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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think this was a d!ck move

135 replies

Lotsa · 14/07/2025 10:43

Me and DH aren't on good terms at the moment. Basically I am a 3 month pp mum of 2. One being a demanding toddler the other being an overly clingy baby. I am a sahm to both so he can see his new business up and coming. Lately I've just been feeling so swept under the rug. Like none of my needs are prioritised or matter. I get being a mum means putting your kids first but I had a c section and breast infection post surgery whilst ebf a baby who is (currently) cluster feeding. I would like at times, for my DH to consider me more and just ask how I'm doing. It's so bad that on days he is working I can't shower/eat until late into the day because baby just won't nap or be put down.

Anyways, yesterday, I asked for one simple thing. Something that would be a pick me up. Think a drink from Starbucks. I am exhausted from being up with newborn and bfing through this cluster feed phase. Dh dragged his feet, kids got to bed late and then surprise surprise it was too late to go. I got extremely fed up because to me it just feels like the icing on the cake to not ever being considered. I'm tired of never being able to get have breakfast or shower or brush my hair or put on makeup.

I know DH is working and bringing money in but I also feel he is fortunate that he gets to work on something for him (his own business) and that by watching the kids I'm supporting him whilst kind of sacrificing doing anything towards myself like he is, if that makes sense? Last night I went to bed after the last straw for me and DH followed. DH is a massive non talker and hates communicating. Predictably, rather than just asking if I'm okay, he made a few remarks about how I was being unfair to him so I told him to give me space.

This morning he has woken up and wanted to "talk". Again all very predictable, on DH's terms and conditions. I said I'm past that point as I went to bed mad and he knows I hate this. I'd much rather communicate in the moment. He blamed me for saying I needed space as to why he didn't communicate (even though it felt like he came to me to defend himself rather than talk) So instead of just getting on with it, DH then left a screaming newborn just whilst I was making breakfast. Meaning I did not get to eat. AGAIN. Here was me thinking he is home so I can finally eat in peace and no. He literally dumps screaming dbaby down and walks off into the garden.

What really sticks to me is that I remember reading a post about what makes a strong marriage/relationship. And one of responses was that despite arguments and not being on good terms that each partner would still be on the same team and show each other love throughout. I just feel like my partner can do things out of vindictiveness and whenever we had a feud or argument that he makes it well known he isn't going to support or care for me in the moment.

Is it the pp's hormones? We are meant to be getting married soon and all this stuff, although small, is making me have doubts. I don't like this sort of dynamic for a relationship but it's just who DH is as a person. It all seems very depressing and stressful.

I just feel like it was a real d!ck move to leave newborn screaming alone in a room forcing me to attend to them when I was just about to have breakfast after bfing all night and feeling very shaky/weak. DH knows I've been struggling with the cluster feeds and it does not feel supportive one bit, regardless if we are in each others good books or not.

OP posts:
frozendaisy · 14/07/2025 11:22

What was the agreement when you became pregnant and it was decided that you would not earn money and support him in his building up his business?

You must have talked about it.

I was, still am I guess a SAHM, but as we have teens and H is looking towards early retirement, there is little point in my reentering the workforce. So have some experience with this balance of life work.

We were married before our first came along, we were also renting, when we got a mortgage it was his salary and my deposit, teamwork, neither could have done this alone.

They are our assets, our pensions and our kids.

My H might now earn almost all the cash money, but he wouldn't be where he is now without my support. He can spend whatever time he needs on his work because he doesn't have to wash and dry his clothes, sort anything out for school or medical issues for the kids, he might pay the mortgage but I keep the house mould free, clean, no dust, healthy, he might be the one at work but he doesn't need to spend a couple of hours cooking healthy food to keep him alive and well. He never had to take a day off for child sickness or juggle pick up and childcare, all his free time at home was his to be a dad and husband.

But this was all thrashed out before we had our first child. What was expected from the both of us.

So what was the agreement to you giving up work, with no marriage certificate, supporting not actually yet H into building up HIS, should be our, business?

Do you get shares in the business? Are you going to be a named inactive partner with access to bank accounts or an employee? In time with your NI stamp paid (not necessary until youngest is 12 but something to aim for).

Does he understand the luxury of you at home, how that makes his life easy.

Are you on any legal documents, mortgage/deeds of the house? Has he done a will, just in case, you are not married any money assets he has would not come to you right now unless it's legally written down.

You have brought two children into this world, and taking wills and death is hard, emotionally, but as you are parents you need to start acting like grown ups now and talk these things through. You are in a precarious position financially, unless of course you have already thrashed these things out.

And this is before you get onto the emotional side of being upset of not getting a takeaway drink, because it's not about the drink, it's about not being able to have a shower, feeling alone with your parenting, his seemingly dismissal of any of your needs or anything you do for him.

So you should be able to talk about anything, you have made two people who need you both to be a team.

