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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Should I allow ex at birth?

30 replies

RusticLove · 20/02/2022 09:12

This is my first thread so unsure if it’s the right place and sorry it’s so long winded.

I unfortunately had to ask the father of my children (one is 3, one due in April) due to ongoing drug usage (prescribed and none prescribed medication abuse) In November.

He left and moved back his parents miles away from where we live. November - January he was trying to have constant contact with myself and my child stating he is sorry and wants to be present in all our lives and will move back up here. I was cold to the idea as I was extremely hurt he would put us in a position of social services becoming involved due to being reported for drug induced behaviours. I also reacted to some abusive things he said with reactive abuse. I did say some vile things. Have since apologised for though.

In January I became aware he is seeing somebody else, 10 years younger, and has since withdrawn contact from our first born. Speaking to her on facetime maybe once a week, at a specified time that’s suitable to him.

He recently attended a scan (i paid for his return ticket as he isn’t financially stable) he looked poorly, physically and opened up to me about his emotional turmoil. Our time together felt like we were back together, hand holding, kissing, reminiscing about the past. He stated he no longer speaks to the other girl and some other derogatory remarks. He admitted she wasn’t aware we had a child on the way and only about our first born.

When he left, i stupidly checked social media to see he had instantly gone back to the girl. Emotions got the better of me and i messaged her stating how he had been with me and how it is unfair on us both. She replied stating she knew he had come to see his child and doesn’t want to be drawn any further into our past relationship. I statee he came to see the unborn child, and he had said some some not very nice things and I feel i need to stop contact again due to him playing with my emotions. She stated we have to put our personal differences aside for the child. Not children. Almost as though she isn’t acknowledging me stating one is due.

She then uploads a photo of them both swearing into a camera. Little dig at me? maybe i’m thinking too much into it.

Even though he hasn’t been consistently present in my first borne life she adores him, always talks about her Daddy. How much he loves her and will ask to ring Daddy several times a day. Over the past week since he attended the scan I have tried to engage him in conversion regarding visiting her, and speaking to her on the phone and I have been told it’s not convenient or he will discuss it with me later. Never happening.

What i’ve come to ask, after a small explanation of recent events, is should i have him present at the babies birth due in April? I know he will be physically supportive but am i setting myself up for a fall? If he does make the birth (he is miles away and not financially stable) i have to remind myself he is with somebody else and will leave me alone with both children shortly after birth.

I still have extremely strong feelings for him despite everything. I would love for us to be a family again. He knows this too.

Does anybody have experience in having their ex partner at the birth of their child knowing they will leave shortly after?

Sorry for the rant, i’ve tried to make it as quick as possible

OP posts:
GeneLovesJezebel · 20/02/2022 09:14

I wouldn’t if I were you.
Are SS involved ? If so, have they set any restrictions ?

LightDrizzle · 20/02/2022 09:18

No.
He’s not good for you or your children. You need to work on detaching yourself from this man.
As SS are involved you could ask if they can direct you to a counselling service. He sounds a total mess.

SockQueen · 20/02/2022 09:29

Nope. Not a chance. He's lied and lied to you and is probably still using.

passionfruitpizza · 20/02/2022 09:34

No. I wouldn't rely on him actually turning up. I wouldn't want memory of childs birth to have him in as I don't get the impression he'll be in their life much. He's also treated you really badly.

lunar1 · 20/02/2022 09:35

No, it's too vulnerable a time for you. The rush of emotions at the birth will make it very difficult for you to make rational choices. Ask someone you can trust to support you.

Homeatlast2 · 20/02/2022 09:35

I would not. You said yourself social are likely to become involved. It's just not worth it . Do you actually let your dd ring him several times aday?

Hes playing with you . Honestly step away and concentrate on you, your pregnancy and your dd. Possibly set days that dd talks to him. And leave it at that .

RusticLove · 20/02/2022 09:36

SS opened and closed the case. We were actually on holiday (myself and my child) when the worrying incident occurred (he broke a window and downstairs in the communal area of my apartments and somebody reported they heard our child crying) they spoke to her nursery and childminder and they had no concerns. They are also aware i asked him to leave after this happened.

He states he isn’t using where he has moved too, is bettering his life with his new partner, applied to college and is attending counselling/therapies.

I’m so hormonal and feeling so so alone. Without the drug usage he is amazing.

I stupidly thought he would make active changes and come back, i never expected him to meet somebody else.

OP posts:
RusticLove · 20/02/2022 09:38

@Homeatlast2

I don’t let her, I do my best to distract her when she asks. He told her around two weeks ago she could visit him, where he now lives and she says “when can i go to ???” I say soon and move the conversation onto something else.

As we all know. 3 year olds are very easily distracted but like elephants! They don’t forget a thing!

OP posts:
HomeHomeInTheRange · 20/02/2022 09:48

No.

And I know it is difficult but you need to sort out your feelings. You sound attached to memories of the good times and a fantasy ‘if only…’ about a future based on those rose tinted memories. Mixed in, possibly, with feelings of you could save him, support him to change…

We do grieve for what might have been, but he has not changed. He won’t change. How could he blow hot and cold over his child like that?

