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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

Weaponised incompetence

73 replies

FryingPam · 10/05/2026 21:22

Childcare of our toddler is 90% on me, although we both work. Today was one of the very very rare occasions where I left DS with my husband for some me-time. I came home at 9pm, toddler still wide awake although his usual bedtime is at 7. Husband thought it was a good idea to put him for a second nap at 5pm, so he probably won’t sleep until midnight now. Our flat looks like a battlefield. Food on the floor and everywhere. Now my relaxing day off has caused me more stress because I’ll spend the next two hours trying to get my toddler to sleep followed by 2 hours cleaning the flat. It just wasn’t worth it. I can’t help but think that this is weaponised incompetence so that I just give up on taking time for myself and don’t ask him to look after his child again.

OP posts:
TeaPot496 · 11/05/2026 09:51

G5000 · 11/05/2026 09:48

Only if the father asks for it, but it doesn't sound like he is keen on too much hands on parenting

These ones just go off looking for a nanny-type to shack up with. Usually someone who already has one or two kids herself.

BCBird · 11/05/2026 09:54

What a waste of space

filofaxdouble · 11/05/2026 09:54

If this happens again, look around, see the bomb site, walk straight upstairs run a bath and lock the door.

kohlrabislaw · 11/05/2026 10:00

FryingPam · 11/05/2026 08:52

I agree with everyone…I’m rather disappointed with him not stepping up and doing his part after our baby was born (a child he desperately wanted). He does love him and engages with him, but the actual work doesn’t get done. I don’t know if I can force him, sometimes I just have to do it myself because our child needs proper meals, clean clothes etc. I had to do some basic tidying and cleaning this morning because I needed to have breakfast with our toddler, and I also can’t really let him wade though food mess on the floor from yesterdays dinner. Maybe I am enabling my husband, but I need to put our child first and do what needs to be done. I could divorce him or threatening to if he doesn’t step up, but I’d be worried about DS being in his care for half of the time, considering how things are going when I’m not around.

How can you possibly find someone who acts like this attractive? It would just give me the ick so much. I couldn’t bear to be around someone who behaved like this.

Teawithfrenchtoast · 11/05/2026 10:03

I’m presuming you actually had a grown up conversation last night with your DH about what a state the flat had been in when you got home and the reasons why he left the cleaning up to you to do? You are definitely being a martyr. Communicate with him and lay out how it made you feel. Surely whilst one of you was getting DC off to sleep, the other could have tidied up?

FryingPam · 11/05/2026 10:10

I’m not sure if it can be called neglect, our toddler has the time of his life with his dad, it’s a typical Disney dad scenario. He actually prefers him over me and as soon as daddy comes home, he wants to be with him all the time and doesn’t care about mummy anymore. Of course it’s much more fun with daddy because it’s mummy who does all the annoying things like diaper changes, getting dressed in the morning or brushing the teeth. I think my husband would do what he thinks is ‘taking good care’ of his child and DS would be fed, but he just always takes the way of least resistance rather than doing actual parenting or housework.

OP posts:
Friendlygingercat · 11/05/2026 10:11

Men are good at weaponised incompetence.

I am old so good at weaponised not seeing, hearing, noticing or answering the phone.

Of course I check my phone at least once a week!

ClearFruit · 11/05/2026 10:15

FryingPam · 11/05/2026 08:52

I agree with everyone…I’m rather disappointed with him not stepping up and doing his part after our baby was born (a child he desperately wanted). He does love him and engages with him, but the actual work doesn’t get done. I don’t know if I can force him, sometimes I just have to do it myself because our child needs proper meals, clean clothes etc. I had to do some basic tidying and cleaning this morning because I needed to have breakfast with our toddler, and I also can’t really let him wade though food mess on the floor from yesterdays dinner. Maybe I am enabling my husband, but I need to put our child first and do what needs to be done. I could divorce him or threatening to if he doesn’t step up, but I’d be worried about DS being in his care for half of the time, considering how things are going when I’m not around.

You wouldn't have to worry about him having 50/50 custody, if this is how he is now, trust me.

Sprogonthetyne · 11/05/2026 10:18

G5000 · 11/05/2026 09:48

Only if the father asks for it, but it doesn't sound like he is keen on too much hands on parenting

A lot will happily neglect behind closed doors, but don't want to be labled a deadbeat. They'd prefer to leave the kid watching TV in pajamas and an overfill nappy all weekend, then make you out to be the 'crazy ex' if you suggest this isn't idea

FurryWastebin · 11/05/2026 10:22

FryingPam · 10/05/2026 21:49

Now he’s too exhausted because he was looking after a toddler all day, the poor man…

So what was he doing when your child was napping in the afternoon, especially as he wasn't clearing up?

SaltySpitoon · 11/05/2026 10:23

FryingPam · 11/05/2026 10:10

I’m not sure if it can be called neglect, our toddler has the time of his life with his dad, it’s a typical Disney dad scenario. He actually prefers him over me and as soon as daddy comes home, he wants to be with him all the time and doesn’t care about mummy anymore. Of course it’s much more fun with daddy because it’s mummy who does all the annoying things like diaper changes, getting dressed in the morning or brushing the teeth. I think my husband would do what he thinks is ‘taking good care’ of his child and DS would be fed, but he just always takes the way of least resistance rather than doing actual parenting or housework.

