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DP problems

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Category: General Chat
Forum Name: General Chat
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URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5245
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Topic: DP problems
Posted By: Rachael21
Subject: DP problems
Date Posted: 14 January 2007 at 11:07pm
OK a little bit of history before I start my Dp has had depression for years and got pnd after Jack was born. His dad has pretty much abandoned him as a father, they still see each other but his dad has a new gf and has pretty much replaced my dp with her son. My dp tries so hard to get his dad to like him but his gf doesn't like him and his dad always takes her side and it kills my dp. He gets really down about it and can't see that his dad is a loser.

Anyway right from the start DP has never really helped out with Jack and complains if I ask him to do anything to help out. He likes playing with him but will only play for about 10 minutes and then just get up and go out to the garage for 2 hours and won't take Jack with him. I have always made excuses to myself about the pnd and stuff but its getting real bad now.

For example I had warned dp he had to watch Jack this morning so I could ice the cake anyway his friend shows up with his dirtbike on the trailer and ben played with jack for a while and then asked me if he could put him to bed. I said if jack was tired he could but had to make sure he was asleep before he left as i was in the middle of making the cake. Anyway about 10 mins later i hear jack crying so i told ben he was still awake and went back to making the cake. Another 5 mins later Jack was still crying so I went and got Jack and went to give him to Ben and he had gone without even saying a word. Luckily my mum came over to help with Jack so I could finish the cake. I have a million stories similar to this. Also Ben is always telling Jack off for playing with stuff Ben has left lying on the floor and won't pick him up when he cries.

After a year of this Jack doesn't even like dp if I leave the room he cries and at his party today Jack kept going to my mum to get picked up even tho dp was right there. DP didn't play with Jack once and Jack hardly even looked at him.

What am I supposed to do? I feel like I'm doing everything on my own dp doesn't ever give us money but always buys new things for him. He told me off for buying too many presents for Jack today.

Whenever I try to talk to dp he just yells at me and won't listen. Sorry for the long post its just been stressing me out and I don't really want anyone else knowing our problems. I don't know whats going to happen when the new baby comes. Any advice would be really apprciated I feel like I'm trapped and like I'm failing Jack.



Replies:
Posted By: mummy_becks
Date Posted: 14 January 2007 at 11:27pm
Rach 's. Is he on med's for the depression? If not it may be worth trying to talk to him about going on them. And if he is, is he taking them? or they may not be the right ones for him at the moment. I think trying to get him to listen to you is going to be hard but you may have to keep trying. Try when hes in a good mood and Jack isn't around.

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I was a puree feeder, forward facing, cot sleeping, pram pushing kind of Mum... and my kids survived!


Posted By: kezplanet
Date Posted: 15 January 2007 at 1:36am
Rach your not failing Jack, Ben is so don't take that on yourself. Did he get councilling for pnd, do you have contact from then that you can talk to and get some advice. Maybe he feels he is getting trapped and jelous (Im not trying to defend just trying some ideas) but it is very important to try and get on top of this one asap as this time is so important for jack and ben together. Maybe you could try asking ben if he remembers how it felt when he was young and his dad wasn't around for him and teaching him things and try to get him to realise he is doing the same to jack. Maybe there is someone else that ben respects that you could talk to and get them to have a chat to ben. This ones not going to be easy or quick to fix but I wish you all the luck, I can't think of any other suggestions. Hope some of this ramble helps


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Kerryn, Mum to
Ashlyn(29/3/04), Anastasia(1/11/05) & Abigail (24/02/09)


Posted By: my2angels
Date Posted: 15 January 2007 at 7:06am
Yeah i basically second everything Kez said. maybe he needs a wake up call to show he is repeating the same cycle that happened to him and is that what sort of a father he wants to be. Have you talked to your mum? You might be surprised, she probably already guesses there are problems.
You know where I am if you ever want to talk.


Posted By: lizzle
Date Posted: 15 January 2007 at 7:37am
could they take a "class" together - like swimming lessons or something. some kind of bonding. it sounds to me (the two pysch papers i took at uni) like he has never been parented by a father, so hasn't been taught how - no role models and such. Dads can sometimes have trouble figuring out what to do with kids. but I think you need to chose a time and say that you are worried about him repeating the cycle and offer him some solutions of how him and Jack can be closer.


