Mother Calls Out Husband for Avoiding School Run Duties

A mother has expressed her frustration with her husband for refusing to participate in their children’s school run. Previously sharing the responsibility, the couple’s dynamic has shifted since she began her maternity leave. The mother claims her spouse now expects her to handle the morning drop-offs alone.

In a candid post on the parenting forum Mumsnet, the mother detailed her daily struggles. She mentioned that while on maternity leave, she is managing not only the care of their newborn but also dealing with night feeds for their older child, who still wakes frequently during the night. This added exhaustion has left her feeling “shattered.”

She shared that her husband works from home and typically starts his day after she leaves to drop their child off at school. “By this point, I’ve done the night feeds, got our child up, made breakfast, and got everyone ready while also caring for the baby,” she wrote. The mother emphasized that the situation is taking a toll on her, as even simple household tasks feel overwhelming.

The mother expressed her desire for her husband to take on the school run at least once or twice a week. “He’s happy to be awake, in bed, while I leave the baby,” she noted. She believes that if he were to handle the morning drop-offs, it would allow her some much-needed rest, especially as the baby often sleeps just before she needs to leave.

Despite her exhaustion, she is managing all school pickups alone, feeling more fatigued than she would after a full day at work. Her post resonated with many forum users, who voiced their support and urged her to address the issue with her husband. Comments ranged from expressing disbelief at his lack of involvement to emphasizing the importance of shared responsibilities during her maternity leave.

One user stated, “You’re on maternity leave to care for the baby, not to be your husband’s skivvy.” Another added, “If he isn’t doing the night wakings, why does he get the lie-in?” Many echoed the sentiment that her husband should step up and share the workload, particularly during a time when she is healing and adjusting to life with a newborn.

The overwhelming response from the community highlights a broader conversation about parental responsibilities and the need for equitable sharing of childcare duties. As more families navigate the challenges of parenthood, open communication and mutual support remain essential. The mother’s situation sheds light on the importance of teamwork in managing the demands of raising children, particularly when one parent is on maternity leave.