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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To be completely sick of being the boring parent

6 replies

BiscuitMenace · 22/02/2026 17:09

I have just taken DS6 out for a lovely family day out, which is just the two of us. I have got so tired of him asking when he will see daddy to play video games with him this half term.

Dad does every other weekend and a weekday evening, with more in the holidays. He never takes him out anywhere which is up to him, that's fine. But I do all the boring and expensive bits of parenting. I do homework, reading, dentists, haircuts, dealing with endless messages from school, buying uniform and clothes, washing hair, organising birthdays, playdates. Eight school runs, organising childcare for holidays. I try and take DS out to see interesting things and different places. I've always looked after him when he's poorly, I did all the nights when he was a baby as ex "didn't hear him". And now I'm getting all the "daddy doesn't make me" and "daddy let's me" and I'm so bloody angry I could scream.

I know the answer is to wait it out, one day DS will grow up and look back with adult eyes. But, fuck me, I'm sick of it right now.

Just a rant. Thanks for reading.

OP posts:
SecretSquid · 22/02/2026 17:13

So sorry, that's rubbish. You've got the answer already so no advice. Just a definite yanbu, and hang on in there.

PinkIcedRing · 22/02/2026 17:15

Totally get it. DC’s DF operates on the basis of “benign neglect”. No tooth brushing at Dad’s house, or hair brushing, or eating regular meals. No bedtime! Very infrequent outdoor play, just endless hours of computer games. When they come home to me they’re tired, filled full of sugar, and stink to high heaven (a house full of pets and lack of cleaning will do that). Fortunately he only has them for a grand total of 48 hours over the course of a month, so at least I can mitigate it between contact. But oh, boy, it fucking stings that I’m the one who has to be the adult in the room. Sympathies!

BiscuitMenace · 22/02/2026 17:26

Thank you! It's rubbish you're in the same boat but the validation is exactly what I need.

OP posts:
user1464187087 · 22/02/2026 17:27

BiscuitMenace · 22/02/2026 17:09

I have just taken DS6 out for a lovely family day out, which is just the two of us. I have got so tired of him asking when he will see daddy to play video games with him this half term.

Dad does every other weekend and a weekday evening, with more in the holidays. He never takes him out anywhere which is up to him, that's fine. But I do all the boring and expensive bits of parenting. I do homework, reading, dentists, haircuts, dealing with endless messages from school, buying uniform and clothes, washing hair, organising birthdays, playdates. Eight school runs, organising childcare for holidays. I try and take DS out to see interesting things and different places. I've always looked after him when he's poorly, I did all the nights when he was a baby as ex "didn't hear him". And now I'm getting all the "daddy doesn't make me" and "daddy let's me" and I'm so bloody angry I could scream.

I know the answer is to wait it out, one day DS will grow up and look back with adult eyes. But, fuck me, I'm sick of it right now.

Just a rant. Thanks for reading.

I agree that when DS is older, he will absolutely look back through adult eyes and know what you did for him.
That doesn't help you much now though, unfortunately.

Christmasinmecar · 22/02/2026 17:37

Hope your ex hasn't got any pets because he can't even look after his kid properly. What a dead beat waste of space he really is.

illsendansostotheworld · 22/02/2026 17:55

Try and see the bigger picture op - children like boundaries it makes them feel safe and you are his safe place..
But you are allowed to rant as much as you like.

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