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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To feel sad about DP spending Xmas at his exes

998 replies

Tumbleweeds24 · 24/12/2017 12:00

I'm 36 weeks pregnant and it's the first Christmas that me and DP have lived together. Money is really tight this year so we're not 'doing christmas' here per say. We've had alot to fork out for, bills rent and baby stuff which has fallen at a time where there isn't any disposable. I'm fine with that, we agreed between us we would make up for it when baby arrives in late jan. No biggie.

We discussed what we'd be doing on the day (christmas) and as i knew he would want to see his children I said I would go to my aunt's so he doesn't feel bad about leaving me on my own. We don't drive so I would have to spend the night there as I'm reliant on the bus service.

He's planning to go to his exes on Christmas morning to see the kids and stay there for about 6 hours he says. He says he's not having christmas dinner there but he probably will, that's ok I guess. I think he's downplaying their plans for the day to spare my feelings. If I'm not going to be home he has no reason to rush back does he?

I just feel a bit sad deep down. I would have been happy staying here and just not bothering with the festivities, cuddling up watching a movie with him or something would suffice - but because he knows he's going to be out the house all of Christmas day he's keen for me to go to my aunt's so he doesn't feel guilty himself for me being alone. I would rather not if I'm honest.

I'm happy for him being able to see his kids at Christmas I really am. I would never come between that, it's just the idea of them playing happy families that's making me feel a bit sad. He can't bring them to our place because their mum doesn't want him having them around the new woman, so to spend Xmas with them means spending it with her at her place.

Aibu to feel a bit down about this? I haven't said anything and won't, I don't want to ruin Christmas for him or his kids

OP posts:
Tumbleweeds24 · 26/12/2017 15:47

Tenancy is joint in both of our names. If it came to me asking him to leave at any point I don't foresee him refusing and insisting it's me that leaves based on the fact I'm about to give birth. He could go to his father's if push ever came to shove

OP posts:
Graphista · 26/12/2017 16:23

I think you passed shove some time ago

Tumbleweeds24 · 26/12/2017 16:34

I think so yes.

Not even going to bother waking him. Let him sleep the entire day if that's what he wants to do. I don't even want to talk to him right now if I'm honest.

I can guarantee when he does wake and it's time for me to go to bed it'll be "awwww I'm sad we haven't spent any time together" and who's fault is that. A rare three nights in a row off work and what's he done with them. Been at his exes and stayed up all night playing games.

F him.

OP posts:
Taylor22 · 26/12/2017 16:38

But are you going to tell him you're mad? You've had the entire conversation in your head?
Let him say what you know he will. Let him dig his own hole.
Do you want him there when you're in labour?
You think it will be hard now?
Who's going to clean when you're in pain with a newborn?
When you may behave to pee in the shower because it hurts so much, while your boobs are painful boulders and you have passed exhausted several days ago?
You may be heavily pregnant and think that now is not the right time to have this fight but trust me it's the last time before it becomes a whole lot worse.

Tumbleweeds24 · 26/12/2017 16:41

I'm definitely going to have it out with him. He's really hurt me to be honest, nobody should be in tears on Christmas day. He spoiled my xmas and impacted my mum and aunt's too as they spent much of the afternoon and evening consoling me about it all. Aside Christmas, I have serious doubts about the relationship because of the way he has been and is in general.

It's not getting brushed under the carpet, definitely not, I've just got the 'I don't even want to look at you right now' thing going on.

OP posts:
Taylor22 · 26/12/2017 16:45

I think you're being amazing.
But I'm just worried that you're about to drop and have zero support.
Even the most straightforward labours are tiring and make you sore.
Of course you can do it alone.
But he's worse than being alone. He actually drags you down.

GreenTulips · 26/12/2017 16:52

To be clear I never ask him to help with things around the house am happy to do it all

No! You don't ask him to 'help you' he lives there too and is a fully functioning adult. He needs to step up and contribute

He should be up looking after you, don't do it all because your on maternity leave - do your share - but he needs to pick up the slack.

Graphista · 26/12/2017 17:06

Yes, you're on ml because you're pregnant and especially at this stage having a human inside you is exhausting. Once baby is here you will also have recovery, sleep deprivation and a demanding little human to deal with it is NOT just down to you, he doesn't work 24/7

Charley50 · 26/12/2017 17:11

I think he needs to think long and hard about how his behaviour affects everyone in the long term. Eg: if he fucks it up with you, then what? 2 lots of children to provide for, back to shared house or dads, having to start all over, not building roots and financial security with someone, stress all round. All these are things he obviously just never thinks about. He floats through life, mainly thinking about computer games, never thinking of the big picture or the negative impact his crapness has on everyone, including himself.
I'm projecting a little tumbleweed there, but he is such an idiot to treat such a lovely person as yourself, as if you are not an important person in his life. He obviously has 'ishoos' but he is a head in the sand guy who currently sticks his fingers in his ears, shouts la la la, and refuses to deal with them.

