What should I do about this?

@lynn3024 (198)
Canada
January 19, 2007 4:15pm CST
my husband has a problem with staying home. I sit home all day with the baby and he goes wherever he wants. We are having a big snowstorm today but he still won't stay home. it has now snown so much that he cannot get the truck out of the yard so now he's gone on foot. He went to the garage today to get his "headlight fixed" he was gone for 5 hrs. 8:30am-1:30pm then he left at 3:30 to get some guys snowblower fixed and he come back at 5:30 now it is 6:00 and he just left and walked across the road to visit somebody. What can I do to make him realize I'd like to spend some time with him to. I've tryed talking to him about it and of coarse he agrees with me but then the next day he does it again. I am really fed up.
7 people like this
69 responses
• Philippines
20 Jan 07
How long have you been together? Maybe you should give him more time on the situation that you're together. Unknowingly, he's unaware that he already has family needed to take care of. You know men are so insensitive of the reality of life. Some of them finds it hard to accept that they're with someone already. They're immature as well on the start of the marriage. I suggest that you guys should take seminar about couples on their early years of marriage. This might help him realize that he got you and his baby. Men are stubborn. Even though you talked to them a lot of times over a matter and have it settled. They will just comprise but in the latter will do it again. Take my advise.
1 person likes this
@kaspyv (1011)
• United States
20 Jan 07
i used to have that same problem with my first husband. he left me home with 3 small kids while he was always going to do different things. well one day i got enough of being left alone and i followed him...it wasn't too big of a surprise when i found him with another woman....any time a man has to spend that much time away from his wife...there has to be something that has his attention and sadly to say in most cases i've seen over the years...its a woman that has their attention...i do hope thats not the case with you...GOOD LUCK
1 person likes this
@aries6484 (279)
• India
20 Jan 07
i think he is feeling uncomfortable while staying with you at home.i think he don't like you.thats why he is always staying out of home.try to give him more and more love.
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
19 Jan 07
Wow, I do not blame you for being upset, and if this was me in my Marriage, I would be Questioning the validity of it, and is he being Faithful to me since he chooses to be gone all of the time instead of at home? It would make me really wonder. Have you expressed your desires or are you afraid to speak up? Have you asked him to take you with him some of the time? I wish you Luck on this.
@rking247 (65)
• United States
20 Jan 07
you should really find out if he's doing what he says he's doing and go from there
@lynn3024 (198)
• Canada
20 Jan 07
98 percent of the time I know exactly where he is and can reach him easily by phone, which I have done. So I know he is not being unfaithful. He just talks for hours and seems to forget about me sometimes
• Canada
20 Jan 07
I agree with rking here. It sounds real fishy to me. I had a friend of mine who got married to this guy and when they had their kids he always left her alone to go to work. He was on call 24 hours a day and they were out in the sticks as well so he had the perfect opportunity to go out and have some fun. He isolated her so she had no family or friends around so she was stuck in that house with the kids:o( My friend finally came to her senses and figured it out but he was getting away with it for years before she did figure it out! I'd try to find out what's going on because you don't need this! I'm sorry he's being so selfish, I hope he realizes that he needs to be there for you and your baby! Good luck.
• United States
20 Jan 07
Is his current behavior different than that of before your baby was born? It's not uncommon for husbands to have to adjust to their spouse shifting into motherhood, especially if the two of you were active together BB (before baby). And if staying home means that he is taking care of baby...as much as daddy might love him/her, it is possible that he's not comfortable downshifting to the role of caretaker. Yet, if the two of you have had conversations about the issue and it still isn't resolved, then my guess is that staying home isn't the largest issue at hand. If he is just giving you lip-service with his comments and has no desire to change his behavior then you need to dig deeper and determine why the two of you aren't on the same page.
• Canada
20 Jan 07
I agree with what intunique has posted... but I'd like to add that, for some men, it's not a question of being "uncomfortable" with being a caretaker. There are men I know of who refuse to do "baby duty"... they refuse to change diapers, do feedings, bathing, etc. This is the "mother's job." Others can't stand the sound of a crying or cranky baby and will find any reason to leave during colicky or unpleasant behavior (my dad was like this when my sister was a baby). Of course, I wouldn't presume this is the case with this particular father but he does seem bound and determined to stay out of the house. His attitude sure sends up a lot of red flags and I think some serious conversation is definitely in order.
@lynn3024 (198)
• Canada
20 Jan 07
I have mentioned to him that he should spend more time with the baby because he is changing everyday and if you blink you'll miss something new. he told me that he doesn't know how to interact with a baby. I told him that most parents don't but they figure it out once they become parents. then he said when he is older he will spend more time with him but right now he seems to fragile and he is scared to hurt him. I mean come on, "fragile"? The baby is 9 months old and he weighs 30 pounds. he's no new born. My husband has changed his diaper only twice since he was born. he will not change the really dirty ones because he says it's gross but yet he'll sit there and play with him while I change him.
• Singapore
20 Jan 07
Don't be fed up and don't give up. Sounds to me that you both need a one-on-one chat. Agreeing with you and not walking the talk is dangerous. Find out from him if he has trouble and share your concern.
• United States
20 Jan 07
That is crazy that he leaves the house that much. If you talked to him about it and he still leaves then you should schedule some things for you all to do or try things like that kinda like making appointments. I dont think you should have to do this but maybe it is something you should try.
