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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:
MeinKraft · 26/05/2024 15:37

Roonil · 26/05/2024 15:16

He has just messaged from wherever he is.

“Honestly
You won’t let me tell you how I feel.

I admit I’m far from perfect.

We can’t even hold down a conversation anymore.

Then you have the cheek to to say I don’t care”

Don't reply. Don't engage. Get the locks changed if you can.

Roonil · 26/05/2024 15:37

I will talk to him later about trial separation.

I think he will dig his heels in because he won’t want to give up house or (my) car.

OP posts:
Famfirst · 26/05/2024 15:40

I’m really sorry that you’re going through this. I’m usually in a minority of one when it comes to sticking up for men against the mumsnet mafia, but in this case, he’s got no defense. The way he’s treating you and messing with your head is awful, unfortunately whether you choose to stick with him or not is a choice that only you can make. If you do decide to cut your losses, your wee ones will be fine.

MrsTerryPratchett · 26/05/2024 15:41

Roonil · 26/05/2024 15:37

I will talk to him later about trial separation.

I think he will dig his heels in because he won’t want to give up house or (my) car.

Before you do this, gather all the important documents and items from the house.

Howbizarre22 · 26/05/2024 15:46

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Howbizarre22 · 26/05/2024 15:48

Roonil · 26/05/2024 15:37

I will talk to him later about trial separation.

I think he will dig his heels in because he won’t want to give up house or (my) car.

i wouldn’t even dignify him with a talk or a trial. Throw him out he needs a clear message you’re not tolerating that.

EatCrow · 26/05/2024 15:49

Could he be on cocaine? I had practically the same behaviour from someone close who was using at weekends. It was like they became another person, completely unfeeling, almost psychopathic. I felt utterly blindsided with their gaslighting and nastiness.

Roonil · 26/05/2024 15:51

EatCrow · 26/05/2024 15:49

Could he be on cocaine? I had practically the same behaviour from someone close who was using at weekends. It was like they became another person, completely unfeeling, almost psychopathic. I felt utterly blindsided with their gaslighting and nastiness.

Who knows, there’s definitely something not adding up about last night.
His mood swing has been unreal from yesterday, too. He wasn’t unhappy with me yesterday when he went skipping off.

OP posts:
holybaloni · 26/05/2024 15:51

Don't reply to his pitiful message. He is deflecting and making it all about him and his feelings to try and avoid the issue of his whereabouts (and lies). It's actually pathetic.
I wouldn't tolerate this. It sounds like he's up to no good.

EatCrow · 26/05/2024 15:53

Roonil · 26/05/2024 15:51

Who knows, there’s definitely something not adding up about last night.
His mood swing has been unreal from yesterday, too. He wasn’t unhappy with me yesterday when he went skipping off.

Looking back, he would be really happy and friendly just prior to turning into a bastard and I realise now he was coming up/looking forward to the high.

HandsDown84 · 26/05/2024 15:53

Roonil · 26/05/2024 15:16

He has just messaged from wherever he is.

“Honestly
You won’t let me tell you how I feel.

I admit I’m far from perfect.

We can’t even hold down a conversation anymore.

Then you have the cheek to to say I don’t care”

Hmm. Funny how "how he feels" is just a big whingey list of everything you're supposedly doing wrong.

TraitorsGate · 26/05/2024 15:57

What's the point in a discussion, you say he will dig his heels in, you'll get nowhere, what do you want, forget his needs and concentrate on your needs, whatever you say will be wrong. If he was that bothered or interested he would not have walked out again, I'd let him stew, you'll only upset yourself and be accused of nagging. Tell him if you want that yours both clearly unhappy, this isn't working, it's bad for the dc so you need time apart, it's easier for him to go and stay elsewhere, he's dragged your self esteem down.

CountessWindyBottom · 26/05/2024 15:59

Roonil · 26/05/2024 15:37

I will talk to him later about trial separation.

I think he will dig his heels in because he won’t want to give up house or (my) car.

I wouldn't dignify him with a talk. You are being gaslit and a primary example of that is coming here and asking if you are overreacting. You're not at all but you have been conditioned to think this way about yourself due to abusive, manipulative and unreasonable behaviour.

