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Relationships

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 refuses to use the family calender

152 replies

MrsStiltskin · 10/04/2019 20:12

Most of the organisation at home is left to me. Fine. I just ask DH to include his commitments on the family calender as we're both busy people and want to avoid clashes. Also, I try to preserve 2 evenings a week for us as a couple and this only happens if I'm organised about it. DH is much busier socially and professionally than me.

I forget things he tells me verbally as I'm very busy with family life and children etc so as a way to minimise my forgetfulness, we use a family app.

DH however still isn't adding his commitments to the calender. We have had atleast 6 arguments about this I would say. Not sure if this is forgetfulness, awkwardness or stubborness. He also is not preserving time for us as a couple which upsets and disappoints me and makes me wonder if this is why he isn't using the app, because it's clear to see that he isn't honouring any "Us time."

Our relationship is very much in trouble so it's important we get time to connect properly. We were going to have some Us time on Monday evening but the children were poorly which meant this did not happen. So another evening has not been prioritised to replace it. I have also been sleeping on the floor in one of the children's rooms so we aren't even sharing a bed at night. He was out on Saturday evening, Tuesday evening and also tonight, so I am home with the children who are still unwell and my own company.

The last time we fell out about him not using the calender, he promised me he would start as he actually really likes it. He hasn't. It's as if he sees it as an app for me to inform him my plans for me and the children and doesn't realise he has to inform me his plans too.
He announced at 5pm today that he is out tonight again, he says he has told me, but I haven't remembered so it's all my fault even though its not on the fucking calender AGAIN. I was really hoping to spend some time with him tonight having had an emotional and worrying couple of days with the children, along with terrible sleep. I've also not been well myself.

He knows I'm upset but he has gone anyway. Some may not care about having an organised system like ours at home which is fine- I don't judge, but it works well for our lifetsyle and this is agreed by DH entirely. He loves the app. But he refuses to add to it, leading to last minute outings (or atleast they are to me) and not much time for us at all.

I've been really angry and frustrated in the past, but today I just feel upset and let down. Fed up of being taken for granted as being available to be here with the children whilst he pleases himself. I feel like I've had enough and to be frank, it's killing my love for him. I have told him this and the only response I've had is "you're ridiculous." He has since added his commitment to the calender under "selfish twat out tonight."

I know it sounds silly over a bloody calender but I feel depleted by it all. I am tryjng to hold the family together and keep everything organised etc and I feel I'm all alone in doing so. I am getting to a point where I want to leave him over this.
I'm exhausted by his lack of communication, lack of connection and lack of team spirit.

What do I do next?

OP posts:
MissHemsworth · 11/04/2019 11:43

He's completely taking you for granted that you'll be at home with the DCs whilst he gets to do what he likes without telling you.

He's carrying on ignoring the calendar as so far there have been no consequences to his actions.

I would do what PPs have suggested & become very busy all of a sudden.

LatentPhase · 11/04/2019 11:45

I would be seeing a solicitor right now.

Don’t put it on the calendar though.

Bagpuss5 · 11/04/2019 11:45

Well what are these vital last minute social events and meetings?? If he is fighting his way to the top of a demanding career you could possibly cut him some slack. But if his attitude is well I'm leading the life I want and to heck with DW and DCs. You need to start being realistic.

MissHemsworth · 11/04/2019 11:51

Sorry just seen your last update OP. He doesn't sound like a supportive partner at all.

EKGEMS · 11/04/2019 11:59

He's a selfish inconsiderate son of a bitch. Leave him

Dumakey · 11/04/2019 12:19

I don't think he wants to spend time with you, otherwise he would.

How long have you had Pnd for and how long have you been seeing a counsellor??

You need to set higher standards for you and your children and stop bending over backwards to assist him. He isn't doing the same for you.

Personally I would tell him to leave. You need space on your own and I wouldn't worry about how you would cope as you are doing it on your own anyway.

LordWheresMyShoes · 11/04/2019 12:24

My only intention is to make family life as smooth as possible with breaks for us both and time for us as a couple.

I'm so sorry, but you're not a family, not in any functional sense. You're a single parent family with an abusive sperm donor cocklodger.

Hope the counselling this afternoon helps. Please also get rich with women's aid today.

Loopytiles · 11/04/2019 12:24

Please prioritise your own health and wellbeing.

Your H’s behaviour doesn’t bode well and suggests disrespect and lack of concern for you (and parenting). It would be a deal breaker for me.

