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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

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:
category12 · 14/05/2019 17:51

Can you just bugger off home legally?

I'd get passports sorted and make plans to leave if you can.

30somethingandsingle · 14/05/2019 18:28

What a fucking twat.

Merryoldgoat · 14/05/2019 18:31

If you stay your life will get worse and worse.

Just fucking leave.

ThatCurlyGirl · 14/05/2019 18:41

He LEFT THE HOUSE in the night to leave you alone to deal with the kids?

This might be the most selfish thing I've heard on MN. You poor thing Shock

Mate, he's a massive, massive, massive cunt.

I'm so sorry x

ThatCurlyGirl · 14/05/2019 18:42

@pallisers is right about his parents - my brother is mid thirties and if he pulled this shit my mum would bollock the living daylights out of him frogmarch him back to his wife and NEWBORN BABY. I am so sorry you're going through this at a time that's already so hard :( x

youngfreeandnotsingle · 14/05/2019 18:49

If DP did this after i'd given birth, his mother would give him a bollocking and certainly wouldn't be offering him the spare room! Get yourself a plane to wherever it is you have a good support system and get yourself away from him! You don't need a lazy partner and your DCs don't need a lazy dad Flowers you sound like you're doing an amazing job OP!

Figgygal · 14/05/2019 18:52

Do it go to your mum you have the opportunity to it with dd not being in school
Or get her to come to you fuck his need for his own space

NorthernRunner · 14/05/2019 19:01

Where are you in the UK op?
I’m a childminder and have a very quiet week, on the off chance you are local, and need some time let me know. I would happily help in anyway. I’ve been where you are and it’s beyond shit xx

poglets · 14/05/2019 19:24

I wouldn't allow in laws to take my DD anywhere in this situation. No matter the tiredness. You need to call your mother. Your DH has let you down and your in laws have let you down by enabling their son.

This is how it goes with this kind of man. They will try everything they can if you tolerate it. My DH was similar until I stood up to him, his family and shamed him in to it. And yes, I have lost all respect for him. But that is another story. Do not budge and don't let him isolate you so you suffer in silence.

goodwinter · 14/05/2019 19:39

Holy shit. You are 2 weeks PP with a 3 year old and he LEFT in the middle of the night, with both children crying, so he could go and sleep? And then turned his phone off? I am raging on your behalf, that is one of the most selfish things I have ever heard.

Your FIL sounds just as bad. Yes, your partner has to sleep so he can work. When do you get to sleep, if you're up all night and looking after 2 children all day?

I would honestly start getting your ducks in a row in order to go and be with your mum long-term, if that's possible for you. Your "partner" right now is not being a partner, or a father. I don't think this is going to change.

I am so sorry. I hope you've managed to get some rest today and that he somehow realises what a selfish prick he is.

ThatCurlyGirl · 14/05/2019 19:43

@NorthernRunner THIS is why I love MN. Shit like this. Thanks for being lovely on OPs behalf!xxx

GummyGoddess · 14/05/2019 19:53

Your mum offered to stay, I'm sure she would be thrilled if you stayed with her as well.

Get the passport forms done this evening. I think you can take a picture of your DS yourself on your phone as long as it's on a white background and you fulfil the criteria. You need a rest or you will be too ill to care for either of your children. This is for their welfare as much as yours.

Quartz2208 · 14/05/2019 19:58

GO to your mum and away from this toxic situation at least until it settles

Ginger1982 · 14/05/2019 20:06

Has your prick of a husband come home from work?

AuntMarch · 14/05/2019 20:10

If you can fly to your mum, do it.
Rested and supported, you'll soon see whether you actually miss him. I doubt you will!

Nc1548 · 14/05/2019 20:16

@Mumtobe193, @GummyGoddess is right, you can take the photos yourself, there are apps in the playstore that can help you do it very easily.

labazsisgoingmad · 14/05/2019 20:29

think id be in tears too if i had to put up with his antics tell him he gets his sorry backside into gear or you will get your mum to stay and he can go and do one. spell it out for him you need practical help and emotional support

FizzyGreenWater · 14/05/2019 21:15

Tell your mum OP. Really. She will just want to be there for you - as you would for your DD - and even having her on the phone right now will be a start, you'll feel much better.

And I would think the next step would be to make a plan to go home and stay with her for a while, while you work out what you want to do. Tell her this, and she won't fret so much, she can just help you get sorted so that you can fly out to stay with her.

As it's more complicated than just jumping on a train, I would not tell your pig of a (non) partner that you plan to go see her. He might try and stop you and as it's a case of going overseas, he could. Get the baby's passport sorted out and go.

Then you can make the decision on whether you actually want to come back. Oh and yes he could absolutely then force you to - that's where you tell him fine, you get a court order forcing us to come back and I will a. finish the relationship and b. expect you to have the kids 50% of the time.

You won't see him for dust!

billybagpuss · 14/05/2019 21:20

I take it mil has put up with similar from fil for years.

DoctorManhattan · 14/05/2019 21:43

Threads like this make me want to reach across the internet, grab your OH and give him a good f**king shake.

It's obvious he is selfish and interested only in looking out for himself. Asides from the fundamental issue of not helping you out when you need it most - which is what any good partner would do - it's evident he also has no interest in bonding with his new son either.

At the very, very least - he needs the bollocking of his life.

Milkn0sugar · 14/05/2019 21:43

What a selfish, lazy, indulgent arse. I would phone my mum immediately and ask her to visit for a week. He can stay in the bedroom if he wants his precious space. If he asks why you've changed your mind, tell him that he didn't honour his side of the deal so you're calling in the cavalry. You need to look after yourself. The sleep deprivation and the pressure of looking after a newborn and a 3 year old compounded by the hormones will leave you very vulnerable. You need back up. I had my DD2 5 months ago and if it wasn't for my DM helping out most days for the first 3 weeks and DH massively stepping up to take care of DD1 (whose behaviour deteriorated and she was waking up throughout the night for weeks), I would have really struggled. You've done so well to just get on with it all but no wonder you're knackered and down. Thanks

NabooThatsWho · 15/05/2019 10:07

Hope you are ok OP

Jollymollyx · 15/05/2019 10:16

Cannot believe what I have just read! This is awful behaviour, what on Earth does he think paternity is? He should be helping you as much as he could while he could before work. I cannot believe he has left, not even just slept on the sofa but left the house! And it’s not even your first baby it’s your second you have your hands full! I would leave and go to your moms
Not even tell him
Just pack what you need for a week and go. If you can’t then seriously call her down
And when he returns tell him he’s not needed he can run back along to his parents. If his parents live this close why don’t they ever help

You are bleeding, up all night, there’s no excuse for his behaviour.

NorthernRunner · 16/05/2019 14:49

Hope you are ok OP 👍🏻😊

ThatCurlyGirl · 16/05/2019 15:42

How are you doing OP? Thinking of you Thanks