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How do I repair things with his family?

67 replies

nylambe · 26/08/2024 19:28

A couple of years ago, my boyfriend and I were on a break but still seeing and sleeping with each other, and I became pregnant whilst on contraception. We were 22.

I already had a three year old from a previous relationship, was at university and in a rough financial decision so was devastated and did not want a baby.

Boyfriend was at a friend's house and I called him to tell him the news. He said "so are you going to do what we agreed?" referring to an abortion. I reminded him that I had always said I would need to find out how far along I was first, as if I was past a certain gestation then I wasn't sure I'd be able to go through with it. I was on contraception and therefore not having periods, so I couldn't date the pregnancy that way, I'd need a scan.

The next day he came over and sat down and said "I am sorry, I am going to abandon you and this baby. You will be on your own" I got very upset, and shouted a lot, which I regret. He left about five minutes after arriving. I had never said I wanted to keep it.

I said I would tell his mum, but he called her himself as he was leaving.

Later that day, our mum's spoke on the phone, and she said "well boyfriend doesn't want a baby, and he doesn't want to be with nylambe. He hasn't for weeks." But this wasn't true, I had asked and he wanted to get back together.

His whole family blocked me, so they weren't contactable. I didn't hear anything for weeks.

I found out how far along I was, it was still relatively early.

After 3-4 weeks I heard from boyfriend for the first time, as he wanted to know what decision I had made. I said he had forfeited his right to know, he disagreed.

He admitted that after discussion with his family, they'd decided that the best course of action was to cut me off so that I felt I had no choice but to terminate, as I wouldn't have the involvement of the father's family. And that he actually had no intention of "abandoning" me at all.

During this time, I tried to access a termination but after the counselling consultation with the organisation, they weren't happy to provide me with an abortion as they felt I was being coerced. So I had to try another organisation, but they weren't covered by the NHS in my area so I'd have to pay.

I ended up miscarrying at home anyway. It was traumatic as I saw the baby after it had come out. I then had infections after and needed hospital treatment.

To cut a king story short, boyfriend and I are now back together. He has apologised profusely and completely acknowledges he was the perpetrator, and feels remorseful. He said he freaked out, and handled it all wrong.

I love him and I've forgiven him, and accepted his apology.

Neither of our families know we're back together. I wanted to tell my parents, but he asked me not to as he didn't want it to get back to his. He wants to wait a little longer, until we're more established.

He says he knows his parents won't react well, and it's a point of anxiety for him. He eventually wants for me to have a good relationship with his family.

Unfortunately I still hold resentment towards the situation, but nothing I can't work through.

Does anyone have any advice on how to navigate this please? And how I can repair things with them? I think they will be very disappointed/worried when they find out we are back together.

OP posts:
mnahmnah · 26/08/2024 19:53

You deserve better. Any woman would. Make the right choice here and have higher standards for yourself. Life is too short to put up with this.

SauviGone · 26/08/2024 19:53

MonsteraMama · 26/08/2024 19:35

I'm really, truly sorry for everything you went through all by yourself, but I'm afraid I think you're an absolute moron for getting back with this utter piece of shit, a bigger moron for wanting anything to do with him or his family, and there's nothing you should be doing to repair the relationship with his disgusting, bottom feeder family because they're literally sub human.

How low is your self esteem that you truly think this is the best you can do?

Honestly every single time I think the bar can't be buried any deeper, some woman with absolutely atrocious standards comes along with a shovel and proves me wrong. Please just try and do better for yourself, this way misery and abuse lies.

This x 1000

I wanted to tell my parents, but he asked me not to as he didn't want it to get back to his. He wants to wait a little longer, until we're more established.

Do you actually genuinely believe this bullshit? You’re his dirty little secret again, just like last time.

Ffs learn from your mistakes.

IWishIWasABaller · 26/08/2024 19:53

My god are you insane why would you even consider getting back with this vile excuse of a man . Come on now I know you went through a lot but surely you can see how insane you are to even give him or his family the time of day . Please op leave him and seek counseling

Carebearsonmybed · 26/08/2024 19:54

Focus on your 5 year old and forget this awful man child.

MissPeachyKeen · 26/08/2024 19:54

Omg love, dump him!

I know you want your decision respected because you love him and it seems you've worked through the issues and he's accepted responsibility but he really hasn't..

When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.

He will treat you like that again and you deserve so much better.

Nor is it up to you to patch things up with his vile family, who behaved abominabley.

He was cruel, callous, coercive - he will be abusive to you again in the future. Please, dump him and build yourself a wonderful life without that vile waste of space.

Phonedown · 26/08/2024 19:56

You have a child to think about. Do not let this man and his family back into your lives. Do some work on yourself to find out why you think this is the kind of relationship you (and your daughter) deserve.

