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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to not say sorry & get on with my xmas?

173 replies

ellesbelles79 · 25/12/2010 16:40

hi all - sorry bit long...

I had a bit of a lie in this morning as was up half the night prepping food, cleaning etc.

OH gets up at 1230 and immediately asks where his xmas dinner is.

We open pressies (its just me & him today as its his only day off).

I get some perfume & baby clothes for our baby boy due in Feb.

He gets several gifts from me, with his main present being an i-phone 4 which i know he really wanted.

While I cook I leave him to set up his new toy...but he cant even put the sim card in so I help sort that out. Then he goes online to register the sim etc..but if asks for a serial number which he cant find. He immediately blames me, saying that I lost the details and becomes very impatient & agressive.

I look high and low but cant find this thing so suggest he rings t-mobile. He asks me to ring instead and while dialling he continuously goes on that I must have lost it etc, its my fault. blah blah blah

I tell him to stop with the attitude and he practically throws i-phone and packaging at me, storms out of the room with his laptop and goes into the bedroom. He has been there ever since, and has refused to eat the xmas dinner that I've made.

I feel like he is so ungrateful and out of order!!

A few mins ago I found the serial number he needed, right by where he was sitting. He clearly flung it to the side when he was initially trying to sort out the sim card etc. I havent told him that I've found it - he isnt speaking to me right now anyway.

It has taken me ages to cook dinner (as I've been sobbing my eyes out all afternoon)....but just feel like I will know eat my xmas dinner & dessert...and get on with xmas day, leaving him to carry on sulking in the bedroom.

AIBU?

I dont feel like I should have to go in there saying sorry for anything...as he has created such a drama over what is essentially nothing. Im so dissapointed and hurt by his behaviour tbh.

OP posts:
QuintMissesChristmasesPast · 29/12/2010 12:59

You sound really strong and capable.
Your husband still sound like a price loser. He has sat on his arse "scared" you wont return, yet done NOTHING. He has not tried to find out how you are, he has not apologized on his own accord. He has not seen any solutions. You have laid out your terms, and he has agreed. Agreeing is easy to do.

I hope you DO manage to get rid of this scrounging shitbag before your baby arrives. It will be a lot harder afterwards, and I suspect your life and motherhood will be a lot easier without this horrid man about.

Men like that don't change. You have been his personal slave for too long. AND you earn the money. Of course he is scared of losing you, and will agree to just about anything at the moment to keep the status quo.

QuintMissesChristmasesPast · 29/12/2010 12:59

Do NOT open a joint account with him.

sixpercenttruejedi · 29/12/2010 13:13

I second Quint. Don't set up a joint account as that gives this irresponsible toad access to your funds. If you want him to show some financial responsibility get him to open a separate account and set up a standing order where money goes from his account into yours.
Don't put your own financial security at risk.

QuintMissesChristmasesPast · 29/12/2010 13:15

Of course he would agree to opening a joint account. It gives him access to YOUR money as well as his own.

I agree you should let him set up a standing order from his account to yours.

Inertia · 29/12/2010 13:32

If you do set up a joint account, please make sure you keep your own separate account and just pay the agreed amount to cover bills from your sole account to the joint. Otherwise you are just giving him access to twice as much money to throw away. Probably worth looking into whether you can set the joint account up to just receive standing orders from each of your sole accounts and pay out direct debits - no cheque book, no cash card, no Overdraft facility.

It would be much easier for him to keep you trapped in the relationship if he has control over your money.

FakePlasticTrees · 29/12/2010 13:35

Don't open a joint account!!!! I assume all bills come direct debit out of your account currently? Right then, he needs to set up a standing order each month, the day after pay day, to you. That way you know the money will be spent on bills. He can waste the rest, but if you do decide to call it a day with him, it'll be far easier to sort out.

As he's on a final warning from you, you might as well make it easy for yourself to sort the practicalities if you do decide to end it.

nameymacnamechanger · 29/12/2010 15:52

Oh god don't open a joint account together please!!! Shock Go with him to set up a standing order paying a set amount a month into your account towards outgoings. If in at least a years time he has been a model partner and father then, consider getting a joint account - he has given you no sign you should trust him enough to link your personal assets with his.

I can understand you giving him a chance but please make it with a short time frame in your own mind of when you will review things, you need to think of you and the baby.