If nothing else you OP, need to thrash out your financial and legal position, you need to know now if he intends on keeping all that HE builds up for himself and make your decisions accordingly. If you need to go back to work you should do it sooner rather than later, once baby is off breast, able to go to childcare. Childcare you pay percentage wise according to income. Sick days, school pick ups they will need to be 50/50 if you are both working.

If he wants the luxury of spending all the time he needs working building up a business he has to understand he doesn't get that for free, he has to support you supporting him and he has to make sure you are financially covered as well, he should want to, being the mother of his children.

Look at the fact he didn't get you a drink as a catalyst to have a reset of how you are going to proceed going forward. Once you all know where you stand and legalities are put in place you can move forward enjoying being a family, because you are going to be a family now for years and years however that looks, the children dictate that. So how's it going to be going forward?

WhiteNoiseBlur · 14/07/2025 11:23

At this stage of parenting it’s so easy to play the “who’s more tired”/“who’s doing more” game... I was so snippy with my OH when I was on maternity leave. If he’d have come home and noticed I’d hoovered or cleaned the bathroom it would have made it much better! Just more acknowledgment of what I was having to do at home would have helped.

WondererWanderer · 14/07/2025 11:24

Lotsa · 14/07/2025 11:13

@HabberdasheryAddict no my name isn't down for anything. I'm aware it puts me in a stupid vulnerable situation. As I said, we were meant to get married....

Right ok, you need to safeguard yourself and your children. Now.

For now, I suggest you stop trying to have any relationship defining chats. Stop complaining however hard it is. Just do what you need to do. Care for your children as best you can and make sure he marries you.

Once he's married you, you're legally entitled to half of what he's got.So you can worry about it in the future.

This is why women should never have children without being married unless, they are an equal earner, and have a decent career that they can go back to.

Shesellsseashellsnotinmystreet · 14/07/2025 11:26

May I suggest dh stands for dick head in this case?
But seriously when he isn't there you absolutely must manage making food one handed. Stop being a martyr in that regard...
You need to tell him calmly and into his face he needs to step up. Or move out. Claim cms. And accept you are a lone parent. You literally are anyway..

frozendaisy · 14/07/2025 11:26

Lotsa · 14/07/2025 11:05

@frozendaisy I did ask him the other day if he loved me, as I'm not really feeling it at the moment.

Of course he just replied "yes". He just said that he doesn't always want to "cave to my requests". I think he is worried to be seen to be 'simping' because his dad dotes on his mum and he can't stand the fact that he does everything she asks. Maybe he has now taking it to the extreme and gone completely the other way. Or maybe he just isn't very attentive as a person.

What the fuck is simping?

Whatdoidotoday · 14/07/2025 11:27

You have willingly placed yourself in a stupid and vulnerable position. He is not the type of man You become a sahm to. I can also guarantee that he was a very poor dad with your toddler and yet you had another baby. You need to make better and smarter choices. You’re an adult.
you’re not doing yourself anything good by being a sahm. When he’s business takes off he is the type to leave you high and dry. Please really think about what you’re doing

frozendaisy · 14/07/2025 11:27

And worried to be seen by whom?

His kids and their mother should be the only people who he should be worried about what they think of him, everyone else is second tier.

Lotsa · 14/07/2025 11:29

@frozendaisy yes we had a "talk" before DC was born regarding work. I say "talk" because I don't think it can be called that. It went something along the lines off ...

Me: I don't think this is a good time to start up a new a business with no savings behind us. We are just about to have a child.

Him: there will never be a good time. It will get us more money in the long run

Me: I just think we should have money behind us for rainy days

Him: you are being unsupportive and pessimistic

Arguments and he left me

So I had to drop it. Yes I believe he had good intentions starting up the business but the timing was completely off and had financially screwed us over last year big time. Yes I get where his head was at in terms of when this finally takes off we will have lots of money, but it definitely just felt like a big part towards him deciding was just that he wanted to do it. And that was that! If I spoke against it I was seen to be negative and uncaring towards him.

OP posts:
HyggeTygge · 14/07/2025 11:29

I think he is worried to be seen to be 'simping'

I would not stand to be with someone who used this word in any seriousness. He's been reading/watching mens' rights shit, hasn't he?

He sounds absolutely awful.

Finteq · 14/07/2025 11:30

Marry him and then divorce him

Finteq · 14/07/2025 11:31

If you didn't have any kids I would have said just leave him

Lotsa · 14/07/2025 11:31

@Shesellsseashellsnotinmystreet I am 4ft something and DC is over 14lbs. I can not physically carry him for long at all. I had pgp during pregnancy because DC was so large (on 99th percentile) and as a consequence after c section my back has been buggered ever since.

OP posts:
BeltaLodaLife · 14/07/2025 11:32

You’re not married but you’re not working? Stupid move. Really stupid. You’re fucked financially, you’re out of the workforce and if you split up, you don’t get anything to compensate what you gave up. Why have you stopped working with no protections for yourself?

Lotsa · 14/07/2025 11:32

@BeltaLodaLife didn't have a choice really. We can't afford childcare.

