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Parenting

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Feeling like a single parent while being married.

16 replies

trippingmama · 26/12/2021 00:46

Hi!
I have LG of 2.5 years. And it feels like that I'm a single parent. I love her to bits but there are times when I need a break and want to be by myself. My husband, despite being home for the past two months doesn't help with anything.
He is only making remarks on the house being not tidy enough. Daughter being not brought up right but DOESNT help with a single thing.
He is in his room all day and comes out for dinner ,watches tele and then is off again. Plays with her for about 15 mins per DAY.
and in his room he says he is studying/ working but you can hear movies and YouTube very clearly if not that then he is talking to people on the phone be it his family or friends.
I have complained many times but he doesn't want to listen or acknowledge.
Dismisses everything by saying he is earning and putting food in our mouths.
Is that enough? I can't work because he won't pay for childcare. So I'm home.
Is it criminal of me to ask for help for HIS child. For my mental peace.
Don't know how to cope up with this situation. A bad dad he is. Though she want to spend time with him but he dismisses her or is occupied with his stuff so much
I try to be there for her but as I have other responsibilities so it gets difficult.
What can I do better?

OP posts:
BobCatBob · 26/12/2021 01:41

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

GregTheEgg · 26/12/2021 02:01

Having been a single parent for the last 10 years I can categorically say that I don’t mind at all that OP says she feels like one. It was when my XH was working away from home that I realised that I could happily be a like parent as I already felt like one. The difference was that when we split, the DCs went to stay with him twice a week and I actually got a break. And XH had to pay child support and I received lone parent benefits so I also had my own money for the first time since having kids.

Being a single mum can definitely be easier than being with a shit husband. I’d recommend it to you OP. Flowers

GregTheEgg · 26/12/2021 02:02

*lone parent - not like!

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pumpkinpie01 · 26/12/2021 09:40

What are you actually getting out of this marriage ? Was your dd a planned baby ?

Doesntfeellikexmas · 26/12/2021 09:42

He is a shit and you may as well leave.

But no, you aren't like a single parent at all.

But being g a single parent with no financial support is difficult. But better than having to house share with a shit show like him.

SethWho · 26/12/2021 09:45

Why don't you work and pay for childcare?

SlowBoiledFrog · 26/12/2021 09:46

Another that doesn't mind. My sister gets maintenance and every other weekend off she is still a lone parent. When I left my ex I didn't get maintenance or any help but it was still better than being with a useless fucker. Op, he won't change you have to decide if you can live like this.

HariboBrenshnio · 26/12/2021 10:02

It would be easier to be a single parent. I am a single parent but I get child support and the kids sleep at their dads twice a week. I don't have to live with a man - I'm in a much better position to when I was married because I'm not expecting anything from anyone.

However, it may feel like you're a single parent now but running a home entirely financially alone is a very different feeling.

Luredbyapomegranate · 26/12/2021 10:08

He sounds awful OP, and I doubt he will change.

Would you like to leave? Do you jointly own the house / does he have a decent income or capital? Do you have an occupation you can return to?

Luredbyapomegranate · 26/12/2021 10:10

@BobCatBob

I doubt if you changing your behaviour would make any difference as it is him that needs to change and you can’t make him do that. What you are asking for is not criminal.

Btw you are NOT a single parent. You are being completely financially supported. I’m a lone parent and when people say they ‘feel’ like a single parent when they are not it pisses me off. I do hope you don’t say it in real life to any single parents. It’s really, really hard.

That said. He sounds awful and you might find that life feels better if you were actually a single parent.

Some single parents are financially supported Confused. This is an unnecessary derail.
Chely · 26/12/2021 11:09

He sounds like a rubbish husband and you need to decide if you can tolerate this lifestyle long term.

It's hard to feel like you're doing it alone when you have someone who should be helping.

DaisyMum40 · 26/12/2021 11:15

@BobCatBob

I doubt if you changing your behaviour would make any difference as it is him that needs to change and you can’t make him do that. What you are asking for is not criminal.

Btw you are NOT a single parent. You are being completely financially supported. I’m a lone parent and when people say they ‘feel’ like a single parent when they are not it pisses me off. I do hope you don’t say it in real life to any single parents. It’s really, really hard.

