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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

He cant commit.to being in child's life

233 replies

Confusedgal0001 · 05/04/2026 00:08

Me and my dp are in such a rollercoster relationship. When its good, its perfect. When we disagree. We disagree hard and it ends in nasty arguments. He has gotten more nasty and its like "anything goes" and he justifies it by saying I have wound him up. He never used to be like this but says its because I chipped away at him. Saying that, I wasnt the easiest at the start I did gaslight, and cause many arguments and broke up with him to get him to chase me to win me over. That was years ago. I am not that person. Now he says when I accuse him of stuff or nag him he thinks "not this shit and he shuts down". Ive told him it isnt helpful and he says thats my own doing.

After giving birth to our daughter and brining her home. I was floored with the emotion I felt. The love for her was and is something else. I didnt know I could love this much. I remember looking at her and burst out crying and saying to him "we will always be together for the sake of our girl, she deserves the best we need to promise that". A few weeks later, I asked him. What would happen if we broke up with our daughter. Would we coparent. Be on good terms, etc. He was immediately offended. He shut down got nasty. Telling me he "didnt know". I was gobsmacked, and demanded how he couldn't day he would always be there for her. He said he wants to say that but he cant predict an unknown future. He then said he doesnt want to think about breaking up and to ask that question is a red flag. I have continued asking, every few weeks, it has never say right.

Sometimes he will say, we would coparent if on good terms, then he will say he doesnt know how much he would see our baby as he doesnt have all the details (ie where I would be living. Etc)

Each time I get annoyed he tells me I am creating this problem and he doesnt ever want to split up. He said if we were splitting up we would discuss everything and that would include our daughter hut right now he cant give me an answer. I said why cant he said he would move mountains and do anything. He said he would do what needed to be done, what was the right thing for our daughter. He then says I have issues for talking about all of this and refuses to agree anything with me!! Is this not a red flag? I can honestly say that no matter what happens with us, I will always be our baby's mum and I ain't going anywhere. I will be in her life until I die. Why cant he say same?!

Thanks

OP posts:
TestingTestingWonTooFree · 05/04/2026 07:27

You both need to grow up.

SalmonOnFinnCrisp · 05/04/2026 07:33

You dont sound bonkers.

You sound postpartum and vulnerable with a partner you dont trust / dont believe you can rely on.

His viewpoint is reasonable though.
He is approaching with logic, you are approaching with emotion.
His view is You can't predict the future / never say never.

Honestly though if you look objectively at this... your ambition is to stay together.

Every time you insist on one of these stressful conversation you push him away / increase the risk of breaking up.
Not saying dont challenge him on anything ever. But right now its totally hypothetocal and circular and you should just drop it.

You do need to stay in work and ideally get married.
Having a child out of Wedlock is rarely a good idea unless you earn hundred ls or thousands.

BendingSpoons · 05/04/2026 07:57

You need to chill out on this one. I see your view - you love your DD so much and want confirmation he feels the same, but you are going about it in a strange way.

It's possible he does feel the same as you but is annoyed by the question. Unfortunately if people split up, practicalities do cause issues e.g. affording suitable housing near your job and your child. If you aren't planning in breaking up, why do you need to plan for it?

It's also possible he doesn't yet feel the same way. For some people that love is a slow burn, rather than a big rush, and that's ok. You aren't going to make him feel the way you do by badgering him.

You don't elaborate on his 'nastiness' but that is likely not ok. However it sounds like you are picking arguments quite frequently over pointless things, so you probably both need to look at your behaviour.

Greeao · 05/04/2026 08:33

@Confusedgal0001 I disagree with the other posters. I expect he is extremely hard work and provides no feeling of security for you. As someone who is a single parent with a man I tried for years to commit to me, I can say your child will be absolutely fine (mine sees their dad regularly but is fine with living with me).

Sartre · 05/04/2026 08:37

I hope you’re quite young and have room to grow out of this. It all sounds so intense and hyperbolic. You need to ground and level yourself for the sake of your child.

Confusedgal0001 · 05/04/2026 11:36

He has since proposed and has changed his will. I just find it strange he needs all info. Why cant a dad say he will be there no matter what?

OP posts:
DalmationalAnthem · 05/04/2026 11:49

Confusedgal0001 · 05/04/2026 11:36

He has since proposed and has changed his will. I just find it strange he needs all info. Why cant a dad say he will be there no matter what?

