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AIBU?

Looks like I’m going to be a single mum...

101 replies

Changename5 · 25/01/2020 16:59

I’ll try and keep it brief!

My fiancé and I have been together several years, was very serious from the very start, as we’d been friends for around 10 years beforehand. We have a DS who’s almost 2, and for the last 10/12 months, I’ll admit we’ve had some rough patches (mental health struggles for both, money worries, communication not being what it should), but I thought we’d worked really hard to overcome all of our issues, which he agreed with.

Mental health is back on track for both of us, we’d recently been talking about when to begin ttc, and all conversations surrounding our relationship have been positive (he’s very happy, he can’t wait to grow our family, etc), up until a few weeks ago when he sat me down and told me that he doesn’t want me to worry about it yet, but he’s concerned that partly due to a period of what he feels was a lack of affection and some guardedness from me a couple of months ago (he’s right that there was a week or two like this due to something I found out he’d done. Nothing awful or relevant but I just wasn’t feeling as cuddly as I usually am!), he has subconsciously put up a bit of a wall between us, and whenever he’s experienced this in a past relationship, he’s never been able to recover it.

He was very reassuring during the conversation, and life continued as normal, including physical affection, he said he felt much better just from having spoken about it etc. But then fast forward about a week later and he’s started to withdraw, telling me he needed time to think.

We’ve now come to a bit of an impasse where he feels as though there’s nothing he can do to change the way he feels, though he’s devastated about it, and is repeatedly stating that the spark is ‘not going to come back’ because he’s been through this before. Which I find incredibly frustrating and hurtful, that he can make that assumption purely on comparing previous relationships to ours (has always said he never truly loved someone until me, and doesn’t have any DC with anyone else, both of which significantly change things even aside from the fact that every relationship is of course different).

He said he would love to try and still be a family because he still adores my company, still loves me and always will, and obviously doesn’t want a ‘broken home’ for our DS, but doesn’t want to risk hurting me down the line if he’s right that nothing changes and he then decides he wants to see other people.

I’m completely heartbroken. I don’t know how he can have been telling me he’s so happy etc less than 2 months ago, and now not even want to try and fix this together. I just can’t imagine giving up on him so easily if the situation was reversed. And the thought of being a single parent and our DS never knowing his parents together, having step parents, half siblings, is just utterly devastating me and I don’t know how to cope with any of this. We’re each other’s best friends, I miss him already and he hasn’t even gone anywhere yet.

Does anyone have any advice? Aside from time is a healer, because I think if I hear that it might tip me over the edge into a full blown anxiety attack. (But genuinely, thanks in advance for any guidance and kind words)

OP posts:
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Am I being unreasonable?

127 votes. Final results.

POLL
You are being unreasonable
21%
You are NOT being unreasonable
79%
MartyHart · 08/12/2021 12:55

It's a zombie thread. The it's from January last year.

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Kattycool · 08/12/2021 07:32

What's that supposed to mean, I'm so confused. When I found out my partner was cheating, I was angry, and annoyed he would do this to me. But once he left a huge weight lifted from my shoulders which I felt happy, but I knew it would be hard raising all the children on my own, but I always have my head held high and look forward to the future.

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Fatgalslim · 07/12/2021 21:59

@Kattycool

I'm a single mum of 8 kids, I am 26 years old. I have a 12, 10, 8, 7, 5, 4, 3, 1. When I found out my partner was cheating on me, he just got up packed his things and left me with all the kids, I was with him for 16 years.

My eldest is in high school he is in S1 (9am-3:30pm)
10,8,7 years old- 9am-3:15pm
5 year old- 9am-3pm
4 and 3 years old- 7am-4pm
1 year old- 7am-1pm

So life is hard, but I'm trying my best to do everything that's best for my kids, to keep them happy. Christmas is going to be hard. My 12,10,8 years old understand why there dad left, but my 7,5,4,3,1 year old don't understand, as they are still young.


