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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

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Should he have come home?

588 replies

SpottyPony · 10/08/2013 11:16

Long time lurker, first time poster. I have written this several times and not had the courage to post as I am feeling very down and sensitive but could use some intelligent insight, the sort that I have come to admire on MN.

The situation is that DH is working away abroad, has been for the last 7 weeks and not due to leave for another fortnight. On Wednesday our DS (6mo) fell ill and was referred to hospital from the doctors. He was admitted and fitted with an IV drip for fluids as he was dehydrated from severe D&V which later transpired to be gastroenteritis. Very listless and crying in pain, I was hugely worried about him. I don't live in the UK and have no family around for support. I called the relevant numbers to inform his seniors what was happening and to let DH know too. I received a phonecall to say DH has been informed and is being offered a flight back the next day to be home and support us and to hold out for further information. I did feel bad for interfering with his work commitments but needed support, and also out of respect for him as a parent and thought he should be there with us.

He refused the flight. A friend even offered him his flight and told him he would fly out another date and that DH should be at home with us. He said he "didn't want to" and that he had "things to do". Their main purpose of being out there has now ended and is merely tying up loose ends and preparing to return home. He asked about DS once during his first day in hospital, the second day I heard nothing and had to contact him to inform him of progress. I have now not heard from him since my last contact to him, we have been discharged today as DS is a lot better. DH's last communication with me was to inform me I was being a nag, to leave him alone as he was busy and has since deleted himself from the apps that we kept in contact with and I am unable to get through to his phone when I call. I should mention that where he is has a good nightlife and he has been out several times since getting there, so it appears he is having too good a time to come back and support his family.

AIBU for thinking his main priority should have been to get home to his poorly son and to support me too? I don't know whether I'm sounding whingey and needy. There is a backstory so as not to dripfeed - DH has been at home for just 5 weeks of DS's life as he's been away with work so frequently, but when home he doesn't interact with him unless forced, ignores him during the night (has gotten up once during the night and that's when I literally begged him and he did so with very bad temper) and will leave him in dirty nappies if I'm not there as he "didn't realise he needed changing". He has several younger siblings and has been around babies a lot. He says as I'm on maternity leave, it's my job to do everything associated with looking after a baby and that he shouldn't have to do anything. This includes any housework and cooking as he says that's my role now. When DS was born he had to stay in ICU for 11 days as he didn't breathe for some considerable time after a traumatic 26 hour induced labour (which DH went home for the most part as he was tired) and he visited him 3 times during those 11 days as he "doesn't do hospitals", so it's not as if this uncaring attitude is purely caused by his absence due to work and not bonding properly with DS as it appears he's never cared from day one.

This is something I am prepared to LTB for as it's the last straw really. This is probably the longest AIBU ever typed so if you are still reading, thank you so much for your time.

OP posts:
MissStrawberry · 14/08/2013 10:38

He is throwing his toys out of the pram as you can't coming back in to line.

Ignore him.

Divorce him asap.

Start a fabulous new life and LIVE IT!!

OrmirianResurgam · 14/08/2013 12:12

I think he is probably telling the truth about all the messages from OW (plural). It's just too over-dramatic and absurd to be true. But the fact he refused to come back for DS, the fact that he is blaming you and failing to be remorseful AT ALL, means you are donig the right thing. Keep strong xx

qazxc · 14/08/2013 12:32

It doesn't matter if he's been with 1 woman or 100. The fact is he cheated. He treats you and your DS like shit. He is abusive on many levels.
What on earth does he mean about him collecting his posessions "that's not the way it's going to happen" does he actually think he still has a choice in the matter. I'm glad you'll have people there so that he'll have to keep his behavior in check.
I'm glad you are getting excited about the future, speaking as someone who used to be in an abusive relationship, when you look back in a few years you will wonder why on earth you didn't LTB before. You and your DS deserve so much better.

Ruprekt · 14/08/2013 13:26

What clam said. Smile

You have nothing of which to be ashamed.

Ruprekt · 14/08/2013 18:54

Dammit.... I killed the thread.

OrangeLily · 14/08/2013 19:24

Hi Spotty. How are you feeling this evening?

