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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To feel like my partner isn't supportive ?

27 replies

Upplesnbananas · 29/06/2024 10:25

Apologies as this is going to be long.

So I've been with my Partner 3 years and have a 1 year old child. We had a rocky year last year ( no cheating or anything like that involved) so we both decided he would move out temporarily while we have a bit of space to fix things. It seemed to help and our relationship seemed a lot better.

In the last couple of months, he's had some unexpected financial trouble come about and its really affected him mentally. I've done everything I can to help, listen to talk, offer and help with solutions, help him out financially when he doesn't have it etc. I've taken on the lions share of childcare while its been like this. However his mother does help a lot with childcare, which is amazing. This is due to her being quite lonely and she enjoys taking care of her grandchild but it also gives me a break.

So, earlier this week a close relative collapsed and was taken to hospital for a suspected heart attack. Completely out of the blue, normally young fit and healthy. I don't have a big family so all of my relatives rushed to be by their side. I held off at that point as the drs weren't sure exactly what was going on but relative was stable and also I didn't have any childcare.

So 2 days ago, it was my relatives birthday. I wanted to go and see my relative as they are still in hospital and drs are still unsure of what is going on. I asked my partner if he would come and stay with the baby after work. He finished work about 4 and if he came straight after he would be able to get to me for 4.30. I was only going to go for a quick visit. He said to me that it was short notice and he had to go to the gym after work as it helps his mental health. I understood this but I asked if perhaps he could miss the gym for one day as he goes everyday and I've taken on the lion share of childcare for the last couple months. He told me I was selfish for even asking him to do that and no he wouldn't be coming. I didn't bring that it up again. I asked his mother, she also said no as she had been out all week and needed some rest at home. OK fine. I didn't go and see relative.

So typically, my partner spends the night from Friday evening until Monday morning. So yesterday, I asked if he would be coming after work. He said no, as he was going out for a drink with his mother and sister. I told him to have fun and I would see him Saturday at some point. Also yesterday morning, his mother messaged me asking how my relative was doing. I told her drs were still unsure and relative was becoming very stressed and anxious but still stable. She sent her well wishes.

So, at about 2pm yesterday I was told the news that drs thought my relative had a rare type of tumour. I'm talking the drs had never seen this this before. It affects roughly 3 in 100, 000 people a year. Prognosis is not great but tests are still ongoing. I become really emotional and asked my partner once again if he could come after work and pick up the baby. He said no, he had plans and wouldn't be changing them. I also called his mother, she didn't pick up. I asked him to ring her and she told him no, she was busy and she spoke to me already this morning so was very confused as to what was going on. How he said it made me feel like she felt I was lying.

At this point, I had enough and told him I didn't feel like he was supportive at all. I've done everything i can for him and I don't feel the same support. The phonecall didn't end well. In the end I asked a friend who dropped everything to come and take care of the baby while I went to visit my relative. It was a very emotional and hard visit as answers still aren't clear. My relative was in shock and very emotional. They will be getting a more in depth scan today to see if there may be cancer somewhere else in their body and would be getting results today.

During this time, I didn't hear from my partner until 11pm, he sent a message telling me he was thinking of us all. I had just got back from the hospital. I gave him a call and he was clearly drunk, I asked him once again if he could pick up the baby tomorrow. He told me that I was a very selfish person and he is depressed and I spoke to him horribly earlier that day. I apologised and said I was emotional and its a hard time at the moment. During the call his mum called him from the other room. He put down the phone. I sent him a text telling him I couldn't do this anymore, I feel like I've been pushed aside for everything and anything else and he does nothing to support me. He read and didnt reply.

AIBU?

OP posts:
Parker231 · 29/06/2024 10:28

What positive benefits does he bring to you and your DC? Sounds like nothing but drain you?

Hoardasurass · 29/06/2024 10:31

He's not a partner he's just a selfish gaslighting twat

InWithPeaceOutWithStress · 29/06/2024 10:34

That was a horrible read OP. Of course you aren’t being selfish to expect him to care for his baby. 💐

Testina · 29/06/2024 10:35

Jesus, what is the point of him? Have you actually dumped him with “I can’t do this anymore”? I really hope so.

Upplesnbananas · 29/06/2024 10:38

Yes. I've dumped him, I feel like he only cares about yourself. He can be like this but I would say within the last couple of months it's gotten even worse. Before this he was a great dad. I feel like he's used the excuse of being depressed to not take care of his child. I don't even want to get out of bed today. But I have a 1 year old running about who needs love and care. But he wouldn't understand that.

OP posts:
DeathNote11 · 29/06/2024 10:55

This man baby is being fussed over like a child by his mummy & can dip in & out of family life with you whenever he feels like it. He's got the best of both worlds & no intention of taking on adult responsibility. Get a calendar & sit with him to work out which 3.5 days per week he's having his child & do not budge an inch or accept any excuse of why you should do the lion's share. And stop thinking his mum is an ally, she's got HER baby back, so her interest in yours, especially now the exhausting toddler years are starting, will dramatically reduce.

