Husband hates kids

He doesn’t have to like kids. It’s really ok .

I have been thinking about this overnight. I wonder if it came out in the open that he doesn't like being around children much, he might feel able to socialise with them for half an hour and then excuse himself to upstairs. The reason he might disappear before even greeting them is that he needs to pretend he's not in, in case if they knew he was in he'd be trapped for the entire visit. What I am saying is the secrecy might be making the situation a lot more extreme than it would be if could chat for a bit then affectionately say "ok guys excuse me now if I go and get a bit of peace" and then come down at the end to say goodbyes. This is pretty much what my husband does and everyone seems happy with it.

My OH finds it quite hard when the GC are here (which they are quite a lot as I do some care and school runs). It is excusable as he has PD and is very frail. He does slip off to the bedroom some of the time, or simply sleeps in his chair.

I am afraid I do not stop doing the care and having the children over, as this is one of the factors in my remaining passingly sane in this difficult situation.

ignore him... tell him go take a hike....some people feel panicky with a lot of kids. maybe you can get him to read them a story, get to know him better..

DH was never wild about his own children, doesn't like socialising, and always finds Christmas an ordeal. After over 40 years of him our family know what he is like and, now he is ill, he has the perfect excuse to disappear upstairs when it all gets too much. The GSs seem quite happy with the contact they have with him.

Moggie57 there are only 2 and both a few months old, just small babies

My DH isn't overly impressed with small kids. He likes babies but when they get slightly bigger and noisier he says the noise just goes right through him. However, he makes an effort with them at Christmas. The rest of the year round, he will disappear as soon as he is able to but will come down at odd intervals when I am minding one of GC's to let me use the loo or make lunch. There are times I find it frustrating but I find it more comfortable that he is happy elsewhere than looking pained around the children.

The title of this thread is what bothers me "husband hates kids" I can understand not being a "children person" but to use the word hate particularly in relation to your spouse/partners children seems to be rather extreme.
We live close to my 92 year FIL & take the bulk of responsibility for him.
He has always been a difficult character & never helped us out in any way but I wouldn't think of saying "I hate very elderly people" & hiding in my room every time he comes round.
Surely that is what family support is about?

You really need to take a serious look at this man.......perhaps he needs to be made familiar with the word "diplomacy"?

The rest of the year round, he will disappear as soon as he is able to but will come down at odd intervals when I am minding one of GC's to let me use the loo or make lunch.

Icanhandthemback I'm more shocked by this than the OP's problem!

Icanhandthemback yes that's very similar to mine. No one seems to mind in my family. I guess it depends on the individuals who make up the family.

My thoughts exactly Riverwalk!

Other peoples' families are usually shocking, compared to our own.

What is attractive about this man op.

If he can’t act graciously for one day to facilitate your happiness really he sounds a selfish nasty fit.

And yes to riverwalks point. Shocking

GrannyKnot when it's all about " them " they're controlling narcissists !

Ellan as far as I know, a diagnosis of narcissism is a complex matter. So my point is that unless people are qualified to diagnose narcissism, it's probably wise not to attribute that - or any other label for that matter - to people that we don't know.

I believe the OP came back a while ago and more or less said she had overstated the case. There's no hate here. He is just a man unused to and perhaps not yet as ease with young children. Not everyone is.

I agree, Grannyknot. Narcissistic Personality Disorder is far more complex than leaving the room because there are small children around.

I am happy to report that Christmas day went well. When DD sent a text to say she was on her way I didn't tell DH. When they arrived with GD he was welcoming then went into the kitchen to prepare veg. I got to spend time with my family and DH was not stressed out.

Glad it went well.

That sounds like he found a good solution Notthecatsmother everyone was comfortable.