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My bf had been on the piss since football yesterday and I didnt hear from him all night

188 replies

LunarViper · 20/09/2026 16:11

I’ve got 3 kids with my bf, ds is 5, dd is 2 and youngest ds is 8 months. We live together, not married or anything. He works and I’m at home with the kids. Yesterday he went football with his mates at 12.30 and obvs I knew he’d be drinking because thats what they do when they go football.

He came home later on in the afternoon and he’d clearly had a fair bit already. I thought he’d just stay in then tbh but he went back out again later on. I was a bit annoyed because he’d already been out all day really but I didnt tell him he couldnt go or anything. He said he was just going out for a bit and I thought fine whatever, I had the kids anyway.

I last heard from him about 10pm. After that nothing. I messaged him a couple of times and rang once then again later but nothing. At first I wasnt that bothered, I thought he’s probably on the piss and cant hear his phone or something and I didnt want to be that girlfriend constantly asking where he was. But then it got later and later and I still hadnt heard anything.

I had the baby waking up and the other two were up and down as well and I kept checking my phone thinking surely he’ll have messaged by now. I was getting more annoyed every hour really. Its not even like I needed him home to help at that exact moment, I just thought when you’ve got 3 kids at home you would maybe let your partner know you’re ok. I started getting worried as well which made me even more pissed off.

He finally messaged after 12 today saying he was coming home. He got in and he was still absolutely pissed. Not just a bit hungover, proper drunk still and looking like he’d been on the piss all night. We had a little row because I was asking where he’d been and why he couldnt answer his phone and he was basically saying he was fine and I was making a thing of it.

Then he just went upstairs and went to bed. So now I’m downstairs with the 3 kids while he’s asleep it just feels like he’s had a whole night and morning off and I’ve been doing everything. The baby is 8 months so obvs its not exactly like I can just switch off and go to bed either.

I dunno if I’m being dramatic because he is allowed to go out and have a drink and I dont mind him going football at all. I dont even mind him having a big night with his mates really, although going back out after he’d already been drinking did piss me off a bit. But not hearing from him from 10pm until after 12 the next day seems different to me. Maybe I’m being unreasonable but surely you can send one text saying you’re ok?

Its just doing my head in because if I’d gone out at 12.30 yesterday and stayed out all night, then come home still pissed at lunchtime and gone straight to bed, he’d be absolutely raging. I know that doesnt mean I’m right but thats how I’m looking at it. I dont want a relationship where he cant have a night out, I just dont think having kids means you disappear for 14 hours and dont answer anything. Am I being unreasonable for being this annoyed or would you be pissed off too?

OP posts:
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GiveOverRover · 21/09/2026 19:14

OnlyUsername · 21/09/2026 16:29

Amazing how these mates never have an iPhone or USB-C android charger at their house.

It's totally ridiculous excuse, unless his mate lives off grid in the woods. If there was no charger, he should have got in a cab and gone home, rather than leave her wondering where he was.

Thepeopleversuswork · 21/09/2026 18:34

AI41 · 21/09/2026 17:24

What protection is marriage going to provide OP with? You have absolutely no idea whether it would be a good or bad deal for her.

Get a grip.

Marriage gives her the legal right to a share of any assets he has accrued through work or otherwise, which would have been really useful given they have three shared children. This should have happened before she had three kids with him, so it's a bit late now, hence the recommendation to leave him and find a job.

This is extremely basic and if you don't know this you shouldn't really be advising her or passing snippy comments on other people's advice.

AI41 · 21/09/2026 17:24

Thepeopleversuswork · 21/09/2026 15:27

Once is enough. My DP has never done that. Even my ex-husband, who I ditched because of his drinking, didn't do that.

Seriously, why would you feel the need to indulge someone who thinks so little of you that they will not give you the protection of marriage when you don't work and have no way of generating income for three children which you have produced jointly. And who then goes on an all night bender and drops off the radar for half a day. I wouldn't treat an enemy like that, let alone the person I am supposed to love and who is looking after our joint children.

Raise your standards.

What protection is marriage going to provide OP with? You have absolutely no idea whether it would be a good or bad deal for her.

Get a grip.

teaandtoastwithmarmite · 21/09/2026 16:35

I do think if it is a one off then it’s not the worst thing ever. Surely his mate would have a charger though?

OnlyUsername · 21/09/2026 16:29

Amazing how these mates never have an iPhone or USB-C android charger at their house.

Btsstew · 21/09/2026 16:23

AI41 · 21/09/2026 15:09

Fucking Hell, he’s done it once.

I bet it’s not the first thing and not the first time. My husband, who is absolutely not perfect (nor am I!), would never ever do what the op boyfriend did because it would be from 0 to 1000 in one go. Of course there’s more she hasn’t told us.

Paganpentacle · 21/09/2026 15:49

FannybygaslightinGovan · 20/09/2026 17:14

Well it's a bit late for that stupid fucking question! I'm pretty sure OP didn't have a crystal ball 🙄

One look is usually all that's needed by anyone with an ounce of self respect.

Thepeopleversuswork · 21/09/2026 15:27

AI41 · 21/09/2026 15:09

Fucking Hell, he’s done it once.