@Pekachu (1112)
• United States
19 Jan 07
well i am so sorry I wish i could help you but im not even married actually divorced for 16 years now but i feel bad for you maybe you could suggest an outting since he doesnt like to stay home maybe bowling a movie whatever you two like to do
@Adderz (66)
20 Jan 07
Buy some stuff off the internet to keep em entertained
@sizzle3000 (3036)
• United States
20 Jan 07
First of all how old are you two? You both seem young. The next thing is did you look deep before you got married. Maybe you should have talked about how a baby would change your lives. I have to say I would never put up with this bs. If I had talked to him and he still did this I would be gone. I would call my mom or dad to come get me and the baby. Sometimes you just need to get their attention before you can get them to listen. I am sure that when he came home from being gone all day and you and the baby were gone, you would have his attention. This is when you tell him what he is doing is wrong on so many levels. I am sorry to say it sounds like your husband has never grown up. He has a wife and child and play time is over. The other thing you could do like someone else said. As soon as he walks in the door give him the baby and have a friend pick you up and take you out. You could even ask your mom or dad to pick you up. It is hard to get out when you don't drive and you are way out of town. I am sure you have friends or family that would gladly help you. Good luck.
• India
20 Jan 07
get some entertainment bought 4 him.......
• India
20 Jan 07
give him consequences......
• United States
20 Jan 07
No matter how much talking you do to him and he doesn't change...imagine what will be life with him in the next 5 years or less? You have to really look into the situation, if the relationship is give and take or just plain give and give from your side. Why don't you go with him wherever he wants to go? Have the diaper bag ready for the baby and the moment he mentions about going somewhere...tell him you are coming because staying at home is boring. Or the moment he gets home, tell him you are going somewhere and he needs to drive you. A little reverse psychology and I hope it will sink in.
@lynn3024 (198)
• Canada
20 Jan 07
I do sometimes go with him but I have come to learn that he loves to talk and when he says we'll only be an hour that easily turns into three and I end up sitting there trying to keep a restless baby occupied. I mean I know how hard it is to sit in one place for hours imagine what it's like for a 9 month ild baby.
@judyt00 (3497)
• Canada
19 Jan 07
Lock the door. tell him he doesn't live there any way. and stop doing his laundry, making his meals and cleaning up after him. And I suggest you start getting a babysitter and going out yourself. or, the minute he walks in the door, hand him the baby and say, good, you're home, your turn and puton your coat and leave. it doesn't matterwhere you go, the library, your mom's house or just for a walk. just make sure you are gone for at least an hour. When he demands to know where you've been, tell him "Out, you do it all the time, its my turn." It shouldn't take long for him to get the hint about how selfish he is being.
@lynn3024 (198)
• Canada
19 Jan 07
well I wish I could just hand him the baby and go but here is the problem. We live in the sticks and I don't have my drivers licsense. I've tried to get him to see it from my point of view. "If I was the one with the drivers licsense and I was gone all the time and you were stuck in the house how would that make you feel" He always says "yes I know, I wouldn't like it, your always right and blah blah blah but he always goes and does it again.
@kaspyv (1011)
• United States
20 Jan 07
do u have a friend u can go somewhere with? it doesn't matter how u go as long as u get out of the house sometimes too...he will get the message!
@sanell (2112)
• United States
20 Jan 07
and baby makes three - baby, family, it can be hard for a first time mom to really be able to feel like she is an adult from time to time, she is stuck with the baby in the house for a good few months until baby has picked up immunities to be out and about, but it does get easier over time and later on mom will realize that she was blessed to have spent all that alone time with their daughter or son.
well I had this problem too but it is more of the opposite my husband will stay at home but he hides in our bedroom to stay away from me and the kids, and I think it is more out of shame but I do get jealous because it is liek I am always with the girls and I love being with them do not get me wrong but it would be nice to have like an hour here or there for some alone time. I would just tell him or write him or put a note on the door or even say maybe think about getting a sitter to watch the baby and go out with him, or heck if the baby is easy going say perhaps to go out all together as a family. It is hard when you are a first time mother because you feel abandoned to do things feeling like you are strapped to your kid but it will get better as they get older they will not need you so much.
@Angelinka (1410)
• Italy
20 Jan 07
well i think you really got to talk to him seriuosly,because its not normal..that he goes away...are you fighting very much?do you talk to each other?because normally men dont want to stay at home if they got another women...i hope its not in your case..and i wish you all the best...just talk to him honestly and say that you want..calm,without any scandals..
@jolanda33 (720)
• Netherlands
20 Jan 07
i know this gonna be difficult and you got to have friends and family to help you but may be he wakes up: do the same thing! not now, just wait untill the weather is better! call everybody, make sure you can visit them, and just leave! go shopping, and don't worry about him! are you sure he isn't cheating on you? or maybe it is because of the baby? how old is he/she? that is a big change in his life too, and he gets less attention because the baby needs more attention than he does. try to talk one time, and if he doesn't listen i say try my tip!
@anabaik (206)
• Malaysia
20 Jan 07
maybe you are not attractive to him anymore. try to make him happy at home. try to do this to solve this problem. when you see he want to go out somewhere, take off all your cloth and do not wear anything in front of him. i am sure he will not go out. please do this if you want to save your marriage. at least one. trust me.
@ghostbat (156)
• Canada
20 Jan 07
My dad used to do the same thing. ill tell you what my mom did, just give him consequences and you'll see, he'll have his tail between his legs.
@ghostbat (156)
• Canada
20 Jan 07
My father does the same thing, ill tell you what my mom did, give him consequences.