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Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

He doesn't want a second child. Now what?

6 replies

Cecemum · 21/02/2011 23:43

Hi. I've never posted on here or anywhere before, but having spent some time reading other posts and responses I'm hoping for some open and honest advice. Apologises if it's long and dull.

I am married with a 2 1/2 yr old daughter. I've been married for 5 years and with hubby for 11 years altogether. The situation currently is that we're hardly talking and sleeping in separate rooms. Why? Because I wanted (deliberate past tense) another child. I bought it up, he said he wanted to think about it. A month later I approached him about it and he said " no I don't think so " and that was it. I was a bit stunned and as we were in bed, he rolled over and went to sleep while I stayed silent. I was hoping for more than that but had no idea what to say.

So I left it a few days then approached him again to ask for more details. He was really hesitant in wanting to explain his "no" which made me angry. Partly his not wanting another child but also his lack of understanding that I might need more of a reason for such a decision. We ended up having a bb massive row where he told me I was spoilt, always got my own way and that he'd never wanted kids anyway. He loves our daughter now she's here but was not interested before This came as quite a surprise to me as at the start of mine and hubby's relationship I told him what I wanted up front (marriage & Kids) and that if he didn't then he needed to tell me there and then. Well we're here today because he

He has said "sorry" for the things he's said but that's it. No explanation. Just him at the living room door bb whilst I was watching tv, "I'm sorry for being an idiot I'll make the tea". That's it to this day (7 days). I did say thanks but we still need to talk.

Am I being childish not starting the conversation? I'm struggling to keep smiling in front of my daughter and work colleagues when all I want to do is cry - so know that I'll just burst into tears as soon as I start to talk to him. I've made the decision to move out of our room and he seems fine with that - says "night see you tomorrow" when going To bed and tea every morning.

Is he just being a "man" and hoping I'll not get angry again with him and wishing it would all just go back to the way it was? Any previous relationship I'd have walked away by now but because of my daughter I'm trying to be a bit more mature about this (am I really?)

Giving up typing now as I'm depressing myself. Thanks for reading, but know I sound like an idiot!

Little background. I've suffered from pnd and was scared of getting pregnant so avoided sex for 18 months. We had started to get into the swing of things though I was always wary of doing anything without a condom (got hugely overweight with the pill and an scared of same happening). I still think this wasn't enough for him.

So to sum it all up we're a mum & dad but not a husband & wife. He seems ok with that, but I'm not. We're either a couple or we're not.

OP posts:
got2bequackers · 22/02/2011 00:00

I don't have much advice as,despite having the same conversation with dh at the start of our relationship, it was a very difficult time in our lives deciding to start a family. I am also petrified of seriously discussing a second child at the min.

However, 1 thing really struck me about your post. It seems to me your dh maybe really scared about going through you having pnd again. He is probably scared to talk to you about it as he doesn't want to blame you, but there is no way of saying that without it sounding that way. Although you were the one who had pnd it must have been a really hard time for him too.

All of the above being said he is still being unreasonable and childish by not talking to you. Just because a conversation is difficult doesn't mean its ok to just avoid it.

letsgetloud · 22/02/2011 00:07

One of you is going to have to tell the other one you need to talk more about this issue.

Obviously you can't force a baby on him but then he is also forcing you to be without a second baby and sibling for your daughter.

You quite rightly would not want a baby with a man who doesn't want another one with you but you do really have to talk about this more.

You have to explain your reasons for wanting another one, and listen to his reasons for not wanting another one. I know he said he never wanted 1 in the first place but he owes you more than that, since as you said he never told you that when you's did discuss having kids.

If after all the talking happens and he is still quite clear he doesn't want another child then you have a decision to make.

This happened between me and my dh (but different circumstances) and I had to evaluate if another child meant more to me than my DH. The answer was, he meant enough to me for me to live without another child.

This is such a difficult situation as noone is right or wrong.

You definately need to talk to find out if there is more to it than just "I never wanted children".

SmashingNarcissistsMirrors · 22/02/2011 11:40

it sounds like he has quite a lot of regret about becoming a parent. maybe he hadn't really thought it through, went along with it because it was what you wanted and now the reality has kicked in he feels trapped by it.

that's not your fault. and he has responsibilites now whether he thought about them before or not.

however he definitely doesn't sound ready for a second child and nor does your relationship.

is not being able to have a second child a dealbreaker for you? if it is you have to decide on your options. it doesn't matter whether you laid your cards on the table before or not. if someone has had a change of heart about it you can't hold them to ransom.

ImFab · 22/02/2011 11:53

Do you want another baby more than you want him if it means no more children?

Is this a deal breaker?

You are entitled to want another child and he is entitled to not but you both have to talk about this much much more.

Cecemum · 22/02/2011 22:53

Got2bquackers thank you. I'd never considered the pnd reason. It was something I got through without realising he'd also been through it. He's not a talker anyway (my in laws? A whole other thread!!) so bringing up something so emotional would be completely alien to him. Will try to be more sensitive when I've bucked up the courage to talk to him. He's not going to do it so I'm just going to have to.

Letsgetloud - youre right about not forcing him, but I feel ... Petulant, impotent, frustrated not sure which (picture me stood like a 6 year old!!!) ... That my choice is pushed aside for his "no". Can I live with the decision made for me?

Smashingnarcissistsmirrors - he struggles with being a dad, play is more like "draw me a circle, triangle etc" rather than "scribble with the red crayon" as though she'll be a genius or talk to him like a grown up. Maybe he is struggling still with the concept he's a father. He's not ready for another and probably never will be.

Imfab - deal breaker? No but the continuation of life as it is maybe. If I can't make him talk to me about this then I can't see us doing this for another 30+ years.

PS in laws here this weekend wish me luck! Like I said a whole new thread .....

OP posts:
BabyBorn · 26/02/2011 15:49

I am going to pm you!

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