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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

Partner on paternity leave. Not pulling his weight.

162 replies

Mumtobe193 · 05/05/2019 12:08

Really need to have a rant. Absolutely furious with my partner's selfish attitude.

Our son was born last Friday, he is our second child, we already have a DD who is 3. We live miles away from my family, when I was pregnant my mum offered to come and stay with us shortly after DS was born to help out, we politely declined her offer. OH likes his own space, and I quite liked the idea of us being alone and having some quality bonding time as a family of 4. OH was useless after the birth of our first DD and I relied heavily on my mum for support, but this time around OH promised me that he'd be a 'better man' and he'd pull his weight, and I believed he would, it's not turned out that way.

I had quite a quick easy labour with DS and felt far better than I'd imagined I would afterwards. The worse thing I could have done is admit this to OH. As easy as my labour was I still expected a bit of pampering and praise when I got home from hospital. I just pushed a human being out of my vagina for gods sake! But my OH hasnt even so much as offered me a cup of tea, or a kind word. It's been expected that I get stuck back in to household chores and childcare from the moment I stepped through the front door after having DS, and I have received zero thanks for all I've done.

Since coming home I've juggled BF'ing DS on demand, with countless loads of laundry, I've hoovered, prepared several meals, bathed both kids with no help from OH, done 99.9% of nappy changes, washed dishes wiped surfaces, cleaned toilets etc etc. OH has put away one load of laundry and ran the hoover around once and sulked like a teenager whilst doing so after being nagged and nagged to help out.

Whenever he prepares a meal it usually involves chucking a frozen pizza in the oven. Which I really don't mind tbh, only he seems to think that's his license to put his feet up and do nothing for the rest of the evening and it is therefore up to me to wash dishes and put DD to bed as he 'made dinner'.

I'm BF'ing DS so night feeds are completely up to me, the first couple of nights after being home from hospital he was great, he got up with me, chatted to me, got me glasses of water, helped me change him, winded him etc. Now that's all gone out of the window, and he just lies there and leaves me to it. When he is back at work I don't expect him to get up in the night at all, but during his paternity I do expect at least a little help in the night. Yes I am BF'ing, but that doesn't mean that OH isn't capable of changing the odd nappy in the night so I can lie back down again.

In fairness to him he has been good at occupying DD. But that is about all he does. & although he's great at playing with her, it lasts for all of about 20 mins before he gets bored and hands her her ipad so he can stare at his phone with his feet up for a good couple of hours, or stand in the garden puffing away on his e-cig, while simultaneously ignoring me picking up mess around him with a fussy baby permanently attatched to my tit!

He has drank roughly 6 out of the last 8 nights which has pissed me off no end! He hasn't actually got drunk, but I do feel drinking 4 cans of beers most nights is excessive, especially for someone who is supposed to be helping care for a young child and a newborn. It's not a holiday after all.

But the thing that has really pushed me over the edge happened this morning. DS seems to be 'cluster feeding' so I was up every hour on the hour between 10pm and 5am last night, he finally slept for a 4 hour stretch and woke up at 9am, I fed him, changed his nappy and clothes for the day, his crying woke DD, she's starving wanting her breakfast, DS was becoming increasingly unsettled and I couldn't calm him down, I nudged OH and asked if he could either take DS and try and settle him or take DD down for her breakfast. He refused to do either despite snoring away all night, said he was having a lie in as it was Sunday morning. This was at 9:40am, I dont think I was asking much. I actually can't effing believe him! My blood is still boiling. Anyway I took DD down poured her a bowl of cereal with screaming DS in my arms, wasn't too much trouble, but not the point. Why should I struggle if he's supposed to be around to help me? DD is currently watching CBeebies and I've just settled DS. I've only just managed to get a cup of tea in peace and OH is only just emerging from his pit 🙄

Also I seem to be suffering from a really bad case of the 'baby blues' every day since roughly day 3/4 when my milk camekn, it will get to around 5pm'ish and I will just sit in my bedroom in floods of tears, and I'm on a really short fuse during the day (although I suspect OH's attitude has something to do with that aswell) OH has been less than supportive, I would absolutely love for someone to wrap their arms around me and tell me I'm doing a great job but OH is incapable of giving praise or affection, I've found myself really wishing I'd have had my mum here after all, as I'm feeling really low and getting worse with each passing day, I've found myself wishing I was back in hospital with DS as there are days I just don't want to leave my room but I feel I have to. Although I feel physically well, emotionally I am struggling, and I've really no one to talk to, no family around, no friends. My mum is only a phone call away which is great, but what I really want is love and support from my OH which I'm just not getting.

Just wanted to get all of this off my chest. Sorry for the long rant.

OP posts:
Poundlandkate · 14/05/2019 06:28

What a selfish bastard. Don't let him back in he can stay with his Mum. Call your Mum and get her to come down.

AndItStillSaidFourOfTwo · 14/05/2019 06:30

i can't tell you how angry I would be if my adult son turned up at mine to sleep, having left his partner to cope with their children - let alone a newborn (barring truly exceptional circs like a career-deciding exam the next day).

Call your mother. Pack his stuff, put it out, he is not to come back until he understands what he has done.

LannieDuck · 14/05/2019 06:59

Do whatever you've got to do, OP. Call your parents, call your in-laws, ask friends for help.

He won't like that, of course, because it will make him look bad. But you do what you need to do to get through the next few nights.

And when you feel ready, tell him not to come home.