It concerns me that you’re sleeping on the floor: that won’t be helping your physical or mental health.

funtimespeople · 11/04/2019 12:46

No wonder you have PND if this is the type of thing you are living with. Hopefully you can unravel some of it in your counselling. It's a difficult situation Thanks

Happynow001 · 11/04/2019 12:58

@MrsStiltskin
Your DH doesn't care about you or the children. The only person who has any importance in this "relationship" is himself. As another PP has said, he is already checking out.

Have you asked him outright "why WON'T you add to the calendar?" What's his answer?

He says "I forget."
Does he "forget" stuff in his work calendar though?

My only intention is to make family life as smooth as possible with breaks for us both and time for us as a couple.
It takes more than one person to make a relation work. He doesn't care and will do what he wants when he wants safely in the knowledge you will do what's needed for the children you had together.

I'm glad you are seeing a counsellor for yourself but you should also step back emotionally from him and see how his actual actions are impacting on your family. Are you able to discuss any of this to your counsellor?

It will also not hurt for you to know how things would be if he left. Do speak to Women's Aid to get some general advice if you ended up alone. Look at the entitled to website to see what benefits you might get. https://www.entitledto.co.uk//_

I'm not saying "leave him" because you don't sound ready to even think that way. I am saying "Be prepared".

Good luck OP.

MsDogLady · 11/04/2019 16:40

Punishment? Pathetic? Ridiculous? I forgot?

MrsStiltskin, this man is an abusive manipulator. He likes controlling you and keeping you on the back foot.

His priority is going out as a single man.

Why are you tolerating this despicable person? I would make him leave.

Oblahdeeoblahdoe · 11/04/2019 16:58

I'm raging for you! I really want to know what is so important for him to leave the house for? Is he at the pub with his mates? The gym? Work related socialising? Unfortunately parents of young children (especially when poorly) don't have a social life. This is on top of you being ill yourself! I'd totally down tools, no cooking, washing for him, tell him you forgot!

Rockhopper10 · 11/04/2019 17:54

At first I didn't want to use a family calendar either (I'm the female partner in our family) when my husband suggested it, because I was perfectly happy using my paper one. But then I realised no-one can plan family life if they can't see what the other person is up to - plus it's not all about me and what I want. This is clearly NOT what the OP's husband is thinking.

My strong suggestion (made by others too) is to start thinking of what you'd like to do in your free time and making plans (using the calendar) to do it. Stop trying to work round him....he's not trying to take you into account.

MrsStiltskin · 11/04/2019 18:24

He went to the pub.

OP posts:
ohfourfoxache · 11/04/2019 18:35

You do know that you could be so much happier than this, don’t you?

AnotherEmma · 11/04/2019 18:52

I'm not surprised you have PND, with a husband like him.
I suggest you read "Why does he do that?" by Lundy Bancroft and discuss his behaviour with your counsellor.
Women's Aid would be a good call too, if you can get through to their national or local phone line.
Flowers

MrsStiltskin · 11/04/2019 18:53

Yes I do.
I've asked him to leave and he refuses.
What more can I do?
I've nowhere to go with the DCs, he has somewhere he can go.
My counsellor has pointed out some serious issuee today regarding his behaviour which I hadn't even considered. I want out of this relationship, but how when he won't go?

OP posts:
AnotherEmma · 11/04/2019 18:57

How? Call Women's Aid, ask about signposting to legal advice. Call the free Rights of Women family law helpline.

AnotherEmma · 11/04/2019 18:59

With a man like this I suspect you'll need an occupation order and if you can't get that you'll need to go through the legal process of divorce and financial settlement. Hence legal advice (and you need a solicitor with experience of domestic abuse).

Are you on maternity leave, working or a SAHM? Do you have any savings in your own name?

Ilikeslippers · 11/04/2019 19:01

Sorry but he sounds like my ex. Just didn't do even simple things which were important to me and easy for him to do.

Ilikeslippers · 11/04/2019 19:05

Ahh - just read your update.

Very like my ex. He won't leave and I can't afford a house for me and the kids. I call him my e,x as he is (even if not legally) but we are still in the same house.

You have my sympathy. I could leave but that would mean me and kids on benefits. I am not prepared to do that to my kids.

RandomMess · 11/04/2019 19:10

Why don't you take the DC and goThanks

ohfourfoxache · 11/04/2019 20:30

Do you have family you could go to?

MrsStiltskin · 11/04/2019 20:34

No family to go to unfortunately.

OP posts:
RandomMess · 11/04/2019 20:37

How well do you get on with your in laws?

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