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Parenting

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division of chores or its division of assets!

3 replies

tryingtobethebestmum · 01/06/2014 07:11

looking for some opinions here.
to set the scene im a ftm currently on maternity leave with 4 month old.
my partner works 12 hour shifts 4 on, 4 off days/nights.
had a traumatic birth, have a baby that has had colic, has reflux and is quite high needs.
my partner is a great dad when he is here. he was also very supportive throughout my pregnancy.
however, thinga have been gradually deteriorating and im on the verge of calling it quits.
i take the lead on child care near enough 100%of the time. when he is at work i take care of all household stuff, and he sleeps in a separate room so he isnt too tired at work. even on the nights he is here and not working i dont get a break, i still take the lead (because if i didnt he wouldnt respond to the babies needs quickly enough) and loads our freetime up with family visits, time with his friends etc so i still dont get a break. he drinks quite a lot and oftwn to the point where in my opinion he is not in a reaponsible state to take care of the baby, so i still dont get a break.
he knows im struggling -ive repeatedly told him. however recently he went away for the night with friends, and didnt think to contact me once throughout the day -just to see how we were. when i finally got hold of him he was absolutely smashed and told me i was a nightmare for being upset cos he hadnt been in touch.
i GET that he needs to decompress after work etc, and he works damn hard BUT i am so tired and worn dow by conatantly being the responsible one in CASE he decides to get himself into a state that ive had enough!
it never seems to be my turn to relax and be me! he offers to look after the baby whilst i relax BUT im too tired to want to do anything when that comes round and honestly dont trust him 100% not to drink too much and fall into a deep sleep and not respond to he baby.
whay do i do? the last thing i want is to create a lot of upheaval for us but the fact is it feels as though my entire existance has changed 100% of the time and hes just a dad when he oftwn gets to wind down and be 'him' again to hell with the consequences cos he knows ill pick the peices up.

OP posts:
Minnieisthedevilmouse · 01/06/2014 07:38

Blimey this is really quite common. Sadly. Even in the best jobs/marriages/partnerships. I hope I'm not demeaning it, I'm trying to show you are not alone.

There have been points in my own life where I've thought f this, might as well be blooming lone parenting. It did get better oddly as baby grew up. Turns out my dh is fab with toddlers. They are more his thing. He's more involved with everything now.

beatingwings · 01/06/2014 07:46

Get rid. Life it too short.

Jumblebee · 01/06/2014 07:49

I understand completely! My DP is a fantastic dad and does most of the early morning wake ups yet I still feel like I have to be the responsible one. I cook and clean most of the time, arrange childcare but DP is always on hand in case I want an evening away for a break. Reading your post makes me think I need to be more grateful for what he does Hmm

The drinking you mention sounds concerning, does he drink every day, at home or is it a social thing? Just when our with friends etc?

You need some time for you where you can relax and not be "mum". If you asked him to not drink one evening when you could go out would he agree? Do you think even if he said he wouldn't drink that he still would?

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