Parker231 · 29/06/2024 11:13

Upplesnbananas · 29/06/2024 10:38

Yes. I've dumped him, I feel like he only cares about yourself. He can be like this but I would say within the last couple of months it's gotten even worse. Before this he was a great dad. I feel like he's used the excuse of being depressed to not take care of his child. I don't even want to get out of bed today. But I have a 1 year old running about who needs love and care. But he wouldn't understand that.

Your child will be better off without him but make sure you claim maintenance. He can’t run away from all responsibilities.

crimsonlake · 29/06/2024 11:21

You say you have dumped him...I hope you really have!
This man is not supportive in any shape or form, you deserve so much better.

Dinosweetpea · 29/06/2024 11:22

Absolutely dump him, sort out childcare arrangements and maintenance and don't budge on it. He's a twat. I hope your relative is as well as can be expected. Take comfort in the fact you have an excellent friend.

KimberleyClark · 29/06/2024 11:27

Oh blimey what a tough read. You deserve so much better than this selfish arsehole OP. So glad you have dumped him. Onward and upward.

mbosnz · 29/06/2024 11:33

He's an absolute bastard. I'm so sorry you are going through this with very little or no support, and hope you kick this shower of shit not just to the kerb, but over into the gutter, where he belongs. I wish you and your relative all the very best, and hope that you get over this terribly rough ground as lightly as you possibly can.

EliflurtleAndTheInfiniteMadness · 29/06/2024 12:02

If he was a loving partner he would have done what your friend did and drop everything and step up and help. You shouldn't even need to ask. I have more consideration for my ex and he's an abusive jerkm I wouldnt even need to be asked to mind our joint kids if he had a sick relative in hospital. Your 'partner' isn't even a half decent person let alone a loving partner.

allthemiddlechildrenoftheworld · 29/06/2024 12:03

@Upplesnbananas dump the whole family! that includes his mum. no grandparents right in UK!

TisTheSummerSeason · 29/06/2024 12:06

YANBU. The world doesn’t stop turning because you’re depressed. Things still need to get done and kids still need to be cared for.

whitebreadjamsandwich · 29/06/2024 12:09

He's not your partner. Get your cms claim in this weekend and formalise an agreement for how many days a week he has your child. He doesnt get to abandon his responsibilities

Upplesnbananas · 29/06/2024 12:50

Thank you everyone. I have spoken to him today and he's making himself the victim once again and telling me im a horrible and selfish person. So that's sealed the deal for me. I am done. He was with his mother at the time and I heard her talking in the back. Taking his side. I hate to admit it but I told him that they both could go fuck themselves and to leave me alone.

OP posts:
Luxell934 · 29/06/2024 12:58

Like someone else said it seems like he’s now in the position where he can dip in and out of parental responsibility as he chooses. That’s not a partner. Mental health issues affect most people but they still have to parent their child and be a responsible adult. The relationship is over, and you should probably stop relying on the mother for childcare, hopefully she still will want to facilitate a relationship for her grandchild’s sake but sometimes people do very strange things after their child splits from a partner.

Clarinet1 · 29/06/2024 13:02

He sounds totally irresponsible and a waste of space. However, as PP have said, don’t let him get away without paying proper child maintenance, taking into account if you have DD most/all of the time.
Probably best to get onto a lawyer first thing Monday.

Clarinet1 · 29/06/2024 13:02

Edited to delete double post!

BobbyBiscuits · 29/06/2024 13:07

He seems like selfish, petulent mummy's boy. He has no intention of pulling his weight or acting supportive. He seems more interested in his mother and sister than he does in you and your child. As for how unconcerned he was about your poor sick relative. Well, he sounds like a narcissist.
I'm so glad you dumped him. You deserve so much more from a man than that.

NeutralIsland · 29/06/2024 13:12

I'm glad you've ended things. It sounded as though the status quo after you'd stopped living together suited him perfectly -- he got to live with his mother and only see you and your child when it suited him at weekends. Is that why you thought the relationship had improved after he moved out, just because he had Monday to Friday entirely to himself while you looked after your child?

Normallynumb · 29/06/2024 18:06

I'm really sorry for your relative being so ill in hospital
The very fact he couldn't even show empathy for your situation says it all really
You and DC will thrive without him
Best wishes

Upplesnbananas · 29/06/2024 22:43

I think the reason why I thought the relationship improved is because I didn't see him during the week at all so I couldn't moan to him for not doing things he should be doing really. Sad when I think about it. I've blocked him and his mother. Only temporarily. The next few days. Right now I know I'm not strong enough to not give into him and listen to his sorry words and if his mother attempts to contact me and get involved, I know I will explode. So im going to take a few days to me and my baby and go from there. Hopefully even 1% stronger.

OP posts:
Upplesnbananas · 29/06/2024 22:44

Thank you for all your well wishes. Sad I've had more support from an online forum then my real life partner. Well..ex partner now.

OP posts:
Chicaontour · 29/06/2024 22:56

I am sorry that you got auch distressing news . Your babya father ( he certainly isnt acting like a partner) is using his mental health as an excuse to get out of the tough bita of parenting. Unfortunately he has shown you where he is when you need him. You deserve better. Sending you, your baby and sick relative positive healing happy vibes
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