to think my DP is taking the pee a bit?

[arolf]

he has all these mystery illnesses which just happen to crop up when I need a hand with something/want to do something he isn't too keen on. normally manifests itself as a headache/stomachache/earache/sore arm/sudden appearance of flu.

this evening, for example - 'DP, can you entertain the baby while I do the washing up?'
'oh no, sore tummy, must run!'.

quite often it'll be a sudden headache just after breakfast when I suggest going out for a walk or the like. it tends to not be so severe that he can't watch tv/fart around on his computer/read the paper, and it always goes away by nightfall...

every time I suggest a trip to the GP, it suddenly clears up for a few weeks

love him to bits, but this habit of his is winding me up at the moment!

think i'm being unreasonable? maybe I should make him a hot drink and send him to bed early?

I would be beyond irritated if he were my Dp. I think he sounds immature and a bit wet, tbh

My response would be - well I have to care for the baby when I'm ill, so you can too. It's for a limited period of time

Tell him straight, you have sussed his fake illness... BTW DH tries to do that too! Has got a lot better when I told him I knew. He used to do it to get out of social engagements he didn't want to go to!

Or you could try to outdo him with your illnesses but then martyr on through to get the jobs done...

Tell him to grow up.

He may get defensive but dont put up with it. This kind of thing chips away at a relationship.

Go out with the girls at the weekend so he gets used to looking after the lo on his own

Either tell him you know he is trying it on on and he is to lack it in and do his fair share or go the opposite sit him down and have an 'earnest' talk, tell him how worried you are re his frequent illnesses, how it would set your mind at rest if only he would see a doctor, and you would make him an appointment as soon as. Lay it on a bit, to try and make him realise how silly he is being

"dp can you watch the kids whilst i do something"
"can't have a headache"
"hard shit mate, i don't get time off for sickness - deal with it - will be back in an hour"

stop taking the shit

no, I don't think he is

I think he is taking the piss a lot and you should stop pandering to him

oh id try a different tack. never mind 'can you entertain the baby while i wash up' - id chuck a Tea towel at him and tell him he is washing up while you 'entertain the baby'. im sure baby can be entertained while feet are in the UP position!

Oh, mine hasn't cottoned onto the "I'm too sick" to help thing yet. Every time I need him to help me he just goes for a poo. Takes him about half an hour and happens every time we are just about to go out somewhere and I am getting DD and myself ready and packing up a bag and loading up the car.

"Oh! Just running to the loo!" - cue us waiting with our coats on for 20 minutes after we've got everything loaded up, and being late for wherever we are headed.

Tell him to grow up and grow some bollocks.

Why do you ask him to care for the baby?

If you leave the room to do something else, isn´t it obvious that he his then responsible for baby?

i usually get a load of 'tomorrow you can have a lie in/i'll do x y and z/i'll cook for you/give you a lovely back massage etc' and then in the morning its either 'i'm shattered/have a headache/dont feel well etc' or he'll pick an argument over something petty like bread to avoid doing it and suprise suprise he just has to stay in bed so bang goes my rest etc...

It infuriates me and i tell him to stop saying things if he has no intention of doing it but he still does...

I'm getting used to it

Call his bluff and act really concerned. DH used to have quite a lot of man flu and I found the best response was to act really worried. I would type his symptoms into google, pretend I had a long conversation with a pharmacist who was very concerned, book him doctors appointments.

He no longer acts like a child

He's taking the piss alright. LOVE peppapig's suggestion!