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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU? Not sure how else to title this!

168 replies

Motherof1and2dogs · 02/02/2025 08:21

I am so sorry this is a long one but I have to explain clearly so you all understand. I have posted on here before about my husband and how selfish he can be and going by everyone's responses he was 100% in the wrong and I got so much support.

Something similar has happened again this morning and I just want to see if I am being unreasonable because I think this might now be the last time I can take it.

So it's a Sunday morning, I am working overtime today 9am-2pm, I am tracked on the amount of work I do so cannot have distractions. I am still recovering from an awful flu, I sound awful and still feel pretty rough, I am 17 weeks pregnant also but I have decided to still work today because it is from home.
I asked him to do our 2 year olds bottle this morning and he moaned about that, even more so when I said there wasn't any clean ones and he would have to wash one up by hand. He done it in the end but he still moaned about it. It annoys me the fact that the washing bowl is full of his dirty bottles and hasn't even thought to wash them all up for me - but as always, I'm expected to do it.

Usually when our son has his bottle in the morning we would have a tea in bed to start our day but he asked me to make the tea this morning as well so he could to a to do list which I did to help him out because that's what your supposed to do in a relationship.
I then asked him to clean the kitchen for me today because it is a mess, his exact words "no you can do that today because I need to crack on with the garden" I said to him that the garden can wait and it will take him 15 minutes to do the kitchen and I have work today. He then said "well I need to get the garden done before the gender reveal otherwise it won't get done" (the gender reveal is on the 1st March, we have plenty of time to do it and the funny thing is we can't even do anything in the garden until he gets top soil and grass which we don't even have yet.)
He fails to forget we have a 2 year old toddler and I am working overtime for extra money today but because I work from home full time and he is so used to me having our son while I work and doing absolutely everything he still things it's ok for him to be left with me today. It's unfair as I with overtime I can't give my son my full attention. Overtime is different to weekday work. Plus he goes nursery now 2 days a week which helps massively but I juggle the other 3 days.
He also forgets that every morning in the week, I wake up, do the teas, bottle for our son, do breakfast for everyone, change our sons nappy, get him ready for the day, start work for 8am, if our son has nursery I walk him there then log on for work when I get home, feed the dogs, do lunches, pick up son from nursery, do laundry and clean in between, bath our son, do the food shopping, do most of the cooking, all this still while working and still trying to make time for myself to have a shower etc, but I can't even get him to tidy the kitchen when I ask. He just wakes up, showers, goes to work and then comes home.

Last night he also annoyed me massively, he mentioned about changing our sons nappy, so when I said to him a bit later "did you change his nappy" his response... "you never asked me to" !!!!!!! - unfortunately I have found myself to have to ask him to do things and write him lists which just creates more work and stress for me. He doesn't ever do anything off his own back. I have been asking him to do this and that for years! Still leaves dirty laundry on the floor for days, we had to get a cleaner while I was in my first trimester because I was so ill so he didn't have to do anything then. I still had to do laundry and cook when I could.

He is very old fashioned, he is the main income, pays all the bills, I still work full time but I pay for food shopping, holidays, luxuries etc, but because he pays the bills he thinks he can come home and do as little as possible. I work 38 hours a week still but my job is a bit more flexible, he does work longer hours due to his job but is home evenings and weekends.

I just feel to the point where I can't keep arguing with him to help me anymore and tired of his excuses.

He spends a lot of time on his phone, work related at times but scrolls a lot on YouTube and does this when our son is awake still, when I tell him to come off his phone he doesn't seem to understand why if our son is playing or watching tv but I still don't agree with being on phones when little one is awake, but I'm always telling him to come off his phone. I'm always moaning at him and it's so tiring.

I hate the fact we have a son, have a baby on the way, but I really thought he would have helped me so much this pregnancy but it's been nothing but stress and tears.

Could I also just be more angry from hormones? I just don't know anymore and I feel so done with it all but I just don't know if I am over reacting.

OP posts:
pelargoniums · 02/02/2025 09:08

He will never, ever change. I would start getting ducks in a row to leave as soon as you can, whether that means cutting maternity short with the next baby, moving back with parents, whatever – anything to avoid another accidental pregnancy. You already do everything anyway. You’ll need full-time childcare if you’re working full-time, I don’t know how you’ve got away with it this long!

DaisyChain505 · 02/02/2025 09:10

So you had one children with a useless manchild and thought it would be a good idea to make life even harder for yourself by having a second…..Congrats.

Bigfellabamboo · 02/02/2025 09:11

He's a lazy shit and you're putting up with it and thus allowing with.

