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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Husband's evening hobby making things hard

635 replies

IGB9723 · 07/05/2025 12:44

This is a long one.
Husband has a hobby that he used to, pre parenthood, attend 4/5 evenings a week. He would be out of the house from 17:30-20:30.
Once we had our child, this reduced to 2 times a week, with the occasional extra night in where he could.

I found that I was doing ALL the household chores etc and found it extremely overwhelming, trying to ensure dinner, bath and bed was sorted as well as everything else.
I am back at work 4 days a week. Currently, my daughter goes to my mums on a Tuesday for the night. On a Tuesday, we agreed my husband can do his hobby, as well as a Friday. As long as dinner was prepped for us. Daughter is at nursery Friday and an absolutely exhausted terror afterwards.
I collect my daughter on Wednesdays and as my mum is an hour away, this takes a large part of my evening as I finish work at 5.

Husband has been having issues and is now having therapy on Tuesdays. So hadn’t been doing his hobby on Tuesdays. My husband approached me and said his therapist has informed him it would appear he isn’t getting enough time to get his rush of adrenaline etc etc.

Come September, my mum can no longer have my daughter on Tuesday nights.

My husband has asked if he can continue going two nights a week come September. The issue is, it’s during dinner, bath and bedtime. And our daughter isn’t a great sleeper. Often taking an hour to get to sleep, and then waking numerous times before we go to bed ourselves.

my husband struggles with our daughter and doesn’t like to be left alone with her. I therefore find it very difficult to leave him with her as I feel guilty for both of them.

I find it very overwhelming trying to do everything and I think it’s unfair when my husband could try find a hobby for after bed time, or on a weekend!

i also have therapy on Thursdays for my anxiety issues and so don’t have those free.

am I being unfair?

OP posts:
Jochef · 10/05/2025 19:25

IGB9723 · 07/05/2025 12:48

also - he has also asked if I’d be annoyed if he were to join the marines part time… he used to be in army and ta and this took up so many weekends.
We have no family near (parents an hour away) and two dogs so I am stuck home unable to do much whilst he is gone!

He want to join the marines but can’t cope with your daughter?

goody2shooz · 10/05/2025 19:30

@Jochef but of course - got to get that adrenaline rush! And dodgy knees only at home, it’ll be all that sitting about…

Lost20211 · 10/05/2025 19:41

2024onwardsandup · 07/05/2025 12:51

Bollocks his therapist said that

Some therapists are a bollocks themselves.

Lost20211 · 10/05/2025 19:42

I wouldn’t be having another child with this one, OP.

Mygrandkidsaregreat · 10/05/2025 22:20

So he’s not happy looking after his own child without you there? He’s abdicating his responsibility as a dad. Convenient when he wants to do more of what interests him . His life is like being single with home comforts and sex thrown in, lucky bloke!
Hes playing you. You’ll give up everything for yourself and it won’t be enough. He needs to step up, be a partner and a dad. If he can’t then separate.

Measinglemum · 10/05/2025 22:54

You are not being unfair OP .
I have to agree with others that he always puts himself first ..
before your daughter was born he was already spending every evening on his hobby rather than you .
Now your daughter is there I get the feeling he resents the limitations.
You are mothering your daughter and him and it is breaking you
Therapy won't work if people won't or cannot change .

Your therapist needs to look at BOUNDARY settings with you .

Stop feeling like you are responsible for everything and start having expectations.

Most men I have come across with anger issues have grown up with role models with anger problems and have leaned that anger can get them what they desire. The common plea is that they 'cannot help it '

Angry young men head for the forces to get security and praise for their physical prowess.

He likely has not looked after kids when he grew up so has not got a clue what he should do and is too embarrassed to ask .

He likes watching her ? What . Doesn't he play with her , rin about , get her a football kit and kick a ball with him / go swimming. Sporty things .

Do you and her ever go and watch him at his mysterious hobby. Go for it . Say you want to be more a part of his life . Call his bluff if it's a other woman to caress his ego .

Does anyone outside nursery play with her . Stuff the housework.

Some kids are so fearing missing out that they do not want to go to bed . Mine NEVER wanted to go to bed and was scared of things in the dark .
I saw a programme that says kids at 6 months old are very capable judges of character. If he has shouted or demonstrated anger or frustration with her she will fear him deep down.
Kids are very clever for their own survival . Nursery tots know how to work their adults!!!

My boy leaned how to please daddy . He also learned daddy felt like a good daddy if he made son happy by buying things . Son led a willing daddy to the toy dept every shopping trip from nursery onwards . Son knew how to get daddy to browse Amazon and buy all sorry if things .Dear son was spoiled and I paid for it physically and emotionally. DS still expects expensive things and immediate gratification.

DH just got more and more critical of me . When his son wasn't around he started wanting my attention back .

I got sick of doing 100 %of the work looking after 2 children.

