Unsupportive partner
I feel trapped and alone with a husband who respects none of my boundaries with our baby.
We got pregnant/married very quickly and I ended up moving in with my husband and his parents days before I had a c section. My husband avoided most conversations about the baby (she was unwanted by him at the time) but I made it clear I didn’t want visitors in the hospital, wanted privacy with the baby when we got home, nobody holding the baby until I was ready- definitely no kissing the baby etc and he briefly said yes to that. My in laws had always been lovely and respectful so wasn’t expecting any push back at all.
In order to not make the longest post ever- it was a disaster. Every boundary was broken consistently. E.g visiting hours after my c section, holding and kissing the baby, sharing photos, husband giving baby to them when I finally crashed out after 72hours being awake, doing skin to skin with her when I hadn’t even! Never asking my permission for anything only their son who was only too happy to say yes. Letting the neighbour hold my newborn when I was asleep! I developed PPA and was in hell. I have no friends or family and was trapped in this house with a husband who ignored my wishes and called me too strict. He would fall asleep with the baby on the sofa repeatedly, so I sacrificed nearly all my sleep to make sure I was watching her constantly. He sees a psychiatrist so I was hoping he’d give him some good advice- instead he told him he should trust his own judgment if he feels awake enough to sit on the sofa with her in the night. And yet he has no control over falling asleep! This is a man who has fallen asleep at the wheel, on the toilet, standing up…
I finally put my foot down when she was 6 months. I was at the point of a breakdown and retreated. Nobody was holding the baby anymore and I would supervise when others were around her. Resentment built in my husband. He calls me controlling and says he has the right to do whatever he wants as her father. Yet, he is so reckless and has no boundaries.
I’m utterly alone. He’s started lying all the time now and breaking all the promises he has made me. She is now 11 months and he has been threatening to leave me. I have no where to go, no family, just some savings. He has also said he would want overnights yet I could never be on board with that. He isn’t safe. We breastfeed all night and co sleep anyway- I do nights alone and I’m her comfort but he dismisses the importance of our breastfeeding bond and says she doesn’t need it anymore.
I started spending more and more time with the baby around the in laws hoping it would make him happy but he only demanded more. I tutor part time and would have panic attacks hearing him handing her over to his parents, while I worked upstairs. (After he promised he wouldn’t).
So, I’ve temporarily bent. I’ve loosened my boundaries. I’ve told him I need to let go of the past and trust them all again. Because I fear us splitting, being on my own in the world with our baby with no support. I don’t trust nurseries or childminders because of my own experiences when younger. I wouldn’t be able to make an income and afford a place alone. And he’d get unsupervised access and maybe overnights with our baby and I can’t let her safety be risked like that.
(He’s also got a terrible best friend who has been harassing me and trying to meet our baby- I’ve firmly held on to this boundary- but I fear he would take her to him if we were no longer together).
I’m just somebody whose been trying to hold her family together and keep her baby safe and yet I feel I’ve been punished so much for it.
I’m sorry for this long, rambling post if you are still reading. I feel utterly helpless and alone.
Husband and baby
Hi everyone, I’m not really sure how to word this so please be kind I’m not moaning at all, just looking for a bit of advice or to see if anyone has had a similar experience 🤍
My husband is incredibly loving and doting with our baby (2 weeks old, very much wanted).
We’re pretty much 50/50 with care. he does nights on his side getting up for feeds/changes while I pump, we do baths together, and he’s been amazing with baby and around the house especially while I’m still healing. I don’t ask him to do anything he just does it
The thing we’re struggling with a bit is that he’s quite sensitive to noise/sensory things, and the crying really affects him. It seems to cause him a lot of anxiety and he can get quite overwhelmed and upset.he’s finding it hard to relax and enjoy baby unless she’s asleep because he’s constantly on edge waiting for baby to cry.
I think he’s feeling like he’s not coping very well or doing a good job I think he’s worried about how he’s doing and needs to just put on a brave face and suck it up?
Our baby is at that stage where they grunt a lot, makes loads of noises, and sometimes cries even when all needs are met which I know is completely normal. I feel like I’m coping well with that side of things, but he’s finding it much harder and has said it’s more overwhelming and harder than he expected. I can tell it’s getting him down a bit, even though he’s still so gentle and caring with baby and me
I just wondered if anyone else has experienced something similar with their partner? Did it get easier with time, or did anything help them cope better?
I really want to support him in the best way I can
We had our 2nd baby last week and my husband has no patience for our toddler
Obviously it's a big adjustment for everyone and there has been a lot of tears from all 4 of us.
But I've noticed my husband, particularly today, just doesn't have the patience for our toddler.
And I totally get it, it's difficult trying to balance both children and we're burning out because of the lack of sleep having a newborn. But I'm still finding it in me to grit my teeth and not snap at our son. He's only 2.5, he's a handful but honestly such a good child and could be far worse. He's just struggling not being our centre of attention 24/7 anymore.
My husband has said twice today in front of him that he is so annoying. I get it, but I don't like that he said it out loud in front of him. He also grabbed his arm and yanked him off the couch really roughly which is completely out of character. I immediately snapped at him for it and I can tell he feels bad. Toddler started crying and wanted me to do bedtime routine tonight, doesn't want his dad to be near him now.
Its just difficult because I understand how hard it is, I'm crying every day and my hormones are completely messed up, but I don't think it's fair that our toddler faces the brunt of it just because he's being more of a handful than usual, it's a lot for him too.
I just needed to vent really. It sucks, I just wish things were easier. And I really don't want to be getting upset with my husband right now because we need to lean on each other atm. Its hard