Seagullsandclouds · 02/02/2025 09:17

Sending a hug. You must feel quite trapped and scared. It’s definitely him that is the problem. He is completely taking advantage of you.

simple facts:

  • he is not stepping up to parent his child
  • he is not pulling his weight with even simple chores
  • he is manipulating you financially (by setting up the idea that he “pays the bills” and your job is unimportant)
Motherof1and2dogs · 02/02/2025 09:20

@toomuchfaff it's booked a week in advance. I have just logged off anyway and called to say I won't be doing overtime, a bit too much for me today I think! Would be different if I had a bit more support maybe

OP posts:
Doggymummar · 02/02/2025 09:22

You lost me at gender reveal party. He seems to think you live in some social media world where everything is just so. Just tell him to get his act together, Make a chart of chores like you would for a child and put it on the kitchen wall. He can mark them off as he goes. And get some childcare,

StressedLP1 · 02/02/2025 09:25

Can you go to a library to do the overtime? Then your H will have no option but to step up with your DC. It sounds like like he might just plonk him in front of the TV while he scrolls on his phone but at least you’ll get your work done.

Motherof1and2dogs · 02/02/2025 09:26

@StillweriseLH unfortunately I had to come off of my implant for medical reasons, I was on contraception from when my first was born up until it was removed in August 2024. Before my first born I was on contraception for 9 years. I could of chose to have an abortion but I just don't agree with it

OP posts:
Motherof1and2dogs · 02/02/2025 09:27

@StressedLP1 I have called in sick now anyway, was too much for me. I can't work anywhere else due to the nature of what I do and the office is closed on weekends.

OP posts:
Iudncuewbccgrcb · 02/02/2025 09:27

Cancel the gender reveal party. Even for a first pregnancy its not that exciting for anyone other than the parents and literally no one cares by your second child.

He sounds useless but equally it also sounds like you are adding layers of unnecessary 'stuff' into the mix. Parenting a toddler and working full time is hard, virtually impossible if you are trying to do it without adequate childcare in place so I can understand why tempers are fraying and you feel like you are doing it all - you shouldn't be doing it all but there's an awful lot that you are doing that is unnecessary.

Your toddler can still have his milk in the morning but it really should be out of a cup rather than a bottle and that means less washing of bottle lids etc.

Get child care so you aren't juggling childcare and work. That is unreasonable.

Cancel the gender reveal party - takes the pressure off getting the garden done and organising a party.

Im reluctant to say cancel your overtime as extra pay in your qualifying weeks will bump up your maternity pay overall - but if its making you ill and stressed, cancel it.

I bet there's loads more 'keeping up appearances' stuff that you are expecting to happen which he doesn't care about which is adding to your annoyance at him.

It doesn't excuse his shitness and I'd be making it clear that on the non negotiables like nappy changes he steps up or ships out but perhaps also consider if there's a whole load of stuff that can be cut from the list to make life easier for both of you.

Motherof1and2dogs · 02/02/2025 09:29

@Zanatdy my employer knows I have my son 3 days a week, soon this will change to 2 days when I increase his nursery days. I am very lucky with the nature of my job and the flexibility that I have. They are fully aware and it does not affect my work

OP posts:
Iudncuewbccgrcb · 02/02/2025 09:31

Motherof1and2dogs · 02/02/2025 09:29

@Zanatdy my employer knows I have my son 3 days a week, soon this will change to 2 days when I increase his nursery days. I am very lucky with the nature of my job and the flexibility that I have. They are fully aware and it does not affect my work

If it's not impacting your work then it must be impacting your parenting. Been there, still have the vivid nightmares.

Brefugee · 02/02/2025 09:31

Have only read the OP.
Everyone else probably said this: the kitchen cleaning isn't "for you" it is for the family. The bottle cleaning isn't for you, it's for your joint child. The garden can wait.
How couldn't he do his list while he was making his tea etc etc.

You need Women's Aid, I think

LottieMary · 02/02/2025 09:38

You don't like him on his phone but you're ok to work while also trying to do childcare?

