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Relationships

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Are we the right fit, is their potential issues ahead ...

5 replies

itscomplicatedlife · 11/01/2022 21:19

Sorry its long! I’m almost 37, DH 39, we have a 2.5 yo. He works FT very much enjoys his job app, Me PT 6 mth ago working 3 days.

DH has never had much patience but it’s been worse since our DC was born, turned his world from how I see it upside down, many arguments, quick to anger & lose patience & sadly we had many many fall outs, it has until just recently been difficult. I’d describe him as quiet, more introverted, not hugely sociable which I’ve discovered more of since having DC & lately is asleep by 8.30, can’t cope with the rush/chaos when DC comes from nursery, has said he needs half hr to get his head together after work, not sure if this is normal, he does have a demanding job, doesn’t work shifts or wknds/no travel but busy 8-5 M-F managing around 12 people. He had to change jobs when on mat leave but is something he knew was coming 12 mths prior, his prev job didn’t seem to affect him at all but it’s hard to compare how if it would have done as left just after DC was born. He also took on an mba just before I had DC whicu annoyed me as his head was buried in this for a lot of spare time which I resented as it wasn’t a must he did it but he decided it was, I had many issues with self care as I had zero time to myself/no help from any family/friends, it resulted in many heated discussions. He has about 6 mth ago had issues with stomach diagnosed with bowel issue which isn’t helping his tiredness, it’s hereditary but signs were there prior to birth of DC. He has assured me many times he enjoys his job and doesn’t find it stressful, I actually think he prefers work Sometimes to home

I’m concerned about the coming changes wth DC, I looked forward to this for so long but uncertain about how it’ll be evenings when she’s awake later as gets older and when she wants to play whatever wii games or whatever for an hour or two, music on etc & needing lifts to clubs, can’t see him taking an avid interest, which is rubbish if that happened! Most nights I hear her being told to be quiet & this look of annoyance & some smiles but mostly like he’s just not really enjoying it although he says he does. I realised when on my own with DC it’s so chilled, minimal issues or arguments between me & her, she’s happy doing whatever as I’m quite relaxed. Things have to be in their place, in order, possibly why he’s good at his job, likes to be in control. I want to have friends round for tea after work/school at drop of a hat why not sometimes but he doesn’t kike to do things without prior knowledge and sometimes planning things isn’t that straight forward plus it sort of takes the fun out of life. I’m worried DC will have the fun side of her dampened somewhat and me. He doesn’t like if I play music loud in the house, will often come in and turn it down, we have no attached neighbours! He does the same in the car, I think I’m realising we are quite differnt but why I didn’t notice before!! Prob so busy working trying to get the house in order for baby I didn’t see things I should have!

Am I too old or left it too late to consider leaving to start afresh if I felt this was the right thing to do? It kills me idea of sharing my DC! There is no changing him, this is who he is, I don’t want to become pipe and slippers before my time! I’m holding on to what youth I have for as long as I can!

He has put so much in to where we now live & I wholly appreciate it it's a lovely area, not been here long but it's turned out very quiet, not as many neighbours as before or younger families in the street or close by, not a huge but it's safe. We have no local shop to nip to which I miss & our estate parks a bit crap, town is not great, prior we lived on an estate I preferred as had a shop, could walk to town & a few parks but it was regarded as worse area/schools but it was my home town but he hates it, Ive considered moving back but he is point blank refusing to even discuss. He also could drop a day himself but won’t, shrugs me off & says he enjoys his job, he must have stacks
Of leave as rarely see him off, mostly takes it off to study for the mba which is still going on 3 yrs later, just don’t know what to think atm…

OP posts:
Ohpulltheotherone · 11/01/2022 21:27

The key thing here is that he doesn’t seem to want to even try OP.

It’s understandable to an extent that an introverted quiet person who dislikes chaos and noise won’t enjoy a toddler. They are bloody loud and annoying and messy! (I love mine dearly of course!) but it’s understandable he may struggle.

But the crux is that he doesn’t try - he goes and has his half an hour to get his head together and that would be fine if he came out of his room refreshed and ready to engage with you and your child.

He doesn’t though does he. He doesn’t engage at all. It’s like he resents you being there and the time and energy you need from him.

If I were you I would sit down and have a very serious conversation about whether he feels he can ever engage with his child the way he needs to.
You can support him to be a better parent and find a connection with DC but he has to want it.

If he doesn’t want it, doesn’t want to change, doesn’t see the problem that he doesn’t enjoy or want to make any effort with his young child then I’d be seriously thinking about calling it quits.

I would imagine if you stay he will just be one of those grumpy men who resent spending any time with the family, telling kids off for being too loud, controlling things like family holidays or days out etc - there are endless threads on MN about miserable partners who dictate the mood of the whole house. It sounds unbearable tbh

Sunnytwobridges · 11/01/2022 21:41

I'm extremely introverted so I kind of understand where he is coming from. I didn't enjoy the baby/toddler years either. I don't like entertaining little kids, BUT I made sure to try. I also made an effort to make it seem like I enjoyed myself so my DD wouldn't know any different, even when it was torture for me lol

However our DH doesnt seem to even want to try which is the issue. It sounds like he doesn't particularly like family life too much

itscomplicatedlife · 11/01/2022 22:03

Yes I don't think he enjoys it that much either although says he does. I think he preferred things before it was a steadier pace of life we had couple type holidays a very differnt type
Of life to now but he was aware of what was
Coming abs I said often are you sure you want to do this!! I think he prob didn't realise exactly
What the reality was until it became reality. He does try to jeer himself up but I just don't think it's fully for him. It's sad relaly as I couldn't go back and change it I wouldn't I love DC dearly but he just doesn't look happy. It's affected how I feel about him and I get really irritated by him and the way he is at times. Like park visits how he wants to leave so quickly after DC has got there this is for her not us abs I love seeing her happy! It's hard when I see other dads so engaged and he just isn't and his smiley voice
Almost sounds forced it really aggravates me I can't unnotice it now!! It's sad if we part ways for him and DC and for me but prob best in the long term for the sake of everyone's daily happiness if there was less tension in the home etc. I also find him so on edge it's annoying!! I'm not lax I'm just relaxed I can multi task maybe helps being a woman but it's like when I cook dinner I have her sit next to me away from the job obv!! But he's like constantly- are you watching her?? Woah woah just watch her I'm like for gods sake I'm not stupid bugger off as guess what I do the same 4 days a wk and have done for best part of last 9 mths and have had no issues!! 😫 he always has to have a massive input in all, like to a very high degree I don't know if he's just maybe a bit controlling in his nature he's got better but it's just in him. I love having music on in the house always have but he will often even if it's not very loud jjst come in and turn it done without even asking me it's weird!! I think that's a bit disrespectful to do that without even saying something first.

He has a very kind and hard working nature and would never cheat on me always knew that and that trust is huge to me but I've realised there has to be people out there the same but also are more laid back and want to laugh some days or most days too, think because he has those other qualities I put them above other important aspects i should have considered as very important when I met him.

OP posts:
Motnight · 11/01/2022 22:09

Why does he tell your toddler to be quiet?

itscomplicatedlife · 11/01/2022 22:37

@Motnight she talks a lot, she can be continuous it must irritates him, it can be a bit annoying at times but she is just a very happy full of life character

OP posts:
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