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I can’t trust my partner to look after our baby on his own and it’s draining.

388 replies

gg158 · 11/08/2024 10:36

Our baby girl is 4.5 months old.
I am trying to give him more responsibility to learn over the past few months as this is our first baby, and the first few months I know everyone makes mistakes but I can’t explain just how careless and irresponsible he is and it’s exhausting for me. I genuinely fear for her safety especially as she is becoming older going to start crawling ect and eating.

Work is different story and personal life I won’t go into that too much but he is irresponsible in those aspects of his personal phone and work phone work documents and also house keys constantly loosing or doesn’t know where put them. His mums excuse is he’s just always been like that that’s him he’s forgetful. Lol

The list of issues -
⁃ Makes bottles wrong
⁃ Forgets to fasten her in car seat
⁃ Forgets to lock his car so phone got stolen
⁃ Forgets to lock house door
⁃ Forgets to change nappy so leaks all over ( several times a week)
⁃ Forgets to put break on the pram so rolls had to catch it from going in road
⁃ I have to tell him to play with her or say bye when going to work. Or even hello when coming in from work
⁃ Forgets to remove Bib when putting her to bed or remove any loose blankets
⁃ Puts her on sofa in her pod but unsafely
⁃ Doesn’t watch her properly cause constantly on his phone
⁃ Doesn’t seem to miss her at all will happily go work 9-5 go golf or football after or meet a friend ( when he comes back home she’s already asleep) does that sometimes 2 nights in a row so won’t see her properly for 2 days and doesn’t say anything about missing her or can’t wait to see her.
⁃ Picks her up for 10 minutes then if she crys says oh do you want mummy
⁃ Just doesn’t check on her when out and about, was out at a function (outside) I went to toilet so said watch her please in her pram. I saw someone I knew inside so stopped and chatted for 5 mins, came outside he was not near her pram and she was just screaming crying ( obviously couldn’t hear was too busy talking to someone) and just left her pram instead of taking it.
⁃ If we are out with friends never helps just socialises and drinks while I do everything

Most people after being told the dangers learn from mistakes but it’s just constantly repeat of me nagging and telling him. He still makes bottles wrong today, did one yesterday and still does most of the above points.
He has made a bottle twice with prep machine and not completed the full process just done the hot shot method - then brought the bottle ( which is boiling hot )!!!! Will literally scold her! But luckily I noticed.
He just doesn’t seem to understand the severity of it says all I do is have a go at him or I can’t do anything right or him and his mum say that’s just the way he is! He’s always been not organised and struggled.
He’s stressed with work he’s got a lot on.
No your mum has just done everything for you!
He just doesn’t think like in her pod she was so high up with cushions underneath if she rolled she be straight off sofa on the floor.

In his mums eyes he cannot do no wrong ever!!! He could probably break her leg and she would have an excuse. She was crying her heart out I asked why he said oh I wasn’t supporting her neck when she was and her neck flopped back I think I’ve hurt it so I said be careful her neck is so fragile! His mum responded - At least you’re honest!

I understand everyone makes mistakes and has to learn but he’s just not learning and it’s hard cause I’m just fed up of constantly asking for help and not feeling like he wants to help, but then also when I ask him to help cause he’s so careless he just can’t do things right or puts her in danger. I genuinely feel like I can’t leave her with him for more than a few hours. He's just way too laid back about everything.
My mum helps me so I do get a break we are so close and she has plenty of grandchildren so knows what she is doing.
But even my family see and worry for me and her.

What do I do??? It’s making arguments every week and ruining our relationship as I’m fearful but also getting frustrated. Xxx

OP posts:
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Coolblur · 12/08/2024 15:27

You can't continue like this, you'll end up just assuming all responsibility for her care by default, which (from experience) is so much harder when you have someone else there who could and should be involved but is choosing not to be/incompetent.
Take a tough love approach with him. Tell him that either he learns how to care for her properly or you will go it alone and he must leave. If you can not rely on him to look after her at all, then you may as well go it alone. It would actually be easier. It's time for him to shape up or ship out.
Don't do nothing, it will only get worse.

P.S. Whatever you do, don't quit work or go part-time because of this issue, you absolutely don't want to be reliant on him for financial security.

gerryk62 · 12/08/2024 18:49

Has he been tested for ADHD

Coolblur · 12/08/2024 19:23

gerryk62 · 12/08/2024 18:49

Has he been tested for ADHD

Is that really relevant? It won't solve the problem. OP needs him to be a safe and reliable parent now, not find a reason excuse for why he is failing to be.

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Mazzles1 · 12/08/2024 21:07

I definitely agree that he’s a mummy’s boy and just has never had responsibility. Does he seem like he wants to try at being a dad?! It does sound like he just can’t be arsed and waits for you to do things?

Thelnebriati · 12/08/2024 22:52

My plan was to go for relationship therapy with my ex and ask him to think through the consequences of his actions and what he thought the outcome would be. How would he feel if he caused DS to have a serious injury. I wanted him to have to think it through, and I also wanted a witness.
It never happened because he refused to go (it turned out later he had a whole host of other stuff going on that he didn't want exposed) but I still think it was a good idea.