LottieMary · 02/02/2025 09:41

Honestly the survey about school readiness should explore how many are working while a child is in the home. You're not parenting

HoppingPavlova · 02/02/2025 09:44

Lost me at the gender reveal. Confounded to why in the first place but doubly so when you seem to have to do additional chores for it that appear over and above with yard work, lawns and so on and which don’t fit with current schedules/capacity.

grace2025 · 02/02/2025 09:47

From the outside perspective if you are financially ok I wouldn't do overtime when you are ill and pregnant etc especially on a Sunday. It's going to impinge on your rest time too.
He is selfish he is seeing it as your job to manage everything at home, unless this is resolved there will just be resentment and argument. Talk about it, will he do more and just divide things up as needed as they arise too?
You need to talk

grace2025 · 02/02/2025 09:50

Motherof1and2dogs · 02/02/2025 09:29

@Zanatdy my employer knows I have my son 3 days a week, soon this will change to 2 days when I increase his nursery days. I am very lucky with the nature of my job and the flexibility that I have. They are fully aware and it does not affect my work

Can you cut days at work down? Though I guess that would impinge on mat pay etc so maybe not.
You both sound stretched especially you and taking too much on

Imbusytodaysorry · 02/02/2025 09:51

@Motherof1and2dogs i read 1/4 through as I remember your other post about a week ago if I am right?

Are you here asking if you are right or wrong ? Is that all you are asking ?
Do you plan to sit this horrible man down and tell
him he straightens up fast or to leave ?

Id tell him he changes days or leaves.
You will have less mental load less mess less cost.

He sounds like a nasty spoilt selfish child

You need to end it or accept this is who he is if he isn’t going to man up.

PlanningTowns · 02/02/2025 09:54

Clearly you aren’t a partnership. If your child has just one bottle a day and you have more than one bottle, why is the sink filled with used bottles? That’s a bit gross because it suggests no cleaning for a number of days… if you have a dishwasher why can’t they go in there? Between the two of you - as a team, little and often is better than the overwhelming nature of a massive mess. You need that discussion, you need to be clear with him that his constant moaning puts the pressure on you because who else is he thinking will do it? Communicate with him.

also why on earth are you working overtime at 17 weeks pregnant? No I will reframe - why do you need a big gender reveal in a garden that needs work and you appear to need to do overtime to facilitate? Bonkers. This isn’t helping your situation at all. Use the money to get a cleaner if that is what is causing you both stress.

betterchoices · 02/02/2025 09:54

MinnieBalloon · 02/02/2025 08:39

Why did you think he would help you?

You were foolish to have one baby with this man, never mind two. He won’t change.

Your 2 year old should also not be having bottles - they should be off bottles by the age of 1.

I knew there would be a comment about the bottle ffs it’s not the end of the world for a 2 year old to have a bottle. My dc were all 3.5 when they gave up bottles and they had perfect teeth and speech and no lasting problems at all.

Imbusytodaysorry · 02/02/2025 09:55

Motherof1and2dogs · 02/02/2025 09:27

@StressedLP1 I have called in sick now anyway, was too much for me. I can't work anywhere else due to the nature of what I do and the office is closed on weekends.

So is he out in the garden ????
He best be working hard then .

OP why don’t you go out for the day ?
Do you have a friend or family member close by that you could go to theirs out your feet up and chat and drink tea with today . ( child free)

Id leave him too it . He is making it difficult for you to work and won’t do anything !!!
who is the higher earner? Do you see his full pay check . Or does he pain minimum and cause you stress while you try to earn.

I am genuinely so angry for you

alwayslearning789 · 02/02/2025 10:00

Long way to change for this man... Was a lone parent so others will be better placed to advise how to deal with man conversion:

However in the meantime, you are going to have to help yourself, so some suggestions for you to think about:

  • Exert boundaries and not do overtime over the weekend as you cannot with childcare responsibilities in these circumstances
  • Pay for help, cleaner once a week will help immensely - yes I know, an extra cost but You Need it and he's not pitching in, so it is a family cost now.
  • You already do nursery during the week which is great.
  • Finally - Treat Yourself as an important person too in this - You don't have to wait for him to do it.

You are working so you have some agency and independence to bring changes from the money you bring into the pot. Best Wishes

MammaTo · 02/02/2025 10:08

He is very old fashioned, he is the main income, pays all the bills, I still work full time but I pay for food shopping, holidays, luxuries etc, but because he pays the bills he thinks he can come home and do as little as possible.

This makes no sense, he doesn’t pay all the bills. He doesn’t pay for the food shop or holidays. If he wants an old fashioned setup, he can provide like an old fashioned husband.

But that point aside he sounds like an arsehole, you’re pregnant and already have a child with him. The only thing I can suggest is to leave him and start a fresh without such a horrible man.

SquishyGloopyBum · 02/02/2025 10:13

So now you have given in and called in sick which actually just enables his behaviour.

Go out op. Take the time for yourself and let him get on without you there.

He's awful. I know you said contraception failure but how you can want to have sex with such a person in the first place is beyond me.