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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:
Justcallmebebes · 26/05/2024 14:50

He's been gone 24 hours. You have no clue where he is and what he's been doing. You're stuck at home with 2 v young kids. Are you overreacting, being harsh?

No. You're not. This is totally unacceptable on his part and I would lock the doors and have his stuff in bin liners on the doorstep

TheShellBeach · 26/05/2024 14:51

@Roonil Have you heard of DARVO?

TheShellBeach · 26/05/2024 14:51

Justcallmebebes · 26/05/2024 14:50

He's been gone 24 hours. You have no clue where he is and what he's been doing. You're stuck at home with 2 v young kids. Are you overreacting, being harsh?

No. You're not. This is totally unacceptable on his part and I would lock the doors and have his stuff in bin liners on the doorstep

He's back.

PossumintheHouse · 26/05/2024 14:51

So we're talking close to a 24-hour bender now? Is it possible he's gone out for another day of drinking? I would go fucking bonkers. Was his last contact with you to tell you to "cry me a fucking river"!?

JohnCurtice · 26/05/2024 14:51

You are hugely under-reacting.

Roonil · 26/05/2024 14:52

I told him if he wants to talk about how he feels he’s welcome to… another time. That we are talking about last night.

“you always do this, you interrupt me and don’t care about how I feel” was his response. He’s just walked out the door again laughing at me

OP posts:
Roonil · 26/05/2024 14:53

PossumintheHouse · 26/05/2024 14:51

So we're talking close to a 24-hour bender now? Is it possible he's gone out for another day of drinking? I would go fucking bonkers. Was his last contact with you to tell you to "cry me a fucking river"!?

Yes this was the last message I received before he strolled in about 15 minutes ago.

OP posts:
Musiclover234 · 26/05/2024 14:53

yeah of course it’s all your fault he stayed out for 24 hours. Big bad sick wife left at home with two small children.

Call his bluff, if you are so bad to live with tell him to leave. Would be less stressful on your own.

TheShellBeach · 26/05/2024 14:54

Roonil · 26/05/2024 14:53

Yes this was the last message I received before he strolled in about 15 minutes ago.

And he's now gone out again.
What a bastard.

TheCadoganArms · 26/05/2024 14:54

Never quite got the whole stay out all night with no communications thing. What kind of supposed grown up does this?

CharlieDickens · 26/05/2024 14:54

TheShellBeach · 26/05/2024 14:51

He's back.

Unless he was actually dead or dying there isn't a reasonable explanation for this behaviour and just because he's back doesn't make it okay. I think it's time for you to make a plan to get rid of him. Sorry you're having to deal with this. Pit yourself and your children first.

C0untBinFace · 26/05/2024 14:55

What a gaslighting a##hole. I had one the same as this, they never change.

PossumintheHouse · 26/05/2024 14:55

Roonil · 26/05/2024 14:52

I told him if he wants to talk about how he feels he’s welcome to… another time. That we are talking about last night.

“you always do this, you interrupt me and don’t care about how I feel” was his response. He’s just walked out the door again laughing at me

What an absolute premium twat. LTB with massive knobby bells on.

Lock the doors again and chuck his clothes out the window. I'm half-serious.

Roonil · 26/05/2024 14:59

Thanks for the replies everyone.

To answer some questions, yes I have a support network if I need it. I came very close to leaving him a few years ago and he turned really nasty. Won’t go into huge detail but he did things like - saying I was mentally unfit to care for DC (I had postpartum issues) and going through my wardrobe and hiding anything he had ever gifted me.

He promised to go to therapy etc etc and seemed to have an epiphany, so I (perhaps mistakenly) took him back for DC’s sake. Things were going great again until recently.

OP posts:
Roonil · 26/05/2024 14:59

He was in an amazing mood before going out yesterday, went out and bought me a huge bouquet, kept telling me he loves me. Smiling non stop. Now thinking he knew he was going to get up to something and was buttering me up.

OP posts:
CountessWindyBottom · 26/05/2024 15:00

Roonil · 26/05/2024 14:52

I told him if he wants to talk about how he feels he’s welcome to… another time. That we are talking about last night.

“you always do this, you interrupt me and don’t care about how I feel” was his response. He’s just walked out the door again laughing at me

I'm so sorry @Roonil. You're in an abusive relationship. And as someone said upthread the likelihood is that other women/drugs are involved. That's the least of your worries though because he is treating you with utter contempt and his behaviour is abusive, disrespectful and not at all what you deserve.

