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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

I'm thinking of leaving :(

39 replies

Hazeleyedbaby · 18/07/2010 23:30

This is my first post but been lurking for a while, I'm hoping people can give me their honest views/advice?

Bit of background - I have been with DF for 4yrs have an 8 month old DS who is my whole world and I adore him. DF is a good dad in that he does nappies, will do the night shift when he is off work, bath him if I ask etc.

The problem is I really don't think I love Df anymore and I am thinking of leaving him, he doesn't seem to have any ambition (been in the same min wage job for 20+yrs) he is very intelligent but has no ambition whatsoever which I find soul destroying, on his days off we never go anywhere or do anything as a family unless I nag, he prefers to watch TV all day and sit on his laptop with is so boring!

About a month ago I was helping my mum out so DF was looking after DS and I asked him to give him his dinner at 5.30pm, bath 6.30pm and I would be back to give him his bottle for bed. Anyway I get home at 7.10pm and DS is screaming the place down, DF is trying to feed him and he was shattered so I went off on one asking him why on earth was he feeding him so late and asked had he been on his laptop again, which he denied. I could tell he was lying from his reaction so I checked his comp history and I was right, instead of feeding our son he was on bloody porn sites! I was fuming (must add that I don't have an issue with porn as such but prioritising it over feeding our DS was unbelievable). I didn't say anything to him the next day and he went to bed early saying how tired he was, but I noticed the modem lights flashing so again knew he was online so I checked the history of his comp and he had been on webcam chat sites (I feel deeply offended that he would rather be on these sites talking to strangers than be with me). A day or so later he was showing me a pic on his phone he had taken of DS and his gallery of pics came up and I could see pics of girls so I challenged him to show me and it was screen shots of the girls he had been chatting to online. He said he took them to wind a guy up at work about the girls on the site and swore he had only just found the website - which I knew to be lies from his comp history. Anyway I also confronted him about the porn when he should have been feeding DS and he swore over our sons life he wasn't online until I showed him the proof. I am so upset with him doing that, it is unforgivable

Anyway the relationship has been quite sour for a while now, I had PND and don't feel he supported me much, I feel resentful that I have to do all his washing, ironing etc as he leaves everything at his backside, I blame his upbringing as his mum does everything for his dad.

I also want to move as no longer feel a flat in a town centre is a good place to bring up DS - I want a garden for him to play, a property in a quiet location away from pubs and busy road but DF does not want to sell the flat (in his name) as we spent a lot of money on doing it up to a high standard, he has no motivation to do any DIY at all etc and think the flat is a good place for DS!

I went mental at him over his lying and told him I no longer wanted to be with a liar, took off my engagement ring etc but he is acting like nothing has happened!

I think I am going to leave him but feel guilty that DS would grow up in a broken home although DF would still live in the same town and I would never stop him seeing his son, the opposite in fact I would always encourage it.

Am i being ridiculous to leave what is an unfulfilling relationship where I feel I am not respected, and no longer find my DF sexually attractive - BTW we have not had sex for months as the relationship is on the rocks and he is in the spare bedroom for his snoring.

Any advice? Sorry this post has been so long but it felt good writing it all down!

OP posts:
teaandcakeplease · 19/07/2010 13:42

Sorry I meant Hazeleyedbaby not Ginnny

Sorry I have a headache today.

grannieonabike · 19/07/2010 13:50

Think long and hard.

If you left, where would you live? 'support from mum and aunt' - what, exactly, and how long for? You might find things are much worse on your own, in spite of their support.

What you do when you leave someone is exchange one set of problems for another. However, it might be worth it in the long run. I know it's sometimes easier being a single parent and free from the resentment of living with someone who doesn't pull his weight.

More, much much more than anything else, though - how would it affect your son. Have you got any experience of broken families? Obviously if a partner is violent, or you're having blazing rows, then it's better for everyone for you to split. But in my experience, whatever we tell ourselves, the kids do suffer when their parents break up. Some kids can handle it - and often grow up into mature, thoughtful adults, who use their insight in their own relationships. But some don't. Most kids, given the choice, would want their parents to sort their difficulties and stay together - but not if they hate each other.

