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Would you be comfortable with your partner going on holiday for 10 days 5 weeks post birth?

80 replies

Byamumx · 10/01/2024 15:42

Hey mamas x

Well my boyfriend is booked on to an holiday abroad for 10 days, 5 weeks post birth our baby (depending if baby arrives on due date) As we know there's up to 2 weeks over due dates.

His 1st & my 2nd. I have a 3yr old, full time no bio father/family input, due to serious DV in the past.

Now this holiday was booked before hand I am taking this into account which is causing me to feel bad.
We dated 3 months and then we have been officially a couple in a relationship 5 months. It's all happened very quickly!

So I am partially feeling super torn up because of the conflicting factors around this in various ways.

I am feeling super disheartened that he still very much wants to go, because he won't get this opportunity again.

If it was the other way around I wouldn't be leaving him with a newborn & toddler, he's acting like he wouldn't have a problem with this because being tired/exhausted is part of the parental package... Yes it is, yet he's not the one doing all the physical work and healing post birth either.

I don't usually mind about him going holiday and I accept this a part of who he is and what makes him happy and I wouldn't want to change this about him at all.
Its with this time frame, I don't feel okay about it...
I found newborn stage super hard last time being on my own, I had issues breastfeeding, there was health checks ongoing which meant hospital visits, I had PND, my 1st was admitted into hospital near the 5 week mark for 4 nights, and I have a spinal disability which impacts my mobility and was really affected post birth (lifting car seat, pushing a pram, holding baby etc) I lost so much weight fast due to the cluster feeding from 1st i wasnt eating well, drinkng well or sleeping, I was in a bad place.

I don't have a supportive network, my family are very limited and preoccupied with their own lives, it's extremely rare i am able to have some input. I barely have friends and those I have also have kids/families to look after

I don't drive, which my partner does, so I feel as though him being available during the first couple of months is important - like I feel sick at the thought of possibly no coping so well mentally/physically and he's videoing calling me in some hot country relaxing, or seeing photos or if baby is unwell and needs any kind of medical input, he won't be here to help with travel or with my 3yr old...
I feel very vulnerable around birth/post, because it can be so unpredictable! If I was to need an emergency c-section? Then recovery on top of a disability?

I am waiting to start adult ASD assessment for me and my son likely has the same, it can be challenging with him most days. My own mental health is delicate, (I do regular therapy)

Apart of me is upset because I feel there's still time to transfer another name on to the holiday (it's an all inclusive hotel) and this way he is choosing his partner/family 1st over a relaxing holiday (like he complains about spending long periods of time with his family anyway that's going, 3 members, he said he will be off doing his own thing most of the time because 10 days it to much with them, its just theyve paid for him)

I am struggling to accept that what is important to his wants in his life (travel) are more significant than his partner/newborn/family during a vulnerable time frame OF need

Its creating a massive gap between us at the moment.
I am spiralling into thinking I am selfish and unreasonable, yet I am not naive about how life changing a new baby is And the numerous nights I feel would have helped having a supportive partner

I have suggested that even we could save up for the same place, it might take a bit longer to go, but our children would get to go, plus he'd have a few days to still explore and then I could have a day while he looked after littles

And while I totally understand other people's circumstances in the sense that some people have partners that work immediately away post birth, etc and that must be hard, I wouldn't sign up for that Kind of relationship.
Yet to me career and luxury holiday are two entire different matters.

My 2nd baby dad is a full time uni student & runs a business himself, I support him and I am so happy too and take care of our children, he's got another 3yrs left of uni, so I know it'll be me doing most of baby raising anyway.
It's more that I feel like he's upping & going on a holiday break at a time I feel I will need him... and it hurts and no matter how disheartened I feel, there's nothing I can do. it just worries me about what standard I am setting for the long term of our relationship or getting myself iinto if I just submit and give in to his wants etc

And I've said even if he stayed behind and nothing major happens, then we have a week (that's already booked off work for him) to do things a family of 4, which could be as joyful & great!

