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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

Communication with husband - again - angry

48 replies

VideoKilled · 14/12/2021 10:03

I can't see the wood for the trees right now and not sure whether what I'm feeling is reasonable or if it's just worse because I'm so tired and drained looking after my toddler. I posted about our situation recently as I'm currently a SAHP against my wishes after my work dried up in Covid. Husband works long hours and we've had no childcare or family support. Anyway, after that post we are definitely sorting out some childcare but it won't be until the new year.

Alongside all that I feel frustrated as I feel I do everything round the house. He does work long hours in a quite stressful corporate job. But I still feel I do everything.

After the last post I told my husband how depressed and down I was feeling. He sometimes asks what he can do to support me but it never occurs to him to do more round the house.

Example that has made me feel so angry this morning... he gets our toddler up, dressed and breakfasted on weekdays. This takes 30 minutes and allows me to shower and get ready before I take over for the rest of the day. He used to empty the dishwasher whilst toddler was eating but has recently stopped doing it. He said it's impossible to do whilst looking after toddler. He also said he's stressing about work and checking emails on his phone at that time. He also never tidies away the stuff he's used to make toddlers porridge, or the bowls etc. so when I come through the kitchen is a total mess and dishwasher still full.

Before we had kids we did the Fair Play exercise from the book. DH always did bins and empty dishwasher. We pay a cleaner for 2hrs a week. Now he's stopped doing the dishwasher. He is busy and stressed at work but it irritates me.

I drive but he doesn't and over Xmas I am doing two consecutive days of driving to friends places 2-3 hrs away. He is going to learn but hasn't yet - made difficult by covid, to be fair. No doubt I will also do all the cooking.

Also he doesn't cook. Grew up in a home where his mum did everything and dad sat around. His sisters know how to cook but none of the sons. He knows it's really bad and doesn't want our child to grow up in that environment. He is generally not an arsehole. He fully supports me going back to work if I want to. He does contribute where he can I guess. But it's tiresome that I always do cooking. During the week he works till late so I do dinner anyway as he's still at his desk. At weekends I want a day off cooking so we always get takeaway. I feel he could occasionally say "I'm in control of dinner" even if it's just a healthy ready meal and a bowl of salad.

As I said in my last post, the resentment and communication has been bad, mainly because of my depression and feeling crap / tiredness, and lack of any other childcare. So I know this is clouding my judgement.

We often end up arguing these days because of this, but we are also good at communicating once we get a moment and can sit down. However this quality time is so limited.

We were frustrated with each other this morning and now there's a horrible atmosphere which I can't see resolving until we get quality time together - no idea when. I was angry about the kitchen. I also asked him to do a small errand to pick a parcel up from Nextdoor as he was popping out for a coffee. He couldn't find the parcel even though it had been left out on the step for us, and so I said I'd go and check myself and he made a massive deal about it and said there was no time to do all this abs I should do it later. I wanted to pick it up in case it got stolen (as has happened). I said I was struggling not to feel angry with him and he said he feels really angry with me - but I don't even get why or what I've done.

He gets very very defensive so there no point in pointing out all his flaws in a list, it will just make us both dig our heels in.

I don't know how to communicate this without causing a row. I also genuinely don't know if IABU about the chores etc given his long hours.

What do other couples do where one works really long hours?

OP posts:
Aprilx · 14/12/2021 10:12

Does he do anything around the house or with toddler in the evenings or at the weekend? I couldn’t tell really. Possibly he could do a bit more but what you say doesn’t sound too bad considering you are at home and he is working long hours. I don’t think that means he gets to do nothing of course.

bordermidgebite · 14/12/2021 10:14

If you are not working , any worries he had at work will be magnified as there is additional stress when you are the sole source of income

Justilou1 · 14/12/2021 10:14

Get him his first driving lesson for Christmas

VideoKilled · 14/12/2021 10:21

@Aprilx

Does he do anything around the house or with toddler in the evenings or at the weekend? I couldn’t tell really. Possibly he could do a bit more but what you say doesn’t sound too bad considering you are at home and he is working long hours. I don’t think that means he gets to do nothing of course.
Yes at weekends we tend to try to share care of toddler or do things together.

I just feel the mental load I guess. Eg, when he takes toddler to soft play it's me running around getting them ready to go, booking the slot, packing toddlers bag, snacks etc.

OP posts:
VideoKilled · 14/12/2021 10:22

@bordermidgebite

If you are not working , any worries he had at work will be magnified as there is additional stress when you are the sole source of income
Yes I can see that.
OP posts:
VideoKilled · 14/12/2021 10:22

@Justilou1

Get him his first driving lesson for Christmas
He is waiting for his provisional license but that's a good idea
OP posts:
DeclareThePenniesOnYourEyes · 14/12/2021 10:27

Nah, fuck that. My husband does a very intense job, he works long hours and has a lot of responsibility. Nevertheless he gets our kids up every work morning because I’ve got an autoimmune condition that means I often sleep badly and I really appreciate that extra half hour in bed. He takes our two out by himself at least once every weekend.

