dick? Why doesn’t he make lunch and spend it with his ‘loved ones’?

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