Juggling parenting with work and household responsibilities is no easy task, and often it can feel overwhelming to keep all of the plates spinning. Most couples find a way to split these duties up in an equal and fair way, so each parent doesn't feel swamped or burdened with a bigger share. But for others, a newborn baby can cause heated rows between partners as expectations on divvying up responsibilities can turn sour.
One new mum is frustrated at her husband as he's demanded that she pick up more household chores while she's on maternity leave, but then makes snide remarks about her 'ignoring' their newborn when she's doing said tasks. She's admitted that her hubby's comments are tongue in cheek, but she's still not happy with his criticisms given that she is doing most of the parenting.
Taking to popular forum site Mumsnet for advice, the mum, who remains anonymous, wrote: "DH [darling husband] has asked I do a bit more around the house now I’m on mat leave. Ok, fair enough BUT every time I’m doing a chore either
"A) tells me I’m doing it wrong and criticises my way / timing (eg washing needs doing and I’ll get to it mid morning/lunch time but he thinks it should be first thing so it can be out on the line as long as possible whereas I’m timing it around DS’s feeds/naps/anything else I have planned for the day)
"B) appears whilst I’m part way through and picks up the baby saying things like “oh, is Mummy ignoring you?” In a baby talk voice (obviously I don’t mind him picking up DS [darling son] to stop him fussing but there’s always a comment)"
The frustrated parent penned: "He’s WFH full time and doing my head in!
"I can either give full attention to the baby and get less done around the house but happier baby or DS can whinge a bit sometimes but more jobs get done.
"AIBU [am I being unreasonable] to tell him he can stop criticising or do it himself?"
Mumsnet users did not hold back in the comments, as they all took the woman's side on the matter.
One person wrote: "Just tell him no you're not doing anymore around the house. You're on mat leave to look after your baby. Not be his micro managed skivvy".
Another said: "He’s an a***. I’m assuming as he’s WFH he’s using his break, lunch and the time he’s saving on the commute to pack a few chores in?"
Meanwhile, a third scathed: "Oh dear. This one needs sorting out now. Tell him straight: you do not get to tell me how and when I do the laundry. If you continue, you’ll be doing your own separately.
"And you do not get to make passive aggressive comments aimed at me to the baby. If you continue, our marriage is over.
"Mine knows it would be a big mistake to talk to me like that."
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