I on e left them together and went on holiday with my near estranged family he didn't like . Deliberately term time so DH only had to look after him in the evening.
When away DH hogged the calls and ds did not get to speak to me . When I arrived back , both were at the door begging me never to go away and leave them again.
I had filled the fridge for 1/2 a week he got takeout the rest . The laundry had not even been washed ( he knew how ) no housework apart from dishes ( dishwasher)

In my job I learned safeguarding and domestic abuse . I heard my life in those lectures ( look at women's aid )

Eventually my life was paralysed by trying to work and look after a primary school child and an overgrown one .

I collected evidence of abuse from womens aid

I took essential bank papers passport and certificates to a safe place out of the house.

Eventually I had nearly enough evidence.
Then he picked an argument and bruised me in from of our son ( who was by then adept at peacekeeping)

My husband was arrested and removed from the house

2 years ago

My son is scared of him. My son is learning not to use his anger as it doesn't get him what he wants.

He also cannot manipulate me anymore.

Dad's often do bedtime with the kids falling asleep on the sofa in front of the TV ( Watch the certificate of the film .. the macho dads think their child can cope with certificate 15 at preschool) then carrying them to bed .

Not every child will willingly go to bed by a certain time.

When she strops after nursery tell her it's not acceptable and given her something other than a screen to do it get her to help mummy.

Are you going to help mum or do you want to go and feed your teddy bear ,/ dolly they are very tired

pikkumyy77 · 10/05/2025 23:06

Challenger2A7 · 10/05/2025 17:52

Sorry, but did he actually want a baby? Was he pushed into it? Never assume a baby will "pin a man down", and never assume that because he shags you he wants a baby. Men very rarely think like that, but unfortunately many women are absolutely obsessed with babies babies babies.

Why myst we continually have these comments. I think it is pretty well established and even the stupidest of men is aware that having a baby results from unprotected sex. Women are not entrapping men into having children. He was a full participant.

llizzie · 10/05/2025 23:13

Mygrandkidsaregreat · 10/05/2025 22:20

So he’s not happy looking after his own child without you there? He’s abdicating his responsibility as a dad. Convenient when he wants to do more of what interests him . His life is like being single with home comforts and sex thrown in, lucky bloke!
Hes playing you. You’ll give up everything for yourself and it won’t be enough. He needs to step up, be a partner and a dad. If he can’t then separate.

My X hated shopping. He made sure he never had to go shopping by always getting the wrong thing if alone, and making life very unpleasant in shops if together.

They will always find a way out.

CockysGirl · 10/05/2025 23:41

He wants all the benefits of a family without the responsibility of taking care of your daughter or your needs. I cannot see a way for you to resolve your issues - you deserve more than half empty promises and half efforts.
Don't let him drag you further down, respect yourself and your career. Sending love and strength to you.

holamuchgusto · 10/05/2025 23:54

Your daughter is difficult because of the parenting technique you are using and because she is constantly picking up on the high level of anxiety within the house from you and your partner. Why don't you contact your health visitor for some support?
I feel you are showing a completely lack of compassion to your partner who is clearly struggling to adapt to fatherhood. You forcing him to give up his hobbies and stay at home will make him even more resentful and impact his mental health further. Why not allow your child to become part of his hobbies? Take your child along to watch him at weekends, and show him some support. Then in turn he may also be able to give you support with your solicitor training.

GoodCharl · 10/05/2025 23:54

My husband approached me and said his therapist has informed him it would appear he isn’t getting enough time to get his rush of adrenaline etc etc.

wtf

WearyAuldWumman · 11/05/2025 00:07

holamuchgusto · 10/05/2025 23:54

Your daughter is difficult because of the parenting technique you are using and because she is constantly picking up on the high level of anxiety within the house from you and your partner. Why don't you contact your health visitor for some support?
I feel you are showing a completely lack of compassion to your partner who is clearly struggling to adapt to fatherhood. You forcing him to give up his hobbies and stay at home will make him even more resentful and impact his mental health further. Why not allow your child to become part of his hobbies? Take your child along to watch him at weekends, and show him some support. Then in turn he may also be able to give you support with your solicitor training.

You're assuming that he'll want his wife and child there.

That's an idea however: I'll be interest to hear what his reaction is if his wife suggests that she and the child could join him.

MrsMAFs · 11/05/2025 07:32

In my similar situation, nothing has really changed in regards to DP and his hobby.

What we do to make life easier is ready meals / takeaways on the bad nights. Not ideal but neither is feeling like you're the only one doing anything. Same for food at work. Buy pre-made or nip out for a sandwich at dinner.

I would try a change to the bedtime routine with DD see if something different works. My DD doesn't have eczema but it is often said too many baths agitate it. I know you have been given advice around the oil, but maybe do a week of every other night see how it works with dds skin?

Bedtime routines will naturally get easier. I know the nights are long and draining if your stuck in the bedtime routine till say 10pm. That happens at our house occasionally but has gotten better. I wouldn't give bedtimes up now though. I love that tkme with DD and DP has never asked for it.

