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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Am I the asshole

179 replies

Nothappy1987 · 27/12/2023 19:51

I appreciate I may waffle and apologise.

me and my partner have had a mostly great relationship. However it is dwindling.
I have 3 children from a previous relationship, and he has 2. (Mine are 4-12, his are 16 and 18).
I put everyone first, my children obviously , and including him, his family, even his friends.
his father has recently passed away, and I have put everything on the back burner (including Xmas shopping for everyone- left until the day before Xmas Eve!!) so that I could be there, and be a shoulder to cry on. There have been a few occasions where he has been anything but nice… but I didn’t take offence due to his grief, and how he handles it. Still trying to hold his hand.
the funeral comes, 21st December, lovely service, hard day, everything going as ok as it could be. I’m there, I’m present, I’m holding his daughter’s hand at the grave side, I’m waiting in the cold with his relative as she waits for a lift in the blistering cold. Sitting with his mother etc. after a long day and lots of beer, we head back to stay at his mothers as she doesn’t want to be alone that night. Everything ok, obviously everyone is sad, but my partner just FLIPS - after I had administered his mums dogs medicine for a poorly ear. And I mean lost his ***, throwing the car keys at me telling me to leave because I’m not welcome. Nobody likes me. I clearly have to leave this house and did end up driving home, alone. (My children were staying with my family). Something I am not proud of and I know I shouldn’t have done but at the moment in time I felt only reasonable way of getting away. had a telling off from MIL the next day.

I still let this slide, he did apologise, but again grief etc.

fast forward Xmas shopping… I was due to go on my own and he said it would make more sense for him to come with and bring the kids. I explained it wouldn’t be a good idea as I would be rushed, and have to hide stuff and it just seemed like a hassle. I wanted to go first thing… he created merry hell and drew an argument out all day and when I gave in and said fine come, he said he couldn’t be bothered, and started drinking.

xmas eve… he tells me he needs to pop out shopping- clearly for me. I have been ‘expecting’ a ring for some time…. Something my partner has gone on about for months and months, and whilst his dad way dying he told
him to make an honest woman of me, so was expecting it even more.

he stops ‘for a pint’ on the way home in Xmas eve. Comes home blind drunk. My mum arrives after an hour drive… he’s throwing up in the toilet I’m trying to do ‘xmas stuff’ usual stuff.

Xmas day… present opening, and considering my last minute shopping due to everything I feel I did very well for him… a tool box on wheels he desperately wanted, a new coat, new electric toothbrush.

my turn… I got a crappy hooded blanket, which is so garish in colour covered in an awful pattern… really not me. And a pair of emoji slippers, again not me. That’s it.

i preceded to drink wine… its Xmas after all, with my mum, whilst prepping dinner, entertaining the kids. He sits in the chair, checking the turkey every now and then.

boxing day… mum goes home I ask for help tidying up, he sits in yhe chair ignoring me a except for making a dig that I got drunk yesterday!

he then stays In bed all day because I had a drink.

today…. He stays in bed til 12…. Comes down and says he’s got to look at a job (he is self employed so this is a normal thing) he ** off, so I go food shopping.
leave the shop and the car won’t start… I’m stranded in aldi car park, it’s pouring down. I call him, well I’ve just finished the job and I’m having a beer with my mate.
sat in the car park for 40 minutes before he came to rescue us. Not before he blames it on Me, u must of left something on in the car for it not to start… its never done it with him… this is his car btw he has been driving mine. He opens yhe bonnet and yhe alternator belt has snapped, so the battery isn’t being charged and the car is . He piles us all in the car whilst effing and jeffing.
drops us home, and *
off to the pub. I won’t be long. 4 hours later im still sat here. Waiting again.
my poor kids, whilst happy, I feel sorry for them. We’ve been living on egg shells for ages, and now whilst they have everything they want for Xmas have been sat indoors since Xmas Eve.

sorry I know that’s long and there’s more to add probably but I’m rambling.

I just feel so sad. I feel not important. I feel disappointed

OP posts:
AuntMarch · 27/12/2023 21:29

You have been unreasonable with drink driving but I think you know that. You would not be unreasonable to leave. Grief may be an excuse for being a bit moody but this is above and beyond. Please don't let this be what your children learn relationships are meant to be like.

OliveWah · 27/12/2023 21:29

Friedfriedplantain · 27/12/2023 21:23

You may not be wrong but by god you're sanctimonious.
Let's hope you're as great as you clearly think you are.

Perfect; sanctimonious was exactly what I was going for! Smile

Sugarsun · 27/12/2023 21:31

Grief is difficult and we can often act different when we are grieving.

But this isn’t grief, it’s abuse.