Posted By: Andie
Date Posted: 15 January 2007 at 8:59am

Big hugs to you, Rach, cause it doesn't sound easy.  Sounds like you and your partner could need some time together (child-free) to give you the chance to explain to him how this all feels for you and what it is that you see happening for Jack.  If you have time beforehand to ponder over and sort out what you want to say, it's more likely to come out how you mean it.  But I guess that only really works if he's willing to listen and not yell at you!  Did he ever have counselling for depression?  I know most men would rather get a fork in the eye than go to a counsellor, but if he's the rare, rare kind who can suck it up enough to see someone, would it help if he went back (or started?).  Dammit if only they could be made to do what  they've sometimes just gotta do, eh! 

Hey I might seem like the devil for suggesting it... but how long have you felt trapped and just how miserable are things at home?  Because sometimes a girl's gotta do what's right for herself and her kids, even if it might not be the 'right' thing for her relationship.  I guess if there were good times in your history together then it makes sense to expect that things can get better again (and here's hoping!), but if you don't have memories of when things were better, that's a different story and makes it blimmin hard to work through the problems.  I rekon talking to your friends would help - might be a bit embarrassing at first but some support from people who know the both of you could be really nice for ya. 



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Andie


Posted By: nikkitheknitter
Date Posted: 15 January 2007 at 9:03am


What they said.

I really hope things get sorted out for ya Rach... it's a lot to take on with two kidlets and you shouldn't have to do it all on your own.


Posted By: Rachael21
Date Posted: 15 January 2007 at 9:07am
Thanks guys yeah it kind of goes in cycles like he will try really hard and Jack will love him and then he will just sort of give up for a while and ignore Jack. The thing is he knows he has depression but then he denies it. He got given meds and he took them for a week but they made him feel sick so he stopped. He won't go to a councillor but I'm trying to think of a way to trick him into going. My mum doesn't really like him and she actually noticed at the party how ben and Jack didn't really look at each other. Bens mum said something at the party asking me if he has been seeing his dad because she noticed his behaviour so I might have a chat to her. Thing is He doesn't really like his mum cos he thinks she abandoned his dad.
Thanks for the kind words it just sometimes feels like I don't try enough to get them to spend time together.


Posted By: Andie
Date Posted: 15 January 2007 at 9:46am
Don't go blaming yourself now!

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Andie


Posted By: Roksana
Date Posted: 15 January 2007 at 10:30am
Oh Gosh..this is a hard one. But I think the lovely ladies are right...because he didnt get the love and attention he wanted from his Dad, he doe snot know how to do the same for his son. He is still a chile inside craving for his Dad's attention, he has no time to concentrate on his own son.

Talk to him, explaine to him that what ever he feel now about his Dad, and how screwed up it has made him inside...is how Jack will feel in the future about him! Knowing how it feels...does he really want Jack to suffer the same way??

I think (and not to be harsh) you need to sort things out before Bub is here! You dont want two kids feeling like this. And If you feel that its not getting any better (as much as you would love that it did) you might have to look at looking after yourself, Jack and the new bub. You are a great Mum...dont you dear think other wise!

I do hope that your DP comes around and sees what he is doing, is wrong! I do hope and pray that things work out for you both and Jack!



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http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">


Posted By: james
Date Posted: 15 January 2007 at 10:54am
i second what roksana said big hugs hun

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<a href="http://lilypie.com"><img src="http://b4.lilypie.com/nLJ5p13.png" alt="Lilypie 4th Birthday Ticker" border="0" /></a>


Posted By: meow
Date Posted: 15 January 2007 at 2:13pm
Would he go to counselling with you? He might feel embarrassed going by himself.. I know it's hard to arrange a babysitter though during the day!

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http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">


Posted By: Bombshell
Date Posted: 15 January 2007 at 3:45pm
ok ...family court does six free sessions...sign up for relationship counselling...and voice your concerns..dont gloss over them. If no family court in your area dont worry send in form and they will allocate a counsellor near you...this will be totally different to what he has needed a counsellor for in the past.
Also mental health is serious..and not taking meds is not on....if they play havoc he needs to change the meds..not just not take any! Contact his Doctor with your concerns and advise he isnt taking meds and ask doc to go further...Privacy act means doc shouldnt go further with you on that issue...
As for bonding i agree with above - before he repeats the pattern he should be doing something with Jack...BUT it needs to be safe for them both..and if he still suffering depression I would be concerned about putting too much pressure on for this right now...
Sorry but i see the fall outs of relationships like now so dont bury your head...deal with it now before it gets worse...you have another baby to think about too now.
BTW Hugs what you are going through and have been through is NOT easy!!


