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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:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
OnyxRaven · 20/08/2024 05:28

Lots of naysaying and doom mongering.
My partner was a functioning alcoholic for a number of years shortly after we moved to a new home. My partner at the time was diagnosed with BPD. I was the safeguard for our kids, one of those is on SEND register, the other is smarter than your average kid of a similar age.
We went through a great deal to get to where we are now, I had involved social services, I had involved early help, I had involved a lot of people, I got people in to help, I got myself qualified to better help my partner with what they had been dealing with through personal choice. And then some years later, my partner was diagnosed ASD. And it was like a switch had been flipped. My partner has gone from being a massive drunkard, to dealing with her condition, working a full time job, paying bills and generally being more responsible. Even learning to drive!!
Lots of people are saying this guy is dangerous, and for as long as he's not assessed that's as maybe, but the sooner he's assessed the better and it might even make him wake up a lot more to what's going on with him and his life and that could be the impetus that gets things going on a more positive direction. If you love the guy, kick his butt into an assessment, shout for help, get people involved (just not his flippin mother if it can be helped!), anything to get the ball rolling.
When that doesn't seem to have worked, then look at alternatives. He has predominantly inattentive ADHD by the sound of it and he needs that looking into sooner rather than later and with the right support things can improve.

MrsKALH · 20/08/2024 05:32

TheinformationIsavailable · 11/08/2024 11:00

This sounds really concerning ? Is he actually ok as it sounds like more than just laziness/forgetfulness/clumsiness? Does he have anything medical or otherwise going on ?

Yeah I was thinking the same, sounds like he is Autistic or has a learning need?

Mumwholivedinashoe · 20/08/2024 07:32

My first question I'd have to explore is, Is he this useless in other aspects of life. Because if he is, then i'd suggest he gets tested for ADHD, because your description of him does sound like it's a possibility.
If he does have ADHD I would be sympathetic. His response to that diagnosis would determine whether the relationship would survive, eg. Is he engaged and does he show willing to engage in treatment and therapies.
If however, he displays as being very capable in other aspects of his life and it's just the parenting thing that's the issue, then get rid immediately as that's a choice to behave in this way.
However, as you've briefly mentioned he's forgetful and loses keys, phones, work is also an issue too. Plus with his Mum saying 'he's always been like this' then it sounds like something else is going on, his brain will be overwhelmed with the extra responsibility so everything else will spiral and fall apart too. You can help support him, by taking the pressure off whilst he gets himself a referral, speak to ur friends/family and see if they can step up in the interim.
Best of luck

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AutisticDad · 20/08/2024 11:01

gg158 · 11/08/2024 11:46

I understand this but then I face what about when he wants her for weekends to see her he will be alone. Unsupervised... and if I say you can't see her alone I will look like a terrible person who's stopping someone see their daughter from everyone else's point of view I would look controlling. X

Hello there,
Before you listen to a bunch of strangers that don't know your partner or you and dump him, think about whether you really love him and he really loves you.
If true for both of you sit down with him and explain everything to him in a calm way that's not shouty or naggy at him, explain to him that his behaviour around his daughter is truly worrying to you and that intentional or not he's causing you emotional pain and that if he doesn't learn to be much more mindful of his actions around his daughter that a child comes before both of you no matter what.
Explain it straight and honest that you'll have to put her safety before your relationship, if he bucks up and you see him really trying support him, supporting him to improve makes your life a little easier. However if he just decides to do nothing then explain he'll lose you both.

I make so many mistakes and I have quite severe memory problems that are worsened with stressful things. My partner puts up with so much for me but she's got my back and knowing that helps me to try my best to improve, I have my bad days and I have my good days but I love my children and partner and will do anything I can to help and support them all and get things right (sometimes eventually lol).

I hope it all works out for your family 🙏
Btw I have autism, severe anxiety, depression and a load of other co-morbid stuff going on, with the right support I can do it so anyone can do it IMO

AutisticDad · 20/08/2024 11:24

Also if you ever want to talk to a real person I'm sure we can sort out how to swap contact details and you can have a chat with my partner too, she's such an amazing person and can probably give advice based on how she's done things with me lol
Take care and have a big hug from a crazy autistic person 🤗

Husheee · 20/08/2024 11:40

gg158 · 11/08/2024 10:40

Also I forgot to add

When we are out our daughter never comes first.
Constantly having to argue and put my foot down to come home and explain she needs to go to bed and it's late ect.

It sounds like he may have ADHD. Not an excuse but if he’s been told he’s lazy and stupid all his life for forgetting things and doing things wrong it can impact self worth and lead to undesirable behaviours. Might be worth looking into that. It must be really hard for you living with someone like that. If he does get diagnosed then it might be easier for him to understand the impact he’s having on you. It may also be worth focusing your energy on correcting the behaviour with the worst impact, anything to do with safety and letting slide the forgetfulness. If he has adhd there is very little he can do about that without a lot of effort on his part, for example, creating lists, putting up reminder signs, using AirTags, and that takes self awareness of having the issue in the first place.

he does sound like a baby, and that must be so tough for you but if he does have ADHD, perhaps a diagnosis can help you both move forward and enjoy what should be an incredibly special time for you both to enjoy together.

