This is going to be a long one so please bear with me.
I have found myself feeling more and more resentful towards my partner. We had our 2nd child in Jan this year and a few months in, his mental health started to decline. This has happened before and he has always struggled in phases (I think with undiagnosed depression) since he was a young teen - he is now early 30's. This time though, he actually did something about it which I am so proud of him for and seeked help which I have suggested he do before. They did confirm they think he has depression and gave him medication, along with some tips. The advice he was given was to take time for himself and get away from situations that trigger him and his low moods. Problem is, the things that trigger him mainly are the kids, specifically our youngest who is still very much a baby and so does cry/winge when he wants stuff or not happy as he has no other way to communicate.
I cannot express how much I want him to get better mentally, but my god I am exhausted. I feel like I'm constantly having to hold it together for the both of us and take over when he gets overwhelmed, as well as being forgiving when he needs to take some time for himself. Here's where I'm going to sound selfish, but I need to let it out.... I feel so angry at times towards him for making me feel like we're not a team and that I need to do the majority of the care for our children. I feel sad that I feel like I haven't been able to enjoy the baby stage of our 2nd (and last) baby. I feel exhausted constantly worrying about how he is feeling and how a situation may make his mood low. Nothing is helped by the fact LO doesn't sleep through the night and wakes VERY early. I almost feel like his depression is now causing my mood to be affected too?! I love this man more than anything in the world and he really is a great person and dad. I know he can't help having depression so I don't want to feel like this, but if I'm honest I'm really struggling.
The views expressed in community are solely the opinions of participants, and do not reflect those of Peanut.
Learn more about our guidelines.
Firstly, that doesn't sound selfish. Because he struggles doesn't mean you're not allowed to too. I think you probably need to address a few different issues, 1) if you haven't already, talk to your partner constructively about your needs and find ways in which he can consistently contribute to help you in a way you would feel helped - even if he takes on more chores etc or taking your eldest out or something. 2) see if you can get someone to have them for a little bit so you can have a break, even better if you can go do something together even for a few hours. 3) perhaps investigate a sleep therapist, I've heard them achieve wonders- might help you and your partner feel a bit more resilient to it all. Good luck, I feel for you. Postpartum is hard!!
Thank you for the tips/suggestions, that's really helpful ❤️ I think the last thing you said is the main part of it really. Postpartum is hard at the best of times and it's just making me so emotional anyway, mixed with coming up 8 months of broken sleep it's a lot to deal with!

If a mother has PPD she won’t think to take time away from her baby for a long time (more than for a few hrs) and dump everything on her partner. So it’s the same for the father as well since he’s the parent too. It’s healthy for both of you to take a short break, whether him going to the gym every now and then or you going for a walk, have a nice bath, get a massage etc. where the other parent takes care of the kids in that time. He can’t be away from his kids on extended periods as it’s not fair on you to take all that burden and risk getting yourself into depression. Maybe if the baby is what’s making him feel overwhelmed then he can take the older kid out to a park/playgroup, that way it’s easier for of you guys. Maybe he can get one of those noise cancelling earbuds to he doesn’t get overwhelmed at home easily? And maybe get a cleaner every now and then so if he is taking a break ur not taking more burden at home.

Also, when one of you guys do the night shift, e.g when it’s your turn, he can sleep in another room? So his sleep wont be affected? He sounds like a light sleeper. Hopefully these help x