Not brushing their teeth, not changing their nappy, leaving food on the floor for hours etc is absolutely neglect.

campingwidow · 11/05/2026 10:23

Sounds like he needs more practice. Get yourself signed up for some fun classes/book club so he can get better.

Pimlicoo · 11/05/2026 10:28

You need to have a frank conversation and tell him how you are impacted - that it is giving you the ick and killing the love (ie how it will have consequences and impact him).

You need to lay your cards on the table and ask him if he wants to be a man or a boy - if he wants to co-parent constructively with to build a solid, joyful, calm family life and home for his son and you both.

Then tell him where his current approach is headed.

You have to ask him directly if he wants to resolve the situation or not. If he gets defensive then you need to tell him that you can see that he doesn’t so there is only one exit strategy.

Some men have an unconscious hate for their own mothers whom they may have perceived as engulfing or overbearing - they have never reset that relationship dynamic but subconsciously punish the partner they end up with instead.

What was his childhood like - what is his relationship with his mother like.

Boundaries are all on you - they involve communicating them - with an expectation of a deadline but most importantly a consequence which is an action by you. It’s not about nagging. It’s about asking once maybe twice with clear deadline and consequence and then moving on.

If this doesn’t change and you stay it will erode you from the inside out. Your experience of motherhood and your DCs experience of you (even without overt words or behaviours) will be one of bitterness, resentment and contempt. Don’t do this to yourself and your DC. It’s a life of huge regrets. Ask me how I know.

DaisyDooley · 11/05/2026 10:40

When I read threads like this I’m amazed that more of us are not lesbians.
Frankly if anything happens to my husband there is no way on Gods green earth that I will ever have another relationship with a man.
They are -in my experience- utterly utterly selfish.
@FryingPam Keep going out, He will have to learn. Refuse to come back till house is clean and child is asleep.

ImImmortalNowBabyDoll · 11/05/2026 10:40

FryingPam · 11/05/2026 08:52

I agree with everyone…I’m rather disappointed with him not stepping up and doing his part after our baby was born (a child he desperately wanted). He does love him and engages with him, but the actual work doesn’t get done. I don’t know if I can force him, sometimes I just have to do it myself because our child needs proper meals, clean clothes etc. I had to do some basic tidying and cleaning this morning because I needed to have breakfast with our toddler, and I also can’t really let him wade though food mess on the floor from yesterdays dinner. Maybe I am enabling my husband, but I need to put our child first and do what needs to be done. I could divorce him or threatening to if he doesn’t step up, but I’d be worried about DS being in his care for half of the time, considering how things are going when I’m not around.

If the mess was in HIS house and the toddler being up til midnight was disrupting HIS sleep, then I think he'd either: 1. Magically find the energy to sort the situation out. 2. Realise that 50:50 is not for him and revert to EOW pretty quick. DS won't die from 48 hours of sugar and TV, you will get your fortnightly day/night off and he will be left with the carnage to deal with on Sunday evening.

WhyamIinahandcartandwherearewegoing · 11/05/2026 10:42

Now my relaxing day off has caused me more stress because I’ll spend the next two hours trying to get my toddler to sleep followed by 2 hours cleaning the flat.

Just don't do it. Leave the mess it won't kill anyone - make the point.

Whettlettuce · 11/05/2026 11:05

It wont get better . You can give him an ultimatum but it wont improve for very long. He's doing it because he knows he can. You need to leave if you want your life to improve in any way and not be a dogs body

GingerBeverage · 11/05/2026 11:10

He goes to the gym because he knows that to improve his health he has to regularly push his body.

So, I'm sure he'll completely understand that he will be regularly caring for his child and taking care of the house in order to improve his parenting skills.

You don't get better without practice.

WallaceinAnderland · 11/05/2026 13:10

You're not even trying OP. This is one of those threads where you want someone else to change their behaviour but you won't change your own behaviour.

EmailsaysOOO · 11/05/2026 13:26

You know what's happening here. Best wishes

selffellatingouroborosofhate · 11/05/2026 13:43

FryingPam · 11/05/2026 08:52

I agree with everyone…I’m rather disappointed with him not stepping up and doing his part after our baby was born (a child he desperately wanted). He does love him and engages with him, but the actual work doesn’t get done. I don’t know if I can force him, sometimes I just have to do it myself because our child needs proper meals, clean clothes etc. I had to do some basic tidying and cleaning this morning because I needed to have breakfast with our toddler, and I also can’t really let him wade though food mess on the floor from yesterdays dinner. Maybe I am enabling my husband, but I need to put our child first and do what needs to be done. I could divorce him or threatening to if he doesn’t step up, but I’d be worried about DS being in his care for half of the time, considering how things are going when I’m not around.

My dad learned quickly that he had to parent during his weeks. Your "D"H will learn too.

Bertiebiscuit · 11/05/2026 13:56

FryingPam · 10/05/2026 21:49

Now he’s too exhausted because he was looking after a toddler all day, the poor man…

Tbh he sounds like a lazy arse who thinks he's living with his mother-the more you clean up after him the less he will do. I fear for your future as you are already tolerating his nonsense.

G5000 · 11/05/2026 13:56

OP again, he is doing it on purpose. If he was a nice caring husband and father, who was actually exhausted from looking after the toddler, he would be extremely apologetic and of course would have cancelled the gym class so he could tidy it all up. He didn't. And you sigh, say oh well, and make sure he has no consequences.
And of course next time, you won't even take time to yourself, because you know you will come back to a mess and neglected child. Result!

If you want this to change, you can't just shrug and clean up.

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