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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To track down child's father for CMS

37 replies

Esunabromano · 16/01/2022 21:36

I'll try to keep this as short as possible. So I was seeing someone for a few months, knew him for over a year prior but we were both in short lived relationships/dating at different times so broke off any interaction during that time and then came back together once we were both available. I am now pregnant with his child (totally unplanned). I was clear from the very first day I met him that I didn't want children & that that wouldn't change. He already has 2 from a previous marriage and at the time was open to more with the right woman.

Fast forward to when we finally got together he decided that he didn't want any more children, fine by me! We had unprotected sex (we were using condoms as I had been on the pill for over 10 years due to terrible periods that incapacitated me for 3 days and after so long they were proving ineffective and causing unwanted side effects) one night which we both agreed was very irresponsible but put it down to being in the moment etc.

The next day I totally forgot to take the morning after pill as I had a lot on my plate - visiting and helping out a sick relative who had recently come out of a coma so I took it first thing next morning. All was forgotten about and I was pms'ing around time of period so thought we had the all clear. Nope! I missed my period by a few days, took a test at 4 in the morning just to rule it out and it was positive.

Guy I was seeing birthday was coming up in a week or so so I said I'd tell him after, I wouldn't want to ruin his birthday or anything. A day or 2 after he came round I told him, he didn't take it well & was speechless for a bit. I told him I already know I'll be doing this on my own as he doesn't want any more children & I can't go through with an abortion. First he tried to persuade me to get one by telling me he knows many women who have had one and feel fine about it, then said he'd be there for me during the pregnancy as no woman should have to go through it alone and he'd never do that to me, to "I'm sorry, I'm not being funny but I barely know you & I don't want anything to do with this baby". He also said he couldn't understand why I wasn't on birth control if I didn't want something like this to happen & thought I'd be more responsible and pro active if I didn't want to get pregnant. As I mentioned above I told him about the contraception situation way before we started having sex and we both agreed that it would have to be condoms. He wasn't particularly jumping for joy about it but it was no longer working for me & my body needed a break from all of the hormones.

He came around again the next evening to pick up his watch that he must have taken off and forgotten during his pacing and we ended up speaking some more. He was silent for a while and then came the shocker, he said "The more I think about this, the more I feel like you trapped me". I couldn't believe it, all I could say was What???!!! Then he was coming up with all the reasons why he thought such bull. Once I came to I shut it down completely and told him that if he was going to speak utter crap to me to not speak at all. We both had equal parts to play in making this baby. I did not tie him up and force myself on him, neither did I poke holes in his condoms & further more he's the one who would slip it inside me unprotected after the first incident because 'it just felt too good' even when I told him to stop and put one on.
Just before he left he gave me a hug & apologised for blaming me but then proceeded to send me a message maybe a couple of days later informing me that he has spoken to his family about it & his mum & sisters feel the same way- I trapped him, why wouldn't I take better care not to get pregnant & they don't understand why I would want to be a single parent.

We spoke sporadically via text from then on, him swearing he'd take on the responsibility (financially) but he wants nothing to do with the child over and over & his conflictions- the feelings he has for me vs this child ruining everything. Part of a text he sent me- You used to make me so happy and now every time I think about you it's depressing. How nice!
I made it clear we were no longer a thing & that I'd be in touch when things were needed.
I had my first midwives appt coming up so asked him questions I thought they may ask about his side of family, he replied and then asked for due date. I thought they would confirm that in first appointment so gave him round about date but said I'll give more accurate one after appt. Turns out they don't even test for pregnancy then so I just gave him date nhs website provided me with. He proceeded to block me the next day & I have also learnt that he has removed his most current job title off of LinkedIn. Presumably foreseeing me possibly tracking him down for CMS that way.

So question- would I be unreasonable to try and track him down for CMS once baby arrives. This child is his responsibility just as much as it is mine, even if he will only be providing financial care or do I just leave him to get on with his life and get on with mine & this new baby as best as I can. I'm not alone- I have a very supportive mum and once I get round to telling others they will no doubt support me too. I do not expect family or friends to help financially- this is my responsibility & the father's but for emotional support I know I can count on them.

I never ever thought this would be my life but now I have to deal with it. It still hasn't fully sank in to be honest & it's very lonely having no one else to go through this with.

Sorry it ended up being such a long read but would appreciate any advice and maybe from people who have been in same/similar situation?

OP posts:
PikachuAndMe · 16/01/2022 21:44

Yes, put in a claim for cms as soon as you are allowed. He helped make the baby he has to provide for it. If he didn't want a baby he should have been more careful.

addictedtotheflats · 16/01/2022 21:44

Of course you should pursue child support, he is in complete denial and an absolute arsehole

PicaK · 16/01/2022 21:51

Trapped him!! Ffs it takes 2 to make a baby. What a load of misogynistic crap.
Wishing you a safe and happy pregnancy.
CMS when baby is here.

Danikm151 · 16/01/2022 21:52

If takes 2 to tango, even contraceptives aren’t 100% effective.
If he wants out that’s fine but your child is entitled to financial support.

TracyMosby · 16/01/2022 21:57

he's the one who would slip it inside me unprotected after the first incident because 'it just felt too good' even when I told him to stop and put one on. That’s not on at all. You consented to sex with a condom. Not this.

Absolutely out a claim in. It doesnt matter how you got pregnant.

Willyoujustbequiet · 16/01/2022 21:57

Definitely put in a CMS claim. Ignore the rest and try not to overthink it. Good luck Flowers

BigYellowHat · 16/01/2022 22:05

Definitely put in a CMS claim. Let him witter on and cry to his mummy that he was trapped. Well boo hoo, he helped to make this baby, it didn’t just magically appear in your womb.

RedCandyApple · 16/01/2022 22:38

It’s up to you, I don’t claim maintenance personally because my ex is absent and has nothing to do with our kids so I want nothing from him. But if you want to claim it that’s fine also.

RunningFromInsanity · 16/01/2022 22:46

Hmn I’m torn. Obviously he should pay BUT I think you would be better off not having any contact with him and raising the baby alone.
This way you won’t need permission to move
away, any decisions you make etc.

TracyMosby · 16/01/2022 22:48

@RunningFromInsanity

Hmn I’m torn. Obviously he should pay BUT I think you would be better off not having any contact with him and raising the baby alone. This way you won’t need permission to move away, any decisions you make etc.
None of that is dependent on cms though.
RunningFromInsanity · 16/01/2022 23:27

@TracyMosby If he’s paying cms it gives him an ‘in’ in my opinion.

Shamoo · 16/01/2022 23:35

Of course you should claim. Why wouldn’t you. Unless you are loaded and can offer your child an incredible life without his money, you owe it to your child to claim.

VainAbigail · 16/01/2022 23:36

Does he have to be on the birth certificate for you to claim CM? Do you want him on the birth certificate? He’d get PR, too?

TylluanBach · 16/01/2022 23:36

Your child doesn't or won't need this level of assholery in their life.Personally think you'd both be best off without him and his £.

gogohm · 16/01/2022 23:38

Do you want him in your life? Claiming cms means he may pursue a relationship with the child in time

RedCandyApple · 16/01/2022 23:43

@VainAbigail

Does he have to be on the birth certificate for you to claim CM? Do you want him on the birth certificate? He’d get PR, too?
No he doesn’t have to be on it to claim maintenance although he can dispute paternity but he will have to do a DNA test if he does, and she can’t put him on if he isn’t there; doesn’t sound Like he’s wants to be on if he wants nothing to do with the child?
Theunamedcat · 16/01/2022 23:46

Yes claim

my ex likes to tell people I trapped him the condom broke I took the map and as he left and got married and dodged he for years I can hardly be good at it can I! His wife likes to join in "she was old and desperate" sis I was 24 and didn't want kids talk to your husband she was the second kid he abandoned and apparently I took advantage of him being a "younger man" like 2 years is such a void in maturity

Like literally I can't roll my eyes enough

Reinga · 17/01/2022 01:41

You should absolutely claim the CMS your child is entitled to.
People have a legal and moral obligation to provide for the children they create, whether the conception was intentional or not.

TracyMosby · 17/01/2022 06:40

[quote RunningFromInsanity]@TracyMosby If he’s paying cms it gives him an ‘in’ in my opinion.[/quote]
Not paying cms also gives him an in as he is the father.

violetbunny · 17/01/2022 06:45

Unless you're the Virgin Mary and became pregnant by immaculate conception, YANBU to make a claim. If he didn't want a baby, he shouldn't have had sex.

WiganDiva · 17/01/2022 06:50

I think it really depends on whether you want him in your life or not.

KiloWhat · 17/01/2022 06:51

Yep go to CMS

rainbowdashsneeze · 17/01/2022 07:29

@VainAbigail

Does he have to be on the birth certificate for you to claim CM? Do you want him on the birth certificate? He’d get PR, too?
No he doesn't have to be on the birth certificate they will encourage a DNA test if he denied the child at this point.
nearly4o · 17/01/2022 07:49

A friend of mine tracked down her ex husband and it cost about£40. Took them a week to find him. He owed her money.

I don't know what website/org she used but try googling and I am sure you willl find something.

kittykat33 · 17/01/2022 08:06

How far along are you OP?

Obviously you should absolutely put in a claim for child support but equally it sounds like he's just angry and acting out at the moment and if you're only a few weeks he may well calm down and get back in contact once he's got his head around it.

Just focus on yourself and your baby and don't worry about him until closer to baby's arrival.