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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to go and see if he's ok?

119 replies

WildBelle · 05/10/2017 21:00

OK...long story short...I ended my relationship last night. I was seeing possibly the loveliest man in the world, I am crazy about him. The problem was that he only split up with his wife earlier this year, and the arrangement to begin with was that she was going to have the 3 children 3 nights a week. She was the one that left the family home, after an affair. When that was the arrangement she would generally try to wriggle out of having the dc whenever possible, and not have them at all or trim one or two days off. Over the summer holidays she basically didn't see them at all, and it got to the point where the dc didn't actually want to go to hers anyway as she hadn't made any effort to make her new house a home, and was often physically abusive towards them.

The piece de resistance came last month when she announced that she was moving 150 miles away to live with her new bf into a one bedroom flat, and dumped all the stuff she did have for the dc at my bf's house on the way. For all intents and purposes, she has started a new life, conveniently taking no responsibility for the fact she has 3 dc.

Even before that I hardly got to spend any time with my bf, as he has been desperately trying to make it all ok for his dc, and isn't even prepared to get a babysitter for the night as he is concerned that they are going to feel unwanted by him too. Now that his ex has completely buggered off, that has gone from bad to worse and we were not spending any time at all with each other. I was feeling quite miserable about the situation, I would like a partner who I can actually spend time with once in a while, and whilst I have been completely supportive and understanding throughout, I came to the very sad conclusion last night that it was going to be a long time before the dust had settled enough for him to be able to find time in his life for a relationship, so we had a very calm and sad conversation which led to the relationship being over, at least for now, while he sorts his shit out.

I woke up this morning feeling really sad, it felt like the most counter intuitive thing in the world to end it with him as he was such a genuinely great bloke, so I just whatsapped him with a sad face emoji. Didn't get a response, but he was online a couple of times this morning. Hasn't been online since just after midday, which is very unusual for him. I am really worried - last night when I spoke to him he was in a pretty dark place and talking about topping himself or just dumping the kids on his ex and leaving her to deal with it all instead of him (I am fairly certain he wouldn't ever do that as his kids are his world, but he is really struggling to cope at the moment). I sent him a message this afternoon asking if he's ok, no response and he hasn't seen it. t tried calling him about an hour ago, with no response, and sent him another message just asking me to let him know that he's ok. He hasn't seen it. Now I'm really worried that he's done something stupid and am tempted to drive to his, which is half an hour away, just to see if he's ok. I don't know if that's a really bad idea though. We didn't leave things on bad terms last night but it got late and he said he would speak to me today. I'm worried. Sorry this is all a bit garbled, it's all a bit complicated. Should I leave it or go there? Even if it's just to see if his car is there and lights are on?

OP posts:
WildBelle · 05/10/2017 21:29

I think I'm entitled to feel sad about it, probably shouldn't have sent the emoji though no, I just wanted him to know I was thinking of him. It wasn't left on bad terms at all, and I made it very clear I am here for him anytime he needs a chat or if he wants to meet up as friends. When we got involved, it seemed he would have time for a relationship, but that has now changed because of his ex fucking off, which neither of us could have predicted. But by then I had already fallen for him. So yes, I'm allowed to be sad I think.

OP posts:
Holland00 · 05/10/2017 21:30

Go check on him. Or call him.
Does he have much of a support network?

existentialmoment · 05/10/2017 21:31

And the sad thing was I can't see that changing for quite a long time, and while I was just waiting in the wings there was no incentive for him to decide that he needed to take some time for himself once in a while rather than devote himself 100% to his dc

That's not a sad thing. That's a good thing. You must have got with him about 5 mins after his wife left him?

WildBelle · 05/10/2017 21:32

Tried calling him but he's not answering. He doesn't have much in the way of a support network no.

OP posts:
Justaboy · 05/10/2017 21:32

I 'd expect the poor bloke is hurting like mad and is in a bit of a state.

Go check him out and if possible talk to him you could remain friends if nothing else.

BigApple11 · 05/10/2017 21:33

Go and check on him.

