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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

Breaking point

18 replies

ItsallBollocksanyway · 11/06/2021 23:34

I don't have anyone to talk to IRL about this and really need to get things off my chest.

Im at breaking point. I've been feeling the strain of parenting my gorgeous but active toddler. She is very attached to me and is stuck to my hip all day every day (its just a phase and no doubt I'll miss the cuddles when she realises I'm not that amazing, but it's full on for me right now) DH is a great dad but DD is all about me at the moment.

DH is also going through a tough time, has felt suicidal and gone through some very depressive periods alongside some major bereavements. However he has just entered counselling and is on medication. I hugely admire the way in which he has taken steps to help improve his mental health.
While I try not to show it, his mental health has had an impact on my own. I feel like I can't say I'm feeling down or that I'm tired etc.. as he is shouldering the bigger load at the moment.

Today I felt like I couldn't keep going. An old injury flared up, everything that could go wrong went wrong in the house and with DD. I was tired, in pain and mentally drained. DH came home and the place was a state which really doesn't help his MH. I'll admit it's something I need to work on. I'm a naturally messy person, I clean amazingly but I just don't see clutter. It's a constant source of tension between us and pretty much the only thing we argue about. DH made a joke about it when he came in and I said please don't joke as I've had such a tough day and my mental health is pretty low.

Later on I realised we were out of Fanta. He drinks litres of the stuff and nearly always need to get some whenever we go to the shop. I mentioned it to him that I never thought of it even though I popped into the supermarket and I'd go again while he put DD to bed. He said why didn't I check the fridge before I left. I explained I hadn't intended to go to the supermarket I just happened to pass it on the way back from another errand and grabbed an ingredient for dinner, told him I'd go get some more now. He got annoyed and there was some back and forth about why I didn't get it. I said I had a tough day and he replied "that doesn't excuse you from not checking the fridge before you left". I dropped the issue but I was very hurt. I wanted to scream at him. Yes he has it tough but so do I and I can't get it right all of the time. I carry the mental load of everything to do with DD - food, clothing, childcare, medical needs, everything. I wasn't born with the inate knowledge of how to give a nutritional balanced diet to a toddler, I put time and effort into finding out. I didn't arrive on this earth knowing her vaccine schedule, what are choking hazards, what foods she needs to avoid, how to baby proof a house, how to soothe teething gums, how to sterilise a dummy, what techniques to use to help her sleep better etc etc. I don't mind carrying that load but don't get the hump if God forbid I forget to get fucking fanta after a shit show of a day. To be honest, the fact me and DD were in one piece at the end of the day felt like a win to me.

Tried to bring it up with him now, explained I was hurt by his comment and I had a tough day. He said we all have tough days, but then baby woke up and he is gone to bed with her. End of discussion

I'm just so so fed up. I feel like I have a weight over me all the time. I can't bring up anything without it turning into an argument. He isn't violent or controlling, I don't believe it to be abusive but just childish. I wish I could just get angry and curse him out it when he is rude and for him to rush to apologise like every bloody comedy sketch I hear about marriage. But that will never happen

Wow what an essay. To be honest I'm not even looking for advice just to vent so thanks for getting this far!

OP posts:
Member438861 · 11/06/2021 23:55

This type of behavior needs nipping in the bud. Make him buy his own Fanta. Depression/suicidal thoughts are no excuse for rudeness.

Member438861 · 11/06/2021 23:58

And if he wants the house tidy, he can tidy it himself. Looking after a toddler is so much harder than what he does, whatever that is.

Topseyt · 12/06/2021 00:09

Tell him that you don't appreciate being disrespected like that and therefore he will now be responsible for buying his own fucking fanta each day. You will no longer be buying any at all.

You aren't his skivvy.

ItsallBollocksanyway · 12/06/2021 00:10

@Member438861 exactly. Looking after a toddler is exhausting, looking after a toddler properly is even more so. I say properly as I try my best to give her decent meals, outdoor time and avoid telly. I'm not a saint and have days where anything goes but I'd rather prioritise her than bloody fanta and housework.

OP posts:
Singlenotsingle · 12/06/2021 00:13

Why is he not responsible for getting his own Fanta? Or have you got two toddlers in the house to look after? From now on IT'S HIS JOB!

ItsallBollocksanyway · 12/06/2021 00:13

@Topseyt you are right. Time to put on my big girl pants and stand up for myself. I've gone from upset to absolutely fuming

OP posts:
ItsallBollocksanyway · 12/06/2021 00:16

@Singlenotsingle he had ample opportunity to get some during his free time yet I'm the asshole

OP posts:
Singlenotsingle · 12/06/2021 00:17

He thinks you're his mother

Twillow · 12/06/2021 00:24

Your job is to look after one child, not two.

LunaAndHer3Stars · 12/06/2021 00:27

@Topseyt

Tell him that you don't appreciate being disrespected like that and therefore he will now be responsible for buying his own fucking fanta each day. You will no longer be buying any at all.

You aren't his skivvy.

I agree. If he's going to treat you that way over Fanta he can buy his own from now on.
Aquamarine1029 · 12/06/2021 00:28

Your husband is a selfish prick. Stop allowing him to get away with this shit. You matter, too, and I would make that crystal clear to him.

OldWomanSaysThis · 12/06/2021 00:30

Just tell him you have "Good news!!" Since he loves Fanta so much, he gets to be in charge of keeping it stocked in the house. Congratulation him on his new role - be chipper when you tell him because this will be just awesome for him.

ItsallBollocksanyway · 12/06/2021 00:48

@OldWomanSaysThis I like your style and I think I'll copy it.

I know that he sees me forgetting about the fanta as me not thinking of him, which leads to him thinking I don't care about him anymore.
But funnily enough I was running around getting stuff for DD so when she starts her creche trail next week it's all ready for him to just hand over to staff. He literally doesn't have to plan or think of anything for the day as I've organised everything including paperwork. Maybe I should have gotten the fanta and left the hard stuff to him.

OP posts:
FrenchBoule · 12/06/2021 00:55

Get out on the day off and leave DD to him.

Seriously some people have no clue how it is to have a toddler especially at velcro stage.

He wants to have clean house so he can roll up his sleeves and get on with it and get his own fucking fanta seeing as he’s so addicted to it.

His mental health doesn’t trump yours.

FrenchBoule · 12/06/2021 00:57

*get out on his day off

Let him figure out everything including food and clothes, oh and entertainment. Stroll into the house after a few hours and ask “jokingly” why the house is like a bomb site

eatitgood · 12/06/2021 05:08

He doesn't sound like a good dad op. He sounds completely detached from any real parenting. He sounds like a shit partner too.

MiddleParking · 12/06/2021 05:19

He’s going to continue to feel like shit indefinitely if he drinks Fanta by the litre. However, that doesn’t excuse him acting the cunt and nor do his mental health problems. He sounds horrible.

ItsallBollocksanyway · 12/06/2021 10:24

I know if I leave it to him those things won't get done. DD will have porridge, bananas or the little vegetable puffs I use to distract DD while I try cook, for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The consequences of that won't be immediately felt so I couldn't stand by and let him figure out that it's awful for DD.

I know every woman says this on MN but he can be very supportive and caring husband. I just can't understand this relatively recent selfishness

@MiddleParking I also agree that litres of Fanta won't help his mood. I had been addicted to coke (the drink not powder!) and I stopped when I realised my anxiety was worse when I drank a lot of it

OP posts:
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