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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to not believe dh when he says he will change

16 replies

formersw · 25/02/2008 15:34

DD is now 9 months old and in that time dh has never put her to bed, woken up in the night for her or spent longer than 1/2 hr looking after her - during which he will lie on the floor watching the TV and ignoring her anyway. I've asked him to help because I am getting to the point where I am so tired I feel like I can't cope but I can't relax when he is with her because he can't deal with her when she cries. Yesterday was the last straw, he agreed to look after her because I was unwell (as is she at the mo) but when she started crying he just sat there with her in his lap and let her cry her eyes out while he ignored her, I suggested he walk around with her to try and distract her so he got up, walked to the kitchen and because she didn't stop crying started shouting at me and blaming me. Today, he suddenly said he had a moment of clarity and wants to change and realises he has been making excuses not to spend time with dd and being a selfish pig etc - but this funnily coincided with him mentioning a trip away with the lads, which he is going on and wants me to agree to. I took this opportunity to vent all my frustrations, which he listened to (without getting defensive!) and said he will make more of an effort and stop being selfish. He's been so easily angered, impatient and selfish for so long that I don't know if I believe him. AIBU by thinking he is only saying all of this because of this trip away?

OP posts:
K999 · 25/02/2008 15:37

He may be saying that for the reasons that you give. However he has to stop acting like a twat and realise that its not all down to you.

Tell him that he must help you and that he will have to get used to it as when he gets back from this trip away, you are planning one of your own!

HonoriaGlossop · 25/02/2008 15:41

hmm, I can see why you're a bit suspicious of his motives!

I think one good way of ensuring your DH looks after your dd is to go out and leave them to it. Not easy, I know, when you think it might be miserable all round but it's not doing either of them any favours if they don't get time to develop a close relationship - and sole charge is a really quick way to develop that of course.....or now she's 9 months he could take her swimming....

I definitely think just watching telly when he's got charge of her is definitely something I would want to stamp on....at this age she will really enjoy him actually playing with her...

good luck - maybe this lad's trip will do you some favours. He obviously realises he's been outrageous; don't let him off the hook!

IamTheSpeedingHam · 25/02/2008 15:43

i reckon you should get a trip away first

formersw · 25/02/2008 15:45

trip away sounds good, then he will have to cope!!
I did ask him to take her swimming but he refused saying he didn't want to get in the water because he is too hairy

OP posts:
K999 · 25/02/2008 15:46

Well I would take great pleasure in waxing him before he went......with the strips.....not yanking it off quickly but very very slowly...

formersw · 25/02/2008 15:49
Grin
OP posts:
bigbumhole · 25/02/2008 15:57

Sorry to be so harsh but he sounds like an ass.

Why did he agree to be a father if he clearly makes no effort in looking after his own child, and why shout at you if your daughter wont stop crying?! Thats totally irrational behavior.

Regarding the swimming, being hairy is such a lame excuse, i mean WTF?! Suggest soft play, a walk in the park, a day in town, a morning strole, the local animal park/zoo, a train trip, a bus ride.....god there's endless things to do with a 9 month old, not just swimming.

As for the holiday, hmm tough call, i guess you are not his keeper and he will go if he wants to (i assume?), but jeez he'd have hell to pay if that was my DP!! If he does go, then change the locks while he's away

Sorry to sounds so harsh, i really feel for you chick

HonoriaGlossop · 25/02/2008 16:00

oh my god that is the lamest thing I have EVER heard; to hairy to get in the water.

He needs to grow a spine and grow up and be a father.

Sorry to be blunt. But good god.

formersw · 25/02/2008 16:06

you don't sound harsh, I think he's a git! you're right there are loads of things he could do, will suggest them now while he is making an effort!

I'm glad you all think that's a crap excuse for not going swimming, sometimes I don;t know if I'm being unreasonable or not!

OP posts:
PotPourri · 25/02/2008 16:09

Sounds like you have 2 children in your house! It's worth giving him a chance, but don't lie down to it. Make sure he knows that you are not happy and will not accept that behaviour. But you must mean it if you way that - i.e. what will you do if he doesn't change??

formersw · 25/02/2008 16:15

thanks for all your comments so far, he's just got home so will go and get the wax strips out

OP posts:
Divastrop · 25/02/2008 16:21

what's he like in other ways,i mean,does he provide well for you both,is he a good husband?some men just cant cope with small babies.i think its the fact that babies cry and cant actually say what they want/need that does their heads in

some men are just useless tossers though.

as for the lads holiday,erm,i wont voice my thoughts on that as i dont have a balanced view on such things.

missingtheaction · 25/02/2008 16:22

he is useless.

don't ask him to 'help' - that just sounds like he is doing you a favour, and he's her dad, not Mummy's Little Helper. she is his responsibility too.

however, he clearly feels compelely at sea and incapable of looking after dd - doesn't know how to soothe her, what to expect, how to play with her.

I suggest he needs some detail and clarity rather than vague requests for 'help'.

work out a list of 'his' jobs that are his responsibility - some with dd (eg take her out for a walk, get up with her early x times a week) and some household (eg The Ironing). Make them things he feels he can actually do so you can smile and say thanks afterwards. and stick to it - if he doesn't do the ironing then DO NOT do it yourself!

oh, the hairy thing isn't an excuse - some men are mortified by it

Oblomov · 25/02/2008 16:32

do you love your dh? is he loving to you and just a crap dad, or is he a crap dh ?

Mumcentreplus · 25/02/2008 16:34

I feel that he may have alterior motives about his sudden change.. but it's still good he wants to attempt a change...I don't think you should go away and leave her with him ...but maybe an all day shop with some friends...he'll have to cope with her and find his own way of relating and calming her..he may feel like he can't form a proper relationship with her till she's older ...I would also agree with him that he puts her to bed twice a week so that she can really start to bond with him...

Mumcentreplus · 25/02/2008 16:36

keep adding small things for him to do and before you know it you'll be fighting over who does what!

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