Bulk of the house work gets done on my day off. I also work 4 days.

How wet is the bathroom floor getting for it needing to be mopped and why?

WhiteWashingSunnyDay · 11/05/2025 14:09

IGB9723 · 08/05/2025 15:06

A lot of people won’t and don’t understand. But I get a lot of my enjoyment from doing things at home. I shouldn’t have to leave my own house to get time to myself. I obviously appreciate your advice and im not just disregarding it, but a lot of the things I really enjoy involve being at home.

It’s not about where. It’s about time to just ‘be’ or do what keeps you well. The amount of time you both have for that should be equal.

potenial · 11/05/2025 17:00

IGB9723 · 07/05/2025 13:23

see this would work, except his hobby is a specific time and would miss dinner, bath and bed. I’ve told him dinner has to be prepped beforehand and ready for me to heat. He has said yeah that’s fine, “but you need to help me plan it and sometimes you’ll have to make it”.
he even suggests making more portions of the dinner the bight before for us to have again.

but then he never does any of it, because we simply don’t have the time. So it just doesn’t work. Yet he still goes to his hobby and doesn’t understand why I’m a wreck when he gets back.

I’m happy to make time for hobbies, but I think twice during the week is a bit much. I’m supposed to be starting study and exams to qualify in my role in the next year, but that just will not work as it is. And he wants more time for him.

He needs to be stepping up to make things work for everyone if he wants to do his hobby!

Can you both sit down to have a bit of a meeting about it? and during that, come up together with maybe 5-10 recipes which he can pull from for his dinner bank, plus another few that you can pull from when you need an easy night! Could be slow-cooker ones which could be put on in the morning, or batch cook type stuff that he could prepare multiple of on a Sunday, so that all he has to do is pull from the freezer on a morning before he goes to work (if you're happy to microwave when needed). Realistically he'd ideally do this on his own with no prompting, given that you've already discussed this and set out your boundaries, but if it's the first time you've made such arrangements then it might be wise to put a bit of time into setting it up so it works for you both. He also needs to be making sure this happens, and if not, he needs to be doing stuff like putting money aside and ordering takeaways if he doesn't get chance to cook, no excuses and no 'you might have to do it sometimes'.

I also think maybe you should cut yourself some slack here, and make sure you're also getting some hobby time/alone time/ study time. If you can re-arrange your life as a couple, by doing something like always having a pizza and salad for dinner on Thursdays, and then claiming your hobby/study time whilst he does the after school routine, or actually having a proper meeting with him, and getting a weekly plan for your family life together that you're both happy with, so he gets two evenings a week to do his hobby, and you get some study time and hobby time/ alone time/ whatever you need, and your child gets time with both of you.

esem · 11/05/2025 20:29

OMG get rid of him AND the two dogs

Child comes first at this stage

esem · 11/05/2025 20:30

OMG get rid of big kid AND the two dogs
Child comes first at this stage

Jellyrose20 · 11/05/2025 22:48

You absolutely are not being unfair.
If he wants to give you 2 nights off a week then thats fair but otherwise he's acting very selfishly.
As your daughter gets older and goes to school things only get busier and the resentment will only grow. I'd nip his expectations and entitlement in the bud now. He needs to step up and you need to let him. He can't learn to be good with your daughter without practice. It stinks of weaponised incompetence.

Gossipisgood · 12/05/2025 13:47

Agree that he can do his hobby 2 nights a week as long as he agrees to you having 2 nights a week off from sorting out your childs bedtime routine. & please stop feeling guilty for leaving them together without you. She's his child & should be doing his share to form a bond with his Daughter but also to give you a break.

Arutha · 12/05/2025 16:27

Your husband sounds like a selfish prick.

Skybluepinky · 12/05/2025 16:29

Sounds like neither of u r enjoying parenting, ask GP for a referral for parenting lessons.

SheilaFentiman · 12/05/2025 16:56

Soooo many reasons why he needs all the family free time and you are just a support human who isn't allowed her own needs

TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams · 12/05/2025 17:58

Jesus. Get rid of him. Life would be so much easier. So he misses his daughter, so what. He can have her on a solo basis EOW. He can also take the dogs and either look after them or rehome them.

You would be mad to stay in this relationship. Do you have joint equity in the house? Would your mother support you to live with her for a few years while you get on your feet professionally. At least you'd have another pair of eyes.

Mackerelfillets · 12/05/2025 20:12

Can we have update please OP?

woolandflowers · 13/05/2025 21:05

YANBU. You also need time for yourself! It’s not fair for just one person to get a days to let loose and focus on their hobbies. Both partners and parents deserve that, so no wonder you feel like you have a lot on your plate! I struggle with this with my partner too he has always left me to put our 1 year old to sleep while he goes off to exercise. I just ended up never having a moment for me! I decided to book an art class for myself on the weekends to claim some me time and it’s been great. Just to say, you deserve balance in your week and dad doing his part too. Also sure you also book something for yourself or get dedicated you-time❤️

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