I want to know how others would feel about this, I feel alone in my relationship atm, like I'm not part of a team and I am fearing that my objectives is pushing him away but at the same time I feel unsure about staying close to a man who may not have his priorities in check

Do i just let the fact that it was booked prior override how things have changed now? How ive also had to sacrifice opportunities as a mother/parent. I wouldnt be able to leave a 5 week due to breastfeeding, its not like he could feed baby etc and then theres not being able to pump until 5/6 weeks due to everything needing to regulate

Anyway, I will stop, I think you get the point I am upset and my head is all over. Sorry about the long length xxx

OP posts:
Dozycuntlaters · 10/01/2024 16:36

As a previous poster has pointed out he is in boyfriend mode rather than partner and father mode. To be fair, as you don't live together he's probably pretty detached to the whole situation, he may well change his mind once the baby is actually here and in his arms.

GKD · 10/01/2024 16:39

How old are you both?

In all honesty this relationship sounds doomed to fail, in the nicest possible way you speak(write) as if this is a long term relationship, whereas some jobs have Longer probation (Ie getting to know you) periods!

Are you sure you are compatible and have the same expectations?

AyeRightYeAre · 10/01/2024 16:40

My DH had to go away for work at about that time so I got my MIL to come and stay to help me out.

willsandnoodle · 10/01/2024 16:41

Can I ask how far along in the pregnancy you are?

If you're not too far I'd seriously consider a termination in this situation.

You said yourself your 3yo has no family from her dad's side, you're potentially going to get that again when this relationship goes south.

He's showing you he isn't ready for this with his actions. He is a student for 3 more years, and is already stressed.

You need a solid foundation to begin with to successfully parent together.

You and your current child would be better off out of this, and wait until you meet someone who wants to put you first.

Sageyboots · 10/01/2024 16:49

It doesn’t even sound like he wants to go on the holiday with his family, he just wants to go because it’s free. He’s showing you how little he understands what babies need, and how important you are in his life.

AllAroundMyCat · 10/01/2024 16:58

Let him go on his holiday but tell him not to bother to come back.

This relationship, if it actually is one, sounds doomed.

Byamumx · 10/01/2024 17:03

@AyeRightYeAre That's not an option in this case as his mum and her side (his brother, aunt with kids etc) live a nearly 6hrs drive away - they don't drive, well his aunty does but you can't expect her to abandon her own family of 5.

It's his bio dad, stepmum, step sister that lives nearby us, that he's going away with. So their not available either.

My mum isn't reliable in terms of support, she will half listen to me venting on the phone but her physical input with her grandchildren is near to none, she wasn't an emotionally warm mother during childhood.
There are abuse factors that enstray me from her as an adult.
Plus she would be cross if she was required in an emergency situation and would say "where's is dad, he should be helping you" she wouldn't be pleased.

She made this pretty clear the first time around when I had my first born in hospital at nearly 5 weeks old and I had to beg her own abusive ex at the time for a car journey to the hospital (finances strained me as I moved house 14 days post birth) plus my physical capacity was weak, I needed someone with me to carry car seat into the hospital/up the floors for me as I couldn't manage.

Like there's probably some traumas magnifying for me here too, in the sense I don't want to feel alone/helpless for support if I need it again at these vulnerable stages... Like mentally knowing I have a relationship with dad but then him physically being absent would stir up some ugly emotions.

OP posts:
plumberdrain · 10/01/2024 17:05

so he’s a full time student

so you work or study?

Whataretheodds · 10/01/2024 17:07

he's not awful
He is being quite awful.

if putting a part of himself aside for a tiny amount of time 10 days is a huge deal, then sticking to contraception would have been absolutely insisted on. I'm wondering why it wasn't but it's too late for that now.

No, absolutely I wouldn't be happy.

This relationship sounds dead in the water.

GreatGateauxsby · 10/01/2024 17:08

he is prepared to abandon you both for a shitty holiday in Tenerife???

the thought of moving it or not going didn’t occur to him???

He reckons that he would be very happy for me to go away 5 weeks post birth... ) He says he believes it would do me the world of good to go away and he would even help fund it for me!!

