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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To be devastated that my husband won't let our 2yo be a 2yo

333 replies

anonymousi · 17/10/2024 21:54

He works full time, I'm a SAHM. When he gets home around 6-7 the house is a mess because I've been looking after our DD all day and cooked dinner (so DD would have been playing with her toys in the same room as I cook). My husband likes to bring this up in arguments or if there's a particularly big pile of toys sigh, roll his eyes, say something like "you girls have been busy" or "daddy's going to have to clean this up now eh". The reality is, yes daddy has to clean this up because I will tidy up the kitchen area after DC mealtime and prepare her for bed, then put her to bed. Of course, as she's 2 she understands what's being said and I don't want her to grow up to the sound of "urgh don't get your toys out" "no don't tip all the pencils out of your box" - if she's drawing she needs her pencils. The house is never dirty, just mess in the sense of toys scattered. And if I ever have him watch her he will keep getting grumpy at her every time she tries to take a toy out - LILLY, NO! Urghhh why did you get your legos! If she spills a drink "LOOK FORWARDS when you're eating" or "why did you tip that??" I've tried explaining that kids play, that part of their development is dropping things and exploring how they fall, that she's excited to play with her toys as she should be.

There's no way he can do bedtime duty because it would just stress her out - for example during bedtime stories if she gets out a second book or tries to colour and tips her pencils out, he will complain at her. The bath - same - why are you splashing water everywhere, why did you throw that bath toy out, now I'm all wet.

To avoid a drip feed I'll add that I'm a SAHM because we both saved £££ before having our DD, so no he isn't fully funding me. My family have also helped out financially so allow me to be a SAHM as it's always been my dream. We have a cleaner who comes 2 times per week to deep clean (whereas I do more of a daily surface clean) so the house is clean, hygienic and safe.

OP posts:
crumblingschools · 20/10/2024 14:00

I’m assuming the OP’s DH would find work easier than parenting, he would not cope being SAHP

SouthLondonMum22 · 20/10/2024 14:39

crumblingschools · 20/10/2024 12:12

@Chichimcgee do you think a childminder or nanny doesn’t work? Depending on your child and depending on your job, one may have had a harder day than the other (not always the one at work)

Childminders and nannies wouldn’t be leaving toys all over and often have more than just a 2 year old and no cleaner.

MixedCouple2 · 20/10/2024 15:10

I trained DS to tidy his toys as soon as he could crawl. It was part of the routine before nap and then before dinner. After we got straight up to bath and PJs and will come down for a warm drink.

It does my head in seeing toys everywhere.

So when DS plays with a toy and finishes he knows to tidy up that one and bring out another toy. If he forgets I allow it but if he tries to being more out i remind him to count what he is playing with and to put some a way. But he knows the major clean ups are bwfote nap and before dinner. That way when DH gets home from work we just finished tidying up.
I am a SAHM DS1 3 and DS2 3 months old. I do all the cleaning myself. I deep clean once a week and surface clean every other day. I have no help from family or friends. DS1 has alqays helped me with cleaning since he could manage the vacuum and duster. He loves to help and when he is bored he goes to play with his toys / books. Think it is vital to instill day to day household activities with our children.

thepariscrimefiles · 20/10/2024 15:41

MixedCouple2 · 20/10/2024 15:10

I trained DS to tidy his toys as soon as he could crawl. It was part of the routine before nap and then before dinner. After we got straight up to bath and PJs and will come down for a warm drink.

It does my head in seeing toys everywhere.

So when DS plays with a toy and finishes he knows to tidy up that one and bring out another toy. If he forgets I allow it but if he tries to being more out i remind him to count what he is playing with and to put some a way. But he knows the major clean ups are bwfote nap and before dinner. That way when DH gets home from work we just finished tidying up.
I am a SAHM DS1 3 and DS2 3 months old. I do all the cleaning myself. I deep clean once a week and surface clean every other day. I have no help from family or friends. DS1 has alqays helped me with cleaning since he could manage the vacuum and duster. He loves to help and when he is bored he goes to play with his toys / books. Think it is vital to instill day to day household activities with our children.

Are your children only allowed to play with one toy at a time? What about imaginative play that involves different characters? My grand-daughter has lots of sets of toys from Disney films. It would be pretty pointless if I only allowed her to play with Elsa, while keeping Anna, Kristoff and Olaf in the toy box.

Floralnomad · 20/10/2024 16:20

@thepariscrimefiles stop being ridiculous , they can have out as many toys as they are playing with what people ( including myself) are saying is that if they are painting and then move on to Lego then the paints get put away first .

thepariscrimefiles · 20/10/2024 16:32

Floralnomad · 20/10/2024 16:20

@thepariscrimefiles stop being ridiculous , they can have out as many toys as they are playing with what people ( including myself) are saying is that if they are painting and then move on to Lego then the paints get put away first .

I was responding to the poster who said that when her DS plays with a toy, he needs to tidy it away before getting out another toy.

Putting lego away before getting out the paints is sensible. Making a child put a toy car away before getting out a toy tractor isn't. Small children shouldn't need to think about keeping things tidy when they are playing.

Floralnomad · 20/10/2024 16:48

@thepariscrimefiles yes but I doubt she meant if he was playing with cars he can’t have more than 1 car out .

Emonade · 13/06/2025 23:38

anonymousi · 17/10/2024 22:20

  1. as mentioned in the post, at the point of him coming home I've just cooked dinner / am finishing up. My daughter has been playing semi independently near me. Either dinner will burn whilst I'm running after her tidying toys / encouraging her to tidy or there will be toys scattered
  2. not a full time cleaner
  3. because I actually sit with my child and spend time with her rather than nagging the whole time about tidying or going "just a minute let me put that away" and ignoring her wanting to play

I am guessing that person has never had a toddler!!!! It is impossible unless as you say you are constantly tidying while they are playing and that’s awful

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