Louise0808 · 26/05/2024 16:00

Yeah, im going to say he's being unfaithful. Going off his behaviour, my ex was the same. Strangely enough, when you have children by them, some men, not all, they seem to see us as just the comfy frumpy mum who nags all day. Responsibility isn't for them, so YOU are instantly the problem and not them. Honestly, get rid. There are decent, honest men out there. He is not one of them.

AuntieMarys · 26/05/2024 16:00

What a cunt

Chocolateorange22 · 26/05/2024 16:01

Speak to womens aid about what rights you have about leaving him

Remove all your documents and sensitive info from your house and keep it at your parents

If you do kick him out make sure a trusted male is at the house and not yourself. Just so you don't feel pressured by his manipulation or gaslighting.

StormingNorman · 26/05/2024 16:03

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.

So he basically turns into a shitbag every time you have a baby?

This is one of the key times when abuse escalates as men take advantage of the vulnerability.

MILTOBE · 26/05/2024 16:03

Drink. Drugs. Other women. Total lack of respect. Aggression.

There isn't one reason to stay with this man.

I really do feel for you but he's taking you for a fool. He bought flowers so that your mind would turn to them when he stayed out all night. The flowers were to make you think he was a good guy while all the time he was planning his night out.

Stripeysocks1981 · 26/05/2024 16:07

Honestly just tell him to go. whats to be achieved by hashing it out? Can he say anything that will make you forgive him for yesterday? He isn’t even sorry! Your kids are little now but they won’t be forever, don’t allow them to be exposed to his disgusting abusive behaviour. You want different things. You want a stable family life he wants to be single. So let him. You’ll meet someone better I promise

WhosDrawnOnTheWallAgain · 26/05/2024 16:09

Roonil · 26/05/2024 15:16

He has just messaged from wherever he is.

“Honestly
You won’t let me tell you how I feel.

I admit I’m far from perfect.

We can’t even hold down a conversation anymore.

Then you have the cheek to to say I don’t care”

I’m not generally one for tit-for-tat, but just send him back his own simple reply “cry me a fucking river” then don’t engage with him any further.

Time to prioritise you and your DC.

Surely you realise that it’s time to get off the toxic merry-go-round and out of the relationship with him. For your DC and for yourself.

LizzieBennett73 · 26/05/2024 16:15

The moment you "forgive" shitty behaviour for the 1st time, you're effectively giving someone carte blanche to walk all over you.

He has absolutely no respect for you.

It's time to go.

Thevelvelletes · 26/05/2024 16:16

My first thoughts was coke and all that it leads to.
Erratic behaviour, unreliable, severe mood swings,nasty cunty rants etc.

TheTartfulLodger · 26/05/2024 16:17

It really does seem how previous posters say, he doesn't want to be a parent but he wants to force your hand so he can look hard done by and make you the unreasonable one. I honestly don't think a trial separation will solve anything. He clearly doesn't want to be with you. Maybe take the bull by the horns and just end it but do it smarter by waiting to clear your stuff out til next time he pisses off out. Then he can't go through your things and hide anything. Take your power back and stop playing the game. You deserve better. The kids deserve better. In fact I'd probably end it without even bothering to discuss it with him because he will only twist things anyway. You already know he will lie to his family and make you out to be the crazy one.

PotholesAnonymous · 26/05/2024 16:17

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

Oh my lord, your whole story is exactly how my son's father behaved. Laughing at me and everything.

It got worse, and worse, and worse I'm sorry to say.

We separated when our son was 7, after 16 years together. He carried on partying, he died at 41.

TheRomanticOutlaw · 26/05/2024 16:19

Awful, awful behaviour from this man. He was an absolute shit to you when you had PND (I had it and I wouldn't wish it on anyone) instead of giving you the support you needed and that any decent man would. You gave him another chance before, and now he's showing you he'll never change. Don't give him any more chances, you'll be wasting your time. You and your DC will have a better life without him, you really will. Not much else to add, except I'm so so sorry that you're in this situation, you deserve so much better xx