Charley50 · 26/12/2017 17:16

Btw I'm in London too and was a single parent from when DS was a tiny baby.. It's so easy to make friends going through the same baby stages, as there are so many baby groups etc. Not suggesting you end it right now, but if you do London is a good place to be in terms of support networks and friends (sorry I'm banging on; just started on the wine..)

PhuntSox · 26/12/2017 17:31

I think you and your baby would have a far easier and less stressful life without him. He is clearly a reliable dad who visits so no worries there, but not very good as a partner. Its often more stressful trying to get someone to behave the way they should than just doing it yourself.

Darkstar4855 · 26/12/2017 17:34

Oh dear OP, sounds like you are a caring and thoughtful person who is being taken advantage of by a selfish man. I’m sorry this is happening to you.

Smitff · 26/12/2017 18:06

Just read your entire thread OP. For 35 you’re very mature. But I hope you find the courage to stand up for yourself and your baby once it’s born. This man and his ex are trampling all over you. You will regret it in time.

Good luck.

runwalkrun · 26/12/2017 18:13

He let the truth out of the bag a while ago though, at least a more believable version than the usual speal I get. "She gets funny with me when I'm on my phone"
Anyone would think they're still in a relationship.

This would make me really angry.
Why is he even caring what she thinks?
He should be caring what you think!

Tistheseason17 · 26/12/2017 18:17

You've handled yourself well OP
Flowers take care of yourself and if you're not up for a confrontation just go and stay with your lovely family. You have not failed - he has failed you x

CaledonianQueen · 26/12/2017 18:27

I am so sorry that he has treated you so awfully this Christmas op, you are vulnerable, hormonal and emotional and that's normal for this stage of pregnancy! You have the added stress of a manipulative partner who has no concern for your or your babies wellbeing! You could have gone into labour yesterday, have had major surgery, or a baby in special care and he was uncontactable! Because of a sore throat! I wish I had read this yesterday, as I would have advised you to stay with your Aunt! Heavily pregnant you should be avoiding contracting his supposed glandular fever! In fact you should pack a bag for him, send him to stay with his Father and ask your Aunt or your Mother to come stay with you until your little one arrives!

Did I read right that he works nights? What kind of job does he have? I have a friend whose husband worked in London Monday to Friday, then came home to his wife and children every weekend (Friday to Sunday evening). They had four children together, one New Year, (before their fourth was born) despite his wife just having a miscarriage, he insisted that he needed to get back to London as something urgent had come up. My friend was still recovering from surgery and very weak as she had significant blood loss. I and several other friends felt there were rather large red flags, my friend was so sure her h was having an affair but he gaslighted her to the point of making her feel crazy and jealous. He placated her and talked her into trying for another baby, they had a beautiful baby girl. He continued to have to rush back for work emergencies, (nope not life or death, not a surgeon or Doctor, if I remember right he was in finance) my friends gut was very strongly telling her that something was going on.

When her youngest dd was just over a year old she found out that he had a 'work wife' who he had been shagging for the last five years! The ow, was also married and going home to her dh and children every weekend! They were both selfish manipulative bastards! It was the OW dh who told my friend. That new years eve that he left her post miscarriage he had rushed back to spend it with his OW! This is obviously different but it does highlight the lengths some men will go to, to keep the status quo.

My Mum's best friends h left her for a younger woman, they had three kids together. For the first two years every contact was held at Mum's bf's house, as they had a very poorly ds together. He spent every Christmas, from Christmas Eve to boxing day with his kids and w (he never divorced her until recently) and every time he had contact and every Christmas they had sex. My Mum's bf did it to get her own back on h's partner at first, then it was more just the status quo.

He refused to have anymore dc with his younger dp as he was happy with the three he had. Tragically their ds tragically died when he was a teenager, his partner was at the funeral, she was a wonderful support to their surviving dc, she was very close to all of their dc but oblivious to the fact that the man she had given motherhood up to be with, was cheating on her throughout their relationship. She didn't complain when her partner and his ex (mums bf) held each other sobbing in the hospital as their ds was dying, or that they held hands and sobbed in each other's arms during the funeral. She looked after the dc, was there in the background and went home leaving the parents to support each other after the funeral. She was devastated too, she had been Step Mother(in every way but formally) for years, she grieved her stepson awfully. Five years ago, he finally divorced my Mum's bf, he came to her house and broke down saying he didn't want to do it, she was making him. They were married six months later. I heard last summer that his wife had left him, after falling in love with a man she met at the gym. I wish her every happiness. Not one Christmas did he spend with her, even when dc were older!

