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Relationships

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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:
ElBombero · 22/08/2013 07:04

Hey Spotty, how are things?

maristella · 22/08/2013 11:05

Thinking of you Spotty x

BloomingRose · 22/08/2013 19:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

OrangeLily · 22/08/2013 23:39

Hope the refuge has worked out Spotty and that you managed to see your sister xxx

Mum2Fergus · 23/08/2013 17:19

Hi Spotty...hope transition is going well...hugs!x

AFishWithoutABicycle · 27/08/2013 21:43

Hope all is well Spotty.

PeggyBabcockBoot · 28/08/2013 12:19

Thinking of you, stay strong x

Timeforabiscuit · 29/08/2013 12:24

Hope you're doing OK Spotty

Mum2Fergus · 31/08/2013 19:43

Hope you're doing well Spotty x

Featherbag · 31/08/2013 22:08

Another one here sending vibes of hope and positivity xx

Jarlin · 31/08/2013 23:44

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

marimeifod · 01/09/2013 01:05

All the best Spotty and looking forward to an update. You are doing the right thing.

SpottyPony · 01/09/2013 19:55

Hello everyone! Please excuse any typos, am on my new UK phone! I am here at the refuge centre; our removals were on Friday and our flight just yesterday so we are still settling in.

What an emotional rollercoaster since I last messaged before my internet got cut off in Germany! On Monday I hadn't heard from H for a while, and I soon learnt why. He called me and informed me he had left the country and was actually in the UK to "enjoy the rest of his leave and chill out a bit" Shock he hadn't given any warning, said bye to DS, nothing. Just upped and left. As he isn't allowed onto the refuge centre grounds as an estranged husband (which he knew) there's no telling when, or if he's ever going to see DS again. He hasn't been in touch since we arrived, he knew when our flight was and still nothing. The last I heard from him was before the removals arrived, telling me to leave the majority of items in the house as he wanted them or he would be reporting me to UK police for theft Confused I of course did no such thing.

Removals came and went, were very quick and I was glad to be out of the house and all the bad memories. Got moved into a welfare flat before our flight and I was at my lowest ebb then. It was filthy, crawling with spiders, damp and in a very unkempt state. I felt very alone and abandoned at that point.

However - it all picks up from this point! The flight was great, DS did me proud! Arrived here and the 3 bed chalet we're in is old fashioned (think 1960's holiday chalet!) but very clean and has everything we need. It is so lovely and peaceful here - surrounded by quaint villages, countryside and you can't hear a thing at night. Unfortunately my sister had to work away at the weekend so couldn't come down to me, my parents stepped in and are staying nearby (they also own a motorhome like my sister) and have been absolutely wonderful. I just cannot fault them. They were waiting for me at arrivals and my mom hugged me so tight and said everything was going to be okay; I burst into tears.

I feel like a weight has been lifted already; everyone I've contacted has said I sound like a new woman already and my parents say it's as if they've got a bit of their old daughter back. Our new start begins here, I am nervous but so excited about our future! Not looking forward to divorce proceedings at all as he is going to be very obstructive but will cross that bridge when I come to it. Thank you once again to all the well wishers who have been posting and helped me so much! Sorry it's so long too - I missed Mumsnet!

OP posts:
Mum2Fergus · 01/09/2013 20:05

Awe Spotty, it's so good to hear from you...welcome home! So glad your parents have stepped up to the mark Smile onwards and upwards from here xxx

Viking1 · 01/09/2013 20:09

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Selks · 01/09/2013 20:13

Aw well done, Spotty! It's great to hear back from you and I'm so pleased that things are going well for you...and that your parents are being supportive.
You've been through such an ordeal; now you can gradually start building a new, much happier, life for you and your lovely DS.
My heartfelt best wishes for a rosy future. Smile

ScarletWomanoftheVillage · 01/09/2013 20:15

Excellent! Glad you're doing so well Spotty

Your H is awful, goodness knows what goes on in his head. But whatever, you are so well rid of him. Great to hear that your parents are being as supportive as they can be, that is such good news.

All the very best Flowers

SpottyPony · 01/09/2013 20:29

Thanks all! My motto definitely is "onwards and upwards" - nothing can be as upsetting, trying and heartbreaking as finding out about his affairs and leaving my life in Germany behind, so I am prepared to take on anything now! i think we may be in for a long stay here as my local council aren't great, but that's okay. I am lucky to be able to access this kind of help and it's a lovely place so I am feeling fairly content and grateful for all I have.

What lovely freedom it's brought in the smallest ways too! Earlier I went to Asda with my parents (on a Sunday!! i forgot shops are open here on a Sunday, I was like Grin the whole way round) and I bought all the things that H would never let me choose, as he didn't let me access his money therefore he only bought what he wanted and didn't ever let me choose unless we were using my money. It was a frugal shop that I did as I am being cautious with my money, but so liberating at the same time!

OP posts:
Selks · 01/09/2013 20:46

Lovely freedom indeed! Enjoy each and every moment of it. x

Featherbag · 01/09/2013 20:59

Fab news!!!

Ruprekt · 01/09/2013 21:07

Yay! Spotty you sound so happy! Stay strong!! SmileSmileBrewThanksThanks

Ruprekt · 01/09/2013 21:07

And you could start a new thread now called......

I have come home.....SmileSmile

LadyGoodman · 01/09/2013 21:10

Welcome back OP

Glad your parents came through in the end and that things are looking good sorry your dh still such an utter arse though!! U must be wondering how u got him so wrong

SpottyPony · 01/09/2013 21:21

Ruprekt yes I could, wow what a journey from the start of this thread with me wondering if he should come back from overseas before the whole horror story unravelled itself, and now it is me that's come home for good!

LadyGoodman yes you're right, I often find myself sitting there stumped as to how I got him so wrong, put all my trust in him and went on yo marry and have a child with him. From what I saw he was sending the women he was having affairs with content he used to when we first got together; making them feel special, lots of compliments, swearing to love them and only them. I feel as though I've been married to a con artist and wonder if I'll ever be able to put my trust in someone again, but its early days and I know not everyone is like him.

OP posts:
Fivemoreminutesmummy · 01/09/2013 21:23

Well done! You have been really brave and found so strong. I think it will be tough for you but you should look back at this thread when you have a low moment and feel so proud of yourself.

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