I left my husband, and am a single parent which is why I'm writing this. I put my own kids through it and feel very guilty about it. Always will.

Having said that, we're all happy now. It took eight or nine years, but, yes, it was worth it for me. Probably not for my kids.

No-one would want you to stay in an unhappy situation. Is there anything you could do to make it better, rather than leave? Maybe you should talk to him. Is he aware of how serious you are? Is he capable of changing?

Good luck.

grannieonabike · 19/07/2010 13:58

For your own sake I think you should do everything possible to try and make the relationship work before you leave - just so that when you look back you don't feel so bad ...

teaandcakeplease · 19/07/2010 14:08

I'm a single parent too, slightly different reasons, as my H went off with a 21 yr old after a porn addiction problem before hand and was also a liar. So my advice is tarnished by my experience of course.

The thing that concerns me Grannie is this sentence in her original post: I went mental at him over his lying and told him I no longer wanted to be with a liar, took off my engagement ring etc but he is acting like nothing has happened!

He's not making an effort to change or appear remorseful. It takes 2 to make a relationship work. Your post is very well thought out and considered and is very wise. But I am rather concerned at the fact he seems to be making no effort to change or discuss the issue. You can't sweep it under a rug. It is worth trying to save the relationship if you're both prepared to work at it but I don't think he is going to or be prepared to make the necessary changes. But I maybe completely completely wrong. I suspect whenwillifeelnormal or someone similar will be along tonight with far more wise words than me though but I really liked your post Grannie and do agree it is well worth working at it and staying together if possible but only if the relationship can be a happy and fulfilling one where she is treated with respect and their son is put first and foremost before Porn.

grannieonabike · 19/07/2010 15:09

teaandcake I agree with you. Also:

"I know you want a stable father figure for your kids, but it is equally important that your children see their mother being treated with love and respect, both by a partner and by herself.

The message we send to our children when we sell ourselves short by accepting far far less than we should can have a profound impact in how they see themselves as adults and their expectations from relationships.'

from your first post.

Yes, it is about putting the child first. But also about looking realistically at a situation. Some people can't/won't change. Some relationships can't be happy and fulfilling (certainly not all the time) - but the alternatives could be worse.

Hazel - you've got a lot to think about. But we're rooting for you ...

AnyFucker · 19/07/2010 15:56

oh, and does your baby really have hazel eyes ? sounds gorgeous..

rita2007 · 19/07/2010 16:15

hazeleyedbaby, it does not matter what others think - you should think of you and your child only. people talk..... and when there is something more exciting they will move onto that. let them talk. you care about those who care for you and are there for you, not the peoplewho just talk and criticise anyhow.

and wow - he is 45 yrs old and acts that way. eeeek!

life is too short to be unfufilled and as a parent you owe it to yourself to be happy and at peace, so you give yourself as the best mom for your little one.

i wish you love, happiness and peace. enoy this gift which is life )

SassySusan · 19/07/2010 17:17

Message deleted

Nemofish · 19/07/2010 17:35

buttonmoon - quite right, porn's cheaper than crack! I just meant that it is innapropriate to be surfing, erm, right handed, when you are meant to be bathing, feeding and looking after little ones...

However I have had a relationship with a porn addict, so my view may be very slightly skewed...

Hazeleyedbaby · 19/07/2010 20:07

Thanks for the advice - I will take it all onboard.

And AF - yep he has the most gorgeous hazel eyes!!!

OP posts:
AnyFucker · 19/07/2010 21:11

awww < melts >

Hazeleyedbaby · 19/07/2010 22:17
Grin
OP posts:
Hazeleyedbaby · 20/07/2010 23:10

bump.....

OP posts:
teaandcakeplease · 20/07/2010 23:43

How are you today Hazel?

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