I'm really glad you have spoken to your family and they are supportive, that's brilliant. Smile

size6feet · 29/12/2010 19:17

I had a joint account with my ex and my own deposit account all at the same bank, same branch. When my ex went overdrawn they just took the amount owed (plus charges) from mine and I couldnt stop them.
So, good tip, use another bank for joint or move yours.

nickelbabyjesus · 30/12/2010 11:35

I agree that you shouldn't open a joint account - If there's any chance that he really is a scumbag (evidence gives it...), then he won't hesitate to screw you financially.

Open a separate account in your own name for bills only, have him set up a standing order from his own account to your bills account. (you set up a standing order too)

That way, the money for bills is accounted for, is plain and ovious to both of you, and your money is your own.

and that means that he can't take anything out of that account, only put in.

don't risk it.

charliesmommy · 30/12/2010 11:51

This man (and I hestitate to actually call him that) is a control freak and the best you can do for yourself and the baby is get back to your family.

He is saying now what you want him to hear. He has already shown his true colours over the past few days.

I have been in this situation with a person who behaved exactly the same. It doesnt get better.

Actuallawyer · 30/12/2010 11:53

If you're sorting out money, I would seriously look into getting a living together agreement. If he starts contributing to the bills, it owuld be arguable that it would give him rights to your flat (regardless of the fact that it's only in your name). You need to make sure that doesn't happen in the event that you split up.

ellesbelles79 · 31/12/2010 17:20

long post - sorry but I have to get this out!

I have packed his bags for him....

He doesnt know it yet but its the final straw and Im not going to be treated like a mug anymore.

Yesterday he said he had some errands to run for his mother so going to the bank got shoved aside. I did suggest that in fact the best thing would be a standing order for a fixed amount each month would be better than a joint account as all comes out of my account now and it would be too much hassle to change all the direct debits etc. He seemed happy with that but said we would sort it out next week.

So while he was doing his own thing yesterday I said I would go to the sales with my mum & look for a cot as right now we have nothing for the baby due to arrive in Feb. He told me to enjoy shopping, get some nice things etc etc.

So got the cot yesterday and mattress....had intended on leaving it at that but my mum was saying that I just needed to get these things otherwise the baby will arrive & I'll have nothing! While in the shop my mum was asking me what pram/pushchair I planned on getting..it was great to have her there as when I've been to mothercare or any other store before, prams have always just confused me and Ive never made a decision...there is just too much to choose from!

Anyway, found a pram and it was lovely...a bugaboo bee Blush and mum suggested we get it now while I had some money in my purse. I told her I couldnt really afford it right now and would buy in Feb but she said she would happily pay half the cost. She knows OH has been no help financially so far and she said she wanted to help...saying it was her first grandchild and why should he go without or not have a few nice things because he's got a rubbish dad....

We got the pram and I am so grateful to my mum as I now have the main things for baby. My mum also bought me a moses basket & some sleepsuits etc so I can pack my hospital bag and have things ready.

On train home my mum said she had been saving up to get the oven fixed (which has been broken for about 18mths) but that she was more concerned that I had all I needed. She was really cross with OH and said that he should now be responsible for buying anything else we need such as car seat, steriliser, monitor etc. I felt so bad when i realised she had spent her little bit of savings...embarrassed that she should have to do that for me to be honest Sad

Got home and told OH what we had bought and he was really scathing when I mentioned pram, saying I was stupid to get the expensive bugaboo pram. I informed him that I had paid & my mother had paid using her savings...that he should be grateful someone cares about his son, even if he doesnt! He then said he would get the carseat and some other furniture for nursery to make amends.

About 10mins later he calls me over to the laptop and shows me a £19.99 car seat...a brand I have never heard of....and says he is happy to get that for the baby. I dont care about costs but £19.99 seems to be very cheap...and the fact there wasnt any info on safety or testing etc tells me that maybe its not going to be that good! Car seat to me is very important as it could save my child's life at the end of the day and I felt offended that he thought that was acceptable. I said we need to get something that fits our car properly and you need to be shown how to fit it right so its safe etc. He just said "well if you want it let me know". I just walked away....

He doesnt want to use his money to help pay any bills....and now he doesnt want to pay his way for his own baby.

I would have thought he might have offered to give me some dosh for the cot etc but no. He knows Im struggling but offers nothing and I know he was paid yesterday.

