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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:
DontstepontheMomeRaths · 19/08/2013 06:21

Hi spotty, I thought the mucking out of the stables was a great idea. Fresh air and keeping busy.

How are you this morning?

Tortoiseonthehalfshell · 19/08/2013 06:45

Spotty, I've been lurking and not yet posting, but I can't not jump in and tell you how incredibly you're doing.

You sound to me like you're going through the seven stages of grief, and not surprisingly so. And I agree with whoever said that your parents are serious alcoholics and are utterly terrified that having you stay with them, even for one or two nights, will 'out' them. Thank goodness for your sister, I'm so glad that there's one healthy friendly person in your life in all of this!

You and DS will be fine. It's awful that this is the start to your relationship with one another, but it's a lifelong relationship, and you're doing a fabulous job of ensuring that it endures.

Mum2Fergus · 19/08/2013 19:40

How has your day been Spotty?!x

DontstepontheMomeRaths · 19/08/2013 21:59

Spotty please do not be put off posting due to mumsnets usual caveat.

Hope you're ok.

Ledkr · 20/08/2013 05:39

Spotty.
It is completely normal to have those sad feelings at times about your marriage failing and your dreams being ruined.
Then something happens and you get back to familiar anger!!
Just let those feeling wash over you as it's all part of the healing.
You really are amazing for your age, many women twice your age stay in shit situations.
Well done for refusing to accept it and taking a chance at a better life for you and your baby.
Ps. I also trained as a nurse after I'd left a dv relationship.
I had 2 under 3 and was 20 but it was a great course and I really enjoyed it.

qazxc · 20/08/2013 08:01

Hi spotty,
The emotional rollercoaster is entirely normal, you just have to go through it not try and censor yourself as to how you think you "should" be feeling. hope all is going well, i know that packing can be a nightmare.

SpottyPony · 20/08/2013 10:08

Morning all,

More things have been sorted out, more furniture sold and DS's smaller clothes put up for sale to lessen what we have to travel with. I have a very heavy feeling in my heart, I feel like I am mourning as other posters have said before and know that this is another stage of it. It's as though I'm doing everything in slow motion and I struggle to find the energy to do the most menial of tasks but I am getting there.

Yesterday was a quite turbulent day. Me and DS were collected by welfare and taken to camp to meet H so he could see DS. He arrived on time, I made myself scarce by making myself a coffee in the kitchen and having a chat with some of the staff whilst he spent time with DS. I went back into the room ten minutes later to find H stood looking out the window with DS in his arms, and realised that he had tears streaming down his face. I was a bit taken aback as in the entire relationship I have never seen him cry, not once. I found this distressing to see, as would anyone I suppose as it's not nice to see people upset. But I know it's all just a stage in the process and it has probably sunk in just how terrible his actions were and how there is no going back from it all. He said "This is so hard but I'm glad you're finally leaving, my cheating has set you free and that is what I intended as you weren't going to leave any other way, I had to force you to go and this was the only way I knew you would definitely leave". Erm, what?! He cheated because he wanted to, because he wasn't thinking of his family at the time, and he hadn't exactly been the model husband or father before that so I know this isn't true. And his story has changed yet again from it being about me and how boring and crap in bed I was. He messaged me when I was back home saying "You looked stunning today and I can't believe I've lost you".

It doesn't change anything anyway - his actions were beyond low and I will be taking me and DS away from this toxic environment to start afresh. My mom called last night and we have patched things up in a way; they will be coming down to the refuge centre a few days after we arrive to bring us some shopping and to spend time with us. I am glad, because even though we don't have the best relationship, now is a bad time in my life and it will be good to be on happier terms with them despite what I think about their drinking and selfishness towards others.

I am currently using the wifi in the house which is due to be cancelled in the next couple of days and will then be without internet until I leave, so I am going to stop posting here now for the time being and I will come back and update when I am in the UK and hopefully set up with some form of internet on a UK mobile I'll be buying after we've moved in. Thank you so much to everyone that has posted, it really has been a lifeline in this difficult time and I will look back through this thread once we are all set up in our new life to see how far we've come. I have had some really useful support and I can't express how grateful I am to everyone that has taken time out of their day to wish me well, to ask how I am and offer their own life experiences so I can take advice from it.

