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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

Not sure if I want a baby with my boyfriend

34 replies

Beingtoo · 12/06/2019 12:10

I want to rant a bit and then I have a question whether this kind of behaviour could mean difficult times for me if we would have children.

My live-in partner needs a lot of time together. Just doing whatever, me and him together. I like to have some alone time, too. I mean, not with hobbies or friends, but just to be at home in silence without him being there. He knows it, we have talked about it several times, he has made promises that he will find activities outside the house. He never goes anywhere alone. I guess I have already used to the situation, but it actually makes me mad inside sometimes because I really need it and he just ignores it. I feel bad telling him to go out, because there is not to do out alone, right. There of course are things, but he seems to find an excuse every time. To be honest, I am afraid of asking even, because he has used many passive-agressive tactics before, so while it seems these tactics have ended, I still worry these things might happen again so I'm actually avoiding.
Secondly, I'm getting fed up of the fact that it seems like he is only really interested in going out and doing things (strolls, travelling, concerts, museums, just sitting outside you name it, just anything outside the house). If at home, then he has not much drive in doing anything besides sleeping, watching TV, cooking and playing videogames. He comes home from work and if I'm not home, he just sleeps for a few hours and then watches TV. If I'm home we talk and then we watch TV or go for a walk. If I do my own things at home, he just watches TV or plays. But the point is, I love to do home decorating and some renovations whenever possible. Currently, I'd really need his help. But even more, in my mind this is also a quality time together to plan, do and later enjoy what we have done. However, when I bring it up he is all about yes, it is wonderful idea. But then nothing happens. I have to constantly remind him and tell him that we agreed we would do it. He won't talk about or do anything related to these ideas on his own initiative. Only when I specifically tell him. He knows these things are important to me and I love to do those things. During week, when I tell him I'd like to do this or that now, he says his tired or not now or whatever and I sometimes do it alone and sometimes not at all. When he agrees to do, he gets tired quickly and I usually end up doing it alone. When he talks about what to do in weekend, he never brings up those things that need to be done at home, those things that I would love to do.
Besides home-things, I have tried to find other activities to do together instead of walking around the city each weekend because I get tired of it, it has become so boring. I'd like to do something with a purpose or goal, also, together. Like going to dance classes together, or reading a book together, or doing some courses together, or taking up a hobby together. He is always on board, yes, it is a good idea, very interesting. He comes along with me. But the moment I have a bit of lack of motivation or do not remind him or something comes up temporarily or whatever, then the activity just fizzles out, because he shows no interest or initiative regarding it anymore and I feel like I just pressure him doing these activities.

Recently I fell apart a bit when I was stressed cause I had a lot going on at work and friendships and told him through tears that I need him to help me plan things (do not remember the topic), but the point is that he himself suggested that he will be responsible for one renovation plan we have talked about for months and even made some preparations so that I would not have to think about it. He did draft a plan a few days later as he promised, nice. But it has now been a month and he has said absolutely nothing regarding the plan. Yes, I had busy two weeks during the time and I see that we could have not done anything then, but the past two weeks have been not busy. So I'm just waiting when will he start discussing the implementation of the plan. I do not want to raise the topic, because then the idea of him being responsible for it would be pointless. I really like to plan things also, and I think it is necessary also when you have children. It seems he is not keen on planning.

OK, enough with the ranting. What I wanted to ask is.. we have talked about starting a family in the future. But I'm actually getting worried about the fact that based on his behaviour I think I might be in trouble with children with him. I mean based on his behaviour it seems like he struggles committing to "rough work" and lacks consistency (not sure it is the correct word). I mean, with children you must do all kinds of things you are not that keen, right? I'm worried that all the difficult parts of parenting would be mine and he could just enjoy the good bits of going out and having fun there.

I see a number of very good traits in him - firstly the same thing that he likes to go out and do all kinds of things (however, not sure how much would he like to do it with children..); secondly he is cleaning and washing up and cooking and is capable of doing it on his own initiative; he is caring towards me - whenever I have like pain or tough time he is understanding, does more than his fair share in the house (chores); does not pressure me to have sex or anything. Seems pretty decent man and reading here how bad can husbands behave, I feel actually silly complaining about such issue...

OP posts:
ittakes2 · 15/06/2019 05:45

Do you think maybe you are not compatible and you are just settling with him because he is ‘nice ebough’?

