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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:
PedantMarina · 04/09/2013 15:51

How utterly brilliant! Spotty, if you ever worry about twunt asking for access for DC, don't. His behaviour throughout kills his case, especially this latest string of messages, demanding "his" material possessions but not even mentioning your DC!

I mean, if he were trying to be this stupid, I'd almost have some respect for what a good job he's making of it.

Welcome back to Blighty, by the way. Still mean it when I offer a Brew.

hellsbellsmelons · 04/09/2013 16:14

Oh Spotty - your updates have brought a tear to my eye.
I know he's rained on your parade a little bit now but I'm so glad you are back in the UK and rebuilding your life.
Cheers to you and your wonderful future life without any fuckwits in it!
Well done and good luck.

funnymummy2931 · 04/09/2013 22:55

Well done Spotty, your beautiful boy is lucky to have you as a Mummy x

whitsernam · 05/09/2013 01:29

What funnymummy said, times three! Your boy is incredibly lucky. I know it's difficult, but you just have to protect your baby boy.

FeelingWeirdNow · 06/09/2013 11:06

What a rollercoaster of a thread!! What a woman you are Thanks the strength and dignity you have shown is unbelievable.

Wishing you all the luck in the world OP xxx

Squitten · 06/09/2013 11:52

Don't block him on FB - better that he threatens you in writing than verbally, so you have the proof if you need it!

Glad everything is otherwise going forward for you and your LO Smile

UnicornsNotRiddenByGrownUps · 19/09/2013 19:29

How did I miss your updates Spotty! Love the updates apart from ex being a fanny. How are you doing now?

UnicornsNotRiddenByGrownUps · 19/09/2013 19:31

Whoops should have also said iv NC since I was posting on this thread but I was posting quite a bit Smile

SpottyPony · 09/11/2013 18:12

Hello everyone! I hope no one minds me coming back to this thread and updating for the final time, but I thought I would close it by adding the last chapter to mine and DS's journey and also because I was having a bit of an emotional time earlier on today and came back to the thread to read it. I just can't believe it's all happened to me; reading it seems as though it happened to someone else and brought back a lot of powerful memories!

We were at the refuge centre for 7 weeks in total; had been advised prior to arriving we would probably be there for several months and most likely well into next year. The centre was good for us, the perfect place to get my thoughts and plan of action together and the staff were very helpful with benefit forms and assisting with housing. I had quite a struggle with my local council to get them to assist us as they stated as I hadn't lived in the area for the last 6 months (despite being born and raised in the area for over 20 years prior to leaving to move to Germany!!) they were unable to help us. However many meetings, phonecalls and letters later they accepted my homelessness application and we were given the keys to our council flat in my home town very shortly after Smile

It was in quite a state when we got here; filthy, damp and with no carpets, cooker or, well anything really. However with the assistance of my family, who have been fantastic, our flat has been transformed and it looks really lovely. Have decorated it to my tastes, which would never have been allowed previously! Speaking of which, exH is very rarely in touch. He came to the UK for leave last week and met me and DS to see him; had very little interest in DS, picked him up and cuddled him but when it came to feeding him, changing him etc, he said he had other things to do and made his excuses. CSA claim is currently being processed which he has tried to fight all the way, to no avail obviously as he doesn't have a leg to stand on. Friends in Germany still occassionally contact me telling me they've seen him out and about in town and is always accompanied by another woman, several different ones have been seen. It hurts every time and I have asked them to stop telling me, as I don't need to know anymore. I know what he's like, have been hurt more than I ever thought possible by him.

Thank you so much to all that contributed to this thread, you all helped me a huge amount and I will be forever grateful. I am now turning my sights towards making sure DS is settled and going to some local baby groups when I find some. I also desperately want to try and get myself on the right path to training to be a nurse, so am finding out about that and thinking of childcare options, funding etc. I followed exH to Germany to support his career, now I think it's time I followed my own dreams and showed DS you can do anything if you want it enough.

SpottyPony Smile

OP posts:
siucra · 09/11/2013 18:20

Yay Spotty Pony!
Great to hear you are back on two feet. Many, many congratulations!
Best of luck with your new life!
xxx

tribpot · 09/11/2013 18:24

Fab news, you've done so well. Onwards and upwards - 2014 is going to be so, so much better than 2013.

ToastyStoat · 09/11/2013 18:32

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

whitesugar · 09/11/2013 18:38

Thanks very much for taking the time to update us Spotty. You are an excellent example to anyone who is terrified to leave a dysfunctional relationship. I really admire you and congratulate you for getting through such a tough time. I wish you all the best for the future. It really is your ex's loss that he is not in contact with his beautiful little boy. I have always maintained (based on personal experience) that an absent father does less damage than a present crap father. Good luck with the nursing degree, I have no doubt that you will graduate and move on with your new life. Well done x

flatbellyfella · 09/11/2013 18:58

You will be an inspiration to others reading thisspotty. Good luck for your future.

Leverette · 09/11/2013 19:26

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Lweji · 09/11/2013 19:40

That's great news. :)

It's great to hear a good outcome.

Mum2Fergus · 09/11/2013 19:40

Yay Spotty...so happy for you Grin xx

Tilpil · 09/11/2013 21:49

Good luck and look on some websites if you want things to do with horses would say you could come to my yard to have time with my mental lot but I'm in Lancashire good luck in the future x

Distrustinggirlnow · 09/11/2013 23:08

Hello Grin this is very odd but I was thinking of u this morning!
I'm so pleased you're getting sorted Smile are you closer to me now, I think you may be...? My offer to come and hug a horse is still open, altho they're all a bit muddy this weather!

Your flat sounds lovely. I know it's been a hard journey for you but please don't doubt what a strong young woman you are.

My eldest DD is doing the training that you want to do. If you've any questions just shout!

Pat on the back for you spottypony Thanks Smile

AnyFuckerWillDo · 10/11/2013 03:07

I remember this thread well.

Glad your doing well. You are a brave and courageous woman and should be proud of yourself Grin

Cerisier · 10/11/2013 03:34

I have just read the whole thread and I am so pleased it has worked out ok and you are making a new life for yourself and DS. Wishing you both every happiness in the future. As others have said, this is an inspirational story.

lunar1 · 10/11/2013 03:53

So glad to catch your update and really happy you are doing so well. You will be an amazing nurse, if you need any help applying just say. Your story is inspiring.

Mrscaindingle · 10/11/2013 07:10

What a lovely update spotty, it's always good to hear of things working out so thank you for coming back to let us know how you are getting on, it brought a tear to my eye Thanks

SpottyPony · 10/11/2013 13:28

Thank you everyone, hoping 2014 will be a better year for us!

Distrusting yes I think I am closer to you now! Would love to come and hug a horse, am missing mine so, so much. When I was unpacking upon arrival at the flat I discovered all my jods and boots in one box - which smelt very distinctly of horse and were covered in her hair. Brought a lump to my throat Sad I get regular updates about her, and she is having a wonderful time. I would also love to know how your dd went about starting her training; I have been told by a friend I need to complete an access course before I begin, which I can't enrol in until next September, but it's a start at least and I can maybe do something health care related in the meantime.

It's quite a shock being out of the Army bubble now; I have been quite lonely since getting here as it's all so close and interlinked over there, but I will get used to it and find new friends. At least I'm about 2 minutes away from my family now, whereas I was in a different country before!

OP posts:
LemonBreeland · 13/11/2013 14:39

Spotty how lovely to hear an update. You have been so strong throughout this experience, and now you are settled and building a life for you and your DS.

I wish you a wonderful future.

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