Perhaps it’s time to call it a day.

Onceuponaheartache · 27/12/2023 21:34

@Nothappy1987 leave him.

He is abusive and an utter atsehole. You can and should do better.

MummyJ36 · 27/12/2023 21:34

Why are you allowing your kids to grow up around this dumbo? It’s them you are really harming with all of this.

AnneValentine · 27/12/2023 21:36

LinnieM · 27/12/2023 21:19

So because she drink drove, she has a drink problem? But if she never drove, then this drink problem suddenly disappears? That makes no sense

Edited to say, I have no clue why you’re highlighting the word ‘never’ in bold when I literally said the same thing…

Edited

Yes. If you drink drive you absolutely have a drink problem.

whiteshutters · 27/12/2023 21:36

Dwindling - you describe this as dwindling? It is a flipping disaster. I have no idea why you do not respect yourself and expect better for yourself AND YOUR CHILDREN than this. Come on now - smarten up!

Sometimeswinning · 27/12/2023 21:36

baubletits · 27/12/2023 21:12

What part of OPs post makes her sound like an "alchy"?? 😶

Second post where she drink drives and doesn’t think that’s a massive issue!!

Borth · 27/12/2023 21:37

Why do you want to marry this arsehole?

Snoken · 27/12/2023 21:42

Does your kids have a happy and functional life when they are at their dad’s? If so, please let them stay there until you have got your act together and left this poor excuse of a man. Children shouldn’t have to grow up around shit like that.

MechyMagic · 27/12/2023 21:43

4hours 20minutes +shopping time in Aldi would be a parking ticket where I am... what will his reaction be when that drops on the doormat? If its anything other than "sorry babe, my bad, I'll pay it" that's another good reason to GTFO.

(Not the highlight of the thread but everyone else has that covered... I also worry about your safety if I'm correct about the ticket.)

Birdcar · 27/12/2023 21:44

You are in an abusive relationship. Get yourself and your kids the hell out of it. Do not under any circumstances accept a proposal which would tie you to this awful person. You are better than this. You deserve better than this.

LunaLovegoodsLeftEyebrow · 27/12/2023 21:44

This man is a piece of shit.

Your poor kids.
Be alone, focus on raising them.

LinnieM · 27/12/2023 21:44

AnneValentine · 27/12/2023 21:36

Yes. If you drink drive you absolutely have a drink problem.

Interesting. I think it makes you a selfish dick but I’ve never considered it to be a drink problem. I still don’t think it does but I appreciate your opinion

Birdcar · 27/12/2023 21:48

Yes, driving and driving is a drink problem.

LookItsMeAgain · 27/12/2023 21:49

I’ve selected that YABU because I don’t think you should have to stay with him any longer.

Leave. Put you & your kids first.

He seems wonderful…at apportioning blame to everyone else except himself.

Leave.

NotTerfNorCis · 27/12/2023 21:54

Jesus, ditch him.

GrazingSheep · 27/12/2023 21:59

my children are provided for, have everything they need for. I’m there for them regardless

You are putting this fucking arsehole ahead of your children. They have one childhood and you are are in danger of wrecking it. Why is he more important than them ??

MuckyPlucky · 27/12/2023 21:59

You can’t have been with him that long, if your youngest DC with your ex is only 4.

Yet the set-up you describe sounds entirely enmeshed, martyr-ish, doormatish, and over-zealously blended, considering the huge age span of your combined 5 DC’s.

There’s a general vibe of a lot of dysfunction & alcohol on both sides. Why put your kids through this unnecessary horribleness??? They’ve not asked for any of this crap.

CalistoNoSolo · 27/12/2023 21:59

Yab massively U to inflict this utter bellend on your children. What on earth were you thinking when you moved in together??

GrazingSheep · 27/12/2023 22:01

@CalistoNoSolo
For some people being in a relationship, no matter how dysfunctional, is better than no relationship. Children are collateral damage.

MissTrip82 · 27/12/2023 22:04

I knew as soon as you said that you always put everyone else first that you didn’t mean your kids. You’re letting them live with this. Stop.

Put your money where your mouth is and put them first.

Thepeopleversuswork · 27/12/2023 22:04

Whatever you do, don't marry this man and please God don't have children with him. That is all.

Mirabai · 27/12/2023 22:06

Why are you so desperate for a man in your life that you will put up with this shite?

Your poor kids. You don’t put them first, you put this dreadful specimen first.

Get some self respect, think of your kids, make your New Year’s resolution to get rid and have a decent life.

Starseeking · 27/12/2023 22:07

He sounds awful. Be grateful you are not already married to this useless lump of lard, and can walk away carefree.