She will be affected by his coming and going and you need to protect her by not trying to keep him on your emotional string.

He is a liar, a drug user and a liability.

Find a strong network of friends and family and develop some independence . choose a version of godmother as your birthday partner.

You will be so much stronger.

LightfoldEngines · 20/02/2022 09:50

Fuck that OP, he isn’t stable, he isn’t reliable, and how would he even get to the hospital without you funding it?!

Get someone who you’re close to.

I laboured alone and honestly, best decision I ever made.

HomeHomeInTheRange · 20/02/2022 09:50

I would be clear with your Dd.

“Daddy loves you but he doesn’t live in the same house as Mummy any more. You will be able to talk to him in a week or so”.

Kbyodjs · 20/02/2022 09:53

I don’t think he is amazing without the drug use; if he was then he wouldn’t be treating his 3 year old like this and how he has recently treated you.
I think if he is at the birth you’re setting yourself up for a fall; if he was committed to your family and getting himself well then he wouldn’t have started a relationship with someone else.
You need to put him to one side and focus on your children and yourself

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 20/02/2022 09:57

Have someone with you that will support you 100%. You mum, your friend, a doula etc. Not someone who let's you down and ignores your child.

Good luck.

Aquamarine1029 · 20/02/2022 10:00

Absolutely NOT, and you have got to start using your head. You should be anywhere near this man and neither should your children.

BluebellsGreenbells · 20/02/2022 10:02

I’m not sure why you would drag the new woman into this mess? Please stop. It has nothing to do with her and it’s just adding more drama.

He’s not interested. He’s with someone else, he’s addicted to drugs and crap with money.

Why would you want this man in your childrens lives?

HoppingPavlova · 20/02/2022 10:07

Uhhmm, why do you want him? Sounds like an albatross.

Rainbowqueeen · 20/02/2022 10:08

Someone who was really interested in his children would be trying to find a job in your local area and staying close by. Not investing all their time in a new partner. This guy will let you down over and over.

You need to find alternative support and detach from him. Best wishes. It may feel hard but it will be worth it in the long run. And he has no business telling your DD that she can come and stay with him soon without discussing it with you first and having a plan in place. That is just cruel

RusticLove · 20/02/2022 10:24

@BluebellsGreenbells I know, i knew the moment i messaged her that i had done something i shouldn’t of. I am aware i shouldn’t stalk social media as i’m looking for something i know will hurt me. It’s self harm in a way. I am trying to make active changes to stop doing this.

I am utter emotional turmoil about what the “right” thing to do is

OP posts:
BluebellsGreenbells · 20/02/2022 10:30

The right thing is to plan the birth you want, have who you want there. He’s lost his vote. You don’t need him particularly there are plenty of people who would support you if you asked them.

edgeware · 20/02/2022 10:31

no

Longdistance · 20/02/2022 10:42

Absolutely not! If SS are involved then it's a no as they will take it to the next level with you. I'm not sure what you want from this car crash. It's got never ending disaster written all over it.

cunningplan101 · 21/02/2022 11:27

@RusticLove you were very strong asking him to leave when you did. You still had feelings for him but you put your family first: you asked him to go because you knew that was best for your daughter.

You hoped he would sort himself out and step up so he could come back and support you. If he was a good man, worthy of you and of your children, he would have done that. But he didn't. In fact, he's done the opposite. He's putting you through this emotional turmoil at a time when any decent man would be being kind to you. On top of pregnancy hormones and stress, and being essentially a single mother now, you have to deal with his nonsense. It's totally unfair and shows he is not a good person to be in your life or your daughter's life or your unborn child's life.

You need to be strong again for the sake of your children. They are lucky because they have a strong mum and you have already shown you can prioritise them. You need to keep doing that. Don't ask him to the birth. He doesn't deserve it and it will only make it more difficult for you. Concentrate on you and your children. You have the strength to do that. Reduce contact with him as much as you can while you heal.

SmallThingsEverywhere · 21/02/2022 11:33

Definitely not. This man will drag you down. You need to put you and your kids first, not some drug addict waste of space. SS getting involved again, if you allow him back into your life, will not end well. Can you ask a close friend or relative to support you during the birth?

Chocaholic9 · 21/02/2022 11:36

No, don't allow him at the birth. As a PP said, he will only drag you down. I think it's time for you to move on from this absolute waste of space of a man.

Chocaholic9 · 21/02/2022 11:38

@RusticLove

SS opened and closed the case. We were actually on holiday (myself and my child) when the worrying incident occurred (he broke a window and downstairs in the communal area of my apartments and somebody reported they heard our child crying) they spoke to her nursery and childminder and they had no concerns. They are also aware i asked him to leave after this happened.

He states he isn’t using where he has moved too, is bettering his life with his new partner, applied to college and is attending counselling/therapies.

I’m so hormonal and feeling so so alone. Without the drug usage he is amazing.

I stupidly thought he would make active changes and come back, i never expected him to meet somebody else.

He isn't amazing, though. He sounds an absolute mess.
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