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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

Childcare, chores and arguments

12 replies

DameBaggySmith · 03/11/2018 00:18

Dp has tonight left me because I didn't think it was appropriate for him to say he wanted a shower at the kids bedtime. He thinks it's ok because he's been at work all day and I haven't. Friday is my one day off and it has been spent trying to keep the kids entertained whilst doing chores. I also cooked tea and washed up while he sat there watching. I said he could shower when the kids were in bed. I have apologised for being annoyed at his timing.

He thinks I'm bang out of order because he was at work and I had the 'luxury' of having a shower today. I have repeatedly tried to explain the amount of stuff I do on Friday so we can relax at the weekend as much as possible. He shouted at me but told me off for shouting at him. He called me names in earshot if the kids.

He has been in contact and wants me to let him spend the day with the kids tomorrow because I had to chance to be with them today. He has been giving me grief about what a horrible person I am. I feel like I am a nag because I have to constantly ask for help. He says I'm horrible to him constantly when I say it's mostly just me asking for help. I do get angry sometimes when I've repeatedly asked for something and it gets ignored. He doesn't remember that I've asked so many times before. We both have pressure from our jobs though his is very stressful, partly because he does too much at work and his boss takes advantage of that. He's very forgetful so I have to ask for everything.

I don't want a 50/50 split, I just want to not be doing chores like washing so much, because it's just me doing them. He says we should reuse the kids clothes but most of the time they have food on them (kids are 4 and 1). He goes out to his shed every night for a while. He told me on the phone that he does an equal split considering I work one day less than him, I asked him how much of the washing, washing up, food shopping, cooking, ironing and bills he's done this week (I could add others but he says things like drying up, vacuuming and dusting aren't necessary so I didn't mention those). He refused to answer then says he must be an awful person and he obviously does nothing. I explained that I never said he did nothing, I just listed all the things I do all of. I point out that I thank him when he does helpful things. He tells others that nothing he does is good enough. As I said I give him praise when he's helpful. He thinks wiping the high chairs after tea one night means he's very helpful and means he should get a break for anything else. Of course that is helpful but I do it every other night.

I really don't want things to end but I am going to forever be the nag for asking for help and sometimes boiling over when I repeatedly don't get help. I just want him to understand the time I spend doing jobs but he seems to think I manufacture jobs for the fun of it. I do less than I used to but obviously having kids generates a lot of clothes washing etc. He thinks cleaning is unnecessary, I do a very quick whip round most weeks at times when it doesn't affect him. Not sure what the point of this post is really. I'm very doubting of whether I should just do all these things and not get annoyed by what I perceive as a big imbalance.

OP posts:
Maelstrop · 03/11/2018 00:38

He’s an idiot and lazy. What is he adding to your life, OP? You’re looking after him like he’s your 3rd child. Cleaning is unnecessary? So you should live in filth?

thereallochnessmonster · 03/11/2018 00:40

God, what a gaslighting lazy twat. Make a list of chores, write down all those you do, and what he does. Show him. See if he thinks you’re unreasonable.

sosickofthisshit · 03/11/2018 00:43

Sounds to me like you're well rid. Lazy, entitled arsehole. Just because he works, doesn't mean he gets to sit back and do fuck all at home. Being a stay at home parent is a 24/7 job.

Weenurse · 03/11/2018 00:44

Give him the kids as requested, but also with a list of shopping for clothes, birthday presents, ingredients for dinner. Also the list of jobs you completed on Friday, it’s doubling up but it will give him an idea on what you do on your ‘day off’.
See what his response is to that.
If he refuses to do the jobs then suggest paying someone to do it for him.

DameBaggySmith · 03/11/2018 00:46

To be fair he is very loving and affectionate and he has given me the confidence to try things I wouldn't have in the past.

He is lazy though I agree. He thinks that I am too clean and that we could let things get more dirty, the issue with that is that he's oblivious to the dirt. For eg when the kitchen tiles are so dirty that our socks go brown from waking on it, I give it a clean. He thinks that I shouldn't even notice the brown socks and I must have ocd for noticing.

I am very torn by the fact he makes me feel loved and the fact he clearly can't be bothered to deal with the mess that having kids creates. It's a constant source of tension, even though I try and block a lot of it out or mention things calmly. Sometimes I am not calm about it.

OP posts:
DameBaggySmith · 03/11/2018 00:47

Love your suggestion weenurse 

OP posts:
Weenurse · 03/11/2018 00:48

Time to divvy up the smaller day to day jobs and pay someone for a weekly deeper clean

DameBaggySmith · 03/11/2018 00:53

I would love a cleaner, we have just stretched ourselves on the mortgage though not sure we could afford it. Though saying that he earns a lot more than me so maybe he should sodding pay then I won't have to be the nag.

Thank you for making me feel like I'm not being a complete tit

OP posts:
Weenurse · 03/11/2018 00:57

It is amazing how money can be found and priorities rejiggered if it means for a more harmonious life.
Canceled a unused gym membership and took lunch from home 4 days a week (both of us), money found.

Moffa · 03/11/2018 07:28

I agree. Try & get a weekly cleaner. Money well spent.

My H does nothing - he wouldn’t even wipe down a high chair - apparently that is my job! But mine isn’t loving, affectionate or encouraging either.

Your relationship sounds mainly good so a few tweaks will make life more harmonious. Good luck OP

Karrwomannghia · 03/11/2018 07:40

It’s the way he talks to you that’s the worst thing. He’s using anger and sarcasm to stop you talking about it.
Do write out all the jobs that need doing and how often and talk about that when you’re not having an argument

DameBaggySmith · 03/11/2018 11:25

Thank you for your suggestions, they're really helpful 

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