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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

Is how I'm feeling normal or is my marriage done for?

31 replies

user1471459444 · 24/12/2020 20:22

Been married 6 years to someone I thought was my soul mate. He had a reputation for being a bit grumpy and anti social but was always lovely to me. Since having my two year old, everything has changed. I had to go back to work full time when my baby was 4 months old and he became a stay at home parent. Since then he's been so grumpy and doesn't want to do anything but sit on the sofa and play games on his phone. I work long hours and have been working from home since the start of the pandemic, so maybe the problem is that I'm home in the next room to hear what's going on all day!

He barely speaks to or plays with our little one, instead he sits on the sofa, playing on his phone or reading while the 2 year old watches TV or plays with toys. Two or three times a week I force him to go out for a walk with him for an hour, and once a week they go to a toddler class that I book. They only go for walks locally where we live, unless I convince him to take him to the park. He doesn't like going to the park because "it's full of children". All I hear all day is, "stop that" "put it down" "be quiet" etc. This month it's a continual "for gods sake, get away from the christmas tree" because he's touched a bauble.

I had a fairly traumatic birth (as most are I guess!) Ending in an emergency section under general anesthetic, followed by post natal anxiety (I think ,- it was undiagnosed). He just couldn't understand how I was feeling, and as soon as I walked in the door for a long commute and long shift the baby was handed over to me, I had to cook dinner, bath etc on my own so he could rest. It's still the same two years later - sometimes I ask him to cook dinner and he does it, but it's still always expected that I'll do everything from 5pm onwards. I start work at 7 while they are both still asleep. They lay around in bed till 9 and then get up. Half the time I prepare lunch for the toddler and supervise him while he eats it. Most days I try and do an activity for my toddler (sand, painting etc) at lunchtime before getting back to work.

So I'm exhausted, and feel so disheartened hearing all the constant whinging at a happy, funny bright little toddler who is honestly joyous to be around. My husband has stopped showering ( now only showering once a week) doesn't get dressed most days and now we have sex probably once every 3 months. I've asked him if he might be struggling mentally since stopping work, and he has told me outright that he's fine and just lazy.

I'm now having panic attacks multiple times a day, but I can't even talk to him about it because he just shuts down and tells me to stop going on at him.

Sorry for the really long post, I'm just so tired and so sad. I feel like I should be happy with my lovely little one but the pressure of being the only breadwinner and trying to give some fun to my little ones day instead of entertaining himself is really getting to me. Is this normal life with a toddler in lockdown or is my marriage ending?

OP posts:
sofato5miles · 24/12/2020 20:25

This is so depressing to read. What is your financial and family situation. Other than this utter dickhead who can help you?

HollowTalk · 24/12/2020 20:28

I would set this one free. He's really unsuited to being a SAHD - or any kind of dad, frankly. I'd live with my child and use a childminder instead. It's very bad for a child to live with someone like that. It's bad for you, too. It must be incredibly depressing.

Username7521 · 24/12/2020 20:28

Oh OP. I couldn’t read to the end. You deserve better.

Aquamarine1029 · 24/12/2020 20:29

You would be so much better off without him. He adds no value to your life. Get rid and I'll be willing to bet the panic attacks go away.

Flowerpot345 · 24/12/2020 20:29

Sounds horrible, but could he have depression?

category12 · 24/12/2020 20:31

Is he depressed?

I think you need to have a "come to Jesus" talk with him about going to the GP and getting sorted out with medication and/or counselling.

And talk about potentially changing your set-up, so he goes back to work either full-time or part-time, and your dc going into childcare. As him being a SAHD isn't working right now and your dc deserves more stimulation and attention.

Lozzerbmc · 24/12/2020 20:34

I think he needs to return to work asap

category12 · 24/12/2020 20:34

I mean, being a SAHP doesn't suit everybody, it might help his MH to have the routine and validation of paid work.

Ginandplatonic · 24/12/2020 20:37

That sounds awful, but he does sound quite depressed, as a SAHP not by choice. If he won’t discuss it with you or seek help I’m not sure that makes a difference though, you need to do what’s best for you and your child.

LondonCrone · 24/12/2020 20:44

This sounds like severe depression to me — there’s still a lot of stigma, which could be why he’s denying it, and a lot of self-loathing, which is why he believes he’s just a lazy pos and not seriously ill.

That being said, you can’t go down with the sinking ship. If he won’t get help, this will go on forever — I’ve seen it in my own family, and it’s brutal. Best of luck OP.

wingingit987 · 24/12/2020 20:45

He sounds like he's depressed. I couldn't be the stay at home parent I found it very difficult.

