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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:
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

jeaux90 · 21/09/2026 07:55

Yeah OP it’s not normal at all. Please think about your future, he is clearly not reliable and you need to get yourself out of the vulnerable position you are in.

Btsstew · 21/09/2026 07:54

LunarViper · 20/09/2026 21:38

because the pregnancies werent planned? 😅 I dont really see what that has to do with him not proposing though. we havent actually spoken fully about marriage and its not something either of us has ever seen as massively important tbh. We live together, have 3 kids and have been together years, getting married has never been some big thing we’ve been sat waiting for.

I know people on here seem to think if you’re not married then the man must be refusing to marry you or something but thats not the situation. We just havent made it a priority.

This is so not the gotcha you think it is…

MrsT66 · 21/09/2026 07:50

Cheese55 · 20/09/2026 17:01

This is always such bad advice. I doubt she trusts him with the kids, especially without being able to check, and who wants to be away from an 8 month year old anyway?

I agree. Invariably these type of idiots will have the mother so strung out, that going for a night out is inconceivable.

5128gap · 21/09/2026 07:41

Bananavibez · 21/09/2026 04:08

Benefits as the one stop shop sticking plaster as usual, great idea.
Or the two people who made the active decision to procreate could actually sit down and have a conversation to improve how things work at home and finance the children they decided to have together

Not at all. Benefits as a safety net where needed. The OP is young with the best part of 40 years ahead of her to work and contribute, and raising children who can do the same with the right start.
As a tax payer I'm more than happy to contribute as a temporary support, so women can free themselves, and children can grow up without the tensions and poor role modelling of a man who doesn't take responsibility if that's what that woman wants.
The days of women and children being imprisoned in a bad relationship, at the mercy of a mans choices due to necessity are in the past, due to their entitlements, and I'm very glad about it.
If this was a man who'd respond to a 'conversation' he'd probably not need one in the first place. I'm sure OP will try, but she needs her options if it fails. I'm not going to refuse to advise her of one of them because you don't like it.

Airconfan · 21/09/2026 06:47

Your issue isn’t that he went out drinking it’s the lack of communication. If he had said it’s a one off i really want to go get drunk and stay out you might have been ok with it.

Going and getting that drunk regularly will hit a nerve as you don’t have that luxury, you can’t just drop everything and leave the kids with him for 14 hours.

It’s the lack of communication that annoyed you and I think once he has sobered up you need a calm conversation explaining your feelings with the hope he might change

Lugol · 21/09/2026 06:38

Your post is littered with excuses and Get Out of Jail Free cards for him OP.

It's almost like you've been conditioned to accept the bare minimum otherwise you're a nag (clue: you have).

Why does he seem to think childcare is your responsibility and yet because he does 'The Almighty Job' that you should be the one doing all of it while he pisses family money up the wall?

He needs to grow the fuck up, sober up and start doing his bit or you need to end this because it's no life for you nor the kids.

And you've left yourself very vulnerable by not getting married but I'm guessing that's not happening soon so start looking at your options
x

ChristinaPaigeDoesNotApprove · 21/09/2026 06:33

LunarViper · 20/09/2026 21:53

of course I know how contraception works 😂 I never said I didnt. with my 2nd the condom broke and I took the morning after pill and it obviously didnt work. with the baby I was actually taking the pill so its not like I was just sitting there doing nothing and hoping for the best.

I’m on contraception now thanks and I have got an education, I’ve already said that. I dont know why everyone keeps deciding I havent got any education or prospects just because I’m young and have kids.

honestly I dont know why I bothered posting this now, I asked about my bf being out all night and somehow its turned into everyone analysing my entire life and telling me to get an education and contraception 🙄

Put it this way - how is your pension looking? SIPP, of course, since you've no current employment.

Thepeopleversuswork · 21/09/2026 06:25

AI41 · 20/09/2026 22:22

LTB after one singular drunken night?

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?

KLD89 · 21/09/2026 06:15

12:30 until 12pm is practically a full 24hrs. Sure he came home for a little bit in between, but you were still doing all the childcare and work at home. Then ontop of his 24hrs, he went to bed for however longs. So essentially, he left you for almost 2 days to deal with it all on your own.

I don’t think you’re angry enough!
Letting him go out and see his mates, have a drink and watch football is fine. Him being selfish, taking the piss, having no accountability, respect or self control, isn’t.

I would be looking at everything else in the relationship and questioning if a man like this was somebody I wanted to be with.

Therealjudgejudy · 21/09/2026 05:13

That is bang out of order op.

When he is sober, tell him this doesn't happen again or he is gone.

emma4321 · 21/09/2026 05:05

It sounds like this was really out of character for him. He’s obviously wrecked after a heavy night, but once he’s in a sensible state you need a calm and open conversation to understand what triggered this. All the speculation in the chat about cheating, drugs etc isn’t helpful to have buzzing around your head - you need an honesty answer from him so you can retain the trust in your relationship and move forwards. Otherwise it will eat away at you and your relationship.

