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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

How many chances do you give them to change?

62 replies

alificent · 07/07/2016 22:42

We have four children, the eldest (9) is my daughter from my previous marriage. With each subsequent baby, DP has taken a real back seat from 0-2 years often blaming it on breastfeeding. He's a bit better after 2, but generally is still incapable of doing much with the children.

I spoke to him after DC3 and said he needs to step up. After DC4 we had the same chat. He 'can't' take the children to school/bed, can't bath them, can't prepare their meals, can't feed them, can't/doesn't discipline them, can't handle more than one at a time, can't console them when upset and so on.

I told him he is lazy and leaving everything to me and that it isn't fair on me or the DC to have them rely on me for everything. I haven't been out without the DC for over 5 years because they hate staying with him and he can't put them to bed/console them if they wake. He apologised and said he would change and improve. He is on annual leave this week. Every day I have woken at 6.30, fed the baby, showered, made lunches, got the other DC up, ready, fed and distributed to schools and nursery and he's still in bed at 9.15 when I return home.

He does nothing around the house. If I leave the toddler with him he cries so DP just puts the tv on. I asked him to try bathing the three eldest last night while I fed the baby and did the ironing. There were tears within a minute, as there always are whenever I leave the dc with him. I heard him ask 9 yo to move over and she asked if she could just finish something (drawing with bath chalk) he said no, now and then physically removed her from the bath when she didn't comply. 2 yo refused to get out so he just walked out and left him after the water had gone down.

He's either on his phone or asleep within five minutes of me having taken all the DC to bed and I just feel like he's given up, in which case I don't know why he doesn't just leave. I told him last time that I'm at the end of my tether with him just being an ornament around the house but still he persists.

OP posts:
Doinmummy · 07/07/2016 23:37

He is their father and you don't trust him to supervise them . It's unacceptable to be honest .

alificent · 07/07/2016 23:39

I agree it's unacceptable. I just don't get why he doesn't care enough to change it.

OP posts:
Doinmummy · 07/07/2016 23:46

Maybe it's just how he is , maybe he's just lazy , maybe he had children for the wrong reason , who knows ? But the facts are he can't be arsed to help you , he can't be arsed to help his children , he can't be arsed to build a relationship with them , he's incapable of seeing the emotional harm he is causing . I don't know how or why you are accepting all this .

Flacidunicorn · 07/07/2016 23:47

Why would he change it? Hes got an easy life it suits him down to the ground.

Yeah he'll make the noises and say woe is me and boo hoo, blah blah, but really, hes happy how it is. You run yourself into the ground and he looks on and grins like a buffoon.

alificent · 07/07/2016 23:50

Because if it was me I'd hate to not be able to do anything for or with my own children. I'd hate to be constantly rejected and see them upset and I'd do something to change that. Yes it's easier for him this way but what's great about feeling unloved and unwanted in your own home?

OP posts:
Flacidunicorn · 07/07/2016 23:52

Nothing imo, but obviously he's not bothered or he'd change wouldn't he?

alificent · 07/07/2016 23:55

He is the king of procrastination. He has openly said he often doesn't know what to do so just does nothing re: the kids. Even if I direct him, like I'll take x to the toilet, you get y to get his shoes on he'll ask which shoes, does he need socks, where are they etc. It's easier to just do it all. If I tell him to work it out for himself (and I never complain if he gets it wrong) he gets all huffy.

OP posts:
Doinmummy · 07/07/2016 23:57

A dad might be rubbish at plaiting hair or choosing outfits for their children but they sure as hell should know how to love them .

Doinmummy · 07/07/2016 23:59

And tbh getting a child's shoes on isn't rocket science !

Doinmummy · 08/07/2016 00:01

It's not that he can't do these things Op, it's that he doesn't want to and that says all you need to know about him .

Doinmummy · 08/07/2016 00:07

My dad learnt how to knit so that he could teach me and my sister , he even leant how to perm hair so I could have 'big 1980's ' hair Grin . He did loads with us because he loved us . He was and still is a fabulous dad . Your DH is not.

AnecdotalEvidence · 08/07/2016 00:18

It's not about promising to change, it's about showing some interest and putting some effort in. If he cares, he will put some effort in, if he doesn't put any effort in, he clearly doesn't care.
Getting it wrong is going to happen, make sure you don't constantly criticise him.

Psycobabble · 08/07/2016 00:26

Well I think there are two separate issues here firstly he seems no desire to want to be with them even if he is crap at the organising and say to day seems no real desire to play with them or spend time with them which is very sad for all of you

And secondly he seems quite happy for you to be run ragged and just make pathetic excuses . Take mornings this week for example , even if he lacks confidence with the kids surely he could have made the breakfasts and pack lunches so that you weren't so rushed or is he incapable of even those basic tasks . I really feel for you op

DorindaJ · 08/07/2016 06:13

To be honest, I don't know whether I would give him any more chances. The kids won't miss him, you are used to doing everything for them. Do you enjoy being in a relationship with him? Would you choose to be with him if you didn't have kids with him?