Why did you resurrect this zombie?
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Alicesweewonders · 07/12/2021 21:19

Sorry, but his behaviour screams 'other women' - the aul - men don't leave unless there's someone else waiting for them.

You & your child deserve better.

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Kattycool · 07/12/2021 18:06

I'm a single mum of 8 kids, I am 26 years old. I have a 12, 10, 8, 7, 5, 4, 3, 1. When I found out my partner was cheating on me, he just got up packed his things and left me with all the kids, I was with him for 16 years.

My eldest is in high school he is in S1 (9am-3:30pm)
10,8,7 years old- 9am-3:15pm
5 year old- 9am-3pm
4 and 3 years old- 7am-4pm
1 year old- 7am-1pm

So life is hard, but I'm trying my best to do everything that's best for my kids, to keep them happy. Christmas is going to be hard. My 12,10,8 years old understand why there dad left, but my 7,5,4,3,1 year old don't understand, as they are still young.

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madcatladyforever · 26/01/2020 12:53

He's full of shit. He has basically opted out and has decided that he will blame you for it because he;s too pathetic to own any responsibility for it.

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VenusTiger · 26/01/2020 12:51

@Obligatorync 20yrs with my DH and we still have sparks - every relationship is different.
OP, he can't sulk and put up walls and then give you mind play game ultimatums like this, it's not stable for your DC.

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SophieSong · 26/01/2020 12:51

‘that’s actually exactly what he was saying he didn’t want, to stay together for our family and end up wanting to see someone else, because he wouldn’t do that to me and so doesn’t think trying would work in the long run as that’s what he sees happening.‘

Im sorry OP but it’s quite likely the translation for that is that that is what is already happening. It’s just a gentler way if saying it.

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AmelieTaylor · 26/01/2020 12:49

What did he do before that made you feel a bit ‘off’ with him?

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RockinHippy · 26/01/2020 12:39

Ah gawd, you have yourself one of the new age arseholes who likes to talk the talk to make himself sound so "woke" & untouched with his feelings, which he of course has to share with you, as in reality he's a selfish tosspot & it's all about him.

I'm sorry, but here will be an OW, that's what this is about, but he's determined not to look like the bad guy he is & is reflecting the blame for the relationship breakdown onto you. He is an arsehole

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Obligatorync · 26/01/2020 12:38

Sparks do go after a few years. It's normal. He sounds like a serial monogamist who has never really grown up.

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Ivyr0se · 26/01/2020 12:33

He is a head fuck. Trying to make your grateful if he chooses to stay in a relationship with you.

Kick him out and embrace the next stage of your life.

CALL HIS BLUFF.
Tell him you were thinking about what he said and that you think its best if he does move out well you are still amicable. I bet he changes his mind then and wants to work on your relationship.

He is trying to control you so you are afraid to show any unhappiness with his actions in future. Nobody who adores you would treat you this way.

DETACH FROM HIM, protect yourself

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DuLANGMondeFOREVER · 26/01/2020 12:21

Men are lazy comfort seekers. They don't jump ship unless there's a life raft.

I know SO many men like this, especially in the ‘second time around’ age group. Got to the point where I wouldn’t date anyone who hadn’t been completely single (living alone) for 6 months to a year, just to avoid this type!

I was a single mum (with a complicated ASD child) for large parts of my life, been married three times. Single motherhood is hard but it’s easier than looking after a kid and a manchild.

Thankfully husband number 3 is a proper grown up, so life is genuinely easier with him.

How are things this morning, OP?

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Thinkingabout1t · 26/01/2020 11:37

Incidentally, OP, please don’t be hurt by hostile comments - only a few, but unnecessary. Some people go online to insult people, god knows why.

Of course you don’t want a major change in your and DC’s life, the loss of someone you loved and trusted, with all the upheaval this would cause. You didn’t choose this. And you’re still right in the middle of the shock and chaos your partner has suddenly dropped on you.

You’re not insulting anyone by saying you didn’t want to be a single parent: it’s hard work and can be lonely, even for those who chose it.