MrsTerryPratchett · 15/06/2019 05:54

I don't know why people are giving him a hard time. He works, does chores and relaxes when he wants; napping or gaming? Who cares? There aren't kids he can do what he likes as long as he does his share, which it sounds like he does.

You just aren't suited. My mum's like you OP. Always a project, has to be busy, never stops, then needs 'space' on her own terms. My dad is your partner. He works, but then he wants to sit. They just do their own thing. If they tried to force the other person to do what they like, they'd be miserable.

KatherineJaneway · 15/06/2019 05:56

You are simply not compatible.

He tells you what you want to hear to shut you up but never follows through despite knowing how much it means to you. He is simply a man who is happy with a boring life. You are not happy with that type of life and you'd be a fool to stay with him imo.

Settlersofcatan · 15/06/2019 06:09

He is simply a man who is happy with a boring life. You are not happy with that type of life and you'd be a fool to stay with him imo.

Not sure I am reading the same OP as other posters. He likes museums and concerts but she wants him to care more about home renovations. I know which one I think is boring!

I think one of the most important things in a relationship is that you both like to do the same things or can do your own thing compatibily. This doesn't seem to be the case here but I don't think it's all his fault.

I don't do home renovations, sitting and planning them would bore me to tears but I don't think it makes me a bad parent!

aberfallsdown · 15/06/2019 06:13

As a previous poster said, when you have children this need to be alone in the house will only increase if that's how you feel now - I am the same and I've had to fight many battles just to get some time on my own as he just doesn't understand that I don't Want time on my own I Need it for my mental health -

It is a compatibility issue, not right or wrong but if he doesn't listen to what you are saying now, he won't down the line.

Esspee · 15/06/2019 06:33

Even if he was a perfect match for you and you loved him (which certainly doesn't seem likely from your post) surely you wouldn't consider having children without the protection of marriage? There are so many threads on here which highlight the stupidity of having a child without a legal agreement, learn from them.

DoctorManhattan · 15/06/2019 11:01

OP you sound like my ex. We were together a number of years, no kids. Spent a lot of time together. I did my share (more than my share actually) of cooking, cleaning, etc.

My ex had a particular hobby she loved, a sports based one. Tried to involve me in it. I had zero interest in the hobby but went along anyway on at least 6 or 7 occasions and participated because it was important to her. I never once moaned about it but it was plainly obvious I lacked the passion and knowledge she had for it. Eventually she started a row over my lack of ‘enthusiasm’ for it, even though I explained I was trying and couldn’t muster up passion for something I had no passion for.

Next thing was dancing, she decided we should take dancing lessons. I’m not a dancer, never will be a dancer, no interest in dancing. Still, I made the effort and went along on numerous occasions because it was important to her. Surprisingly, the teacher even praised me on two occasions. Again, ‘I wasn’t enthusiastic enough!’.

It’s not like we had a rubbish relationship. We went out a lot socially, weekends away, etc. But she felt this need for me to be involved in all her activities, yet looked down her nose at the things I was into - cars/rallying (that’s for ‘boy racers’), and gaming (that’s for ‘kids’). FWIW, gaming has moved on from Nintendo & Mario in the 80s, it’s a multi billion pound industry with cutting edge technology and I find that viewpoint extremely narrow minded. Just as successful rallying involves a level of skill and dedication that takes extremely hard work and effort.

The thing is, I could exist just fine with not involving her in my hobbies. She on the other hand couldn’t. So eventually we grew apart.

Your partner is trying to meet you halfway but you are expecting him to share the same sense of urgency and enthusiasm that you do for something he’s clearly not into. That’s not fair, or sustainable, just as you can’t suddenly muster up passion for clay pigeon shooting or some other activity you’ve never wanted to try. Let him be himself, learn to be comfortable doing some things yourself, and stop trying to mould him into something he’s not. And if you’re not happy with who he is, then do him a favour and end it.

ChristmasFluff · 15/06/2019 18:42

I didn't even read the whole post.

But if you have any doubts whatsoever about whether a man can be a good father, DO NOT HAVE A CHILD WITH HIM.

You have asked for the opinions of stranger on the internet. DO NOT HAVE A CHILD WITH HIM

That is all.

NauseousMum · 15/06/2019 20:15

You don't sound compatable at all. While he is amenable to try your things despite disliking, you don't like trying his.

Why are you trying to change him? And getting annoyed when he isnt the perfect person you want. That's very unfair.

No you shouldn't have a baby, nor should you remain together. You enjoy and want different things. You want to change him and that never works.

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