I would be sorting out how to end this relationship, separating finances etc. Sadly, I suspect he would probably not bother to remain in contact with his children once he is no longer living with them.

From what you have written in your posts OP, it doesn't seem like much of a relationship.

RiceCrispieTreats · 08/07/2016 06:47

"It just means I'm run ragged and he has no real relationship with them so I do t see the point of him being here."

I think you've answered your own question, no?

Mellowautumn · 08/07/2016 06:54

Honestly I would have given myself one chance to change how I behave in the relationship. After observing how he was with our 1st joint baby I would have either left him or used contaception.

SandyY2K · 08/07/2016 08:47

Yes, he wants to have another...!

This is what my DH wanted. But he wasn't hands on enough, though compared to yours he seems like Daddy Daycare.

I categorically refused to have more kids because I predominantly did the cooking, feedingand bathing /changing.

He much preferred playing with them and teaching them how to ride bikes than any of the hard work. Though I happily left him with them and went on girls weekends, even as babies.

AnecdotalEvidence · 08/07/2016 09:31

The kids won't miss him
I don't think it's fair to say that. Even if he's not doing much for them, they'll still want their dad. I've no idea if the relationship is worth staying in or not.

adora1 · 08/07/2016 11:38

I would hate this man, hate him for being a shit partner and even more for being a shit parent, he's a joke, does he think he's a single man who just lodges with you fgs.

Break free, do your own thing, you are anyway, he's a deadweight and your children will feel his resentment and disinterest, that can cause them no end of damage.

You are perfectly capable on your own, he's just a drain.

alificent · 08/07/2016 22:37

I think today has been the final nail in the coffin. We are doing a boot sale on Sunday and I had a spare hour tonight so I said to the DC that I needed the time to sort boot sale stuff and if they left me to it upstairs I could do it much quicker and then we could go out for dinner. There were tears from 2 yo within a minute, 5 yo was crying a few minutes later. 9 yo came to me complaining that DP was shouting at her. He asked 2 yo a question and he pushed him away and DP kept repeating it which wound 2 yo out until he was so hysterical he was almost sick. When we went out for dinner no one would sit next to DP, he was on one side of the booth while we were all on the other. 2 yo screams if he touches his pushchair and runs away from him. DP has huffed and puffed all evening and looks thoroughly pissed off.

OP posts:
Dutchcourage · 08/07/2016 22:46

It's because he doesn't give a shit. The kids are your problem. And he knows your not gonna really leave are you?

With this kind of stuff it's low level - "oh why did you split up?" It's hard for you to say 'er because he wouldn't help with the kids' because it's nothing 'major'.

I've had this talk with one of my best friends today. We have had three people die in two weeks that were close to us. Life is too short for it to be a drag. To wake up every day carrying resentment for someone you do not want to be with. To have it bubble away for years knowing they are a lazy cunt and do not parent their own kids. To have the kids growing up in a house where they think their dad is a dick.

You don't have to have a massive major reason to ask some one to leave or split up. Looking after your own sanity and self respect is enough. Asking him to go might be the kick up the arse he needs...

UmbongoUnchained · 08/07/2016 23:01

Oh jeeez bin him!

Would your life really be any different if he wasn't there? You'd actually find it easier!! Been there, done that, don't recommend it. You're worth more and your kids deserve better. Just be prepared for him not to bother with them when you leave.

alificent · 08/07/2016 23:01

They do totally think he is a dick. So do I.

He is just so fucking oblivious. I rushed around all day and realised I'd been wanting a wee for about three hours so I headed to the toilet only for him to stand in the doorway and tell me he loved me for the 1000th time and leaning in to kiss me. After managing not to hiss I love you too, I gave him a brief cuddle and tried to squeeze past only for him to ask 'what's the matter? I feel like you've been avoiding me all day!' I said I just want to go to the toilet without being followed and he stormed off.

OP posts:
SandyY2K · 08/07/2016 23:45

The only wake up call for him will be saying you want to end the marriage and meaning it. Start talking legal seperation and visitation.

He may step up and if he does , you can write down what you want from him to consider reconciling, otherwise you might as well be on your own.

His behaviour is ridiculous and I can't believe he wants more kids.

Tell him where you're at and what steps come next. I could not put up with that crap.

TheMorningAfterTheNightBefore · 09/07/2016 05:04

Well I wouldn't be having any more children with him, that's for sure.

And I'm curious as to why you would have had 3 children with him in such quick succession (if your daughter from another relationship is only 9 and you had to split up with her dad, meet this new man, have a period of getting to know him and then, wham, 3 kids).

I know it's not the done thing to ask women why they continued to have children with a useless man on here, so I won't, but I can't help wonder why you thought it would be different with each subsequent child.

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