Relaxandunwind · 14/08/2024 00:56

gerryk62 · 12/08/2024 18:49

Has he been tested for ADHD

He seems to hold down a job well enough. No forgetfulness or dangerous incompetence there. He saves that for his own child and OP.

Regardless, even if he does have a MH disorder it’s not OP’s problem.

In the here and now, she needs to keep this dangerous man away from her child.
Maybe once he’s had treatment and can show he’s safe, he can be allowed back slowly.

gerryk62 · 14/08/2024 07:36

I jus asked a question about ADHD
as his mum told her he always losing things disorganised and all the other stuff
not an excuse .

AmIEnough · 14/08/2024 08:17

Sounds as though he has ADHD. If so he can’t help it and unless he knows, he won’t consider putting processes in place to help him manage his life more effectively. Perhaps you may need to gently suggest that he reads up on it a little as he might find that there are things he can put in place without getting a formal diagnosis and going onto medication that will help him. There are apps that can help manage your time more effectively and remind you to do things.

MusicMakesItAllBetter · 14/08/2024 16:08

CoatesCat · 11/08/2024 11:21

He sounds pretty textbook adhd. He can learn to keep his daughter safe but he has to take responsibility for it. You constantly reminding him isn't going to work. If he's stressed at work and adjusting new baby it would make all his symptoms worse. Not justifying him being a shit dad but for adhd people the way we behave is not necessarily an indication on how important we think something is
even if from he outside it seems like we don't care.

I was thinking the same thing.

Couldentgiveafuck · 17/08/2024 17:49

Why are you with such an idiot may I ask

MaryMary6589 · 17/08/2024 18:04

Google the term 'weaponised incompetence'.

eggandchip · 17/08/2024 18:07

I hate responsibility and id forget my own head if was not made on me.
So i didnt have children (along with other reasons).
But you knew what he was like yet still had a baby with him.
Just why?

carchi · 17/08/2024 18:08

Are you sure that you want to spend the rest of your life with this man ? Not particularly caring or wanting to be with your own baby is one thing but actually putting the child in physical danger takes it to another level. Baby only has you to protect them as him and his mother are clearly on another planet. How would you feel if something bad happened on his watch because it's only a matter of time and ask yourself is it worth the risk.

AtrophiedWife · 17/08/2024 18:15

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SGANDRUE · 17/08/2024 18:17

Is he on the spectrum?? Not taking the mick, genuine question! I'm surprised he had the wherewithall to get you pregnant at all if that isn't the case!

Plantbasting · 17/08/2024 18:18

ADHD?

AtrophiedWife · 17/08/2024 18:21

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Coco1379 · 17/08/2024 18:21

Sounds as if he has some sort of deficiency, ADHD maybe? Whatever you do, don’t leave your baby with him - he is seriously negligent. Only you can know his true nature, he is unlikely to change, but I would be questioning whether you have an adult relationship, and if it is a relationship you want to stay in. My priority has always been children first, even when that meant being a single parent

KAM4 · 17/08/2024 18:31

For what it’s worth my husband was a pretty useless baby parent (I was breastfeeding & at home so to be fair he was a bit of a spare part) but now he’s a great toddler dad. In fact I think he’s better at toddler stuff than I am. Having said that, will it occur to him to change a nappy unless it stinks? No. Will he remember things like drinks/snacks etc, probably not but he has his other strengths he’s found as time has gone on & our son loves their time together.

Wobbly99 · 17/08/2024 18:32

I'm sorry but I have to second the ADHD query form another poster. Of course it's no excuse and may not be the cause at all of his behaviours but to be honest alot of these actions scream ADHD to me. One of my Son's has an extremely doting and loving Father but I have to constantly remind him of dangers and how to do things properly etc. It may be entirely irrelevant and he may just not care but just putting it out there.

Grandmaof1 · 17/08/2024 18:34

I keep getting stuck on this part of OP's comments "I genuinely feel like I can’t leave her with him for more than a few hours." A few hours? Seriously? I wouldn't leave this man child alone with a baby for more than a few minutes and even then I would worry. He sounds like an infant himself and am thinking he might be a bit jealous and playing the, I really don't know how this is done, hand a little too aggressively. His mother is doing him no favours by justifying his behaviour in saying that he's always been forgetful. SMH
For the safety and well being of your child you really should leave sooner rather than later; this is going to end in tears one way or another anyway.

Bakedcarrotfly · 17/08/2024 18:43

Sounds like my dad. He fed me surgical spirit by mistake instead of gripe water when I was a baby and he spun my sister round when he was trying to put a nappy on and banged her head off a table. I realise now that he very likely has dyspraxia. Awesome dad in many many other ways, but forgetful, unpractical and clumsy.

Skybluepinky · 17/08/2024 18:53

Why did u have a baby with him?

ClaredeBear · 17/08/2024 18:54

This is weaponised incompetence. When you get rid of him your life will be so much easier.

NatalieW1907 · 17/08/2024 18:54

Sounds like he needs a dose of reality still tied to mummy's apron strings. Sit him down and tell him in no uncertain terms to stop his behaviour or go. It's easy for me to say this and hard to do but no excuse on his part. He is spoiled and it gets tiring for you. Hopefully he will wake up and act accordingly otherwise just let him go he will be back when he sees what he is losing. I do hope it works out for you and good luck he isn't going to change unless given an ultimatum.