He’s delusional or disingenuous at best with this comment.

look OP… you’ve bred with a virtual stranger and that stranger is an idiot.
Sorry.

fwiw, if my husband went on holiday he would not be coming back into my home and go most certainly would not be welcome in my bed ever again.

Soontobe60 · 10/01/2024 17:12

OP, do you have a job?
How old is your boyfriend?
Who does he live with?
Do his family know you're pregnant?
From the outside, he comes across as someone who’s not going to invest anything into the baby when it arrives.

LLDMSO · 10/01/2024 17:12

Can you run us through the timeline?

You said it was booked before you got pregnant?

Byamumx · 10/01/2024 17:14

@willsandnoodle I am 22 weeks now! So I'm way too far along and I know it sounds mad, but, even when I found out, I couldn't bring myself to abort

(I did a termination 7 years ago and I numbed out my feelings) after my son, it all came flooding up and even sometimes now - the decision was in the best interest of baby at the time - yet I wonder boy/girl? What they'd been like as babies/toddlers👎🥲

I guess the obvious is jumping out at me now about how soon all this has been and I didn't see this part coming... Everything has felt so great for us and I genuinely thought we would be in this together.

OP posts:
Aquamarine1029 · 10/01/2024 17:15

I'm sorry, op, but you seem very, very detached from reality. You will be having this child completely on your own.

YoBeaches · 10/01/2024 17:22

I'm amazed that his only family havnt told him to change his plans. This all sounds very naive.

Is it feasible that the only person who wants this baby, is you?

Sorry OP, but not kinky is he not interested, his family aren't either. You're in for a long road of issues.

Safe yourself the hassle, make your feelings and his options clear. Let him choose.

auntyElle · 10/01/2024 17:31

Or worse, with an entitled man-child popping in and out as suits him.

JustACountryMusicGirlInCowboyBoots · 10/01/2024 17:40

Things won't get better with men like this. They are still too immature and it sucks but you can't change them into decent fathers. Dump him. Raise the baby on your own, officially, because you'll be on your own anyway. Don't let him attend the registering of the birth and make sure you give the baby your last name, not his. He's a feckless wanker and you'll be better going it alone. I'm a single mum of 3 and having my third child as a lone parent has been easier than having 2 when I was married to my own feckless wanker. Take care of you and your dc and leave him to his wankeringFlowers

Byamumx · 10/01/2024 17:45

@YoBeaches His family can be hard work, his father has tendency to use the suicide/health crisis manipulation card to have his own way a lot 👎 His stepmother just feels she is a supportive wife & she is happy with whatever perks they have in the marriage (like in any toxic relationship there's usually something that keeps a person staying)

And as far as interest, his stepmum has gone out of her way to say She & His dad would be grandparents to my 1st ... that he can call them "Nannie & Grandad"

I tried to explain I find this a very heartwarming gesture and I am open to this at my sons pace. That I want for him to understand his family dynamic in age appropriate chunks, that I may not refer to them as "nannie/grandad" for now as to not confuse him (he's 3) and with baby due, he may catch on anyway to them being called that in reference to baby

They kindly went out of their way to gift on his birthday and then Christmas, but crossed the boundary I set about them referring to "nannie/grandad" so soon, they signed the card as this, ( I read it as their names to him still)

Its not that I want to turn them down, it's just, I feel like the relationship with their son (my boyfriend) is new, and I worried if something didn't work out, it wouldn't be fair to confuse my son, he will assign people special names in his life as and when he understands and feels fit too... I do not hold expectation for him the same way I wouldn't push him calling boyfriend "dad" he refers him by name.... Similar, he might get curious when we say "dad" in reference to baby.

I'm not sure as of yet it boyfriend has mentioned I have objections about this holiday to them, if he's said anything or if he even dares to? Because their very good at getting their way with things and I'm not sure if they will attempt to guilt trip him as opposed to understanding this a precious time for him as a father and his own family he's started.

I do think with it being an all inclusive hotel in tennerife there's a possibility to have another person replace his place, especially addressed sooner than later.

