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DH struggling with childcare

39 replies

Hol932 · 04/08/2024 15:32

Have a 16 month old. Went back to work when he was 13 months for 3-4 days. Took annual leave to make it 2.5 days currently. I used to come back from work and he was in a mood generally. I do have understand how hard it is parenting and being with a child all day so I thought fair enough.
Recently I discussed with him that I may need to do out of hours work on a weekend as part of my training. He already knew I was doing it hours but thought it was just evenings (after a full day of childcare which I find difficult but was happy to make the sacrife). He got annoyed as weekends were his time to chill. Anyway he apologised and we got over that.

Im now attending my close cousins wedding and I discussed this with him a while ago and he agreed to come to my parents and look after baby in the evenings as in do dinner and bedtime for 2 hours. He’d rather have not attended anyway. He’s seemed generally a bit on edge this weekend and I’ve appreciated he’s come for me. Anyway I went out to get some presents whilst baby was napping. I asked him if he wanted to come with me and he didn’t. But baby woke up from nap early and so he had to give him his lunch. Since I got back he’s been really annoyed and refused to explain why, saying he’s fine. My mum was cooking lunch but he’s decided to go out himself alone now. Has been telling me to mind my own business and calm down when I’ve just been asking him what was wrong. It has upset me. And I do appreciate he’s come for me but I asked if he was ok out of concern. He’s stormed off and my mum is now questioning where he is for lunch.

Anyway there’s one more day of the wedding left and I’m afraid to go as I feel like leaving him with baby will end up being the end of my marriage! But I’m also exhausted at him constantly getting annoyed about looking after his baby. I generally do 75% of the childcare anyway and did 99% during Mat leave. Should I go on the last day of the wedding or how should I approach any further conversation with him when he eventually gets back?

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Peonies12 · 04/08/2024 15:35

It’s his child but he’s acting like he’s looking after someone else’s child. He’s behaving ridiculously. Go to the wedding. He needs to learn to cope. Weekends can’t be entirely for “chilling” once you have a baby.

Aquamarine1029 · 04/08/2024 15:40

I wouldn't be pandering to his bullshit for one second. He is deliberately trying to ruin your weekend because he can't be bothered to parent his own child. What a pathetic, infantile man. You have a huge problem on your hands. You need to draw your line in the sand right now. He either grows up or the relationship is not going to last.

notagdfriend · 04/08/2024 15:44

He's not babysitting his own child. !! My guess is he's annoyed at all the 'childcare' he's doing but knows he's unreasonable so he's just being mardy and then he can blame you

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Witchbitch20 · 04/08/2024 15:47

He’s annoyed about having parental responsibility ?

SauviGone · 04/08/2024 15:48

Does he work?

Why has he and the baby come to your parents if you're at a wedding? Why didn't he and the baby stay at home?

Hol932 · 04/08/2024 15:48

notagdfriend · 04/08/2024 15:44

He's not babysitting his own child. !! My guess is he's annoyed at all the 'childcare' he's doing but knows he's unreasonable so he's just being mardy and then he can blame you

This is exactly how I feel. He knows how unreasonable he’s being so can’t say it but then at the same time can’t hold in. And when I asked him if he’s ok out of concern, hes responded in an annoyed way telling me to calm down and mind my own business etc which he’s trying to say is me making an issue and hence blaming me?!

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Foxblue · 04/08/2024 15:49

If leaving him with his own baby would mean the end of your marriage, then he is an arsehole. What conversations were had before baby came, did he do any research, go to any parenting classes, try and spend time with friends/family's children?

itsallbowlsbaby · 04/08/2024 15:50

Stop asking him if he's ok. That's what he wants. He's huffing because he wants you to notice so he can snap at you. If he has an issue, he can 'use his words' and tell you like a grown up.

itsallbowlsbaby · 04/08/2024 15:51

I assume he doesn't work?

TomatoSandwiches · 04/08/2024 15:51

So long as you don't think your baby would come to harm with him ignore his mardy arse and enjoy your weekend.

Quite hilarious he thinks he gets to "Chill" at weekends though.