Bye for now,

SpottyPony

OP posts:
Squitten · 20/08/2013 10:39

Meh - let him justify it to himself however he likes. He has shat his marriage down the pan and his excuses for that are irrelevant. He made his choices so let him live with them. It's the best punishment for him.

Glad to hear things with your parents are improved. Best of luck with the move Spotty!

LoisPuddingLane · 20/08/2013 10:43

Good luck Spotty. This is the start of a new life. xx

forumdonkey · 20/08/2013 10:50

Wishing you good luck and all the very best - you deserve it lovely lady Flowers

apprenticemum · 20/08/2013 11:23

I wish you everything wonderful that you deserve. A word of warning Spotty. Be very much on your guard regarding H. As the time comes close to your leaving do not leave him alone with DS for a moment. If you cannot be in the room with him, be sure someone is and that goes for you too. The mind of a man with violent tendancies canot be trusted and there is no telling what he could do. I don't want to alarm you but please be VERY CAREFUL. The papers are full of stories telling what desperate men can do when a relationship crashes. I don't want to freak you out but forewarned is forearmed. Be safe, be happy and be in touch very soon xxx

ladymalfoy · 20/08/2013 11:27

Looking through a window with tears in his eyes?
I bet he knew you'd come in and see him like that. And that anyone else who came in would too.
Sounds like he's related to my twatty ex.
Stay strong and think about Brum and its Christmas markets and mulled wine and looking at the stalls.

Gruntfuttock · 20/08/2013 11:36

I don't get it. How can he say that he wanted you to leave and that's why he cheated, because it was his way of forcing you to go and then message you afterwards "You looked stunning today and I can't believe I've lost you". That doesn't make an iota of sense.

OhDearNigel · 20/08/2013 11:43

Good luck Spotty. Look forward to hearing from when you're settled and wish you the very best for your new life xx

YoniMatopoeia · 20/08/2013 11:44

Good Luck spotty.

Can't wait to have an update once you are living your new life because I predict it will be a happy update :)

OrangeLily · 20/08/2013 11:56

Oh spotty I can't believe how much you've achieved since you started this thread. Good luck and looking forward to hearing from you once you are settled. Be safe and don't let him try to twist what has happened.

Idratherbeknitting · 20/08/2013 13:08

Good luck Spottypony.

This is the crap bit, it will all get so much better. It does take time, I wish it didn't, and it's painful, but it does get better.

I shall look for your update, and wish you and your baby all the very very best for now, take care of yourselves xxx

PedantMarina · 20/08/2013 13:30

Actually, I do get all the things twunt was doing. I mean, I'm not ruling out that the tears might have been faked, but it is entirely possible he realises how much he's fucked things up. Hell, even if he only realised about half of it, that'd bring tears to any man's eyes. And the stuff afterwards about "can't believe I lost you", well, that's weakness and more futility on his part. Not necc evil, just pointless.

The "I did it so you'd leave me" stuff, however, is pure bullshit.

Glad to hear you're not taken in, and please remember everything that has gone before in the weeks and months ahead. Remember, you've now got a divorce to get and custody arrangements to finalise. Don't let any sympathy for his plight get in the way of doing what's right by you and DS.

Hurry back to blighty! DP and I sometimes go to the SutCo part of Brum - if you want to meet up for a Brew.

flumposie · 20/08/2013 14:29

Good luck to you and your son, you have amazing strength.

Nadalsballs · 20/08/2013 17:34

Good luck spotty, will be thinking of you!

piratecat · 20/08/2013 18:07

so glad to see your update and lots of luck and thoughts going to you from me. bless you and your son. x

Mum2Fergus · 20/08/2013 18:20

Safe home Spotty...will keep an eye out foe you xxx

NoToast · 20/08/2013 21:53

Good luck to you, wish you every happiness in your new life, x

Patilla · 20/08/2013 23:17

Just de-lurking to wish you all the best.

On difficult days I remind myself of a favourite quote of mine which goes;
"sometimes courage doesn't roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day which says I''ll try again tomorrow."

You might not spend each day feeling courageous but you are being courageous for the sake of your precious little family.

funnymummy2931 · 20/08/2013 23:59

Good luck Spotty and safe journey home xxxx