DH ‘took the kids to the park’ (2 of 4, obviously)

[FrustratedMum2025]

Need to vent because I’m about 3 minutes from turning into a human scream. DH offered (big generous word, that) to “give me a break” and “take the kids to the park for a bit” this afternoon. Great, right?

Except… he took two of the four children. DS1 and DD2. The easy ones today. The ones who don’t throw a fit when you zip up their coat the wrong way or dissolve into a puddle because their banana snapped.
Guess who got left behind with DS2 (mid-sugar crash and refusing to nap) and DD1 (who is 12 going on 35 and in a mood because I wouldn’t let her buy £18 toner at Tesco)?

Meanwhile, DH is sending me pics from the park like he’s Father of the Year, with DS1 smiling on the swings and DD2 feeding ducks like something from a bloody Boden catalogue.

Back here? DS2 bit me (gently, but still) and DD1 just told me I “don’t get how hard it is to be a tween.” I am actively hiding in the downstairs loo with half a bag of Haribo DS1 left behind.

I love them. I do. But why do men get points for showing up late to a game we’ve been playing since dawn?

Please tell me I’m not the only one.

What is wrong with you all making snide remarks about having 4 kids? Go swivel, you miserable cows.

OP, open a bottle of wine and lock yourself in your bedroom for the evening.

Well, bully for you. It's not your 12 year-old the OP has got sulking upstairs.

I have three and a hands on parent. It is a lot of work. Especially as all not close in age. I am knackered. Four 12 and under must be a lot of work op. DH should have taken them all out.

😂😂

I hope you told your DH dinner will be ready when he orders a take-away.

Wow. Both sneering and sanctimonious. Shouldn’t you get off mumsnet and continue your perfect parenting of your extremely sensible number of children?

Yes. I was saying to my dh earlier that there seems to be a lot more sneering and almost joy in others down falls lately. When did the world get so hateful?

Unless you have a disability, why not?

One of them is 12.

And if you're not capable of taking four kids to the park, then don't have four kids. He's not giving her a break by only taking the two easy ones.

I think it's because it is a lot to manage, but you can split 2-2. Her DH did that, and to be fair you can just ignore the 12 year old if she's just being like that.

Why have 4 kids? Neither of you seem to be enjoying parenting. Too late now though

Agree

OFGS

What on earth is the point of that question?

Ya think??

Is there a competition running for the most twattish reply on this thread?

Is this bothering you because it's a pattern? Talk to him when he gets back about how overwhelming you are finding this.
I know he took 2/4, but maybe you need to talk about him stepping up more, generally.
You're obviously not in a great place.

Well said

Well, whether he is or not, he's not likely to be bio dad to only the two he's taken

I didn't relaize it was her, that explains why she has been giving the kids Easter eggs weeks before Easter and the sugar crash 😂

If he’s lazy/inept why did you decide to have four children with him?

I miss going to parks <irrelevant>

😂poor woman does sound desperate, though

Exactly. One is 12. I really dont know any 12 yr olds who want to go to parks with toddlers. Which is why I said DH shd have taken 3, leaving stroppy teen behind.

Also, if the 3 year old was taking so long because of a sugar rush, is there something that you can both do (not just you) to calm him down?.

AIBU was always a bear pit, but it’s spilled over into every topic these days - Relationships was never this mean-spirited. I think there is still the kindness and support that’s always been MN’s greatest strength, but it’s too often swamped by sneering unpleasantness. People just seem so sour these days… sign of the times, I suppose.

Def a case of too much chocolate 😂

seriously tho yes he could have taken the younger 3

even the 12yr

if your 3 yr is a frequent biter that needs to stop as well - what do you do or say when he bites