Edited

Have you found any of the replies helpful?

Confusedgal0001 · 05/04/2026 11:54

I have. I dont really know why I'm fixating on it. He usually gets annoyed as I come up with questions like what if this and what if that. He says I create fake scenarios and then dislike his answers. He said id be much happier if I didn't do that. But I am happy. I guess he has changed his answers so much I get a bit confused. I don't ever want to stay with him just so my baby has a relationship with him. I mean he is saving money for her now, opened private pension, he spoke once about private schools and I said "oh I see how invested u are, so u possibly wouldnt cut her off would u?" He said no of course not. When I ask why he gives a different answer he says he doesnt have time to talk about made up shit. Im either happy or I am not and I break up with him. He said he gets suspicious when I talk about that stuff. He says I am insecure

OP posts:
DalmationalAnthem · 05/04/2026 11:57

Yeah, you need to stop, if a man posted that he was harassing his girlfriend with theoretical scenarios every day he would be torn to shreds.

Speak to your doctor, you need to access help.

Candleabra · 05/04/2026 11:59

You sound very insecure. It’s not normal to go in and on about what would happen if you split up. Yes, it’s important to have a serious conversation once to plan for the worst to sort out finances and legal arrangements, wills etc in the event of death, divorce etc.

But you seem fixated. Have you been hurt by someone before? What’s driving this behaviour?

millymollymoomoo · 05/04/2026 12:02

You’re the problem here

what are you doing to address this nonsense behaviour of yours ?

Confusedgal0001 · 05/04/2026 12:04

Not hurt no. I dont know what's driving it. I just want the best for our baby and for us to always promise to be there. I dont get his hesitation. He said if we ever broke up it would be my doing as he doesn't want to break up yet I am planning for it. Whcih I am not.

OP posts:
Swiftie1878 · 05/04/2026 12:06

You said you were nasty a few years ago, gaslighting etc, but you’re not that person.
Im sorry, but you are EXACTLY that person.
You need to sort yourself out, stop playing games and focus on being a good person and role model for your child.
Cut out the mean girl nonsense.

Happytaytos · 05/04/2026 12:12

You're sounding cray cray.

Confusedgal0001 · 05/04/2026 12:13

How about if I told everyone I am the other poster that asked if he was abusive.

I am happy taking responsibility but he says its all me and his actions are reactions to me

OP posts:
Woodfiresareamazing · 05/04/2026 12:15

Confusedgal0001 · 05/04/2026 11:36

He has since proposed and has changed his will. I just find it strange he needs all info. Why cant a dad say he will be there no matter what?

Edited

What "all info" does he need, and why?

Beetlebum89 · 05/04/2026 12:16

DallazMajor · 05/04/2026 00:35

You sound unhinged.

This. And attention seeking.

Confusedgal0001 · 05/04/2026 12:16

Woodfiresareamazing · 05/04/2026 12:15

What "all info" does he need, and why?

Ie where i will live. What nursery she will be in, etc. Before he can say what time he can commit.

OP posts:
Swiftie1878 · 05/04/2026 12:17

Confusedgal0001 · 05/04/2026 12:13

How about if I told everyone I am the other poster that asked if he was abusive.

I am happy taking responsibility but he says its all me and his actions are reactions to me

You are being abusive. Messing with his head, constantly.
Stop it. Now.

Alpacajigsaw · 05/04/2026 12:18

Jesus Christ you need to get a grip pronto

RedBalls · 05/04/2026 12:19

Two weeks after your daughter was born and you asked him what would happen if you split up?

Thats, er, great.

StationJack · 05/04/2026 12:20

AlwaysLookOnTheBrightSideOfLife · 05/04/2026 00:56

You knowingly brought a child into this shit-show and continue to play games...poor little mite.

This. The problem, @Confusedgal0001 ,OP is you.

millymollymoomoo · 05/04/2026 12:21

He’s right ! It is all you !

Alpacajigsaw · 05/04/2026 12:23

Confusedgal0001 · 05/04/2026 12:13

How about if I told everyone I am the other poster that asked if he was abusive.

I am happy taking responsibility but he says its all me and his actions are reactions to me

What does this mean?

Confusedgal0001 · 05/04/2026 12:23

How do we sort it tho

OP posts: