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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

DH didn’t come home… again

483 replies

Roonil · 26/05/2024 14:14

Please help me make sense of what’s going on with DH. Will try keep it as brief as possible.

We have 2 DC - one is 4, one is 6 months.

I’ve forgiven him for a lot over the years (together 10 years), and since we had our eldest he’s gone AWOL on me a few times after nights out with his mates. Well, last night he did it again. I woke up with the baby in the early hours and he wasn’t home, so sent a message asking where he was. No reply. Up with baby again about an hour and a half later, again no reply. Tried to call with next wake up, didn’t pick up. By this point it was about 5.30am - everything would have been closed. He went out in the afternoon. If he’d have responded ‘in a bar/at friend’s house, be home later’ or just ANYTHING it would’ve been fine, but it was the ignoring that bothered me. He would’ve just not come home with zero contact if I hadn’t pushed it.

Next time I woke with baby (we’re both ill with Covid and she’s EBF, so I’ve done all night feeds for 6 months and am knackered/feeling shit) I sent a message saying I was locking the front door. Miraculously he responded straight away. Claimed he had been trying to get home for “hours” but his bank cards had been “blocked”. I told him how upset/angry I was and that he should have just messaged me, etc. etc., and he told me I was “locking him out of his home” and that “this is your decision, not mine” - as if I’m ending the relationship. Feels like he’s trying to push me to leave?

When I said again that I was upset and he needed to stop being so irresponsible at 36, he responded “cry me a fucking river.”

Even if his story is true, why not respond? If you were stuck, surely you’d be on your phone trying to sort a solution? But also, he could’ve gone home with friends who live in the same direction, or asked one of them to book him an Uber and pay them back. Also thinking if it’s true, he’s blown an awful lot of money… why else would his cards stop working other than the accounts being emptied?

He’s still not made an appearance. No idea where he is. Had to tell eldest DC that daddy wasn’t home this morning because he’s having a sleepover with his friend.

I spoke to a friend about it this morning, and they said it comes across like he just doesn’t care about being with me or being a family man. To me it’s the latest example of him choosing the single lifestyle over his family, and expecting me to just be there and not question him about anything, ever.

I feel like he’s gradually treating me worse and worse, but it’s heightened since I went on maternity leave, when I’m more vulnerable. But then I don’t know if he’s that calculating…

I wouldn’t mind as much if this was a one off, but he’s got form for irresponsible partying type behaviour and, like I said, has pulled disappearing acts before.

But then part of me thinks maybe I am just going crazy and being harsh.

Am I overreacting?

OP posts:
BirthdayRainbow · 27/05/2024 21:07

100% projection.

My STBEH has been coming out with all sorts of crap and he is totally projecting. I pull him up for it and he can't give an answer as he's talking shite.

Expect rapid back tracking tomorrow, guilt tripping, kids related threats.

edited as I typed she's instead of he's.

K0OLA1D · 27/05/2024 21:07

Roonil · 27/05/2024 21:04

He also said he feels “disconnected” from the DC, I asked him if that was him setting up not seeing them.

Can't he go tonight?

He sounds absolutely foul. He's not spoken to anyone about you. He's just saying that to get a reaction

He sounds so cruel and emotionless

TraitorsGate · 27/05/2024 21:09

Thank goodness, he sounds completely unhinged. Can you be out whole he packs his bags.

Roonil · 27/05/2024 21:09

K0OLA1D · 27/05/2024 21:07

Can't he go tonight?

He sounds absolutely foul. He's not spoken to anyone about you. He's just saying that to get a reaction

He sounds so cruel and emotionless

He’s sleeping downstairs and will be out early for work so I won’t need to see him/be near him.

I told him he had been cruel with his treatment of me the other night. He responded with whataboutery

OP posts:
Roonil · 27/05/2024 21:10

TraitorsGate · 27/05/2024 21:09

Thank goodness, he sounds completely unhinged. Can you be out whole he packs his bags.

I will try to be.

He’s already talking about selling the house so the kids will be out of their home.

OP posts:
Alwaystired23 · 27/05/2024 21:10

I hope you know everything he said is total rubbish. My ex was abusive. That was his tatic too, I've been talking to my friends, they all hate you, etc. Please believe me when I say splitting up is the best possible solution. I would never have been happy. There is another and better life out there for you and the children.

TheShellBeach · 27/05/2024 21:10

Roonil · 27/05/2024 21:09

He’s sleeping downstairs and will be out early for work so I won’t need to see him/be near him.

I told him he had been cruel with his treatment of me the other night. He responded with whataboutery

I think it would be best if you didn't talk to him at all. It'll just upset you and it won't achieve a thing.

Roonil · 27/05/2024 21:11

Alwaystired23 · 27/05/2024 21:10

I hope you know everything he said is total rubbish. My ex was abusive. That was his tatic too, I've been talking to my friends, they all hate you, etc. Please believe me when I say splitting up is the best possible solution. I would never have been happy. There is another and better life out there for you and the children.

I know you’re right.

I'm just so, so sad that he cares so little about me.

OP posts:
OutOfTheHouse · 27/05/2024 21:12

Roonil · 27/05/2024 21:10

I will try to be.

He’s already talking about selling the house so the kids will be out of their home.

Don’t let him try to guilt you into letting him stay because of the effect on the children.

Roonil · 27/05/2024 21:12

TheShellBeach · 27/05/2024 21:10

I think it would be best if you didn't talk to him at all. It'll just upset you and it won't achieve a thing.

I agree, I won’t be talking to him again now before he goes.

I told him we need to stop having these conversations and try to get on as best we can for DC sake.

OP posts:
ciaopizza · 27/05/2024 21:15

Sorry OP, he sounds awful.

I'll be amazed if he actually goes though.

TraitorsGate · 27/05/2024 21:18

Get all your paperwork together and the children's, bank statements, mortgage, utilities bills, passports, marriage, birth certificates. Contact womens aid, ask for dv solicitor advice, call the bank and mortgage company, make sure he cannot access any of your money withdraw your money from any joint accounts, tell your parents, record him leaving, get legal and police advice about changing the locks. This time tomorrow your life will change 100 % for the better. Go on the benefits calculator and thank your lucky stars he's going.

Roonil · 27/05/2024 21:21

TraitorsGate · 27/05/2024 21:18

Get all your paperwork together and the children's, bank statements, mortgage, utilities bills, passports, marriage, birth certificates. Contact womens aid, ask for dv solicitor advice, call the bank and mortgage company, make sure he cannot access any of your money withdraw your money from any joint accounts, tell your parents, record him leaving, get legal and police advice about changing the locks. This time tomorrow your life will change 100 % for the better. Go on the benefits calculator and thank your lucky stars he's going.

Thank you, this is really helpful.
I can’t think straight at the moment

OP posts:
Roonil · 27/05/2024 21:23

ciaopizza · 27/05/2024 21:15

Sorry OP, he sounds awful.

I'll be amazed if he actually goes though.

He was definitely trying to force my hand and get me to end it. put up no fight at all (except to tell me why it’s equally, if not more, my fault that the family has fallen apart). So I think as long as he gets what he’s owed financially he won’t care, and will skip off merrily

OP posts:
TraitorsGate · 27/05/2024 21:23

Don't do too much, he'll be out tomorrow, make yourself a list, try and get some rest if you can.

Roonil · 27/05/2024 21:28

Thanks. I’m not going to attempt anything tonight, just processing. Feel like absolute shit

OP posts:
TraitorsGate · 27/05/2024 21:38

You will feel shit, it's normal, you've invested 10 years, it will get easier and you will have a better life, be kind to yourself and concentrate on yourself and your precious children. Take care, were here if you want to chat.

ReadingSoManyThreads · 27/05/2024 21:53

Once you are both living separately, you will feel SO much better. Sending virtual hugs and strength. This is definitely for the best, he's awful x

BirthdayRainbow · 27/05/2024 21:54

Oh just fuck off. It is not equally your fault never mind more than half!!

All projection.

Stripeysocks1981 · 27/05/2024 21:56

sending strength. You will be fine, I promise.

GreyBlackLove · 27/05/2024 21:59

Christ, he really is a dick. I'm sorry its come to this, and that you're dealing with it while unwell but he truly is dead weight.

I'd restrict conversations to the bare minimum, get your friends and parents updated so they can help and make sure you have any legal or financial docs looked out and set aside. Wishing you lots of strength here

TellMeWhoTheVillainsAre · 27/05/2024 22:00

He has to blame you. He has to make out like you're keeping him from his children. All this has to be your fault. Because if it's not your then it's his. If he doesn't see his children it's because he's a shitty father.

I'd suggest you go to a local Al-Anon meeting, or Narc-Anon. Your eyes will open to hear every story exactly the same as yours. The same lines. The same excuses. The same arguments.

Please don't try reason with him. Don't point out to him that he's being hurtful. A that is doing is giving him power over you. Grey rock this. It's so difficult but don't react. Don't respond. Don't get dragged into explaining yourself. Your children will be perfectly fine. They have 1 good parent. And you have people who love you. Your mother has already offered help. Take it. Your life will be 1000 times easier when you're free of him.

ArcaneWireless · 27/05/2024 22:01

You’ve had glimpses of his true colours OP. He’s giving it large in full technicolour and panoramic vision now.

This is initially going to feel like the most awful, unsettling time in your life but it will be the start of better times too. It just takes a wee minute to see it.

Mourn the man and the relationship you should have had, not this weak, nasty, selfish excuse of a person. He isn’t worth one of your tears.

One day, if it is anything like the experiences of so many of the women here, you will come to know that this was day when a happier life began for you and your children.

I wish you the strength to get through this and all the luck and happiness in the world. 🌻

MisterMagnolia · 27/05/2024 22:05

Oh, the ole, disconnected from his children bullshit! Poor chap. If only he could be the one to be up all hours breastfeeding! I suppose that it's your fault for not letting him breastfeed either!
You may well have PND and OCD and you may well be difficult to live with at times. That is a genuine mental health condition. It's not something that you can help. Unlike staying out all night getting pissed. He can help that!
He expects you to be supportive of his drinking and laddish all nighters, but what support has he actually given to you?
Has he helped you get more sleep by rocking the baby after night feeds, been there to listen and reassure you, tried to make a real effort so that you feel that you can trust him to look after the baby. Has he helped you to get the care that you need?
Also, let's face it, many men aren't actually that bonded with young babies, simply because they mostly need their mothers, mostly feed, cry, puke and poop and don't do anything particularly interesting. So of course it's not likely that he will have the same bond with a baby as an older child whom he can be more involved with and communicate with. That's really not uncommon. So for him to blame you for that and for having pnd is really below the belt! It is abusive behaviour and text book gaslighting.
And let's face it, he's not actually apologised for what he did. He turned around and blamed you. There was no sincerity behind it.
His other comments are pretty vile about having not wanted a second baby with you. So you not only forced him to have a baby, but you made him have one with you! Did he have someone else particular in mind to have his second baby with at the time? Of course not. But this is classic blaming you. Everything is your fault. Does he actually take responsibility for any of his own actions.

If your MIL dares to open her mouth to you over any of this, i would simply ask her what sort of man goes out on an all night bender and does not bother to communicate the fact with his wife who is looking after his baby and has covid and then responds with "cry me a fucking river!" Ask her if that is acceptable behaviour from a grown man. Ask her whether it is acceptable for him to say that he regrets having his baby and what sort of father says that?

You need to start batting his defensive remarks back. Just calmly tell him that its high time that he examined his own behaviour. Try to avoid arguments escalating though.

I cannot imagine how tough all this is for you right now, especially with such a young baby and COVID. You must feel absolutely exhausted. Could any family members come and stay for a few days to help you out?

I have a feeling that, in time, your anxiety, PND and OCD will lesson with him out of the picture. You will suddenly realise just how much he's been dragging you down.

Take care of yourself! Keep strong. Xx

MisterMagnolia · 27/05/2024 22:11

If you have the strength and are able to, have a quick hot shower and warm milky drink and get into bed. Dim the lights and out the radio on low as a quiet distraction or download the calm app. They have an emergency sos calm session which is just 4 minutes long and really helps. Then drift off listening to a sleep story. Focus on your health and on getting better. Right, off to bed now. Get yourself tucked up amd rested for the night. Goodnight! X