Anyway, so the last straw is this....

He is going out for NYE tonight. Going to a club where it is £50 just to get in the door. There is a group of them and they are also booking a table at this club which they all need to pay and additional £250 (each!) for as their minimum drinks spend.

He is going!!!!! Angry

He is out getting his hair cut now!!! Angry

So he can afford THAT....but cannot afford any bills or to help buy things for our baby.

I am so fucked off and have packed his bags. I am not saying anything though...I will leave him to go out and when he comes back early hours of the morning he will find his bags outside the door.

I cannot believe he is doing this & Im not taking this any longer! How dare he go and spend £300 just to go to a nightclub and offer me a £20 car seat for our child!

I have spent the last few hours crying my eyes out and now Im just SO MAD. I want to punch his lights out!!!!!

OP posts:
moondog · 31/12/2010 17:30

Good God!

QODrestyemerrykidneystones · 31/12/2010 17:30

oh man - you sound so strong, please continue to be so

Good luck, maybe you dad could sleep over?

DeidreBarlow · 31/12/2010 17:32

Can you not dump his bags out now while he is out?

Don't let him back in to get ready for this stupidly expensive night out.

Change the locks...if you can't get that done tonight, can your brother or Dad come round. Or you go there? You don't need him shouting the odds at you 32 wks pg.

nameymacnamechanger · 31/12/2010 17:34

He is a dick of the highest order ellesbelles and you are totally doing the right thing. I cannot believe how much money he is spening tonight when he has contributed nothing to the bills, is not keen on spending on baby and has put off going to the bank! Angry

On the bright side you are making the right decision, you have a lovely supportive family and your own place, and can start 2011 independent and looking to the future without this waste of space weighing you down.

mamas12 · 31/12/2010 17:34

Oh Ellesbelles.
At last you have seen him for what he is. It is so sad that you have found you haven't picked the man you thought he was. Ypou will be in mourning for this relationship for a while.

But, well done for sticking up for yourself, just a bit of advice.
I would be prepared for some sort of scene when he gets back and finds his bags packed so can you get your mum to stay.
What about sending his things in a txi to a friends house and then texting him or leaving a messages that's what you've done.?

mamas12 · 31/12/2010 17:35

Actually Deirdre is right get him out now before tonight.

ellesbelles79 · 31/12/2010 17:36

yes I have to be strong...I REFUSE to be a doormat! I have been in the past which is why he prob thinks he can get away with it....but now I have a baby to think about & this cannot continue.

I've told parents my plan and they dont live too far should anything kick off.

OP posts:
ellesbelles79 · 31/12/2010 17:39

Im just thinking if I tell him before he goes out...then he will say he wont go, im more important to him etc etc...? he is going to give me some speel and I dont want to hear it!

Maybe I can text him later when he is gone that his stuff has been sent to his sisters & he should go there....he is no longer welcome in my home.

OP posts:
mamas12 · 31/12/2010 17:41

You need to do what you can cope with.
I'd get parents round and tell before he goes out and don't answer any text phone calls etc until you are ready tomorrow and celebrate a beginning of a new year for a new you!yey

pooka · 31/12/2010 17:42

Re: the car seat - am I right in thinking that only certain car seats will fit the bugaboo chassis (really useful to be able to just clip the car seat in)

With the cameleon was a maxi cosi cabrio (with the car seat adaptors).

I know this has NOTHING to do with the topic, but a) a £20 car seat unlikely to offer good protection and b) pointless getting a car seat that is incompatible with your pram.

I reckon you should tell him before. Is there any chance that drunk after a long night he is likely to get aggressive if he finds his stuff outside?

pooka · 31/12/2010 17:43

Actually I think have your parents with you is a really good plan.

traceybath · 31/12/2010 17:44

Well done but not sure leaving his bags outside for him to arrive back drunk in the early hours is a good idea - he may get very cross/violent.

I'd tell him now to be honest.

MavisGrind · 31/12/2010 17:46

Elles I've been following this but didn't have much constructive to add however is it an idea to go and stay with your parents tonight - leaving his bags outside your front door as planned? You're 32 weeks pregnant - you need your sleep, not to be interrupted at god knows what hour by him hammering on the door?

And, (as I'm here!) Well done you! You're doing brilliantly and your little dc will be proud of you - we all are Smile