I hope she had a wonderful Christmas this year, she deserves to spend it with someone who loves her completely. It was sad for my Mums bf as in a sense she could never move on. My Mum always said that they adored each other but just couldn't live with each other. She never understood how her bf could continue to sleep with him. Apparently, he asked to move in with her after his DW left him, she said no, she couldn't trust him. He will have been at her house for Christmas again this year though.

I would hate for you to end up in a similar situation op! I know there are many differences but if he insists on spending Christmas with his dc every year, you may like in the story above, spend your best years in second place, whilst your dp gets the best of both worlds. You and your little boy deserve to be the centre of your dp's world. Alternative years and regular overnight contact needs to be arranged. Although if your dp doesn't change, you may be better leaving and finding a man who will put you first.

runwalkrun · 26/12/2017 18:27

From what I'm told, brother and wife were a support to DP's ex after DP left her.

Why did he leave her?
What made this man leave his wife and three children?

FlexTimeCheekyFucker · 26/12/2017 18:40

Not wife, they weren't married.

Tumbleweeds24 · 26/12/2017 19:18

Hi all, thanks for your words of encouragement.

To answer the poster who asked why he left his ex, he says this is because after many years together they began to neglect one another and the relationship became about the children. They didn't put any effort into loving one another and drifted apart. He claimed she was controlling, constantly checked up on him, didn't 'let' him go out anywhere, didn't 'let' him talk to friends or use social media and didn't let him breath. He also said he suspects she cheated on him after he found suspicious messages on their computer, from a male friend who he was aware she had been out for drinks with, and that contributed to him not wanting to try any more. That's his version that I have to go by.

Despite all of that which I can't confirm or deny as I don't know her, what I do know is she cooked and cleaned after him daily for over eight years and stood by a man who is for all intents and purposes, a grown child. Raised the children almost single handedly whilst he worked constant nights and made sure he had a cooked pack up to take to work regularly.

I don't know how their relationship survived as long as it did because after two years and seeing the cracks In their entirety it's beginning to look alot like "fuck this"

I don't think she's the big bad wolf he's making out her to be if am honest. She might be controlling for all I know but all this is making me more open to seeing how it probably wasn't a bag of roses for her being with him at all.

I've already pin pointed some baby groups I'm going to take my little one to when he's here so I'm hoping I'll be able to make a nice circle of mummy friends, get me out the house regularly whilst I'm on mat leave and not be so dependent on him for social stimulation.

@Caledonianqueen Wow reading your post really does bring it home just how some people can be utter utter bastards. I can't imagine being in that position for the long term. It's hard and it's horrible. It angers me how some of us are treat so appallingly it really does. Who do these people think they are.

He's just woken up. Came into the living room trying to be all cuddly. I just sat typing on my phone. I said we are going to have a proper conversation tonight before I go to bed and I'm not having it put off. Okay he says.

To add insult to injury I'm having to carry him financially into next week until he gets his wages. It happens most months as we are on different pay cycles. Me fortnightly now I'm on mat leave (previously weekly) and him monthly and always has been. There's a pattern now where I will buy his cigarettes and all the food etc at the end of the month until he gets paid. He pays his half of the bills, maintenance and expenses then doesn't budget his remaining monies well enough to ensure it carries him until his next pay. Usually I have no problem supporting him at the end of the month as I see us as a unit although it does frustrate me how he doesn't budget properly, and now after all this crap at Christmas I'm doing it through gritted teeth. Might be me being petty there idk. Would you be happy with that?

OP posts:
Tumbleweeds24 · 26/12/2017 19:23

Its crazy how being away from him two nights and a day has made me reevaluate things. I thought I would be excited to see him, that I would have missed him. I don't even want to be in his company

OP posts:
Smitff · 26/12/2017 19:23

Not being able to budget properly is something he should have grown out of by his mid-20s.

Ask yourself this question any time you doubt yourself: would/can I do it? If you would balk at something, so should he. If you’re capable of something (10 years younger than him), so should he be.

Tumbleweeds24 · 26/12/2017 19:24

I wouldn't dream of being so careless with my own money that it leaves me no option but to rely on him. Another example of how incompatible we are I guess

OP posts:
Tumbleweeds24 · 26/12/2017 19:27

He's been sat holding his neck since he got up but only after I asked how his throat was. Hmm

Call me a cynic but he seems to be milking this throat problem. I've had glandular fever so I know it's horrible. I was hospitalized with it as a child. I don't even think he has it

OP posts:
goody2shooz · 26/12/2017 19:28

Hell no and I certainly wouldn't be buying the cf cigarettes either. No to all of him and his utter nonsense. Save the money for your little one, much better! Best wishes and good luck - plan next year to be SO much better than this one. Better lonely on your own, rather than lonely in a relationship. XxX

Taylor22 · 26/12/2017 19:35

Is he going to quit smoking?

He can't hold the baby until 30 mins after a cigarette and after changing his clothes and washing his hands.
Who's going to grab the baby quickly for you?
He won't be able to just jump in and help.

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