SpottyPony · 14/08/2013 21:02

Ruprekt don't worry, you didn't kill it! Smile

I am feeling very low and worthless. H has informed me that he has done this because I am boring, crap in bed, that I don't do anything for him anymore and he's been miserable for a long time. He says any man in his position would have done the same and I need to sort my life out in order to not "repel" any future men as it's the reason me and DS are leaving to go to a refuge. I know this is sticking the knife in as he's been caught and he is justifying his actions, I know. But the words still hurt and welfare advised me to keep communications between us open so he could state when he wants to see DS. So I am cringing whenever my phone goes off in case it's him being even more cruel.

He will arrive into camp at 10am tomorrow and go straight into an interview with welfare; they are making him sign a declaration witnessed by 2 senior members of the unit to state he is not to come near the house or cause any problems and if he does the RMP's will be called. I am wavering between being at home when he arrives for his stuff as I don't want him walking around taking what he pleases and me having no control over it, or being out at the time as I really don't even want to look in his general direction. I had the displeasure of reading many sordid messages last night that came my way from one of these vile women (this one at least is real as the photos were different than the first one and are all at different dates and times) and it went into graphic detail of him explaining what he was going to do to her that night and what he wanted in return off her. I can't shake the thoughts even though I'm well aware it's over between us. He was my husband and I stood in front of my friends and family and said vows that I thought would mean we were together forever.

I will update tomorrow with what happens after his stuff is gone, he wants to see DS apparently but I am feeling very protective over him and I also don't even want to look at H so I don't know how that's going to work out. I'm sorry everyone for being so flat and my former tone of optimism has disappeared, he has sapped the life out of me.

OP posts:
SpottyPony · 14/08/2013 21:06

p.s. sorry to those that have agreed with clam's message keeping it short and business like. I feel I have let you all down and I don't even know any of you! It was very good advice and what I absolutely wanted to do and would have made me feel loads better as I would have been so much more in control. Instead I let my feelings and emotions take over and I started biting back furiously which only made things worse. Sad

OP posts:
qazxc · 14/08/2013 21:12

Oh spotty I'm so sorry you're feeling so low. It isn't your fault, he is talking absolute bollocks. Maybe all communications should go through a solicitor so that he can't continue to abuse you verbally/emotionally the way he is now. Good luck for tomorrow. ((((hugs))))

qazxc · 14/08/2013 21:13

and you are not letting anybody down, you are coping remarkably well in an incredibly hard situation.

spottygoat · 14/08/2013 21:18

what a total wanker :(
Im so sorry he is being so nasy to you.
I would be there when he comes tomorrow. Make sure he doesn't take your laptop or phone if thas where you have all the messages saved.

Mum2Fergus · 14/08/2013 21:27

Hugs to you OP...we're all behind you xx

HoneyStepMummy · 14/08/2013 21:27

Spotty as awful as it feels it doesn't make much difference if he cheated with you on with one or ten women. He's vile. I'm much more concerned about the domestic violence.
I strongly urge you to send your DS over to a friend's house tomorrow. Have a couple of your friends and their husbands over for when he comes to get his stuff. Believe me- he is very likely to otherwise take whatever he pleases including your personal items, just to be spiteful.
You do not need to communicate with him. All communication can be done through a solicitor, or if you prefer a friend or family member such as FIL. He currently doesn't have any court mandated visitation in place so it really isn't your problem if he wants to see DS or not.
You are an amazing woman who has every reason to hold her head up high. I have never heard of a woman how has managed to get everything together and storted out all by herself so quickly, and with so much dignity.
Your ex sounds so much like mine. If it makes you feel even the tiniest bit better when I broke up with him I met lots of lovely blokes before I met my DH who is amazing and thinks both my ex and your H are total douchebags. I'm sending you lots of hugs from the other side of the Atlantic and will be thinking about you tomorrow.
There's lots and lots of light at the end of the tunnel for you and your little boy and it will come to you very soon.

KingRollo · 14/08/2013 21:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

takeaway2 · 14/08/2013 21:42

I'm so sorry he is being even more than an arse! I cannot believe the depth of his bastard behaviour. Shock

Please have someone or two with you. Maybe a husband and wife couple friend of yours. He might be better behaved if one of his colleagues is there as opposed to 'just the wives'....