I work less hours outside of the house than him and do most house stuff in the week, but at the weekends he takes over cooking and washing and does the food shop to give me a break. Aside from that if I cook, he clears the kitchen/does the dishwasher. He does a lot, but he does no more than me. It’s fair and equal.

As for driving, your husband can definitely learn. If he finds it hard he can do auto. I didn’t drive when me and my husband met, but I learnt because it wasn’t fair once we were domestically entangled to only have one driver doing all the journeys/lifts etc. And the cooking thing is preposterous…. What would he do if you dropped down dead? What did he do before he met you? In this day and age there’s no excuse. Subscribe to a box like Gusto or something and he can do those a couple of nights a week. A trained monkey could prepare one of those meals and they actually taste good (and there are lots of healthy choices).

The “can’t take care of a toddler and do the dishwasher” thing is hogwash (and you know it). I tutor online and some nights I manage to cook the kids tea, tidy the kitchen and give feedback on A Level Shakespeare essays more or less simultaneously, in the kitchen with my laptop open, whilst being the only person in the house with our 5 and 7 year old.

Don’t have another kid with this bloke until he ups his game. He sounds like a chancer.

madisonbridges · 14/12/2021 10:30

If he's working and you're not, why wouldn't you book the soft play slot? You've said he works long hours in a stressful job so why wouldn't you cook him his tea? Yes, he could be more thoughtful about tidying up, but you're at home so I'd think some things would fall to you rather than him.

lechatnoir · 14/12/2021 10:31

You need to take a step back on some things - the soft play for example, why were you running around? Leave him to it and if he gets there without something does it really matter? I do get what you're saying about the mental load but I think sometime we are our own worst enemies - so used to doing everything that we can't step back and let someone else do it therefore they don't and we still do everything & so the cycle continues.

Definitely get DH cooking that is plain embarrassing he that he can't cook a single meal and a terrible role model for your child. Handover responsibility for one meal a week (Saturday night or Sunday lunch). Tell him to start simple, find a recipe, buy the ingredients, cook and clean up - everything on him and DO NOT GET INVOLVED. Once he's cracked once a week progress from there but I was you a few years back my husband now cooks more than I do but you have to start slow and you have to let him do it himself.

And agree, driving lessons for Christmas.

SallyWD · 14/12/2021 10:38

Hi OP, I'm sorry you're feeling so low and run down. I know how utterly exhausting it is to be with a toddler all day and doing everything in the house. I can also see that your husband is not awful and I can see some positives about your situation which I'll list - you have a cleaner and I know from experience this is a huge help (even if the house does get dirty again after a couple of days!). You have some childcare sorted for the new year which should make a big difference to your life. It sounds like your husband doesn't know how to cook or lacks confidence but he gives you a bit of relief from cooking by getting take aways at the weekend. To be honest I would welcome the take-aways over a ready meal or salad (in winter) any day. Your husband also asks how he can help (I know how frustrating it is to be asked to give them jobs when really you just want them to DO stuff and not have to manage them). So these are the positives in my eyes. Regarding the morning routine. I think it's good that he gets the toddler up, dressed and fed each morning. I can actually see from his perspective that unloading the dishwasher, as well as looking after the toddler and getting ready for work might be a bit stressful, especially if he has to rush off. I personally would pick my battles - accept that he's responsible for looking after the toddler in the mornings but also accept that I'd empty the dishwasher (as I would be at home and not have the time pressure of work). I do think he shouldn't leave the kitchen in a mess and should put things tidily in the sink. Instead of emptying the dishwasher, I'd find other ways your husband can help. What would really make a difference to you? You mention the issue of cooking. There's no reason he can't learn to cook. Maybe buy him some student cookery books or something and let him learn. What else would help you? Giving the toddler a bath and putting him to bed perhaps? Taking care of the laundry at weekends? These are just ideas but I think there must be plenty of alternatives to him emptying the dishwasher when he's getting ready for work.
I'm in a similar situation to you because my DH also works long hours in a stressful and demanding job. My DH has actually been ill with stress because of his work but it's his vocation so he won't give it up. When I was a SAHM I would do al the house stuff simply because when DH wasn't working I much preferred him to have quality time with the children than be scrubbing the toilet (I know others will disagree with me but it's how I felt. I had the time to do domestic stuff and he really didn't). My children are a bit older now and I work 17 hours per week in a stress-free job. I still do most domestic stuff but this is partly my fault. I'm a control freak and like to do things a certain way. Even when he offers to do the washing or something, I refuse. I do however make sure my husband is pulling his weight at weekends - he's spent the last few weekends trimming our massive hedge, building a wardrobe, taking the kids to swimming and other activities etc. There's no way I'd want him sitting around doing nothing while I slaved away. So I do feel your depressed mood might be clouding your judgement a little and you might perceive things to be worse than they are. I also feel he's working long hours in a stressful job and I know how mentally exhausting this must be for him so it seems fair that the stay at home parent should do most domestic stuff. I think it would be best if you both sat down and had a talk - really listen to each other, don't be defensive. Find ways together that will make your life easier but also be doable for him in the context of his stressful working life.