Please find it within yourself to kick him out and I'd make that permanent. You obviously want different things and this is no way for him to treat you and his young children.

TraitorsGate · 26/05/2024 15:01

Roonil · 26/05/2024 14:52

I told him if he wants to talk about how he feels he’s welcome to… another time. That we are talking about last night.

“you always do this, you interrupt me and don’t care about how I feel” was his response. He’s just walked out the door again laughing at me

It's time to tell him to f off then if hes so unhappy, can you be out when he gets back or are you not well enough. He sounds horrible and you're wasting energy and oxygen speaking to him, have you got family or friends to come and support you. Maybe he's just looking for a way out but hasn't got the balls so is just instigating arguments. Do you want to stay married to him or would you feel happier on your own without this nonsense,

CountessWindyBottom · 26/05/2024 15:03

Roonil · 26/05/2024 14:59

Thanks for the replies everyone.

To answer some questions, yes I have a support network if I need it. I came very close to leaving him a few years ago and he turned really nasty. Won’t go into huge detail but he did things like - saying I was mentally unfit to care for DC (I had postpartum issues) and going through my wardrobe and hiding anything he had ever gifted me.

He promised to go to therapy etc etc and seemed to have an epiphany, so I (perhaps mistakenly) took him back for DC’s sake. Things were going great again until recently.

Please PLEASE get out of this marriage. He's an absolute bastard. You don't have to tell him right away. Talk to Women's Aid, invoke your support network, get some money together and keep it all on the down-low until you are ready. But please leave him.

TraitorsGate · 26/05/2024 15:03

Roonil · 26/05/2024 14:59

He was in an amazing mood before going out yesterday, went out and bought me a huge bouquet, kept telling me he loves me. Smiling non stop. Now thinking he knew he was going to get up to something and was buttering me up.

He knew he was playing up and wanted to be the good guy so can blame you for nagging.

Lightfrost · 26/05/2024 15:03

OP you may not realise it, but by living with this man, you're living with constant low level anxiety, always alert and wondering when his next episode of awful behaviour will be. In addition, I bet you're walking on eggshells, questioning yourself endlessly and your self confidence is plummeting.

This is no life for you. It's only when you leave him that you'll realise how stressful life with someone like this really is. The freedom is wonderful, I'm speaking from experience

QueenMegan · 26/05/2024 15:03

Can you suggest a temporary separation say he's obviously not happy given his behaviour. Don't let him bland you.

Roonil · 26/05/2024 15:04

TraitorsGate · 26/05/2024 15:01

It's time to tell him to f off then if hes so unhappy, can you be out when he gets back or are you not well enough. He sounds horrible and you're wasting energy and oxygen speaking to him, have you got family or friends to come and support you. Maybe he's just looking for a way out but hasn't got the balls so is just instigating arguments. Do you want to stay married to him or would you feel happier on your own without this nonsense,

I will take the baby for a walk, but will have to come home. My parents said I can stay with them, but there’s not enough room for me & both DC really. They’re having eldest overnight tonight. Have no idea where he’s gone now. Asked him if he wanted to come for a walk to clear the air when he first came in.

OP posts:
peakygold · 26/05/2024 15:04

Babymamamama · 26/05/2024 14:46

It’s drugs or women (or both). Sorry OP.

Or the casino.

Sandwichgen · 26/05/2024 15:04

He has you very well trained, and every time he does this and you capitulate it reinforces his belief that he can do what he likes - and yours

break the cycle.

MrsTerryPratchett · 26/05/2024 15:06

Roonil · 26/05/2024 14:59

Thanks for the replies everyone.

To answer some questions, yes I have a support network if I need it. I came very close to leaving him a few years ago and he turned really nasty. Won’t go into huge detail but he did things like - saying I was mentally unfit to care for DC (I had postpartum issues) and going through my wardrobe and hiding anything he had ever gifted me.

He promised to go to therapy etc etc and seemed to have an epiphany, so I (perhaps mistakenly) took him back for DC’s sake. Things were going great again until recently.

Then you need to play the long game. Ducks in a row, develop a plan, find everything you need to leave, then leave. He's abusive so plan for that.

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