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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To be angry I can’t practice self care

33 replies

Prinnyj · 25/02/2025 12:40

I’m so fustrated writing this. My life feels so dull and pointless at the moment. I’m struggling to find enjoyment in anything. DH and I moved houses a couple months ago, and now I can’t find any time for myself. I’m in a beautiful new area but can’t explore it and it’s awful. We have two dc very young. Dc2 is 9 months now and can be watched for an extended period by dad who is self employed. He can’t find any time away from his busy schedule to watch the kids. This has been going on for a while and I’ve had to keep rearranging dental appointments to accommodate his busy work life in the past despite being in severe pain. This was at his request. Turns out I had a root canal now all my days off have to be spent sorting it out and he treats that as my time off away from the kids. As fun as getting needles in your mouth is (and you would think it’s fun judging by how guilty he makes me feel when the second I come home his complaining about how he can’t watch the kids no more) I need a serious break! My hair is literally matted and falling out. My hairdresser (last time I seen her was 7 months ago) says my hair has gotten so unhealthy from not being able to look after it. I used to be complimented all the time on my appearance now I look 30 years older than I am. Admittedly it’s hard to even get a shower; when he comes home after a long day he will get one and won’t ask if I need one to. If I ask for him to watch the kids he complains about how the bills are all on him and I can’t do his job so why is he doing mine. I would love a spa day, get my nails or eyelashes done and feel nice about myself. I feel so fustrated and insecure. He says we can’t have time for ourselves because of the kids but if he worked normal hours we could. Also the new house is too far from family to ask for their help and to be fair even if they were closer they have their own lives. I feel like just crying all day but I can’t even do that!

OP posts:
CuteEasterBunny · 25/02/2025 14:55

I was a single mum from my pregnancy. You have to either shower before they get up/as soon as they go to bed if you have no other option. I used to have baby in a bouncy chair if I had no other way of showering.

You just have to force yourself to do things for yourself even if they are on a play mat beside you.

User7288339 · 25/02/2025 15:01

If he has such a Big Important Job that he can't take leave for childcare or to support his wife, then presumably he is earning enough money to help pay for some help for you?

User7288339 · 25/02/2025 15:03

(As an aside, baby bouncer in the bathroom whilst I was having a shower was a winner! XH was never around, working out of the home from before kids were up til after bedtime. I had a local teenager who helped me out at tea/bath/bedtime sometimes and when the older kids had activities when my 3rd was a newborn.)

Chipsahoy · 25/02/2025 15:31

I used to run the bath with my baby, once able to sit up, then he’d sit and play in the bath and I’d turn the shower on for me and stand up and shower while he played. It meant bath was done for him and shower for me every single day.
That doesn’t help the dentists but would mean you can clean yourself and wash your hair.
when does baby nap? Could you do some resting or yoga or your own nails then?

gamerchick · 25/02/2025 15:35

Ask him why you have to work 24/7 and he doesn't.

I'd also be telling him that this SAHP thing doesn't work for you so you'll be getting a job and he can take half of running the house on and pay half the childcare.

Or corner him and tell him they're his fucking kids as well so you're going in the bathroom for a bit and he'd better not fucking disturb you. Just for starters.

Notgivenuphope · 25/02/2025 15:43

Arrange your dental appointments and inform him when they are and let him sort himself out. Do not change them.
And just go and take a shower. Make sure the kids are somewhere safe (playpen, cot, bouncer) and go and do it.
Organise a hair cut for after work. So if you finish at 5, organise of 17:30 and do it on your way home. He has to do childcare that day.

HoppingPavlova · 25/02/2025 15:56

Just stick the kids on the floor in the shower with you. That’s what we used to do, was squishy but worked fine. Give them a few bath type toys suitable for messing around with and they’ll be fine while you shower.

Hankunamatata · 25/02/2025 16:12

Does he take over on a weekend?

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