Franjipanl8r · 21/09/2026 04:56

I wouldn’t want my kids to witness that. Being drunk is one thing but staying out all night not telling you where he is just isn’t acceptable behaviour as a parent. What happens if one of your children had an accident and had to go to A+E and you couldn’t even get hold of him!? I’d be furious.

Bananavibez · 21/09/2026 04:08

5128gap · 20/09/2026 22:27

Does this 20 something father of three under 5, who goes out on the lash for the best part of 24 hours, sound like the type to have any security to offer? The only time marriage is of benefit is if the man has built assets. Otherwise it can be a liability. Given his age and lifestyle, I may be generalising, but I'm leaning towards this not being the case.
The OP could leave tomorrow and could well be better off on benefits plus CMS until her youngest is old enough for her to work, without him draining the household money down the pub. No need for the hassle of a divorce.
OP, call Citizens Advice in the morning and find out your rights to the home and to financial support. Then at least you'll know what life would look like if and when you realise you deserve more.

Benefits as the one stop shop sticking plaster as usual, great idea.
Or the two people who made the active decision to procreate could actually sit down and have a conversation to improve how things work at home and finance the children they decided to have together

Bananavibez · 21/09/2026 04:04

That's really unlucky to have had four contraception accidents for sure. Obviously the answer to this question is you get rid of the guy

99bottlesofkombucha · 21/09/2026 03:31

I agree op I’d be furious. It’s not the going out so much it’s the total disrespect, that you will carry that load without being asked and I bet he has no plan to return the favour and take over for basically a weekend. Which is him saying with his actions that he’s special and important and you’re just not, your job is to be useful 24/7 and not whine about it either.

MooseBeTimeForSnow · 21/09/2026 02:49

Do you rent? If so, whose name is the tenancy in?

Vaguelyclassical · 21/09/2026 01:45

LunarViper · 20/09/2026 21:53

of course I know how contraception works 😂 I never said I didnt. with my 2nd the condom broke and I took the morning after pill and it obviously didnt work. with the baby I was actually taking the pill so its not like I was just sitting there doing nothing and hoping for the best.

I’m on contraception now thanks and I have got an education, I’ve already said that. I dont know why everyone keeps deciding I havent got any education or prospects just because I’m young and have kids.

honestly I dont know why I bothered posting this now, I asked about my bf being out all night and somehow its turned into everyone analysing my entire life and telling me to get an education and contraception 🙄

You still haven't answered the question. Does he ever stay at home at any time with the children so that YOU can have some time to yourself or go out with your own friends or pursue your own interests?

CrowOfTheAutumn · 21/09/2026 01:17

LunarViper · 20/09/2026 21:53

of course I know how contraception works 😂 I never said I didnt. with my 2nd the condom broke and I took the morning after pill and it obviously didnt work. with the baby I was actually taking the pill so its not like I was just sitting there doing nothing and hoping for the best.

I’m on contraception now thanks and I have got an education, I’ve already said that. I dont know why everyone keeps deciding I havent got any education or prospects just because I’m young and have kids.

honestly I dont know why I bothered posting this now, I asked about my bf being out all night and somehow its turned into everyone analysing my entire life and telling me to get an education and contraception 🙄

OP, It’s more that those posters don’t like seeing you becoming dependent on a twat who stays out all night on the piss, ignores you, and then comes home still drunk to you and his young kids.

A lot of posters have experienced idiot men in the past, and have advice to pass on.

Good luck Flowers

Kokonimater · 21/09/2026 00:58

You need to use this occasion to make some serious plans and decisions about your financial security. Don’t do anything sudden but get advice from a solicitor on where you stand if this relationship unravels. You can sometimes get a free 30 mins with a solicitor. Ring around and ask them. Look after yourself.

Oxo01 · 20/09/2026 23:43

Wait untill he has completly sobered up. Then ask all details you want to know.
You say hes not done this before so nip it in the bud now and let him know what you expect.

CookingForCats · 20/09/2026 23:28

LunarViper · 20/09/2026 21:38

because the pregnancies werent planned? 😅 I dont really see what that has to do with him not proposing though. we havent actually spoken fully about marriage and its not something either of us has ever seen as massively important tbh. We live together, have 3 kids and have been together years, getting married has never been some big thing we’ve been sat waiting for.

I know people on here seem to think if you’re not married then the man must be refusing to marry you or something but thats not the situation. We just havent made it a priority.

Hope to God he DOESN'T propose. I'd get the hell out of this. You are young, you went to college, you have options. He sounds a nightmare. Jesus don't settle for this absolute loser.

Laurmolonlabe · 20/09/2026 23:03

How on earth does he afford to drink all day and all night? I would advise dumping him on the spot if you didn't have 3 children with him.

suki1964 · 20/09/2026 22:42

Seriously, I had never heard of this label until I hit MN

Cock lodger

Im Irish, we love a drink, but we take care of our family first

Find out how you can dump this waste of oxygen

GinintheBin · 20/09/2026 22:34

You have four children.

Please reconsider your relationship with this man child.