Runnerinthenight · 26/08/2024 19:59

Why does it even occur to you that you should "repair things with his family"??? You've done nothing wrong. They are the arseholes!

nylambe · 26/08/2024 20:05

Thank you all for responding

OP posts:
RickiRaccoon · 26/08/2024 20:08

Honestly you should get away from him and wait for a relationship that's decent from the outset. Sometimes things are too bad to patch up. This man sounds kind of awful and so does his (overly involved) family. There are much better people out there. You read some of the stories of women being treated badly and the signs have been there from the start of the relationship. You have a choice now just to say he's not good enough for you (and your child).

MtClair · 26/08/2024 20:08

The way they all behaved was pretty bad.
I mean it was bad enough that the abortion clinic thought you were coerced into it!

Regardless of whether they had good intentions/it wasn’t the right time/whatever, the way they got on about it was not right.
It also tells me what next time (and there will be a next time when a hard decision will need to be taken), its likely they’ll pressure you (and him) again.

I appreciate your bf has realised his attitude wasn’t on.
But does he know about what the clinic says re being coerced?
Does he realise they are likely to behave like that again? And that ‘getting in well with them’ is more likely to be a dream? Because I can see he’ll have to make a choice between you and them at some point. And what will he chose?

Toddlerteaplease · 26/08/2024 20:10

You can do so much better than this piece of shit

Sometimesright · 26/08/2024 20:16

ChrisPriss · 26/08/2024 19:33

This man and his family are not worth another moment of your time and well-being. I wish you every happiness for your future x

This!

wutheringkites · 26/08/2024 20:18

nylambe · 26/08/2024 19:38

Thank you for responding.

I think, looking at it from their perspective.

They felt a baby would be a huge mistake that would impact the lives of all of us. I wasn't in a good place, and we were both still at university. And felt they needed to take these measures to try and prevent the above.

This is bullshit.

I would be absolutely ashamed if my son ever treated a woman like this and there isn't a chance in hell that I would bully a vulnerable young woman into an abortion to help him out.

Stop trying to see this from their perspectives and focus more on yours op, you matter too.

Have you had any therapy at any point? If you're at uni, I would strongly recommend approaching students services for counselling.

circular1985 · 26/08/2024 20:23

He sounds horrible. Do you really want him and his family in your life? You have a child already to think about. As hard as it will be I think you need to dump him and move on.

Justmuddlingalong · 26/08/2024 20:24

I could never love or forgive someone who had treated me so appallingly.
I wouldn't waste a second of my time rebuilding such a twisted, chaotic relationship with him so therefore his family would be irrelevant too.

ChickenandaCanofCoke · 26/08/2024 20:41

Your child deserves much better

cannynotsay · 26/08/2024 21:03

You lost your baby alone and without support because they were trying to force and abortion. They didn't even take the time to ask how you felt. I can with confidence say this behaviour is so wrong, and things will happen again. They found a way to interfere in your relationship and will carry on doing so. Also he allowed it, should you marry and progress in this relationship it'll be them you're dealing with not just him! Don't waste your youth on this man!

Rubyandscarlett · 26/08/2024 21:09

He sounds fucking awful op.

dollopz · 26/08/2024 21:14

How dare they expect proof of your intention to terminate. It’s non of their business what you do. What silly mind games they play.

In your shoes I’d forgive them for being arses but be quietly wary of them, holding them at arms distance for a few years until they have regained your trust.

rotte · 26/08/2024 21:15

Ask yourself what decent people would do in this situation.

He may have told you his preference was not to keep the baby. But he should have said the choice is yours, I will be there either way.

His family should never ever have even got involved. If my son or daughter came home pregnant /having got someone pregnant I would tell them I'll support their decision whatever it may be. Decent people do not threaten to cut someone off or manipulate someone into an abortion by cutting them off.

His family and him are disgusting and you deserve better. So does your child.

You need counselling, badly. Your self esteem is so low, you think this is all you deserve. You and your child deserve so much more than this.

nylambe · 26/08/2024 21:41

Thank you all for responding. Going to spend some time reflecting on it all

OP posts:
wutheringkites · 26/08/2024 21:43

If nothing else op, please do contact student support for some counselling, I think you would really benefit from talking this through with someone.

EnjoyingTheSilence · 26/08/2024 21:44

I would run from the whole lot of them, I can’t see this ending well at all.

CuloGrande · 26/08/2024 21:45

Wow.

get some self worth and find a decent man who doesn’t want your relationship a secret and who doesn’t piss off in hard times or coerce you.

christ.

MissPeachyKeen · 26/08/2024 21:46

nylambe · 26/08/2024 21:41

Thank you all for responding. Going to spend some time reflecting on it all

Wishing you all the very best. Just keep your standards high and remember you deserve to be treated with respect, love & kindness ALL the time. There is someone out there who will treat you with those things, your heartbreak will heal in a year or two, but self-worth can take a lifetime to rebuild.