Once is enough. My DP has never done that. Even my ex-husband, who I ditched because of his drinking, didn't do that.

Seriously, why would you feel the need to indulge someone who thinks so little of you that they will not give you the protection of marriage when you don't work and have no way of generating income for three children which you have produced jointly. And who then goes on an all night bender and drops off the radar for half a day. I wouldn't treat an enemy like that, let alone the person I am supposed to love and who is looking after our joint children.

Raise your standards.

SouthLondonMum22 · 21/09/2026 15:20

AI41 · 21/09/2026 15:09

Fucking Hell, he’s done it once.

Which is too many times. Plenty of men never do it.

AI41 · 21/09/2026 15:09

Thepeopleversuswork · 21/09/2026 11:20

A man who goes out for 14 hours leaving his partner with three young children, drinks himself into a stupor and doesn't inform her where he is is not capable of a "good relationship". A man who hasn't considered the need to give his partner the financial protection of marriage is not a good father.

And it wouldn't be the OP who is breaking up the family, it's him.

Listen, the OP is young (far too young to be in this situation). She's got potentially 40 years of work ahead of her to turn this around. She could have a good career and focus on raising her children. She's not going to do with with this waster.

I'm not pretending that leaving him would be easy or that she could do it overnight, it would take planning. But if she doesn't leave him she's going to spend the rest of her life facilitating him to go out on benders and neglect the needs of his children.

Fucking Hell, he’s done it once.

Bobbieiris · 21/09/2026 14:57

I would be really upset and angry. It's selfish and childish and just unbelievable really. I dont even get drunk since having kids as what of something happened and you had to take one to hospital or something...you would want to be able to function! If its a one off then it's bad but forget about it but if it happened again I think that would be the last straw for me as its just so disrespectful

disturbia · 21/09/2026 13:30

LunarViper · 21/09/2026 13:19

he took ds to school as normal this morning so that bit was all normal. I’ve spoken to him a bit but not loads tbh, I’m still annoyed and I dont really want to have a massive conversation while I’m still pissed off about it.

he’s still saying his phone died and that he slept at a mates because he didnt want to come home and disturb us when he got in. I dont really know what else to make of that yet. I have asked him about it and thats what he’s sticking with.

I do agree that we need to have a proper chat about it though, I’m not saying it was ok. I’m just trying to work out what I actually want to say to him without it turning into another argument.

That old familiar excuse!!!! Remind him he has 3 small children now and disappearing without contacting you is unkind for many reasons especially the worry he caused you. Tell him not to repeat this behaviour. Don't respond if he tries to start an argument it takes 2. Good luck....

LunarViper · 21/09/2026 13:19

Notquitethetruth · 21/09/2026 09:29

@LunarViper how are you today and have you spoken with him? Some of the comments are very hurtful and not in the spirit of mothers who should be supporting other mothers. It is very easy to judge when you are not involved.
I do think you need to have a serious chat when you are less upset.
You have already said you are happy for him to go to football and have a few drinks afterwards. It works for you and your family and that is all that matters. He did cross a line this weekend and that is unacceptable. Coming home drunk and then making a choice to go out again, staying out all night, coming back in an even worse state and then taking to his bed is not acceptable or in any way good parenting. Make it clear that it cannot happen again and if it does there will be consequences. Mean it when you say it. Your priority has to be to protect your children. He clearly didn't care about you or his children over the weekend.

he took ds to school as normal this morning so that bit was all normal. I’ve spoken to him a bit but not loads tbh, I’m still annoyed and I dont really want to have a massive conversation while I’m still pissed off about it.

he’s still saying his phone died and that he slept at a mates because he didnt want to come home and disturb us when he got in. I dont really know what else to make of that yet. I have asked him about it and thats what he’s sticking with.

I do agree that we need to have a proper chat about it though, I’m not saying it was ok. I’m just trying to work out what I actually want to say to him without it turning into another argument.

OP posts:
leavingonajetplane76 · 21/09/2026 12:33

I had my baby at 18, people told me I'd wasted my life and education. I was actually still in education- took my baby to sixth form with me to finish my studies then started uni when he was 2 1/2 months old. For some reason it shocked people.

mid be tamping by the way if he was my dp! Totally unreasonable to go awol like that. Once he sobers up you need to have a serious discussion about responsibilities.

GiveOverRover · 21/09/2026 12:27

He is showing you very clearly what he thinks of you. Don't push that to one side to make his life comfortable, while putting yourself and how you feel and what you need on the back burner.

You're in a vulnerable position financially, unless you've got independent means you've not shared here, and the shitter is that you need to stay with him presumably, because he's in control, because he earns the money and if you split there will be no financial settlement because you don't have a legal contract ie marriage.

I think that's why people are mentioning marriage, not to point out that you haven't got married because it's a nice romantic thing, but because it provides some financial protection should you need to divorce when you have young children because the man you had them with turns out to be a massive bell end.

Thepeopleversuswork · 21/09/2026 12:15

Utr90 · 21/09/2026 12:14

Early 20s. So you were born early/mid 00s? And have 3 kids already?? Thats very unusual these days.

