Let’s be real for a sec—nothing prepares you for the emotional whiplash of becoming parents. Sure, everyone talks about sleepless nights and endless diapers. But what about those messy, awkward feelings no one ever puts on a greeting card? Like the resentment, the mood swings, or that gnawing sense that you and your partner are suddenly in separate universes.
Just this week, I stumbled on an article that hit way too close to home: “New Mom Had A Tough Pregnancy, But Now Her Partner Says He Needs A Vacation To Reward Himself For Putting Up With Her Moods”. The title alone made me both laugh and cringe. I mean—seriously? Mood swings aren’t exactly a spa day for the person HAVING them, either.
But here’s the thing: This story isn’t just clickbait. It’s the raw, unfiltered reality that so many couples run into after taking the plunge into parenthood (especially after the unique, sometimes isolating journey of at-home conception). So, why aren’t we talking about it?
The Unspoken Side of Post-Pregnancy Emotions
We’re living in 2025, in a world obsessed with “good vibes only” and perfect Instagram baby bumps. So when you find yourself resenting your partner for not noticing how much you’re struggling—or feeling guilty because they seem to be struggling, too—it’s easy to think you’re the only one. You’re not.
Let’s face it: Pregnancy is an Olympic-level feat for your body and mind. Afterward, the hormone hangover is real. But partners go through it, too, in their own messy ways. Sometimes, as the article’s clueless vacation-seeker proved, they focus so much on their own exhaustion they lose sight of how hard it was for you.
- Did you feel alone in the process?
- Did your partner seem checked out, or maybe a little TOO focused on their own stress?
- Did you ever want to say, ‘Can we BOTH get a vacation, please?’
Same. And you know what? That’s okay. The real problem isn’t the feelings—it’s that we bottle them up.
Home Insemination Adds Its Own Layer
If you’ve gone through at-home insemination, you know how deeply personal (and sometimes lonely) the process can be. When my partner and I first started exploring options, we looked at so many clinical settings that made us feel like just another number. That’s why the rise of at-home solutions like insemination kits has been such a game-changer.
Companies like MakeAMom’s empowering guides and resources don’t just make the process more comfortable—they make it feel yours, not the world’s. (Trust me, being able to run the show from your own living room is a level of control I didn’t know I needed.)
But—and this is a big but—the privacy and autonomy of home insemination can also mean you don’t have built-in emotional support. There’s no nurse to tell you, “Hey, it’s okay to lose your cool today.”
The Truth About Resentment and ‘Putting Up With’ Moods
Here’s where it gets real: We don’t always give each other enough credit. The article’s partner felt “put upon” by his girlfriend’s moods. He wanted a reward for surviving her pregnancy—and honestly, who hasn’t had that selfish thought at 2 a.m. with a wailing baby? But what’s left out is that she was probably barely surviving herself.
Resentment isn’t a flaw in your relationship; it’s a signal. It means expectations weren’t met or feelings weren’t heard. Instead of letting it fester, use it as a reason to open up:
- Acknowledge the hard stuff, together.
- Swap stories—what was the hardest part for you? For them?
- Make space for apologies (even if it’s just, ‘Sorry I was a monster when the dog puked on the bassinet’).
Moving Forward: Reconnecting After the Storm
So what’s the solution? (No, it’s not a solo vacation. Sorry, partner-with-the-suitcase.)
Here’s what I wish someone had told me:
Be honest about what you need. “I need a break,” is a full sentence. So is, “I need to feel seen.”
Laugh at the ridiculousness. Sometimes the only way out is through—and humor is the best life raft.
Get help if you need it. Postpartum depression and anxiety are real, for ALL parents. There’s nothing weak about reaching out.
Lean into resources that empower you. If you’re at the very beginning of your journey, platforms like MakeAMom’s knowledge library are packed with honest testimonials and guides that make things less scary—and more human.
Final Thoughts: You’re Not Alone (Even If It Feels That Way)
If you take one thing from that wild article, let it be this: No one is scoring points for “putting up” with each other during the hardest days. You both deserve grace. You both are going to mess up, get moody, and sometimes think wild thoughts like, “Can I go live in a hotel for a week?”
And that’s okay.
Let’s normalize talking about resentment in the wake of new parenthood—because the only way we actually survive is together. Have you ever felt misunderstood, underappreciated, or just at the end of your rope? Drop your story in the comments. Let’s be the honesty revolution our exhausted, beautiful community so desperately needs.