At time I could shut off completely.

N4ish · 24/12/2020 20:50

Are you entitled to any free nursery hours for your 2 year old? Think he’d be better off there than with your DH.
The not washing does sound like a symptom of depression.

IdblowJonSnow · 24/12/2020 20:55

I think he's depressed too. Staying at home with a child for a long period doesnt suit many people, male or female. Sounds like youd all be better off if he got work again. Maybe assess your marriage after that?
Your toddler deserves better childcare than that.

Sundance2741 · 24/12/2020 21:04

That's all very sad and I can fully understand your anxiety. I too think your DH could have depression. I would hate to be a SAHM and have always worked part time. I need the routine of work expectations to give me energy. This year being at home a lot more than usual (though still go out to work, fortunately), I find it very hard to get motivated, and I don't see myself as depressed. To be actually depressed would make it so much worse.

user1471459444 · 24/12/2020 21:19

Thank you all for your replies and advice. I was so hoping the consensus would be that it's the same for everyone and I should give my head a wobble and stop worrying.

We're not entitled to any funded hours until he's 3 so another year to go, however I'd already registered him for a nursery 2 mornings a week. I know he'll benefit massively from that and it's time my husband can use to look for work. He's open to going back to work, but realistically it'll be after the pandemic.

I totally get it's hard being a sahp - I'd struggle too, so I feel bad for him. I have a feeling it could be depression but I can't imagine him agreeing to speak to anyone.

Maybe I need to see how things change once we have some childcare in place.

Typically after a big moan, he's been lovely this evening and is so excited for Christmas tomorrow. Such a roller coaster!
Thank you again for your replies and advice

OP posts:
NiceGerbil · 24/12/2020 21:22

I think it sounds like you're both having a hard time and potentially both have MH issues.

Things are very hard at the moment and SAHP does not suit everyone.

I think you and he should talk to gp. Consider couples counseling. That sort of thing. Rather than just giving up.

Gncq · 24/12/2020 21:27

So upsetting to read I feel so sad for your poor ds, it's an awful environment for him.

You need professional help really, can you contact someone? If this was happening next door I'd honestly contact social services, there's an element of neglect from the stay at home parent going on.

category12 · 24/12/2020 21:29

You have to make it non-negotiable that he speaks to the GP and gets help - or makes a concerted, consistent effort to practice self-care and engage with your child. If he can't do the latter, he must do the former. It's no good for any of you living like this, and you're cracking up with the panic attacks.

user1471459444 · 24/12/2020 21:47

Just for clarity, I do activities with my baby every single day, I make sure of it and spend a solid 3 hours after work every night playing with him. Every weekend is focused around him, and I make his life as full and fun as I can. I co sleep with him and he's always happy.

Though I'd love my husband to do more with him, him, he is always looked after in terms of being fed, clean, safe etc. He is loved and absolutely not neglected. He spends every morning and half of every night cuddling his daddy who he adores.

And he wouldn't be aware of any anxiety on my part, my panic attacks aren't visible to additions, I practice grounding techniques and I think manage them well. I can now continue chairing a meeting mid attack with no one noticing. The only impact is to me.

OP posts:
user1471459444 · 24/12/2020 21:47

*Anyone, not additions

OP posts:
category12 · 24/12/2020 21:53

Yes, I'm sure you're doing your utmost, but you need your partner to step up and deal with whatever is going on with him, not for you to have to take up all the slack. The impact to you is important.

category12 · 24/12/2020 21:55

The him I mean is himself with his MH, not your son.

Dery · 24/12/2020 22:18

Why did he become an SAHP? He doesn’t sound well suited. It’s a tough job at the best of times. As PP have said, it may be depression but the main point is that this sounds like poor quality childcare for your toddler. It could be damaging for him and will have developmental implications if the situation isn’t resolved soon. Try and get him into childcare a few times a week. Your LO will get some stimulation. Your partner may need to go back to work and you may need to cut back on your hours.

sundaysupperclub · 24/12/2020 22:25

This sounds like a ticking time-bomb.
You need to insist he gets help for his probable depression - and get help for your panic attacks.

SwanShaped · 24/12/2020 22:39

That’s really sad for your son. Your partner could either be lazy or depressed. Only he would know that and has said it’s laziness not depression. It’s sometimes a bit boring being a stay at home parent but you just have to make the effort anyway. For your child’s sake. Hope you resolve it.

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