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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to feel excluded in my own family

20 replies

las247 · 15/08/2025 01:03

I feel DH is trying to create a lot of special moments with the DC in a way that deliberately excludes me. For example, before they can talk, working hard to get them to say 'Daddy' first, doing lots of firsts with them now, lots of dramatic/big treats when I'm not around, and taking big decisions relating to their health and education and taking action on them without discussing with me, despite knowing, obviously, that I'd want to be involved.
Am I just being selfish? Should I just be glad he's spending so much time with them, is taking on so much of the load, and is a good father?
Our relationship isn't in the best place and he's often irritable, almost sour with me, but with the children he's great, a completely different person. With the kids we've sort of fallen into a situation where I'm the boring one and he's the fun one. And then it feels like he's slowly but quite forcefully trying to push me to the sidelines.
The latest is he's told people, including members of my family, there's a baby on the way, when we had agreed not to tell anyone yet. When I try to pick him up on it, he just says it doesn't matter and I'm making a big fuss, when I say it matters to me and I wanted to tell my own mother, he just says if I wanted to tell her first I should have just told her. He says I'm whining and looking for things to be annoyed about. I think the fact he's so dismissive means he's not going to do anything differently in the future, that's the most frustrating part. But should I just accept this? Am I being egotistical and selfish?
And then, despite the conversation where I explained how I felt that he'd told my family, today while I was in work, he's told the children they're getting a sibling. To me, even without the previous conversation this is something we should have told them together after talking it through as a couple, which we admittedly hadn't got round to doing. But it's yet another thing where I feel I'm excluded from something where I should have been right at the centre, not having my children tell me when I get home that they're having a brother or sister. He says get over it, someone had to tell them, etc. Am I unreasonable to be upset about this?

OP posts:
Absolutelydonewithit · 15/08/2025 02:26

Oh god no, this isn’t on op. You say your relationship isn’t in the best place and I think that’s evident. He is not in your side. Why? Is this his personality generally or do you think it’s just the way he is with you. It sounds quietly nasty tbh.

Whataninterestinglookingpotato · 15/08/2025 04:07

Why is it you decided to have another baby with this man?

Anotherbeeloudglade · 15/08/2025 04:09

Is an abortion an option? I wouldn't want another baby with this emotionally abusive arsehole.

ooooohlala · 15/08/2025 06:58

Wtf? He sounds awful. What made you decide to have another baby?

BlueMum16 · 15/08/2025 07:02

When things are this bad why are you still having sex?

He distances you from your existing children how is another going to make things better?

I'm sorry you've put yourself in this position.

SunnySideDeepDown · 15/08/2025 07:08

Only you know if this is a recent issue due to your relationship troubles or if he’s generally a twat.

Do others know you’re having difficulties? Perhaps communicating this will help you and may help your loved ones know how to respond to you both. Your mum must have been shocked to hear you’re pregnant from him - take the power back. Let her know that he went behind your back to tell everybody when you had both agreed to wait and announce together.

Don’t hide the way he’s treating you.

Personally I wouldn’t want another baby with him, but even so, that doesn’t mean you have to stay together if the way he’s treating you feel unkind and he won’t acknowledge/change that.

BoundaryGirl3939 · 15/08/2025 07:39

Gosh he is really undermining you and playing mind games.

WellIquitelikesprouts · 15/08/2025 07:47

hes not a good dad. Good dads know that young children need their mother and support her. They don’t compete to be Best Parent or treat her unpleasantly. Children notice these things.

Endofyear · 15/08/2025 07:56

My friend's ex husband was like this - took over with the children completely and did everything he could to force her to the sidelines of her children's lives. For example he would make plans every weekend and take the children out on bike rides, swimming etc and make it clear she wasn't welcome to come, insisted on doing bathtime and bedtime every night so she never got a look in. He was a nasty piece of work but everyone thought he was Father of the Year. When she eventually managed to leave, he got a court order to prevent her taking the children from the family home. He made her agree to 50/50 shared residency and wouldn't allow the children to communicate with her at all when they were with him. Many, many other things - he was absolutely vile.

Be very careful OP and don't let him exclude you from your children's lives. If I were you, I'd leave sooner rather than later.

thepariscrimefiles · 15/08/2025 07:59

What a dreadful and unkind man he is. Given his behaviour, I'd refuse to have him at the birth and find someone who will put your best interests at heart to support you during labour.

Obviously it's difficult at the moment as you are pregnant, but I would start making plans to separate. He is actively trying to sabotage your relationship with your own children.

HerecomesMargo · 15/08/2025 11:42

So you know what he’s like and having another baby with him?

HerecomesMargo · 15/08/2025 11:42

BlueMum16 · 15/08/2025 07:02

When things are this bad why are you still having sex?

He distances you from your existing children how is another going to make things better?

I'm sorry you've put yourself in this position.

Exactly!

Helpwithdivorce · 15/08/2025 11:46

I’d be sorting out a termination asap and looking to leave him. He will alienate you from your kids. He’s abusive and he is very much not a good father

FeministThrowingAPrincessParty · 15/08/2025 11:51

This is absolutely terrible and so so sad. These should be precious, joyful shared moments. I don’t know if this is gaslighting or emotional abuse but it has to stop. I suggest you tell him that he may not think any of these things are an issue but you do. Suggest counselling and if he refuses say you will have to seriously consider separation/divorce.

can you talk to your Mum or another family member or friend about this? Surely your Mum thought it was strange that he told her about the new baby without you there????

pikkumyy77 · 15/08/2025 11:51

Why do people say this stupid thing about “why did you have sex” or “get an abortion?” Come on—its not easy to abstract yourself from a marriage while you are in the thick of it. His behavior didn’t start out this way and she is slowly coming to understand it. Women are not always in a position to negotiate or refuse sex or reproduction.

Aimtodobetter · 15/08/2025 11:53

That all sounds a bit weird - I am sorry you are dealing with that at a time that you probably already feel vulnerable. Maybe try having a chat with him reminding him that you are literally growing his child and if he can't support you then he is also not supporting his children. At the same time, I think you need to read the room and realise this may continue long term / he may choose not to change - so if so what is your plan for you and the kids long-term once you get through the pregnancy and newborn months (assuming you want to keep the baby). You can certainly make an effort to do fun things without him in a tit for tat method and refuse to do anything for him - but is the lack of being on the same team going to emotionally drag you down more than the extra stability (financial/logistically/etc) is worth?

Pamspeople · 15/08/2025 12:00

Sorry, OP, but he's not a good father. Good fathers support the mother of their children, they don't exclude or undermine them. Your children are sensing his sourness and hostility to you, children are little emotional sponges and they will know on some level that something is wrong.

He doesn't sound like he likes you, OP, I'm sorry to say.

BoundaryGirl3939 · 15/08/2025 14:58

pikkumyy77 · 15/08/2025 11:51

Why do people say this stupid thing about “why did you have sex” or “get an abortion?” Come on—its not easy to abstract yourself from a marriage while you are in the thick of it. His behavior didn’t start out this way and she is slowly coming to understand it. Women are not always in a position to negotiate or refuse sex or reproduction.

He's probably sweet when he wants something. There is always a push and pull with emotionally abusive and controlling people. It is hard to extricate yourself and see the dynamic clearly.

He is probably bad mouthing you behind your back OP. Don't give him a reaction.

InterestedDad37 · 15/08/2025 15:19

What a nob - seems there's a definite pattern - I'd seriously consider your future (i.e. not with him)

las247 · 15/08/2025 21:44

Thanks everyone <3

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