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bathsh3ba · 26/01/2020 10:22

I also think this sounds like he has either met someone else or wants to.

I've been a single mum (and single) for 5 years now. It's not what I would have chosen but it's not so terrible either. My kids are fine. You will be ok.

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SandyY2K · 25/01/2020 23:22

I often get the impression from women in relationships that they feel superior to single mothers

It's your own insecurities about being a single mum.

Being a single parent is daunting and scary for many women...especially when it wasn't their plan.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with expressing that.

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Costacoffeeplease · 25/01/2020 23:18

If he’s not actively having an affair, he wants to, and may even have someone lined up

Pack his bags and make the decision for him. Take control of the situation and don’t let him bamboozle you into the pick me dance

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tenlittlecygnets · 25/01/2020 22:49

And what did he do, op, that upset you? I bet it is relevant...

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tenlittlecygnets · 25/01/2020 22:46

So you were upset with something he did and showed it.

He’s got the hump about that and now feels the spark has gone??

What a big baby. Sounds like there can’t have been much there before, from his point of view, if he’s happy to throw things away over a week when you weren’t as cuddly as normal...

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Thinkingabout1t · 25/01/2020 22:46

he doesn’t want to risk hurting me down the line if he’s right that nothing changes and he then decides he wants to see other people

What a saint! I hope you feel honoured, OP. Not.

Cut through the high-minded waffle and you can see he’s gaslighting you. He’s pretending he can’t help his oh-so-sensitive response to your recent failure to nurture him and his ego.

I suspect that even if you did get through this, you would be tiptoeing around his super-sensitive feelings for the rest of your time together. Then whether you’d “failed” again or not, he’d drop you when he next felt like it.

I’m really sorry, OP, because this must be a horrible shock after your long time together. It may be connected with his MH problems, but that doesn’t help anything. I never understand how a man can be a devoted dad one day, and the next he’s dropped his child like a used bus ticket, but it does often happen.

I wish he would suddenly pull himself together, but I’m sorry it seems very unlikely. He’s much more likely to just keep messing you around.

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SirVixofVixHall · 25/01/2020 22:35

I agree very much with the pp who said
he doesn’t like criticism and he isn’t going to take it from you
I also agree that he may well have someone else.
Truly, he sounds an absolute knob, what adult wafts on about “spark” mere weeks after suggesting trying to conceive ? Then ends a relationship where they are engaged and have a child, without even trying to resolve problems ? Either an adult with an ego so large that their partner being justifiably annoyed has made them very angry indeed, or an adult who has already lined up another relationship.

He sounds as though his most meaningful relationship is with himself. How old is he ? Because all this angst and fake emoting is like a teenager.

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Teensandfuture · 25/01/2020 22:33

most people in relationships don't want to be single parents

Most single parents don't want to either and rarely are single parents from the start, just life isn't perfect and you can't safeguard yourself or your children from that. Anyone can end up being single parent, through arguments , domestic violence, spouse cheating, bad behaviour or a death of a spouse.

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NearlyGranny · 25/01/2020 22:32

Yeah, he's talking bollocks, OP. Relationships that raise children are not founded on 'sparks' but on solid commitment that gets you through the flat spots as a team.

Mr Sparky is chasing someone new but keeping you in reserve as his fallback woman. Practically guaranteed. Don't fall for it. Tell him he's 100% in or 100% out and mean it. If he's in, he has to shut up about past patterns, sparks etc. If he's out he needs to move over so you can re-start your life, appearing only as father and financial supporter of his child.

Otherwise you risk becoming a port-in-the-storm mumsy figure who advises him on dates and irons his shirts when he meets someone new!

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DeTwamps · 25/01/2020 22:23

What does 'being off with him' look like?

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MrsBobDylan · 25/01/2020 22:10

What he said sounds a lot like "I'm interested in another woman but it's your fault for being a bit off with me a few weeks ago. I don't want to hurt you because I am heroic, and you should know that I intend to replace you with Barbara from accounts."

He likes the moral high ground and CBA to be a decent human being. So sorry op.

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