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Relationships

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Men who don't enjoy the young kid years/ family life

26 replies

Torturedpoetsdepartment · 17/02/2024 18:34

I've NC for this post and I'm going to be a tiny bit vague as people I know use mumsnet.

Since our DD was born (toddler) I feel like our relationship has struggled as DH just doesn't enjoy family life. He is OK if we are spending time with other families or our extended family. However he finds lots of day to day stuff boring and difficult and complains about how much better his weekends used to be/how much time and freedom we used to have. I think he feels trapped then I feel resentful that he doesn't want to be as involved as I see other Dad's being. I also know he struggles with his mental health and I wonder if he had a male version of PND as he really struggled to bond with our child to begin with. I know he feels he isn't a great Dad although I try and reassure him that he is. I just sometimes get frustrated by it.

We are also meant to be ttc no 2 and I feel like it's only responsible to put it on hold but that also makes me feel pretty resentful tbh. I just worry for the wider implications for our relationship long term. We have had some very happy times but I look at other families and feel like they are more of a unit where both parents like parenting.

Did anyone have a situation like this and did it improve when DC got older? Please be kind as I feel quite sad about it tonight.

OP posts:
Torturedpoetsdepartment · 06/06/2026 20:06

Just in case anyone finds this old thread (as saw it had been liked)- it did get better once DD turned 3, DH found her easier and then we concieved DD2 who is now one. DH found it much easier second time around and bonded with the baby much quicker. I think looking back he did have PND. He now enjoys taking our older child out on his own.

OP posts:
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