Husheee · 20/08/2024 11:44

Husheee · 20/08/2024 11:40

It sounds like he may have ADHD. Not an excuse but if he’s been told he’s lazy and stupid all his life for forgetting things and doing things wrong it can impact self worth and lead to undesirable behaviours. Might be worth looking into that. It must be really hard for you living with someone like that. If he does get diagnosed then it might be easier for him to understand the impact he’s having on you. It may also be worth focusing your energy on correcting the behaviour with the worst impact, anything to do with safety and letting slide the forgetfulness. If he has adhd there is very little he can do about that without a lot of effort on his part, for example, creating lists, putting up reminder signs, using AirTags, and that takes self awareness of having the issue in the first place.

he does sound like a baby, and that must be so tough for you but if he does have ADHD, perhaps a diagnosis can help you both move forward and enjoy what should be an incredibly special time for you both to enjoy together.

https://www.additudemag.com/symptom-checker/

here’s a good website that allows you to do a quiz to do an initial diagnosis

Symptom Checker

The ADDitude Symptom Checker tests for signs of 17 psychological & learning conditions: ADHD, depression, anxiety, autism, bipolar disorder, dyslexia, OCD, and more

https://www.additudemag.com/symptom-checker

SouthLondonMum22 · 20/08/2024 13:34

OnyxRaven · 20/08/2024 05:28

Lots of naysaying and doom mongering.
My partner was a functioning alcoholic for a number of years shortly after we moved to a new home. My partner at the time was diagnosed with BPD. I was the safeguard for our kids, one of those is on SEND register, the other is smarter than your average kid of a similar age.
We went through a great deal to get to where we are now, I had involved social services, I had involved early help, I had involved a lot of people, I got people in to help, I got myself qualified to better help my partner with what they had been dealing with through personal choice. And then some years later, my partner was diagnosed ASD. And it was like a switch had been flipped. My partner has gone from being a massive drunkard, to dealing with her condition, working a full time job, paying bills and generally being more responsible. Even learning to drive!!
Lots of people are saying this guy is dangerous, and for as long as he's not assessed that's as maybe, but the sooner he's assessed the better and it might even make him wake up a lot more to what's going on with him and his life and that could be the impetus that gets things going on a more positive direction. If you love the guy, kick his butt into an assessment, shout for help, get people involved (just not his flippin mother if it can be helped!), anything to get the ball rolling.
When that doesn't seem to have worked, then look at alternatives. He has predominantly inattentive ADHD by the sound of it and he needs that looking into sooner rather than later and with the right support things can improve.

OP can’t force him to get assessed. It is something he’s going to have to want to do. He needs to take some responsibility, it can’t all be on OP.

It’s also completely ok for OP to decide that this is too much for her and to end the relationship.

OnyxRaven · 20/08/2024 13:41

SouthLondonMum22 · 20/08/2024 13:34

OP can’t force him to get assessed. It is something he’s going to have to want to do. He needs to take some responsibility, it can’t all be on OP.

It’s also completely ok for OP to decide that this is too much for her and to end the relationship.

Can't force him, but an ultimatum if needed might provide the means for him to move his ass. I didn't say it wasn't okay. Clearly he needs an assessment though, and he needs to get that done if he's going to get anywhere whether a relationship works or doesn't.

SouthLondonMum22 · 20/08/2024 13:44

OnyxRaven · 20/08/2024 13:41

Can't force him, but an ultimatum if needed might provide the means for him to move his ass. I didn't say it wasn't okay. Clearly he needs an assessment though, and he needs to get that done if he's going to get anywhere whether a relationship works or doesn't.

You’d think almost burning his baby’s mouth would have been enough to move his arse.

Pashmina67 · 23/08/2024 19:15

So helpful, why have a baby with him!! Sometimes we can do it all and put huge expectations on the partner thinking and doing the same, it's genius really why bother doing anything when you do it so well, at the moment you have gone into a complete negative rant, would he knowingly let the pram roll?? Did he feel she was wet but thought you'll do it as you always do maybe too well, whats he's positive traits?? Men SOMETIMES bond when babies start crawling and become more aware, to some babies that young can seem frightingly fragile. After giving birth I felt so vulnerable my body, am I doing this right? I didn't sleep at first as I kept checking he was breathing. BOTH parents feel this its new and its a feeling like no other, emotions are high as are hormones. Talk to him write it down he probably don't know or remember half the incidents!

LizzeyBenett · 23/08/2024 20:31

No going to lie I stoped reading after the list of all the things he doesn't do , why on earth did you have a baby with him ? You basically have two children to look after and I'm sorry to say he won't get any better I've seen this with a close friend and in the end she couldn't take anymore and left him she was basically a single parent anyway your life would probably be less stressful without him !

Maria123456789 · 27/08/2024 14:37

He could have ADHD, if he’s always been like this. Maybe you could convince him to see a doctor about it because when it comes to the safety of a child I’d hope he doesn’t want that either. Really sorry about this situation and hope it gets better

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