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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

DH constantly working on paternity leave

154 replies

Crawdadsunite · 30/01/2026 14:38

AIBU to resent this? DH has got extended leave as I’ve given up some maternity leave so he can be off helping me whilst I recover. We have got two other DCs 5 and 2. He is 5 weeks into the 10 weeks and has so far spend the equivalent of about 5 or 6 working days, working? He isn’t logging them as KIT days as ‘oh it won’t get signed off and it’s extra work not essential’. So there’s no benefit to the family whatsoever. Yes he helps with the older DC and he’s mainly working when they’re at school and nursery, but it’s driving me nuts as he could be using that time to help clean or tidy or just spend time with us?

I had a difficult birth and recovery. I still need more surgery due to complications. Ive not been very mobile for a while. I’ve had quite a few hospital appointments and last week had to come home on the train from one (took 2 hours door to door inc bus from hospital to station and walk home) because he had agreed to join a teams calls in the afternoon?

AIBU about this?

OP posts:
Aethelredtheunsteady · 02/02/2026 12:43

Crawdadsunite · 30/01/2026 15:38

He doesn’t have to be doing this Im not sure his work are even aware sometimes? As he is involved in different projects not everyone would necessarily knows he’s on leave. Regardless he doesn’t have any boundaries and can’t say no but it means we are coming last.

He can say no though - he said no to helping you with your appointment.

Jellycatspyjamas · 02/02/2026 12:50

NoisyViewer · 31/01/2026 16:17

I doubt he is either but you don’t know his working situation either. So the lengths people will go to say he’s shirking just because he’s a useless man is quite something even though she’s admitted he is helping when the older kids are back. I’ve actually said that he shouldn’t have taken the extended leave.

The OP said he was middle management in a non-critical role, and is doing non-essential work voluntarily while on paternity leave. I don’t know his work situation but his partner does, and she seems pretty clear that he’s putting non-essential work ahead of her wellbeing, while benefiting from sharing her mat leave.

Nearly50omg · 02/02/2026 12:51

He’s a selfish cunt!!

Gossipisgood · 18/02/2026 15:30

The whole idea of him taking paternity leave is to support you in your recovery & bond with his new child. He's doing neither whilst he's working & has really let you down by not taking you to your hospital appointment because he chose to work. Definitely tell him you're not impresses & that he should be pulling his weight more with the cleaning & tidying up. Next time he logs on take baby in to him & tell him you're going for a nap or going out for some fresh air & leave him to it.

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