I'm the instance that baby was poorly or even I was the day before he is due to fly out and suddenly can't, well then they will loose out on the money? Apparently £2k for him.
Hence I'm being a bit against being left so soon but I'm also thinking in pro active terms.

He would be sharing a room with his stepsister.

She's 29?

I said maybe his sister would like to invite a friend who would also love an opportunity
Or another family member (cousin etc)

His father is like an adult child, has his wife doing everything for him because she's his carer as well so he expects her to be there at his beck and call to support him. Fine if this works for their marriage like. But yes, I have mentioned to boyfriend I have reservations about how much they will support us and that I feel somewhat at discomfort about our baby being left in their care, especially with his dad having "suicidal tenancies" even if they are put on and self seeking tactics that he's never acted on.

Quite the bunch eh

[ for those asking, he's 27 & I'm 25]

OP posts:
JazzFourth · 10/01/2024 18:01

Op, I think you need to mentally prepare yourself for a life without this man. What were you thinking getting pg so soon. I mean, what's done is done and you'll get through it, but your life will run more smoothly if you take control and make mature considered choices moving forward. This man is not a partner, he is an immature boyfriend and you are going to have to pick up the slack for your children.

To answer your question, no, I wouldn't be comfortable with this. My Dh had to go on a rare but long arranged and v important 4 night work trip when I was 5 weeks pp. It was a great opportunity. He could have avoided it in extreme circumstances but at significant cost to the business and probably his career, and we discussed it and I encouraged him to go. He did and we coped fine, but it should have been 6 nights he did crazy travel logistics to get back to us as soon as possible and it wasn't just a jolly. Sunning himself in Tenerife? Lol, no.

YoBeaches · 10/01/2024 18:22

OP the boyfriends parents presumably know when the baby is due, or, they can do basic maths.

Your entire response is riddled with what ifs on the basis the 3 of them have no cognitive capacity whatsoever.

You are having a baby, none of them should support BF not being there when baby is born or in the immediate weeks afterwards.

But they are, and you're finding excuses as to why that behaviour might be ok.

It isn't.

You're on your own.

turkeymuffin · 10/01/2024 18:44

This is a crazy situation to bring a baby into

According to your OP you have

A history of abusive / toxic relationships
No contact with your own family
Fragile mental health
History of post natal depression
Possible ASD
A 3yo with possible ASD / other additional needs
Moved from meeting a new bloke to having his baby within a couple of months
Chosen a new bloke who has toxic background with his own family and brings you more chaos rather than stability.

Where are your priorities here? Your 3yo needs stability and a mum who works to keep herself healthy (physically and mentally) and provides what he needs.
He does not need you spending your time and energy chasing a guy who's clearly not that interested in you.

You need to learn to be on your own. Try the Freedom programme online. And for fucks sake stop having unprotected sex with strangers.

GardeningIdiot · 10/01/2024 19:58

His father is like an adult child

And now you're having a baby with the adult child son...

GreatGateauxsby · 10/01/2024 20:15

This is going to be your theme song for the next 18m or so…

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=imi9Smkt_cI

I really recommend you just start making your own plans… you are seemingly the only adult in the room.
In a few months you are going to be completely responsible practically, emotionally and probably financially for 2 under 4…

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https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=imi9Smkt_cI

swedishmom24 · 10/01/2024 20:29

This is absolutely bananas.

If I were giving him the benefit of the doubt, I'd say maybe he doesn't fully appreciate how tough the postpartum period can be...

But then you said he told you you'd cope if you were a single mum, so he's just a selfish dick.

If it were me, I'd appeal to his better judgement and tell him how much I'll need his physical and emotional support and ask him very seriously to be there for me.

If he wasn't willing, I'd be re-evaluating the relationship. I would also be getting on contraceptive the second I'd given birth.

Bunnycat101 · 10/01/2024 20:32

I also think you’ve been very naive here OP but in part your background will have messed with your sense of boundaries. What matters now is you prioritise the needs of the 3yo and baby and if that means doing it alone then that may well be it. He’s young and sounds completely bloody useless but you also sound like you let him into your life incredibly quickly and have now brought another child into the picture with a man who doesn’t really give a shit.

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