AIBU - no help from DP

[Jbonesmumma1]

Morning all, so I just wanted some feedback on my current situation.... I genuinely feel like I am going mad! I don't think I'm being unreasonable but my partner makes out that I am the DEVIL! Sorry if this post is a bit long!

So essentially I quit my job to be a SAHM two months ago after maternity leave. I have a ten month old son. He is amazing but very hard work. He has recently started waking at 5am, coupled with 1.5 - two hourly wakings all night long. He has always been an awful sleeper since birth. I'm EXHAUSTED. DP is a scaffolder so he works at heights. When the nights got too tough at four months (he wasn't helping me by the way he just could hear the noise) he went downstairs to sleep on the sofa. He has been there for 6 months now I have asked him to come back upstairs but he 'needs his sleep'. FAIR ENOUGH! BUT!!! Now our DS has started waking at 5am, (i thinks it's part of the sleep regression, he did it before it was just a phase!!) I have asked DP if he would mind taking him for an hour (he wakes up at 5.15am to get ready for work anyway) so I could catch up a little bit before I begin my day. He is being so passive aggressive about it... he likes to go to the gym at 4.30am before work sometimes (he's a massive gym head) I said it's not every morning just SOME mornings so I can catch up. He has begrudgingly agreed to do the morning, it's the attitude I can't stand TBH!!! So bitchy because he has to actually do something. i heard this morning screaming coming from downstairs.... he is eating food in front of DS and DS is hungry and he hasn't made him any I asked why he didn't make DS food and he said 'I don't have time maybe you should get up earlier?!' .... I do ALL THE NIGHT FEEDS, Cooking cleaning you name it!!! I have asked for a weeny bit of help!!! And I get a shit ton of attitude. I honestly can't cope with him sometimes!!

He came in from work the other day and I asked if he would mind bathing the baby. DP hadn't seen him for two days as the baby had been in bed by the time he got home.... he said 'most men wouldn't help with the baby the minute they got in they would want a break' ... then sloped off into the bathroom... He works very hard... six days a week. I understand it's tough, I do. But it's not easy being a SAHM either! I only wanted a small break in the morning... surely it's not too big and ask?! AIBU??

[timeisnotaline]

You will have to accept his mum will see your baby though. Don’t waste energy on this, just grin and bear it, you are his mum and the example he will learn.

[Jbonesmumma1]

I never thought about it like that but your right!! If he is going around telling everyone he is mucking in... obviously he KNOWS deep down that he should be.

I am going to try and talk to him tonight and explain that I'm going back to work soon. As I can't take the constant pressure being on me to look after baby alone. He will have to get more involved or I'm gone. My hopes arnt high about him changing... but we will see if the dynamic changes when I'm back in work. Will give me time to save as well. Just need a deposit, childminder and some furniture now

Actually dreading all this upheaval but things can't go on like this... I'm miserable all the time and feel totally used and abused by him! I'm just worried poor Joe is going to suffer because of all this. He is comfortable here in our place, he is near all his baby classes and has a nice little life (albeit with little input from his dad) what a shit situation but atleast I can make a change. It's just going to take some time

[NabooThatsWho]

As I can't take the constant pressure being on me to look after baby alone.

If you think he will be more involved with parenting when you go back to work I think you will be disappointed. Hopefully I’m wrong though.....

[thethoughtfox]

Please ask MN to get the posts with your baby's name deleted. This could identify you. Some of these threads get picked up by the media.

[tuxedocatsintophats]

Just stop telling anyone and crack on. He's a wrong 'un. GET A JOB!

[tuxedocatsintophats]

NEVER EVER become a SAHP to an unmarried partner.

[tuxedocatsintophats]

He won't suffer, he won't remember a thing.

[timeisnotaline]

I hope your talk is productive. He knows very well that other men parent.
I’ve reported your post above with your babies name so they remove it :!

[Moses92]

Wow I hope you get your independence back OP, I couldn't live like that!

[PhilCornwall]

A post here from a dad of two boys 17 and 12. I'm certainly not super dad and I've made parenting mistakes like 100% of the rest of the parents out there, but if he thinks the mother does the lions share because she "stays at home", he's a knob, a mum needs a break too!!

I've lost count of the number of times I've changed nappies, got up for feeds and been covered in crap. It doesn't make me unique, I'm simply a dad, it's what dads do.

Sorry for saying this, but tell him to buck up or ship out, he sounds a right selfish twat.

[lifebegins50]

So glad yout self esteem hadn't been worn down and you have resolve.

Men like him often feel resentment and contempt for their partners when the power shifts in the relationship,which csn happen when the woman has a baby and gives up work. It is a trigger for their toxic behaviour rather than a cause. Good men appreciate a partner for caring for their child and want to be involved with parenting.

It is difficult to change behaviour since it is linked to his thought patterns and are likely to be ingrained. His comments about other men shows he is just weak as needs to follow the pack. He is also a chameleon as changes his views to suit different audiences. Stuff like this will make it hard for you to trust him and respect him.

It is always terrifying to think of solo parenting especially finances but you sound capable and resilient so there will be a way. Au Pairs are fantastic for school aged children but not typically for under that age.

Many women are much happier single when compared to a useless partner...me included!

[Jbonesmumma1]

Thanks @PhilCornwall for a male perspective! It's such a shame he doesn't seem to have any paternal instincts to want to get involved like you did and most other dads do!! It makes me so sad as our son is absolutely gorgeous and such a smiley happy boy. Even strangers in the street want to talk to him and his own dad is not bloody interested :(

Thanks @lifebegins50 I do hope I will be happier. I think it's just got to the point where I am so sad that being alone doesn't scare me anymore. It kind of makes me feel happy the thought of new beginnings and a different future... though it is a little daunting I admit. But lots of women / men have done it alone so it can be done! I keep telling myself if my mum can do it with twins then so can I!!

@tuxedocatsintophats yes lesson learnt the hard way here... don't SAHM for anyone tbh!! Husband or not. Been officially unemployed for 8 weeks and I'm in a right bloody mess. So much for trusting someone else to support me... rookie error there