OP posts:
WondererWanderer · 14/07/2025 11:34

Lotsa · 14/07/2025 11:32

@BeltaLodaLife didn't have a choice really. We can't afford childcare.

You had a choice not to have children unless you were married.

Lotsa · 14/07/2025 11:36

@WondererWanderer I'm really not going down the rabbit hole. A.) because that's no one's business and B.) because it's counterproductive. DC are here now and I love them very much. I wouldn't change that for the world.

OP posts:
ExtraOnions · 14/07/2025 11:36

I’m struggling to understand why you can’t eat ? You must feed the toddler, why aren’t you eating at the same time? You will feel better when fed.

BeltaLodaLife · 14/07/2025 11:37

If you’d put your first child into a childminder’s and worked then you would have. Or you work opposite shifts.

You do literally anything else but give up work when you’re not married, unless you are independently wealthy. You’ve got no pension and no claim on his, you say your name isn’t on anything so you’ve no claim on the house, you say there are no savings but even if he has savings, you’ve got no claim on those.

You do anything to get yourself into a position where you have your own income and pension, especially now that you have two children to worry about.

mondaytosunday · 14/07/2025 11:39

Aside from your relationship with this person you need to take better care of yourself. Make sure your baby is fed and changed then put them in their cot and take a shower. If they cry you know they are not hungry or needing a change and they are in a safe place so will be ok for five minutes.
Make food you can eat with one hand if you have to hold the baby.
As you are solely responsible for your day to day care of your children that means you have to prioritise yourself.
I’d also look into getting some sort of childcare (relative, professional, whatever) to give you even half a day respite. Get your head clear to think seriously about the way forward.
You partner is unlikely to change. He’s not going to suddenly become supportive. Do you have a neutral person in your life to talk it out with? Everyone here can give you bold answers like ‘marry then divorce’ or what have you, but someone on the ground can actually help you work through it with you.

WondererWanderer · 14/07/2025 11:39

He's a complete cunt. He's getting his children looked after and his house kept for free whilst he hasnt even married her and keeps pursuing his business.

Im surprised so many women enable this and say it's nobody's business.

frozendaisy · 14/07/2025 11:42

OK so it sounds like he wants to be seen as some great manly man, in charge of his world, whereas actually he's is more likely to act like a toddler if he doesn't get his own way, argue and leave.

So that is what you are working with.

So use it for your benefit.

If he wants to be a manly man, they are providers for their family, perhaps not being a "simp" - I am assuming this is an manosphere made up image of not letting a woman boss me about type thing - but these non-simps are allowed, supposed to provide for their children at the very least so use that.

The big manly ego providing for the children his big manly balls produced.

So use that as a determination that your assets, business, house, bank accounts need to be legally defined and should anything happen to either of you the other will have full legal access because you both will need that reassurance because you have two children, his children, to pay for and protect and if they did, heaven forbid, lose a parent, the last thing they would need at that time would to be homeless and poor as well.

Start there.

Waterbaby41 · 14/07/2025 11:46

You both need to agree on how you are going to communicate - and that needs compromise on both parts. It is okay that you are both different. Your communication needs don't trump his, his don't trump yours. Work out a middle way.

Selfsetfree · 14/07/2025 11:47

Yes it’s annoying you were trying to eat and he put the baby down. The bigger problem is you are not communicating on the same level and you are being arsy with each other. Write down your annoyances with each other and unpick it. I had a dh that worked long hours I just had to get on with all childcare, eating showering etc. I tended to eat when baby was asleep or one handed. It’s a whole different juggle when you have 2. The new baby stage is not fun everyone is tired. Move the wedding back if your not in the write headspace. But you need to be nicer to each other. Also self care. Leave him with the kids for an hour go and get your drink have some peace. It will do you the world of good!

PinkPauline · 14/07/2025 11:49

mondaytosunday · 14/07/2025 11:39

Aside from your relationship with this person you need to take better care of yourself. Make sure your baby is fed and changed then put them in their cot and take a shower. If they cry you know they are not hungry or needing a change and they are in a safe place so will be ok for five minutes.
Make food you can eat with one hand if you have to hold the baby.
As you are solely responsible for your day to day care of your children that means you have to prioritise yourself.
I’d also look into getting some sort of childcare (relative, professional, whatever) to give you even half a day respite. Get your head clear to think seriously about the way forward.
You partner is unlikely to change. He’s not going to suddenly become supportive. Do you have a neutral person in your life to talk it out with? Everyone here can give you bold answers like ‘marry then divorce’ or what have you, but someone on the ground can actually help you work through it with you.

One of the more sensible posts on the thread. I would add in stop breastfeeding an unpopular suggestion on MN I know.

UnreadyEthel · 14/07/2025 11:51

What happened when he went out into the garden? Did you call him back and ask him to look after dc for 5 minutes while you ate? Or leave him to it?

Of course you shouldn’t have to ask, but leaving it to fester every time isn’t great either.

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