Hang in there. This time tomorrow it'll be all over and it'll be the start of a new life for you and DS. Xx

Nadalsballs · 14/08/2013 21:55

Spotty PLEASE don't let this low life, idiot, twunt of a man get to you. You are in the right and we are all behind you. Bullies bully because they are weak and lack self-esteem and he sounds like a classic bully. You deserve a lovely life away from this negative black hole of man and so does your DS.

Do not let him see DS without you unless you are absolutely forced to do so through the courts. He has no interest in his son and may just want contact to get to you.

I'll be thinking of you tomorrow. Please let us know that all is ok. This WILL get better, soon.

juneybean · 14/08/2013 22:02

Ugh he wants to see DS now but he didn't want to be there when he was unwell. What a tosser.

KeatsiePie · 14/08/2013 22:09

You don't owe us a cheerful tone!

Okay, here's what I think:

1, time to get a lawyer. You do need a line of contact re: DS, but it does not have to go directly to you. Get a lawyer, tell H that arrangements for visitation will be made through your lawyer, give H the lawyer's number, and then block H's number for a while so he can't harass you directly. I really would do this right away.

2, do you have a local friend who could come and stand with you/be in the background while your H is in the house getting his things? That would be best. You shouldn't be there with no one on your side and no one (other than the escort) to witness how he acts.

3, can DS spend that time someplace else? It will not be good for H to see you and DS together. He will try to hurt or anger or scare you through how he talks to/acts toward DS. Do not give him that opportunity. If he starts yelling about how he has a right to see his son, just say "Of course you do. I will make visitation arrangements through my lawyer. Here is her card." If you don't have a lawyer by the time he gets there, say "I will email you her contact info." Repeat repeat repeat. Don't let him use DS as a tool to bully you.

Thinking of you x.

mammadiggingdeep · 14/08/2013 22:15

My jaw just hit the floor when I read what he said about u being boring, crap in bed....'repelling' the next guy etc etc. That is EXACTLY what my cheating ex said to me via text a few weeks ago....exactly.....u could have been repeating the texts I received!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm 5 months shot of him....been hard but I feel like a millstone has been removed. Btw.....he apologized afterwards and said he didn't mean it....they feel misplaced anger because they're not in control anymore. Good luck op.....keep strong
Xx

Monty27 · 14/08/2013 22:18

Why don't you leave his stuff outside with one of the welfare team so he doesn't have to come inside? Or pass it to them to give to him?

something2say · 14/08/2013 22:22

Ach what a wanker!!!!!

Listen xxxx

You must let him see his child. Fact. Don't be there, don't hand the child to him, get someone else to do that. Agree a time and report him if he comes back late. Don't take the child back from him, get someone else.

Re him coming into the house....have someone else there, pref two, maybe military men. And p,an something for after, because after will come about...

Re the messages, store but do not read. The truth is, as you know yourself, you married a wrong un, and here he is showing his colours. Twisting, lying, being cruel and mean. Avoid avoid avoid. You don't need to he's it. He may never be man enough to admit what he has done and say sorry.

You sound like a lovely decent young woman, he is a let down to you. Rise above. Look at him like a tiny little bull raining about in a tiny little pen, first this way, then that. He can't hurt you and it is his nature to be this way.

Look up nursing courses as well maybe xxx

InTheRedCorner · 14/08/2013 22:35

I'm so very sorry for you and please don't apologise for feeling so low, this is your thread, your place and somewhere you can truly be you and let your feelings out.

Viking1 · 14/08/2013 22:40

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Selks · 14/08/2013 22:56

I would say don't be there when he comes for his stuff, but if you really feel that you have to, PLEASE PLEASE make sure you have someone else there with you or he is liable to be abusive or violent. Please keep safe.

clam · 14/08/2013 23:03

I wouldn't have your ds around. That's not to say you should deny contact in the future; just that this is not the time for him to be playing Happy Families (hollow laugh. As if!) Whatever your son's age, you don't want to potentially expose him to violence or bad vibes.
He clearly couldn't give a shit about him anyway.

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