Animood · 14/12/2021 11:07

Sounds like you don't like being at home all the time, which is fine and normal.

Why not go back to work and discuss how to split the household tasks equally?

RantyAunty · 14/12/2021 12:09

Is he working from home?

VideoKilled · 14/12/2021 12:51

@Animood

Sounds like you don't like being at home all the time, which is fine and normal.

Why not go back to work and discuss how to split the household tasks equally?

I spoke about this in the last thread which I appreciate you've not seen. My work stopped and never resumed due to pandemic and we missed the boat on childcare. We've been on a waiting list.
OP posts:
VideoKilled · 14/12/2021 12:51

@RantyAunty

Is he working from home?
Yes he is. He was doing 3 days in the office but now it's all from home
OP posts:
VideoKilled · 14/12/2021 12:52

Thanks for the different feedback which I've read.

OP posts:
RantyAunty · 14/12/2021 13:03

He's taking the piss then if he can't take 2 minutes to empty the dishwasher. It's not like he has an hour long commute. What type of work does he do?

What would happen if you just stopped doing anything for a week or two?
Just for your and your baby.

Go back to bed with your son. Let him play.
Just make food for you and your son.

Go out for a leisurely drive. Visit friends.

Justilou1 · 14/12/2021 21:45

@VideoKilled - get him a voucher for the driving lessons. This is ridiculous. He’s finding excuse after excuse to avoid adulting. I don’t think it’s at all fair that you are his butler while at home.

Earlydancing · 14/12/2021 22:08

Just make food for you and your son.
Seriously? He's been at work doing long hours at a stressful job whilst she's been looking after one child and she shouldn't make food for him? That's so mean. I mean at this point if she dislikes him so much they cook separate meals and she spends the evening in the bedroom, why even bother to stay together?

Herecomesthesun70 · 14/12/2021 22:14

My DH couldn't cook. It drive me mad doing all the meal planning shopping cooking then washing
We started on hello fresh and Gousto during lockdown and he started helping me now he's making the meals himself.
The recipes are step by step and foolproof. Get involved so he can make the dinner some nights

VideoKilled · 14/12/2021 22:14

Yeah I don't think it's helpful to stop doing anything for him. He does work hard and I'm not objecting to cooking for him most of the time. I want harmony but fairness.

OP posts:
thetinsoldier · 14/12/2021 22:16

You're a SAHP yet your h gets up with your toddler and gets them ready every day? And you're complaining about the kitchen being tidy with their breakfast things?? It takes 5 mins to unload the dishwasher and reload it...

He works long hours; you don't.

I think you need to cut him some slack. You should both have the same amount of leisure time.

Why not teach him how to cook some dishes one weekend or cook together?

Animood · 14/12/2021 22:30

I spoke about this in the last thread which I appreciate you've not seen. My work stopped and never resumed due to pandemic and we missed the boat on childcare. We've been on a waiting list.

Ah right, that sucks.

I assume you have a plan for getting back to work in the medium term? In which case this situation is temporary and will pass.

Maybe that would be a good thing to think when life is pissing you off.

To be fair to your husband, it does sound like he is doing a decent amount. It could be you're just pissed off with lack of work / staying at home when you don't want to / pandemic stress / other life stress.

Gwennid · 14/12/2021 22:49

Sorry OP, I realise your life might feel a bit relentless, but being a SAHM with a cleaner sounds pretty cushy to many of us.

RantyAunty · 15/12/2021 04:16

@Earlydancing

Just make food for you and your son. Seriously? He's been at work doing long hours at a stressful job whilst she's been looking after one child and she shouldn't make food for him? That's so mean. I mean at this point if she dislikes him so much they cook separate meals and she spends the evening in the bedroom, why even bother to stay together?
Seriously? He's not out digging ditches in all weather with hour long commute. He's walking to his in home office and sitting his arse at a computer.

What's mean is men pretending their jobs are sooo stressful and deliberately staying in their office to avoid any house duties or family life.

The loooong hours and sooo much stresss is a lie.
How do I know? I work one of these jobs that mostly men do and have worked with men doing those jobs for decades.

RantyAunty · 15/12/2021 04:22

@thetinsoldier

You're a SAHP yet your h gets up with your toddler and gets them ready every day? And you're complaining about the kitchen being tidy with their breakfast things?? It takes 5 mins to unload the dishwasher and reload it...

He works long hours; you don't.

I think you need to cut him some slack. You should both have the same amount of leisure time.

Why not teach him how to cook some dishes one weekend or cook together?

She works 247 dealing with a child and everything house related. He goes to his home office and sits on a computer all day.

Women need to wise up to the lies men are telling to get out of doing skivvy work.