Posted By: mum2paris
Date Posted: 16 January 2007 at 8:40am
Aw Rach, how sad. I really feel for you, and for Jack. I second/third fourth, everything that has been said. And yep if he had no male role model, he won't have any idea about how he is supposed to be.. I think there are some fathering courses out there that teach them that stuff and it's really up to him as to whether he values you both enough to try and sort it out. My older sister recently left her 16 yr marriage because she finally realised that was the cycle that her hubby had been doing since day one with their son who is now 12. also a few other things with drugs etc, and the cycle of trying hard, then when he thought it was safe he'd revert back to old ways. His father was a bit of a pillock too, but still there are plenty of men out there who have that sort of thing who are wonderful fathers.   take care and try to help, but in the end it's up to him, theres only so much you can do, he's a grown man and he needs to take responsibility.
I hope things improve. It kills my sister to find out through my nephews councilling that the root of all his problems is because of the relationship with his dad, he feels that dad doesn't love him or like him even cos he ignores him.. recently got stood down from school for decking another kid.. which is sooo not him. It took the councelling for my sister to realise just how much it was affecting the kids.. they pick up more than you know.

Hugs.

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Janine and her 2 cool chicks, Paris & Ayja



Posted By: my2angels
Date Posted: 16 January 2007 at 5:42pm
Also had another thought and someone might have already said this and ive just missed it but remember this behavior is what Jack will come to think of as normal, hence the cycle could repeat when he has kids. You have to keep in mind, is this the sort of man you want your son to be like.


Posted By: Rachael21
Date Posted: 17 January 2007 at 9:48pm
This is what I have kinda be thinking like when is it time to take Jack away so he doesn't end up the same. Bens mum came round the other day and gave me a few ideas pretty much the same things you ladies have said. I also just found out bens dad tried to make ben give him $3000 for a loan which ben has done before and never got the money back so I'm hoping he realises about his dad and stops seeing him and then I will try and get some counselling or something. I think we would have to go together.
Any ideas how to talk to ben without him getting angry? I have figured out he likes to feel looked after by me, he always pretends hes sick so i look after him so when he is made to feel guilty he gets really angry and walks away so I never get to say exactly what I need to he just walks out the door.
Saying this tho he knew how mad I was after Jacks party and has been so good with Jack and keeps taking him out to the garage with him so thats been good and Jack has been following him round everywhere.


Posted By: my2angels
Date Posted: 17 January 2007 at 10:24pm
Maybe he is kind of worried that if he does get help and gets better you wont be so easy going on him and look after him like you do. Would it work if you just booked a session with a councillor and said right, we are going together no arguement. As for when is enough enough, well only you can decide that if he keeps up like this then i would make that decision before Jack get to the age where he knows whats going on a bit more and will be able to realise that daddy doesnt have much time for him.


Posted By: Bombshell
Date Posted: 18 January 2007 at 7:05am
Def put counselling in place...make sure you go to the initial session first so you can guide the counsellor to the issues that are concerning you....that is probably the best place to start conversations...they can always continue after counselling if need be...

Sounds like you are on the right track...but take it easy on yourself and dont try to solve all his problems...make him own them!


Posted By: lizzle
Date Posted: 18 January 2007 at 8:41am
Maybe you can point out how Jack just loves spending that time with his dad - point out how Jack has been follwoing him around and stuff since they've spent more time together. With the classes - if you wanted to do them -say that Jack would love swimming but that you are too embarressed to get into your togs- maybe he'll suggest going with him then. as for getting him to counselling - no idea sorry!


Posted By: Rachael21
Date Posted: 18 January 2007 at 11:32am
I wish Ben would go swimming but he is really skinny and white and refuses to even buy togs lol I suggested they take the dog down to the park on the weekends so we will see how that goes.
I'll ask ben if we can go to some counselling and if he says no I am going to trick him into it.


Posted By: Rachael21
Date Posted: 18 January 2007 at 11:33am
and thanx so much for your support and ideas its been really good hearing from other people



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