Either find someone with a bit of ambition and self discipline or go it alone.
She won't get a man like that with 3 kids...

Hence the need to go it alone..:

Utr90 · 21/09/2026 12:14

Early 20s. So you were born early/mid 00s? And have 3 kids already?? Thats very unusual these days.

Either find someone with a bit of ambition and self discipline or go it alone.
She won't get a man like that with 3 kids...

Thepeopleversuswork · 21/09/2026 11:20

AI41 · 21/09/2026 10:36

It is, I agree. But OP has said it’s unusual and he’s never done it before.

No, I would not split up a family with three children and an otherwise good relationship because my partner got too drunk one night. And I suspect the majority of people on this thread wouldn’t either.

A man who goes out for 14 hours leaving his partner with three young children, drinks himself into a stupor and doesn't inform her where he is is not capable of a "good relationship". A man who hasn't considered the need to give his partner the financial protection of marriage is not a good father.

And it wouldn't be the OP who is breaking up the family, it's him.

Listen, the OP is young (far too young to be in this situation). She's got potentially 40 years of work ahead of her to turn this around. She could have a good career and focus on raising her children. She's not going to do with with this waster.

I'm not pretending that leaving him would be easy or that she could do it overnight, it would take planning. But if she doesn't leave him she's going to spend the rest of her life facilitating him to go out on benders and neglect the needs of his children.

AI41 · 21/09/2026 10:36

Thepeopleversuswork · 21/09/2026 06:25

Its not “one single drunken night” its a huge fuck you to OP to leave her for a whole day with three kids and get arseholed. Its grotesquely selfish.

Why would you not want to LTB?

It is, I agree. But OP has said it’s unusual and he’s never done it before.

No, I would not split up a family with three children and an otherwise good relationship because my partner got too drunk one night. And I suspect the majority of people on this thread wouldn’t either.

rainbowstardrops · 21/09/2026 09:36

What a selfish prick he is! He certainly wouldn’t have been left to sleep when he finally rolled in, I’d have given the kids some saucepans and wooden spoons!
I would be totally clear with him that this never happens again and if it does then he’s out. End of.

Notquitethetruth · 21/09/2026 09:29

@LunarViper how are you today and have you spoken with him? Some of the comments are very hurtful and not in the spirit of mothers who should be supporting other mothers. It is very easy to judge when you are not involved.
I do think you need to have a serious chat when you are less upset.
You have already said you are happy for him to go to football and have a few drinks afterwards. It works for you and your family and that is all that matters. He did cross a line this weekend and that is unacceptable. Coming home drunk and then making a choice to go out again, staying out all night, coming back in an even worse state and then taking to his bed is not acceptable or in any way good parenting. Make it clear that it cannot happen again and if it does there will be consequences. Mean it when you say it. Your priority has to be to protect your children. He clearly didn't care about you or his children over the weekend.

PollyBell · 21/09/2026 09:11

Sensiblesal · 21/09/2026 08:37

coupled with the anti men brigade, I don’t think the majority of people replying live in the same world as you OP, never mind the real world.

It’s fine for your partner to go to the football & go drinking, whats not fine is the going out and either not telling you before he wouldn’t be back till the next day or letting you know if it was a last min thing

You need to speak to him when he is sober and tell him he needs to do better and communicate, express that had anything happened to you/one or the kids you wouldn’t have been able to contact him.

It’s absolutely OK for you to both have hobbies and to go out, life doesn’t stop because you have kids. You just need to have boundaries and be clear on expectations & to have respect for each other.

the people dragging your life choices, like I say live in a different world, ignore them completely, you asked for advice on the staying out not your whole life

Not living in real world by not having 3 young children by a neadanthal? By 22

I can't stand the mn all men are evil bastards thing but seriously how many more red flags does one person need

OnlyUsername · 21/09/2026 08:57

LunarViper · 20/09/2026 19:20

In our early 20s

If you stick with this guy you are going to have a long, miserable slog of a life.

ERthree · 21/09/2026 08:53

LUNARVIPER, i have been you, 3 children by 22. Most people on here are older and have the benefit of experience. The concern for you here is that you are in a very shaky position, you may not think that but believe me you are. Marriage is not just a wedding it is a form of financial security. Today you could be left standing with those children whilst he goes off to play Jack the lad and start a new family. You would be left without a leg to stand on and this has nothing to do with age, you could be 40 and it would still be the same because you are not married. If the house is in his name he could insist you leave with nothing, if you were married he couldn't.
Being married gives you legal standing. If he had an accident tomorrow and ended up in intensive care his parents would be making decisions not you. If he died his parents would be choosing his headstone not you.
Nobody is having a go, they are just trying to make you see how unstable the situation you are in actually is.

SevenYellowHammers · 21/09/2026 08:53

I felt a bit old fashioned when I read original post because I kept thinking “boyfriend?!” “Three kids?!”. It might just be OP’s vernacular but “boyfriend” struck me as very casual for a relationship with three kids. I’m not saying you have to get married, but maybe the “boyfriend” needs reminding that he’s a partner and a father? Not that I’m having a go at OP but I do think with tree kids the relationship needs putting on a more grown up level. ** three kids

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