LellyMcKelly · 14/05/2019 07:19

Jesus, I can’t believe he actually did that. How self centred do you have to be to actually pull a stunt like that? I’d have his things in a bin bag and on the door step in a heartbeat. What an absolute waste of space.

Morgan12 · 14/05/2019 07:26

Please please please stay firm on this one and do not allow him back. I wouldn't even let him back to pack a bag.

I'd pack one and drop it at his mums today. Tell her what's been happening. No need to hide it.

He isn't helping you at all anyway so he shouldn't be missed much. Hopefully this will give him a swift kick up the arse.

I'm furious on your behalf. What an arsehole.

MrsMozartMkII · 14/05/2019 07:26

You need to rip your 'D'H a new one!

What a selfish self-centred shit.

Ditto others. Get your mum there soonest, and when you've slept and got your brain in gear, give your relationship with your husband a good going over.

I'm so bloody angry for you lass. Have a huge hug and a handhold.

pudding21 · 14/05/2019 07:27

Phone him in the morning and tell him to stay away. Call your mum and ask her to come help. In the meantime, do what you can and don’t put too high expectations on yourself. You poor thing. And he’s a wanker.

BelleSausage · 14/05/2019 07:31

You are doing a brilliant job all on your own. It sounds like he is not helping much anyway. You sound like a great mum. Let the house slide for a bit. Your DD can watch a bit of tv while the baby is little. It won’t hurt. Give yourself all the breaks you can. Call your mum.

I would tell him to stay away for a bit. Perhaps the shock might bring him to his senses!

Good luck! You can do it.

Ruru8thestars · 14/05/2019 07:38

Call your mum. Leave this arsehole

peachgreen · 14/05/2019 07:40

He's a waste of space OP. Get your mum over and get rid of this arsehole.

NabooThatsWho · 14/05/2019 07:42

God what a dick. He just doesn’t care does he? He brings no value whatsoever to you or your DCs lives.

Get your mum round to stay and don’t contact him.

Also you could try a bit of formula and possibly a dummy so you can get a bit more rest? Some sleep will do you the world of good.

Big hugs Flowers

AttilaTheMeerkat · 14/05/2019 07:43

Do not continue to teach your children such crappy lessons about relationships. Unfortunately you have likely hung in there in the forlorn hope that he would change and step up. He has really and truly now shown you how selfish he really is and this is who he was all along. I would imagine that his parents have taken his side and are very much of a similar nature.

What is the situation re the property and finances?.
This man needs to be gone from your life permanently and I would seriously consider giving both children your surname now rather than his. You do not need to hand over any more power and control to him.

0ccamsRazor · 14/05/2019 07:49

Op i dont have any advice other that what has already been suggested.

I am so sorry that you are coping alone with your very small dc as well as recovering from the birth.

Sending you lots of (((hugs)))
I hope that your dm comes to help you today.

Flowers
NeatFreakMama · 14/05/2019 07:50

This is horrible, you’re doing an amazing job! Can you get your mum around, you badly need rest. I can not believe his behaviour, I’m so sorry.

Oblomov19 · 14/05/2019 07:54

Why haven't you told him everything you've written on this thread. He sounds like a complete emotional idiot. Waste of space.

DrinkFeckArseGirls · 14/05/2019 07:56

I would have called his parents landline.

DrinkFeckArseGirls · 14/05/2019 07:56

And instead of your mum ask PIL for help.

Doobydoodah · 14/05/2019 08:01

Call your mum now. Forget the rights and wrongs and long term. You need care and support to get you and the children over this tricky time. Baby blues every day? You need your mum now.

PJMasksAreOnTheirWay · 14/05/2019 08:07

You ring your mum. You take the kids and you go there and stay there. You tell your useless DH to fuck off.

Your DH’s behaviour has nothing to do with your hormones.

Pushpull · 14/05/2019 09:00

I hope you've had some sleep and your mum is on her way. Do you feel safe feeding lying down, there is good advice on cosleeping from the lullaby trust which may help you get some sleep. Also you can slightly incline the cot which may help.

Is there anyone who could take your oldest out for a walk to the park or similar to burn some energy off. And perhaps you could pick up some ready mixed bottles just to give you a break at night time, the feeding is great particularly if he has a cold but there is no harm in one off supplementing/top ups.

It's hard to tell I guess whether you're crying because of the situation or whether there is anything more going on, but its maybe worth speaking to your hv/gp

I agree totally with what's been said about your dh but I just wouldnt waste the energy on trying to fix/deal with him just now.

You and your mum have got this

Oohgossip · 14/05/2019 09:07

He’s a waste of space. Don’t let him back home, there are 2 kids now who’ll be watching example and you do t want them thinking this or normal or ok.

Suebnm · 14/05/2019 09:12

I have read some really awful things on here but this is really bad.

My sons wife (who is wonderful) had a baby 5 days ago and I have just given my son a talking to, I would not have let him in my house if he had done that to my lovely daughter in law, the mother of my grandchildren.

You need to reconsider your relationship with your boyfriend OP, you're doing a fabulous job with your two but you don't need this kind of severe stress. It will only get worse.

Please talk to someone in real life.

PJMasksAreOnTheirWay · 14/05/2019 09:13

I would be wanting to know why only his sleep and his rest is important?

foreverhanging · 14/05/2019 09:26

Op, I would tell him not to come back home and that you'll leave his things out the front for him. What an absolute waste of oxygen he is.

foreverhanging · 14/05/2019 09:27

And please call your mum, you need the support xx

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