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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:
Redburnett · 26/08/2024 22:43

It sounds as though you should prioritise your DC and your studies/career instead of getting caught up in family dramas. TBH your version of events does not even make much sense. In any case attempting to rekindle a relationship with someone who lies is never going to bring you happiness.

DavidBeckhamsrightfoot · 26/08/2024 22:51

You're to old to be acting this foolish.
And a mother as well. Stop being ridiculous and cut him off.

pikkumyy77 · 26/08/2024 22:55

You must still be quite a young woman. You have much more time to find the right pers. You do not have to stick with this absolute wart of a human being.

Here is what I see: you got pregnant with your first child quite young—at 18? And were being a good mother and trying to get your life and education started when at 22you met this new guy and he seemed nice. Your unexpected pregnancy with him created a fissure in the relationship. He didn’t trust you and his whole family pressured him to abandon you and coerce you into the abortion. And he went along with it! He chose to hurt you, frighten you, and abandon you and his child—and your older child too! That is some stone cold shitty behavior.

Take a deep breath. You have learned something about this man snd his family. In pursuit of convenience and a happy life they will always jettison the outsider (you). No matter how much you love him or how much he says he loves you he, and his family, will always throw you and your children overboard if a heavy sea occurs. Past performance in relationships is almost always a good guide to future performance.

Stop! Take some time! Date other people. You do not have to accept stale food from an old restaurant just because you ate there years ago. Move on and find someone worthy of you.

HerewegoagainSS · 26/08/2024 22:57

StormingNorman · 26/08/2024 19:30

What a shit show.

Sums it up in a nutshell.

Tooty78 · 26/08/2024 23:01

I don't think the OP has any intention of getting rid of the pos. Some people just cannot be helped.

SeaweedSundress · 26/08/2024 23:05

It’s irrelevant whether you ‘love him’. Your existing child deserves better than to be around this man and his family, who need to be shown ‘proof’ you were planning to terminate? Stay single for a while, finish your studies, and work on your self-esteem.

FFSWherearemyglasses · 26/08/2024 23:10

OMG you have had an horrendous time with no support. You owe this piece of shit and his vile family nothing, least of all the effort to make up with them!
If he can prove to them you were going to terminate that’ll be easier WTF!!!
Raise your bar, get rid and move on with someone that deserves you.

Scentedjasmin · 26/08/2024 23:11

Well I can't imagine that your family will be particularly overjoyed either, given how him a d his family treated you (as though you were some kind of dirt who deliberately took advantage of their poor son).

Perpetuallydaisy · 26/08/2024 23:24

His family should be apologising to you and trying to make it up to you (and even then, you should be wary of them).

It doesn't make any sense whatsoever for you to be trying to find ways to appease them, when they've behaved so appallingly to you and caused you such traumatic experiences.

I think the best you can do is cut them off completely, especially as you have your child who needs protecting from such people.

It's really hard when you want relationships to work out, so desperately, but really the only way forward is to learn to set boundaries, have nothing to do with people who treat you badly and, in time, good people who genuinely care and deserve you will come into your life.

Thevelvelletes · 26/08/2024 23:30

Comedycook · 26/08/2024 19:34

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

Why on earth are you back with him after he said this? Even if he only said it because of his family...why would you want to be with someone so weak that they do whatever their family tells them to?

The first few posts usually nail it and what you've written has done exactly that.
His line,I'm going to abandon you and the baby.
What a weak spineless excuse for a human.
Op wit till another one of life's blips hits he'll be off like a shot.

Lulooo · 27/08/2024 06:00

I agree with everything the others are saying that what this man did to you at a time of need and vulnerability is absolutely unforgivable. You are worth more than this prick and I would not waste another moment with him.

Gonk123 · 27/08/2024 06:06

And then the next time you do something they don’t agree with???
this will be a lifetime of battling or control!

BlackBean2023 · 27/08/2024 06:24

OP, I fell pregnant at 18 and kept the baby.
Our families also thought it was a mental decision at the time but ultimately they supported us and my DP - now my DH - supported me.

They are not nice people and I doubt he has any intention of ever telling his family about you.

Heatherjayne1972 · 27/08/2024 06:37

op you asked what to do
if you’re intending to stay with this man
You hold your head up high You have done nothing wrong. - if they say anything you simply say ‘ihad a miscarriage / old news/ moving on/ etc etc’

however I do think you could and probably should move on from this family. They won’t have changed. He won’t have changed. Next time something unexpected pops up or you do something they don’t like you’ll see their true colours again

There’s plenty of decent men out there

RaspberryWhirls · 27/08/2024 06:41

Get some therapy & drop this abuser from your life, he's exploiting the fact that you're vulnerable atm. You have experienced a traumatic miscarriage so time alone is essential to heal & put yourself first.

Servicing his sexual needs shouldn't be your priority right now. Don't be hindered by him, this relationship has run it's course. Spend time alone being kind to yourself, the freedom programme will help you establish strong boundaries.

https://www.freedomprogramme.co.uk/

The Freedom Programme. Learn about domestic violence and abuse

The Freedom Programme. For women who want to learn more about the reality of domestic violence and abuse

https://www.freedomprogramme.co.uk

Theimpossiblegirl · 27/08/2024 08:57

Every time you do something 'wrong' they will rally against you and he will be leading it. You and your daughter deserve better. You already know what he's like, why would you take him back?

And please do not bring a baby into this shit show. They are awful people, including him.

TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams · 27/08/2024 22:05

He's currently hiding your relationship status from his family. That tells me all about the strength of his backbone and what you can expect from him in the future.

Will his family support his decision to marry someone with a child and help to raise them. How do you think he'll react if they respond negatively?
What do you think would happen if you became pregnant again. Do you think he'd fully support his child financially if you split up?

If you wanted to move elsewhere for work would he come with you? Is he employed post uni, financially stable and less easily influenced (because they sound utterly toxic).

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