That said. He sounds awful and you might find that life feels better if you were actually a single parent.

Oh it sounds like this poster IS a single parent, both to her little one and a grown man child. Because I bet he's not the sort to look after himself, I bet the OP is looking after him just as much as she's looking after their child.
naomi81 · 26/12/2021 13:30

Ive really struggled with terrible twos and similar feel like a lone parent at times as house work is boring and draining and lonely, little one no longer naps, grumpy etc. Can get a lot like ground hog day if not careful. I do try and fill days by meeting up with a friend who has children the same age or seeing family, but it's been hard with covid. I do bring money into the household but I do about 100% running the house and childcare, but other half covers majority of bills which I admit I don't have time to get involved with and feel abit distant from the financial running if the home. My other half will look after little one so I can have a bath etc but it's just hard, thankless work. Strangely my other half thinks his full time work is hard thankless work too 🙈. I am just hoping abit if free childcare when she turns 3 will help me have a think about my career, house chores, House bills etc and find a work/life balance somehow 🤞 not sure if that makes sense but I understand what you mean.

Coffeeshopcookies · 26/12/2021 14:23

DH is the same and I'n basically a solo parent or lone parent while being married. I'm almost certain he has ASD & ADD (I also have ADD) which means many of his behaviours are not malicious or inherent selfish. If he's tired then he needs to sleep or retreat somewhere, and he can't deal with the overstimulation of DD or noises of children's shows. He "stims" with his phone by scrolling through endless chats and repeatedly checking email, online banking etc. He's not very good taking care of himself either, left to his own devices he will often not eat the entire day and then get takeout/gorge on crisps so expecting him to meal plan and feed a toddler is pointless.

Sadly there's no easy answer except that 2.5 is a very difficult age and you've also had the cumulative exhaustion of taking care of a baby during a pandemic. I was close to breaking point at 3 when DD stopped napping during the days, not in nursery and I had to do every single mealtime, waking, naptime, evening routine plus all the entertainment and trips in between. DH has never been with her alone for more than 5 hours since birth and has never taken her on a day out alone (exceptions being a trip organised by his mum and he tags along). This sounds pretty terrible in writing by DH is actually successful in his career and always well groomed, but really lacks day-to-day executive functioning skills.

It's easy to bash "man children" but I guess this post is just to say that some of those men may not be fully NT. All the SEN children that are mentioned across MN do eventually grow up and become adults with more or less functioning lives. The ones on the less severe end of the spectrum can have perfectly "normal" lives from the outside but often at the cost of a partner who picks up the slack. Both of us work so finance isn't an issue and things are split evenly. (I wfh after DD is asleep so that's also part of the exhaustion because I have no downtime. My "treat" is to be able to work).

OP, it does get marginally easier the more independent your child becomes. I've firmly drawn the line on not having many more children and once DD is in kindergarten/school then I feel I can cope with it even if DH doesn't contribute. It's the constant toddler fights, tantrums, finding things to do to pass time in the time of covid, having to dress them/undress them, change diapers, wipe bums etc that's grinding me down. The thought of being a solo parent to an older child doesn't bother me much.

Moonface123 · 26/12/2021 14:30

"The thought if being a solo parent to an older child doesnt bother me so much."
I suggest you read the threads in teenage section.

Bobholll · 26/12/2021 22:44

Why are you with him OP? What do you mean ‘his room’? Surely you share a bedroom? Does he come be with you in the evening, have dinner etc? What happens at the weekend? What do you mean you can’t work as he won’t pay? It’s not his bloody decision. You are a person with your own mind. If you want to work, find a job. You could pay for childcare with your wage. Or relatives could help? Also ‘he’s been home for two months’ .. where’s he been?!

I cannot fathom why anyone would think this is reasonable or normal. Our children are looked after 50/50 in this house. My husband & I spend all our time together when not working cos we love each other & enjoy each other’s company. And he loves our kids & loves spending time with them!

I’d honestly be leaving ASAP or giving him an ultimatum. This isn’t a normal relationship at all. Neither of you must be happy!

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