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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:
TeaMakesItAllPossible · 10/08/2013 13:53

Oh Spotty - the bit about your horse made me a bit teary - if re-housing him is your main barrier to leaving is there a good horse network you can use, or post in forces sweethearts or the tack room to see if anyone has practical experience of rehoming in the country you're in.

I think you're making the right decision and I wish you Godspeed.

Branleuse · 10/08/2013 13:55

what an utter cunt he is

CoolaSchmoola · 10/08/2013 13:55

You certainly don't need his permission to go.

Feel free to pm me if I can be of any help, even if it's just support from someone who has lived that lifestyle. (I was a forces wife until December as DH left the Forces then).

SpottyPony · 10/08/2013 14:03

I agree with the comment re. my parents. They aren't being nearly as supportive as I would have wished, and have stated that I'm a married woman, I need to rectify things myself as I got myself into the situation. Not helpful at all!

CoolaSchmoola thank you, I hadn't thought about SSAFA and will speak to them. They were very helpful when DS was in hospital and someone from them came to see us everyday. KingRollo yes I am in Germany. I will pm you with the town that I'm in!

TeaMakesItAllPossible good idea, thank you I will post in the tack room about my horse. This is one of the main points that I keep coming unstuck with and the thought of never seeing her again makes me very sad. She's an older girl who has had a tough life in her past and she's very gentle and loving, she nudges me for treats out of my pockets quietly stands listening to me telling her all my woes. Whoever rehomed her would be very lucky as she's a little star.

OP posts:
TeamEdward · 10/08/2013 14:07

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Gruntfuttock · 10/08/2013 14:11

I can't understand your parents' attitude at all, SpottyPony. I'm so sorry that they are unwilling to give you all the support:- practical, financial, emotional - whatever you and your DS need. I find it shocking tbh. Sad

LindyHemming · 10/08/2013 14:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SpottyPony · 10/08/2013 14:24

I realise that in every post I reveal something yet more tragic and depressing! I actually have many positives in my life and try to see the good in every situation (probably why I have stayed with him for so long) and to stay optimistic, so apologies if I am sounding like one big complainer as I don't mean to. Everything's just gotten a bit rubbish all at once! I have a beautiful DS who is my main focus at the moment and once we're sorted in our new lives then I'm sure everything will become better Smile

My parents are lovely, they just aren't good when things aren't going smoothly and try to avoid anything that unsettles their quiet life which seems to include my failed marriage. Me and DS will have to go it alone, but we will get there!

OP posts:
DidoTheDodo · 10/08/2013 14:34

Spottypony, no advice to give since you have shedloads of good (and far more detailed) stuff already.
i just wanted to wish you and your DS well, and every positive vibe that there is for your bright future.
Be brave, be strong and look forwards.

EATmum · 10/08/2013 14:47

What a horrible person. Is this a recent change in him - its hard to think why you've stayed with him at all, based on what you've said. Just wondering if he's depressed or something. Mainly because it's so hard to see how anybody could be so spiteful and unkind to the people they love.

madmayday · 10/08/2013 15:49

You sound truly lovely OP and I'm so sorry that this has happened to you. He really is a scumbag and I'm so glad you've decided to LTB - he doesn't know this yet but he's about to lose the best thing that ever happened to him and my God, it sounds like it's ALL his loss. You have such a positive attitude in the face of such adversity and I feel sure that you and your DS are going to have such wonderful futures ahead of you back in Blighty and away from this total shit of a man. Things may be hard going for a while but they WILL improve. I wish you and your lovely DS the best of luck OP...

SpottyPony · 10/08/2013 15:55

EATmum I had actually made allowances for the possibility of depression or similar that may have made him shut me and DS out this way. After many many discussions with him previously and begging him to get help for his cold hearted actions (that I was concerned were through no fault of his own and wasn't able to see how badly he was treating us) he assured me he was fine and that I was simply being dramatic and to shut up about it. So there ended my questioning his state of mind sympathetically.

Ledkr thank you very much for that link, I am going to have a good read of it when DS is having his next nap as he's currently shouting at his toys very animatedly and I keep losing my train of thought Grin

madmayday that's a lovely post thank you very much. Smile

OP posts:
PlotTwist · 10/08/2013 15:58

I've got to agree with the others, you're already a single mother. If you can return back home to any sort of supposrt network - even if your parents can't house you - you'd probably find life a lot less stressful.

Life's a lot less lonely doing it all yourself and being by yourself than it is being one half of a couple where the other person is never there.

RobotHamster · 10/08/2013 15:59

So glad you're making plans to LTB. you poor thing. X

GilmoursPillow · 10/08/2013 15:59

You can have my first ever LTB.

He cut off communication knowing is baby was sick in hospital?? That defies belief.

I hope you can get out of there before he gets back so he doesn't have the chance to make life difficult for you, or to put a block on your plans to leave.
I wish you the very best of luck, you sound lovely and deserve so much more than this piece of shit.

Tiredemma · 10/08/2013 16:04

Spottypony. I'm in the West Midlands and off work for the next 8 months on maternity leave. If you need ANY help when you get back here then please get in touch Smile

KeatsiePie · 10/08/2013 18:53

Spotty I am so sorry. His behavior is ridiculously bad. I'm very glad you can go back to England without legal difficulties.

I completely get how important your horse is to you and I am so very sorry you have to give her up.

How about this: allocate a block of time every day to finding her a really good home, spend that time, then set the matter aside for the day. Use the rest of your time to look after your DS, make travel arrangements, sort out the packing, etc.

That way you will feel like you are doing your best for her (as you are!) and won't be worrying about her constantly, so you can get on with things and be out before the two weeks is up. Good luck x.

SpottyPony · 10/08/2013 19:38

Thank you Tiredemma I appreciate it Smile

That's a good idea KeatsiePie, as of tomorrow I'll spend some time each day sorting out a new home for her and then the rest of it can be dedicated to DS and everything I have to sort. I have small pets too - 2 lovely bunnies that are house trained and so friendly and lovebirds that are great. I am feeling very bitter that I have to give all of this up because of his behaviour Angry

I was having a browse on the dreaded Facebook just now and saw he's been online a matter of minutes ago, posting pictures of himself posing in his work gear and grinning away. I saw red and was about to post some choice words on the picture when the picture became unavailable to me - as did his entire profile and I found I was unable to search for him. Looks like I'm now blocked from his Facebook as well as every other communication means I had. He still doesn't know if DS is in hospital or not or how he is. Literally feel as though my heart's being stamped on. I don't and can't understand this, we've been married for years and are so lucky to have such a wonderful son. I could just cry and cry.

OP posts:
LindyHemming · 10/08/2013 19:45

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ImTooHecsyForYourParty · 10/08/2013 19:49

He doesn't give a shit about you or his child, does he?
Wishing you a speedy exit. Getting out is the right thing to do.

5hounds · 10/08/2013 20:00

I am so angry on ur behalf. What a wanker. My 1st LTB

BumgrapesofWrath · 10/08/2013 20:05

My first LTB as well!!

Wishing you strength

CSIJanner · 10/08/2013 20:15

Let his CO know how his son is doing as he has effectively closed down all forms of communication with you. Will go down like the proverbial tonne of bricks with his CO and the armed forces - what with their requirements of upstanding principles, moral and ethical virtues etc.

Then LTB Flowers

Selks · 10/08/2013 20:15

Jesus. He is being unspeakably awful...words fail me. You sound lovely OP and you deserve much better then this. Stay strong. Wishing you (and DS) well. x

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