Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

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

At my wits end with DH, not sure what to do. So sad for my DC

136 replies

presstheshutter · 17/12/2019 09:40

It's all because of DS.

DS is two and awaiting an assessment for autism. This will take time, but we should hear within the next few weeks. The support has been very good.

In a nutshell, DH told me last night that he's 'done' with DS. He said he's a nasty, horrible little boy. He's told me he can't keep doing this, he's ruined so many aspects of his life, and that he thinks 'it's a good idea for him to take a step back, for the best' Hmm

Amongst other things, I said how about how everything has impacted me? I never get to take a step back and I wouldn't, because he's our son and he comes first. He said "Why do you always make it about you?"

DS does a lot of 'different' things that other 2 year olds wouldn't do, I grant you, but my biggest miff is that actually, a lot of what he's doing that annoys DH IS normal.

For example, DS is completely non verbal. It needs investigation and that's fine. He will not socialise or interact with other people, also not very normal. Also does repetitive stuff, does not play or use imaginative play, just shacks items, also not entirely normal.

But, DH seems to start saying and moaning "This is not normal" when it is perfectly normal for 2, just annoying. For example, he woke up this morning and got the heaviest item he could find and started banging it on the dressing table. That's normal to me, although annoying.

DS will occasionally (otherwise eats everything in sight), refuse a dinner. DH will moan "There's something seriously wrong, he's not normal".

DS will try and climb on the toilet seat to see what's in the bathroom sink. DH will moan he's not normal.

Everything remotely frustrating seems to be met with 'he's got serious issues, he's not normal'.

Another example is DS has always slept through, never woken up. Last night he decided to wake at 12 at night, DH was going mad saying this isn't normal. When In fact it's normal, just annoying.

I'm so fed up of all this bollocks, from DH, not DS. The constant whinging that it's all too much, that it isn't fair, that he isn't normal.

Even if he isn't normal, or does have a diagnostic issue, so what?! He's our son. Deal with it like I have to. I can't just 'take a step back' and neither would I.

He also constantly compares DS to his brothers boys. Of whom he hardly knows, and I see regularly. I can guarantee you that both of them do things much worse than DS, just being 'kids', but no, DH swears blend that could never be.

We always see him off to work and hugs him a kiss. I made a point of going down myself to see him off. He did give me a kiss but refused DS Sad Then said he had to go. Wouldn't even acknowledge him this morning.

What on Earth do we do?

I'm even more angry because he won't reach out and research things for himself, or bother to talk to anyone else. He seems to have his own 'it's not normal' alarm set by himself.

OP posts:
Witsendagain · 18/12/2019 00:06

My husband does a similar thing with the 'normal' to my perfectly normal 2year old.
He also talks alot about not being able to cope and doing 'whatever he needs to do' to limit his stress. 🙄
I have long suspected dh of being on the spectrum and he has diagnosed ocd and anxiety so I never really take what he says at face value. When he's wrong I tell him so.
But the day he refuses to interact with/kiss his baby would be the day I dump his ass.

Voodoocowgirl · 18/12/2019 00:28

Withholding a kiss from a 2 year old (let's face it, withholding LOVE), is categorically enough for me to say LTB. My son is almost 2, and is absolutely saturated in love, kisses, cuddles and general affection literally every day of his life. That's exactly how a child should be treated by the people who love him the most.

That kind of rejection is absolutely appalling. I wouldn't put up with it for another second.

RexDangerVest · 18/12/2019 16:47

I don't want DH to have DC's either. That's what's stopping me leaving

Holdencaulfieldshomeboy · 19/12/2019 20:09

Such a sad thread.

StillMedusa · 19/12/2019 21:44

Firstly, I am so sorry for your loss...hate those words, they sound so trite but still..
I have a son with autism (now 22) and have worked with severely autistic children for 15 years. Without doubt the most interesting fabulous children there are around..and as individual as anyone else.

My son was non verbal til 5 ..went to special school, and now has a job! Yes he will always need support (has learning disability too) but he has some independence, is funny and loving and the way his mind works is just fascinating . And he's definitely not normal...

But DH just embraced who he is, who he was, and however he will be forever from day 1 (well about 6 weeks when it was first flagged up that he wasn't quite developing typically)..just as he did our typically developing children.

Your DH is just making excuses not to parent. I honestly don't believe a 2 year old with autism is so incredibly different from other two year olds that any of his behaviours can cause such a reaction. Nope your husband is an unkind, unsupportive twat. (and if he is also on the spectrum that doesn't preclude him from being a twat)

And I highly doubt that he is going to want 50/50 custody of his son in the event of a split when he so obviously can't cope with daily life..that's an idle threat I suspect.

Your little boy sounds gorgeous, but if he has autism he is going to need fully committed loving parents, and I really think it would be better to consider going it alone. You will cope and your little boy does not deserve to grow up in such a negative atmosphere :(

Nanny0gg · 20/12/2019 09:34

Your husband expected your son to be a miniature version of him and he isn't.

He's not going to forgive him for it.

I'm really sorry, but unless there is an epic change of character he's going to damage any chances your DS has.

Catsick36 · 20/12/2019 10:53

Even if your boy was neurologically typical your husband would be looking for excuses to step back because he is a dick. You're doing it all alone you may as well cut the man loose

JoGose · 20/12/2019 10:58

Definitely LTB

presstheshutter · 20/12/2019 11:57

Your husband expected your son to be a miniature version of him and he isn't

I think this is true. He was happy when DS was born just like me, but after a few months it became to bother him, I think.

DS is small and petite, with olive skin and my eyes and mouth. DH is tall, pale and all the babies in 'his family' are 'big'

OP posts:
sparkly40 · 22/12/2019 13:13

Good luck on your journey with your son ...

Have you spoke to other parents with children whom possibly have autism or have autism for support... try Facebook they are local support groups..

As for your husband he may be on the spectrum himself... in saying that he is an adult and his behaviour is not going to help..

Lots of parents go through a grieving process when their child is diagnosed but saying that he needs to be there to support you and deal with the possibility of having an autistic child otherwise to put it politely he needs to fuck off ...

raspberrymolakoff · 24/01/2020 08:35

Presstheshutter
Although this thread is a few weeks old it's very sad indeed. I hope things have since resolved themselves one way or the other and you now know what you're dealing with.

"As for your husband he may be on the spectrum himself... " I agree with this from the last poster. It sounds as if his reaction to the tragedy of your DD's death (for which profound sympathies) was far from normal. I suspect he is angry for what he sees as both losses and is emotionally unable to process so is just shutting down.

Unless he is prepared to do a lot of work through counselling (I hope you're getting help with the bereavement too) I think I'd have to seriously consider a split for the mental health of you and your DS.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

This thread is closed and is no longer accepting replies. Click here to start a new thread.