You didn't make the baby by yourself op.

cupcaske123 · 04/08/2024 15:51

He's doing 'womens work' which is beneath him and doesn't want to say it. I bet he doesn't pull his weight around the house either.

Hol932 · 04/08/2024 15:52

SauviGone · 04/08/2024 15:48

Does he work?

Why has he and the baby come to your parents if you're at a wedding? Why didn't he and the baby stay at home?

Yes he works from home so during the week when he’s doing childcare he’s also working but he’s managing to finish on time. But of course I do understand it’s difficult. Which is why I make sure all baby’s food etc is sorted.

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CantHoldMeDown · 04/08/2024 15:54

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Aquamarine1029 · 04/08/2024 15:55

And when I asked him if he’s ok out of concern, hes responded in an annoyed way telling me to calm down and mind my own business etc which he’s trying to say is me making an issue and hence blaming me?!

Why on earth are letting him get away with treating you like this? I wouldn't allow him to just say things like this and just flounce away. Who in the fuck does he think he is?

SauviGone · 04/08/2024 15:56

Hol932 · 04/08/2024 15:52

Yes he works from home so during the week when he’s doing childcare he’s also working but he’s managing to finish on time. But of course I do understand it’s difficult. Which is why I make sure all baby’s food etc is sorted.

He's working from home and looking after a 16 month old child at the same time?

Well yeah, the least you could do is make sure the baby's food is sorted. No wonder he's in a mood when you come home from work.

Why on earth isn't your child in nursery or with a childminder?

Hol932 · 04/08/2024 15:56

Also him and baby have come to my parents because the wedding is closer to them (about 3 hours away) and on multiple days. It was either this or me staying away for a few days which obviously he didn’t want. At least there’s some baby sitting from grandparents whilst he’s here. And to be fair he’s been lying in and having a great time not parenting much until he has to.

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Overtheatlantic · 04/08/2024 15:56

Honestly I think he’s annoyed with himself because he’s finding it difficult and doesn’t like a fussy baby. Reassure him that he’s doing fine and that babies cry and it’s stressful but he has to keep calm and help her. If she is safe and her needs are met then she can cry for a bit.

CantHoldMeDown · 04/08/2024 15:56

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Aquamarine1029 · 04/08/2024 15:56

SauviGone · 04/08/2024 15:56

He's working from home and looking after a 16 month old child at the same time?

Well yeah, the least you could do is make sure the baby's food is sorted. No wonder he's in a mood when you come home from work.

Why on earth isn't your child in nursery or with a childminder?

Why can't he also take responsibility for making sure the food is sorted? Come the fuck on.

Aquamarine1029 · 04/08/2024 15:57

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Of course there are. I should have known, and as per usual, the op is still with him.

Hol932 · 04/08/2024 15:57

SauviGone · 04/08/2024 15:56

He's working from home and looking after a 16 month old child at the same time?

Well yeah, the least you could do is make sure the baby's food is sorted. No wonder he's in a mood when you come home from work.

Why on earth isn't your child in nursery or with a childminder?

I mean I obviously do more than just the cooking but that’s not the point. He’s not in nursery because DH didn’t want him to be at this young age. That was before he realised what it’s like looking after a child.

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Optimist2020 · 04/08/2024 15:58

Hol932 · 04/08/2024 15:52

Yes he works from home so during the week when he’s doing childcare he’s also working but he’s managing to finish on time. But of course I do understand it’s difficult. Which is why I make sure all baby’s food etc is sorted.

@Hol932 working from home with a toddler??!!! . Well at least you make the baby food for your DH 🙄 .

CantHoldMeDown · 04/08/2024 16:00

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TomatoSandwiches · 04/08/2024 16:00

Hol932 · 04/08/2024 15:57

I mean I obviously do more than just the cooking but that’s not the point. He’s not in nursery because DH didn’t want him to be at this young age. That was before he realised what it’s like looking after a child.

Was he hoping you'd be a SAHM?

Hol932 · 04/08/2024 16:01

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He doesn’t have set hours. Can work around childcare. He chooses to work when he does.

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