WildBelle · 05/10/2017 21:34

It wasn't long after she left but she started the affair 3 years ago, and it took her that long to leave (she thought he should 'do the right thing' and go, but his take on it was why the fuck should he leave the house he paid for and his kids when it was her shagging about). So they had been leading separate lives for quite some time.

OP posts:
MissFlashpants · 05/10/2017 21:35

A bit astounded at how you’ve managed to imply that the ex here is a prick and a shit dad for having the temerity to meet a woman that he liked when single existentialmoment Confused

diddl · 05/10/2017 21:37

Jeez-leave him alone!

You've dumped him-why would he be answering your messages?

Why does the fact that he has been online & not responded to you make you think that he has done something stupid?

Let him concentrate on his kids.

existentialmoment · 05/10/2017 21:39

A bit astounded at how you’ve managed to imply that the ex here is a prick and a shit dad for having the temerity to meet a woman that he liked when single existentialmoment

I didn't call him any such thing but I'd be saying the same to anyone, man or woman. If your co parent fucks off leaving you with 3 upset kids, you don't go and get yourself a new squeeze 5 mins later. You be a bloody parent and look after your kids before yourself.

I don't think its a contraversial argument by any stretch. Hmm

alphajuliet123 · 05/10/2017 21:42

Are the children with him now, OP?

ReanimatedSGB · 05/10/2017 21:43

Honestly leave him alone. When you've been dumped, the last thing you want is the person who dumped you to keep pestering you for reassurance that you're OK. It comes across (to the dumped one) as either you being really patronizing or really manipulative - you're trying to make the person you hurt ease your conscience - or you are effectively saying 'I'm so wonderful that being dumped by me will mak you kill yourself.'

WalkingInMyShoes · 05/10/2017 21:43

I'd leave him alone for a few days Wild although I get why you are concerned. He's in a low place and prioritising his kids, his focus is on them and not you or himself even. He's telling you he doesn't want to speak to you by avoiding your calls and texts. Just because he hasn't read them doesn't mean he hasn't seen them flash up on his screen.

WildBelle · 05/10/2017 21:43

At the point at which we met the supposed arrangement was that they were co-parenting, much like millions of other people who go on to find new relationships.

OP posts:
Alittlepotofrosie · 05/10/2017 21:45

The time line seems a bit screwy. His wife left a few months ago, you've been with him long enough to fall madly in love yet because of his children you've been unable to spend hardly any time with him.

A sad face emoji doesnt say "I'm thinking of you". It says "give me attention".

Holland00 · 05/10/2017 21:45

It sounds like he HAS prioritised his children, which is why OP reached the decision to end things.
So judgemental for posters to be deciding when he should start a new relationship!!

WildBelle · 05/10/2017 21:46

I don't think that I'm so wonderful that he would kill himself because of me, it's probably more a culmination of his wife having an affair, and leaving him to raise 3 children alone as well as paying a big mortgage. I am worried me ending it might be the straw that broke the camel's back rather than the main event.

OP posts:
InsomniacAnonymous · 05/10/2017 21:48

Well then I think you should check he is OK. There's nothing wrong in doing that.

MissFlashpants · 05/10/2017 21:48

The whole point of this thread is that he was spending a couple of hours a fortnight with the OP.

Think we can safely assume he wasn’t putting himself and his needs first.

WildBelle · 05/10/2017 21:48

His wife actually left at the beginning of the year and we started seeing each other in the spring.

OP posts:
CoolCarrie · 05/10/2017 21:50

Go and see him, don't fanny around on here, when you could just go and see how he is!

ThorsMistress · 05/10/2017 21:50

I know if I was in his situation the last thing I would want is my exDP bombarding me with messages and phone calls.
Leave him for a few days to get his head together. He's just had his whole changed and is probably trying to help his children adjust and understand what's happened.

Albandra · 05/10/2017 21:51

Don't contact him again, he's probably busy with the kids and it's the only way to move on for both of you.

GoldenOrb · 05/10/2017 21:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

diddl · 05/10/2017 21:53

Are you really concerned Op, or just pissed off that he hasn't responded to you?